One the things that came to mind for me after spending three nights at the inn was that it is like a cruise that isn't a cruise. Why? It's not a ship but it's the kind of place you are welcome to come and go from. Or stay on "deck" that day. So comfy it's hard to mention all of them. Cozy corners in and out. Even a basket of blankets at the front door if you are chilled. The lights on all the exterior lines of this beautiful Victorian lead you up the hill to home after a dinner at a local restaurant. And your take-away (or home-prepared food) is welcome in the guest frig. Guests congregate on the porches, in the gazebo, in the spacious game room, library, jigsaw puzzle room, and on the lawns all day. So much comfy seating at all times. (I think there are over 100 chairs of all kinds in this inn.) Four more amenities that also stand out are the different coffees and snacks you are welcome to all day and night; the USB connections in all guest rooms; the puzzles, games and books to convince you to relax; and the automatic lights throughout the common rooms that stay on until 1 am. Oh, and an Alexa speaker in the gazebo where you can play your favorite streaming music! Marcus and Elin have thought of everything. read more

See all

We honestly can't recommend Idlwilde Inn more. Marcus and Elin were the greatest hosts. The breakfast was absolutely excellent. And they even accommodated a last minute dietary request from me, which I should have made when we reserved the room. They were absolutely lovely, gracious and warm hosts. I truly look forward to going back. Thank you Marcus and Elin! Love, Emily and Justin read more

We loved this place! The breakfasts were delicious and the cleanliness impeccable! Lots to do and very attentive owners! Highly recommend!

Wow! What a great experience my husband and I had at Idlwilde Inn celebrating a weekend alone for our 10 year anniversary! The owner was very friendly and accommodating, showing us the gorgeous property and rooms still available for our choice! The B&B has lovely amenities such as a huge wrap around porch with ample seating to enjoy the beautiful views, a large gazebo, yard games to play, another smaller gazebo type structure in front of a fountain, games throughout the main floor of the home and more! The room we chose was quaint and cozy, that provided lush towels and toiletries. We were very pleased with the upkeep of the place. You can tell the owner takes much pride in his business! We ended our stay with a lovely breakfast served to us on the outdoor porch with china plates. Everything was exquisite! We hope to stay longer next time and would highly suggest this place to anyone looking to stay in Watkins Glen! A++ read more

Idlwilde Inn - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

We spent 2 nights here while visiting the Finger Lakes. Our room was in the Carriage House, and we were incredibly disappointed with the accommodations. The musty smell upon entering this building was my first clue, but we tried to be positive, while climbing the steep winding carpeted stairs. The room was quite spacious, but the large fixed glass window overlooking the front yard was broken behind the old worn out curtains. We also had a small noisy window A/C unit that roared all night. The light bulbs were missing from a couple of the ceiling fixtures and the closet space was filled with unused bedding. Wish I had better news about the bathroom, but it was actually the bare minimum with linoleum flooring. The 1980 mauve carpeting and furniture really needs updating, so we were shocked at the condition of this room especially considering the exorbitant overpriced nightly rate we paid. I would be embarrassed to admit how much we paid for this room. I usually never leave negative reviews but in this case, I would hate for others to spend $$$$ for this accommodation. The best part of our stay was the stuffed french toast for breakfast. We left as soon as possible after breakfast. Lesson learned. Beware if you book the Carriage House. Happy to share pictures of the condition of this place but I don't see that capability. read more

My husband and I had the most phenomenal weekend at Idlewilde. The home is stunning and our breakfasts were divine. Marcus was friendly, accommodating, and super knowledgeable about the area. We are already planning our next trip back! read more

