Fairville Inn

This was a last-minute birthday visit to Longwood Gardens. The Fairville Inn is our "go-to" lodging of choice, and for good reason: Laura and Rick can be relied upon to treat their repeat guests like first-timers and old friends at the same time. We have been coming to the Inn for more than 10 years, and as our third set of innkeepers, they have maintained and kept the property a place we look forward to visiting when we travel to the Brandywine Valley.

We stayed 2 nights in the middle of the week. It was very serene and a beautiful area. Our room was very clean and the staff was very helpful. We had a couple issues. First night the air conditioner wouldn't come on after we had run the fireplace for a while so it got pretty toasty in our room and they said next day it was because the units in our room and the one below us were linked (apparently the other person wanted heat and got heat but we wanted cool and it didn't work). We ended up opening the door middle of the night and it was working the next day. Second night we ran the fireplace again and there was a squirrel or something in the wall that kept scratching and trying to get out. That kept us up for a while...both fixable issues but would have been better had we not run into them.

Both Mary and I loved the Fairville Inn. The location, ambiance, the beauty and the care of the property is outstanding. The owners and their daughters, along with their very friendly Lab/Australian Shephard dog, Ozzie, made our stay a memorable one - as dd the other visitors who were equally as friendly. The whole experience was so inviting that we know we will return. We stayed in the Carriage House which afforded us a wonderful sense of privacy along with a bucolic view of the 5 acres of greenery so well serviced by the Carro's. On a scale of 0 to 10 - our two night stay there was an 11.

Room was spacious with a very comfortable bed. Plenty of chairs in the room and internet access. Our Mother's Day plan was to visit Longwood Gardens - our tickets were available to us as we arrived at the Inn on Saturday night. When we had an issue with our room, the staff was very gracious and moved us to another room effortlessly. Sabrina, the owner's daughter, served breakfast on Sunday - she was friendly and eager to serve. Rick, the husband, has the personality that makes a B&B diffferent than a hotel - he engages the guests in conversation and proactively looks to serve. As a customer service consultant, I analyze service wherever I am. Two things stood out for me that could make the experiece at the Fairville Inn even better: first: none of the staff, including the owners, introduced themselves to us without first being asked their names. This felt awkward for us. As gracious as Rick was, Laura, his wife, didn't smile during our stay. Second: One of the draws for us to stay at a B&B is the interaction with the other guests at breakfast. The dining room setup at the Fairville Inn makes interac tion awkward. Four two-top tables along one wall have the other guests sitting behind you so the liklihood of a conversation is minimal. Two four-top tables are set up in a way that you also don't easily engage others in a conversation. There is one "communal" setup for 4 guests. I hope this review is helpful.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
While we are most appreciative of the nice comments this guest posted about us, we nevertheless feel compelled to respond. Breakfasts at B&Bs are either communal, where guests sit together at one large table, or where guests can dine at separate tables. Smaller B&Bs generally offer communal breakfasts at one sitting. We are a larger B&B that offers guests breakfast at private tables over a 2-hour period. Our experience is that virtually all of our guests prefer private tables (instead of having no choice but to dine with strangers). The inn’s dining room seats 18 – five tables for 2 and two tables for 3 or 4 (which allows us to re-set the dining room to accommodate groups of 6). Our tables are close enough for guests to converse and interact, but also allow privacy. We find that afternoon tea, which we serve from 4-6pm daily, is a more comfortable setting for guests to meet and interact. On most weekends, we have between 26 and 32 guests arriving at the inn within 1 or 2 hours. Laura and I, as well as an assistant innkeeper, each greet guests and take them to their rooms. None of us can greet every guest at check-in. For those we do not meet at check-in, one or both of us usually meet them at afternoon tea. Finally, Laura always has a smile on her face and is totally engaging with our guests. I suspect that this guest confused Laura with one of our assistant keepers who had given notice due to personal reasons unrelated to the inn.

- Rick (Innkeeper)

First of all, the Fairville Inn is perfectly located for those who want to see Winterthur, Longwood Gardens, Hagley Museum, Nemours and many other area attractions. Several are only a few minutes away! The other reason for staying at this inn, is that it's a wonderful place to relax and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing. It is very obvious that Rick and Laura want their guests to be comfortable at their "home away home". From the pretty dining room where the delightful breakfasts are served, to the manicured lawn and meadow and the clean, bright rooms in all three buildings, one can only be impressed by the effort the innkeepers and their staff make everday. Before we left, we were shown several of the other rooms in all three buildings. They were all very bright, well decorated and very clean. Suite 2 is just beautiful, as is Suite 1 where we stayed. I really wouldn't know which to recommend since I would love staying in any one of them. So if you go to the Fairville Inn, take time to just sit out on the lawnchairs overlooking the meadow and the beautiful pond beyond. Enjoy the "afternoon tea" of cheese, crackers, fruit and homemade goodies. talk to the hosts and staff and pet Ozzie, the big, blue eyed dog who is everybody's friend. Alicia McLeod

Fairview is an amazing B&B! We especially appreciated the individual morning breakfasts. Some days you just don't want to chat and socialize first thing in the morning, and the dining at Fairville gives you that option. If you have any interest in the world's best pizza, just down the road is Pizza By Elizabeth...simply awesome pizza!

What a beautiful place to stay. My husband and I had a wonderful time during our weekend away at the Fairville Inn. Our room was very romantic with the gas fireplace. Everything was clean and inviting, the staff was friendly and helpful. Breakfast was wonderful. The pumpkin pancakes were fabulous.. We would come stay again in a minute and we will definitely tell our friends.

Our stay at the Fairview Inn was just what we needed after a hectic holiday. We originally booked one night, but we called Friday afternoon and asked if we could come that night, and received an enthusiastic "yes, of course!" Our room was in the Springhouse, lovely, comfortable -- especially the gas fireplace, which upped the coziness factor dramatically, and very private -- we even slept with the patio door open to get the fresh air and felt totally safe. The location was excellent -- within minutes of Winterthur and Longwood, our primary destinations, plus, top-notch restaurants were just around the corner. The breakfasts were delicious, and our hosts gracious and friendly. We'll be back!!

