We had such a special stay at The Wayside Inn. From the moment you arrive, you can truly feel the history! It's charming, cozy, and full of character in a way that's hard to find anymore. We stayed in Room 15, the Bernstein Suite, and it was incredibly spacious. The bed was so comfortable, and I loved the thoughtful details -- especially the cute vanity room with amazing natural light and the cozy seating area. The decor throughout the inn and in the room really stood out to me and was easily my favorite part of the stay. It felt like such a unique blend of historic charm and comfort. This stay was extra special for us as it was part of our 10-year anniversary trip while driving to New York City, and it ended up being the perfect halfway stop to break up the drive. It made the whole trip feel even more memorable. We also dined at Clem's Kitchen during our stay, and the food was great. (I'm gluten free and there were plenty of options!) I really appreciated that it's part of the inn, which made the overall experience feel seamless and convenient. Overall, it's the kind of place where you can slow down, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy something truly special. I would absolutely recommend staying here if you're in the Shenandoah Valley area. read more

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Charming Place, Comfortable Stay We enjoy stays at both chains and independent hotels/motels, just do a lot of research to ensure a solid, restful stay at either. This piqued our interest as the longest continuously run motel and it lived up to expectations of being charmingly quirky while also very comfortable -- plus, proving to be easy to access as a quick pit stop. Spouse & I agreed when checking out that we wished we were staying longer, to get to enjoy the surprisingly spacious sitting room and glassed-in porch -- we stayed in room #15 / Bernstein and recommend it to both couples and small families. The bed was cushy and my husband slept later than his norm, always a good sign for bed comfort. It is higher than average, so I took advantage of the provided step to hop in/out. Because the tavern is onsite, there were additional bathrooms handy downstairs when ours was occupied. As noted in our welcome sheet, water took a few minutes to warm up. So if showering and in a rush, run it first for 3-5 minutes while doing other prep. But hot water arrives and pressure was excellent. The rooms were spotless, though of course tiles and other fixtures are vintage and show age -- it's a historic landmark. We also wish we could have stayed longer to take advantage of the porch rockers and both the tavern or (intriguingly combined) Irish-Mexican restaurant on premises. There appears to be patio seating in back, so ask if it's associated with hotel or dining, if looking for other outdoor space. Indoors, there are public spaces (two parlors plus other spots -- it's a rambling building!) with books and a checkerboard handy. Maybe more amenities but we ran out of time to explore. It's not a B&B -- there's just a stocked Keurig in the lobby and some packaged snacks and bottled water (free but donations welcomed). But if the Tavern is closed, as it was on our Memorial Dat visit, there's a small coffee shop just a half-block away, serving breakfast late as well as some sandwiches and bowls, plus good teas & coffees. Incredibly friendly staff. Looked like a few other dining options nearby plus historic sites and walking trails. We arrived very late, and management is not onsite at that hour, but instructions for arrival were provided, comprehensive and very easy to follow. Staff on site in am were very pleasant and helpful. Tip: If arriving late & lugging a ton of luggage, ask which rooms are closest to the late-night entrance. Number 15 is on the far side and up a flight of stairs -- fine for us with just overnight totes & computer bags but just something to keep in mind if you have a lot to unload. Overall, an enthusiastic thumbs-up. It looks like it would be a fun, relaxing hub for a weekend escape. But also great as a highway stop, as it is just a few minutes' drive from the exit. read more

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I was already excited about staying in this historic Inn, but upon arrival and meeting up with family, I learned there were rumors (and apparently well known at that) that the place is haunted. Now that will mess with your head, but hey it's all part of the adventure right? Old photographs, a massive space underneath the bed, some kind of small doorway in the back of the closest. But I was all in. Bring on the ghosts! But, unfortunately or not (depending on your preference), it was a quiet and serene weekend. Plenty of areas to read a book or play chess, rocking chairs out front to watch the sunrise and see cars pass by, and of course the Tavern for a delicious meal (or two). The staff here are some of the nicest people you'll meet and almost every wall in the place is a history lesson on the Inn and the area. I will mention that if mobility is a issue you should let them know, as stairs are quite steep and narrow. I hope to stay here again soon. read more

