We usually try to stay at chain hotels or motels, But we were visiting some friends in Roxbury, NY and this was the closest place we could find that had rooms available on Columbus Day weekend. We also usually check the reviews on yelp. We didn't do that. THIS PLACE IS A HORROR SHOW. Words do not adequately describe what we experienced and saw, but I will try so that you can avoid this place like the plague. We were greeted by the innkeeper, a guy named Lewis, as we drove onto the property. From the moment we met him we felt completely and totally creeped out. He looked disheveled and kind of "asylumish". This man does not shut up. He talks incessantly about himself. He takes every opportunity to engage you in conversation with no respect for your privacy. One would expect that when going to a bed-and-breakfast the proprietors would simply introduce themselves, explain the amenities that they offer, and disappear. This is something Lewis does not understand. Instead, he seems to pop up mysteriously wherever you are and starts conversations that center around him. The place smells like a funeral home when you first enter. Everything is outdated and run down. There are antiques throughout but when you enter your room, all of the lovely antiques are conspicuously absent. There is dirt, dust, and cobwebs everywhere. There is no heating in the rooms. We were given a single small space heater which was not adequate at all. The bed smells as though a homeless person slept in it for days. The bathroom had no towels, no soap, a half roll of toilet paper, and the wastepaper basket was lined with a supermarket shopping bag. Wallpaper was peeling off the ceiling the walls were dirty, and the sink was filthy. The bathtub was equally as dirty, and had some kind of rubber mat in it which was obviously moldy. Many of the light fixtures were missing bulbs. Ceiling, walls in the bedroom were cracked, and dirty. I understand that this is and old house, but there has been no attempt to keep this place up. It is literally falling apart. I spent the better part of an hour searching the room for peep holes or hidden cameras as we felt completely unsafe and unsecure. I guess that's in part due to the pervy and skeevy personality of Lewis. We both slept in our clothes rather than sleep under the bed sheets. Can you imagine that? We left at first light to avoid Lewis and his offer of breakfast. Why you may ask. Well the place is filthy. I can only imagine what the kitchen looks like (shudder). I suggest that you pass this rats nest disguised as a B&B and sleep in the parking lot of the Stewart's down the block. The bathroom is spotless there, and you can always get a cold or hot beverage from a clean environment. I've posted some photos to document the room conditions I've described. Lewis can try and refute my review but photographs never lie. I suspect that any positive review here was written by Lewis using fake accounts, which I understand is a violation of the TOS of Yelp. I will be following up with the town of Stamford, and the State Dept. of Health as this place needs to be shut down. For the record, with tax I paid $236 for one night in hell. read more

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Alas, it is Monday morning and I am back to the grind, so there is little time for this or that and this again....So, for my review I will simply excerpt from the letter that I've written to the pleasantly lunatical Lewis and the true star, the underpinning, the rock-hard foundation of this B&B - Lilia. Dear L&L, Chelsea and I had a splendid time staying at your beautiful home this past weekend. Thank you once again for your warm and engaging hospitality, the mile long yarn of amusing stories, as well as our newfound and truly meaningful friendship. The day we left we ended up in Woodstock for dinner after gallivanting about Delaware county and we were seated, sandwiched in the uncomfortable in-between of two rather pretentious young women who seemed to be on a first date (who reminded us of a lot of the wanna-bes back home in Manhattan) on one side - and an older couple on the other, who simply did not speak to each other throughout almost the entire meal. This experience, rightly reminded us of how great it was to meet you both and to immerse ourselves in your idiosyncratic authenticity...even if we had to press the pause button on Lewis a few times, so that we might escape and take advantage of the gorgeous countryside called the Catskills (which, by the way, are far more beautiful than the rides through the Adirondacks and the Poconos). We are seriously considering seeking a second home in the area and quite honestly, the greatest impetus to possibly be in Stamford, is simply to be next to you two crazy kids. .... With Sincere Regards, Lorenzo read more

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This is in response from Lewis to Essie Z. I have to say that the experience became less desirable after reading this response. Going into this I had no idea what the accommodations were and I don't care that Lewis made a mix up and then brought us to our correct room. The fact that he berated my wife because she was getting upset was unprofessional and inexcusable. I did not know the room we were staying in, I didn't know any of those details. On the merits of the room alone we first saw it was very nice but obviously not what my wife paid for and telling us we need "a reality check" because you thought we didn't book in advance isn't a way to treat guests. Telling us to leave because we won't enjoy ourselves and saying we have a bad attitude was uncalled for. Dinner was extremely long. I did enjoy it. The food wasn't bad and the company was amazing. It would have been nice to know in advance it was so long. If we had plans to go out on our vacation we would have had to have left dinner early. The bathroom window on that first floor only has the bottom window frosted. People are allowed to feel uneasy in a situation like that not. The eccentricity of Lewis made it uneasy. Having a conversation would not have been an issue but each conversation lasted a very long time and tended to include him speaking about Game Theory, his radio show, his mother thinking he was gay or not being politically correct either singularly or a combination of them. This isn't a question of your hobbies or past jobs or anything of the kind. Perhaps we aren't familiar with the Bed and Breakfast culture but we were really looking for a nice place to stay where we could relax and get away from it all. It is difficult to do so when you can't leave the table. I would have liked to have rated this higher but unfortunately I cannot, not with the response that was given back to my wife. Our first B&B experience just started off so too poorly. read more

