By The Side Of The Road Bed and Breakfast

My husband & I were able to spend a night at By The Side Of The Road for our anniversary & it didn't dissapoint! Upon arrival, we were greeted with some soothing music. The cabin was spacious & the floor plan quite nice. The sitting chairs were very comfortable! There were many nice ammenities. The large bath tub was the hightlight of my evening! It was so relaxing! In the morning we were greeted with breakfast brought to our door. It was one of my favorite breakfasts I have ever had! The staff was so warm & helpful! It couldn't have been a better place to stay! I highly recommend one of the cottages for your stay! I can't wait to go back!

Our experience at "By the Side of the Road" was delightful. Everything was just as we wanted it to be at a Virginia B & B. Good location for exploring southern end of the Shenendoah Valley.

We stayed in the Eselyn Taylor Suite and had a wonderful, relaxing weekend. The breakfasts were local and fresh, the bed was very comfortable, the bathtub was exquisite, and all of the activities in Harrisonburg were quaint, fun, and exciting! We'd recommend visiting the local farmers market on a Saturday, checking out local vineyards, and taking a bike ride on the Keezletown loop just east of town. There are also some great hikes and swimming holes nearby. A great weekend all around. Thanks!

What a wonderful B&B! The staff was wonderful and the accomodations were amazing!

My fiance and I just returned from a wonderful long weekend at By the Side of the Road in Harrisonburg, VA. Dennis and Janice, the innkeepers, are sweet and caring people, and will do absolutely anything to make their guests feel at home. Breakfast was delicious, and it was exciting to wake up to a different surprise every morning! Also, the package we purchased, the Absolutely LOCAL package, gave us the perfect amount of activities (with tons of gift certificates to local shops/restaurants around town), and we didn't feel rushed or pressured. By the Side of the Road far exceeded our expectations, and was the perfect place to relax and enjoy the quiet surroundings, and each other. Thanks again!

We stayed at By the Side of the Road and loved every minute of it. We will definitely return!

My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary and this was a first for both of us. I had always wanted to stay at a B&B and we got very lucky. We stayed in Quill Cottage and it surpassed our expectations. I reserved a cottage for the privacy but was impressed by the decor and the small thoughtful touches. The breakfast baskets they delivered to our door steps were delicious. The only glitch was the picnic basket. We payed $49 for a two small wedges of cheese, two apples, bread, crackers and cream puffs. I felt it was overpriced. Everything else was fantastic! We will definitely go back.

My husband and I stayed here for two nights (The Local Package - highly recommend it!) and it by far exceeded our expectations. Extremely clean, homey, comfortable, lavish bedding, gourmet breakfast served on china, dessert wine in the room, candles, nice selection of movies on DVD, yummy homemade baked goods always available.....I couldn't believe everything they provided. It was the perfect romantic getaway! The innkeepers are so friendly and attentive. Loved it! :)

JMU graduation weekend!! Service and accommodations just wonderful!! Beautiful room, setting, everything you need to feel at home. Will visit again!

The place was fantastic - we stayed in the large cottage. We went to bed early, got up late, and had a wonderful breakfast delievered to our door each morning. We had coffee on the porch and regular visits from the B&B resident cat. That was a nice treat! The Fitzgeralds were great - left you alone unless you had questions or just wanted to talk about the history of the place. We'll be back !! bob and carolyn

We will definitely return to this B&B...everything was wonderful!

What a wonderful place for my husband and I to enjoy our weekend get away. Hoping to make it a tradition.

Local Package was great- gave you a feel of the area and wineries. Local Chop & Grill House was outstanding. We spent hours at the Daton,VA farmers market- so much to choose from!

