Anchor Inn and Marina

I had never been to Watkins Glen before this trip, but my girlfriend had been through here many times for winery tours and has stayed at the Anchor Inn with her family dozens of times. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it ended up being great. Watkins Glen isn’t exactly a metropolis so even though you’re not right in town, you’re at best a 3 minute drive. You’re on the same road as a salt factory, but not once did I notice a lot or hear a lot of traffic from it as I read about elsewhere. The price was right, especially for it being summer and close to race weekend. The rooms were simple, but had a great porch to view the lake from. I read some people complain about the railing obstructing the view, but it didn’t interfere with mine. Besides, it’s set up on a steep hill, without a railing you’re sure to go right over. The tiki was great and had good drink prices and suprisingly good bar food. I could’ve camped out there most of the time. The owners are super friendly and there a couple of great dogs to greet you for breakfast. I don’t know how I would feel staying during the winter time as the driveway up and driveway down are nothing short of a white knuckle experience. The way down feels like you’re going at a 90 degree angle. I’m sure to be back again.

The front staff is very friendly! The rooms are clean but overpriced personally. The view cannot be beat from the deck!!! The driveway is easier to handle than people lead you to believe! Biggest complaint would be the shower! There is no pressure and the wash they give you smells like pine needles. Will definitely be back to Warkins Glen but will likely stay at a different hotel.

Stayed here for the Finger Lakes Wine Festival a few years ago — I was with a group of 8 people and we rented the last 2 rooms available for the weekend. The hotel was exactly what we were looking for and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. The communal deck was great for meeting our neighbors who were also in town for the festival, sharing some drinks, and some laughs. One of the main reasons we chose this hotel is because they had the Tiki Bar where we could get food/​drinks without having to leave the property. The Tiki Bar was the absolute icing on the cake! The food was surprisingly good, bartenders/​service wonderful, and we just had an absolute blast both nights we spent down there. I’ve been back for the festival every year, but we have been camping — if I do look to stay in a hotel again, this place will be my first choice!

This place is okay if you are just passing through and want to stay one night (which is what we did). Hauling the car up the very steep driveway was rather scary, but as we went to park, the housekeeper smiled at us. The staff was extremely friendly. The owners have two or three dogs, but I only saw them once. If you do stay here, do not go down the driveway that leads directly down from the cottages-​it is too abrupt at the bottom and scraped our car!

friendly, accomodating staff, both in person and on the phone. tiki bar was closed due to weather but it looks like fun!
rooms smell like lysol, air conditioning is on a timer and the room does not get cold enough. would have loved to have left the door to the porch open, but there was not a screen.
porch was great to just sit and watch the water.
and that steep driveway damaged the front of my car. If you aren’t in a truck, don’t do it!!!
overall, an ok place.

Pulling up to the hotel was scary to say the least. The driveway up to the motel is so steep that I thought my car was going the flip over. The view is something to be desired since there is major construction going on to the outside of the motel.
The staff was very friendly and nice. The room was very clean-​thank goodness-​this was the only saving grace!
I was NOT impressed and it is NOT worth the money!

The Anchor Inn is an old style motel on a bluff of Seneca Lake near Watkins Glen, NY. No complaints. The view was great, the staff was friendly, the place was generally quiet. And a best kept secret — you really need to know this place is there. Now, on to that Tiki Bar across the street — Holy Jesus on crutches. This place is dangerous. I wouldn’t be surprised if ambulances frequent the Tiki Bar at least four times a month.
Cheap Mexican beer and Finger Lakes wines converted into frozen slushy drinks. Good, cheap burgers and wings (several different sauces). And a combo singer and DJ who covers the requisite Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffett and the occasional Glenn Frey solo tune… and then converts to a DJ to crank Michael Jackson’s Wanna be Startin Something while hosting a hula hoop party. I believe everyone between the ages of 21 and 65 was on that floor trying to win. And then splash — someone on the lake attempts to get off their boat and doesn’t quite find the dock. If you are craving a pure party atmosphere, this is the place… smack dab in the middle of Finger Lakes wine country and NASCAR fanatics.
You can rent Jet Skis, tubes and pontoon boats here too.