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What a cool old place. An old stagecoach stop in 1796 !!! The bar is comfortable with memorabilia around. The outside patio was nice to listen to music. Ann was our Bartender and what a delightful person. The food was tasty and hot.... No sitting under a heat lamp. They are part of Harvest Host... letting campers traveling through at no charge. Just go in for a meal. Large parking. Great meal & very friendly staff read more

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Clem's Kitchen is the best! great experience, lots of friendly faces, the best pancakes i've had in my life. The atmosphere feels like Saturday at my mawmaws house truly. they flipped the chocolate over my milk and told me to tell them when. read more

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Love the atmosphere. I came the first weekend the new chef was there. The new menu has potential! The band that night wasn't great, but I will try it again. The gift shop staff told us about the ghosts and hauntings. Highly recommend talking to them. read more

The rooms were well kept and the staff was very pleasant. Situated in a nice part of town with food within an easy walking distance

We didn't see any ghosts, but we will definitely be back! We stayed one night, eating at the bar, & then breakfast before we left. We loved the peanut soup, the grilled cheese, & the veggie omelet, but the crabcake benedict was awesome. read more

We're locals, and we come here every week. The food is terrific, the location and decor are wonderful -- but what really makes the Wayside shine is the service. Ricardo goes out of his way to make us comfortable. He's the best waiter I've ever seen. Piers often comes by and regales us with tales of the inn's history. It's just a really cool place with interesting and helpful staff. Long may it wave! read more

Called restaurant at 8:50pm. Phone rang for at least 5 minutes with no answer or voicemail. Called back and finally some guy answered. Said pub closed in 10 minutes. Said receptionist left early and it was not his job to answer the phone. It's everyone's job to answer the phones. They are not open for lunch. Don't open until 4:00pm. How about a local lunch crowd? I can see why this place can't stay in business. Poor management and even worse employees. Don't waste your time going here. They will be out of business again before long. read more

My family got totally screwed by the just a few days before my nieces baby shower! My sister in law was a wreck! They did not honor their contract with every that was being done agreed on. Three days before the shower they upped the prices, then told her she could not bring the food that preparations had been started. Then told her she could bring a cake, but she had to pay THEM to cut it! Our family has had many events there the same way. Their under new management and trust me, THEY DON'T CARE! An employee quit because of their actions read more

My wife is from the valley since she was a child the "wayside" has always been a GREAT place to stay, enjoy wonderful food and enjoy the wonderful historic atmosphere. Recently we had a delicious meal with family in the tavern all of us were outstandingly pleased with the tasty morsels. After we finished the staff showed us around the lower floor very friendly and above and beyond hospitality. We highly recommend this to travelers and locals alike where else can you stay in the same room as GW did more than 2 centuries ago? Cheers Jim and Barbara read more

Located in Middletown, VA just outside Front Royal the Wayside and Larricks Tavern, billed as the oldest continuously operated Inn in America. The Inn has provided sleeping accommodations,dining, and libations since 1797. Our visit took place on my birthday and was preplanned by my son and family, unfortunately something went wrong in the kitchen and our food was served intermittently to each of 8 family members over a 40 minute wait from the first serving, needless to say it was disappointing, Prime rib was cold, knives dull and it is awkward to wait an extremely long time till everyone is served before eating. A special evening spent in a environment that was over 200 years old to enjoy a meal in a historic room was tainted by an incompetent kitchen. Made me wonder if this was the way they served the customers and historic figures of our country in 1797. What bothers me most is that there were no apologies to my son who as always remained a gentleman. They did however to their credit ,offer a discount. read more

This is probably one of the cleanest hotels I have ever stayed in. I know that's not the most glamorous way to start a review, but seriously, the bathroom was GLEAMING and I swear I did not see a speck of dust anywhere. Monica at the front desk was so helpful and kind. You can tell that this is a really special place that is loved and taken care of. Thank you for a special stay! read more

My husband booked the Jubal Early State Room for a night for our wedding anniversary, for the Sunday night of Memorial Day weekend. We arrived right about check-in time, the lady at the front desk was super nice and told us all about the inn. After getting our stuff up to the room, we went downstairs for brunch, which was good. There are no food or drinks allowed in the rooms, understandably, since all of the furniture is antique, but there are numerous sitting rooms downstairs where you can sit, have some coffee (they have a Keurig downstairs), read, or do whatever. We chose to occupy some of the front porch rocking chairs for part of the afternoon, and again in the evening. There is beautiful artwork throughout the inn, if you've got time to stop and look around. There's a lot of history in this place, and if it's the history you're into, you'll never want to leave. The entire staff here is wonderful, the place is really clean, and the environment is relaxing. If you want a really cool room in a nice, quiet, southern town, come here. read more

