"To these two veteran world travelers, always on the lookout for the memorable visit, the 1861 Inn would have been an interesting and pleasant place to visit in its own right; however, the hospitality and attentiveness of Tom & Carole elevated this to an exceptional experience. For example, who would have thought that we would come to Batavia, Ohio for one the finest dining experiences in recent memory. I strongly urge visitors to coordinate their stay, if possible, with the Cottrills and splurge on a special dinner created by Carole, in addition to the delicious and sumptuous breakfast included. Tom's suggestions were very helpful in making the most of our stay, and enjoying the local area. Our hosts were both wonderfully attentive to our needs and preferences, creating a comfortable 'at home' feeling. Tom is eager to share the history of the Inn, and gives an interesting tour of the home. We stayed in the detached Cottage, the former smokehouse. It was charming and comfortable, and offers private access from the main house. We spent a cozy evening in our cottage by the fire after a convivial evening of dining and conversation with both our hosts and the other guests. We are looking forward to future visits - like all great hosts Tom & Carole have the ability to make their guests feel at ease and at home."