Idlwilde Inn

The Idlwilde innkeeper that checked us in and served us breakfast was not at all welcoming. She made us feel like we were imposing when we asked for anything. Our room was clean but they did not provide hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, or facial tissues. Two small bars of soap and two plastic cups were the only items provided in the bathroom. The bed had only two pillows with pillow cases and there were no robes provided. If this was a $80 room I wouldn't expect these amenities, but for $240/night, I expect much more! The one-choice breakfast we were served was a super carb-loaded. French toast with syrup, peach cobbler, 2 kiwi slivers, and 2 sausage links. The only breakfast options were Cheerios, Bran Flakes, & Rice Crispies, sitting in their boxes. The last straw was bad coffee- weak and tasteless. We were so disappointed we would have checked out but didn't want to forfeit our payment. The inn is located in a lovely setting but the attitude of the staff was very disappointing compared to the many other B&Bs we've stayed in over the years. We will not return to the Idlwilde.

My husband and I wanted to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary doing something simple yet memorable. We found Idlwilde on line and fell in love with it immediately. The grounds are well maintained and the front door was so welcoming. Maria greeted us with a happy anniversary and a tour of her b&b. Our room was on the 3rd floor with a nice view of Seneca Lake and we enjoyed the private patio for star gazing. The room, as well as the house, was spotless! The breakfast was outstanding and very satisfing. Maria was also very knowledgeable of resturants and other places of interest. For example a wonderful meal at Suzannes and hiking at Watkin Glenn State Park. We will definitely visit again!

Idlewilde is located high above the lake with good views from the front of the building also the grounds are well maintained and attractive. The lounge and staircase areas were comfortable with plenty of period features. Unfortunately the room (room 2) we had was located on the ground floor tucked at the back of the house near the car park. The room's decore, air conditioning and bathroom felt and looked tired. You also need to be reasonably fit to negotiate (by foot) the steep roads down to the town. Maria (proprietor) was friendly and provide good information about the local area.

Stayed: 10/9/2012 We decided last minute to take a ride from Potter County PA to Watkins Glen to walk the falls and visit some of the vineyards. We were pleasantly surprized to find a room open at Idlewilde. The service, room, breakfast, and just the warm and friendly atmosphere provided by John and Maria set the tone for a great stay. We have never stayed at a better B&B.

My husband and I enjoyed our weekend in Idlwilde Inn. The innkeepers did a wonderful job restoring this 19th gem. The house is beautiful and their breakfasts were quite good. It was a great spot from which to easily access many of the area's attractions.

Really nice place. We travel a lot. Beautiful old mansion. The place was clean as a whistle. Missing some small amenities that we find at some B and B's we stay at. TV in rooms, snacks or happy hour, etc. Overall, we would stay here again.

This is a beautiful building that is in exceptional condition. Almost museum like so not as comfortable and welcoming as many other B&Bs at which we have stayed. Breakfast was fine. We stayed in one of the least expensive rooms on the first floor and it was extremely clean and well maintained, if not large. Hosts are pleasant and accomadating but not the welcoming extroverts you find at many B&Bs. When checking in it was a little difficult finding someone to speak with so resorted to ringing the door bell. But overall, lovely property in a great spot. Fair, but not low, price. A reasonable value. Recommendations: More welcoming reception process to help newcomers feel at home.

Immaculate, very close to the main town if you are able to walk well (there are some hills), beautiful front porch-wonderful for relaxing and chatting wth other guests.

Had a wonderful stay. The grounds, building, view from our room, and the hospitality were just what we needed for a relaxing weekend.

A delightful few days. The hospitality was wonderful, the grounds are beautiful and the village has a nice variety of things to do.

We enjoyed our stay but it is definatly a winter water view now since the trees have grown up, but very comfortable wrap around porch! Marie is wonderful and we will stay again on our way up to the wine trail :)

Great place to stay during a race at Watkins Glen International, or if you just want to visit the town. Great locaatoin off the beaten path. Very quiet. Terrific view from front porch. Unfortunately, I have yet to dine on breakfast, so can't rate it.

We travel to WatkinsGlen to the NASCAR races every year and this was our first time "in town". The Inn surpassed our expectations...beautiful rooms, gracious hosts, hearty breakfasts, and a beautiful front veranda with a great view. We will definitely be back!!

This was one of the most lovely places I've ever seen -- and our room was stunning. I only wish we had been able to arrive earlier and stay longer! But we will definitely be back! Maria is a terrific hostess and amazing cook; the grounds are like an estate;...made us feel for a bit that we were of the manor born!

