Inn at Glencairn: What Sets us Apart from our Hotel Friends?

Bucolic Setting!

Since we are the only Bed & Breakfast in the Princeton area, we do not have to constantly compare ourselves to other Bed & Breakfasts. So we often compare ourselves to nearby hotels. When we first opened, we thought we could never compete based on location with the in-town places, but after hearing our guests comments and reading countless reviews, we have grown to realize that our setting provides something that an in-town location cannot: peace and quiet. Driving onto the property and viewing the barns and outbuildings immediately takes you back to another time - a welcome respite after a day of touring or hours of endless meetings.

Eggs Glencairn: Our version of Eggs Benedict

Being the only B&B in the area also gives us an opportunity to truly showcase how we are different. Have you seen the breakfasts that Lydia dreams up daily? If not, check out some of the pictures HERE! I would challenge you to find something comparable anywhere in town. Homemade granola AND homemade yogurt? Farm fresh produce and microgreens? Three choices daily to please just about any palate and appetite? Plus, we cater to any and all dietary restrictions!

You know something else you will not see in town? FREE PARKING!!! Chances are you have a car, and chances are you might not want to deal with a valet or endless loops around a parking garage. I LOVE Princeton, but have you seen some of these parking garages? Um, barely enough room to shimmy in and out without a scratch! Plus, overnight parking expenses can add up easily - even just for one night!

Our Great Room dates back to the early 1700s!

And, of course, we have history! Lots and lots of history. Our Inn dates back to the early 1700s. We have oodles of history. Our Great Room has a huge fireplace that you can literally walk into. This is the stuff you see in historical sites and museums - but when you stay at the Inn you are literally surrounded by it as long as you like. This is not a Disney-fied reproduction, this is the real deal and you can explore all the corners and quirky aspects of it.

Finally, we offer comfort and personalized service. We only have five rooms. Lydia is an expert when it comes to reading guests. Want to chat, she will chat. Want to wander around ALONE, she will leave you ALONE! Want to sit alone at breakfast, we can make that happen. Have allergies or sensitivities? We will cater to your requirements. Our rooms, beds, and bathrooms have all received rave reviews from our guests. We want you to be comfortable and we will go out of our way to make that happen. Call ahead if you have truly quirky needs and we will work with you!

So, go ahead and compare us to the hotels around. We offer things that no other property can. Book for visit now and see what thousands of our happy guests are talking about!

The Best Things in Life are Free: Mercer County, NJ Edition!

They say the best things in life are free, so we set out to find some unique complimentary tours and outings offered in the Mercer County, NJ area! This handful of ideas are all within an easy 20 minute-or-less drive from the Inn. Some require planning, so be sure to check the links for additional details!

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a US Department of Energy national laboratory for plasma physics and nuclear fusion science. It is known for the development of the stellarator and tokamak designs. Public tours are offered the fourth Friday of most months at 11am. You MUST provide visitor information at least nine days in advance to comply with the site protection clearance process. 

WJHCS Heritage Tour: Witherspoon-Jackson Historical and Cultural Society (WJHCS) has placed nearly 30 Heritage Tour plaques in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood. Since the early 19th century, African American residents of Princeton occupied this segregated district as a proud, self-sufficient and self-sustaining community. The self-guided Heritage Tour marks historic sites with memorial plaques in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood and surrounding area.

Image courtesy of Princeton University Art Museum.

Princeton University Art Museum Outdoor Walking Tours: Princeton University is home to one of the most significant collections of twentieth- and twenty-first-century public sculpture in the country. Join a guided walking tour of the campus collections with an Art Museum guide and discover a variety of artworks by modern and contemporary sculptors, from Henry Moore to Maya Lin. Learn about materials and techniques and explore elements of design and balance.

Night Skies at Washington Crossing Simpson Observatory: Experience a tour of the night sky with the Amateur Astronomers Association of Princeton on Friday evenings from April to October. Check ahead for current status and parking directions as this is a weather dependent event. And remember no white lights!