Wayside Inn - Hotels Near Me - Middletown, Virginia

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The Wayside Inn has been a very poor dining option for many years; however, we thought we might give it another chance under the new ownership. Terrible mistake! How it could have gotten worse I can't understand, just terrible service, food and quite frankly even the atmosphere was bad. We won't ever try this spot again. read more

New management is wonderful! So inviting and accommodating. Don't miss Piers' tour of the facility with amazing historical tidbits. Eat at the tavern, enjoy the live music and the fellowship of the other guests. The peanut soup is not to be overlooked ! read more

My husband and I visited Virginia for the first time. We are so glad we chose this historic inn for our stay. It was so charming and cozy. The whole inn was an antique but very clean. We interacted with Tammy, the front desk staff member the most. She was very sweet and thoughtful. She made sure everything was well and provided coffee for us in the morning. We also enjoyed eating at Larick's Tavern, the restaurant attached to the inn. The food was comforting and staff were friendly. The bread pudding particularly stood out to us. We had a reservation when they had live music, so that was a lovely touch. Thank you! read more

Wayside Inn - Hotels Near Me - Middletown, Virginia

Celebrated my birthday here last night. I had a Manhattan which was more than good--not watered down at all. We had the shrimp for an appetizer which was also really good. The Caesar salad was fantastic! Definitely didn't skimp on the croutons. And the crab cakes were delicious. But what really made the evening enjoyable was our waiter Connor. He was delightful, knowledgeable and incredibly attentive, not only to us but to the entire group of diners. I would definitely return. read more

The Wayside Inn is authentically "vintage". It has the look and feel of stepping back in time and seeing what it was like in 1797. The Alley has so much to look at, and having the original street and fireplace and fireplace tools is magnificent! The decor of each and every room is unique and special. If you have any interest in history or antiques, this place is a MUST for you. It was also one of the cleanest hotels I have ever seen. Being old does not mean being dirty! It means eating and sleeping in style. The staff was highly professional. They were attentive without being obtrusive. They were friendly, always smiling and trying to make the guests feel like they were visiting their home, not a hotel. This would be an amazing venue for any event! It has a quaint vibe that allows you to relax and enjoy the food. Their layout for large groups makes it easy for all to move around, get food, and yet feel like you are part of something special. We thoroughly enjoyed our event at The Wayside Inn. As an event director, I am always going to be thinking of times we can go back. read more

The Wayside Inn used to be the place to go for a delicious meal and wonderful service. Instead when you go there now no one waits on you. Ignores you. When we tried to get drinks she said she was the only one on staff as bartender and server. We walked out after not even being acknowledged. If I were the manager or owner, I would step in to help if it was short staffed. As a leader you do that. I keep trying to go back and every time very disappointed. read more

If you're looking for modern/new amenities from a well-established hotel chain with loads of entertainment, this isn't for you, but if you want a cozy stay in a centuries-old inn and some peace and quiet outside of the city, try Wayside. The inn itself is well-preserved, and room 14 (one of the haunted ones) was as expected. We did hear some odd, unexplained noises in the middle of the night, which was kind of cool! It was nice to explore the inn and sit next to one of the two lit fireplaces to unwind and read in a wing-backed chair. Breakfast was made to order and pretty good: no frills, good coffee. Less than a 3 min walk down the street is a great Irish pub (Nana's). It's the site of an old bank, full of history. And the food was delicious. The inn's owner and staff were pleasant, so we did not have any of the negative experiences other reviews noted. Becky even offered to let us to check out whenever we wanted since no one booked the room for the evening after ours. We would stay here again and maybe increase our review if the stay met the same expectations... and if we could vouch for the food at the tavern. read more

Wayside Inn - Breakfast served in the dining room next to one of two lit fireplaces - Hotels Near Me - Middletown, Virginia

