Garden Gate Get-A-Way
Garden Gate Get-A-Way B&B is definitely the lodging choice for Nature Lovers! Picture this ...You pull in the driveway to check-in and see horses grazing in the neighboring field. On the way to your guest room you catch a glimpse... more
Here is what guests had to say...
| "Above agerage"
|
11/13/2009 |
|
| Overall |
 |
| Rooms |
 |
| Service |
 |
| Value |
 |
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
 |
|
|
|
| Innkeeper Response |
This is the 1st time in the 7 years that we have owned this B&B that someone has rated our guest rooms a #2. I don't know what this guest expected but I would like to point out that all guest rooms have updated quilts, high thread-count sheets, 5-star bath amenities, complimentary bottled water, Coblentz Chocolates from the local chocolate factory by the bedside, CD-radio-alarm clock, in-room coffeemaker that comes with complimentary beverages, good quality chairs in good condition, television/VCR (DVD player in deluxe rooms, are extremely clean, have private entrance & private bath with full-size tub and shower, etc. I cannot imagine what they felt was lacking to rank the rooms so low unless they do not have the same taste in decor as us.
I am also baffled that they rated cleanliness as a #3. Not only are the usual things taken care of like clean sheets, vacuuming, bathroom cleaning, etc., but headboards are dusted, baseboards are dusted, we dust over the tops of doorways and more. I can only think that this guest did not share our taste in decor and rated other items lower.
The last thing I would share is that we have a Welcome Binder in each guest room that includes a welcome letter. In the letter we point out to our guests that we take great care in providing a clean and comfortable room and if anything accidentally got over-looked we encourage them to bring it to our attention so that we can tend to it immediately. Nothing was brought to our attention.
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| "I will be a regular here"
|
11/4/2009 |
|
| Overall |
 |
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
| Innkeeper Response |
I would like to respond to the campfire comment. In 7 years of doing campfires I don't think that anyone who ever stayed 2 nights missed a campfire. Last week we had terrible winds up to 45 miles per hour on Monday and Tuesday. While they started to slow down Tuesday evening some rain/drizzle moved in and it would not have been a pleasant experience to get wet. We even build campfires in the winter when snow is on the ground, so if you are a potential guest please don't think that they are not a regular thing. We've had many guests return multiple times each year and while the campfire is a big hit, it is not what keeps them coming back.
I would also like to respond about our breakfast. We make it clear when people make their reservations that breakfast is served buffet style. The egg dishes these guests were served were made from scratch. The bread, muffins and coffeecakes they were served were also homemade and made from scratch. There was fresh fruit each day and a cereal basket for those that did not want eggs. Not only was there coffee, but tea, hot chocolate and 2 kinds of juices to choose from. We have some guests that say it is our breakfast that keeps them coming back. It sounds like this guest preferred to have someone fix a plate and wait on them rather than let them choose what they wanted to eat. Had they made their discontent known to us we would have been happy to fix their plate for them and serve them. It is our goal for all guests to have a great experience at our B&B and in Amish Country.
|
| - Carol Steffey (Innkeeper) |
|
| "Get-away of the century"
|
9/28/2009 |
|
| Overall |
 |
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
My Mother-In-Law and I spent several days at Garden Gate. We drove from Colorado. Our favorite part was the campfire. The breakfassts were so unique and carefully thought out. There were so many special touches to the place that it is hard to mention them all. But a few would be...quaint brick paths that led to secluded areas to sit and relax with wonderful flowers, statues & benches. The evening snack, baking a black forest dessert in a cast iron skillet right over the campfire(way to go Herb!), wicker furniture in our room, available games to play, videos to watch, beautiful surrounding lavish green Amish countryside, watching the Amish buggies click-clack down the lane, a microwave & refrigerator to use, teas/coffee/popcorn, a local Amish cookbook to purchase, special pottery to remember the place,
and many many more thngs. Thank you Herb & Carol for making the place & people seel like family. A truly unique experience. View Reviewer Info
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
This was the first time we stayed at the Garden Gate Get-A-Way. What a fun time we had!! We truly enjoyed the room, campfire, landscaping and breakfasts. We participated in a murder mystery and had a blast! It's great to have a place to go where we can get away from our crazy busy lives and be able to relax. Herb and Carol were very gracious hosts. We enjoyed the attention to details - water in the room, chocolates, unlimited coffee and tea, movies, books, swings, private entrances, etc. I would definitely recommend the Garden Gate Get-A-Way to our friends, and I'm sure we'll be back. View Reviewer Info
|
|
| "Very Relaxing, Peaceful and Fun!"
|
7/24/2009 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
Since it is my dream to have my own B&B one day, I frequent B&B's whenever I vacation. My stay at Garden Gate was awesome! I was greeted in my room by the aroma of fresh baked cookies, classical guitar mixed with the sounds of the Amish countryside playing in the background. My bed welcomed me with the softest sheets preceeded only by the best mineral bath ever!