Beautiful building in a great location, and the breakfast (primarily composed of a large slice of asparagus quiche when we stayed) was excellent. Docking one star because it seems to be in need of some maintenance/upkeep -- we stayed in a room on the third (top) floor, which gets stuffy when the air is not running. (They have central-controlled air circulation, but turn it off at night.) We couldn't open windows during the night because it was raining, and when I tried to open one first thing in the morning, the pane almost fell out! Fortunately I caught the upper half of the window before it dropped, and was able to open the other window in the room... but this (along with peeling paintwork outside) seems indicative of some of the upkeep/maintenance that might need to happen here. Overall nice stay, though, with a very enjoyable porch to sit on, looking out over the serenity of the lake. read more

Idlwilde Inn - Very tasty breakfast at Idlewilde Inn - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

We were a little worried about traveling during Covid-19, but this cozy B&B was great, they followed all Covid-19 prevention guidelines, masks, social distancing, etc. We never felt unsafe, quite the contrary, this place felt very welcoming and homey. Marcus is great at suggesting activities in the area and Elin is amazing at providing a well balanced and delicious breakfast. If you want a relaxing stay in the Finger lakes, close to wineries and amazing food, this is the place for you!!! We're already planning our trip back!!! Thanks so much Idlewilde team for making our short getaway so pleasant! read more

See all

Beautiful inn and property. Hosts were great and breakfast was excellent.

Everything about this place was enchanting. But the most special part was how Marcus and Elin sincerely care that you have a wonderful stay ... not only in their home but also in the area. Can't thank them enough for the multitude of suggestions from wineries to hikes which we crammed into our two nights stay. And after a busy day it was truly a welcome reprieve to get back to the inn and relax on their deck with the spectacular view of the lake from their birds eye location. An escape to a peaceful lifestyle, a venue that promotes camaraderie, and a spectacular breakfast is all part of what makes this a special adventure. read more

Marcus and has wife are wonderful. We felt like we were at home. Make sure to not miss Elin's breakfast ITS AMAZING, easily the best part of the stay. The home is well kept, and Marcus was extremely attentive. Make sure to ask him for tips/recommendations! Our only regret was that we didn't stay here a bit longer. read more

Idlwilde Inn - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Watkins Glen, New York

See all

Only spent one night but we thoroughly enjoyed our short time there, Marcus & Elin are wonderful hosts who make you feel like you own the place, (I wish I did it's gorgeous), the grounds are beautiful and the room was small but charming and spotless. Breakfast was great and the staff was helpful and friendly. Can't wait to stay there again. read more

This is a lovely B and B. The owners, Marcus and Elin , couldn't have been more accommodating. Their pride in their inn is evident and I love the way Marcus took extra time to show us the property. My favorite part of the house is the giant wrap around porch with spectacular views of Seneca Lake. Even though the weather was chilly, the coffee was always hot and our room (16) was cozy. Thanks for a great long weekend! read more

Here now, loving our stay. Welcoming atmosphere, beautiful house and grounds with well thought out ideas throughout the home. The owners have thought of everything to make you feel welcomed. Vegan breakfast is delicious. A delightful b&b in a beautiful area. We will be back! read more

My boyfriend and I came to the Finger Lakes on a whim over his birthday weekend and hadn't booked anything in advance, hoping we could just wing it over the weekend. We had spent the day wine tasting and we were looking for a place to stay that had an outdoor patio or space where we could open a bottle or 2 and enjoy a small spread. Another B&B recommended we call Idlwilde and we're so glad we did. This B&B was a former 15 bedroom Victorian mansion built in the 1800's and is beautifully maintained. We got 1 of the 2 suites that had their own private outdoor terrace, which was the PERFECT. Place to celebrate my boyfriends birthday with wine and cheese. The beds were extremely comfortable and the air conditioning was cold - Perfect for 80 degree weather. The couple who ran the B&B were so accommodating and went above and beyond what I'm used to at a B&B. They provided an ice bucket for our champagne (upon request) and they cooked everyone a homemade breakfast of French toast, sausage and fruit salad. I highly recommend staying here and paying the extra for the suite with the balcony. It's entirely worth it! read more