Our stay at Idlwilde Inn was great. Only minutes to walk to downtown Watkins Glen. It is a steep hill so getting back to the Inn is a good climb. Great exercise though. The Inn was clean, service was great and the hosts were marvelous. Maria, especially, was a delight to talk to which only made our stay even better. After returning home we have recommended the Inn to our friends. Roz and Roy

We have stayed at the Inn for several years. Chose a different room for variety and value. Very nice. The family is welcoming and breakfasts are nice!

The innkeepers were so friendly and accommodating. The whole place was immaculate. I got some amazing photos and memories there. I did a lot of reading and there were multiple relaxing locations to do that.The breakfast were all large in portion and delicious. The place was convenient to the downtown area and easy to find.Loved every minute of it.Not a single complaint.Thank you to Maria &,John and Nancy & her husband.

Excellent, friendly innkeepers. Helpful in storing our bikes and use of freezer. The AC vent in the room was too strong and we could not find a way to control it. We would have liked an extra blanket. The food was decent. the coffee was not good. A very good value as you can choose which room you prefer to stay in. Public rooms and veranda views are beautiful. Very convenient location, yet high on a hill, above the traffic.

We had a great time at the idlewilde inn. The home was beautiful. The views were spectacular and the the food was great! Would highly recommend and would definately stay again.

Innkeepers were charming and provided many suggestions to fill our days in th Finger Lakes area. Breakfast was very good. Hanging out in one of the common areas to watch the olympics was a treat. We fixed and enjoyed dinner one evening on the wrap around porch while we enjoyed the company of the innkeepers and a pleasant evening.

The Inn was beautiful and lived up to the photos and description. We will stay there again.

I should say that the pictures do not do the Idlwilde justice; it is much more amazing than pictures can show. It is easily the best looking property in Watkins Glen. The rooms, especially the upstairs rooms, are comfortable and very nicely decorated. We stayed downstairs, but had we known how great the upstairs rooms were (bigger, places to sit other than the bed, great views), especially the master suite, we would definitely have paid more to stay upstairs. The owners are knowledgable about the town and the wineries around the area. The breakfast is filling and tastes great. Overall we had a fantastic stay.

for the cost of a night's stay here, the breakfast was poor by the standards set by other B&B's we've stayed at. Only one choice of breakfast unless you wanted boxed cereal and fruit. No pastries, not even toast. For $180.00 per night we were served 2 pancakes, 2 frozen brown and serve sausage links, a half a peach with some reddi-whip squirted into it and a strawberry. That would cost the owners about $2.00 per person. This is a great place to stay if you don't care about the "breakfast" half of the whole concept.

Stayed 3 nights with the intention of doing very little. The Inn was just what we wanted and needed. Only minor issue was they should install an ice maker. The ice supply was a little lean.

I would stay here again in a heartbeat. I tend to not stay at B&B's because I can be a little anti-social and shy. The people running the Inn were wonderful. They were warm and attentive without being invasive. The Inn was spotless and beautiful. My travel to the Inn was an absolute nightmare but they were calm and caring on the phone when I called to explain the situation and worked with me so that I could check-in when I needed to. The breakfast was wonderful and the view and land around the Inn was peaceful and picturesque - but also right near some fun things and, of course, the lake. A wonderful weekend and a well run, clean, and friendly place to stay.

Our stay at Idlwilde was wonderful. The staff, and especially Maria, were very friendly and accommodating. We are vegan, and Maria made sure to have vegan friendly options for breakfast on both mornings during our stay. The room was lovely, clean, and quiet. The bed was very comfortable, and the bathroom was large and very clean. All in all we had a fantastic stay, and would recommend Idlwilde without hesitation. We hope to return someday in the near future. John, Patricia and Ellis G.

Great inn, great location and very reasonably priced. Absolutely a find. Maria - the owner is a lovely lady, very hospitable and helpful. I would recommend this inn to my friends without reservations.

Stayed in Room 6 and was very satisfied. Huge bed, great shower, a study area, two balcony's (one screened in, the other not) and plenty of views of Seneca Lake. The Innkeepers were friendly and helpful, breakfast was tasty and the Inn is only a short walk to the heart of town. Will be returning soon!

Maria, John, Carlo and Nancy, wonderful sweet people. Very Clean, views spectacular, great breakfast

I stay at Idlwilde every year, during Rolex Grand-Am Six Hours of The Glen weekend. I wouldn't consider staying anywhere else. My early hours didn't permit me to have breakfast at the inn during this trip, so my dining score reflects breakfasts eaten during past visits.