I awakened n the morning to chirping birds, a clean, fresh breeze coming in my bedroom window and the babling sound of the fountain in the garden. These experiences name only a few of the thoughtful and wonderful touches that made my experience so peaceful and relaxing the night I arrived. I needed a mid-week get-away for R&R and with all of the hospitality, kindness, wonderful food, my experience was just what I had envisioned! It rained upon my arrival, so, rather than experiencing the anticipated campfie, I curled up with a great book on my overnight and headed to explore Amish Country backroads from Carol & Herb's tips the next day. When I returned to work only 2 days later, I felt like I'd been on a retreat for a month. A special thanks to Carol, Herb and your Mum, Beverly, for such a wonderful time. Don't forget to explore the ferry gardens surrounding the firepit, lots of beauty and surprises await you! View Reviewer Info
|
|
| "Our exceptional first B and B visit"
|
7/17/2009 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
We were very comfortable at this cozy and pleasant B and B with our innkeepers being very hospitable to all of us there. The landscaping, the cleanliness of the rooms, the common room, the breakfast room, the nightly bonfire, and the vast amount of knowledge that Herb and Carol shared with us about their inn, the Amish and Mennonite culture and the niceties of bottled water, home made breakfasts, swings, birds, chocolates and friendly chats have allowed us to be at peace and very relaxed this summer. What a superb getaway for those people who want to immerse themselves in a very quiet and lovely surroundings. We will be back for sure. View Reviewer Info
|
|
| "our visit was a God send!"
|
5/26/2009 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
Our visit to the Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed and Breakfast was just wonderful. Carol and Herb clearly exceeded our expectations. This was our first time staying at a B&B and quickly learned that you have to be special people to own, and run a B&B. Herb and Carol Steffey are clearly the most special of people! It started with Carol's kind and accommodating voice on the phone when I called to arrange our stay. Carol and Herb went out of their way to meet our needs, to be attentive to all their guests, and to create a welcoming environment where all of us, as perfect strangers, enjoyed great conversations, heartfelt teasing, and laughter around the evening campfires. Herb and Carol, the innkeepers, were extremely knowledgeable about the general area, all of the must see attractions, and offered excellent advise on great places to eat lunch and dinner. Their morning breakfast was hot, tasty, and offered a great variety for all. My wife is a very healthy eater, so Carol and Herb went out of their way to accommodate her needs. Herb and Carol run a clean and efficient business, and they have phenomenal hospitality. We loved the map book that they made up for their guest to use for shopping and sight seeing excursions. We would recommend the Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed and Breakfast to anyone looking for a peaceful retreat, that is welcoming, clean and very much like a home away from home. In retrospect it is clear that our 3 day visit was a God send! I assure you that we will be back, and most likely with friends! Warmest regards, Dave and Laurie
View Reviewer Info
|
|
| "Birthday Get Away"
|
5/2/2009 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
We chose the Garden Gate Get-A-Way to celebrate our birthdays, which are only a week apart. We have stayed at many places: inns, lodges, cabins, camp grounds, motels, etc. Our stay at the Garden Gate Get A Way was our most pleasant and surprising. The rooms were spotless, the bed comfortable, the afternoon snack delicious, and the breakfasts were outstanding. The variety each day, the presentation and selection of the food on the buffet was a pleasure each morning. The conversation at the breakfasts was fun and stimulating, as was the campfire. We were given excellent suggestions on where to find good food, (especially the best place for ice cream!) shopping, and a hiking trail. The hospitality shown by our hosts, Carol and Herb left nothing to be desired. We definitely reccomend the Garden Gate Get-A-Way, and it will top our list of a return trip. The quiet, peaceful setting in the country was exactly what we were looking for and this exceeded our expectations. View Reviewer Info
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
| "Our bed and breakfast tour"
|
10/17/2008 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