We had a wonderful time at this Inn. the place is inviting and the owners are friendly and very helpful

Stayed in the springhouse. Room was neat and had a great view. The only negative was the bed mattress.

My daughter and I had two rooms in the Cottage and were very pleased with our stay. The owners and assistants were very friendly and helpful. I look forward to staying there again.

We truly enjoyed our stay.. Nice size room and very quaint and romantic. Bathroom was good size and shower was awesome with oversized overhead showerhead..although the fan in bathroom did not work..I think the outside deck should be cleaned a bit and some cushions on the furniture. overall we really loved the setting and Will return..Great location to everything and helpful staff..Tom

Very charming and welcoming. Hosts very warm and accomodating. Very convenient to Longwood gardens and other attractions.

We stayed for two nights in the main house on the second floor, in a room facing the back of the property - I chose that based on another reviewer's advice regarding road noise, and although I could hear some traffic it was not loud enough to be an annoyance (and I am a light sleeper). The bed was comfortable and the room was a good size. I could not hear other guests. Bathroom a bit tight but in good condition, with separate electric base-board heater - nice if you are like me and hate a cold bathroom! Breakfasts were tasty. Excellent location with Winterthur just a few minutes south of there, and Longwood Gardens 15-20 minutes to the north. I recommend historic New Castle as well (SW of Wilmington) especially if the weather is nice - it was very brisk when we visited in mid-November, no surprise. The DE Museum of Art in Wilmington is also worth visiting. Just a few minutes north of the Fairville Inn is an excellent restaurant at the Mendenhall Inn. Best roast duck I’ve had in a long time. All in all a very pleasant trip, with the Fairville Inn serving as a welcoming and comfortable home base.

Returning several years after a delightful stay with the former innkeepers, my wife and I hoped for the best. Our faith was greatly rewarded. Laura and Rick are welcoming hosts. From the hour we arrived until we regretfully left four days later, we enjoyed our stay, our room, the breakfasts and grounds. But most of all, the hosts and their staff "made" our stay. Whether it was suggestions for a spare afternoon, directions via pastoral roads or recommendations and reservations at the Brandywine Valley's many restaurants, they always took the time to help. I mentioned I had trouble starting the gas fireplace, and in the time it took to stroll back to our suite, it was not only fixed but held a glowing fire. Tips on what backroads to take in our old roadster were spot-on, as were those for local eateries. There's a two-lane road out front that's busy for maybe two hours a day, with morning and evening commuters. But nearly all guest rooms are in separate buildings across the back of the property, where I could guarantee you'd not be disturbed. We certainly weren't, over several weekdays. We plan to return whenever we need to leave the real world, be pampered and be at peace.

This inn is a quiet place to relax. Breakfast was excellent and beautifully presented. Laura and Rick are great hosts and so is their dog Ozzie!

The Fairville Inn is a charming cluster of buildings in a nearly ideal location for discovery of the Brandywine River Valley. Staff were enthusiastic and resourceful, our room in the white barn was a delightful mini-suite with fireplace (much to be recommended on a brisk fall weekend). We would absolutely return!

Laura and Rick were terrific hosts and went well beyond the basics in making my stay pleasant and comfortable. Rooms were very attractively decorated, breakfasts were delicious (and had choices), and staff were both friendly and helpful. The grounds are gorgeous and the inn was very centrally located (right on Hwy 52) for my needs.

Our stay at the Fairville Inn was up to the standard we have found with Innkeepers Registry. We were very pleased with every aspect of our stay. We do plan to return.

Wonderful breakfast and afternoon tea Innkeeper was terrific

A family gathering (NYC, Washington DC area, and Pasadena CA) to celebrate an 80 birthday--ideal location for visiting Longwood Gardens and nearby museums, Fairville Inn is one of the best B&B's we have stayed in the US, Europe, Australia/New Zealand. Rooms and especially suites are spacious, well appointed, comfy beds... Breakfast offers more than ample choices of well prepared delicious dishes.

A very comfortable place in a pretty setting. Owners and staff very friendly, cordial and helpful, but not overly so. Food and service was homegrown and excellent. Rooms were slightly dated but still clean and cozy. We plan to go back this season!

My partner and I had a great stay at Fairville Inn. The innkeepers and their family were very accommodating. The breakfast was outstanding. We'll definitely return!

Rick makes a great breakfast - the staff are very friendly and helpful - and it's just a delightful place to come back to every night!

The place is simply lovely. Very easy to get to. But the best part are the innkeepers and their staff! I've been twice this year and hope to return next year. Everything I experienced the first time was still consistently outstanding the second time around. I just can't imagine who could possibly be disappointed staying at this beautiful place, with beautiful rooms, in a very serene setting, but not far from restaurants, shopping, and key attractions.

We only stayed 2 days, but we enjoyed the room with the view of the gardens. Breakfast was great with a nice selection of items. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

We were shown our room when we first arrived which we appreciated. The owner was very helpful with finding a restaurant for dinner. The grounds were beautiful. The room was spotless. I don't like firm mattresses which is my only complaint.

We had a very nice stay at the Inn. Some of the rooms are really nice. Our room was OK. (Carrtiage house #2). The staff was very nice. I would definitly stay again. This time I would pick another room. Lots to do in the Brandywine area. I didn't like the fact that the TV's are so small. The mattress was OK on the bed and the deck outside the room needs to be painted. Overall we had a nice time and I would definitly recommend it.