The Inn is lovely, quiet and well kept. The hosts are extremely helpful and friendly. Would definately recommend this inn.

we visit Watkins Glen several times a year during race weekends and can't imagine staying anywhere but here. We are treated like family and appreciate the quiet & peaceful atmosphere. Acclaids to Maria, John, Nancy & Carlo!

The Inn is a beautiful, restored, 120 year old house. The Innkeepers are outstanding, very friendly and pleasant. A few minor complaints: Coffee could have been available before 7:45am. We get up well before 7am most days. Our last two days we did not receive tissues for the bathroom (not T.P.) tissues. Also our last full day there, we did not get any washcloths with our towel set. Other than that it was a delightful experience and we would go back there any time.

This was our first stay at Idlwilde, but it definitely will not be our last. We were so pleased with everything, including the breathtaking views, that we have put it on our regular summer getaway list. We found that it was the perfect place just to sit and read a book or visit the vineyards, Corning glass museum or the natural wonders including Seneca Lake. We were also impressed with the friendliness and hospitality of the staff. They are great. We would recommend this to anyone.

Beautiful location and restored Inn. Close to lots of restaurants and wineries.

Checked in on a Friday night. The hostess is a cute lady with a great sense of humor. Will definitely stay Here again.

We spent a weekend at Idlwilde Inn. It is a beautiful home. The pictures on the internet do not do it justice; it is much prettier in person. The Inn was clean and well kept. We were greeted at the door by Maria with a warm and friendly welcome. She was gracious and kind. She gave information for places to eat and things to do. She was accomadating to a member of our party who is a finicky eater. The Inn keepers all made our first trip to the Watkins Glen area relaxing and enjoyable; we hope to go back again soon!

We were in the area for a number of days. It was great to come back to the Idlewilde at any time and be able to relax on the porch and in the gazebo.

Because of my racing schedule, I was unable to stay for breakfast every am--but the one meal I had was excellent. Spotless inside, and the grounds looked beautiful. I loved the quiet setting.

There are precious few nice places to stay in Watkins Glen and Idlwilde Inn is one of them. Large old mansion converted to an Inn. Period furnishings. Charming innkeepers. Leave your car trailer at the track though.

The owners of this B&B absolutely made our stay. Not only is the house gorgeous, it has been very well kept and modernized nicely without taking away the dramatic historic ambiance. The location is great, near many wineries. We spent one day on one side of the lake, and the next day on the other without backtracking much. Idlwilde took our stay from great to outstanding.

Beautiful Victorian Mansion! Very very clean! Breakfast is very good! Maria, one of the innkeepers is such a doll! Highly reccommend this B&B!

This was a beautifully maintained B&B. The innkeepers were friendly and helpful. We really enjoyed our stay.

Our four days at Idlwilde were the beginning of a wonderful trip. The house is beautiful, like stepping back in time, and we were treated like friends instead of customers. Our room was perfect and the public rooms downstairs really made you feel you were staying in someone's lovely home. Breakfast was outstanding, customized for John's allergies, and Maria was a fabulous hostess. We will send all our friends to Idlwilde if they ask about the Finger Lakes! John & Paula, Room 5

The grounds are lovely and the prepared breakfast is superior.

Everything was perfect but there was a problem with the municipal water supply during our stay.

We had a very nice stay recently at the Idlwilde Inn. Our room was neat and had everything we needed, and the breakfasts were delicious and had nice variety. Beautiful building with lots of common areas if you are there with friends or a group.

We stayed for two nights at the Idlwilde Inn, our room was one of the smaller and less expensive because it was the only one left when we booked. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom large. Our only issue was there there was not any place to put toiletries down by the sink. We hiked Watkins Glen after getting directions to the walking path from the inn and we had an amazing dinner at Suzanne's, our inn keeper's recommendation. Our breakfast was delish and in an elegant dining room. Sit on the porch and the gazebo, both perfect places to start or end your day. If you're planning a Fingerlakes tour, add Watking Glen and the Idlwild to your list.

This was our first time at a B&B. The room was beautiful and immaculate as was the rest of the establishment, and the innkeepers were genuinely friendly and helpful. Though we were suprised breakfast was only offered for one hour, we understood the reason why. Plus it was homecooked and delicious! Different items were also offered everyday. There were only two things that were a bit disappointing, but one has nothing to do with the any parts of the B&B. 1) It is situated on top of a big hill. It is pretty steep and goes on for 6-8 blocks. We wanted to walk back and forth to the local pubs - that hill made the walk far less fun and took more time. 2) The bed and pillows in our room was extremely hard. To us it felt like laying on the floor, and the first morning our backs hurt. Of course I am sure all the beds here are different, you may just have to ask for one that is more suited to your level of firmness. All in all we were very satisfied with our stay and would consider going back.

