A long weekend at a cozy bed and breakfast can make the perfect Valentine’s or anniversary gift
By Kristin Boyd
If you want to sneak away for a please-do-not-disturb romantic romp this Valentine’s Day without busting your budget or traveling too far from home, consider spending the weekend at one of the area’s cozy bed and breakfasts. Or, plan ahead for special occasions like an anniversary or birthday. Below, seven local innkeepers share why their inns are just as special as your one-in-a-million love.
York Street House
Lambertville
609-397-3007; yorkstreethouse.com
George Massey built the York Street House in 1909 as a 25th wedding anniversary gift to his wife, so it’s quite appropriate for couples to spend a romantic weekend here. Known locally as the Massey mansion, the property was featured in the December 1911 issue of House and Garden magazine and has been used as a movie set, making it the perfect spot for guests to act out their love stories.
Innkeepers Laurie and Mark Weinstein, who describe themselves as a modern-day Laurel and Hardy, work tirelessly behind-the-scenes here to create fun-filled getaways. “We have sensitivity to our guests’ needs and wants,” Ms. Weinstein says.
As a special treat, the inn will also host a jazz concert on Valentine’s Day with the Lambertville Library from 4 to 6 p.m. at the inn. For those craving additional amore, York Street offers three Romance Packages that, depending on what guests select, can include champagne, flutes, chocolate truffle and red roses.
The Martin Coryell House
Lambertville
609-392-8981; martincoryellhouse.com
At the Martin Coryell House, where historic charm mixes with 21st century luxury, romance and relaxation comes standard with every reservation. “You have the charm of Lambertville with the charm of the B&B,” innkeeper Mary Friedman says. “It’s a good combination.”
The property, built in approximately 1864, was once owned by Martin and Myra Coryell, second cousins who married and were descendants of Emmanuel Coryell, the original owner of Coryell’s Ferry, for which Lambertville and New Hope, Pa., were initially named. Adding to the inn’s charm is the Victorian-inspired décor, including hand-painted murals and custom-designed drapes, and the gourmet homemade three-course breakfasts prepared on the weekends that often include scones, blueberry cornmeal pancakes, crème brulee French toast or fresh fruit cups.
For an extra Valentine’s Day treat, Ms. Friedman says, the inn will also provide guests with a complimentary bottle of champagne and engraved flute glasses filled with gourmet chocolates. Bonus: Lambertville provides the perfect location for couples to spend a romantic afternoon strolling hand-in-hand.
Main Street Manor
Flemington
908-782-4928; mainstreetmanor.com
Love is always in the air at Main Street Manor, where innkeepers Donna and Ken Arold provide a serene, romantic environment. For example, Ms. Arold says, guests receive a complimentary wine tasting with a reservation, a perfect way to spark or rekindle romance.
In addition to a gourmet breakfast, served by candlelight and featuring fresh, seasonal menu items, the afternoon tea (and coffee) is a popular part of the manor’s appeal. A surefire way to satisfy any sweet tooth, the tea, inspired by the time of year and garden ingredients, often includes a fruit bowl or other kitchen favorites like blueberry butter cake, pecan brownies, double chocolate chip cookies and “blue ribbon” rustic apple cake.
For Valentine’s Day, the Arolds definitely up the romantic ante. With the add-on package, guests receive champagne and chocolate strawberries upon arrival and can have their picture taken so they’ll go home with a memory. “We put thought into the little touches,” Ms. Arold says.
Woolverton Inn
Stockton
609-397-0802; woolvertoninn.com
Guests will go gaga over this country estate, which is the ultimate escape from the everyday world. The inn, perched high above the Delaware River, is surrounded by 300 acres of preserved farmland and forest, and guests can spend hours watching and feeding the five sheep that roam a pasture on the 10-acre property, says innkeeper Bob Haas, who co-owns the inn with Carolyn McGavin.
“It’s a romantic getaway,” Mr. Haas says, adding the pasture helps to create a serene, soothing setting. “We don’t have TVs, and without all that going on, it’s a nice place for people to reconnect. They don’t have any distractions.”
For an added touch, guests can receive an in-room massage or request the Ultimate Romantic Getaway Package. This includes a dozen red roses, an assortment of handmade truffles, a jar of aromatherapy body butter, an aromatherapy candle to take home, the Woolverton Sheep cheese platter and a multi-course gourmet breakfast brought to the their room.
Inn at Glencairn
Princeton
609-497-1737; innatglencairn.com
The Inn at Glencairn, a 1736 Georgian Manor, is one of the oldest structures between New York City and Philadelphia, according to owner Janet Cochoff Pressel, who along with her husband, Michael, converted the manor into a B&B less than five years ago. In 1776, while the British army was quartered in Princeton, Glencairn was believed to have been confiscated as British quarters and even served as a Hessian Hospital for a brief period during the Revolutionary War.
Today, the inn offers couples a prescription in love. Guests are pampered, with residential manager Bob Riggs acting as a full-service concierge. He’ll arrange for a massage, a glass of wine or even a take-out pizza, if that’s what guests want, Ms. Pressel says. Plus, she adds, “The guest rooms are steeped in comfort. Our beds are piled high with featherbeds, down comforters and Egyptian cotton linens.” Translation: Perfect for snuggling up with a loved one.
Widow McCrea House
Frenchtown
908-996-4999; widowmccrea.com
A charming Victorian B&B, the McCrea House was originally built by the widow Frances McCrea in the 1870s, a time when it was unheard of for a woman to own property or have the financial means to build a home. The property was renovated and restored a century later, and the inn was named in her honor.
Innkeeper Lynn Marad likes to spoil her guests. Think fireplaces, oversized Jacuzzis, queen-size featherbeds, private baths, afternoon tea and a three-course gourmet breakfast, served by candlelight in the Victorian dining room or delivered to your bedroom door. In addition, guests receive a complimentary bottle of wine and in-room massage therapy is available.
“We offer the ambience of a bygone era,” Ms. Marad says. “(It’s) a wonderful place to relax, escape and get away without going too far away.”
The Laurie House
Princeton
609-279-6490; lauriehouse.com
Just a few minutes from Princeton, the Laurie House, which overlooks a lake and is surrounded by 370 acres of woodlands, is a nearby hideaway. A former hunt club built in 1769, “the house, once the area’s epicenter for gentry farmers in the 18th century, now is the ultimate antique-meets-modern getaway,” says Sara Blivaiss, general manager of the Chauncey Conference Center and Laurie House.
In addition to a room-service option, guests receive another bonus: full access to the nearby conference center, which includes a fitness center, pool and bar. On Valentine’s Day, in the conference center, Eliza Blackwell Dupree will discuss the history of tea and courtship rituals.
“It’s not a cookie-cutter (inn) with chandeliers,” Ms. Blivaiss says, adding that afternoon tea is served daily in the living room and a full breakfast buffet is served in the dining room. “It’s for people who want to be in a romantic country environment, with great service.”