My family had a wonderful stay at the Inn on Columbia this past week! When traveling with a 4 yr old you never know what to expect. The hosts were beyond gracious, finding books and toys for my daughter to play with. And making delicious cheesy eggs especially for her, while preparing luscious gourmet breakfasts for all the adults! We stayed in the Carriage House, which had a terrific couch/sleeper bed for our daughter, and a bedroom with a door for my husband and me. The décor is sleek, sophisticated, yet so warm and inviting. Our daughter can't wait to return, and neither can we -- to this oasis in the middle of Ithaca ! read more

This is hands down the nicest Inn/B&B I've ever stayed at. Located on a quiet street within walking distance of down town Ithaca, the Inn has beautiful, peaceful garden in the back for strolling. My week had been pretty bad, but I could feel it all melt away the longer I sat on the back deck. The hosts were very gracious answering questions about town, serving an amazing breakfast, and getting odds and ends as we needed them. We stayed in the Gazebo which was large, gas fire place, jacuzzi, shower. We stocked with iron, fridge, cable TV, etc. Breakfast was awesome with homemade breads, gourmet eggs, tea/coffee, fruit, and news paper. If you're going to Ithaca, this is the place to be! read more

I did not like the the feel of the B & B. 1. We were told there is a large paved parking lot. We could not find it - only on street parking. 2. One breakfast was very good - the other tasted like it came from a freezer. 3. Kenn told me our restaurant choice was terrible. We went anyways and had an absolutely delicious meal. Can't help but wonder if some restaurants give kick backs. 4. We had a fireplace in our room but no directions on how to use it. 5. The lights are on motion detectors and would go on and off when not expected. 6. Pictures of naked woman in the bathroom??? 7. Beware - the B & B is four blocks from the commons UP HILL. Fine for us but would be a challenge for many people to walk. 8. Air conditioner very loud. I would not stay there again. read more

It is an honor to write this review!! My partner and I stayed at the Inn on Columbia this past weekend. We were fortunate enough to stay 3 nights as we were in town to do some winter hiking on the Cayuga hiking trail. I cannot express in words what a classy b & b this is!! Madeline and Kenn the owners, have decorated this Inn so tastefully, very modern, yet warm and comfortable. The beds are so cozy I had to drag myself out of it each morning because it was so comfy! The art work throughout the inn is gorgeous, modern, colorful. Once I was up, I raced over to the main house where Madeline made us the tastiest egg frittata, with roasted potatoes and greens. I asked her if she was a graduate of the Culinary Institute! She said she isn't but she cooks as though she was trained in France with the best chefs in the world!! Madeline is a real first class act! She is very friendly, yet not overbearing like some b & b owners. And she dresses really cool, not frumpy the way a lot of B & B owners do! She also just this morning, made the most delicious pancakes, not like the trashy ones you get at IHOP, but fist size blond pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and a homemade blueberry compote and real maple syrup! Fresh fruit and french pressed coffee, and the best homemade scones, again hand made by Madeline was served at each breakfast, along with your choice of an incredibly designed egg dish to choose from!! I did not want to leave! Kenn is very knowledgable of the area, as they both are Cornell University and Ithaca College graduates. They know of the best restaurants in town to send you to, not pricey ones, but the real cool, rad ones! I felt so at home at this B & B!! Without a doubt, the best one I've ever stayed in, and I travel all over the world! I will be back very soon with my mom. In fact, I will find any excuse to come back to this unique b & b!! Madeline and Kenn have a real gem of a place! I will go to bed tonight dreaming of the breakfasts Madeline made us, and planning my next return visit! This place is awesome! I highly, highly recommend staying here!!!!!!!!! Kit Fruscione, Rochester, NY read more