Our stay at your lovely bed and breakfast far exceeded our expectations. It was such a welcomed change of pace staying at a location way out in the country, and the scenery was beautiful. We especially liked feeding the horses!!!!! Your place seems like it should be in a magazine or on a postcard. We especially were pleased with how up to date everything was in the room, and how clean it was. The bed was extremely comfortable and the sheets were heavely. We also appreciated the extra tiny things that make your place different than a motel, such as the bonfire, and kitchen, the delicious breakfast, cookies, and all the snacks that were offered. It was relaxing talking to everyone at breakfast --- the owners were extremely helpful answering any questions we had, and were just down to earth people . Since we are city folks, this venue was certainly different than what we were used to, and we loved every moment. We would without a doubt return to your place again. Thank you for your generous hospitality and kindness. We had an experience in Amish country that we will remember for a long time. We just ate too much!!!!!Roger and Joy View Reviewer Info
|
|
| Innkeeper Response |
While a rating of 3 means that we met the guest expectations and a 4 means that we exceeded their expectations, most guests feel that we offer something more than other B&B's from our high thread-count sheets, to our down alternative comforters, to the 5-star bath amenities, to the homemade breakfasts made from scratch. We would love to have this guest contact us to let us know what exactly they felt was lacking at our establishment.
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| "Garden Gate Get-A-Way"
|
8/20/2008 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
| Innkeeper Response |
While a "4" is a good review for "Value" I would like to respond that this guest received a $20 per night discount and still didn't feel that the value was excellent. They came with another guest that has stayed with us numerous times and as a courtesy to the "regular" guest we gave this room a discount as well. We are not a budget motel and have never advertised to be one. Our rates are higher than budget properties because even our standard rooms have 350 thread-count sheets on the bed, bed-side chocolates from the local chocolate factory, complimentary bottled water, 5-star bath amenities, homemade breakfasts made from scratch, and complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate & microwave popcorn. Our property has gardens with swings and gliders and an evening campfire as opposed to a parking lot or freeway view in many lodging establishment. We even arranged for this guest to take a tour of Amish Country. We regret that this guest did not feel that the $20 discount was worth the extras that they received, but many guests have told us that our rooms are under-priced for what we offer.
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| Innkeeper Response |
I would like to respond to this rating concerning "Value". At 1st glance people may walk in our guest rooms and say "it's a normal lodging room". After spending the night they realize that even our standard room is much more than your typical "standard" room. You will find 350-600 thread-count Cotton Sateen Sheets on our beds instead of 180 thread count sheets from a hotel supply that smell like bleach. You have over-sized bath towels instead of the cheapest, thin towels on the market. You will find chocolates from our local chocolate factory by your bed side. Instead of a small bar of deodorant soap you will find 5-star quality Shampoo, Conditioner, Honey Oatmeal exfoliating bath bars, glycerin facial soap, make up remover towelettes and herbal bath grains. We add lotion and body scrub in our deluxe rooms. You will find complimentary bottled water in your guest room. You also receive unlimited complimentary coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and microwave popcorn. Each evening you are provided with a homemade evening snack such as cookies, brownies, cupcakes, bundt cake, etc. Each morning your breakfast is made from scratch ... bread, muffins, coffee cake and 1 hot dish in addition to fruit, cereal, juice and hot beverages. Just as you pay more for an ocean view room vs. a parking lot view, our B&B has porch swings and glider rockers around the property that overlook our gardens. In the middle of the gardens is a fire ring, and every night, weather permitting, we build a campfire to gather round and relax. No other lodging establishment in our County offers that. Every guest receives free concierge services in that we will book tours, make arrangements for dinner in an Amish home or fine dining, set up spa treatments, book horse & carriage rides or hot air balloon rides, etc. It's the old story "you get what you pay for".
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| Innkeeper Response |
We need to better communicate our Sundays with guests. We advertise that we are closed on Sunday, which means that we do not check-in guests on Sundays. This couple stayed Saturday night and thought that we did not serve breakfast on Sunday morning because we are "closed on Sunday". The other 4 guest rooms made it to breakfast on Sunday. Our Saturday morning breakfast consisted of homemade bread, homemade muffins, homemade coffeecake, sausage & cheddar puffs on the griddle, cereal basket, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and 2 kinds of juices. Our breakfast buffet is served from 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. We regret that this couple came in to breakfast about the time we were ready to close and take down the breakfast buffet. While there was some of everything thing we served, there was only a couple of each by 10 a.m.