We stayed here for the weekend of New Year's and had a great stay. The room was large, comfortable, filled with antiques, and a private bath with a jacuzzi (wasn't working), twin sinks, and a bath/shower, and a great queen sized bed with plenty of covering to keep us snug. The meals provided were vegetarian and more than enough to fill us up. Here's a sampling of what we dined upon: A vegetable Napoleon with phyllo dough, sliced squash, and locally sourced cheeses; whole wheat spaghetti with basil infused olive oil and steamed broccoli florets; garlic crostini; tossed salad with home-grown arugula, shredded carrot and red onion; spiced apple cake and a home brewed herbal iced tea. That was only the first night! For breakfast we were treated to puffed millet and kamut cereal, homemade croissant with guava jam, and a vegetable fritatta, oatmeal with dates, raisins, and local maple syrup. Lila and Lewis were kind and talkative hosts with many (TOO many, really) stories to tell. They've got no prior experience running a B&B, and it shows...but they try. It was difficult to break away from some of the longer, one-sided conversations so as not to be disrespectful, but probably should have insisted. There's plenty of things to do in the area such as skiing and snow activities at Hunter Mountain, hiking, antiquing, etc. Steer clear of the services at this "spa"...as it doesn't have that kind of feel or atmosphere. We came because of a Groupon special which was a pretty good deal. read more

My wife and I went here for a long weekend getaway. We had a very relaxing weekend and truly enjoyed our hosts and accommodations. We had a nice big room with a big bed and private bath. We had plenty of privacy and alone time in our room and at a local park so it was very romantic. We both slept very well since it was so quiet at night. Pretty quiet during the day too...LoL. We enjoyed two different seven course meals prepared to our vegan needs by Lewis and Lilia. They actually had to modify their meals for us but Lewis did so with ease. I never really cared much for eggplant but the way Lewis made it I enjoyed it thoroughly. Breakfast was served each morning with lots of coffee, fresh juice, fresh fruit and we had pancakes one day and waffles the next...both were excellent. One of the things that stands out about this B&B is that Lewis and his wife are very engaging. In some other B&B's I have stayed at there has been no interaction with the host and in many cases not even when I needed assistance. Lewis and Lilia are very helpful and even offered to help us plan our day in and around town. They also held a very informative cooking class. Lewis explained that he is not insured to have us actually chopping vegetables and cooking and so on, but my wife and I learned a lot from his ideas. He showed us several spices that he uses and explained how things work together and a few easy recipes for beginners like me. I am sure that some people have a great expectation and are experts on everything which leads to great dissatisfaction as per their reviews. I find it best to discover places like this and see what they are all about. The B&B industry is artistic in nature and each experience stems from the hosts idea of what a B&B should be. If you want all sorts of standards and amenities the B&B's across this great nation are probably not for you. I enjoy experiencing each one and taking them for what they are. In this case I found great conversation, warm and cozy atmosphere, and on the day I left I felt completely at ease. Lewis is a social type and he is well educated and if you sit tight you just may learn something. I did and this was a great experience for us. read more

We just got home from a relaxing weekend at the Catskills B & B. Lewis and Lily are wonderful hosts. The food was amazing. Our stay included breakfast and dinner each night we were there. Lewis is a great chef who comes up with absolutely amazing recipes. We aren't vegetarian, but the vegetarian meals were so delicious and satisfying. The room we stayed in was beautiful. We opted for the suite with the jacuzzi tub. This included a private movie room, bedroom with a comfortable queen size bed, and a bathroom with a shower, bidet, jacuzzi and twin sinks. If you go, you HAVE to ask to try their home-made trail mix and this dessert that Louis recently came up with that has the texture and consistency of ice cream, but has no dairy in it at all. It was banana-peanut butter-ginger flavored and is absolutely amazing. All in all, we loved staying at the Catskills B & B and would recommend it to others who want a quiet weekend getaway. read more

We just returned from a 2 night stay, and we were pleased with our experience. I was a little concerned by the website, there seemed to be some inconsistencies between the business website and what I thought had been offered through LivingSocial. I know business owners who work with the online deal businesses, and none of them have been 100% happy with how the writers portray their business or their offers, so I attributed the disparity to an effort of the vendors to sell coupons. I agree the cooking class was less than I expected, I had hoped for a demonstration at least, with something to taste at the end. We were the only ones there on Sunday, so the discussion was informal and I did learn some things which I am eager to apply to my own cooking. The welcome packet served the same purpose as the list of local information in a hotel room. The main difference is that at the B&B, there is one, rather than one for every room. I found this to be a creative way to provide good, up-to-date information without wasting resources. Guests are free to take what brochures they find interesting while leaving those they don't need, and the printed pages need only be done once, saving paper and other resources, truly GREEN. We followed several of the hosts' suggestions and had a great time at the book village, and then the next day exploring the region and enjoying the view from the nearby Mount Utsayantha and the fire tower. Lewis is definitely a talker and enjoys animated discussions. While we were there, we participated in several wonderful conversations, and learned much from both Lewis and Lilia, as well as the other guests. We have been to other B & B's and the various hosts have engaged themselves with us and others to different degrees and at various levels of intensity. This is is one of the variables that is part of the B & B experience. As with any new travel, keeping a flexible and open attitude is an important part of enjoying and benefitting from the new experience. We stayed on the 3rd floor, and found the room quite nice. The one window did not allow air in, and when we asked, we were shown how to open the skylight to provide ventilation and allow the cool night air in to freshen the room and facilitate sleep. We are not vegetarian, so I was not sure what to expect from the meals, and was very pleased with how flavorful, varied, and creative they were. I have friends with celiac disease and others who have food allergies, so I asked about some of the recipes and was given an overview of how he prepared the dishes, with a list of special techniques and seasonings. I was very intrigued by the stuffed mushrooms and how the filling tasted like sausage! I have been cooking for over 30 years myself, so found his overviews to be very similar to the way I cook, and easy for me to remember. It would probably not work for someone who wants a precise list of ingredients, quantities and preparation instructions, but even sharing the special twists he uses is more than many chefs would do, and I was pleased with this gracious addition to my experience. Why only 4 stars? We were disappointed that the advertised internet availability was not working when we were there, and I debated whether that should add or reduce a star from the rating because while we do use the internet for finding ideas and researching where to go next, we spent less time with our computers and more with each other and our fellow guests. There is some degree of email and internet connection required by my husband's work, and not having access at the B & B caused some unexpected inconvenience, so I chose to withhold the star. Getting away is much easier when we can take a small piece (internet and email in this case) with us. read more

