Recently some of our more trim, fit, and energetic guests asked about "good bike rides"
We get this question once or twice a month during the good weather (I know I'm posting this as the leaves are falling). We have always told folks comon wisdom of where we see bikers and given them info based on what type of a "ride" they want. (off road, bike path, scenic, etc) We don't know why we never thought of this before- aftrer all we have been at this 11years- but we finally reached out to somebody who ought to know better than we do, where a good "ride" can be had!
Well we found the right folks. J:ust a few miles from the Pennsbury Inn, in Cevterville, DE. is
Garrisons Cyclery http://www.garrisonscyclery.com/ . Once on their page go to "in Centerville" and see a link to local maps and trails. All the info a cycling guest could want. Furthermore, they will be nice to you if you stop in to see them.
Here is quote from the email response they sent to my question about where to ride.
The most popular route for area riders is the route 52 corridor... There are a number of starting points with ample parking down in Greenville, DE. I know the Brandywine Brewing Co's parking lot is the main hub for weekend riders. Leading out from Greenville into PA is a fully marked bike path that has a few hills but lots of flats and downhills depending on which way you are headed! It's about 20mi on the button from Greenville to Longwood. Most riders will take this path up to Mendenhall Inn and make a U-turn.... more adventurous riders will continue on into the Longwood Gardens property and then U-turn to begin the 10mi journey back into Greenville.
Here is a link to our website where we have posted all the area maps in PDF format so people/riders can print out portions or in its entirety.
http://garrisonscyclery.com/centreville_maps.php
I hope this is of some help to riders staying with you all. We are located smack in the middle between Greenville, DE and Longwood Gardens, PA and try to accommodate all levels of riders who are passing by with restrooms and cold/filtered water that is right by the back door of the shop!
Is that a knowledgable welcoming response or what?
Indeed what they say is true. Rt. 52 will probabl;y be the centerpiece of your ride and so you will probably get the chance to stop in and use their services or just thank them for the maps and the info that will make your ride a memorable one. (and you'll only be a few miles away from the Inn so you can come back, take a shower and head out to one of the great restaurants in the area. See our main page http://www.pennsburyinn.com/ for some recomendations on which restaurants are pleasing our guests lately.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
People
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Given that the surveys tell us that only about 10% of the population stay in Bed and Breakfasts, I wouldn't be surprised if you, dear reader, think that the best part of staying in a B&B is some combination of the more obvious things. For example: We are an old historical site from C.1714 and as such have creaky old slanted floors and door frames. Many windows only stay up with a prop, and we have fireplaces that actually were used to cook and heat the house for hundreds of years. Cheryl has designed and is rewarded with numerous awards for the gardens she has built, and we are surrounded by great restaurants and some of the most unique cultural attractions, like Longwood Gardens and Winterthur. These things are special.
But with total certainty I can tell you that the single most important feature for most of our guests is PEOPLE.
Yup, people. All kinds and interactions you wouldn't think of.
The other day one of our guests signed our visitor’s book with a comment we see from time to time. That is; that besides all the cute or cozy things about the inn - she loved the people she met at breakfast too. We hear this all of the time.
But to prove my point, what people do is so much more convincing that what they say.
Here's what I'm talking about: many of our guests make sure of when they want their breakfast ready by asking what time the attractions in the area open for visitors the next day. This is important, because they want to maximize their day of sightseeing. Indeed the next morning they are at the table ready to go as per their plan from the night before, but as the food is served and they introduce themselves things tend to slow down. First a coincidence is shared and how remarkable it is that both couples know a particular author, then a similar taste in restaurants is discussed and the folks who just sat down, are into the conversation in no time. As I'm cooking I'll hear a burst of laughter. and then we are off to the races. The topiics of discussion start coming like machine gun fire. The laughter is more frequent and more uncontrolled now.
The food is long gone - we are an hour past that important deadline that was set last night and they are all still at the table enjoying each other's company.
I often have to invite them to move over to the couches and more comfortable chairs so they can keep going and I can clear the table and move on with my chores.
Finally someone remarks "where has the time gone" and they agree to meet for breakfast again the next morning, if they don't actually join up and do some of the sights together.
I have to admit that sometimes if the group doesn't have a natural opening salvo- I act as agent provocateur, and seed the group with a bit of interesting knowledge I have about one of the guests (did you know that Mary's father was in the Kennedy administration?) - or barring that I throw out a political comment and duck down before the fur flies.
