I am so glad I found this review website. I have been wanting to let the Stage Neck Inn know for years how they could make their inn so much better with some more attention to service and details. Nobody can argue with the setting, views, and decor. It has a wonderful nostalgic seafaring romance, with a feeling for how Summering in old York must have been; but the service & menus have been dismal and uninspired for many years. In addition, some of the amenities are dated. And lastly, the management (both top & middle) clearly have lost their drive for real customer service, relying instead on the bland but loyal old school clientele that comes year after year--whose numbers I imagine decline every year, while the new generations will be spending their $300+ a night at the new luxury hotels and hip restaurants in downtown Portsmouth, NH.

I have stayed at Stage Neck twice, and dined there several times as a guest at weddings and for dinner/brunch while staying there. I am a local too. I've stayed in two different rooms. The views are spectacular, and the rooms are nice (why the feathers everywhere though...?), if not a little dark. The bathrooms are no better than average hotels, which was disappointing both times. How I would love a jacuzzi or a mini vacation from my own bathroom at home, which is what the Stage Neck bathroom reminds me of (i.e. nothing special at all). I've stayed at many luxury inns all over New England and elsewhere around the country and world, and the Stage Neck rooms don't stand out in either a bad or good way. The decks are small, and not very comfortably appointed--which again, is disappointing because that is where you want to spend your leisure time--staring at the view from your room.

I never took advantage of the "spa," but the indoor pool, while it might be fun for kids, needs some major updating. And wouldn't it be wonderful if it too had a view of the ocean?? Nothing special at all.

The clay tennis court and outdoor pool are a true nicety. Even though Harbor Beach is part of the town of York and therefore public, you do feel that it is a private beach for the Inn--a definite high point. Plus, the walking opportunities that await just steps from the inn (Fisherman's Walk, Steedman Woods, Cliff Walk, picturesque York Village) beckon all.

Those alone make Stage Neck a gem, but I categorically draw the line at the service and menu. The service is very , very bad; and the menus coincide with it. So much, to be a very real distraction from the positive aspects mentioned above. Let me preface by saying that I am a foodie, and Stage Neck disappoints tremendously with it's bland (sometimes odd) menu and IHOP inspired brunch. Let me tell you in detail about our dining experience:

We made reservations for 7:30pm. The "dining room manager" (forget his name--had a ponytail) also called himself "maitre'd"
did not greet us. He appeared to be "very busy" however, wandering all around the dining room in an important looking way (doing what, we later wondered). We decided to go the bar, where the attentive and jovial Richard helped us (he is a star in an otherwise dull service staff) by finally getting the managers attention. We arrived earlier than our reservation hoping to get in earlier, but waited 45 minutes for our reservation, even though there were many tables open (again, what was the manager doing this whole time? he never checked in with us?!). This ended up working ok because we got to chat with Richard and learn more about York--he should be running the inn by the way, as he was the only staff member who seemed to be actually helping guests and making them smile. His name is the only one I remember, which for a small inn with a supposed long standing and loyal clientele is worth mentioning. Anyway, we finally were seated by the window (sadly, it was dark already) and then, we waited. And waited. And waited..for our 12 year old waiter. He mumbled some apology about something, and finally took our drink order...which took 17 minutes. We wanted some bread to get started because we had been waiting so long, and we were informed that we had to order out entire meal in order to have the bread bestowed upon us. WHAT?! We were literally dumbfounded and slightly offended. What is this The Olive Garden, or a 4 diamond resort? Does the Stage Neck trust their guest so little...were we, who were spending $355 dollars a night going to eat our bread and leave? Oh, wait, we can't--we already pre-paid for our dinner. Hmmm...4 months later, as I'm writing this, I am still annoyed. We did not trust this kid to fire our courses appropriately, so this little odd policy of pre-ordering every course was even more ridiculous. What are they thinking? This is the problem with Stage Neck Inn service in a nutshell...strange policies that leave a bad taste in your mouth, and make you feel like they are just tolerating you, but extremely happy to have your money.