The Inn is very conveniently located for sightseeing and fine dining in the area. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the breakfasts are tasty and satisfying. Afternoon tea is substantial with a delicious assortment of offerings. The inn has three buildings. We stayed in Springhouse 2, which presented some problems during our stay. When we first opened our room, we found the musty smell daunting enough to keep our doors open for 2 hours to air it out. The closet is tiny, and clothes that we'd hung there smelled musty for days after we'd returned home. The edges of the carpet and the grout in the tiled bathroom floor needed cleaning. The other problem we had was that we could hear every footfall and conversation by the guests in the room above us. If we return, we'd choose a different room.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
This guest is absolutely correct. There was indeed a problem with this room. It has been fixed, but this is the story: We began to notice a problem in mid-summer. At first, we thought it was related to the extremely wet and humid weather we were experiencing. After a while, we took the room out of service, turned on the heat and installed a portable dehumidifier. We also crawled under the building to inspect the plumbing and insulation. We checked the caulking and seals around the windows and doors. We even climbed into the attic. We found nothing. We put the room back in service, and all was fine for about 2 weeks, and then the problem came back. As Sherlock Holmes would say, after you eliminate the obvious whatever remains, however improbable, is the answer. We had installed a new heating/AC unit for this room in late spring. We took it apart and found the problem (actually two problems). First, the condensation drip pan had been misaligned in the manufacturing process. It was not draining properly. Second, the outside drain line was partially clogged by manufacturing materials. It was, to say, a perfect storm. Together, these problems allowed condensate water from the AC mode to remain in the drip pan and foster the growth of mold (which is also why the issue evaporated (no pun intended) when we used heat in the room). Both problems have now been corrected and the room is the way that we and a guest would expect it to be.

- Rick (Innkeeper)

My husband and I stayed at the Fairville Inn last weekend in celebration of our second wedding anniversary. We had an incredible time. Upon check-in, we were led to our room ( suite #2 ), and given a thorough "tour" and explanation of everything inside of it. I absolutely loved the room- it was exceptionally clean, which is a must for me, and ever so charming! The set-up was just right, with the little love-seat facing the French doors that lead out to the lovely private balcony. The king-size bed was very comfortable- I didn't want to get out of it in the mornings! I also couldnt wait to get into it at night, as doing the wine trail for two days straight is most likely to leave one in a wine induced semi-coma....... ;) The room also had his/hers sinks, and a walk-in closet. While the suite was on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, I found the extra money to be completety worth it. We even brought Saturday night's dinner back to eat on the balcony ( take-out from Talula's Table in Kennett Square, yummm!). We also found the breakfast to be delightful. They offered some creative choices which we enjoyed very much, in addition to the choice of good old scrambled eggs. There also was a table with pastries, cereal, fruit, and yogurt; guests were welcome to help themselves. The only suggestion I would have would be to possibly have some light music playing in the background, as it was very quiet in the dining room, and guests were whispering so as not to be overheard by or on the the contrary, too loud and offensive to others. I would return to the Fairville Inn in a heartbeat- it was the perfect place to spend a weekend away.

We truly appreciated the calm and peacefullness of the Fairville Inn. The innkeepers were knowledgeable and were willing in every way to make our stay enjoyable. The inn was perfectly situated for the attractions were had planned to see; Longwood Gardens and Winterthur. Absolutely would go back again.

The Fairville is a nice place in a great location for visiting the Brandywine. The breakfasts were very nice with several choices everyday and the innkeepers and staff were very nice. We stayed in the Spring House in a first floor room with a nice balcony. Our relatives stayed in the other first floor room. I would caution that apparently there isn't much soundproofing as our relatives had extremely noisy people overhead and could hear every TV station, conversation, footstep etc. We did not have the issue, but would decide for an 2nd floor or main house room the next time we visit. Our group altogether had three rooms and all of us agreed we would return.

My siblings came to brandywine valley for our annual reunion, and we all stayed at the Fairville Inn, as it is our custom to stay at an inn as part of the reunion. I happen to live locally but I stayed at the inn as well, to maximize my visiting time with them. I pass the inn every day on my way to work, and had viewed several rooms prior to our booking. My siblings stayed in the springhouse which gave us a roomy porch area on which to gather for our "cocktail hour" prior to eating out. The inn even provided wine glasses, as my brother had not brought his. The breakfasts were excellent. We especially enjoyed that there were choices for the entree, as well as serve your own fruit, muffins, etc, and cereal. Since I had considerable contact with the inn prior to checking in, I was most impressed with the staff everytime I interacted with them. I was shown the rooms with enthusiasm; clearly the women enjoyed working there. I was able to check in early, and go on to my own house where I was hosting the first cocktail hour. The whole atmosphere before and during the stay was one of "How can I be of help to you?" I must also comment on the tea. Our wanderings left us no time for a proper lunch, so the tea was so welcome to tide us over til dinner. We especially loved the customized tea bags! I know we won't be spending every reunion in the Brandywine, but I will say that everyone was talking about "the next time we stay here." And now I have a special feeling when I pass by on my way to work. "Hi, new friend."

We were pleased to find the Fairville Inn lived up to its photos. Staff was very friendly and efficient in all they did for us. Breakfasts were very good. Our room was clean, comfortable, charming. While road traffic was pretty busy in front of the Inn, our room and back of the property was peaceful, lovely. We arrived on summer's first cool day and our room heater wasn't putting out heat. Rick responded immediately and, while unable to fix our heater, had our fireplace up and running in no time. It was our favorite stay (two nights) out of 14 nights on the East Coast! Highly recommend.

We had been on a extended driving vacation and had a one-night stop gap. The Fairville Inn in the Brandywine Valley is fantastic. It is located perfectly to visit all of the attractions in the area including Longwood and Winterthur. We stayed in the Carriage House on the second floor and were extremely happy with the accommodation and lovely balcony overlooking the wonderful garden. We really thought that we should have planned to stay longer and intend to come back at some point to this are and this Inn in the future. Tje breakfast was delicious and the service helpful. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Our recent week at the Inn was most enjoyable, The rooms were comfortable, clean, and beautifully appointed. Rick, Laura and their staff helped make our stay one of the most memorable ever. Location is perfect for seeing all the attractions in the Branywine Valley. We highly recommend the Inn for all travelers.