We have had folks who grew up one block apart and didn't know each other - but were seated one chair apart at the Inn. We have had an opera duet sung at the table side by two strangers who learned of each other’s passion for opera that morning.
We have had guests who met at the Inn who now vacation together yearly.
There is a survey that says that the number one thing that inn guests say they like about staying at an Inn- is interaction with the innkeepers. This may be true but the bonds that I have seen develop using Cheryl's homemade jams as glue (during breakfast) are something special and I will always remember them.
But with total certainty I can tell you that the single most important feature for most of our guests is PEOPLE.
Yup, people. All kinds and interactions you wouldn't think of.
The other day one of our guests signed our visitor’s book with a comment we see from time to time. That is; that besides all the cute or cozy things about the inn - she loved the people she met at breakfast too. We hear this all of the time.
But to prove my point, what people do is so much more convincing that what they say.
Here's what I'm talking about: many of our guests make sure of when they want their breakfast ready by asking what time the attractions in the area open for visitors the next day. This is important, because they want to maximize their day of sightseeing. Indeed the next morning they are at the table ready to go as per their plan from the night before, but as the food is served and they introduce themselves things tend to slow down. First a coincidence is shared and how remarkable it is that both couples know a particular author, then a similar taste in restaurants is discussed and the folks who just sat down, are into the conversation in no time. As I'm cooking I'll hear a burst of laughter. and then we are off to the races. The topiics of discussion start coming like machine gun fire. The laughter is more frequent and more uncontrolled now.
The food is long gone - we are an hour past that important deadline that was set last night and they are all still at the table enjoying each other's company.
I often have to invite them to move over to the couches and more comfortable chairs so they can keep going and I can clear the table and move on with my chores.
Finally someone remarks "where has the time gone" and they agree to meet for breakfast again the next morning, if they don't actually join up and do some of the sights together.
I have to admit that sometimes if the group doesn't have a natural opening salvo- I act as agent provocateur, and seed the group with a bit of interesting knowledge I have about one of the guests (did you know that Mary's father was in the Kennedy administration?) - or barring that I throw out a political comment and duck down before the fur flies.
We have had folks who grew up one block apart and didn't know each other - but were seated one chair apart at the Inn. We have had an opera duet sung at the table side by two strangers who learned of each other’s passion for opera that morning.
We have had guests who met at the Inn who now vacation together yearly.
There is a survey that says that the number one thing that inn guests say they like about staying at an Inn- is interaction with the innkeepers. This may be true but the bonds that I have seen develop using Cheryl's homemade jams as glue (during breakfast) are something special and I will always remember them.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Deals
I just completed some research on Groupon http://www.groupon.com/ as they will be making themselves a public company soon. I read that some think that Groupon only encourages folks who are looking for a deal and will probably not turn into repeat customers for the business offering the "deal."
Well that may be but there are plenty of good deals available in the Brandywine Valley for those of you who are both one time or repeat visitors.
I encourage those of you who don't want to read on to go to the Pennsbury Inn website. Our deals are listed there as "specials". The other local websites that we provide links to also have deals from time to time. And if you looking for a deal - go there now!
For those of you who stayed to read on, let me mention a few specific things here. First of all do your homework. Not all the sites that profess to offer deals, always offer deals for what you are looking for. We see some of the TV advertised travel sites that do indeed offer discounts for large hotel chains, but seem to offer the exact same price that the small Inn or B&B is offering. In some cases the B&B or Inn actually has deals better than the big discounter. Go Figure! OR more importantly do some homework.
Cheryl mentioned to me a special that we both felt had to be publicised here. (I will quote our local paper The Kennett Paper http://www.southernchestercountyweeklies.com/kennett_paper/ since they did a great job of getting the details of the program into one paragraph.
"The Brandywine River Museum is one of 1300 museums that offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor day. The NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) has formed partnerships with more than 1300 museums for this program. Last Year 300,000 military family members visited museums. Each Military person may bring five immediate family members for a visit."
No longer available this year - maybe they'll run the sme promotion next year
Finally we wanted all to know about the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport http://www.brandywinetreasures.org/
This is one you really need to know about before you come so you can plan your trip accordingly and take full advantage of this remarkable deal. From May 28 - Sept 5 you can get admission to 10 local attractions for one great price. Go to the website and get all the details but if your gonna do even three of the wonderful local attractions this may be a deal you have been looking for.
The Passport can be purchased online, at each of the ten attractions or here at the PennsburyInn. Further- because we buy a quantity at a time, we can offer you an additional $2 discount.
Well that may be but there are plenty of good deals available in the Brandywine Valley for those of you who are both one time or repeat visitors.
