Schuster Mansion Bed & Breakfast

The kindest part of the afternoon was a guest who came over to say our girls had been polite and well behaved. Afterward, we took them to Colectivo for hot chocolate, which they liked much more. They said it felt good to finally be somewhere they could just be kids. We left Schuster Mansion as soon as we could, and the owner seemed eager for us to go too, quickly closing the door behind us. We felt like an inconvenience, not paying guests, and won't return or recommend the place. My sister and I started taking our daughters, ages six and seven, to afternoon tea for Christmas a few years ago. This year we chose Low Tea at Schuster Mansion. From the start, the owner made it clear children weren't really wanted. She repeatedly said it was for adults and that the girls needed to act like adults, and told them they should feel lucky to be allowed in. When my daughter looked at a candy bowl near the entrance, she was sharply told the candy was for adults. That felt unreasonable and unnecessarily harsh. We were told to wander while our coats were taken, then scolded when we did just that. We should have left then. The tablecloth was dirty and crumbs were left when we sat down. The owner continued to lecture us that the space was for adults and tea was for ages eight and up. That's at odds with the website, which says ages five and up. My sister even asked if we should leave because the atmosphere was so uncomfortable. The tea was lukewarm, despite being told we'd have to wait while it was warmed. Nobody explained what the desserts were or offered water refills. I also heard the owner speaking negatively to other guests about a previous guest from England. The area by our table was dusty and looked as though it hadn't been cleaned in a while. I'd read reviews afterward and saw other people describing similar experiences. I also saw the owner respond to negative reviews in a way I considered gaslighting and unprofessional. I wish we'd read them before booking.

Laura Sue and Rick were very nice, and the breakfast was ready when we asked for it. We had a ham frittata and French toast with pralines, plus good coffee. If you want to know about tea, Laura Sue is the person to ask. There's also a shop where we bought a mug and some of their quality teas. The Victorian house is beautiful, and the owners put a lot of effort into making it comfortable while keeping a formal feel. Check-in included an orientation about parking, getting in and out after hours, and choosing from four breakfast options and a meal time. Then we toured the house before going to our room, the Pias Suite. We were checked in alongside another couple, and the whole process took about 20 minutes.

I was unsure about booking a room with a shared bathroom, but it worked out perfectly well. The bathroom was lovely, and everything was spotless. You can also take tea up to your room, which I really enjoyed. The inn is easy to reach, with convenient parking right beside it, and there's a pretty garden to sit and relax in. Breakfast was a treat, with crepes, bacon, fresh fruit, different teas, and more. Thanks for such a lovely stay, Laura Sue and Rick!

Molly's tea was a lovely way to spend an afternoon, with delicious gluten-free snacks and pastries. I'm gluten intolerant, so I was especially glad they made sure there was plenty I could enjoy. It felt like a delightful little trip into the past, and every bite was a treat.