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| "Garden Gate -6/8"
|
6/11/2008 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
| Innkeeper Response |
I would like to respond to each item rated as a "3".
Value: When they stayed to nights they received a free 1-hour massage that cost the innkeeper almost 1 night revenue to pay the massage therapist. In other words if they had paid for the massage their room cost was about $55 per night and yet they felt the value was a "3".
Service: The innkeeper was here to help map out directions where they wanted to go. The innkeeper booked a massage and arranged for dinner in an Amish home. Other than the morning that they checked out and the innkeeper was taking a class that involved 6 mornings,one of which they stayed here, someone was here to help them at any time.
Dining: Our website describes "deluxe continental". One the 1st morning they were served an egg casserole, homemade bread, muffins & coffeecake, cereal, fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate & 2 kinds of juice. The 2nd morning they were given a voucher to a local restaurant because 6 mornings out of a 365 day year the innkeeper went to a class to offer more services at the B&B. The restaurant suggested an $8 voucher to cover breakfast and they were given a $10 voucher.
It appears that because this guest was so disappointed with breakfast on the 2nd morning that they rated down other services.
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| Innkeeper Response |
It baffles us that his guest felt that their room was only worthy of a "3". While they stayed in a "standard" guest room, they had 500-thread count sheets on their bed, locally made chocolates from a chocolate factory by their bed-side, bottled water in their room, their 5-star bath amenities includes a honey-oatmeal, exfoliating bath bar, glycerin facial soap, make up remover wipes, shampoo, conditioner, herbal bath grains, over-sized towels in the the bath, etc. The room had its own private entrance and private bath with a window that overlooked the gardens and evening campfire. Other guests that have stayed in that room have raved about how comfortable the mattress was. Most "standard" rooms don't have these kinds of amenities so we have no clue what the guests found at fault with the room????
|
| - Carol Steffey (innkeeper) |
|
| "OHIO AT ITS BEST"
|
12/10/2007 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
MY WIFE AND I THOUGHT THAT A WEEK IN OHIO, WITH THE WEATHER OVERCAST, PERHAPS COULD BECOME BORING. BOY WERE WE WRONG! CAROL AND HERB STEFFEY MADE THE STAY A DELIGHT, WITH SCRUMPTOUS BREAKFASTS, AND ALL THE PERSONALLY SHARED INFO RE THE AMISH THAT KEPT US SPELLBOUND! THEY NEVER STOPPED PROVIDING INFO TO US RE THE LOCAL ATTRACTIONS, AND DID IT WITH SUCH OBVIOUS JOY THEMSELVES! OUR ROOMS WERE SPECTACULAR....WE HAD THEIR BEST ROOM THE FINAL NIGHT.....CAROL MOVED OUR LUGGAGE, ETC. HERSELF WHILE WE WERE GONE DURING THE DAY! WE WOULD RECOMMEND THIS B+B TO ANYONE! HAVING THE NIGHTLY BONFIRES IS SO SPECIAL, AND SHE STAYED WITH US OUT THERE UNTIL WE WANTED TO GO TO OUR ROOM, EVEN THOUGH SHE OBVIOUSLY WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE COMFORTABLE IN HER LODGING AT THAT POINT, DUE TO THE INCLEMENT WEATHER! EXCITEMENT WHEN THE HORSES NEXT DOOR ON THE FARM GOT LOOSE, AND CAROL ARRANGED FOR A PERSONAL AMISH COOKED MEAL AT THE FARM ACROSS THE ROAD, AND EVEN WENT WITH US! WE CONSIDER THEM GOOD FRIENDS, AND THE ULTIMATE HOSTS OF A NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN GET-A-WAY! WE WOULD RECOMMEND THIS B+B TO ANYONE! THE ELLIOTTS View Reviewer Info
|
|
| "Outstanding!"
|
10/29/2007 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| Cleanliness |
|
| Dining |
|
|
|
|
| "A Delightful Treat for Ourselves!"
|
4/25/2007 |
|
| Overall |
|
| Rooms |
|
| Service |
|
| Value |
|
| | |