My husband and I spent four days after Christmas at By The Side of the Road B & B. As soon as you enter the 1700's home, you feel so comfortable. Janice and Dennis have decorated the inn with many period antiques but also many of their personal things. There are even pictures of their family all around the place. Our room (The Arbor of Hope) was spacious and the down bed and pillows were so comfortable. We had a little problem getting our shades down but our attentive hosts immediately checked this out. The breakfasts were delicious....from banana pancakes with carmel syrup and bacon to quiche with fresh fruits and coffee cake...everything was so satisfying that we found we did not even need lunch. And the never ending evening cookies were always crispy and perfect. Dennis gave us wonderful directions to area attractions as well as dining suggestions and Janice was just a delightful hostess with many stories about the area. The location is perfect for getting to many places in the Shenendoah region and the inn itself is near housing developments so there are places for people to incorporate an early morning walk or run before breakfast. We highly recommend this relaxing and charming inn.

Better than any hotel I've ever been to. My first bed and breakfast and certainly not my last. I can never look for a hotel again after this wonderful b&b!

My husband and I stayed in the cottage, the room was very nice, but we felt like we were imposing on the inn keeper. We didn't have to even go the the main house to check-in, so there wasn't that personal touch we love about a bed and breakfast. In the morning when we ventured up to the main house around 7:30 we met the innkeeper, but he was reluctant to let us in due to others sleeping. We were told that our breakfast would be delivered to our cottage at 9:15. When it was delivered, we were just handed a basket with the food, with no offer to come in and set up the table for our breakfast. The only other note is that you can hear traffic noice, as the inn truly is by the side of the road.

By the Side of the Road Bed & Breakfast made our 24th wedding anniversary very special. We couldn't have asked for more! Beautiful cottage in a relaxing setting. The dual fireplace was very nice and the breakfast was delicious. Thank you - we will definitely be back!!

We stayed in the detached townhouse down the road from the actual bed and breakfast. It was truly a phenominal experience. It is conveniently located close to downtown Harrisonburg and only about 20 miles from Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive. The place is very large and reasonably priced. The townhouse is clean and stocked with movies, books, modest food, and everything you need to have a wonderful get-away weekend. There are great conveniences, like Wi-Fi, Cable in multiple rooms, ,multiple DVD players, and a radio with an iPod docking station. The kitchen is modern, with a great cooktop, microwave, oven, and dishwasher as well as plates, utensils, pots, and pans. The onyl two small negatives are that there were no steak knives and the propane tank for the grill was empty, so it didn't work. We also had a small issue with the Wi-Fi password being incorrect, but that was fixed quickly and easily with one phone call. I would definitely come back!

It was awesome from start to finish! Very quiet and peaceful. Very romantic. The breakfasts were amazing! I would highly recommend the picnic basket, it was well worth it. We took it up to skyline drive to a picnic area, it was awesome!! We will definitely be returning to By the Side of the Road B&B

We have stayed at this B&B several times & have enjoyed unique, different rooms in the main house each time. This visit, however, we stayed in the Quill Cottage...a truly wonderful experience. The cottage is decorated so well; it's comfortable, cozy & offers everything you need. We loved it! Of course, Janice's gourmet breakfast is always a treat!!! Janice & Dennis are extremely accommodating hosts who understand that we all need a "retreat" & do their best to make sure you have it By The Side Of The Road.

a wonderfully relaxing, delicious b & b. wife and i have visited many b & b's and would rate this in the top 5%. 1790 is very roomy, hosts extremely attentive to detail and wanting us to be accommodated, and location very close to shenandoahs, wineries and JMU

The title says it all!

This was by far one of the best bed and breakfasts I have stayed at. The rooms were wonderful, especially the whirlpool tub and Janice and Dennis could not have been nicer. I can't wait to come back!

We loved every minute of our stay at your B & B. From the rose petals on the bed to the chocolate covered strawberries and picnic basket we ordered for the day of our 20th anniversary, everything about your place exceeded our expectations. The Bergey Cottage was roomy, clean and the gourmet breakfasts were simply awesome. Janice, Dennis & Anna you helped make our special occasion memorable.