Amazon Warehouse: Ever wondered what happens when you shop on Amazon? You can now tour an actual Amazon warehouse and see how people and technology work together to provide Amazon deliveries on a daily basis. If your preferred date is not available, check back mid-month when Amazon releases new tour availability!

Trenton Walks! Trenton Walks! is the name of a new program that features walks throughout Trenton between June and October 2024. Sponsored by the Trenton Green Team, with the support of the Mercer County Action Team, the community engagement program features walks in and around the capital city of New Jersey.

Drumthwacket: Serving as the stately home and grounds of the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey, Drumthwacket is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the most elegant executive residences in our country. Tour the historic residence and learn about the collection of 18th and 19th-century furniture, paintings, and objets d’art.  

Inn at Glencairn #3 in CN Traveler Readers' Choice Awards for Mid-Atlantic Region!

We are so excited to be a recipient of the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Award! Being ranked in the top 10 for properties in the Mid-Atlantic is such an honor. We are beyond grateful to our past and present guests who recognized us by voting.

Lydia, our amazing Innkeeper, and our housekeeping crew deserve the accolades. They are constantly striving to improve the guest experience and have been so resilient and dedicated over the past few years.  So, a big thank you to our guests and to our staff. We are beyond grateful to receive this award for the last three years!

Check out the list of winners for the mid-Atlantic below.

1. Sagamore Pendry Baltimore

2. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh

3. Inn at Glencairn

4. Asbury Ocean Club

5. The Ivy Hotel

6. The Reeds at Shelter Haven

7. The Asbury Hotel

8. The Rittenhouse

9. Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

10. Hotel du Pont

Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles!

You may have noticed Lydia's penchant for puzzles during your last visit to the Inn.  She is an admitted puzzle "addict" and was fully immersed into the craze during the pandemic!  Her favorite spot to piece them together was the dining room table. During the slow days of the pandemic this was ideal until the random guest would show up!

After a few too many interruptions from the brave, infrequent guest and a need for the dining room table, Lydia finally treated herself to a really cool puzzle board (holding up to 1000 pieces and large enough for a 21" x 27" puzzle) that now sits in the Office.  Guests of all ages give her a hand on these puzzles while they visit, and she completes each one.

Flash forward to today: Lydia now has about 40 puzzles that she has completed and we are running out of shelf space at the Inn. 

PLEASE help us!!!!! 

Bring Lydia a new puzzle (that you have completed) and feel free to take one (or two) home from our office shelf. Forgot your puzzle, that's OK, just remember one the next time you visit. And, if you are a serious puzzle fanatic (or know one), Lydia is happy to share information on her puzzle board!  

Summer Activities in Princeton!

Summer is upon us here in Princeton! If you have plans to visit Princeton this summer, here are some activities you might consider making time for in your schedule.

Music and Entertainment:

Palmer Square in Princeton has activities all summer long with dueling pianos entertainment, free movies, and discounted shopping experiences.

Mercer County Park has Festivals that have become a MUST DO while here on the weekends with amazing performances including Earth Wind & Fire Tribute band, Epic Soul, Kombo Latino, Morris Day, Rock Night, Soul Night, movie nights, Funk Salsa Urban, Best of the Eagles and more!

Princeton Shopping Center has music on Thursday nights in their large green space with restaurants and shopping so you can enjoy free music with dinner in an outdoor setting.

Lawrenceville Main Street offers free music outdoor in their Weeden Park Thursdays through August 18 starting at 6 PM. with local restaurants close by.

Wine-centric activities:

Hopewell Valley Vineyards has music and food every Friday and Saturday nights from 6-9 PM and Sunday afternoon from 3-6 PM.

Crossing Vineyard has music and food every Friday night at 7 PM rain or shine; Sunday picnics July 17 and grill and chill July 24; Thursday night wine, cheese, and charcuterie August 4 and September 15; Wine and bundt cakes Thursday August 11. Crossing Vineyard offers wine classes, sangria Sundays, cocktail camp, yoga and mimosas, tarot card reading, and wine pairing with chocolate.

Wine on the Waterfront at Washington Crossing Historic Park is Saturday, July 30th 3-7 PM.

