Woolverton Inn

By Laurie Pellichero

When you just need to get away for a couple of days to refresh and recharge during the cold winter months, a stay at lovely historic inn, close to home, can provide the perfect respite. The Princeton and Bucks County, Pa., areas boast some of the finest small inns and bed and breakfasts in the country. Here is just a sampling…

Woolverton Inn
6 Woolverton Road, Stockton
609.397.0802; woolvertoninn.com

Perched high above the Delaware River and surrounded by 300 acres of farmland and forest, the Woolverton Inn bed and breakfast in Stockton provides a tranquil escape with high-end amenities. The inn, owned by Mary and Mario Passalacqua, offers 14 cottages and guest rooms, all styled with relaxation in mind. All are unique and luxuriously appointed, and many have amazing views, gas fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, and private outdoor seating areas. All include a delicious three-course gourmet country breakfast to be enjoyed in the elegant dining room, on the expansive front porch, or in the privacy of your own room.

The Woolverton Inn’s award-winning cottages, just a few steps from the main house, include The Hunterdon, The Cotswold, The Audubon, and the two-story Sojourn Loft that also features an indoor hammock. The Garden Cottage, located along with Carolyn’s Overlook in the 1850s Carriage House, is pet friendly, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your furry friend behind. Eight romantic rooms and suites are situated in the inn’s historic 1792 Manor House.

The inn, named a Top 10 B&B in the U.S. by bnb.com, features 10 park-like acres to explore and is also home to sheep that love to graze on the grounds. The sheep also provide wool which is cleaned and then spun to create different textures, and is available in the inn’s gift cabinet.

The Peacock Inn
20 Bayard Lane, Princeton
609.924.1707; peacockinn.com

The Peacock Inn provides an elegant respite right in downtown Princeton. The historic colonial-style mansion features 16 rooms, all designed with modern luxury in mind.   

The AAA Four Diamond Award-winning boutique hotel dates to the 1700s, when it was built on the corner of Main Street and Railroad Avenue, now known as Nassau Street and University Place. Its website notes that John Deare, a member of the Continental Congress, purchased the property from Thomas Stockton in 1779. It moved to current location on Bayard Lane in 1875, when it was purchased by the Princeton Hotel Company. Mr. Libbey, president of the Princeton Hotel Company, was a Princeton University graduate and professor, and was also the person who established orange and black as the University’s colors.

It opened as The Peacock Inn in 1911 after it was purchased by Joseph and Helen O’Conner, who named it after an inn in England. The peacock, a symbol of royalty, good food, and good luck was adopted by the couple as the emblem for the hotel. The inn has had many famous guests, including Albert Einstein and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and was reportedly used as a speakeasy during Prohibition.

In 2006, The Peacock Inn was purchased by Barry and Elaine Sussman and underwent a full renovation. It had a grand reopening in 2010 but closed its doors in early 2018. The inn was purchased by Genesis Hospitality in May of 2018, and now, along with its luxurious accommodations,  features an upscale fine dining restaurant, The Perch at the Peacock Inn, that is open for brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

Black Bass Hotel
3774 River Road, Lumberville, Pa.
215.297.9260; blackbasshotel.com

Built in 1745, the Black Bass Hotel in Lumberville, Pa., is one of the oldest inns in the county and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel is situated right along the Delaware River and provides incredible views and an ambience that takes you back to another time.

The hotel features nine perfectly appointed suites including the two-story Suite Loraine, River Suite, Tinsman Suite, Raven Rock Suite, Baxter Suite, and the Grover Cleveland Suite, named for President Cleveland, who was an avid fisherman and often stayed at the hotel. Many of the restored furnishings in the room are the same as when the president slept there.

According to its website, the Black Bass Hotel originally served as a haven for travelers, traders, and sportsmen. Its famous tavern had many names through the years including Wall’s Tavern, Lumberville Hotel, Temple Bar, The Rising Sun, and finally the Black Bass Hotel. In the late 19th century, it fell into decline and passed through several owners until it was bought by Herbie Ward in 1949. Ward revived the Black Bass and ran it until just before his death 54 years later. He was passionate about history and was a devoted Anglophile. His expansive collection of British memorabilia, antiques, and notable artwork have been restored under the guidance of the Thompson family, the current owners. All can be seen throughout the property.

During your stay, be sure to dine in the Black Bass Restaurant, which offers fine dining, seasonal menus, and picturesque river views. It is open for lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, and light afternoon refreshments. The Tavern features pub fare and libations.