The place was just fantastic, the grounds and the Inn itself was awsome. The only thing that I think can and should be improved upon are the breakfasts. They were nothing special. I have been to many bed and breakfasts where the food was over the top,when one pays the kind of money for the rooms in this place, one expects a gourmet breakfasts. There were no choices given and no one asked if you wpold like seconds.

awhsome place to stay , quiet yet close to everything. innkeepers were very helpful and made our stay pleasant. The house is a gem, outstanding. thank you, Greg Strickmaker

My wife an I really enjoyed our anniversary and this beautiful bed and breakfast. Thank you!

Beautiful home and location. Was a little disappointed about the lack of wi-fi throughout the house.A small afternoon snack for the guests would be nice.

Breakfast as a little disappointing as it only lasted an hour and when on vacation I like to sleep in a bit.

John & Maria were very charming. The inn is a great example of period architecture and the furnishings were the same. The inn is located in a quiet neighborhood not far from the bustle of downtown. I will stay here again when visiting Watkins Glen.

Owner greeted us at the door, explained things clearly, was extremely accomodating. House and rooms were beautiful, period furnished, homey and wonderful. Overall a great experience.

This is the place to stay!!! The rooms are clean and the staff is wonderful! Maria is very sweet and very helpful! Idlwilde B&B is the best!

We loved our stay at the Idlwilde Inn. We were on the top floor in room 11. The views of the lake and sunrise from the room were stunning. The house was impeccable. I was amazed at how clean everything is always maintained. Maria was super sweet and always helpful and accommodating. The A/C was amazing... almost cold, but perfect for a hot summer day.(and this was on the top floor, so we worried about that). Sharing a bathroom was not ideal, but it worked out just fine. There were no issues with that. The porch and grounds were amazing. I cannot say enough positive things about our stay there!!

Beautiful home and grounds. Very well kept, pristine. Breakfast was very good!

This B&B was beautiful. Beautifully decorated, white glove clean, comfortable rooms and beautiful setting. For a first time B&B it was the best. We have now been spoiled. Hope future B&B's can measure up. Owners/Operators extremely friendly and very helpful with suggestions of area attractions.

I was surprised the moment we pulled up to the place. When we went inside I thought "this place is too nice for us". The owners are the friendliest, nicest people. They explained where everything was & how it all worked as far as breakfast & such. And they have done an amazing job restoring the place. It is probably the cleanest place I've ever stayed. The rooms are beautiful & the breakfasts were wonderful. And anything you needed they would try to accommodate you in every way. It made our four day trip extremely nice. A great value for the money! Very pleasant stay.

This is a lovely property, and the hosts are nice. It has more rooms than we are used to - almost a small hotel - so breakfast has a little more of a restaurant feel, with quite a few separate tables. Most guests chose not to sit at the larger communal table, so we didn't get the extended morning conversation that we like. We prefer a cozier atmosphere, but I would certainly recommend this property to others.

I've stayed in MANY B&B's, and this one is up towards the top of my list. We stayed in one of the rooms that included its own bathroom (Room 5). The room was separated into a sitting area and the bedroom, both of which were comfortably sized. The bathroom was also enormous. The room, like the remainder of the B&B, was clean. Spotless in fact. Breakfast was good and available from 8-9. There are two large indoor common areas as well as a beautiful enormous front porch overlooking the estate's grounds. Parking was just a bit awkward due to the small driveway but I've stayed at B&B's with much worse parking accommodations. We would definitely stay here again when in Watkins Glen!

wonderful setting, beautiful views, the room was clean, neat and very comfortable breakfast was ordinary

We stayed for two nights in the master suite, room six. It was a huge room, actually 4 rooms and a balcony. It was beautiful and very peaceful. We had a wonderful view of the lake and it is a short walk to the state park through a gorgeous cemetary on a hillside. The entire premise was beautiful and Maria was a wonderful host with lots of good suggestions in the area. Would recommend a stay here.

we visit Watkins Glen several times each year to enjoy the auto racing events & have stayed at several diifferent venues. The search has ended after our stay at the Idlwilde Inn! We were a bit concerned when we made our initial reservation because it is a bit more expensive that other places, however the exceptional atmosphere & TLC are worth every penny! Can't wait til our next visit to be pampered by Maria, John, Carlo & Nancy!!