Next...the salads were warm (HUGE pet-peeve)--in fact my husband did not even eat his salad it was so bad. The steak was medium well, and not medium rare, but our waiter completely disappeared. Seriously, we did not see him for the next 35 minutes or so. And here is where I question the role of the "dining room manager"--my water glass had been empty for hours, our dinners were getting cold while we waited for the server to return, other guests looked a little annoyed...where the heck was the dining room manager? He certainly was not tending to the guests. If anyone needed managing, it was this very young waiter (he really looked about 15). When he finally emerged to clear our plates (GASP!) he made absolutely no apologies. He wasn't rude, he was just very very green. As I recall I believe these words came out of his mouth "shucks, better luck next time." (I'm not exaggerating, unfortunately). I don't remember if gratuity was included (surely, it must have been!), but we did not leave a tip in protest. All of this happens in even the best of restaurants, but the difference was that none of it was even remotely attempted to be remedied table side. The service staff, from top to bottom, disappeared for the entire meal.

We had a similar experience the last time we had stayed here as well--almost to a tee. The brunch buffet is boring and even a little tacky--the exact same overly "fried" french toast, (deep fried french toast?? are we in line for a funnel cake at the state fair or at a 4 star resort??) greasy diner bacon, tough scrambled eggs, abused and used chafing dishes, Best Western presentation. Yuck, ptooey. Don't spend your money on any dining there--you will be disappointed at every turn if you are accustomed to "4 star." The lobster dinner might be do-able since that is usually a sure thing, although I've never had it. Boring, boring, boring is all I can think to say. I am not apologetic for this harsh criticism of the dining and service experience--it was wildly disappointing both times we stayed there.

As for the two weddings I've attended...the service was cold (food and people) both times. Both brides complained later about the coordinator and how many times she said "no" to their requests, not to mention the abrupt nature of her personality (why do people who don't like people always end up in these front of the house jobs--try another field!). There is a definite "trickle down" feeling though, not to make excuses for the staff, but it is quite obvious (with the exception of Richard) that the management endorses this lack of special customer service.

If they could dial in the food and service, Stage Neck Inn would be a most wonderful place. That is why I write this long and thought out review. I would love to see it thrive for us locals and for new tourists. I am tired of the 'build it and they will come" "laissez-faire", "captive audience" attitude of some of these ocean front old school resorts. Kick it up a notch Stage Neck Inn: word gets around fast in this internet based, open source, blogged age of information. You can't rest on your laurels forever.

We have spent the past 15 Thanksgivings at the Stage Neck Inn. It is one of our favorite destinations because we know we will not be disappointed. The food is excellent, the rooms are clean and comfortable with beds and bedding to die for! Though we have a favorite room, there are no "bad" rooms. The staff is always pleasant and the Manager, Phoebe, always makes her guests feel so welcome. Because some of the staff has been there for years, it is indicative that they are well treated as well. The rooms and other ammenities are continually being upgraded so it is fun to anticipate the changes. A new spa will be completed when we return next year. Can't wait!

Friends and I have a yearly winter tradition to spend a pre-Christmas weekend at Stage Neck. This was our 8th or 9th visit. As always we were pleased with the comfortable and clean rooms and the friendly staff, many of whom have waited on us from our first visit. The Inn is lovely and relaxing. It is not the place for 'night life' tho. The breakfast buffet ( you can order off the menu also) and the dinner included in our package were excellent. The wait staff are friendly and efficient. Our recurring complaint is that the small Sandpiper bar was closed in the evenings because private parties had booked it but we were able to enjoy its ambience in the late afternoon. This year's holiday decorations were a little on the lean and tired side which maybe are a reflection of the less than full house and a need to economize. Given the current economy, Stage Neck's price for the weekend package is a little steep. We haven't reserved for next year yet - the change in policy requiring 2 nights deposit is the reason for that.

I have stayed at the Stage Neck Inn four or five times since 2005 (last stay there October 2007) and my impression has never changed: friendly people, a beautiful and peaceful location, good food and nice accommodation. The average age of travellers frequenting this place is perhaps a bit old for my taste but who cares about fellow travellers anyway (as long as they are not a nuisance which the Stage Neck Inn guests never are). This place is ideal for a weekend getaway to chill out and enjoy New England. Highly recommended!