Regina S.
Yelp
Two and a half really. Make sure you read the hotel's directions to get to the property - our GPS directed us to a private road that was blocked and didn't give any alternative routes so we had to pull over to find the hotel website and follow its suggested route. It was easy enough after that.
The grounds were meticulously groomed, very clean and reminded me of a French country home you might find in a vineyard in Napa, CA. My husband checked us in, and then we drove ever so briefly to the alternative entrance that was closest to the elevators. I was completely shocked and confused when my husband got out and started to schlepp our luggage toward the door. No staff to help? No carts offered?
We reluctantly noticed that the heavy double doors had no automatic open. Fine. But where was the handicap button to activate the doors? I'm partially disabled, and sometimes use a wheelchair so I am very cognizant of what kind of access is available anywhere I go. The hallways were spotless and well lit. Upon entering our room, we were a bit disappointed. Lately, everyone in the hotel business seems to be redefining what the word " suite" or jr. suite" can and should mean. Our "holly suite" was nothing more than an oversized room with an extremely spacious bathroom. It was handsomely decorated but sparsely furnished. Oddly, much of the added square footage that came with this room category was left unused and under utilized. There was no sofa, no closet, no shelves in the shower, no hooks adjacent to the shower, and no storage or lined trash receptacle in the separate toilet area. It seemed unhygienic to have a garbage can without a bag.
I asked my husband if he received any information about the hotel upon check-in....a map perhaps? Any info on pool use, walking trails, ice, spa, dining? Nope. I had to call the front desk to find out that ice service was not self serve but had to be requested. The original home was used mostly for small intimate public areas. The spa and restaurant were located in other buildings. The sleeping rooms were attached to the house with a hallway of floor to ceiling windows. All was handsomely decorated and exuded a nice atmosphere. The most glaring thing missing on the beautiful grounds, however, was shade - No pergolas, pavilions, umbrellas, gazebos, or even trees. The large pool area could have used some cabanas or other sun shielding tools. Greenville still gets hot in the Spring and Summer and not providing guests with protection from the elements limits the time people can actually enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The photos attached, show both the highs and lows. We noticed too, that the massive bathroom was not " square". Walls and tile were not aligned properly and it was glaringly obvious. Hard to say, if we would come back. The amazing accolades given by others about the hotel's service was not the experience we had. In fact, I think I only saw one staff person during our three night stay. We do give The Hartness management high praise for graciously not charging us for our fourth night. We had to depart early due to illness. Grateful for that gesture.