The Arbor Inn of Clinton--Griffin House

Our son is a sophomore at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. We live 6 ½ hours away but we still take every opportunity to visit him that the college provides. It’s a long, tedious drive but other than seeing him, we are comforted by the thought that we will be staying at the Arbor Inn of Clinton. Just arriving at the Inn is relaxing. Its bucolic setting is charming and absolutely welcoming. You’ll be smiling before you get out of the car. The inside the house welcome is pretty good too! A sincere greeting awaits you from either Ellen or Dave, the Innkeepers. They are really good people. Warm, very thoughtful and kind. That alone is worth the price of the room. You won’t find this at any hotel. You will be escorted to your room. Each is well-​appointed and is the epitome of what you would hope for in a B&B. Quiet and comfortable. Extraordinarily well kept. Cleanliness is obviously important as is the desire to create an experience that’s homey and elegant. Homemade chocolate-​chip cookies don’t hurt either! There is free Wi-​fi and also a television in each room, movies/DVD’s, and books. All of that said, probably our favorite experience is coming down to one of Ellen’s breakfasts and sitting with other patrons of the Inn. You end up sharing stories over a wide assortment of breakfast options. We have had some incredible conversations and made several small world connections. We’ve also gotten to know Dave and Ellen better too. And when we have to leave, we feel very well cared for. So, this is a very five star review. If you’re traveling to Clinton, NY, this is where you should stay.

Very friendly owners. Classic B&B style. Very clean and fresh looking. Good air conditioning. Nice breakfast. Very easy to use when visiting Hamilton College. Would return if my daughter chooses to apply, she gets accepted, AND she chooses to go… We will see!

I heave a heavy sigh. The time has come for me to write my first negative Unilocal review. Our stay at the Arbor Inn can be summed up in five words: Carol, the innkeeper, is crazy. I would recommend staying at the Artful Lodger.
For those who are still considering staying at the Arbor Inn, please read on:
I’ve never experienced anything quite like Carol. She called a few days prior to my stay to confirm my reservation which I had made for a wedding I was officiating that weekend. As the conversation went on she reminded me several times not to have parties. Apparently she’d had some destructive wedding guests a few weeks before and was «very weary of wedding guests» now. (I think she meant to say «leery»). I found this odd, but remained polite and stayed on the phone longer than I should have during my work day.
As per the description on the website, our suite slept 4 people, so another couple stayed with us that weekend. The day of the wedding Carol stopped by our suite and stumbled on a horrific sight: our roommate reading the New Yorker and enjoying a cup of coffee on the front porch. Carol launched into a patronizing tirade, yelling at my guests and insisting that I contact her immediately.
When I called to figure out what the problem was, she started yelling at me claiming that I had lied to her, that the room was meant for 2 people, not 4. Her behavior was very unnerving and I thought she was possibly unstable and might do something rash. As I spoke with her, I reminded her that her website indicates that the suite sleeps 4 and at no time did she ask me for the number of guests in the room. She eventually admitted that it was a «miscommunication.» I said it was fine as long as we paid the agreed upon rate. Her voice rose and she said «Oh, I’m not charging you for two, I’m charging you for four!» I told her that if she did so I would report her to the Better Business Bureau. To which she yelled «Well, I will report you to the Hamilton College Alumni Association!!» I did not get her reference.
It became clear as the conversation went on that she had mistaken me for an alumna of Hamilton College when she said «You are the worst guest I have ever had. Every time we have problems it’s with the Hamilton College Alumni» I reminded her that I was, in fact, in town officiating a wedding. She responded by hanging up on me. I would like to state that myself and my guests were clean and respectful and did not throw any parties and clearly could not have been «the worst guests she ever had.»
I’m sure that Carol and Bob are hospitable from time to time, particularly if their guests are NOT associated with the college, but is it really worth the risk of being charged more and having an argument with an irrational woman? I suppose that’s your choice.
One last comment: Carol told us that they’d been open for 12 years and had over 25,000 guests — an impossible statistic. Did I mention she is crazy?

A recent graduation party and family visit brought us to upstate New York. In effort not to impose on local family members, we decided to stay comfortably away from the hustle, bustle and stress that large family gatherings often bring. After consideration, we decided to book the Arbor Inn B&B in the New England-​esque village of Clinton, NY.
Nearing two prestigious Liberal Arts colleges in Hamilton College and Colgate University, this B&B is in a perfect location. Less than a mile from the nearby downtown area full of independent shops, this 1800’s former farmhouse sits atop scenically calm rural pastures. The home has since been renovated to offer 5 guest rooms of vacancy. Through it’s renovations, the home hasn’t compromised it’s farmhouse appeal. The architecture, charm and landscape are as authentic as they are pristine. A front porch expansive enough for several rocking chairs that overlook the scenic grounds and an indoor/​outdoor dining area in the back of the house that overlooks a distant dairy farm are just a few examples of some of the charm.
Inside, the common space is just as welcoming. Two large communal tables for indoor breakfast, an office space with books and a computer available to all the guests, a wooden staircase decorated with vintage family photos and other ornate detailing that all seem to compliment the history of this building just perfectly. The room that we stayed in was equally comfortable, clean, quiet and relaxing.
Each morning, you are served a complimentary breakfast of the Innkeepers choice. A Keurig machine is also available for efficient coffee/​tea making. The first morning, we had lemon ricotta crêpes served with a strawberry/​rhubarb topping and a side of breakfast sausage. On that cooler morning, we sat at the indoor table, conversing with another couple on a variety of adult topics. The next morning, a much more sun-​filled one, we sat on the enclosed rear porch that overlooked the expansive grounds and gardens. A serene setting for our final day.
Even with such peaceful quarters and location, the Innkeepers can make or break a stay at a bed and breakfast. Carol and Bob though were the consummate hosts. Helpful in their recommendations of nearby activities, welcoming in their accommodations to us, I can’t say enough of how friendly and «at-​home» we felt during our stay. If planning an overnight visit in the area, this B&B is surely worth a look.