We spent two nights. The place was beautiful and clean. The gardens was lovely. They have a really sweet dog. Very close to all the attractions. One of the nicest b and b's we've stayed at.

The room and the view were beautiful. The shower was very large. The furniture in the sitting area in the room was very nice to look at, but not very comfortable. The owners and staff were extremely friendly, helpful and informative. If you want to tour the wineries you must have gps or a better map than one provided.

Despite the ravages of Hurricane Irene, our experience at the Fairville Inn was quite good. Rooms were large and very comfortable, location was incredibly convenient to the various destinations in the Brandywine Valley, and the innkeepers were friendly and accommodating. The Inn employs many college students to help with its administration, and all of them were very friendly and proficient.

The innkeepers at Fairville Inn made us feel welcome, helped us select two excellent restaurants for our dinners out, and provided directions to those restaurants, as well as local attractions. After this experience we have decided to return again next year.

awesome bed and breakfast. great staff. thank you for a wonderful time

My wife and I were looking for a nice anniversary getaway, and being a Diamond Collection B & B, the Fairville Inn was just what we were looking for. Very happy with our room in the Carriage House. Enjoyed the privacy. Laura and Rick were very helpful finding restaurants and places to shop for mushrooms (can't be so close to Kennett Square without buying fresh mushrooms). Also, I am a vegan. I called Rick ahead of time to let him know and he prepared a special breakfast for me each morning.

The staff was helpful with suggestions for places to visit and dine.

Breakfast is quite special, the location is ideal, and the owner and staff were very attentive.

We loved the Fairville Inn, perhaps the nicest place we have stayed in recent years. Every detail was covered, even wine for a dinner, without ever being ostentatious. It is a great place to stay while you explore the Brandywine Valley.

Loved my stay at the Inn! I was attending a wedding in the area and chose to stay here for several reasons. The main reason was that they had rooms on 1st floors with private decks and NO steps into the entrance. Other reasons included the LARGE rooms, the A/C was plentiful and the rooms were bright, airy and clean and I did not feel like I was staying in a hotel! The staff was exceptionally pleasant and accommodating. As I am on oxygen and have trouble walking, the breakfast staff would fix a breakfast plate for me and my son was able to bring breakfast to my room. Something I greatly appreciated! I had a wonderful stay and would highly recommend this Inn! Thank you for everything!

I recreated my 1 year anniversary so we were back at the Fairville Inn and loved it even more than before because we knew it and it brought back great memories! It is just wonderful there and now it will forever hold a special place in our hearts!

My wife and I stayed in a ground floor room in the main house. We were very pleased. The room was large with comfortable reading chairs and a large bath area. The breakfast was great offering a variety of cold and warm items. The staff were very friendly and helpful. This is a good choice for visiting Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Gardens, or the Nemours Estate. Some of the rooms are on the second floor and, at least in the main house, there is no elevator. If this is an issue you may want to check with the staff to see what your options are.

I have been coming to the Fairville Inn since 2005. I wouldn't stay anywhere else while in the Brandywine River region. I love the place, the grounds, the proximity to world-class gardens and decorative arts, fine arts and history. Laura and Rick make sure you are happy with the full breakfasts -- different every day -- and late afternoon tea -- with full platters of Rick's pastries. The rooms are quiet, clean, and tastefully decorated, with beautiful vistas, and local restaurants are close and offer excellent food. This is relaxation at its best.

I needed a place to stay during my move, and I chose the Fairville Inn because it was close to my new home. After staying 3 nights, I was relaxed and refreshed. I'd stay there again even if I had to drive a distance to get there. I highly recommend the inn!

We spent a very relaxing and romantic weekend at the Fairville Inn. The room was lovely and very comfortable. Breakfast was delicious, and the staff was very hospitable. We will definitely return and have already recommended it to others. In addition, they have listed many great local restaurants on their website. We dined at The Orchard, which was one of the best dining experiences we have had (and we eat out very frequently). Highly recommended!

Lovely inn and grounds. Innkeepers were very friendly and made you feel welcomed. Breakfast was delicious.

The owners are very friendly. The breakfasts were very good. The shower head in room #5 really should be replaced - the shower was not a pleasant experience. I would definitely stay there again.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We very much appreciate the comment about our breakfasts and to know that these guests would definately stay with us again (our many repeat guests are like family coming to visit). We only wish that they had said something to us about the shower head while they were here. We would much rather have a comment such as "We had a problem with the shower head, but the innkeepers fixed it promptly" than to find out about it in an Internet posting. (If any guest has a problem with a room that we can't promptly address, we will always offer to move them to another room.) We asked the guests who checked out of this room the morning after we received this comment whether they had any issues with the shower head. They told us it was fine. Perhaps the commenting guests were trying to adjust it and didn't quite get it right?

- Rick (Innkeeper)

Our stay at the Fairville was a pleasure from the moment we checked in. Laura was very helpful in getting us settled in and making sure we got our bearings for meals and area attractions. Rick's breakfasts were a treat and he was great at working with us on a food allergy. He always had a smile and a moment to say hello and catch up on our day's plans. We and our traveling companions decided to stay in the main house and couldn't have been happier with our choice. We occupied the rear second floor rooms, which I would highly recommend as the front rooms do face a rather busy road. But out back, not a sound, and what a treat to find the courtyard that we used for a nightly wine and unwind. It was like our own secret garden. The rooms were comfortable and well maintained. Slept like a babe, which can be a challenge for me when traveling as I like a firm but somewhat giving mattress. As for the other reviews citing a small tv in the room, well, yes, it is small. But, seriously, if you need a big screen TV while in vacation, then obviously a B&B is not the place for you. It was sufficient for our morning checks of the news and weather and then off we went. The Fairville is perfectly located for touring all the attractions in the area with a quick ten minute drive. Should we ever be back in the area, the Fairville will definitely be our only choice for accommodations. Thanks Laura and Rick!

