Elk Forge Bed & Breakfast

Unresponsive. You can’t get anyone on the phone when you call during business hours. They won’t return messages or emails. Wanted to book a spa weekend, and when I FINALLY got someone on the phone, no spa appointments were available a month out.
I ended up cancelling reservation prior to the 10-​day cancellation window and after being told on the phone that only the $ 15 cancellation fee would be charged, they never refunded my full room payment. Will be contacting Better Business Bureau. There are enough hotels/B&Bs out there. Save yourself the headache and skip this one.

It had a very country rustic get away feel to it – not busy and no one even at the front to greet you. You have to pick up a rotary phone to get the onsite manager to come down-​which was fine. It was an interesting concept. The lounge area is nice. It felt like a plantation in louisiana to me-​im talking waaaaay post civil rights act of 1964-​laid back and quiet. The lounge also has a drink stand –where you make your coffee. Dont look for cream or half and half or anything like that, you wont find it. Regarding the room-​i stayed at the Longwood Suite which is supposed to be their nicest. It was not a bad suite but it wasnt that great either. I liked the idea of the two fireplaces, but my balcony was missing chairs, so I could not have my «breakfast» on the balcony. My whirlpool tub provided yellow water to me on day 2. I didnt like that. They could also get a better showerhead. That thing had one dial and one dial only and it sprayed. Onto the breakfast. They need to not serve that «quiche» or whatever it is they call breakfast. Worst thing, just make a big heaping pile of scramble eggs for everyone. To sum it up, the breakfast is not worth it. The waffle was the only thing good. That was it. The nature trail left nothing but spider webs in my mouth really. Maybe it was the time of year I visited. Also, PLEASE PLEASE do not go jogging or anything like that in this neighborhood. A white dog came after me, but stopped short of biting me after i ended up facing him head on. The place is dated and has no trails to jog on, just a bunch of woodsy grassy areas that stop short. The inn also needs updates. Serious updates. When staff were around they were friendly so I cant take that away from them. I just would not make another visit. It does not have enough amenities. Also that hot tub is chemically treated to the max. Your skin will come melting off after you come out of there.

I absolutely adore this place! Peaceful, friendly staff, great food! I’ve witnessed weddings and receptions held there — they look like amazing events. Someone, please invite me! :-)

We found this bed and breakfast on a groupon, so the price we paid was about half off. We wanted to get out of the city for a couple of days and stayed in the Wilmington room. We loved our stay here! The room was not very big but it had everything we needed, including a whirlpool tub for 2! The bed was very comfortable. They do have an outdoor hot tub, so bring your bathing suits. Breakfast was wonderful each morning, everyday there was waffles with all of the toppings, including fruit and whip cream, juices, hard boiled eggs, greek yogurt, and something different each day such as cheese and broccoli quiche or sausage and egg casserole. They put so much thought into all the little things. There is a wonderful area where you can eat breakfast and hang out at anytime. There is a supply of hot water and coffee, where you can make tea or even hot chocolate. We also loved the gift shop. We bought four different types of teas to take with us. Make sure to also take a walk down the nature trail where there is a cute little creek. I wish I would have brought our fishing rods. I will say there is not a lot in the immediate area to do, but if you want a relaxing get away this is a place you should check out.

Our stay was wonderful. The environment of the house was so calm and warm and welcoming. The room was clean and so beautifully decorated. The breakfast served was delicious. This was our first time at a B&B but I know that this has started a new favorite for us. We will certainly be returning to Elk Forge again and have already recommended it to friends.
Thank you so much for the hospitality that was extended to us. We truly felt like a part of a family during our stay.

My husband and I decided to book the Longwood Suite for a Chirstmas getaway at the last minute, and it was the best decision we could have made! Everything was incredibly charming and cozy from the second we checked in, and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
As others have mentioned, the beds here were absolutely fantastic. That was probably the most comfortable mattress and the softest sheets I’ve ever slept on in my life. I definitely should have asked where they bought their sheets.
They had a full sized, decorated christmas tree in the sitting area, which I found especially delightful and a nice touch for the holidays. We also especially liked the double whirlpool tub. The painted walls of the Longwood Suite at first seemed like a little much, but it was actually pretty relaxing and I came to like it, especially in the room with the tub. It was like a little greek bathhouse.
The breakfast here was also fantastic. It was all very simple (scrambled eggs w/​sausage, bread pudding, waffles, yogurt) but everything was very well done and homemade. I’m usually not one for scrambled eggs at hotels, but I was coming back for seconds. I especially liked their homemade granola and pastries.
Overall it was the perfect holiday and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We will definitely be returning again!

