The Red Lion Inn

We stayed in the Porch Suite, a queen suite in one of the Village houses, and brought our dogs since some rooms allow pets. It was our 10th anniversary, and they left us a bottle of wine with a lovely note. Check in went smoothly, and housekeeping was very sweet and made sure we had what we needed. We had a late lunch in the Main Dining room. Our server was friendly and attentive without hovering, and the food was delicious. On a cold winter day, warm apple cider with a little rum really hit the spot. Can’t wait to come back!

The Red Lion Inn has been here since 1773, and it’s packed with art and furniture in a wonderful mix of styles. It feels like a magical trip into the past, with an atmosphere of love, safety, and comfort that seems to have lasted for centuries. Artists, history buffs, and writers could find plenty of inspiration here. Some staff and guests say the fourth floor is haunted, and adventurous visitors might encounter a melancholy ghost there. I didn’t see anything, but when I briefly explored that floor, the energy felt unmistakably dampened. If that’s not your thing, stick to the first two floors.

We came for the restaurant and left very disappointed. The service took about 40 minutes after ordering, two main dishes arrived without sauce, and another was missing. They hurried the forgotten dish out, but we’d finished the other food by then. Our plates weren’t cleared before dessert, and the waiter started avoiding us. At first someone refilled our water every five minutes, but near the end we had to flag staff down. The meal itself was poor, too. The duck was badly cooked and bland, and the cake was so dry it was nearly inedible. A manager came over to ask how things were, but the waiter interrupted to rush out dessert, so we couldn’t properly complain. We expected high end food and service and got neither. We probably won’t eat here again, though we’ve had a good experience at the pub before. We didn’t stay overnight.

The room had a romantic feel without being too loud, and the maître d’ was welcoming. Service was right on point. We loved the kale and pear salad with freshly grated cheese, and both the filet mignon and roasted chicken were delicious, the chicken especially juicy. For dessert, the warm brown sugar cake and pecan pie were A+.