Laurel Lodge

Our first B&B experience and Laurel Lodge exceeded expectations. First — let’s all agree the locally sourced breakfasts and daily baked goods are simply amazing.
I was nervous that our weekend would be impacted greatly by other guests, but the B&B experience is what you make of it here — we enjoyed our solitude for a quiet and relaxing stay. Chris and Ed are helpful when you need them. I appreciate the pride they have in their unique home. Details like the locally made soap, available beverages (especially hot tea), and make up remover cloths in the bathroom (maybe it’s just me but these are a huge plus) added up to the creation of a great, restful, and recharging experience.
If you’re choosing Harper’s Ferry, Laurel Lodge is an absolute gem. Don’t stay anywhere else. We went in early April and likely would have had a better experience (more to do) if the weather was warmer, but that is certainly no fault or Laurel Lodge.

I would have liked to have stayed there, but when I called to inquire about availability, Chris informed me it was full. I then asked if he could recommend another place whereupon he testily informed me he was «in the middle of breakfast» and brusquely hung up. Really, would it have ruined breakfast to take five seconds and offer a name? In any event, based on that unpleasant interaction I wouldn’t recommend the place.

I love this place. We stay here while working in Harper’s Ferry. Chris and Ed are accessible as you need them. There is total privacy. I always am welcomed and feel welcome throughout my stay. Breakfast is divine. Ed makes special treats for the evening. The house is beautifully decorated. It is a great location with a spectacular view. I can’t say enough about LL. It is so deserving of five stars.

Stunning bed and breakfast overlooking the Potomac River in Harpers Ferry. Every aspect of our stay was superb, from the house, to the room, to breakfast. The home is a very large, very historical feeling house. It has so much history that the owners have created a walking tour. It is tastefully decorated and although it was late June when we visited, the air was crisp and cool so we left the windows open. You can hear the rushing river below and watch the fireflies bounce around in the trees. The house also has plenty of brochures and information on where to visit while in town.
The breakfast and food items were truly special. With items like broiled grapefruit and some of the best omelets you’ll ever have, it was over the top delicious. They really have a system down here, too. The operation was very professional.
You can easily walk into town from the house, and there is really no need to drive to the lower town. The walk is really nice and is along the appalacian trail, which uses the sidewalk in this area (one of only two towns on the trail, itself).
I wish we had more time to spend at the house, just relaxing and taking in the air. If you are thinking about Harper’s Ferry, this would be my recommendation for accommodations.

One of the best weekends we have had in a long time! The cottage we rented was clean, spacious, well equipped, conveniently located, and a fairly priced. The owner, Carrie, was also extremely pleasant and accommodating. Thank you!

Wow.
I’m becoming quite the fan of B&Bs. Actually, I don’t know why anyone would ever stay in a hotel after trying a great B&B because most hotels aren’t any cheaper by the time you factor in that you’re getting an amazing, large breakfast out of the deal. (Not to mention access to MUCH cozier common areas.) This is my third B&B experience, and all-​in-​all it might be the best so far.
The Curio House (another name by which Laurel Lodge has been known) is such a special place. Chris and Ed have done a marvelous job restoring it perhaps even beyond its natural beauty while capturing and maintaining much of its historical relevance. The house is not only special because of its beautiful, rustic furniture, floors and accents, but also because of the exterior quirks — such as Civil War-​era artifacts embedded in the walls and foundation by the original builder.
Chris is absolutely the friendliest, most hospitable person imaginable. He’s sort of like a jolly little B&B elf, running around cleaning, telling you the history of the home, making sure you have everything you need, setting out treats, etc. I was instantly charmed when he answered the door in his fluffy Croc slippers and flannel button-​up with corduroy pants.
Read a book in the great room. Play Scrabble in the dining room (never have I seen such a complete collection of board games, new and old, as are stashed throughout this house!). Both have fire places. Or watch eagles soar from the wrap-​around covered porch. Yes, eagles! The view is easily the best thing about staying here. The Cedar View room especially. This B&B, unlike most others in the area, is actually RIGHT on the river. OK, it’s hundreds of feet above the river on a cliff overlooking it, but still. You have a great view of the Potomac, the mountains and Picnic Island (out in the middle of the river where they used to have a carnival back in the day).
What else was awesome? The huge stash of assorted teas. The banana bread and brownies that magically kept appearing in the hallway. And the breakfast — OMG! The first morning Ed cooked up corned beef hash, Irish soda bread and a Greek yogurt parfait topped with an array of seeds and fruit. I don’t know what coffee they use — but it’s really good, and Chris doesn’t let you take a sip without a warm-​up! The second morning was even better. Pumpkin waffles with bourbon whipped cream and local syrup (even though I’m not much of a syrup person, I gave it a try, and it was pretty good). Paired with fresh fruit, local bacon and dill scones with a special spread. Amazeballs.
I also liked how the room had a journal in it. I enjoyed reading the experiences of previous tenants and then sharing my own. The room and the whole house were beyond clean. I even caught Chris out of the corner of my eye on his hands and knees scrubbing one afternoon. This place is immaculate and beautiful, and the views can’t be beat!
Such nice people, such a wonderful place. I can’t recommend it highly enough. I’ve stayed at B&Bs with a few more amenities, but they were $ 20 – 30 more expensive per night.
Rating five stars because I can’t warrant going down to four because the place was so nice, but I will say my real score is 4.5 stars with two very, very minor areas for improvement — 1) The potatoes in the hash the first morning were undercooked and still kind of raw and 2) the bed isn’t the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in – BUT the fluffy down comforter and pillows mostly made up for it.