Sip and Savor has small plates and locally grown wines Sundays, August 7 and 14 12-5 PM. sponsored by the Bucks County Wine Trail and Visit Bucks County.

These are just a sampling of the fun you can have (mostly for free) while you’re here. Give Lydia a call or email for details and date-specific activities that might interest you. And, while you are staying with us, you can always check out our three-ring binder full of activities in the Parlor!

Inn at Glencairn Laundry Soap

We have heard many times that people LOVE the feel and smell of our linens. Lydia makes our laundry soap in house and shares our recipe with anyone who asks. Now you can purchase a container and enjoy it at home! And, when you are ready for more, here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (3 lbs 7 oz)

• 1 box Baking soda (4 lbs)

• 1 box Borax (4 lbs 12 oz)

• 4 bars Fels Naptha (20 oz)

• 1 box OxyClean (7 lbs)

Directions:

• Grate the Fels Naptha.

• Mix all ingredients into a large container.

• When you use it, you may only need 2 Tablespoons per normal load.

(We do not add any fragrances to our detergent.)

Princeton Hot Chocolate Crawl

The frenzy of the winter holiday season has screeched to a halt and many of us are looking for an excuse to get out again now that Omicron appears to be waning.

In an attempt to liven up a pretty quiet weekend, my ever-creative daughters suggested a Hot Chocolate crawl around town! Our day consisted of five stops at a variety of local establishments (no chains were allowed) and all stops were within easy walking distance of each other.

Looking for something new to do? Follow our Hot Chocolate crawl around Princeton or create your own crawl. We would love to help you brainstorm a day of adventure! Need ideas? Check out these stops on our crawl:

• Sakrid Coffee

• Bent Spoon

• Halo Pub

• Small World

• PJs Pancake House

After your day of exploring come back to the Inn and enjoy a chat and a complimentary glass of wine in our cozy Parlor or Great Room.

The Princeton area has so much to offer during the winter months and local businesses need your help! Take advantage of our winter rates and plan your getaway now by giving us a call at visiting us online! Click HERE for reservations!

Getting Ready for Jersey Fresh Tomatoes!

This simple recipe allows for the sublime combination of Jersey Fresh Tomatoes and sharp cheddar cheese to create the perfect Summer Brunch treat!

Tomato Pie

Ingredients
Par baked pie crust (homemade or store bought)
2 large tomatoes or several medium size
8-10 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Fresh herbs of your choice
Salt & pepper

Directions
Slice your tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices, salt the tops, and place on a paper towel to drain a bit. Leave them for 20 minutes at least. Chop your herbs (our recipe uses fresh green onion and thyme). In a par baked crust, layer cheese, herbs, and tomato, twice in that order. Top with cheese and some herbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Be sure the crust is nicely browned on the bottom. Remove and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm. (NOTE: because there are no eggs, baking longer than stated is fine. Go with how it looks.) Enjoy!

"Best Quiche Ever"

When your Chef and Innkeeper says she just made the best quiche ever, you take note, especially when guests tell you that they nearly proposed to her after having her scrambled eggs! Travel is still slow these days, but Lydia continues to try new recipes and perfect old ones. Here is her latest. Or as she calls it “one of the best quiches ever … really!”

Sausage and Spinach Quiche:

8 ounces of your favorite ground sausage

4 ounces of cream cheese

1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

5 eggs

1 1/4 cup heavy cream

Handful of spinach

Directions: Brown the ground sausage. Add cream cheese and mix so sausage is covered. Remove from heat and pour into pie plate. Add a little water to the pan used for sausage and wilt the handful of spinach. Layer the wilted spinach on top of the sausage mixture. Cover with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Blend the eggs with the heavy cream and pour over the mixture in the pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let the quiche rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Travel in Pandemic Times

We have had the pleasure of sitting through many webinars for hoteliers dealing with the current pandemic. As we listen to what we should be doing, we find ourselves looking at each other and saying more often than not, "We've been doing that all along."  

