Maggie J.
Yelp
It's hard to disentangle the problems we encountered on our visit here from those that are covid-19-related, and thus understandable. From what I could see, the staff were all very inexperienced---possibly due to a late opening. But there is no doubt that I spent a packet and walked away disappointed, and I think a few issues that would have made my stay worth the money could be fixed, even under current circumstances.
First, I was hoping to sail. When I made my reservation, I was told that the plan for sailing lessons involved having the instructor in one boat and the student(s) in another so that social distance could be maintained. Obviously this puts students in the position of controlling the boat and understanding the vocabulary, which means that students would need to have some previous knowledge of sailing. My husband and I had a previous lesson under our belts, so I made my reservation under the assumption that we'd be accommodated. When we spoke to the fellow at the boat shed, however (BTW, he looked like he might have been at most a junior in high school), he rather contemptuously told us that the only lessons available were for experienced sailors. When I brought this up at the front desk, the flustered receptionist put this down to a miscommunication between management and the instructor staff. But meanwhile, my husband had lost faith that we could trust the instruction, and didn't feel comfortable putting his safety in the hands of someone who might not communicate with patience and maturity. So we abandoned the idea of lessons.
Second, I can understand the appeal of this as a "resort" for people whose priorities are getting on the water and banging around with like-minded mariners. I worked here as a pastry chef in the early 1990s and, later, was a proofreader/editor at a sailing magazine, so I know the types and proclivities. But serious basics were lacking for any place that wants to bill itself as a resort, which implies comfort if not luxury. There was no coffeemaker in the room, and coffee in the lodge wasn't available until 7 a.m. (although I heard someone clanging pots in the kitchen at 6). Some of the fixtures in the cabin were cheap, including a replacement toilet seat which seemed intended to mimic the experience of peeing over the side on the high seas. The door handle, supposedly "European," had stymied many a guest and was now falling apart because staff hadn't provided instructions on how to lock it from the outside. The "continental breakfast" was what appeared to be a gas-station muffin wrapped in plastic, Tropicana orange juice, and a piece of fruit. Like I said, I was the pastry chef here in '92, so I know perfectly well they have the means to make homemade muffins.
The resort is in a beautiful location that I remembered fondly, so I hope they survive the season and come back strong. I am glad to think that my staycation money (we live in Brunswick) went to a local economy. It seems like a few small things could have made this stay go from mediocre to great, regardless of the current pandemic, so I am posting this review in the hopes that it will be taken in the spirit of constructive criticism.