What a wonderful little getaway! This place is adorable and the atmosphere is so cozy. Very rural and the property is beautiful. Very scenic and there’s a really nice nature trail.
I stayed here for a weekend with my boyfriend and our dog. Our suite was pet friendly and we had no problems at all bringing him along.
Adam at the front desk was very friendly and made sure we felt at home and had everything we needed.
We stayed in the country club suite which had a king bed, whirlpool and a living room; microwave and fridge, 2 TVs and an electric fireplace. Very cozy and very clean.
We also made a reservation for the couples «togetherness» massage. Joy was our masseuse and she was wonderful, we left feeling amazing.
Breakfast was delicious! Everything was fresh and tasted homemade. The waffles and quiche are a must.
This is definitely a hidden gem and a must for a nice little getaway to unwind and relax from the city life. We deff plan on coming back!

It’s a charming old house, in a beautiful rural setting, surrounded by lavish green hills, gardens and nature trails. The house was renovated so the accommodations are great. The owners were so friendly and the breakfast was awesome. We would definitely want to come back and recommend this to anyone interested in a quiet, cozy retreat. We were here in the summer but I am sure that it is beautiful in any season.

This is a wonderful place. This family owned B&B makes you feel at home. The décor is wonderfully done and provides a soothing and dignified atmosphere. The rooms are lovely and the staff are available on a moments notice to accommodate any need. They have a great selection of movies and even provide popcorn. They serve an excellent buffet breakfast with a very interesting and luscious menu. We plan another stay in the future and encourage others. Give this a try, you won’t be disappointed.

There were a lot of bad reviews about this place on TripAdvisor and I really don’t understand why! The cons were the bad sour coffee, an okay breakfast, a whirlpool tub with one speed and railings that are a safety hazard. We stayed in the Long wood suite which had a whirlpool tub, balcony and living room. Like a reviewer on TripAdvisor said the living room was not cozy. Had a fireplace though! So did the bedroom. Fireplaces were turned off but hubby turned on the pilot light and we enjoyed the fire on a rainy night. We would come back again!

My boyfriend and I stayed in the Fair Hill room during our first night but our mattress smelled like urine, so the next day the lady at the front desk moved us into the Elkton room without any hassle.
The place itself is beautiful, but certainly dated (peeling, water-​damaged wallpaper), as other people have mentioned. I really liked how spacious it was. There are a lot of areas beyond the bedroom where a couple could sit and relax and enjoy the atmosphere by playing board games or lounging in the hammock outside. The breakfast is served buffet style and includes a breakfast casserole, a parfait station, and a waffle bar with plentiful toppings available. There were also fresh fruits, baked goods, and multivitamins.
I had a good time there; I just didn’t like that our first mattress smelled like urine and that it made my pajamas smell like urine. I can understand if I stayed at a cheap motel and the mattress smelled like pee, because in that case I’d be getting what I paid for. But a stay in the Fair Hill room can cost a couple anywhere between $ 100−179/night (depending on whether you got a Groupon deal and what days you decide to stay) – it’s just such a basic requirement that the mattress doesn’t smell like urine.

My wife and I stayed here for two nights in Valley Forge Suite (in the basement). First night, the room was freezing cold because of the AC and there’s no thermostat in the room. Second night, it was HOT! I guess some people must have complained. The innkeeper must have adjusted the AC from one extreme to the other. It was raining on the second night and as a result it caused a lamp outside the building to make a loud buzzing sound (according to the innkeeper, this happens every time when it rains, seems to me they would try to fix this before a electrical fire!). We could hear the buzzing night all night long while we tried to sleep, I was still up at 3am because of the sound!
The breakfast was nothing amazing, basically fruits, waffle, and quiche.
The picture of the food, nature trail, and golf that some people have posted are misleading. The food pics are from a wedding, therefore it’s not what you are going to get when you stay here. The «nature» trail is ¹⁄₅ of a mile, basically the backyard of the B&B and they made a few trails with a lawn mower. There’s a small putting green as far as golf goes.
I’ve posted pictures of breakfast and our suite.