Sure, mandatory face masks are a new thing and no, Lydia is not handing out hugs and handshakes anymore. But, we have always required our staff to clean and disinfect guest rooms after each stay.  We have always required our staff to disinfect all linens after each stay. We have always regularly sanitized high traffic common areas. We have to wonder why other hotels have not been doing the same?

What is new? Well, like we said, masks are mandatory. Check in and check out is "no touch." Hand sanitizer is available throughout the Inn.  Our famous chocolate chip cookies will be in your room upon check in (sorry, now you have to ask for more!)  Our breakfast will be waiting for you at your scheduled time slot, so that the occupants of the dining room are only those people from your room or your family unit. Housekeeping will only enter your room upon check out, unless you specifically request for service during your stay. And, we are now leaving a 24 hour minimum vacancy between guests in the same room. Just to be on the safe side. 

Take a look at our reviews, we are consistently lauded for our cleanliness. We had these best practices in place since we opened nearly 15 years ago. As you consider your future travel options, we hope that you will continue to place your trust in us, knowing that we had these high standards in place all along.  

History of the Inn: Harry the Trapper

Ever wonder where we got the inspiration for naming our rooms? We dug into the archives of the nearly 300 years of Glencairn history and paid tribute to a few of its interesting inhabitants. The Baldwin Suite is named for perhaps the most fascinating character of Glencairn, Harry Baldwin, or more affectionately known as Harry the Trapper.

Harry lived in the Stone Wing of the house around the turn of the nineteenth century and was employed as a farmer on the property. The farm at that time ran up past Carter Road and onto the property now owned by Bristol Myers. Harry tended to the cows, chopped wood, and became known around the area as a first class trapper. He earned a fair amount of income from trapping animals and selling their fur. Children would bring their trapped muskrats, raccoons, and skunks to Harry, and Harry would skin them for 25 cents and sell them to a local buyer. Given his rough and tumble ways, Harry always smelled a little of skunk and had a habit of spitting tobacco wherever he pleased! Yet, despite his crude ways, Harry was also honest to a fault and known as a kind person.

The Great Room Fireplace

Years later, after we converted the farmhouse into the Inn at Glencairn, we were fortunate to strike up a friendship with a descendant of Harry, our dear friend Audrey. She loved Halloween, and made an annual pilgrimage to the Inn to stay in the Baldwin Suite hoping for a “visit” from her dear, departed relative. Harry never showed up, but we always enjoyed our visits with Audrey!

So, next time you walk into the stone side of the Inn and up to the Baldwin Suite, close your eyes and imagine a time when Harry was living there enjoying a good book by the fire or sharing some stories with the children who brought him their hides!

In Times of Uncertainty: We Think Smaller is Better!

Worried about travel in the age of a rapidly spreading Coronavirus?  With a small staff, we know our crew is trained to diligently clean and disinfect rooms after each stay.  Our Housekeepers, Sindi and Lis, are often the unsung heroes of our Inn. They have been diligently working to keep your rooms sparkling clean for nearly four years now. Given the high turnover in the hospitality industry, we are thankful that we have such reliable, trustworthy, and professional housekeepers at the Inn.  That along with our second-to-none Innkeeper, Lydia, gives us great confidence that we are providing a safe and healthy environment for our guests.

Our reviews keep us on our toes, and time and again, our guests tell us that our Inn is among the cleanest establishments they have visited during their travels. The truth is, with the constant turnover in the hospitality industry, it is comforting to know exactly who is preparing your food and cleaning your room.  Many of our larger competitors with larger staffs cannot offer the same level of personalized service and consistency. Sometimes we view our small size as a challenge, but in times of uncertainty, we firmly believe smaller is better! 

That said, we understand travel plans have been changing rapidly during this uncertain time, so please know that if you book directly with us either via our website or by telephone, we will extend your reservation to a later date, if you require additional flexibility due to travel constraints. (Reservations booked through a third party travel site such as Expedia, hotels.com, and booking.com are nonrefundable.)

