Square Lake, Maine hotel rooms at the Independent

"Friendly staff, good breakfast"

"Pros: Staff was friendly Room was nice Beds were comfy Everything was clean It's the only one with a pool locally Cons: The ONLY con was the borderline harassment for a review. The same man called five times in two days, asking us to review the hotel. I was going to, I almost always do reviews when I go places. I already planned to because I know it was recently fixed up. The man told us he is giving us a $20 voucher to their restaurant when we use their hotel again. Fantastic, we planned to go back. Then, it became call after call because I didn't do it yet. The first and second calls were the day I checked out (Tuesday). The first was at 3:16, around 7 hours after I checked out. The second was around 8pm. The third, fourth and fifth calls were today (Wednesday). The third was at 10am. Fourth was at 8pm. And the fifth was at 8:30. I ignored the call and blocked the number. The fifth call was because I emailed him back, asking where I find the link to do the review. Instead of emailing me back, he tried to call. After I blocked his number, he emailed me. I haven't responded and won't be. The "voucher" was a picture of a business card with $20 written in the corner, a signature, and a serial number. Not sure how I would use it. This was creepy. Very pushy and uncomfortable. I don't think I'll be using the hotel again, unfortunately. We loved it otherwise..."

"Room was dirty, only enough towels for one person in the room. Bathtub stained from filth, holes in wall of shower and ceiling falling. Socks were stained from walking on the floor in the room. Gym was disgustingly filthy and in poor condition. In my opinion has never been cleaned. Hallway smelled and lingered from marijuana and cigarettes - no staff present to monitor or tell. 9P loud noises above room - when I went to desk could only speak to someone on a Ring camera. In my opinion it appeared no staff was on duty. Felt very unsafe and open to who knows what. In my opinion an unstaffed hotel leaves guest in a vulnerable position. In the morning I checked out after one of four booked. Was told via Ring camera again a receipt would be emailed. Never received a receipt. Hotel photos show the Ring Camera at front desk and in my opinion the other photos are not even close to depicting the actual condition of the property. If I can upload a few photos I will. There are other hotels near by which I would recommend. Cleaner and safe"

"Yes "

"Clean, staff were friendly and accommodating "

"Clean room, comfortable beds and helpful staff"

"Spacious and comfortable room. Friendly staff."

"It was -12 on Portage Lake and we cranked the heat pump up to 75. The Birds Nest cabin needs another heat source. Upstairs was cold when we got back at 10:30 pm after leaving the heat on all day in the cabin.The two full size beds that are pictured is one that’s on the bottom of a metal bunk bed frame and the other is upstairs where the roof is pitched so one side has no head room to accommodate two grown adults.New owners shut the water off for the winter. Didn’t know that until the day we left to head up. The bath house was not private. One of the doors could not lock due to the door jam being broken. The soap dispenser dispensed little to no soap. I would not recommend staying at the Birds Neat in the winter if you need use of the upstairs for children. they will be cold. The beds upstairs are pretty much useless unless you’re a single sleeper. The other two singles are set up for young children who are still in danger of falling out of bed. The beds have boards on the sides that keep a person from rolling off."

"Always a comfortable stay with an amazing breakfast!"