This is a gorgeous ,well maintained turn of the century property. Inkeepers are gracious and helpful. Breakfast was lovely each day. Would recommend for your stay in or near Watkins Glen.

Idlwilde Inn was a lovely place, friendly innkeepers, great food, and good location. Every effort was made to meet any need we had.Large enough to join in with a group or have your privacy , whichever you prefer. Beautiful property with wonderful views, it has the potential to be a truly amazing place to possibly host a wedding with just a bit more work on the gardens, but was lovely just as it was and also spotlessly clean.

It is the only B&B in many years I've stayed at that didn't have snacks available at all times. I just needed a little something to nibble on, but there was nothing offered/available! No fresh fruit, baked goods, even a drink station...

I did not dine at Idlwilde, so I have no basis for opinion. Please disregard that rating, as it should be "n/a".

Beautiful location and Maria was a gem. Excellent place to unwind after a day of wine tours. The service was very good, the rooms were clean and the breakfasts were awesome.

Idlwilde has a magnificent view of Seneca Lake and is located close to great restaurants and activities. I enjoy relaxing on the huge Victorian porch and taking day trips to wineries, farmers markets, and hiking trails. If you want some exercise, walk the 4 blocks down the hill to the stores, restaurants, and tourist activities in Watkins Glen, and then walk back up the hill to burn calories! This is the best place to stay anywhere along Seneca Lake.

One of the reasons to go to a B&B is to meet friendly hosts. The hosts were not friendly. Just business like. We were leaving early the next morning. The hostess simply said "oh you won't be there for breakfast". Not that we were expecting them to prepare early for us. But a few thoughtful words would have been nice. In general, the hosts were behaving as though we were intruding their space.

Our stay was wonderful. We had the most contact with Maria and John and they were quite friendly and made us feel most welcome to the Watkins Glen area, and Idlwilde Inn in particular. We will definitely keep Idlwilde Inn on our list of places to return to.

My husband and I came to the Finger Lakes for a weekend- our first weekend away after having our first baby. We didn't want to stay at a regular hotel so I looked into Bed and Breakfasts. I was a little bit afraid that what I saw online wouldn't be how the house actually was, but it was even better. The entire house is beautiful, with furniture and decor to match the beauty of the Victorian house itself. The grounds were kept really well, the breakfasts were amazing, the owners were incredibly friendly and the view from the deck in room 10 is amazing. We actually left the wineries early so we could enjoy a bottle of wine and cheese on our private deck. So relaxing. We will definitely stay here again and recommend it to friends looking for a relaxing weekend away from the kids!

We happened to come upon the Idlwilde Inn by chance when trying to find accommodations on line. Having been to the Watkins Glen area before, we knew the beauty of the area and the Inn certainly reflects it as well. The owners do a marvelous job of making the guests feel welcome and the time, effort and love they put into their property is obvious. Glad we had the chance to stay and perhaps will do so again someday.

This was the best Bed and Breakfast we ever stayed at it was very clean and had a good breakfast. The hostess was very helpful and gave us some good ideas where to tour in the local area. We will consider staying again at this B & B the next time we are in the Watkins Glen area.

Maria was great! We had a tour of the Inn and learned it's history. We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather so were able to enjoy the vistas from the great front porch. Breadfast was delicious and more than expected!! Yummy bananas and pancakes with New York state maple syrup!!

While my philosophy is normally "So many B & Bs, so little time", this is one of the few that I would stay in a second time. It had the best food overall and wonderful atmosphere. The innkeepers were very friendly, and it is an elegant estate.

This is an amazing Inn. Beautiful. My husband and I decided to visit Watkins Glenn and do the Seneca Lake Wine Tour for our 15th Wedding Anniversary. Couldn't have picked a better place to stay. We stayed in Room#10. Gorgeous view of Seneca Lake from our private balcony. Peeked into some of the other rooms and they looked beautiful as well. Inn owners were very friendly. Couldn't get over how clean everything was. Husband kept commenting on how clean the windows were. :) Highly rec. this Inn to stay price is definately worth it! Will go back again.

Lovely location, good breakfast, clean. Main house seems fine, but carriage house musty.

Stayed two weekend nights on the third floor. the place is charming, clean, quiet, and I loved being away from the constant barrage of electronics we are subjected to during our daily lives.

So much to do in the area. Close to town, and 10 minutes from the racetrack. The hospitality of the hosts was outstanding and breakfast was delicious!