I encourage those of you who don't want to read on to go to the Pennsbury Inn website. Our deals are listed there as "specials". The other local websites that we provide links to also have deals from time to time. And if you looking for a deal - go there now!
For those of you who stayed to read on, let me mention a few specific things here. First of all do your homework. Not all the sites that profess to offer deals, always offer deals for what you are looking for. We see some of the TV advertised travel sites that do indeed offer discounts for large hotel chains, but seem to offer the exact same price that the small Inn or B&B is offering. In some cases the B&B or Inn actually has deals better than the big discounter. Go Figure! OR more importantly do some homework.
Cheryl mentioned to me a special that we both felt had to be publicised here. (I will quote our local paper The Kennett Paper http://www.southernchestercountyweeklies.com/kennett_paper/ since they did a great job of getting the details of the program into one paragraph.
"The Brandywine River Museum is one of 1300 museums that offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor day. The NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) has formed partnerships with more than 1300 museums for this program. Last Year 300,000 military family members visited museums. Each Military person may bring five immediate family members for a visit."
No longer available this year - maybe they'll run the sme promotion next year
Finally we wanted all to know about the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport http://www.brandywinetreasures.org/
This is one you really need to know about before you come so you can plan your trip accordingly and take full advantage of this remarkable deal. From May 28 - Sept 5 you can get admission to 10 local attractions for one great price. Go to the website and get all the details but if your gonna do even three of the wonderful local attractions this may be a deal you have been looking for.
The Passport can be purchased online, at each of the ten attractions or here at the PennsburyInn. Further- because we buy a quantity at a time, we can offer you an additional $2 discount.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What's so special about the Brandywine valley
There are plenty of good websites that describe the "goings on" here in the Brandywine Valley. There are also a raft of reviews and writeups about all the things you can do and see in the area. I was hoping today to share with you what a significant number of people say are some of the best things, (for this time of year) that don't always get the headlines.
My research is not too scientific, but since so much research is based on small samples you'll be impressed (I think) about where I get my information.
Even in the slowest year the Pennsbury Inn welcomes about 300 new "names" to our list of guests. A "name often represents a couple, but it can be an individual OR it can be the head of a group of 6-7 folks.
So it is conservative to say each "name" represents at least 2.5 people.
The best part of a bed and breakfast is the interaction we as inkeepers get with our guests. It is not uncommon for us to have 2-3 hours (total) of interraction with a couple who stay 2 or more nights. (We know how to leave people alone if that's what they want, but so many people rely on us to offer help with restaurants, ticket info., special events, and of course directions.)
Because of this interractive process we discuss restaurants, the attractions, the roads, weather and all sorts of things that travelers are often interested in. I am always amazed at things that I take for granted that guests are put off by - or amazed and delighted by. We made a deal with ourselves that when a guest asked for a recommendation we would first tell them the compendium of what we have heard from litterally thousands of guests. We would - if pressed - tell them our personal opinion - but we always felt that the knowledge we gained, talking to soooo many folks was worth soooo much more. We also offer feedback to restauranteurs and attractions' managers what we have heard.
Well it is with the above "research" that I take to the blog to either remind you - or enlighten you about one thing that makes this region special right now.
The number one thing that I look forward to as I see the crocuses push their little heads up in our garden is the explosion of color that awaits the guest headed to Winterthur, (www.winterthur.org) who takes the "garden tram". You may know that the theme for the Winterthur Gardens, is all native plants. This means many different things but at this time of year (actually in a few weeks) it means an eye assaulting display of azaleas and rhododendrons. In another blog we will no doubt talk about the fireworks displays at Longwood Gardens (which are in a class all their own) but the spring color, especially from the azaleas at Winterthur is their answer to those fireworks at Longwood Gardens.
Guests are always surprised when we tell them that yes - Longwood is truly amazing, outdoors, at this time of year, but we encourage them to do the gardens tour at Winterthur too. They come back with mouths agape and all sorts of thank yous for our having directed them to see the sights, "Outside" the buildings at Winterthur, as well as the interior tours.
Maybe its because most people have heard that you come here to Longwood(http://www.longwood.org/) for gardens and Winterthur for interior splendor.
Or maybe folks just haven't seen that many varieties of azaleas and rhododendons - all allowed to exist naturally on the sides of the gentle hills surrounding the Mansion.