I'm glad that people are finally writing honest reviews about the Catskills B&B. The truth is there is nothing worse than reading fake reviews that say how nice it is, and then having to find out first hand that the good reviews were fakes and the bad reviews were correct. My husband and I learned the hard way. The Catskills B&B is seriously a terrible place, run by the most intrusive and overly offensive person we have ever met. Everything you have read about him in the other reviews is absolutely true, and worse. On our first day there, we were given a room on the first floor. You should know that I work for a large janitorial and maintenance company in my city. We are contracted to provide service to large hospitals and offices. I manage the field inspection unit. Our mission is to ensure that our staff are meeting and exceeding the janitorial expectations of our clients. So when we walked into the room, my attention was immediately directed to the ceiling and walls. There were literally dust webs in every corner of the ceiling. The walls had dust strands coming off them. This happens over time and with neglect. There is actually no was possible that this room was cleaned properly in months, There was a layer of dust on the floor in areas that apparently no prior guests walked through, by the windows and the sides of the room. The lighting was terrible given that there were bulbs missing from the ceiling light fixture. This gave an eerie effect and made us feel uncomfortable to say the least. There were no guest closets in the room where we could hang our clothes. They were locked with padlocks. This seemed odd until my husband pointed out that one door was unlocked. This door had a PET DOOR installed. Strange that there would be a pet door on a closet door. When we opened the door, it was actually stairs leading down to what appeared to be the basement. This increased our level of discomfort. Maybe I watched too many horror movies, but being in a room with no locks, and doors that give someone access to me makes me scared. There was a light under a door that was apparently locked from outside of our room, near the bathroom and we saw a person walking back and forth. Since we saw no other staff there, we can only assume it was Lewis. Fortunately, I packed soaps and shampoo as there were no bathroom amenities whatsoever. A single weathered towel has in the bathroom. The ceiling had a huge crack and I was concerned about our safety. The sink and tub were grimyand covered with stains, soap scum, and lime deposits. The bathroom itself was unfit for any human to use. We ate in town, and spent our time purposely far from the B&B. When we returned, we were met by the owner, Lewis, who began each conversation with questions about our lives and personal business. Uncomfortable to say the least, and my husband had to pull me away as I was just about to unleash on him, when he asked intimate questions. We asked for towels, but none were given. Even in prison they give you towels. After a horrendous night, in a bed that made crinkling sounds and smelled funny, we up left at about 5am to avoid seeing Lewis. I would rate this a no stars but Yelp won't allow me to do so. If you read my review, don't take my word for it, read the many here that had similar experiences and encounters with the owner. Then decide if you want to stay there. This was to be a special getaway weekend with my hubby. It turned out to be a nightmare. I am heartbroken. read more

This was my very first Bed & Breakfast experience and I would not recommend it to anyone. All previous comments about Lewis are true, he dominates all conversation and when you try and engage him in even a tiny discussion about something, he just uses the opportunity to talk endlessly about himself. We arrived in time for dinner, which was seven rounds of small, mostly bland veggie options. This started at 6:30 and was over at 9:30!!! The last hour of which was Lewis talking non-stop while everyone patiently waited for dessert, which was a single scoop of frozen bananas blended with peanut butter. He told us to "google me" at least three times during the meal. We were unable to take a shower/bath that night because the hot water was turned off. The next morning, Lewis blamed it on ghosts. Here's a partial list of ridiculous things Lewis said: "I don't answer rhetorical questions!" (he yelled at one of our fellow guests for at least ten minutes at dinner for asking him what he deemed to be a rhetorical question) "There;s like 1,100 people who think I'm a genius." "If you get me a weekend in the Bahamas with (hot girl band) I'll play their music all day long!" (apparently he hosts a radio show?) "If a gay couple is here, I talk about gay stuff!" "Do you know the history of Billy Bob Thorton?" Breakfasts weren't bad. We had pancakes and eggs. Also, dinner the second night was pretty good, which is the only reason I'm giving two stars here instead of one. The room was clean and cute. It also looks like you'll have hot tub access, but when we asked about, he said he'd charge us $70 for it. Also, the massage that is included is from Lewis. Which is gross. There's definitely some cute stuff in town and some hiking trails and stuff around here, but you'd be better off in a hotel. Or a tent. Or maybe the back seat of your car. read more

I will not beat a dead horse by restating negative point already covered in other reviews I will say most are true. But I will say the place is way over priced. I understand it's b and b and had no expectations of 5 star hotel accommodations. But for the price of 200+ dollars a night I expected a 5 star b and b experience. I was truly disappointed. If it cost half what we paid I would of given it 4 stars. But it is what it is. And what it is is bad read more

We have still not received any refund or apology from the B&B from Hell caretaker Lewis Harrision or from Jim Masters of the WELI Home Shopper Show of Hamden, CT (call letters for radio station 960) for selling us this over priced rip off excursion where we were tortured by the rantings of a madman who refused to leave us alone. Good luck to all those who may stay at this B&B. You are better off going the Bates Motel. At least you will have some quiet moments and food of your choice! Amy and Bill. read more