Our room needed some modernizing/updating. Faux ivy and flowers as well as some aged wallpaper don't equate to the price per night - we expect a bed and breakfast to be quaint and charming - but this room was more along the lines of "worn" - especially the bathroom.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We take all of our guest comments very seriously and appreciate them greatly. These guests stayed in Suite 1, which is wonderful and elegant room (and used from time to time by QVC Studios to video home shopping TV segments). Yes (gasp!), there are 2 faux ivy “plants” in this room. One is situated in a clay pot atop the armoire in the bedroom. The second is in a planter on the top shelf of a high bookcase in the sitting room. They add color and texture to the room – and you need to look closely to see that they are not real plants. We tried using live plants in several of our rooms, but they ended up being either under- or over-watered. (We would rather endure the occasional comment about faux plants that more frequent comments about unhealthy real plants.) We love real plants, especially those that flower, and rotate them in and out of the reception area, living room and dining room throughout the year (and where we can keep a watchful eye on them). There are fresh flowers in each room every day, some of which come from our gardens during the season. The sitting room in Suite 1 does have an oriental vase with a spray of oriental silk flowers. This is a lovely decorative accent and it is hard to believe anyone would think of it as "faux" flowers. As for the comments about the wallpaper and overall character of the room, we (and on behalf of our repeat guests who request this room) respectfully disagree.

- Rick (Innkeeper)

We stayed in the main house. The porch is right off the main road, so it is quite noisy...not a good place to sit and read a book. The room/bathroom were very nice and clean. The breakfast was decent.

My husband & I spent a long weekend at the Fairville Inn & found it lovely. The room is very pleasant & clean, wonderful semi-terrace, nice choices at breakfast. I would like to see a mini-fridge in the room + another wash basin, plenty of room to do so. Would also like to have the choice of breakfast outside & prefer not to have a sign up time, but understand it's the only way they can serve everyone.

The owners are the most wonderful people you'll meet, very beautiful house, gardens and porch is pretty to sit and relax after long day walking around sites of the area. The breakfast to like dinning at the nicest restaurant you know, great food, and wonderful coffee. Owers have friendly black lab named Ozzie to greet you in the garden. I love visiting and look forward to my next stay.

This was our second visit to the Fairville Inn and it lived up to the high standards set on our first visit. This time we stayed in the Carriage House where, like the Spring House, each room has its own deck overlooking the gardens. So relaxing and peaceful! The rooms are immaculate and inviting. Rick and Sue, the innkeepers are gracious hosts and make you feel like family returning home. And there is nothing like one of Rick's breakfasts to start your day! Their staff is friendly and courteous. We can't imagine staying anywhere else when visiting the Brandywine Valley!

Excellent accommodations, delicious food, friendly and unobtrusive staff -- perfect for a romantic getaway. We greatly enjoyed our visit at this charming, restful inn!

Everything was just right! Staff was particularly lovely, helpful and attentive.

Sometimes internet pictures do not accurately represent bed and breakfast properties but Fairville Inn was even more beautiful than the web site shows. Rick & Laura and their staff were knowledgeable about the area and encouraged us in making reservations for meals, etc. Given the crowds in the area, this was a very good suggestion. The breakfast choices were great and I hope to try to desserts next time. I will definitely return to Fairville Inn, and have already recommended it to several friends.

Stayed in the main house off the living and dining rooms -- very quiet. It's a wonderful setting and would stay there on our next visit.

Loved this Inn - great location and an excellent place to stay. The breakfast was just perfect, not too fancy and not too large, but just the right size and delicious. In my opinion, some B & Bs overdo their breakfast by being too fancy. I liked the breakfast at Fairville Inn because it was first of all hot and very good, but most of all because it was a normal breakfast - cheese omelet or scrambled eggs or French Toast. Not heavy, just right.

The Fairville Inn was spacious and meticulously clean. The warm staff made our experience even more comfortable. Rick is an oustanding cook! We will be back!!

Excellant location for touring Wintertheur and Brookside Garndens. Included breakfast was very tasty.

We arrived early and went off to Longwood Gardens, returning for Tea and settling in our Spring House room. This is a delightful B&B which we have stayed in before. The owners went over possible Dinner places while people were having tea. The breakfast is excellent. The room was great. The staff friendly - knowledgable. We could only stay one night this time but the only reason Rooms and Value simply met expectations is that it is exactly what we had last time at the B&B. It is outstanding!!

The Fairville was elegant and warm, with friendly and helpful service, and wonderful breakfasts and afternoon teas - plus an ideal location for touring the Brandywine area.

We enjoyed our stay very much; the atmosphere was informal, the inn very attractively decorated, and the staff very helpful in making reservations for restaurants.

Beautifully maintained historic property with great breakfasts, nice afternoon tea and very helpful and friendly hosts. The location couldn't be better for visits to Longwood Gardens, Winterthur and the Brandywine River Museum.

This was the third time that my wife and I stayed at the Fairville Inn. This time we stayed in the carriage house which has more spacious rooms than the main house. Our stay was very relaxing and peaceful. There's even a mini golf course too in which I played a couple of rounds and enjoyed. The innkeepers are fabulous in their friendliness and hospitality. Rick is an excellent and creative cook and Laura is very cordial and a joy to talk to about antiques and everyday life. The inn is conveneintly located between the lush scenic Longwood Gardens and the eclectic Winterthur estate.

We return year after year to see the beautiful sights in the area such as Winterthur, Longwood, and other Brandywine Valley attractions. We always try to stay her because this place is consistently elegant, friendly, clean and helpful. The privacy and ambience of rooms with garden or meadow views is especially wonderful.

Gracious hosts, great locale made for such a pleasant stay.

Very nice view from the deck, suite was huge, staff very friendly. Breakfast was fresh and tasty both mornings. Wallpaper curled just a bit, but adds to the 1800's feel of the building. Cleaning was excellent! Would recommend to any friend or family member.

Inn is lovely. Hosts were wonderful. There are a lot of things to see in the area. Bring your bicycles.

We enjoyed our room, the wonderful breakfast, and friendly staff. I would recommend the Fairville Inn to anyone for a relaxing get-a-way.