The inside of the tavern is decorated in a way that feels like you are sitting in Cracker Barrel. One of the male employees, I believe he was a manager, talked our ear off for half of our meal. My wife and I could not enjoy our date night in peace. If you are looking for an upscale dinner at a nice place, I wouldn't go here. read more

If you love cold showers this is the place for you. We felt very welcomed at this quaint and unique inn. Well not that unique for us given we come from a town that boasts the most first period homes in the country. For the most part it was what we expected. I thought the bed was comfortable enough. Bathroom needed a lot of work, however it was clean and functional but no hot water. Now the do give you a paper stating you have to wait for the hot water to come up from the basement. However, This was about 6 am and we did let it run a good long time before submitting to cold showers. Didn't think others were up siphoning off the hot water. We had a pleasant but basic food experience at the bar. read more

we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The service was excellent, staff friendly, and the rooms were filled with beautiful period furniture. Bed was very comfortable. Water pressure great. Great prices! Loved it and highly recommend. read more

Take a pass - My wife and I came in about 9:00 on a not busy Friday evening. We waited by the door unnoticed. A waitress walked right by us, again without acknowledging our presence; I stopped her a few feet after she passed us and asked her about seating; wherever you want was her reply as she kept on her way. We found a table (easy the place was nearly empty) and saw that there was live music, but at 9:00 the band was packing up. The same waitress came back a few minutes later and told us that the kitchen is open, but the bar is closed, so if we wanted a cocktail we would need to go downstairs to the "speak easy". I asked if we could get served food downstairs and the short reply came as "no". We just left and went to a different restaurant. I was happy to spend my dollars in a different location that cares about their customers experience. read more

We were on a long distance trip and looking for an interesting place to stop at a halfway point. What a charming place with excellent history. We stayed the night, room was clean, beds were comfortable. If you love a hermetically sealed pristine place, this is not for you, but if you like quirky and interesting this place is perfect. There is a great tour included as well. We wished we had time to dine in the 18th century old tiny dining area. read more

My wife and I went to the Wayside Inn for dinner and it was an amazing experience! So much charm and warmth and the food and service were top notch. Also, I loved all of the history behind the place. The server we had was very nice and we did not have to wait long at all to be seated. Highly recommend this place! read more

I love the way management appreciates they fill a need and are preserving history. I love the people who work there. They make me feel like they are happy I'm there and it's very welcoming. The menu is great and very reasonably priced. read more

when you walk in you feel like you are walking back in time. Monica who welcome us was awesome and so much fun. I felt like I was at home. The room that I had was just amazing. The food was good and the music was great. The people are so friendly. We brought in the New Year with other people who were staying there. Pearce who is employed there gave everyone a tour of the place. Jewels who is his wife was very friendly and great to talk to. I didn't want to leave. I didn't see any ghost hopefully the next time we go they will come out to join us. Especially the three ghost cat. Thanks to everyone who made our stay wonderful. read more

Not very hospitable for a business in the hospitality industry. Made reservations at the inn for 3 nights, but ended up leaving after the 1st one. Not sure what the hype is about, but the room we stayed in was far from "charming" or, even more so, "luxury". From the old AC units being so loud that we could hear the one from the adjacent room, to the bed that creaked at every touch (don't even think about turning over during the night!), it already did not look promising when we checked it. But we decided to "embrace" the experience and "tough it out". However, the last drop was when we woke up in the morning to NO RUNNING WATER. This means no shower, no brushing your teeth, and no flushing toilet. Yep. We called the 3 different contact numbers indicated at the front desk (no one is around during night or early morning hours), left a voicemail, but did not hear back. The only wise decision at this point was to check out and go find elsewhere to stay, which we did. I can understand that things happen and the water issue may have been out of the Inn's control, however, I would expect at least an acknowledgment and an apology from management. After we found new accommodations, we contacted the Inn's reception to make sure they check us out (since no one was around when we left) and ask about a partial refund. They promised to speak to management and call us back, but the only thing I got was a receipt for all 3 nights in the email, no refunds, phone call, or an apology. For people in the hospitality industry, this is the worst one can do, in my book. So many ways to make a customer feel better about the situation. A simple phone call or an offer of a complimentary meal at the tavern would have gone a long way. To add insult to injury, the "complimentary continental breakfast" advertised on the website turned out to be a basket of Belvita biscuits and a coffee (1-pod) machine that "runs better when water is full". Hot water for tea seemed out of the question. Luckily, this half-day at Wayside Inn was the only blemish on our 5-day trip. Makes me rethink booking outside the regular hotels in the future. Even a 2-star hotel we ended up staying at felt luxurious compared to this place. read more

