Batcheller Mansion Inn

About The Hotel

The Batcheller Mansion Inn at 20 Circular Street is a 4.7-rated (362 reviews) grand historic 1870s mansion bed-and-breakfast in Saratoga Springs, with a striking High Victorian Gothic exterior, opulent antique-filled rooms, a full breakfast, and a setting near Congress Park and Broadway. It is a characterful, romantic mansion stay — guests rave about the stunning historic building, the immaculate rooms, the excellent breakfast, the gracious service, and the unique, museum-like atmosphere. A historic mansion inn rather than a pool or hot-tub property, with any in-room soaking or whirlpool tub a specific room feature to confirm at booking. A grand, special-occasion inn perfect for couples who want an opulent, historic mansion experience with exceptional breakfast in a world-class building.

What Guests Are Saying

“In Saratoga Springs, my husband and I opted to stay at the Batcheller Mansion Inn. This amazing Victorian home is like staying in a museum, but it offers a great B&B stay with breakfast. We were instructed by email how to enter the house. We pushed open the heavy wooden front doors and entered a small vestibule. To our right was a closet with a safe within. Having been given the code to open it, we were able to find an envelope with our name on it, containing a key to the front door and to our room. When we opened the front door, before us was a grand and elegant entry, mostly of finely wrought dark wood stair banisters, chair rails and framing, but what stood out was the large and elegant stair’s newel post, topped by an elaborate glass headpiece to a small statue, and had carpeted stairs that led up to the second floor. Our eyes were then drawn to the left, to a large parlor with European furnishings and a wide white fireplace. To the right of the stairs at the end of a long hallway, was revealed the beginning of a formal living room, which we would check out later. This High Victorian Gothic residence of three stories was built in 1873, for George S. Batcheller and his family. He received an undergraduate law degree at Harvard and became a member of the New York State Assembly. He married Catherine Cook in 1861, and they had three children, but only one, Kate, survived. Kate was schooled abroad but moved back to New York when she inherited the house. Our room was on the second floor and was named for Josephine Amelia Le Saux, whom Kate met in Paris. Amelia came to New York with her, and she and Kate lived together in the house for thirty-three years. When Kate died in 1943, Amelia inherited the house until she passed away in 1973. Many of the furnishings that Amelia had inherited, are in the mansion. The house was bought and shifted from a private residence to a rooming house, and then it fell to ruin until it was bought in turn by several people, restored, and finally opened as an inn in 1994. It now holds many European styles of furnishings of the Italian and French Renaissance and some splashes of ancient Egyptian, since George and Catherine lived in Egypt for a time. Nine rooms are open for guests to stay in. When we entered our bedroom, the bed was to the right. This charming room is authentically decorated and sits at the front of the house with dual aspect windows. A lovely portrait of Amelia as a young woman is next to the bed. To the left of entering is a carpeted hallway that leads to the bathroom. The bathroom is unusual, as it is round with curved windows out to the side of the house. Even the door to the shower is curved to complete the circle, and within is a modern facility. There was a standing antique closet and a ladies draped dressing table, which added to the period. Once we had dropped off our things, we went to explore the public areas of the house. We met Paul, the live-in manager, who resides downstairs. That evening, we had the house to ourselves, so we brought our laptops downstairs to sit in the living room on large maroon leather couches, facing a fire place and surrounded by rich dark wood furnishings. On a coffee table before us, two large photograph albums told the story of the family. A very fine formal dining room was to the left of the living room, already fully set for a meal on a central large table and surrounded by smaller tables and chairs for couples. The next morning we met Martha, who provided us with breakfasts each morning, served between 8:00 and 10:00. On our first morning, I had scrambled eggs with cheese and spinach, and a yogurt, and my husband had French toast. On our second morning, I had the same thing, it was so good, and he had an English muffin sandwich with sausage, egg and cheese. The property has parking for guests, and an outside arbor to sit outdoors in good weather. The yard was lined with gardens and shrubs, which lent for a private setting. Looking up at the house, one could appreciate the fine architecture of a mansard roof with red and gray slate, and a minaret-like conical tower, giving it a fairytale appearance. Staying here was an absolute pleasure.” — Lita-Luise C., 5 stars

“What a great place to stay. We were there to attend our nephew’s graduation from Skidmore College. Our anniversary and my birthday. We arrived on a Friday and were greeted with a quick tour and were very impressed by the history of the mansion. The common areas were inviting and very comfortable. We filled out our breakfast order for the next morning and because that was graduation day we asked for an early seating. The next morning everybody staying at the mansion was seated in the dining room at our requested time. It turned out all 16 people were going to the same graduation. Martha greeted us and then cooked for everyone. I think she did a really great job of serving us all before a long day ahead. The room was fantastic. We stayed in the Kate which is the name of the first owner’s first daughter. Super comfortable with huge walk in shower and a soaking tub. Martha was so nice and made this Boston guy feel right at home. If you are looking for a wonderful place to stay in Saratoga Springs look no further and book now.” — JohnZabjr, 5 stars

“We just had a pleasant two night stay at the Batcheller mansion. Beautifully maintained and decorated inside and out. We especially enjoyed the unique “spookiness” during this Halloween season. Check out the trailer from “The Skeptic” filmed at the mansion in 2009. Although we arrived at 4 o’clock, after the office closed, we received easy and detailed instructions how to access the mansion as well as our room. Included in our welcome letter was our breakfast choices for the next morning: eggs, breakfast sandwich, French toast, yogurt, fruit, croissant and muffins. We stayed in the Harrison room on the third floor. Spacious, comfortable and well appointed with a beautifully updated bath. We requested breakfast at 8:30 and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the dining room to find it waiting for us. We met Martha, who is positively lovely, ensuring our meal was cooked to our liking, and our stay was comfortable. We enjoyed the close proximity to be able to walk into town.” — cmm, 5 stars

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• A 4.7 across 362 reviews — a grand historic mansion inn
• A striking 1870s High Victorian Gothic building
• Opulent antique-filled rooms and a full breakfast
• Near Congress Park, Broadway, and the springs
• A characterful, romantic, museum-like stay

Cons:

• A historic mansion inn rather than a pool or hot-tub property
• Any in-room soaking or whirlpool tub is a specific room feature — confirm at booking
• A small, intimate inn — book well ahead
• A premium price, highest during the racing meet

The Location

In Saratoga Springs near Congress Park and Broadway, a short walk to the springs and downtown. You can find more details or book your stay on TripAdvisor.