Very pleasant surroundings and excellent fare. However, we probably will not return - upon return to the room, several of my items were moved and we were unable to locate them at first; left us with an uneasy feeling

Wow! Where do I begin!? This is truly an exceptional B&B experience! We stayed in one of the private cottages and simply LOVED it! It was cozy and beautiful and excellently appointed. From the gourmet breakfasts to the romantic jaccuzi tub to the featther beds we had the time of our lives! The owners are terrific and they really go out of their way to see to it that we had a nice time. I can't wait to go back to celebrate our anniversary! We also loved the B&B cat, Dandy! Thanks for an experience to be remembered for a lifetime!

An old-fashioned welcome awaits you in an old-fashioned home. This is a family run bed and breakfast inn and you will be assured of a comfortable stay and some delicious breakfasts. Definitely a place to revisit!

This is the first time I have stayed in a B&B and I was a little hesitant. But I was pleasntly surprised by how welcome we felt the whole time we were there. It was like being a part of the family. I would recommend By the Side of the Road B&B very much and look forward to staying there again in the future.

Wonderful getaway place! Very detailed staff, helped with dinner reservations. Beautiful cottage!! Very private!!!

I was skeptical at first, not knowing what to expect from the online pictures to the other reviews, but this particular place set in the countryside of the Shenandoah Valley is the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the busy city. From the quaint cottage style rooms filled with relaxing sounds and beautiful ornate walls to the delicious breakfast served right to our door, I can't think of anywhere else in Virginia that I would rather be to spend some time with the one that I love. If you have not been to this Bed and Breakfast experience, you are missing a retreat that you will never forget. The staff was kind and courteous but still left us to a private and romantic personalized getaway. I will return without a doubt.

Celebration of our 1 year anniversary was a breeze at this wonderful getaway. The Fitzgerald Cottage was like a dream: fluffy king bed, with a spiral stair going to the lower level having a hot tub adjacent a stone fireplace, comfy chairs and romantic music. WOW; for us it was one of the greatest days of our wonderful relationship.

Janice and Dennis were the perfect innkeepers. They were warm and inviting, while giving us the right amount of privacy and suggestions for trips around town. Janice was a wonderful cook and we enjoyed our stay thoroughly.

This is our third stay at this wonderful B&B and we will definitely return again. The cottages are cozy, clean and have many amenities. The owners are friendly and very accommodating. This is one of the jewels of the Shenandoah Valley and a great base to explore the many excellent wineries in central Virginia.

We stayed in the Quill Cottage. It was absolutely wonderful! It was a pre-baby getaway and we greatly enjoyed it! The cottage was clean, inviting and had everything you could possibly need!!! Brian and Rebecca

My fiance and I planned a small wedding at my sister's home and wanted a nice place to stay for the weekend. Originally thinking we would want a cottage, we opted for the main house. This was a first B&B visit for both of us and we were so pleased with our choice for the communal home. The owners and their family members were so nice and the food was delicious (the egg souffle was unforgettable!).

We will stay at B&B's now more often.

We loved the comfortable club chairs and good reading light in the living rm of our suite. The bed was also very comfortable and had good reading lights which are rare in B & Bs. The owners don't mingle much with the guests, but they are nice and will help when asked. We received a 15% discount from their newsletter which was greatly appreciated.

Great

My wife adn I celebrated our 5th anniversary at "By the Side of the Road". The innkeepers were extremely thoughtful and kind, not to mention the fact that the rooms was impeccable and the bed comfortable. I would recommend this B and B as a "must stay".

This was our 3rd visit to By the Side of the Road, visiting our daughter who attended JMU. We have loved it each time. The cost is a little high for the private cottages, but we find it well worth the extravegance. The cottages are so nicely appointed and the privacy is an added plus. The delivery of the breakfast basket is timely and the food is delicious! We've enjoyed the owners respect for our privacy, but find them delightful when our paths cross at check out and while making reservations. The personalized welcome sign in the cottage made us feel especially welcome. We're not sure how long our daughter will remain in Harrisonburg, but we know where we'll stay whenever we visit. Thanks for the great experience!!!!!