By the way right now (till the end of April) you can see bothWinterthur and Longwood for one ticket price of $25. go to the Winterthur website(http://www.winterthur.org/) , or click here and print the coupon Twice as Nice Coupon
My research is not too scientific, but since so much research is based on small samples you'll be impressed (I think) about where I get my information.
Even in the slowest year the Pennsbury Inn welcomes about 300 new "names" to our list of guests. A "name often represents a couple, but it can be an individual OR it can be the head of a group of 6-7 folks.
So it is conservative to say each "name" represents at least 2.5 people.
The best part of a bed and breakfast is the interaction we as inkeepers get with our guests. It is not uncommon for us to have 2-3 hours (total) of interraction with a couple who stay 2 or more nights. (We know how to leave people alone if that's what they want, but so many people rely on us to offer help with restaurants, ticket info., special events, and of course directions.)
Because of this interractive process we discuss restaurants, the attractions, the roads, weather and all sorts of things that travelers are often interested in. I am always amazed at things that I take for granted that guests are put off by - or amazed and delighted by. We made a deal with ourselves that when a guest asked for a recommendation we would first tell them the compendium of what we have heard from litterally thousands of guests. We would - if pressed - tell them our personal opinion - but we always felt that the knowledge we gained, talking to soooo many folks was worth soooo much more. We also offer feedback to restauranteurs and attractions' managers what we have heard.
Well it is with the above "research" that I take to the blog to either remind you - or enlighten you about one thing that makes this region special right now.
The number one thing that I look forward to as I see the crocuses push their little heads up in our garden is the explosion of color that awaits the guest headed to Winterthur, (www.winterthur.org) who takes the "garden tram". You may know that the theme for the Winterthur Gardens, is all native plants. This means many different things but at this time of year (actually in a few weeks) it means an eye assaulting display of azaleas and rhododendrons. In another blog we will no doubt talk about the fireworks displays at Longwood Gardens (which are in a class all their own) but the spring color, especially from the azaleas at Winterthur is their answer to those fireworks at Longwood Gardens.
Maybe its because most people have heard that you come here to Longwood(http://www.longwood.org/) for gardens and Winterthur for interior splendor.
Or maybe folks just haven't seen that many varieties of azaleas and rhododendons - all allowed to exist naturally on the sides of the gentle hills surrounding the Mansion.
By the way right now (till the end of April) you can see bothWinterthur and Longwood for one ticket price of $25. go to the Winterthur website(http://www.winterthur.org/) , or click here and print the coupon Twice as Nice Coupon
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Teddy
We know many of you will want to know about Teddy. So many of you included him in salutations on emails to us (Dear Cheryl, Chip, and of course Teddy). Those of you whom stayed with us within the last year know that Teddy was showing his senior age quickly. He was all but blind and his hearing was sporadic, at best. He was eating but, he got thinner and thinner (his ribs were so easily felt when you rubbed his tummy) The vet said he had no treatable illnesses, just showing his age- he was just past his 15th birthday.
One day about noon I asked Cheryl if she'd seen Teddy, recently and she replied that she was going to ask me the same thing. We looked for him and he was in his bed - he just never got up again after his post breakfast snooze.
You all know how much he loved his garden - so he is buried under one of the big pines out there. Cheryl is searching for an appropriate marker for his grave
The inn just wasn't the same without him. We put a small memorial picture of him on the fridge and its amazing how many discussions we had about him with guests, just based on that picture. We got thru Christmas- we still hung his stocking up- and we started to talk about how we'd handle rescuing another little guy. (Most of you knew that Teddy was rescued from a pretty abusive situation.)
Cheryl took the lead on this and locally there are a few Poodle oriented rescue organizations. She thought that it would take a while to find the right dog, but went to visit with a little guy who looks very much like Teddy. His age is in doubt but he's around 4 Y\O. They came to check us out and see if we'd be good parents and we now have a new Inn Dog - Codie (that's how they spelled his name.) He's still getting comfortable and isn't running the place like Teddy did. He lived in a apartment and so he's a little plumper that he should be.
But if he chases squirrels he'll get into fighting shape soon. He's definitely a cuddler, so be sure to make plans to stop by and meet him, real soon.
Sorry to say but Codie will not be here to wwelcome anyone. It didn't work out with him here.
Please leave a comment if you care to and let us know if there are subjects re: the Inn or the area that we should report on in this Blog.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Pennsbury Inn- Chadds Ford Bed and Breakfast
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The Pennsbury Inn 883 Baltimore Pike Chadds Ford, PA 19317 Telephone: (610) 388-1435 Fax: (610) 388-1436 info@pennsburyinn.com Resources
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