On July 4th, my husband and I drove 200 miles for a long-awaited, two-night stay at the Equinox. When we checked in, we were told that our room was actually in a different location, across the highway and down the road.

We trudged down the road to a structure called "The 1811 House." We walked up a narrow flight of stairs, and waited in the hallway while the bellhop tried to "find" our room. Turns out our room is called -- wait for it -- The Hidden Room. It's because it's... so cozy, so charming...

It was the size of my grandmother's broom closet, minus the Electrolux cannister vacuum. I have no idea how the Equinox was planning to put two adults in this closet for $400/night plus tax and "resort fee."

We demanded a different room. Our whole intention was to be in a nice room, centrally located to the famed spa and amenities. Were we going to walk up a road and cross the highway every time we wanted to use the hotel's vast facilities?

The bellhop apologized and explained that our room was the smallest one on the entire compound, and that no matter how hard he tries to "talk it up," nobody wants it.

The kicker was that of course, the entire hotel was sold out. Nothing was available except, perhaps, one more room in that same house down the road. So we demanded our deposit back and left. We were given nothing. No voucher for an alternative stay, no cold drink after a long drive, nothing.

When you book a room at a fancy resort, the reservationist SHOULD tell you the options that are available to you so that there are no surprises.

Instead, we drove home in the rain, 200 miles, at night on July 4th.

The Equinox Hotel has been riding on its reputation for way too long. Pretty soon, someone is going to knock this prom queen off her float.

We rented the entire 1811 House (10 rooms and living area) for a meeting. I was very impressed with this historic inn. Beautiful rooms with antique furnishings, a Scottish tavern and the gardens in full bloom. The Marsh Tavern restaurant at the Equinox has excellent food, wine and service. We had breakfast and lunch delivered to the inn and the banquet staff was very friendly and accommodating. And the food was incredible! I was shown the remodeled rooms in the Equinox and my jaw dropped! Gorgeous!

Mercedes was having a huge event at the hotel at the same time and they had a tent set up in the back parking lot of the 1811 house to wash their cars - at 2:00am! The hotel staff was so apologetic and the next morning the tent was moved to another location. There was also a mixup at the front desk and they gave the key to the inn to other guests who were staying at the cottage. But they quickly remedied that as well.

The spa and staff were very friendly and I left feeling thoroughly relaxed. Breakfast at the Collanaide was standard buffet food and way overpriced. The resort has their own golf course, fishing ponds, walking trails and tennis courts. We were very pleased with this resort and everyone left talking about returning with their spouses for a weekend.

Check in was bizarre. We arrived at 3:30, check in is 4. We were told that our room may not be ready because the previous guest had been smoking in it and they needed to air it out in the 98 degree weather. After finding out that our $600+, newly renovated suite was hopefully ok and ready we asked a few questions regarding places for dinner, hiking, shopping. A young man with a very flat affect was not very helpful and seemed to be listening more to his ear piece. Are we in some high security situation? I hope he isn't the concierge?
Th cupula suite was cool and smoke free, but I was a little thrown by the new "Miami Beach" decor in New England.
We were driven into town for dinner by the resort shuttle and given the number to call for pick up. After dinner we called twice to the resort 3 miles away and were told someone was on the way. 45 mins later some locals gave us a ride back. We complained to the front desk and there was an apology but never an explaination why we were stranded after 10pm in the rain outside a restaurant that was closing. The following morning my husband discovered the concierge, why didn't they direct us to him on the moment we arrived?
The resort probably needed the all the new work they have done, but I think some people may be turned off by parts of it. It did not flow well and I think they went too mod for such an historical building. I worry for it's reputation. I would like to go back in 6 months after the renovation frenzy has settled. In their defense there seemed to be alot of new employees. Pool was was great, hiking was nice, and spa staff very nice. Front desk staff need some happy pills.

I was anxious to stay at this property based on some other reviews, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. I stayed in the "Townhouse" rooms, which was a seperate building from the main building. Rooms were very small and basic. No desk to work on - which was bad since I was there for a conference.

I asked the housekeeper doing turn-down service where the ice machine was, and he said there wasn't one in the Townhouse building - only the main building. He offered to get some for me...I never saw him again.

I was in a non-smoking room, but at various times my room was invaded by cigarette smoke - very strong and very obnoxious.

Finally - the room over mine had an incredibly creaky floor - the noise when anyone would move around upstairs was very distracting...especially in the middle of the night.

Overall - I was glad to check out of this one. It has the makings of a nice inn, but isn't where it needs to be.