The privacy was perfect! THey brought a warm breakfast to our door each morning that was absoloutely delicious! The cottage was very cute and the huge jacuzzi tub in front of the fireplace was just what I was looking for in a romantic getaway!

Beautifully decorated. Service customized to the guests.

We called based on a recommendation from the tourist office in Harrisonburg and they were right! Great place, lovely appointments and very friendly and knowledgeable hosts. We would definitely stay here again. From the friendly tourist office to Janice's tips on where to go, we had a great time and would highly recommend it. Thanks much!

Quiet location quiet w/nice landscaping. Main areas beautifully decorated. Personal greeting by Dennis, final payment, and tour was quick rushed. Stayed in 1790 suite w/1 BR, 1 sep sitting rm, 1 bath. Small flat panel LCD tv/dvd combo is in sep sitting room. LCD screen inhibited viewing from all angles. Gas fireplace was romantic but couldn’t see it while lying in bed. No TV in BR. Claw foot tub awesome. Ran out of hot water 2x. Towel rack behind tub fell in tub when I picked up hand towel from it; needs mount tightening. Bath towels smelled of mildew which meant they were left in laundry 6-8 hrs + before dried; smell transferred to skin. Cookies stale 1st night. Breakfast promptly served at 9 am, no choices, don’t know what you’re getting. Had banana pancakes and sausage-great. 2nd night boyfriend had pink eye; went to local ER until late on New Years Eve. Because of contagious pink eye, we decided not to eat breakfast 2nd day. Dennis walked up to our room door at 9:10 a.m. on New Years Day to ask if we’d be joining and we said no. Leaving, Dennis approached me to ask if anything was broken because “the help” heard a loud noise and laughing the day prior. I said towel rack fell in tub but wasn’t broken. I felt spied on a bit. I felt hunted down when we didn’t go to breakfast. My exit was spent defending myself. I apologized for missing breakfast due to pink eye/ER; his response was that I should’ve still let him know so he didn’t keep others waiting. I was disappointed by the their approach and hospitality. I didn’t feel welcomed and was surprised how unfriendly they were. I saw Janice once briefly. I paid $375.18 for 2 ngts and do not feel I got my money’s worth.

First Bed and Breakfast experience. My husband and I were not disappointed.

I was meeting an old friend for a school reunion and we had a wonderful 2 night stay. Charming home, AMAZING breakfasts. Very attentive, friendly hosts. Very enjoyable stay, I'd recommend to friends and hope to visit again when I'm in Va. Thanks!

The ambiance was very cozy and relaxing. The owners were very affable and saw to it the stay was enjoyable. I also enjoyed how quiet the neighborhood was.

We got away for our 27th anniversary. This was our 1st time at a B&B. We were so pleased to have found these cottages. Very private and cozy, just what we were looking for and needed. It was nice to have breakfast delivered to our cottage so we could eat in our pj's. We did not have to leave this cute cottage at all...it had everything, TV, DVD, CD, Microwave, Refrig....all the comforts of home. We highly recommend this B&B for anyone looking for some privacy and relaxation.

We just returned from a wonderfully relaxing weekend at By the Side of the Road celebrating our 14th anniversary. This marks our 8th consecutive anniversary weekend. This 8th visit was just as special as our first. Dennis and Janice are always friendly and ready for an afternoon catch up session. We spent a leisurely Sat afternoon napping in our suite and then walking in and out of shops in Staunton (a 15 minute ride). We had a nice relaxing dinner at the Mill St Grille in Staunton. Breakfast both mornings was fabulous as usual. In 8 years (16 meals), we have had one dish 3 times - my husband's favorite and the rest of the time it has been something different, and always very satisfying. As we walk to the car on Sunday after check out, we are thinking ahead to our next anniversary and next visit. We are anxiously awaiting our 15th anniversary and 9th stay with the Fitzgeralds. We would highly recommend this B&B to anyone looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway.