I wish I had found this website before we booked. If there were an option for zero stars, I would select it. Our reservation was completely lost. Lewis made no apology or attempt to compensate us in any way. For someone who is supposedly a life coach, perhaps he should learn how to run his business (instead of his mouth). We purchased through Double Take Deals, and I have complained to them so that the same thing does not happen to anybody else. The no trespassing and private property signs nailed to a tree lining the driveway was our first sign that this was going to be a weekend we hope to forget. Breakfast was a waffle and a drink. This is not my idea of a family style breakfast. The glass in our bathroom had clearly been taken from another hotel. Our windows were either taped or painted shut, and there was no in-room temperature control. We did not find the home charming at all. The website is deceiving in many ways. My husband and I did all we could to avoid Lewis. In fact, we were so disappointed in things we left very early Sunday morning. I felt like the Colts leaving Baltimore in the 80's. The town of Stamford was very nice and offered a lot of hiking, as well as good food. However, I would not send my worst enemy to this establishment. Our anniversary weekend was incredibly disappointing. As one of our friends put it: "you couldn't make this up if you tried." The Better Business Bureau should step in and do something about this calamity of a Bed and Breakfast. read more

My boyfriend and I bought a Google deal for this B&B and used it in early April. We weren't sure what we were getting into, but it was a great deal, and I really wanted to get out of Brooklyn for the weekend. I'm so glad we went! From the moment we drove up the hill towards the mansion (yes - it's a 17 room mansion) until we walked out Sunday morning with a bag of Lewis and Lily's homemade trail mix for the drive home, the weekend was perfect. We stayed in a room on the third floor, which Lewis described on the phone as "small." I certainly didn't feel that way! It had a queen bed located in an alcove under the slanting ceiling, with a huge skylight directly above. At night we could see the stars! (Only downside: the light came in in the morning...but it was worth it). The room was located on a large common room with a television, and had a bathroom across the hall shared with the other bedrooms. I was initially a little wary about the shared bathroom, and if we'd been paying full price I think I would have wanted a private one, but it worked out just fine. It was kept very clean, though some hand soap would have been nice. If we'd had a private bath, I think this B&B would unquestionably get 5 stars. As it is, I know there are some more expensive rooms that do offer private bathrooms, but we had a wonderful stay regardless and I loved our skylight room. Note: bring slippers or thick socks, because they request that you take your shoes off in the house. As for the hosts, Lewis and Lilia: they were lovely! My boyfriend commented that if you get him talking (which isn't hard to do), you'll soon find out that he's the Catskills version of The Most Interesting Man in the World. His stories ranged from tales of his exploits as a personal shaman for the Gabor sisters to sitting in on top governmental meetings to creating his own thousand-page manual on game theory. Pay no attention to Lewis' comments that he is "not a real chef." The breakfasts and 9 course dinner that we ate there suggested the contrary. A few of our favorite dishes: tomato miso soup with glass noodles, Spanish tomato rice, warm lentil salad with vinaigrette... For those meat-eaters skeptical of a vegetarian meal: my boyfriend is a big meat-eater, and he genuinely enjoyed the dinner. Also, Thomas K. is right: the homemade croissants at breakfast are AMAZING. Fresh out of the oven! We went hiking on Saturday (Windham Peak) and the B&B was a great jumping off point. I'd definitely recommend this B&B for those who want to hike or ski in the area, or who just want a quiet weekend in the country with plenty of good food and eccentric, entertaining hosts. read more

First time in a b&b, so I am no expert by any means. I stayed here with my boyfriend recently with a package purchased from living social. It included a "welcome kit," daily breakfast, and a seven course dinner. I will explain what each consisted of for those of you who have yet to experience your time here. The welcome kit was a couple of books and brochures about activities in the surrounding area. For breakfast, we received a small serving of eggs with two small pieces of bread with oatmeal. The dinner consisted of pickled vegetables, soup, soba noodles, and a casserole of puréed broccoli and cheese layered with phyllo. On a scale of 1 to 10, the food was 5. The hosts were kind and accommodating and the husband was very talkative. He's intelligent and likes very much to talk about what he knows. Go with an open mind and go with someone that you love spending time with. If you do these things, combined with a hike and a stop at the local pizzeria, you will have a good time. read more

My boyfriend and I stayed here during the New Year's Eve weekend. Its was the perfect place for a romantic and quiet getaway. The house is gorgeous, we had a beautiful bedroom with a queen size bed and a private bath. There is a lake right across from the house and the hiking trail to Mount Utsayantha is just 15 -20 minutes walking distance. The hosts Lewis and Lilly are very gracious and welcoming. Breakfast was delicious with lots of variety, good company and conversation. I would definitely go back and would highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking to escape from the city. read more

Went to this B & B for a long weekend with my hubby. We had a restful time and the room was cozy. Our hosts were warm and hospitable. We enjoyed the colorful conversations and learned a few things about Game Theory. Lewis was very helpful with suggestions regarding antiquing and just sightseeing. He provided us with brochures and a map to find our way around. We didn't eat here as we were out and about till late. We did have a light breakfast then hit the road early. Their home was beautiful and we loved the antique furnishings. The yard was covered with snow, but I managed to get some really nice pics. He and Lili were very kind and thoughtful. I would return, but maybe in the summer so that we could enjoy the lush green surroundings. Thanks Lewis from a fellow New Yorker - Going to venture back up during the summer. Regards Susan and Harvey read more

Lewis is a great personality and cooks wonderfully. The entire environment is welcoming and the main hub of town is just a brief walk away. Pair that with the close distance to Windham Mountain for skiing and it was a great weekend away! http://518bitesandsights.com/2013/03/09/catskillbb/ read more

