Overall sentiment across the reviews is predominantly positive for Harrison Bay Senior Living, with consistent praise for the facility’s setting, apartments, and many staff members. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the beautiful lakeside location on Dutch Lake, well-designed new apartments that are bright and quiet, plentiful natural light, and thoughtfully equipped units (individual heating/cooling, in-apartment ice maker, full-size washer and dryer). The grounds and communal spaces receive strong marks for cleanliness, maintenance, and attractive common areas that support an engaging, small-town atmosphere and wildlife views. Many residents appreciate the community’s proximity to town and grocery shopping, and the pet-friendly policy is noted as an advantage by some.
Care quality and staff interaction are frequent strengths cited: many reviewers describe warm, resident-oriented nursing and caregiving staff who are competent, kind, and communicative with families. Several comments single out specific staff members and managers as helpful and knowledgeable, and physical therapy and family-support moments (for example, helpfulness after a family member’s passing) are called out as highlights. Management is often described as informative and helpful during tours and move-ins, and 24/7 staff availability provides reassurance to many residents and families.
Dining is a prominent theme with mixed but generally positive sentiment. Multiple reviewers rave about the food—calling it outstanding, nutritious, and well-balanced—with specific favorite items named (best BLT, rave-worthy chicken, apple & cranberry salad). The presence of an on-site pub, coffee shop, and a restaurant offering menus or daily specials, plus one included meal, are viewed as valuable amenities that contribute to resident satisfaction. However, there are recurring complaints about kitchen understaffing, service delays, miscommunication between orders and delivery, and long dining wait times. A small number of reviews describe much more severe dining and cleanliness problems, indicating inconsistent experiences across different times or units.
Activities and community life are generally seen as positive: residents are engaged, common areas are lively, and organized options like bingo and robotics are appreciated. Still, some reviewers express a desire for a broader activities mix, specifically more arts and crafts. The facility’s atmosphere is frequently described as warm and welcoming, with residents feeling embraced as part of the local community—several reviewers explicitly state they are happy to be part of Harrison Bay and that the community positively impacts the town.
Recurring concerns cluster around staffing consistency, responsiveness, and accessibility. Multiple reviews note understaffing, overworked employees, use of temporary staff from outside agencies, and major turnover; some reviewers report that it can take two to four months for staffing to stabilize after changes. These staffing issues are linked to service delays, communication lapses, and variable resident experiences (from excellent to poor). Office responsiveness and Health Services responsiveness are singled out in some accounts as inadequate, and there are at least one or two reports of specific negative incidents that were handled poorly. Accessibility shortcomings include the lack of automatic exterior doors, an inaccessible back door or heavy metal fire door, and other barriers for those with mobility challenges.
Other practical negatives noted across reviews include the administrative burden of paperwork, additional costs for higher levels of care beyond independent living, and the absence of complimentary transportation for medical appointments or emergencies. The facility’s smoking-permitted policy is a potential downside for some residents and visitors. Finally, while many reviewers report improvements after initial teething problems, a few reviewers indicate that their ratings of the community dropped over time due to inconsistent service, though some say recent changes show improvement.
In summary, Harrison Bay Senior Living presents a strong value proposition in terms of location, apartment quality, communal spaces, and many caring staff members. The most consistent strengths are the attractive lakeside environment, well-appointed apartments and amenities, warm interpersonal care, and generally good dining and activities. The principal areas for attention are staffing stability and responsiveness (especially in dining and Health Services), certain accessibility improvements (automatic doors and exterior access), clearer communications around care costs and transportation options, and expanding some activity offerings. Prospective residents and families will likely have a positive experience, particularly if they prioritize setting, apartment quality, and community feel, but should ask targeted questions during tours about current staffing levels, dining service practices, accessibility features, health services responsiveness, and available transportation options to ensure expectations align with current operations.
