Everything about Hartzell House exceeded expectations: the food was delicious, Kitty and David were gracious and accommodating hosts, and the space itself was way better than we would have gotten at a hotel On this trip we used the Hartzell House as part of a trip to Fallingwater, but on future trips I would come back to the area (a ~3.5 hr drive) just to stay at Hartzell House again.
Food--
David: I'll ask again, are you sure you aren't a trained chef?
At a typical B&B I would expect something simple and homey. At Hartzell House, I had a meticulously prepared and plated breakfast that was not only delicious, it was a wonderful experience in hospitality. Presented with several breakfast options, we chose the Reese's peanut butter pancakes and the mushroom and shallot quiche. Before these even came out were were given a first course of David's homemade glazed orange scones and a cold fruit salad of fresh mangoes, oranges, and peaches. The pancakes were served surrounded by homemade jam and garnished with a homemade chocolate-covered raspberry. The peanut butter was baked into the batter, but didn't take away from the fluffy pancake consistency. The quiche was a unicorn: the inside was cooked all the way through without losing any moisture and the crust was flaky and not soggy at all. It was stuffed with fresh mushrooms and shallots, and as a guy who normally gives quiche a pass, I would order again...and again.
In addition to the food that we were served formally, we had a cheese plate delivered to our room. It came with ~8 different cheeses perfectly portioned to the two of us, along with oranges, apples, and raspberries filled with fresh honey. The cheeses were impeccably curated by David and Kitty and varied enough to make us feel that eating the cheeseplate was one of the highlights of our weekend. It was delivered by Kitty as I was getting the rest of our bags from the car, and she introduced my girlfriend to the cheeses and added some fun by suggesting that she have me guess the flavors that were in each unique slice.
Finally, the whole house was jam-packed with snacks and drinks, including some homecooked items. When we got back from our travels and the kitchen was closed, it was so relaxing to have access to fresh cinnammon rolls, fruit, and tea/coffee that we could help ourselves to.
Hosts--
David and Kitty were available, helpful, and cheerful from even before we walked in the door. (We worked with them to pre-book tickets to Fallingwater). They were present to greet us when we walked in and were very clearly intent on making sure that we had a wonderful time on their property. They added tons of little touches of hospitality, from the snacks, to the glass of wine (gratis) they offered us when we came back in the evening. They also checked in with us several times when we were eating (and not in an overbearing way) to make sure that we were happy with the experience. I particularly appreciated when David saw how much I had enjoyed the pancakes and mentioned that he might have some "extras" if I wanted any more. He then went into the kitchen and made another serving specially for me.
Space--
The B&B itself has clearly been a labor of love for both of them, and each space is put together thoughtfully with relaxation in mind. Public space includes a living area, bar area with a pool table, and two beautiful garden areas (they grow a lot of the food they serve). Even with the space at full capacity, there are plenty of nooks to relax in privately.
Our room (Artist suite) was unique. It was about the size of a hotel suite (with a queen bed and a couch/sitting area). However once again the details were key. The sheets and the bed were clean and high threadcount, and the sitting area was perfectly set up with our cheeseplate when I walked in. The bathroom is unattached, but private to the Artist suite and includes a large jacuzzi tub (yes please).
TLDR: This is a destination in itself. Will likely drive 3.5 hours just to stay again. read more