I just recently stayed here this past weekend. The staff is very friendly. We arrived about a half hour early and they let us check in early! While the last prep of our room was being completed we were taken on a tour of the grounds. This was our first Bed and Breakfast ever. I loved the relaxed atmosphere. We stayed in the Baltimore Room, which was adorable and very comfortable. I have to say I was a huge fan of the sheets and will have to look into purchasing a set. Breakfast was good — the teddy bear waffle maker was cute. There is a lot to do around the area, we enjoyed a wine tasting at Dove Valley. The room is comfortable enough to hang out and there is plenty of room throughout the house to relax. Top notch place, we look forward to staying again soon.

We had a great weekend getaway close to museums and gardens we wanted to explore. Great breakfast and lovely facility with great service.

My husband I stayed a few days here during February. There was a fair amount of snow on the ground so we didn’t really get to explore outside or go on any of the trails, but the views were gorgeous!
You could not have asked for a more hassle-​free check-​in! There were keys in an envelope at the front desk and we just helped ourselves and came in. I found that we had a lot of privacy, which we liked. We could easily find help if we needed it, but for the most part, we kind of felt like we were on a romatic get-​away all by ourselves. We came and went as we pleased.
There is a self service coffee and tea bar in the conservatory whch we loved. They provided a nice selection of loose leaf teas and infusers.
We stayed in the Chesapeake room. I looked at all the rooms on the website before selcting it, and I think the pictures online were a good representation of what we found. We enjoyed the in-​room jacuzzi. The bed was comfortable, the room was clean, and I was happy to find body wash, shampoo and conditioner in the shower since I had forgotten to pack my body wash. There was also a hair dryer in the room so if I go again, I know I can pack light.
We enjoyed the breakfast. We also liked the selection of cookies they had set out in the afternoon.
Although we didn’t take advantage of it, there was a large selection of DVD’s to choose from, as well as a basket full of microwave popcorn. The way everything seems to be set out for you to help yourself really makes you feel at home. Some people might prefer a bit more hands-​on service, but we greatly enjoyed the laid-​back atmosphere. We look forward to going again during the spring or summer when we can enjoy more of the surroundings.

Really fun historical house but were very surprised to never have even seen the owners. We know that as an owner of the B&B it’s not always possible to be there but there was very little personal touch from the moment we walked into the door to the moment we walked out.
We were just passing through and it was very nice that they were able to accommodate us at the last minute which a lot of B&Bs don’t but when you walked inside you were greeted by someone who clearly did not own the place. We were given a very brief introduction and left to explore on our own. We were hoping to ask some questions about the local area but really just did not feel the personal touch and were directed to a pile of brochures instead.
Breakfast, even though it was buffet style, was pretty good. It had a pretty good variety especially for a B&B. Again there was no personal touch and no welcome or invitation to talk. The food was good it was just that I can get a buffet style breakfast for significantly less at a hotel.
The house had a fun historical component that I really would like to have heard more about from someone. The decorations left something to be desired and, ultimately the ambience would probably be best described as aging. I know how hard it is to keep up an old house but if you are highlighting it as a bed-​and-​breakfast it just needed a little TLC.