The Inn at Bowman’s Hill
518 Lurgan Road, New Hope, Pa.
215.862.8090; theinnatbowmanshill.com

A five-acre gated estate, The Inn at Bowman’s Hill is a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning retreat known as the ultimate romantic getaway in Buck’s County. It features four rooms and four suites including the Penthouse Suite with a starlight ceiling and the Regal Tower Suite. Amenities include king-sized beds, gas fireplaces, two-person whirlpool tubs, separate showers, heated towel racks, and microfiber robes. Two of the suites can accommodate up to four people.

The perfectly manicured grounds include an outdoor hot tub, heated pool (open during summer months), a koi pond, gazebo, and gardens.

All stays include a multi-course breakfast served in the rustic breakfast room with open hearth log fireplace or in the orchid conservatory. The breakfast menu changes daily and includes a variety of à la carte gourmet choices including the inn’s famous soufflé omelets. Guests can also order breakfast in bed in the privacy of their room.

The tranquil ambience at The Inn at Bowman’s Hill makes it a great place to relax and unwind. They also retain certified massage therapists who offer several types of in-suite massages including Swedish, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue, and Couples Massage.

Special occasion packages include those for romance, engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, honeymoons, and girlfriends’ getaways. Check the website for current specials, including last-minute booking opportunities.

Inn at Glencairn
3301 Lawrenceville Road, Princeton
609.497.1737; innatglencairn.com

Rated in the top 10 for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions by Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, the Inn at Glencairn is set back on Route 206 between Lawrenceville and Princeton in a renovated 1736 Georgian manor that offers the best in modern amenities.

The intimate inn features five individually appointed guest rooms with en-suite baths including the Opdyke Room, Gulick Room, Hunt Room, Connah Room, and two-room Baldwin Suite. Common areas include a spacious Great Room with a 12-foot-wide original cooking fireplace and beamed ceiling, and the Parlor. The inn is decorated with a variety of antiques throughout, an eclectic mix of furniture from many different time periods, a revolving art collection, and lovely carpets over the pine floors.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary glass of wine in the 19th-century barn, or enjoy some peace and quiet time exploring the nearly three acres of grounds.

Inn at Glencairn is known for its amazing breakfast, and each ever-changing seasonal feast includes a hot entrée along with a fresh fruit and yogurt parfait made with homemade Glencairn Granola. Breakfast is often accompanied by a baked treat, and always ends with innkeeper and chef Lydia Oakes’ special Java Truffle.

The inn also has a fascinating history. According to its website, it dates to 1697 with the Opdykes, a Dutch family from New York who were the first recorded settlers of the site. The present stone wing of the manor house was probably built in the 1700s. The property was in the Opdyke family until 1762, when it was sold to Daniel Hunt. During this period, the center hall frame was built and was considered an excellent example of Georgian architecture.

In 1776, while the British Army was in Princeton, Glencairn was believed to have been confiscated as British quarters, and also served as a Hessian hospital during the Revolutionary War.

Long a private residence, it became a bed and breakfast in 2005 following a renovation led by its current owner, Janet Pressel, and Ford3 Architects.

Those who book a stay at the Inn at Glencairn will find that it is definitely a departure from the average hotel.

Pineapple Hill Inn
Bed & Breakfast
1324 River Road, New Hope, Pa.
888.866.8404; pineapplehill.com

In the 1700s, it was customary to place a pineapple on your front porch to let friends and neighbors know you were welcoming guests, and such is the philosophy at Pineapple Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast, where its proprietors Scott Stern and Roy Scott hope you’ll always feel welcome.

Located in a beautifully restored colonial manor house built in 1790, Pineapple Hill Inn, rated five stars by Tripadvisor, is set on almost six acres. It was once part of an original 100-acre farm set in the heart of Bucks County, and its 18-inch-thick walls and wide plank pumpkin pine floors hearken to its original craftsmanship.

The inn has been in operation as a bed and breakfast since 1984, with many updates since that time. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and feature perennial beds and a pond with a fountain and waterfall. There is a large wraparound deck in front for lounging, and guests can also enjoy making s’mores at the wood fire pit.

Guest accommodations include three suites and six rooms with private baths, each individually decorated and furnished with period antiques, family collectibles, and artwork. Eight have gas fireplaces for cozy evenings. All have charming bird names including Goldfinch, Hummingbird, Sandpiper, Scarlet Tanager, Meadowlark, Blue Heron, Purple Martin, White Dove, and the largest suite, the Baltimore Oriole.

Enjoy your stay!

Check websites for pricing and availability.