We picked the place because its location and because it got into the diamond collection of B&B. The hosts are very nice and friendly, they work hard to make your stay memorable. We spent one night (Saturday, Feb. 26) in one of the standard rooms in the carriage house (room number 4). The room had a very old yet functional bath, very old sink cabinet, only one sink, tiny T.V (like a small computer screen, located in a spot you can't really watch) and horrible old mattress. It was difficult to put up with outdated room, (with no normal T.V, DVD, or fire place) but old mattress is even more unacceptable for $200 (+tax) per night. It seems that the landlords are aware of that problem and perhaps will do something about in the future. The breakfast was our best experience in Fairville Inn, much attention and creativity were manifested in spinach quiche and french-toast-cake. We would expect the landlords to compensate us for the miserable sleep we had. The other rooms has a nicer appearance according to the pictures.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We very much appreciate the very nice comments from this guest about our breakfasts and hospitality. More importantly, this is the second comment critical of the bed in Carriage House #4 that we received in as many weeks. As innkeepers, we know all too well that something can be fine one day and not the next day (after all, we have 19 bathrooms, air-conditioner/heat-pumps, and televisions on the property, as well as four computers, commercial-grade laundry and kitchen facilities, and a multi-component wireless Internet system). Carriage House #4 is a wonderful room – bright, very nicely decorated, and its deck has a commanding view of our gardens. Over the past few months, 26 guests (mostly couples) have spent 37 nights in this room, including repeat guests who request this room. Except for the two critical comments, no guest has suggested that the bed was uncomfortable. For us, two critical comments about the same bed in successive weeks are enough. Whether the bed may have died a slow death or gave out overnight (no pun intended), we will never know. The room now has a completely new bed. We readily agree that our TVs are small considering the larger screens we have all become accustomed to. Our TVs (except in two rooms) are comfortably situated out-of-sight in armoires, which does limit their size. (If having access to a large TV is important, other accommodations may be more suitable.) We respectfully disagree with the characterization of the bathroom in Carriage House #4. Lastly, eight of our rooms have a fireplace. We find it odd that a guest who selected a room without a fireplace would complain that there was no fireplace in the room.

- Rick (Innkeeper)

This was our fourth visit to the Fairville Inn. It's a short two hour drive from the DC area. We finally stayed in the room that attracted us from the start, which is furnished in lovely shades of yellow and green. We toured the Brandywine River Museum again, sat in front of a cozy fireplace, stopped at the Chadd's Ford Winery, and renewed acquaintance with Ozzie (the dog) and Harriet (the cat). Simply put, we love the atmosphere created by the innkeepers. Accomplished people in their "other lives," they apply their many life skills to making others feel blessed.

Arrival was pleasant as we were greeted by Rick the co-owner of the Fairville Inn before making our way into the registration area. After our short conversation we met the greeter and also Laura Rick's wife and the co-owner of the Inn. We received the nickel tour of this delightful location and were escorted to our room. The first room #2 in the Carriage house was quite pleasant with a generous balcony and view of the rear yard area. This room was quite acceptable with the exception of the bed; too soft, a real sinker for the two of us. Morning arrived with breakfast on the schedule first thing. A very nice eating area is situated in the main house adjacent to the kitchen entrance right off the main entrance. An nice selection of breakfast offerings were available including a a shared plate of small-portioned baked goods, cereal, three kitchen offerings and various beverages. Unfortunately the kitchen does not utilize fresh bacon or sausage and the baked egg offerings both days were bland and unexciting. We changed rooms for the second day moving into the Suite 1 in the Carriage house. A very spacious offering with a second room and a timed gas fireplace, we enjoyed this room as well. The wireless worked flawlessly for our entire stay if that is something you require. Overall a very pleasant stay. We will and have recommend the Fairville Inn to friends with a caution: Don't expect too much from the kitchen.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
As much as we appreciate the nice comments posted by this guest, we feel that we should respond to the other comments. As hard as we try every day, we know that there are some guests that we just can’t fully please. We’re not sure what this guest means about our bacon and sausage not being “fresh.” We admit that we don’t raise our own pigs or cure our bacon. But we do cook our bacon daily and are glad to accommodate the many requests for second servings. We also confess that we do not make our own sausages (but our guests very much like the local sources we have found). Everyone has their own taste preferences, but we hardly think our baked omelets are bland. Although we intentionally go light on salt, we generously use herbs (from our gardens during the season) and spices to flavor our omelets. We offered two baked omelets during this guest’s stay. The first was grilled peppers with caramelized onions and mozzarella, seasoned with oregano, basil and freshly ground white pepper, and accompanied by an optional smoked-tomato sauce (from tomatoes grown and smoked at the Inn). The next day's omelet was broccoli, cheddar, and scallions, seasoned with thyme, freshly ground black pepper, smoked paprika, and a gentle touch of Tabasco. We consistently get compliments from our guests on our breakfasts and many requests for second servings. Concerning the bed (these guests actually stayed in Carriage House #4), this was the first of two critical comments we received about this bed in as many weeks. As noted above, there is now a completely new bed in this room.

- Rick (Innkeeper)

we stay here frequently and we are treated casually and with familiarity - we love this place and seek to stay no where else.

Conveniently located for the Brandywine Valley and Wilmington sites, the Fairville Inn is a very comfortable place to stay. We will definitely stay there again in our next visit to the Valley.

We enjoyed an overnight very much. Friendly staff, very nice rooms overlooking the gardens, quiet and relaxing atmosphere. The breakfast was OK but not what we expect from a bed and breakfast.

My husband and I stayed in one of the Carriage House suites in late December 2010. The rooms are even more beautiful than before. We enjoyed a cozy fire, fully modernized heating and plumbing, warm hospitality, delicious food, and pretty Christmas decorations. We look forward to another stay sometime.

We only stayed for one night, but will certainly go back again and again. Longwood Gardens was a wonderful place to visit and we would love to return to see it during the fall. We could not have asked for a more romantic place to stay on such short notice.

We thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality at Fairville. If you like cats and dogs, you'll love Ozzie and Harriet.

Our last minute trip was the best ever, the Fairville was our piece of stately heaven!

The rain turned into a bit of snow, but the inn was warm and cozy. Dining recommendations were spot on.

We've stayed here more than once, and always enjoy ourselves. For us, the greatest attraction is the working fireplaces in the rooms, posted beds, and cozy chairs to sit by the fire. Of course, the special omelets and unusual bread puddings for breakfast are always a treat.

Excellent location, close to Longwood Gardens, Nemours & Winterthur. Beautiful setting. Everyone was very friendly. The food was delicious! We really enjoyed the afternoon tea with cheeses and pastries.

Great location, host family very nice, room clean and well furnished.

The proprietors are lovely people and want to help. They need to modernize things like the TV's. Really, my computer monitor is bigger and we had a suite. There was a bug in the extra blanket in our room .The towels are thin and rough. The toiletries are chintzy and not very high quality. The inn looks charming and is in a good location for sightseeing. The beds are comfortable , the fireplaces and heat work well. The food was delicious and promptly served.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We sincerely appreciate all comments made by our guests, whether on this or other web sites or in person. We especially like to hear good comments about our beds and breakfasts (after all, we are a Bed and Breakfast). We apologize about the bug in the extra blanket. This part of Pennsylvania has been invaded by Asian stink bugs, which have no natural predators and are rather industrious in finding their way inside to settle down for the winter. We do all we can to keep them out (caulking, screening fireplace flues, etc.), but occasionally one will find a way in. We are somewhat perplexed about the comment about the towels. Another recent comment on this site says the towels are “good quality.” Our towels are 100% Pima cotton, and new towels are regularly placed in service. If older towels (some of which we hold in reserve for emergencies) found their way into the room, we certainly do apologize. We recognize that toiletries can be a very personal thing. All we can say is that we do get many favorable comments about them from our guests. We sometimes do receive a comment about the size of the TVs. When we became the innkeepers, the TVs were an eclectic collection of small old-style clunky CRTs. Our current TVs are flat-screen, with very good picture quality and less than two years old. Because they are (except in two rooms) conveniently nestled out-of-sight in armoires, this limits the size we can use. We agree that they are small compared to the large-screen TVs (and computer monitors) to which we have all become accustomed, but they are certainly quite adequate for our rooms. We show all of our guests how to work the TVs, many of whom tell us not to bother because they won’t be watching TV anyhow . . .

- Rick (Innkeeper)

We enjoyed our stay and would likely come back, but expected a bit more given the price. The people are wonderful and the breakfasts are really top notch. The location is perfect for us. The room was homey and comfortable, and the wi-fi was welcome. I did not expect vinyl in the bathroom and mediocre carpeting in the room. The towels were of good quality but the towel racks inadequate. The toilet was a flashback to 1960. In short, it's a really nice B&B in need of some interior upgrades.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Again, we do appreciate all comments from our guests and especially like to see “top-notch” reviews on our breakfasts. This comment raises three issues that honestly have not been the subject of any other comment in the three and one-half years we have been the innkeepers at the Fairville Inn. We’re not quite sure about what the reference to “vinyl” in the bathroom means. Our bathroom floors are a high-quality linoleum-type, in a variety of tile-like patterns and color shades depending on the décor of room (you have to look very closely to see that they are not real grouted tiles). Yes, marble, granite or ceramic tiles would be more luxurious (if not a bit colder on the feet), but grouting presents issues relating to cleaning, maintenance, and mold that we believe are best avoided. The comment about the toilet prompted us to do a little sleuthing. No, they are not vintage 1960 (Fairville did not become an Inn until 1986). The oldest one we could identify was from the early 1990s – and they are all in perfect working order and spotlessly clean. As for the carpeting, we have already replaced all the carpets in our entry halls and stairways, as well as several of our rooms. The remaining carpets are anything but mediocre, but we understand that a carpet underfoot can be a very personal thing. With this in mind, the following is from the blog of a guest who stayed with us in September 2010: “The rooms were cozy and comfortable . . . and wait till you take your socks off and feel the carpet underneath your feet. Ahhhhh!”

- Rick (Innkeeper)

The Fairville is a beautiful property set in well tended and extensive grounds. We stayed in the main building which was beautifully furnished. We were met at reception by a member of staff who booked us in, told us about meal times and where to dine in the neighbourhood, and showed us to our room. Our room was well appointed and very comfortable. Tea and breakfast were scrummy! Our only niggles were firstly that, while I'm sure we met the inn keepers/owners, they never introduced themselves or 'welcomed' us to their home. Secondly we were not told about the night-time access arrangements. We had a moment of concern when we found the entrance locked and had to search for a door elsewhere that accepted our key. These were only minor issues and we would love to go back one day.

Our two nights at the Fairville Inn revealed a place with all the best characteristics and innkeepers with all the best impulses: welcoming, visually appealing, nicely equipped, and well worthy of a return visit.

We had a lovely large room with a gas fireplace and a deck that looked out over a beautiful fall vista. The main building is right on the street but we didnt hear any street noise in our springhouse room. Breakfast was great.

The stay was great. The area was very clean, neat and very quiet. We forgot to bring wine glasses and the owner himself delivered two to our room. We are definitely staying again.

Lovely location. Nicest B & B we've ever stayed in. Would recommend highly.

The Fairville in was very nice and well placed for exploring the SE corner of Pennsylvania and the Wilmington area. The hosts were very helpful.

Very pleasant B&B experience. Breakfast was wonderful, and the innkeepers and staff were very hospitable.

We got cottage #3 as a last minute cancellation, and I'm really glad we were able to stay here. The room was wonderful -- a lovely back deck that is totally private, with a wonderful view. While we were at dinner, they set up the table with glasses and plates, a wine cooler, and some chocolates. We sat out on the deck in the wonderful bathrobes they provided and had an after-dinner bottle of wine. It was lovely.