Me and my fiancé got a groupon deal to come here. When we arrived, there was nobody at front desk to help with check in. The keys to your room were left on table in an envelope.
We stayed in the fairhill room and it was smaller than we expected but at least it came with a whirlpool in the room. We felt the bed was uncomfortable because it was definitely not a queen size bed more like a full size mattress on a queen size bed frame.
The breakfast to this place was pretty nice. On the first day we had turkey bacon with some eggs. Yogurt with some granola and waffles by pour batter in the waffle maker yourself. Pretty cool and fresh waffles. On day two we had some omelette, fruits and waffles.
The bed and breakfast have 2 nature trails which I think is poorly maintained and no signs marked saying it is a nature trail. We just saw a road so we just went and explore. Nothing much to see at this time, no flowers and trees didn’t have leaves on it. But on one of the trail it did come across a river.
On day of check out, there was nobody there to take the keys so we just followed instructions to leave the key on the desk

This review is for October 2011. Ok, so I’m a procrastinator. But I just love this place. I got engaged here. It was perfect. My fiancé and I wanted to get away from the city (DC) for our 2 year anniversary and found a Groupon or LivingSocial voucher and came to this precious place.
This place is adorable, family owned, fairly priced and utterly unique. I loved the room we stayed in; I forget its name, but it had George Washington/​Revolutionary War murals on the walls and an AWESOME whirlpool/​jacuzzi in the room. The bed was great (my partner is 6’6″ tall with a cranky back, so he’s difficult to please).
The staff were ALL very kind and friendly, the breakfast was really quite good. They were VERY accommodating about my fiancé’s severe food/​nut allergies, which is a huge deal, because anaphylactic shock and/​or death can put a quite a damper on a romantic weekend.
You’d be surprised how many people don’t take allergies seriously or are just plain ignorant or careless about something as simple as checking an ingredients list. Not so at Elk Forge. They were kind, courteous, and meticulous.
That pretty much describes the staff in general, but they were also suitably laid-​back for a country B&B. I never felt pressured to keep to a schedule; we raided the pantry at night and came up with a few snacks.
I highly recommend this place. I would consider having my wedding here, but I live in San Diego now. Still, we plan to come back here sometime when we visit our families in D.C.
P. S. While you’re here, take a hike up to the lighthouse! That’s where we got engaged and it was PERFECT! We wouldn’t have known about if it weren’t for the proprietor recommending it (on the DL, of course) to my fiancé.

(06/​01/​2013) We attended a wedding there, the place is set up nicely for a small to moderate sized wedding. The wedding basically rented out the entire place for the weekend. The arbor and small garden are a natural and idyllic setting; the Carriage House was a convenient set up and crash spot for the bridal party; the Sugar House for the reception was right there and the Inn for guests just down the drive. It’s pretty much ideal if you want to have a compound just for you and your close friends and family for a special event. The Inn itself was quaint, kind of tacky, chock full of stuff, eclectic and interesting period pieces. The Carriage House was modern with a few antiques, central A/​C a bonus in June.
Staff was, while not exactly professional, friendly, kind of like staying at your cousin’s house whom you’ve never met, but your moms said it was OK. We thought the atmosphere was friendly and accommodating. They do their own catering on-​site for events. It’s average, not bad, not spectacular, but the whole package (location, setting, amenities) might make it worthwhile for you.

I, too, got the Living Social deal to come here. The property was beautiful. We drove up and it was exactly what I expected.
We were assigned the Elkridge room on the third floor. We arrived at dusk, so we were still able to see lots of things. The man who checked us in was very nice and helpful.
We arrived to the room and didn’t see our wine and chocolates, so we called. They put them in our room while we were out for dinner.
The room was tiny, and that was fine. I mean, what are you doing in your hotel room that it needs to be huge? The décor wasn’t my cup of tea, but I got it. The bathroom doors are saloon style doors and not actually doors. Bathroom moments are private moments, but not with these doors. (–1 star) There was a hot tub in our room, which provided entertainment. Loved it! And it was super romantic with the wine and the lights and chocolate. Wonderful.
We got up the next morning for breakfast. Really, you can skip breakfast. Its not all that great. Go to the Waffle House.
Also, they have doves. Doves don’t cry. They laugh. And it’s the freakiest thing ever. Well, a lady was cleaning their cage during breakfast and the cage was wide open. So, of course, one decides to fly out. Scared the shit out of me. Personally, I don’t think that was very sanitary to be cleaning a bird cage and having birds fly around the breakfast nook. In fact, I think its pretty disgusting. So removing a star for that alone.
Overall, it was nice. I will never have a reason to go back to this town, as there is NOTHING there. But, I do recommend the Inn. Its quiet and romantic and provides a nice escape from city life.