See all

Marcus and Elin are doing an amazing job. I dont even know where to start. First of all the property is just breathtaking. The views from the wrap around porch are spectacular. The rooms are all unique and very cool craftsmanship. They have a little dog named Stella who takes her role of official greeter very seriously. She truly loves people and it shows. Now, getting to the best part, that would be the food. Elin is quite the chef. You will love her Baked French Toast and Danish Pancakes. Had an awesome stay!!! read more

Enjoy this B&B in a beautiful and historical home meticulously restored. Yes, there seem to be a lot of rules but I guess that is how they maintain the property. It feels more like a museum. Host was ok not overly friendly but pleasant and informative when asked. I thought the breakfast was wonderful. Maybe it has been upgraded in response to prior reviews. Located only a few blocks from major part of town and lake but those few blocks are straight uphill which also provides a nice view. Check out the night sky from the yard. It is spectacular. Not child friendly or casual but if you are looking for a formal, quiet, very clean place, you are home! read more

See all

This is the first Bed and Breakfast my wife and I have ever been to and the husband and wife team Elin and Marcus has set the bar high. The Mansion is clean and pleasant to be in, and the location alone is amazing. You are on top a hill over looking Seneca Lake. You'll be steps away from Franklin Street where most of the restaurants and shops are located. You are also about a mile away from the Watkins Glen State Park, which was our reason for our visit in Watkins Glen. Idlewilde's ground is awesome, they have a Gazebo where you can hangout and play games, which they have provided or just chill and enjoy the scenery. My wife and I also relaxed on one side of their wrap around porch over looking the sunken garden and fountain. The place is magical, wish we could've stayed longer. The personal service we got was the best. Idlewilde is worth checking out. read more

See all

We had our very first bed and breakfast experience and this place delivered the best experience! Very beautiful grounds and home. Marcus is very accommodating and makes sure you have everything you need. They do stay very booked so book in advance, we were lucky to experience the one night, but we will be back for sure! Thank you and your staff again! read more

See all

The Idlwilde Inn is a beautiful property located up on the hill above the town of Watkins Glen. We come here every year for a long weekend to play golf and enjoy the wineries. It is owned by two couples Maria and John, and Carlo and Nancy (Carlo and Maria are brother and sister) they are always gracious, friendly, and a wealth of knowledge about the areas attractions and all the wineries. The B & B itself, is a beautiful retored mansion built in the 1800s. The proprietors painstakingly restored it themselves from basically ruins over the course of a few years. We have stayed in several rooms including the Coachhouse and have enjoyed each room we stayed in. Two rooms have private balconies overlooking the lake which is a wonderful place to have a glass of wine and some snacks before dinner. When we first stayed here I was vegan and Maria easily (and happily) accommodated that. They are used to doing that because Farm Sanctuary (one of the country's largest animal sanctuaries) is in the region. I would highly recommend this bed-and-breakfast for your trip to Watkins Glen. Book early they are very busy in the summer months. read more

See all

What a fabulous place! We had a marvelous five night stay at the Idlwilde Inn. Marcus is an extraordinary host and goes out of his way to strive for perfection. The Inn is an elegant Victorian home set up high on a hill with a great view of Lake Seneca. I am already looking forward to my return visit. read more

Beautiful place to stay, lots to do in the area. The owner Marcus was super nice and inviting. Loved our stay .

The Idlwilde Inn is extraordinarily well-run and checks all the boxes for a fantastic accommodation in Watkins Glen. The check-in process was seamless, our room cozy, and breakfast each morning was hearty and delicious (we especially loved the breakfast sandwiches on day three). The property overall is beautiful and well-located, just minutes from the town center and Seneca Lake and with a view of the lake from Idlwilde itself. You can also walk directly from the inn to Watkins Glen State Park (which is spectacular) and save the money you would have spent on parking. The owners take great care in the small details, and we appreciated the coffee/snacks/water available all day and the advice they gave us about where the best spots were to eat and explore. Each staff person we encountered was friendly and helpful and being able to hang out with Stella the dog was definitely an added bonus. We would highly recommend Idlwilde. Andy & Janet read more