Eco-Friendly Practices at the Inn at Glencairn

At the Inn at Glencairn, we have been incorporating sustainable practices into our business for some time.  In fact, our entire business model was built on the philosophy of preserving and restoring an 18th century farmhouse and filling it with beautiful antique and vintage furniture and paintings!

Since we first opened our doors in 2004, we had a towel reuse policy; as the years went on, we extended that to bed linens for guests who did not want their linens washed daily.  Also, since day one, we had programmable thermostats in guest rooms and an active recycling program.  We are fortunate to live in a town that recycles, and we take advantage of their programs.  Lately, we have started recycling plastics that are not typically included in the municipal program by taking them to recycling centers such as Whole Foods and local farmers markets.  More recently, we discontinued the practice of using plastic water bottles.  We have a highly inspected and regulated well on the property, and we enjoy our very own spring water!  You will also notice that we use real glass, china, and cutlery rather than disposable products.

We have begun to switch out less eco-friendly items for more sustainable products as their useful life ends:  We have begun phasing in LED lighting, and we have installed solar lighting outside where it makes sense. Where possible, we blend our own cleaning and laundry products using natural ingredients.  And, finally, in the kitchen, we endeavor to buy local and organic ingredients, and we have increased our daily breakfast to include two new options that allow guests with smaller appetites to enjoy a full breakfast without leaving a plateful of waste for the landfill. Plus, we are constantly adding to our list of “made from scratch” goodies such as baked goods, yogurt, granola, jams & jellies.

We look forward to adding new initiatives as the year continues.  The best part of being eco-conscious is that many of our initiatives take place behind the scenes without sacrificing the comfort of our guests, and in many instances it can enhance their stay.  We fully anticipate that the Inn will be around well into the next century, and we will do our best to minimize its carbon footprint so future generations can enjoy its unique history and ambiance.  

Inn at Glencairn recognized in TripAdvisor Hall of Fame!

We are so thrilled to be recognized in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for receiving the Certificate of Excellence award for five continuous years from 2015 to 2019. We strive to give each guest a wonderful visit, and we take our reviews seriously! Thank you to the nearly 400 guests who took the time to sit down and give us feedback on their stay. Luckily, we hit the mark more often than not with 98% of our reviews in the Excellent to Good category! Kudos to our past Innkeepers who have laid the groundwork and to our current Innkeeper, Lydia, who has elevated our breakfasts and customer outreach to an exciting new level. Looking forward to another great year at the Inn at Glencairn!

Airbnb versus a "real" Bed and Breakfast or aka my Airbnb Rant

When it comes to Airbnb, I have issues. Maybe it’s because I own a “real” Bed and Breakfast, and I find most Airbnbs to be cheap copycats that skirt around the edges of what’s legal and ethical. An Airbnb is not a business, it’s an under-regulated, over-hyped, step above couch surfing. But I digress.

When I opened the Inn at Glencairn, it was after a long, arduous year of renovations, planning board meetings, township approvals, and numerous fire and health inspections. Had I opened an Airbnb, I could have skipped the time and money that went into the renovations, meetings and approvals and simply cobbled together a page on the Airbnb site and opened up for business. It definitely would have been the easier route. And cheaper. And less risky. And probably more profitable.

Until quite recently, Airbnb sales were “under the table” and exempt from paying state and local occupancy and sales taxes. A “real” Bed and Breakfast is a full-fledged lodging business and is required to pay occupancy and sales taxes, like a hotel. In our municipality, that equates to 16.625%, which is quite a chunk of cash and figures prominently into our pricing model.

Did you know that an Airbnb might be illegal in the city or town you are visiting? Roughly 70% of the Airbnb reservations taken in NYC were illegal in 2014. The influx of Airbnb accommodations in some cities are driving up the prices of affordable housing for residents. Sure Airbnb is a lower cost alternative to other lodging options, but maybe the lower price is a result of an illegal sublet or an owner skirting the law when it comes to paying taxes.

Each year, the Inn at Glencairn is inspected by our local fire inspector. The inspector spends about two hours going from room to room and making sure our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are up to date. The inspection can be unnerving because we take our responsibilities very seriously. Our smoke and carbon detectors are hard-wired to a central station that is notified immediately and automatically dispatches the local Fire Department if an alarm is triggered.