Laurel Lodge is probably the nicest b&b we have ever stayed at. That’s saying a lot, but this is a pretty special place.
First, the house itself is special, from the handcrafted floors and woodwork to the curios imbedded in the walls to the furnishings. But what really makes the inn shine are the owners. Chris is an extremely gracious host who is extremely knowledgeable of the area and its history. He takes the extra steps to make staying here a memorable experience. And the breakfasts are truly amazing!

Had an absolutely wonderful time here in March 2011. The house is immaculate and beautiful, it’s walking distance from everything you want to see in Harpers Ferry (historic area, shops, Appalachian Trail, hiking), and the home-​cooked breakfast in the morning was astoundingly yummy! (Bourbon whipped cream? Pumpkin pancakes? One meal for the memory books…)
Chris, the innkeeper, was gracious and attentive, giving us valuable recommendations for trails and schedules, and our room was quiet and comfortable. There were other guests at the inn, but we were given our own private corner for breakfast, which was great because my bf and I had been looking for a nice quiet getaway. This was my first time at a bed & breakfast — Laurel Lodge set a high bar to clear!

What a great place in Harpers Ferry! My wife and I stayed last night. Ed and Chris are extremely gracious hosts. The house is beautiful. Don’t miss the wonderful cookies in the hallway. And the breakfast, oh my God, absolutely delicious! Chris gave a very nice tour of the property after breakfast. Lots of Civil War history here. We will be back for a longer stay very soon!

I can’t recommend Laurel Lodge more highly. If you are in a hurry, the summary of what I write below is: beautiful rooms, wonderful location, responsive staff, unbelievably good breakfast.
My boyfriend and I decided last-​minute to spend a romantic night out of DC and chose Laurel Lodge, a bed and breakfast, in Harpers Ferry. This beautiful B+B sits right down the street from the famous (infamous?) Hilltop House, and has its own panoramic view of the Potomac river. The owner of Laurel Lodge (Chris) was extremely nice and responsive. In addition to accommodating our later-​than-​expected arrival, he recommended good late-​night dining options in nearby Charles Town (Harpers’ Ferry doesn’t have late night dining) and gave us a tour of the outside of delightfully quirky house in the morning.
Our room (the Maple room) was gorgeous and not overly-​done. Elegant, yet comfortable. It was filled with simple but beautiful wooden furniture, natural wood floors and trim, and both shades and lace curtains to choose how much light you wish to enter the room when you are asleep/​waking up. The room has sunny south and east-​facing windows (rooms with north-​facing windows have a view of the river and gorge). The Maple room’s tastefully remodeled private bathroom (my boyfriend kept saying he wants his bathroom to look like this one) featured organic shampoo and soap. The downstairs, common area of the house also looked super-​cozy for lounging and reading, and hot tea and cookies are available 24 hours in the hallway. Gorgeous, rare, historic photographs of Harpers Ferry hang on the walls.
Despite all this wonderfulness, breakfast was THE MOST amazing part of our stay. It started with fresh-​from-​the-​oven warm biscuits, jam and butter. Chris then brought out a creamy yogurt fruit and seed crisp (similar to granola) cup. I blissed out on that until it was nearly done, belly-​near-​full, then smiled ear-​to-​ear as Chris brought out a hot and tasty orange pepper frittata with fresh thyme — still in its cast iron pot. That course came with a fried potato mash (not sure what it would be called properly), and sausage. I had informed the innkeeper in advance that I am vegetarian and would not need or eat any meat, so I was confused to see sausage on the plate he handed me. Then I was even more shocked to realize it was VEGETARIAN soy sausage! I absolutely did not expect that level of accommodation.
The OJ and coffee were great (you are hearing this from a complete coffee snob who roasts her own coffee beans!), and many of the ingredients were local and organic. (the real sausage, eaten by my boyfriend, came from a hog farm the next town over). There was an herb garden outside from which they probably harvest some of their cooking herbs.
Finally, you must tour the outside of Laurel Lodge. This stone building has hundreds of objects and messages embedded into the masonry — many zany, quirky, or mysterious, and all from the era in which the house was built (circa 1916) or before (many from the Civil War). The after-​breakfast tour was much like peeling away layers of an onion — this house is an unfolding treasure trove that would make a historian jump up and down with joy.