Elin & Marcus have created a new level of genuine hospitality and culinary experience in this beautiful century old plus mansion. The rooms are beautifully decorated and appointed. The area is a marvelous mixture of culture and rural experience. I could not be more enthusiastic about place to spend time at and around. Don't miss the opportunity to treat yourself! read more

Wow, what a stay! The new owners (Marcus and his wife Elin) were great, caring and wowing us every step of the way. It snowed overnight and when I went to my car Marcus brushed all the snow off ALL of the cars. Amazing. read more

This Inn is VERY OPEN right now! Our group of four women college friends hadn't seen each other in years and met at this charming Victorian Inn. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the snowflakes fall while seated in the dining room window seats. We assumed we'd spend all of our time just gabbing and catching up with each other but Elin and Marcus were such engaging and welcoming hosts they quickly became part of our crew. We look forward to returning and taking advantage of more of the recommendations they gave us for activities and dining. Accommodations were spotless, comfortable, warm and welcoming. Elin and Marcus and Idlwilde Inn more than exceeded our expectations in every way! read more

The atmosphere is just wonderful. The Inn is run by warm and friendly people who went out of their way to ensure my comfort. The property is very beautiful and my room was cozy. When I woke, it was to the best breakfast I've had this year: fresh made yogurt parfait, eggs, ham, crossaint, and potatoes. The serving portion was far more than I could possibly eat, and the coffee was strong and hot. I'm not one to look for negatives when they aren't apparent. My stay at the Inn was essentially perfect. read more

This place is just like home. Really friendly staff, great service and breakfast, beautiful rooms and adorable dog. Couldn't recommend it enough! read more

Highly recommend! Marcus and Elin make you feel like family while you are here...you know, the best kind of family...answers questions and advice about the area but doesn't expect to be invited places and in return, won't cook dinner for you. :) (Although knowing Marcus, he might do that if you ask nicely. Lol!) The B&B is a beautiful mansion and the breakfasts are HUGE! The idea of a vacation to the Fingers Lakes is to explore the area, but the grounds are so beautiful, you almost feel guilty leaving. The patio at night is the only place we wanted to hang. And their dog, Stella, is awesome. Will hang with you if you are a dog person...will ignore you if you aren't. read more

Where does one begin. You arrive to a Victorian architectural marvel that sits atop a hill overlooking the village of Watkins Glen and Seneca Lake. You are greeted by innkeepers Elin and Marcus Dowd. Warm friendly and accommodating. Their home is truly your home for your stay. The common rooms are elegant and charming yet relaxed. I stayed in room 10. A beautiful suite with a gorgeous sitting room. Great bathroom with amenities provided. Breakfast was beyond delicious and served in a lovely dining room. Elin and Marcus are available to provide you information about the area. They are extremely knowledgeable and if you are so inclined, Marcus is a world class raconteur. I highly recommend this special inn. I have stayed in B&B's all over the country and this is at the top of my or any list. read more

I am giving this place 5 stars, as I'm overall satisfied with my stay here. However, I should mention some minor complaints. There were beers all over the lawn and the driveway was blocked with cars, trees, and mailboxes. Also I'm pretty sure the place is haunted as a ghost stole my beer from the fridge and took a dump in my suitcase. They need to call ghostbusters and get it sorted out ASAP!!!! read more

Booked this B&B for a last minute weekend getaway. We were not disappointed! We stayed in room 14 with private shower/bathroom. The Inn is nicely decorated and well maintained for being built in the late 1800's. The history book on the house was very interesting. The staff was friendly and served us an awesome home cooked breakfast each morning. We will definitely be back! read more