I was looking to get out of the city for a couple days to relax. I got what I was looking for and far more than I could have imagined. As other people have mentioned, Lewis is an eccentric character with a pension for 'colorful' stories. If you're a very conservative person then this place probably isn't for you. I loved it. Lewis and I talked for hours about philosophy, spirituality, and just about everything else you could think of. On top of that, he gave me valuable advice and perspective on my business and even took me on his radio show to help me promote it. I was never forced into any conversation as other posters claimed, in fact, Lewis kept asking if he was talking too much - to which I kept enthusiastically responding "no". He really is one of the most interesting people I've met in a long time. Lily, as advertised, is about as sweet and adorable as they come. The 'yin and yang' of their relationship was a beautiful (and entertaining) thing to behold. I only wish I would have seen more of her. The food was spectacular. For breakfast (included with the room) I had eggs with fresh artichoke hears and peppers along with fried potatoes. Dinner included some of the best baba ganoush I've ever had in my life, homemade borscht, and all the wine I could drink along with other delicious dishes. Oh, and the recently renovated mansion is something straight out of a movie. The only downside, I would say, was due to my mistake decision to come in the dead of winter. The temp teetered around 7 degrees, and this is a massive Victorian-era mansion build before modern heating systems and heat retention systems were invented. My room was always toasty thanks to space heaters (the hot bath I took really hit the spot as well) - but the rest of the place could get a bit uncomfortable. Nothing you can do about nature though, so I'd definitely save my next trip for when things warm up a bit. I'd stay here again in a heartbeat. Just don't come in expecting a "traditional" experience, whatever that means, and you'll leave happily getting more than you bargained for. read more

TERRIBLE, TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!!. Basically we had exactly the same horrible experiences as most of the other 1-star reviewers. Negative interactions with owner, awful food, questionable cleanliness, lack of privacy and comfort in room, etc. Would not recommend!!! I can't tell if the positive reviews on Yelp and other sites are faked. If not, I have to wonder if the owner Lewis is possibly bi-polar/manic-depressive (I do not mean this as an insult to him, just truly the only explanation I can think of)? We just did not see any of the positives that these reviewers experienced though we did truly try to give the benefit of the doubt and make the best of our stay. It was more or less a lost cause. We basically slept in our room and otherwise avoided the B&B as much as possible. read more

Lewis H. provides a unique perspective on everything in his charming B & B. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves and were treated to a healthy breakfast and fascinating conversation. We had a room with a private bathroom. The room was clean and comfortable. We enjoyed our stay and the quiet town. read more

I could give this multilpe 0 stars if possible. We paid for 2 nights on a last minute getaway from New York City and after meeting Lewis we immediately decided to not stay the second night and he wouldn't refund our money, but offered us a credit. We then started to think about who we hate that we could send for the last night. Lewis is an absolute ass and wants you to think he is intelligent, but he just regurgitates whatever he has read on Wikipedia. Thankfully we didn't want dinner because breakfast was HORRIBLE. I asked for tea multiple times, but never recevied it, Lewis was too busy talking about how smart he is. I will take the $181 hit and review this on every site, just to make sure no one makes the same mistake I did. I do feel bad for his wife! read more

I wish I had read the reviews before I booked my stay. Unfortunately, desperation for a place to stay for a wedding nearby made my hasty decision a big mistake. Here are some facts you should consider: 1. Bring a room freshener to help eliminate the musty order. 2. Use ear plugs to deaden the noise of a plastic encased mattress that crinkles as you move. 3. Learn polite ways to move away from a host that does not know how to stop talking. 4. Pack a Swiffer Duster to dust the night table before you place your book on it. 5. Lug a fire extinguisher into the room on the first floor to be prepared for electrical issues. (Look behind the wall drape for a tangle of wires.). 6. FORGET #1 thru 5 JUST DON'T STAY THERE. read more

I came up here with a friend for a weekend. The town of Stamford itself is charming (there are some cute little shops and restaurants, a nearby hiking trail, and a local bowling alley), but my experience at the B&B was disappointing, especially considering the cost. Here are some details: Atmosphere: As for what to expect, the B&B itself is nice. When we checked in, we were greeted with cookies and tea, which was very nice. The rooms are comfortable, and there are beautiful antiques throughout the home. There is a porch swing that you can sit on and read. However, there are some things that need to be changed: The only TVs in the B&B are in TV rooms, and the rooms are not set up for comfort--so much so that we chose not to use them; there are no sofas or comfortable chairs near the TV. Also, my friend and I got into town earlier than check-in time but could not get into the B&B until much later in the afternoon. We were not able to leave our bags indoors. Owners: Of the couple who owns the place, Lilia, the wife is lovely and makes delicious desserts. However, Lewis, the husband, is a handful. Previous reviewers described him as eccentric, but that is an understatement. If you want a vacation where you really want to bond and talk a LOT with the hosts, this is the place for you. However, if you want to be left even a little to yourself, this is not at all the place for you. Lewis will talk your ear off and tell never-ending stories. He is well-meaning, but he is egocentric, inappropriate, and offensive (he calls Native Americans "Indians" and homosexuals "gays;" tells stories of the transgender couples that came to visit at the B&B, in the sense that he couldn't determine whether one guest was a man or a woman--what does it matter?!--and recaps stories of his own past sexual escapades and one-night stands, with his wife right in the room). What's more, all of this means that the guests don't have much opportunity at all to easily have conversations amongst themselves. If you try to interject, it is very difficult to do so and you end up just listening to him talk. It got to the point where we spent an entire day outside of the B&B just to have some quiet. Food: Breakfast was just okay--I did not feel that ours was up to par with what previous reviewers wrote here (croissants, oatmeal, and frittata would have been nice!); we were served whole-wheat pancakes that were pretty bland. For dinner, a seven-course vegetarian dinner was included in our package. It was good, although extremely heavy on vegetables and extremely light on carbs and protein (our menu: lentil soup, pickled vegetables, potato salad, potato skins with salsa, sautéed baby Portobello mushrooms and sundried tomatoes, steamed carrots, and chocolate cake). Some of the items, like the potato skins, were interesting to try. We paid for a second dinner out-of-pocket, and we were given a half-off price of $30 per person. This seemed a bit steep for what we were served; I definitely think the original price of $60 would have been overpriced. Cooking class: The biggest disappointment of the weekend was the cooking class that we paid for as part of our package. In the class, we were supposed to make a lunch that we could take hiking with us. But the class consisted of Lewis rambling about the different spices he uses, what foods he keeps in his freezer, etc. The "class" was extremely unorganized, with absolutely no focus and definitely no planned lunch creation. Even Lewis admitted that he never plans his meals out in advance and cooks what comes to him at the moment--but for a planned cooking class, there needs to be some actual planning and cooking involved! The class was so boring that we excused ourselves after 15 minutes. We didn't make any food in the class, and we didn't prepare any lunch; instead, we had to purchase a lunch in town before we went hiking. All in all, I might visit the area again but I would not stay at this B&B and would definitely not recommend it to anyone else. I do not feel that I got the serenity I was seeking for at this establishment. The package that we bought was at a discount but was still quite a lot of money to pay for a weekend getaway that wasn't top notch. read more

