Best Western Watertown Fort Drum

For those searching for "Hotels Near Of Me" in Watertown, NY, the Best Western Watertown Fort Drum, located at 300 Washington St, Watertown, NY 13601, USA, stands as a well-established option. As a Best Western property, it generally aims to provide a consistent standard of quality and service, catering to a range of travelers from leisure to business, including those visiting Fort Drum. This introduction will detail the hotel's environment, services, features, and some promotional aspects, based on information available online and real customer feedback.

The Best Western Watertown Fort Drum boasts a central location in Watertown. Situated on Washington Street, it offers easy access to the city center and its various attractions. Guests can conveniently walk to places like the Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library and the Jefferson County Historical Society. The Sci-Tech Center of Northern New York and Samaritan Medical Center are also within a short distance. Its proximity to downtown Watertown allows for easy exploration of local shops, restaurants, and historical sites. For those affiliated with the military, the hotel is approximately six miles from Fort Drum's north gate, making it a practical choice for visiting families and personnel. Beyond the immediate city, the hotel provides access to the scenic Thousand Islands region, Lake Ontario, and the St. Lawrence Seaway, opening up opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and even winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. While the hotel building itself was built in 1961, it has undergone renovations, with a more recent one in 2015, aiming to keep the property updated. Some guests may find the lobby and entrance dated, but the interior often presents a brighter and cleaner aspect.

The Best Western Watertown Fort Drum offers a comprehensive array of services and amenities designed to enhance guest comfort and convenience:

• Complimentary Breakfast: A significant highlight for many guests is the free hot buffet breakfast, served daily (weekdays from 6:00 AM to 9:30 AM and weekends from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM). This typically includes hot items, offering a good start to the day. The provision of 24-hour coffee and hot water in the lobby is also a much-appreciated feature.
• Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms and public areas, ensuring guests can stay connected for work or leisure. A 24-hour business center with a computer station is also provided.
• Recreation and Fitness: The hotel features a fitness center for guests to maintain their workout routines. An indoor pool is typically available; however, it's crucial to note that recent reviews indicate the pool might be closed for renovations for an extended period (e.g., from December 2024 to March 2025), so guests intending to use the pool should confirm its operational status directly with the hotel.
• Parking: Free self-parking is available on-site, with wheelchair-accessible parking spaces and an electric car charging station, catering to various transportation needs.
• Room Features: The 134 individually furnished guestrooms are equipped with air conditioning, pillowtop beds with premium bedding, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee/tea makers, and 42-inch LCD TVs with premium channels. Private bathrooms include a shower/tub combination, complimentary eco-friendly toiletries, and hair dryers. Desks, free local calls, complimentary weekday newspapers, irons/ironing boards, and blackout drapes/curtains are also standard. Connecting rooms are available upon request.
• Pet-Friendly: The hotel is pet-friendly, specifically allowing dogs (up to 2 per room, with a weight limit of 20 lbs per pet) for an extra charge (USD 30 per accommodation, varying by length of stay). Service animals are exempt from fees. Guests should request pet-friendly rooms when booking.
• Guest Services: A 24-hour front desk ensures assistance is always available. Express check-in and check-out are offered. Other services include luggage storage, dry cleaning/laundry services, daily housekeeping (though some reviews suggest guests need to request room service 24 hours in advance, or leave trash outside their door), and a fireplace in the lobby.
• Accessibility: The hotel provides various accessibility features, including wheelchair-accessible parking, braille/raised signage, assistive listening devices, and an elevator.

A recurring theme in positive guest reviews for Best Western Watertown Fort Drum is the exceptional quality of the staff. They are consistently described as "lovely and friendly," "kindly," "helpful," "very very friendly and accommodating," and providing "exceptional service." This high level of customer service, including instances like returning a lost stuffed animal, significantly contributes to a positive guest experience and fosters a sense of appreciation. The free, hot breakfast is also a strong point, often praised for its taste and variety.

However, an objective review necessitates addressing areas where the hotel faces challenges. While the staff receive high praise, some feedback indicates inconsistencies in room maintenance and cleanliness. Reports of sticky spots on carpets, visible dust under furniture and on TV stands suggest that "deep cleaning" might not always be consistently applied. Issues such as rooms lacking hot water, broken drain plugs, or detached shower faucets have been mentioned, necessitating room changes for some guests. The policy requiring guests to request room service 24 hours in advance, or to leave trash outside their door for pickup, deviates from typical hotel service standards and can be an inconvenience. The closure of the pool for extended renovations is another significant point of disappointment for guests who book with the expectation of using this amenity. While the overall location is good, some guests note the hotel's age, with the building itself being built in 1961, which can sometimes manifest in a "tired" or "run down" appearance in certain areas. It's important for potential guests to consider these points and manage their expectations accordingly, prioritizing the known strengths like staff friendliness and breakfast over guaranteed pristine conditions in every corner.

The Best Western Watertown Fort Drum is generally marketed as a comfortable and reliable option for travelers. Its affiliation with the Best Western brand implies a certain standard of quality and customer loyalty programs. Key promotional angles include its "great location" in downtown Watertown, making it ideal for exploring the city, and its convenient access to Fort Drum. The complimentary hot breakfast is a significant value-add, as is the pet-friendly policy, which broadens its appeal to families and individuals traveling with animals. The presence of a fitness center and, when operational, an indoor pool, further enhances its value proposition for those seeking recreational options. While the pool is temporarily unavailable, this information is critical for potential guests. The hotel actively seeks to accommodate various travelers, offering military/government rates. Given the positive feedback on staff, the hotel's commitment to friendly and helpful service could also be considered a strong promotional point. For current rates, availability, and to inquire about the pool's status, interested individuals can contact the Best Western Watertown Fort Drum directly at (315) 782-8000 or +1 315-782-8000. It is advisable to confirm any specific needs or concerns, such as accessibility requirements or the availability of certain room types, prior to booking.