Seems the Inn is not what it used to be and with the new owners not likely to ever be again. The food was at best acceptable but not worth a drive to the area. Service was not as it had been some years ago; we certainly will not return nor would we recommend the Inn! read more

Give the new Wayside Inn & Larricks Tavern a try if you haven't already! The new management provides a delicious meal and local entertainment. The service is very personable and guaranteed you will want to go back! read more

The Wayside is Americas oldest operating inn so the ambiance and history make it a wonderful getaway but owners George and Becky Reeves make it amazing. I would recommend this inn to anyone and it has been the best bed and breakfast experience my wife and I have had. This truly is an American treasure. read more

Wayside Inn - Our sitting room. - Hotels Near Me - Middletown, Virginia

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We just stayed at the Wayside Inn and truly it was a unique and very rewarding experience. It has the feel of an bed and breakfast with lots of charm and character. Very warm and inviting staff. Highly recommend a stay! read more

What a lovely place... you can tell that the owners take loving care of both the inn and the employees as each member of staff took such pride in this historic inn. It was very clean and such history! We found it by fluke while googling and the price was so reasonable we went for it especially as breakfast was included plus they were able to accommodate they were able to accommodate the small dog we were dogsitting. That breakfast was memorable ! The sausage patties were the best we've ever had and the fluffiest pancakes as well as coffee and juice were included... We look forward to our next getaway and as it less than an hour from home we might just go back just for the breakfast! read more

Gracious host, incredible attention to detail, that is exemplary beyond compare. We had a memorial art gala and dinner. The Events Coordinator Mr Haymaker provided a sterling example of consummate professionalism, dynamic style and wonderful sensitivity to our family and friends. Thank you does not adequately express my gratitude. read more

Superbly surprised by this place. Usually these old rustic inns with history have a few flaws: musty/dusty, not maintained, bad mattresses, and loud/creaky. NOT the case with this place. Great mattress. They keep the place up without losing the historic charm and quirkiness that makes these places attractive in the first place. The price wasn't bad at all especially when including the free (real) breakfast the next morning for the two of us... the staff was kind. We slept like rocks and enjoyed the stay immensely. read more

This inn is under completely new ownership since December 2013 so any bad reviews need to be disregarded. The new owners are really terrific. My daughter and I happened upon this inn late one afternoon with no reservation. We were welcomed with open arms and we stayed in a lovely room. The room we stayed in was large, very clean and very comfortable. The food was excellent, breakfast was cooked to order and the owners are very knowledgeable about the area and could recommend places to visit and give us excellent directions. They bought the inn after a period of less than attentive ownership, so there is work to be done, but we had an excellent experience overall. Anyone visiting Cedar Creek and Belle Grove National Historic Site will find this an ideal spot to stay overnight. read more

I really wanted to give them at least 3 stars, but can't. The room was clean, service was fine - but you need to be prepared for the ambiance. America's first roadside inn, dating back to 1797....which may, sadly, include the mattress. Antique furniture is great - but not so much the mattress. Yes, this building has amazing historic charm. You can see the various expansions to which the structure was subject. But be aware that nearly every step or motion you make in your room can be heard. I was literally awoken by the sound of the person in the room above rolling over during the night. Yes, they do "ghost weekends" -- which I'm sure are a thrill given the squeaky floors, furniture that bangs simple because you walk past, or open a door on the opposite site of the room. And I won't even mention the sound of the plumbing. So..., on the other hand, if you were hoping for a romantic weekend, this might not be the place for you. Breakfast was included - and the coffee was excellent, which was essential given the poor night's sleep. Scrambled eggs were made with peppers and ham and were above average. Sausage gravy was average. The biscuits were cold, and we had breakfast in the first hour. French toast was strange and dry looking. They offered "blueberry pancakes or eggs to order upon request", but seemed surprised when asked for some. The eggs were ordered over hard, but were not fully cooked. The pancakes were loaded with blueberries - but had been prepared with too much bacon grease on the griddle. read more