I booked reservations here for my husband and me three months in advance for two nights in a room with a queen size bed and private bath, a daily full vegetarian breakfast, a seven-Course gourmet vegetarian dinner with beverage pairing, a gourmet vegetarian cooking class, a welcome kit with self-guided driving-tour maps, and a hiker's day pack for $369. This was our first visit to a B&B, so we weren't sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn't this. I was brought to tears by the end of our tour of the premises. Lewis greeted us in the driveway and offered us cookies and tea. Somewhere in the rambling greeting, he said "You won't be in the room with the private bath. I would have given it to you if I could, but you have to understand I'm booked solid through September, so you have to share the bath. But I'm going to give you a gourmet dinner with a beverage pairing at no cost to you." He must have seen my confused look as he told me this, because he followed it up with, "This is what happens when you call me at the last minute and want a room." Huh?? He took us on a tour of the gardens before taking us up to our room, where instead of a queen bed there two twin beds that he would help us push together. At this point, I was completely baffled, and asked, "Soo... what happened that we can't have the room I reserved?" He decided I needed a "reality check" and condescendingly lectured me about my attitude and outlook. "If you're going to come in here with a mind that you're not going to like it, that you're not going to have fun, then you're not" and so on. After a few minutes of this, I was speechless and livid, but he continued. "I'm not going to make you stay. If you don't like it, you can leave. You don't have to stay." The second he was out the door, I cried. I could deal with the shared bath and even the separate beds, but to be berated and treated so poorly for no apparent reason? I couldn't believe it. We thought about leaving even after we were given a room with a private bath (after he double checked his reservations since "you people looked so grumpy" and realized he had me confused with another guest who hadn't arrived yet), but we decided to stay for the night and try to make the best of it. Good: -Lewis's soup, garlic bread, pickled vegetables, and hummus were superb. -The fresh juices and home-made juice punches were delicious; some of the best I've had. -The house is beautiful and in a lovely, very convenient location with a really interesting old cemetery next door. -Everything was clean and there are a lot of interesting things in the house. -Lilia is a sweetheart. -The rooms were very charming, even the small one with the twin beds. -Lewis was upfront from the beginning about why certain things that were supposed to be included in the package weren't, such as the welcome kit and hiker's trail maps. -Lewis asked for feedback and opinions on things he was thinking of adding or doing for future guests. Not So Good: -Dinner lasted a whopping three hours. Tapas are ok with me, but I was hoping for something with a little more substance to keep us full. -The website is deceiving. While the house is gorgeous, it isn't advertised accurately. -The lock on our bedroom door didn't work. -The window in our shower was in one of the meditation gardens, where a chair was pointed right at the house. Even the frosted glass did not make me feel comfortable showering after dark. -Lewis's eccentricity is overwhelming. He will talk at you forever and can be extremely difficult to understand and follow. I think he reads people just fine but doesn't respond accordingly to what he's reading. His stories and commentary are often inappropriate and likely to be found offensive by many people. I'm not often bothered by off color remarks, but some of the things said made my eyes bulge. Aside from the awful interaction when we first arrived Lewis wasn't rude. I think he means well and tries to be accommodating, but has no filter. I avoided the common areas so that I wouldn't have to interact too much with Lewis. Sitting on the porch or in the garden or exploring the books and antiques in the house would have been delightful, but I was tense and on guard any time I wasn't in our room. My husband and I actually planned an entire day, complete with change of clothes in the car, out of the house and snuck back to our room late in the evening. We even skipped the cooking class, which I had been looking forward to. Would I say this is one of the best places I've ever stayed? Absolutely not. It wasn't a great intro to a B&B, and I wouldn't go back. The best thing about staying here was meeting the three couples we had the pleasure of sharing the house with our first night. But it is certainly one of the most memorable trips I've taken. read more

On the way to Albany, New York I discovered this North of Catskill, NY huge B&B house with two of the most interesting Spa owners. The gent is a well known writer who likes likens himself a Guru, his woman on the-other-hand is charming and provides a wonderfully therapeutic chair massage. Stimulating conversation, many books, lots of period furniture, fireplaces and lots of places to walk in this neighborhood of Stamford. read more

STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE! I so wish I had read all the review on Yelp before purchasing a weekend package through Living Social. My friend and I were "greeted" by the owner Lewis who was wearing in dirty clothes. No cookies, tea, or other refreshments offered. Another guest walked by us on the porch, and as soon as he passed, Lewis made disparaging remarks about him. I hope the other guest was escaping! The main floor looked quite nice, packed with antiques and art, but that's where the beauty ended. Our third floor room was tiny with 2 very soft twin beds, low ceilings, a dirty 1950's linoleum floor, and a musty old smell. It was in the 90's outside and at least that hot inside our little room, which had just one window that would open and a fan blowing hot air. The tiny bathroom hadn't been remodeled since the 50's either, and had one window that was covered with dirty plastic and a non-working fan. Lewis had told us we had the entire top floor, but that was nothing to be happy about. There was another larger bedroom with a double or queen bed, which he waved at and leeringly said "you can use this if you're feeling romantic." The "living room" area, which he boasted was a "film viewing room" was an unkempt open space with a dusty old TV, a few old videos, and homemade videotapes of god knows what. Oh, and there were three nasty, ancient, uncomfortable-looking chairs. The floors were the same scarred linoleum as in the bedrooms and bathroom, with a few tattered rugs thrown on top. After Lewis left us, my friend and I looked at each other, sighed, and decided to try to make the best of it. Our $369 package supposedly included a welcome kit and a gourmet vegetarian cooking class. Lewis made no mention of these promised inclusions during our conversation with him. He did tell us breakfast would be served at 8:00 and asked if we wanted our included dinner that night or the next - we opted for the next night, apparently a wise choice. He suggested a local Italian restaurant, which is where we ended up after a walk through the small town of Stamford, which had obviously seen better days. The restaurant also had no air-conditioning, but the food was decent and the service was friendly. We returned to the B&B after dinner, hoping our room had cooled off, but it was still unbearably hot and stuffy. At 9:15pm we decided to cut our losses and just leave. After all, we had already paid the $369 and why compound the error by staying in a place that was horribly uncomfortable? We did not want to encounter Lewis again, so we literally snuck out, hoping he wouldn't see us and confront us. We then drove 3 hours back to Syracuse, very glad to be home! The next morning, we found the reviews on Yelp and were so glad we got out of there when we did. From what most people have said, the weekend was destined to get worse, and I believe that the positive reviews here were written by Lewis himself. The good news is that I called Living Social, and even though it is against their policy, they gave me a full credit. They said that they had received other complaints about this B&B, and I'm sure that's why they were offering a full credit. I did get a voice mail message from Lewis wondering why we left. He said "I hope I didn't say or do anything to offend you." Why would he even say that unless he knew he had offended past guests? I honestly don't know if this guy is a scam artist or just totally clueless, but he should definitely NOT be in the B&B business! read more

Don't go here. I've never reviewed anything on yelp before in my life but felt compelled to after my fiancé and I had such an awful time that we left without spending the entire weekend there. this is a living social fail. Worst vacation experience ever. read more

My husband and I stayed at this B&B for 2 nights. It was not what we were expecting. It was simply not worth the price. If this B&B was 100& cheaper I would have given it 3 stars. First impressions were not great. There is no sign or other indication that you are in the right spot and not just in someone's driveway next to their woodpile. The innkeeper, Lewis, came out to greet us. He was friendly but looked a little messy and just didn't seem very professional. We met his wife inside and she was sweet as can be. The main floor of the house was lovely and what we were looking for in a B&B. Things were looking up! Then they showed us to our room. We are on a student budget, and being 100$ cheaper than the private bath rooms we decided to go for the shared bath accommodations that were made to sound very nice on website. That being said, even with the "living social" price we still paid close to 300$ for 2 nights to stay in what was essentially a messy attic in an uncomfortable room with an outdated bathroom. Now, we are not by any means fancy people nor did we have great expectations BUT for goodness sakes the doors on the bedroom and the shared bathroom didn't even close all the way! After a quick cry on my part and a readjustment of our expectations we decided to make the most of it and stick it out. The room was clean but not built for comfort, it really just felt like we were in someone's attic, not paying guests. The private bath rooms did look much nicer as we peeked into them, that would have been worth the extra money. Also one of the shared bath accommodations has twin beds, so make sure to ask before you sign up for a nice romantic weekend! The living social deal also said that we would have a welcome kit- not so. There was a binder with pamphlets from local attractions in the main entry way and a basket with sunscreen and little bottles of shampoo from I believe another hotel in our room. I believe that Lewis is a well meaning, eccentric and engaging person. We decided to be positive and see him in this way but I can certainly see how people could find him rude. If you are looking for a quiet weekend you should probably just let him know up front because if not he will take any opportunity to engage you in conversation. The food was very good with a beautifully set table for breakfast. Dinner was tasty and I appreciated that it was vegan but it took over 3 hours, thankfully we had wonderful company in the other guests but still. Also, on the living social deal it stated that it would be 7 courses with pairing- we got one glass of wine. There was a lot of food (soup, bread, salad,steamed veggies, veggie chips and a variety of appetizers- all very tasty) but I wouldn't consider them all individual "courses" as they were advertized. It was nice that it was included in our deal but I wouldn't pay the 60$ that they typically charge. This spot was simply not worth the price, at least for the shared bathroom accommodations, I would either go for the private bath or not go at all. We were really looking forward to the trip, had saved, planned and driven the long way to celebrate our anniversary. We don't get to do things like this often and this place just did not deliver on what it advertized . read more