We stayed here for a long weekend trip and found the property to be beautiful, quiet and relaxing. Maria was a gracious host and we loved hearing stories and history about the property and village. The only feedback we have is that the breakfast was average.. Good enough but not gourmet, if that's what you're used to. The other downside is that it's not really walking distance to the village restaurants. However, if you're brave and in moderate health, you can walk up that hill. We did and it wasn't as bad as you'd think. Overall? We'd stay again. The view and property itself were just wonderful. read more

From the very start this place just didn't have the homey feel that an other b&b we stopped at had. The host showed us things we could do around town but was half hearted about it. Then we were also disappointed in our room no tv no radio and the bed was slightly uncomfortable. read more

Nice place. Architecture is impressive. Home and rooms need a little work. Hosts were nice. The mansion must have very impressive during its hay day. A little pricy. read more

Staying here is like stepping back to the age of innocence. The common areas have the elegance only known in the days of the great mansions. The grounds are lush and manicured The views of the lake and valley are unrivaled. As "foodies" we were extremely pleased with the quality of the full breakfast. We had a small glitch with our room and the owner went way above what was necessary to make up for it. All in all, we had a wonderful experience and felt truly pampered. read more

Do not stay here. I booked a room here for a family wedding this past weekend. We misjudged the check in time and apologized profusely that we would we late. Instead of being met with a "Its OK, we understand" we were met with a "I guess it will have to be OK" that we were going to be late. We checked in and the male innkeeper was absolutely HUMILIATING another guest who accidentally overflowed a toilet. The guest was being screamed at in the hallway for the entire inn to hear. Who plans or wants to overflow a toilet? It was an accident! How humiliating for that poor guest! The breakfast was piss poor. Coffee, juice, and boxed cereal on the table. We asked for two keys for the room and were reminded multiple times during our stay to give them back. Like we weren't going to return them at check out? The bathroom had cobwebs and beds were not comfortable. It was like we were constantly being watched by the innkeepers. Our family came in between the wedding ceremony and the reception to change in our rooms. We were met with an angry inn keeper who asked why were were bringing people into their home. We had already asked permission the day before and they knew that we would have family there to change. We were there for no more than 30 minutes. We were not being loud or disrespecting other guests. If the Innkeepers did not want to have people in their home, they should NOT be Innkeepers!! Please spend your money elsewhere. We paid too much money for a poorly managed, unfriendly property. You would do much better booking an AirBnB and being on your own. You could most certainly make a better breakfast and not be yelled at for an accidental toilet overflow. read more

If you want a boot camp getaway with a strict warden, then this is the place for you. We wasted our getaway by staying in this jail like place where as soon as you enter you are bombarded with one of the owner Maria, the warden who gives you instructions of don't do this n don't do that, don't drag your luggage on the wooden floors n when asked for a glass, it comes with the instructions of "pls be careful n don't break it". Does one really need this for their holiday or vacation..... So pls skip this n stay at a really good BnB with nice people who run it n really offer a good worthwhile breakfast cause the breakfast in this place leaves you hungry cause they don't offer much choice. Not really as romantic as they claim on their website, cause its dark n small dungy rooms., Sone of the bathrooms lack storage space n are not safe for elderly people as the bathtubs are too small. Slippery n has no support in case of any slips. It also lacks warmth n a welcoming atmosphere. This place does not deserve any star n the only missing instruction from the owner/ warden Maria besides all the above should be DON'T COME HERE!!!! read more

This is a beautiful place in a peaceful setting . Our rooms on the first floor were clean and quiet. Maria is a gracious host, and we highly recommend Idlewild. It's not within walking distance to town, but it's a quick drive down the hill. read more

My husband and I stayed in Room 6 for two nights of our honeymoon and we were so glad we did. The property is beautiful and well cared for. Maria takes great pride in her work and is very knowledgeable of the area. We felt very welcomed and I was very appreciative of how our host went out of her way to accommodate my vegan lifestyle. Our stay was peaceful and relaxing, which was exactly what we were hoping for. Our room had a breathtaking view of the lake, which was great for watching the sun rise. I would absolutely recommend this B&B! read more