My significant other surprised me with a week away in the Adirondacks for my birthday and it was amazing. The staff at Clayton’s Cottages were nothing short of fantastic, incredibly helpful and accommodating! A quiet, romantic week away...we loved it so much it is now my annual birthday retreat! Already can’t wait for this year! -Matthew and Kelly
We recently stayed at Claytons Cottages and could not be more disappointed in the cleanliness, quality, or value. Honestly, the cottages all appeared to be dilapidated and falling apart. Inside, the furniture was disgusting, with old mattresses being held up by wood (no frames) and the couches appearing both seriously old (no “vintage charm”) and dirty. The musty smell inside the cottage lingered, and the furniture all has major water damage.
While I am sure families have stayed there and had lovely family vacations because the lake and small beach area are nice, the cottages are enough to deter my family from ever staying there again.
Claytons is a great place for multi-family gatherings. Each family gets a small cottage, but all can gather together at the picnic tables for meals, cards, and beach/lake fun. With a multi-generational group and lots of people, you have privacy when you need it, and tons of things to do for all the different interests of a large group. Some hang out by the lake all day, others go hiking with lots of choices nearby for easy - hard hikes, fishing and swimming from the dock, Play kickball in the field, swing set for little kids, golfing nearby, little shops in town with a great book store, tennis nearby, and not too far from Old Forge and Tickners Moose River canoe trip, McCauley mountain chair lift, Blue Mountain museum is 45 min north, the list goes on.
As far as Claytons goes - some think the beds are not great, others think they are fine. Yes the rooms are small, but who goes to the ADK to stay in their room? Kitchens have what you need if you cook simple meals - not gourmet. Some cabins have screen porches which is nice for buggy nights. Any issues we've had (light bulbs, out, toilet problems, the owner addresses immediately. Yes, he does emphasize the rules, but after that initial experience, one does not feel rule-bound at Claytons.
The lake is small - easy to swim across but big enough for a nice canoe ride. Connects to 7th lake if you want to get out onto a bigger lake.
We stayed 2 days at Clayton's Cottages in the South apartment. I hope the cottages are better than the apartment. I would not recommend it as the furniture is so old and dirty that I felt uncomfortable. I have stayed in some pretty run down places in my life but this by far the worst. The toaster didn't work, the microwave had a broken leg and I put a saucer under it to make it level. One of the lamps had a broken fixture that was actually very dangerous, we unplugged it. The bed was actually very comfortable.
The owner was nice and friendly and the flowers were beautiful but the amount of junk around the place detracted from the beauty.
f you are looking for a reasonably priced cabin or cottage situated near a good swimming lake, then Clayton's Cottages are just right. Inlet is a smal town in the Adirondack area, and does not boast much in the way of attractions (other than large amusement parks nearby). But the forests and lake wilderness are wonderful enough in themselves. The cottages (about 9 in total, and each with its own name) are situated near the lake, and each have kitchens and living areas that are comfortable. There is everything you need in the cottage. The interiors of the cottages are done with wooden walls and floors, and the furnishings are a bit worn, but that's ok. The atmosphere is just generally rustic! Some of the cottages have a direct view of the Sixth Lake. Families are welcome here. There is a long pier, where you can jump off for a lovely swim. And there is a small sandy beach where younger children can play. There are aluminum rowboats for guests' use, and we had fun paddling around in them . There is a restaurant adjoing the cottage premises, and some other snack-bar restaurants in the vicinity. But we preferred cooking in the well-equipped kitchen and barbecuing. There are fireplaces in some of the cottages (not sure if all have them, but ours did), so if cold weather sets in, you can be warmed by a fire. There is also heating in the cottages, if that is preferable. The beds are not super comfortable, but we had no problems with mosquitoes or with bed bugs. Everything very clean and orderly here! I heartily recommend this lakeside place for easy-going guests!