This was our first experience going to a B&B and couldn't have asked for a better time, the Suite was beautiful and well kept. Rick and Laura were great, their hospitality was outstanding. Breakfast was fantastic!

My husband and I have been staying at B and B's for 30 years. The Fairville Inn is in a great location and has many pretty rooms to chose from. We have stayed there twice. We stayed in The Carriage House which has glorious views of the garden from private balconies. This was my favorite part of the stay in the Carraige House. I have a suggestion to enhance the experience.It would be great to have coffee available on the little table in the entrance hall so guests could enjoy mornng coffee on their balconies or decks. As compared with other inns, I felt the inn was a bit impersonal as the innkeepers never introduced themselves. I am not even sure they were there. The breakfast was bit rushed as the servers had to clear tables for additional sittings.

It ws a last minute decision to coe. Everything about the reservation process was seamless and everyone was gracious and friendly. We got wonderful suggestions for dinner. The rocking chair and view from our back porch was spectacular. We will definitely come again.

Four friends enjoyed a reunion at the wonderful Fairville Inn. Rick, Laura and their staff delivered a very hospitable environment, which never lacked personal attention. We felt truly spoiled. The buildings are lovely, with beautiful furnishings. They have much to be proud of. The location is very close to many historical attractions, in a magnificent area. I highly recommend the Fairville Inn!

We've now stayed at the Inn twice (room and suite) and both times our stay exceeded everything we could have hoped for. The rooms are beautifully appointed, delightfully comfortable and immaculately clean. The breakfasts are delicious and served with a smile. The innkeepers are attentive and accommodating and make every effort to make you happy. To boot, the Inn is close to all the major attractions. Rick, Laura, we take our hats off to you! We'll see you again soon! R & R

The grounds were so well kept and beautiful. The breakfast was wonderful and peace and serenity abounded.

Nice pictures on the web site, but did not come close to living up to expectations. Room had paper thin walls. Could here the people above us walking, talking and even using the bathroom!!! The room was supplied with a TINY TV that you couldn’t see while lounging on the bed. The staff was very cold and not friendly and all. Breakfast was pathetic --- one dish was too dry while the other wasn’t cooked all the way threw. The inn was not worth the price we paid.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Ouch. This was one unhappy camper. We work very hard every day to provide our guests with exceptional accommodations, breakfasts, and personal service. We believe our many positive comments, including those posted on this and other websites, attest to our success. With respect, we respond: Our website pictures are the actual rooms and grounds. This guest stayed in Carriage House 2. A very nice comment about this room is posted on this website (see 1/2/10 – “Relaxing Reunion”). It rarely happens, but sometimes guests are less than courteous of their neighbors. If this was the case, we apologize on behalf of the offending guests. Had we been made aware of the situation, we would have tactfully intervened. Each room has a flat-screen TV. In this room it is 15”, in an armoire facing the bed. It may be small compared to a large screen TV, but it is surely adequate for the room. In the almost 3 years we have been the Innkeepers, no guest has come even remotely close to describing a breakfast as “pathetic.” On this morning we offered a fresh-baked pear-pecan French toast soufflé; a fresh-baked oven omelet with smoked ham, potatoes, scallions, and Swiss cheese; and scrambled eggs. The soufflé (very popular) is crispy on top with an interior similar to bread pudding (soft perhaps, but not undercooked). An oven omelet has a different texture than a pan omelet, but it was not dry, especially considering the amount of cheese in the recipe. Our other guests were quite pleased with breakfast that morning. Almost all guests arrive with a good attitude and are glad to be at the Inn. Sometimes, the day at the office or the drive to the Inn may make a guest a bit tense. We do all we can to make our guests comfortable, attend to their needs, help them plan their stay, and find the right places for lunch and dinner. Almost without exception they leave the Inn very much relaxed and in good spirits. It would appear that this guest was the rare exception. We are indeed sorry.

- Rick Carro (owner/innkeeper)

We chose the Fairville Inn as the site for a reunion with very dear friends from Virginia (We are from the Berkshires in western MA.). I must say that our special treatment began when I was chatting with Rick on the phone to make the reservation. Although he was in the midst of a record-breaking snowstorm, he volunteered to make dinner reservations for us and he did indeed get us a table in front of the fireplace at a very elegant restaurant nearby. Our room (Carriage House #2) exceeded our expectations. From the fresh flowers in December, recent magazines lined up on a table, to the french door overlooking the garden that was even lovely in the winter snow, we were very pleased. In the late afternoon, we gathered by the fireplace in the parlor and enjoyed tea, cheese and crackers and cakes/cookies. We were so comfortable and enjoying our chat with Rick, that we were almost late for our dinner reservations. We we charmed by his stories about decorating the enormous evergreen tree by the driveway with lights that received acclaim from the surrounding neighbors. Breakfast was hot, delicious and presented on elegant china. Our stay was very brief so we were unable to visit any of the local attractions, but the four of us have decided that the Fairville Inn would be a perfect spot for another reunion. We look forward to visiting in warmer weather when the gardens are in bloom.

What an incredibly beautiful and comfortable Inn! Our room was stunning, breakfast was scrumptious, and the distance to the various points of interest was extremely convenient. When we mentioned the name of our Inn to either restaurants, and even to one of the volunteers at Longwood Gardens, they all always had a most positive compliment, inferring that we were staying at the very best place in Brandywine! We loved it in case you didn't understand!

We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. Our room was charming with a fireplace, separate sitting area and balcony with garden view. Breakfasts and afternoon teas were amazing, everything homemade and delicious. The grounds were beautiful and well kept, and our hosts couldn't have been more gracious. The location was central to all of our destinations including the Brandywine Museum, Longwood gardens and Winterthur. We look forward to a return trip.

Although this inn sits right on rt. 52, the setting is quaint and feels quite private. The grounds are lovely and the rooms are comfortable. This is a great location for touring the whole Brandywine region of PA.