Does your Airbnb have working smoke or carbon monoxide detectors? If it does, are they the most up-to-date and recently inspected? If an alarm is triggered, who responds? Is it up to the occupants to determine what to do in case of an emergency? Our fire inspector also requires us to have fire extinguishers on every level and tag our rooms with directions to evacuate in the event of an emergency. Does your Airbnb have emergency evacuation instructions or fire extinguishers? Maybe not.

Also once a year, the Health Inspector comes in and inspects our kitchen to make sure our appliances are in working order. She makes sure that our dishwasher reaches the proper temperature to disinfect our plates and cutlery and that our refrigerator maintains the proper temperature to keep our food fresh and free from bacteria. Also, she inspects for pests to make sure we are maintaining a clean and sanitary environment. Does your Airbnb provide documentation that it is inspected and is pest free? Maybe not.

It is much easier to “game” a review on Airbnb than it is on TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google, Expedia and Booking.com. In fact, misrepresentation runs rampant on Airbnb. Reviews for a “real” Bed and Breakfast are vetted by the aforementioned sites and guests must provide proof that they stayed at the lodging establishment for a review to be considered valid.

Running a “real” Bed and Breakfast means you have a staff on hand to assist with any issue that may arise during your stay. At an Airbnb you are literally on your own unless the owner lives nearby and is responsive to your requests. Have an issue with the thermostat, good luck! Unless the owner is a quick call away, you may be sitting in the extreme heat or cold waiting for assistance. What about the lack of amenities in an Airbnb? Maybe it has enough towels, maybe it has enough toilet paper, maybe it has shampoo, maybe it has a hair dryer. Then again, maybe it doesn’t have any of these things, and maybe you have to spend your hard earned vacation time purchasing them.

So, next time you consider an Airbnb over a “real” Bed and Breakfast or even a hotel, consider the time, energy and expense that goes into providing an authentic local lodging experience. Consider the inspections, the taxes, and the staffing. Then make an informed decision on how you want to spend your vacation dollars.

Inn at Glencairn awarded 2018 Certificate of Excellence Award!

We are thrilled to announce that the Inn at Glencairn has been awarded the 2018 Certificate of Excellence Award from TripAdvisor.

The Inn has received this honor for the past four years, making it the only lodging establishment in the area to consistently earn such high marks from travelers on TripAdvisor since 2015.

The Certificate of Excellence celebrates businesses that continually earn great traveler reviews and receive strong praise and ratings from travelers. We are honored to be included among the best of the best!

Quiche, Quiche, and more Quiche!

After many servings of quiche made every possible way, our own Chef Lydia has discovered that most of our guests prefer not to indulge in the carb-heavy (though entirely tasty) butter crust. Therefore she has perfected a crust-less quiche that is popular with everyone and results in a spotlessly clean plate when finished!

Chef Lydia’s recipe is often requested, so here it is for you to make at home.

Quiche Glencairn

Blend to a creamy liquid:

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Spray a pie dish with nonstick spray and layer any prepped vegetable and cheese choices that you like. (See below for ideas!)

Pour the egg liquid (described above) over the layers.

Bake at 325 degrees F for 35 to 55 minutes depending on your oven.

When done, the middle should barely jiggle and you should see color around the edges.

Let rest for 5-10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Some popular combinations at the Inn are:

• Marinated artichoke and Dubliner cheese (KerryGold)

• Sautéed asparagus, chopped fresh spinach, cheddar cheese

• Broiled tomatoes (heirloom or cherry), fresh basil cut into ribbons, mozzarella cheese

• Fried and drained sage sausage, caramelized leeks and bell peppers, shredded Gouda cheese

Be creative and try your own favorite vegetables, herbs and spices, and cheese combinations!

The Microwedding Trend

Some couples dream of a large wedding, complete with ice sculptures and an over-sized guest list. Other couples dream of an intimate wedding, with only their closest confidants in attendance. Elopements, while seemingly spontaneous and romantic, can fall short of expectations, especially when you often have to settle for a stranger as your witness. Many couples crave the intimacy of an elopement, yet would prefer having a handful of their close family and friends present to share in their celebration. That’s where we come in!

