- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Medbery Inn & Spa
3 reviews for Medbery Inn & Spa
There is nothing like a nice hot mineral bath, so having previously checked out some spas out west, we decided to try one a little closer to home. Upstate NY, the Saratoga Springs area, has 3 legitimate mineral spas that we could find. The Medbery is one that has been recently added, thanks to the town granting the Inn direct access to the mineral spring that runs through the town of Ballston Spa.
We went for a package deal that included a night at the Inn, a mineral bath for two and a facial for my wife for $200. In addition, we went for the couples massage for an additional $170. It also included a breakfast buffet. Total cost $370 (excluding spa tips). We arrived at 2pm and checked out leisurely at about noon the next day. There was no rush to get us out the door, in fact they encouraged us to take our time and relax.
The Inn - A marvelous piece of architecture that Dolores, Jim and Jarrad have done a great job on restoring. The place is immaculate outside and inside. The first floor contains the spa area on one side and the dining area on the other side. The 2nd floor has the guest rooms and they are working on rebuilding/restoring the 3rd floor as well. Everything is very tastefully decorated, clean and spotless, including the rooms, but the dining area is truly special. Plenty of parking in the back. There is a common area that allows you to sit outside on the 2nd floor extended balcony.
The Rooms - Clean with everything you could ask for. Good sized bathroom, California king in our room, cable TV and DSL cable for your laptop if needed. Our room had a slight slant to the floor and the walls were a little thinner than normal, but those are about the only things I would question on our whole stay there. Especially since you are not running into a rowdy crowd or a large noisy family (no offense meant) at this type of place.
The Service - Check in smooth and friendly. Upstairs, the doorway to the room had a blanket of rose pedals...nice, romantic touch. Jarrad gave us a quick description of where to eat and had water/ice brought to the room quickly. Later, the mineral bath was large and relaxing. Another nice touch - a glass of chilled juice and some sliced fruit was soothing to the palate as we sat in the hot mineral water and the cares floated away. Our first ever couples massages were also well done in a well appointed quiet room on the second floor. Standard massage taking care of -or avoiding- whatever areas we asked for. (People cannot touch the bottom of my feet!) From check-in to the core spa services to breakfast, we felt the staff was just great.
The Food - Breakfast was more than just a continental breakfast since there were hot choices like quiche available as well as breads, cereals, fruit and the usual breakfast fare. The dining area as stated before is exquisite and you could picture having a small affair or business meeting there.
The Town - you can stroll through the town and a few shops in an hour . There really is not much there. We did stop at the health food store which actually had some good stuff. On the day we were there, the bookstore was closed. There are a few antique shops and a bottle museum and a number of places to eat. After our massages on the first day, we went to eat in Saratoga (10 minute drive, very quick). The next morning we did take a quick stroll through town. I would call it a town in an upward transition, but not quite there yet. It is certainly not an area you have to worry about, it is just a small sleepy town that has hopes of being the next Saratoga, but needs a lot more work.
If you are looking for a nice, quiet, clean place with good services and charm, aimed more at couples (or a ladies day at the spa) than families, and if you don't mind the quick drive to Saratoga for a wider choice of restaurants and countless shops and stores, then I would recommend the Medbury for a nights stay and it's spa services.
Mixed reviews on this place but an overall 3 stars. Here goes:
Hospitality and service: 5 stars. I haven't seen nicer people. They really make sure you have all your needs taken care of.
Spa Service 3 stars:
The mineral bath was OK, and pretty good price for the area. The inside was cheaped out though. You are in a small bathroom like room with drywall for walls and home depot fiberglass doors. The tiles are cheapish, the room is poorly constructed and a bit on the tacky side. Tacky pretty much describes the room with a poor renovation job. Cheap home depot type fiberglass tub with poor fitting fixtures that deliver the spa. It just does not have the fit and finish. BUT, the bath was relaxing. Sometimes, that's all that counts. but when you are trying to relax, aesthetics do count for a LOT.
The massage was pretty good. nothing to write home about. But it did the job, and the people were friendly. You could pay more somewhere a bit fancier, and you may or may not get a better massage. I couldn't say that afterwards, I was drooling because I was relaxed to the point that I lost all motor control and wanted to just lay on the plinth. I was ready to go after the massage was done. BUT, they do place a warm towel over you, pull a thick cover over you, and leave you in the dark for awhile, so you can relax.
The hotel: the building is old. You walk in and the floors are crooked and sloping. And the floors creak as you walk on them. The characteristics of an old building that probably wreaks of character. You know that under the carpet, is a great oak floor with walnut inlays. But all the character is covered up with home depot drywall and cheap fixtures that do not do the hotel or the underlying character of this building justice.
The room: 2 stars. We were in a deluxe suite with Jacuzzi and whirlpool. the price is not bad the suites around the area, but it needs work. The lack of character is one thing. The rooms are small so I am glad we went with a suite. There were all these vases full of dusty fake flowers that border on tacky. Get rid of all those vases and the room would be a bit more spacious. the fireplace was one of those amish heater boxes with faux fire that you see on TV commercials. The bathroom: they need to not use this contractor ever again, or if they did it themselves, they need to hire a contractor. They put cheap brick red 5x5 tiles (like the kind you see in public restrooms) right on top of the old wooden floors instead of a wetbed. What that means are cracked tiles which detract from the room, but more importantly, creek like hell. It does wake you up at night. The Jacuzzi, just a standard home bathroom whirlpool tub. just nothing really that special and it could be much better. For the price, certainly not the quality I would expect. Oh, and the cobwebs in the corners and ceiling kind of put me off.
I don't like being so harsh about the rooms because the people were so nice and really service oriented, but it could just be better. It's like visiting your gramma's. IT's not the best accomodations but its cozy.
Overally, 600 for two nights, bath for two, and couples message was a good value for the area, so yeah, it's three stars. Like it says, A-OK. Not Spectacular but, A-OK. We aren't sure if we would go back as we do want to try the Gideon Putnam which was sold out for the weekend we wanted to go, but I certainly can't say the place is OFF my list of places I would like to go back.
the town, was OK for a weekend stay. close enough to Saratoga, and enough bars/pubs/eateries to keep you occupied. There is a winebar that has some pretty good wine for like $22.00 a bottle. Anyone from Penssy with it's totalitarian Liquor control board would agree that's an excellent price at a restaurant.
I heard this place is super clean.
Be sure to tip the cleaning staff directly