My husband and I searched for a Bed and Breakfast where we could enjoy our anniversary. We are thrilled with our decision to stay at By the Side of the Road. When reflecting about our stay on the way home, we could only think of wonderful things. The hosts were friendly and accommodating, the house was cozy and wonderfully decorated and our room was comfortable and romantic. Everything was as advertised. The home sits on a wonderful property where Dennis and Janice maintain wonderful gardens and seating areas. Breakfast was delightful. We can't say enough about our stay.

My Wife and I were traveling through the area looking at real estate, but also hoping to have some quiet time together. We stayed in a charming cottage that was named for one of their children and we had every creature comfort you could ask for. Janice and Dennis were lovely and attentive, but still gave us our privacy. We especially enjoyed the jacuzzi tub and the assorted cheeses. We'll definitely be back :)

By the Side of the Road is located on the side of a busy street in a quasi-suburban area in Harrisonburg in the middle of neighborhood (the pictures won't tell you this). The location is less than ideal if you are looking for a location that offers privacy on their grounds or a country/quiet environment. My guest and I stayed in one of the cottages. It was like renting a miniature house in our own suburban area back home, which defeats the purpose of a vacation. The cottage was well-decorated and the amenities in the cottage were nice. It stops here, though. The innkeepers made this stay less than desirable. They did not greet us when we arrived, despite being outside on their property for quites some time. In fact, out of a three day stay, we did not see them until the second day when they knocked VERY LOUDLY on the door and left the breakfast basket. We had to go and seek them out, even still they were less than friendly and seemed less than thrilled to discuss area attractions. Speaking in terms of the breakfast, the innkeepers did not pay attention to our breakfast requests that were based on specific allergies. When we asked them for other options (they serve different breakfast options every day) and reminded them of allergies, they became very confrontational and were less than accomodating... Additionally, they were not willing to clean the hot tub/large bathtub when we requested they do so. They cited their reason as...they are not a hotel. I agree. They are not a hotel, as a hotel would have been given a higher level of customer service considering the money being paid. We will not return to this B&B again, as there are other, more quality B&B's where we can spend our money and time.

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
We could defend these allegations point-for-point but have chosen not to do so. Occasionally the guest and the inn are not the right “fit”. Sometimes guests arrive angry and impossible to satisfy. That is part of our challenge as innkeepers. As this litany of complaints suggests, we failed to meet the expectations of this couple. We need to say that what was described as a major dairy allergy was treated carefully, as is always the case here. We also need to clarify that the cottage (including the oversized whirlpool tub) was cleaned daily and re-cleaned at 9:00pm on Saturday evening, as requested by these guests. Three pages of the cottage guestbook and an oral “dressing down” by the couple on Sunday morning prepared us for their published opinion here and on “every website and association possible”. So be it…our best fell short of their expectations and while their dissatisfaction is regrettable, we believe it was for reasons beyond our control. We hope you will come be our guests and form your own opinions of By the Side of the Road

We wanted a weekend to get away from our hectic life at home. Janice and Dennis made us feel welcome right away. They gave us privacy, but were available if we needed anything. We enjoyed sitting on the porch swing and watching the sunset and looking at the pond in the evening. We were nervous about staying at a B&B as it was our first time. They made it completely worthwhile and we can not wait to come back!

The B&B was most delightful. The food was great. The innkeepers were very kind and very knowledgable about the history of the house and surrounding area. Would highly recommend visiting this area and staying at this wonderful B&!

Our stay here was delightful. The Bergey Cottage exceeded our expectations; nicely appointed, large, huge bathroom, very clean. Janice and Dennis are warm and hospitable hosts. We would return in a heartbeat.

This circa 1792/1840 Inn is well managed and most comfortable. Appointed nicely, Dennics and Janice make you feel welcome and totally at ease in this beautiful home. My wife and I along with another couple chose the Easter Weekend for a relaxed get away. We were most pleased with the accomodations, the cleanliness, and well proportioned breakfast delights. The Inn location allowed easy access to the New Market Battlefield and numerous wineries. In summary, a most enjoyable stay and a place I will return to.