The Inn at Glencairn specializes in microweddings. We define microweddings as a wedding ceremony with fewer than 25 guests, including the bride and groom. A microwedding can have all the trappings of a larger event, but the size, and therefore the expense, is much less. You can wear your fancy threads, carry a luscious bouquet, stand under a stunning arbor, and have that expensive cake. The only thing missing will be the over-sized guest list, and if you think about it, you might only want to talk to the people at the first three tables at that megawedding anyway!

Give us a call today at 609.497.1737 or visit us online at www.innatglencairn.com and let us customize a microwedding package for you!

Eggs Glencairn: Best B&B Breakfast!

We are in the running for the BEST B&B Breakfast!  Our signature dish -- and one of the few breakfasts Lydia repeats on occasion-- Eggs Glencairn, has been advanced to the final round of voting by BedandBreakfast.com for their BEST Breakfast contest!

Some of you may have enjoyed our creative take on a classic Eggs Benedict: The toasted croissant and crispy prosciutto add a touch of crunch and saltiness to the raw greens and sauteed vegetables, tied together with a light Hollandaise and a perfectly poached egg.

If you have enjoyed our breakfasts, please vote for us here so that we can win the coveted title!

Private Dining in an Historic Barn

Thinking of doing something different than the typical date night at a restaurant?  Read on to see how one of our recent guests surprised her husband:

"I really went into this with blind trust. Being from NYC my standards for accommodations are higher than most and my food ratings could seem brutal to some. The pictures of the Inn, in their site, were elegant and Lydia was on her game when I booked. I was trusting her! She shared with me that she was a chef and that if I wanted, she could provide, as an Inn guest, a special private Chef dining experience in the onsite barn!  This is where the trust really came in. She said she was a very good chef and could design a 3 course meal with me.  I'm thinking, alone in a barn with twinkly lights and crickets and a warm breeze, even if the meal was so so, I'd be happy anyway!

Upon our arrival it was clear that the Inn was even lovelier than on line, all the way down to the yummy sheets and toll house fresh made chocolate chip cookies!  My husband had no idea we were eating in the barn and even commented on how lovely it looked for the affair they must be hosting. When I ushered him in and asked him if he'd care to join me for dinner, his mouth dropped open. There was a printed menu with his name on it, the table was set with white cloth and silver and frankly it was like a wedding atmosphere. But, BUT!!! THE FOOD! This woman can cook!

We started with this fresh gorgeously presented salad with a hint of flower pedals, mind you, and an avocado vinaigrette...soooo delish '. She made us a roast beef that made me cry. Tender, cooked to perfection, all the right herbs, topped with crispy mushrooms and a side of roasted root veggies and potatoes. Yummy sounds were all that we could exchange. At one point I said, "are we in NY?".  We ended with two homemade personal apple pies topped with creamy vanilla ice cream, that were so, so ...SO freaking amazing.  At one point Lydia came out to clear the dishes and I actually gave her a standing ovation. I frankly didn't know how else to express my delight!

We danced by the light of the moon and the twinkle lights In a hand hewn barn like children. We slept like babies in the best bed and sheets ever, and had, as you can imagine, THE most yummiest breakfast of fresh ripe fruits with a dollop of yogurt and homemade granola (which I normally hate but since it some how tasted like crunchy apple pie, I ate it all), as well as these crazy creamy lightly herbed scrabbled eggs and, yes...AND, ricotta pancakes with blueberries and real maple syrup. Ridiculously good start to finish, AGAIN!

So, Run my friends, RUN to the "book now" button. I love this place, I love Lydia and we are now lifers. The actual owners of The Inn at Glencairn have done a spectacular job at renovating this wonderful old gem, but the glue that makes this Inn the go to place you want to be at, is Lydia! Her warmth( but not bff sugary), professional manor and true talent as a chef get this Inn it's 5 star rating! Someone made a great hire!"