My partner and I bought a Living Social deal several months to our arrival at The Harrison Center, otherwise known as Catskills Bed and Breakfast. After the purchase, I immediately emailed asking if they were LGBT friendly. Lewis Harrison replied that he and his wife were the token straight couple in Stamford, NY. Other than the description on their website, this was the second misleading information that we encountered during our "stay" at this "B&B". We planned on a two night stay which turned into a one night disaster upon our arrival. This joke of a B&B mirrored it's owner. We have stayed at other B&B's and have never encountered what we had to endure during our stay with Lewis Harrison (If that's even his real name). Upon arrival to this dilapidated, run down house, Lewis began spewing out tall tales of his lifetime "accomplishments". I don't know about anyone else, but when one plans a stay at a B&B he/she expects relaxation; not entrapment to endure ludicrous information. His stories were mind boggling because none of it made sense and usually was out of context of the conversation at hand. I felt as though I was trapped with a mad man. I cannot even tell you what his stories were about, because you cannot help but tune him out. All I can remember is how he socialized with the likes of Donald Trump, Michael Moore, and something about a Game Theory that he is world renowned for....hmmm? If it weren't for two other couples staying that night, we would have left immediately. The house was so creepy, cold, and uninviting. If we were alone in that house with just my partner and I along with Lewis, I would not have felt safe. No locks on the bedroom doors added to our insecurity. Fortunately for us, we clicked immediately with the other two couples. So much in fact that Lewis could not really get a word in edgewise to disrupt our conversations. Although, he did try several times with his obtuse and obvious lies during the three hour meal. I use meal loosely, since it was a hodgepodge of packaged and prepared foods obviously bought from stores such as Aldi's and Walmart. His claim of holistic living is preposterous. Upon peaking into the kitchen, which was a mess, you can see bags, boxes and cans of store bought foods everywhere. Also, his herb garden that he constantly bragged about was made up of a couple plants of oregano on his deck, along with a couple discarded Sprite bottles. Like I said earlier, we bought a two night stay but could only withstand one. We made up some excuse in the morning that we had to get home, just to get out of that hell-hole! If the personality of the owner wasn't bad enough, the rooms were absolutely disgusting. Our room was cold and dreary. No heat runs from the baseboard heating, only massive dust and dirt lingers there. The bathroom was a nightmare. The shower curtain was dingy and the shower head had to be hand held, which did not help when you had to keep the dirty curtain from touching your skin while washing. Seriously, I could go on and on about this disaster. It was a waste of money and gas getting there! I will finish up by saying if anyone comes across a Groupon, Living Social, or AAA deal, just delete it! In fact, we have contacted Living Social to complain and hopefully get refunded for this nightmare! read more

If I could put zeo stars, I would. We went up at the end of May to celebrate our 30th anniversary I picked this place because I had a coupon from Living Social and I figured it was a good deal for two nights. Boy, was I wrong! We have stayed at several B&B prior to stay and have never been disappointed. They were all beautiful houses, decorated beautifully and very comfortable. The rooms at this place look like they were furnished by yard sale finds and the beds were uncomfortable. We decided to eat dinner there since we had just driven 4 hours. According to Lewis he is a chef and cooks a Tapas style menu. The food was barely ediable and when I asked him where he trained he said he was self taught. He calls himself a chef because that is the French word for cook. I can cook 10 times better than him and I would never assume to call myself a chef. We were charged $30.00 pp. for lousy food. The dinner comes with wine and when I asked for it he offered red or white and I asked for white. He brought me a glass of mixed red and white because the white was "dry", I like dry wine. I have never heard of mixing the two. The breakfast the next morning consisted of very dry scrambled eggs, that's it! Needless to say, we didn't eat anything else there during our stay. There was nothing to do in the town. If you like books, there is a book village close by but, for the most part,you have to drive a good distance to see the sights and to find things to do. The owner was very intrusive, he was always there ready to talk about himself and how many models he had lived with and his many accomplishments. At one point, he actually outright offended me. My husband had to bring it to attention, he offered to apologise but, my husband told him to just leave me alone. Lewis should not be in this business and according to him, he won't be for long. I could go on and on about how bad our stay was, I just wanted to give an updated review and to warn others to stay away even if you do have a coupon. I will never buy a coupon again without checking yelp out first. read more

Beware of this B&B. We went sometime last year through Living Social and ended up getting a partial refund (along with a number of other people...Living Social ended up removing the deal all together from their website). I concur with the 0-1 star reviews about this place: was a complete disappointment and the host is really someone you won't want to spend too much time with. The problem is, he doesn't really stop talking or leave you alone until you make it REALLY obvious that you want to go to your room (which I ended up checking over and over to make sure there weren't any weird peep holes or anything). Just saw this deal posted on How About We and we wrote a review there...the company ended up temporarily removing it pending further investigation. Want to spread the word that this place is not somewhere you wanna spent ANY time...and plus, there isn't great reception up there. Could be bad. read more

Absolutely the worsr B&B experience ever-I don't know where to begin except that I was so stressed out when I returned I needed a real vacation:( My bf and I considered leaving as soon as we got there but due to a prior engagement in the area, we were stuck. The owner made us so uncomfortable, always lurking around, popping up unexpectedly and keeping us hostage to his never-ending rants about how many books he's written and his genius IQ. It got so bad we would leave at the crack of dawn and returned as late as possible to minimize any interaction with him. Not to mention our accomodations were horrible-only got one towel for the 2 of us (we were too scared to ask for an additional one b/c that would be a 3-hr convo), the room had no curtains, no a/c or ventilation, no toiletries (if u count the mini-bottles obviously taken from other hotel rooms), but we had to stay in that room b/c of a "mix-up" and our room had flooded, but from reading the other reviews, this seems to be a common occurence. And let's not forget breakfast-this self-proclaimed chef presented us each with 1 under-done, pre-packaged frozen waffle and cold coffee to which we said "no thanks" and did not eat there again. An expensive weekend now became even more pricey due to spending more $$ on meals than we had expected. I can't stress how horrible a time it was...so disappointing because I love the B&B experience so much and was expecting the homey, relaxing environment and the great home-cooked breakfasts, iced-tea on the porch that I've been accustomed to. I don't wish this man ill-will, he may be very well-intended deep down inside for all I know, but this is so not the right industry for him, and just making many people upset, stressed out and pissed off. Our biggest mistake was not researching this place on Yelp first....I would have NEVER booked our room there:( read more