Athenaeum Hotel

Our room was in a sad state. Floor slanted so badly it looked like a ramp. Noisy from guests above us. Entire place in dire need of upgrades.

I loved this stay but for one thing. No food available for dinner on my 66th birthday because the restaurant was rented out for a wedding. If only I had thought to rent the whole place out in advance I could have eaten here! Being off season there was nothing open on campus so we had to drive for food. Oh well. Apart from that, it was all I remembered. I’d last been here 50 years ago with my now departed parents and wanted to relive it for my 66th. Well, I certainly did that. The property is as beautiful as I remember and the stay comfortable. Highly recommended.

This building gives you a wonderful 19th century feeling. It is located in a beautiful garden. There was even a 25 minutes Saturday night fireworks (provided by a wedding, though).

No valet available when we checked in and the parking lot was 5 blocks away!!!

I have dreamed of staying here since a child. It was perfect. Can’t wait to come back.

second rate; not worth it. Rooms are blah, bathroom way too small; beds poorly made up & cramped, including sheets too small for the already small beds; desperately needs major maintenance; breakfasts good, lunches ok, dinners weak; breads leave much to be desired. Were it not for its unique location, it wouldn't be in business.

Let's focus on the bar in the lobby! Wonderful, historical environment. Nice location between the front desk and the restaurant. Lots of activities happen during the day and into the evening. Everyone is looking happy. We love the complete Chautauqua experience!

We have stayed at the Athenaeum several times in the past. It is basically the only accommodation available if one wants to stay less than a week. Our visits in the past were acceptable; this one was really disappointing. The hotel is certainly a 'grand old dame' which gives it its charm. However, the charm ends with tiny rooms, both in the main hotel and in the annex. The friendly woman who welcomed us said she was new. That was certainly obvious. What happened to staff training? She knew basically nothing. I felt sorry for her that she had been put in such an uncomfortable position. The young women greeting guests at the dining room were generally unfriendly and very slow. Not acceptable. No one told us there would be no buffet breakfast on the Sunday, just a brunch buffet which was an extra charge. And no one seemed to know how much that cost when we asked. (It was $55.00 - really?) Housekeeping didn't happen until I showed up in the room mid-afternoon and was told that reception told them that we were checking out that day, so it wasn't necessary!! (We were not checking out until the following day.) One chocolate was left in our room on arrival. We were two people. The biggest concern was the ratty carpet on the outside steps to the Annex. That is an accident waiting to happen. Definitely unacceptable and surprising! The friendliest and most efficient employees were the bellmen who stored luggage and dealt with our car. Bravo to them for their efficiency and great attitude. I would respectfully suggest that more training and supervision is necessary to make this hotel the 'grand old dame' it should be. It is certainly not worth the cost as it is at present. Very sad!

Lovely furnishings, but the restaurant spectacularly failed a county health department inspection in June 2024. Consider inquiring about the status of remediation before dining there. The findings: Item 5A- Critical Violation [RED] Potentially hazardous foods are not kept at or below 45°F during cold holding, except smoked fish not kept at or below 38°F during cold holding. Item 8A- Food not protected during storage, preparation, display, transportation and service, from potential sources of contamination (e.g., food uncovered, mislabeled, stored on floor, missing or inadequate sneeze guards, food containers double stacked). Item 11B- Wiping cloths dirty, not stored properly in sanitizing solutions. Item 11C- Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any time of operations when contamination may have occurred. Item 13A- Adequate, leakproof, non-absorbent, vermin-proof, covered containers not provided where needed. Item 15B- Lighting and ventilation inadequate, fixtures not shielded, dirty ventilation hoods, ductwork, filters, exhaust fans.

Great