My wife and I stayed at the Inn on Columbia for two nights in early October and thoroughly enjoyed it. We made a last-minute reservation and got a discount on our room. We were given a suite in a free-standing octagonal gazebo-style building, which had windows all around and a wrap-around deck. The room also included a fireplace, flat-screen TV, and a very large soaker tub. It was perfect for us, as we had a small dog with us, and other guests would not be disturbed by his occasional barking. The room was clean and the bed was very comfortable. The Inn itself was nicely decorated and had a welcoming atmosphere, Our hosts, Kenn and Madeline, were very friendly and helped us with dinner and sightseeing recommendations. The breakfast was excellent and generous, consisting of juice, coffee/tea, fresh fruit, homemade muffins and scones, and a choice of eggs, waffles, french toast, etc. I had read from other reviewers that the Inn could accommodate people with food sensitivities if calling ahead. As I have a sensitivity to wheat/gluten, I called ahead and Madeline provided excellent gluten-free muffins and homemade waffles. What a treat! There are many restaurants within walking distance of the Inn. The up-hill walk back helped to burn off some of the calories. In particular, I'd highly recommend Just a Taste, which is a Spanish-style tapas restaurant. There are so many things to do in Ithaca and the surrounding area that we just scratched the surface in our 2-night stay. We'll be back! read more

As other reviews indicate, this "inn" or "B&B" - we found it while searching for a B&B in Ithaca - consists of multiple buildings. What we look for in a B&B or inn is something more home-like than a hotel that is comfortable and quiet and that serves a breakfast to a group of guests who get to meet vs. sitting by themselves in some restaurant or cafe. This inn/B&B met none of those conditions: We were in a building on S. Aurora Street, in a front room. The street has noisy traffic until late at night and again beginning early in the morning. Probably because there are multiple buildings, the innkeepers deliver a continental breakfast in boxes the prior evening and one serves oneself breakfast. One is requested - admonished might be more accurate - to clean up after oneself; and there is a whole double-spaced page of rules/regulations/responsibilities for guests prominently posted near the kitchen. The kitchen is inadequately lighted by the way. Overall the innkeepers, though pleasant when we checked in, seemed more interested in how they were paid and imposing their rules than in our comfort. read more

This bed and breakfast is fantastic! I found myself in Ithaca on short notice, and of course over graduation weekend, so most hotels were charging an arm and a leg for their remaining rooms. I had no familiarity with the Inn on Columbia, but they were the only place offering a lower rate at the last minute, so I went with it. I was blown away. I stayed in the cottage at 406 Aurora, and was like a kid in a candy store. The decor is wonderful, the amenities were well above-average, the bed was fabulously soft, the jacuzzi tub/shower was the highlight of my weekend, and the location is a stone's throw from downtown. They bring you breakfast (fresh fruit and baked goods) in an adorable box with ribbons. There is a fireplace. The upstairs TV slides out of the wall. The upstairs was essentially a loft. The kitchen came stocked with fresh granola, fresh coffee, and milk, OJ, and yogurt. The space is huge and meticulously clean. I have decided that any and every time I stay in Ithaca I will make a point of staying in a different cottage/room each time until I've checked out all of them. The hosts are darling, and their dog Sophia is very sweet. When you check in, you snack on fresh chocolate chip cookies and lemonade while Ken highlights a map and explains the nifty key system. Again, the proximity to downtown is awesome, and the facilities are outstanding. You will absolutely never be disappointed staying here. read more

My mom, husband, our three-year old daughter and myself spent a few days in Ithaca last summer. The hosts were very helpful with directions (we were driving from MD). We spent our first night at the Hudson Apt and then moved to the Hillview Holiday House for a couple nights. The apartment was a bit cramped for the four of us, but we checked in anyway because it was peak season and there were few B&B options in the middle of town (walking distance to the Commons and Cornell). The hosts were very friendly and relaxed and let our three-year old wander through the main house and befriend their pet dog and cat. We were very happy to move into the house the next day - the space was perfect for what we needed. Booking in advance would have meant a much higher price, so it was great that we were able to avail of a last-minute special. Both the apartment and the house were very clean, with the décor modern and stylish, and the kitchen/ bathroom well-equipped (dishes, cutlery, toaster-oven etc./ organic shampoo/conditioner etc. provided). Breakfast was simple but good (fruits, freshly-baked muffins, milk, granola, coffee), brought to us the evening before - very convenient since we could eat at whatever time suited us (very useful with a young child!). We would definitely go back, especially if we could avail of the special rate. Definitely a great B&B experience if you are looking to live in the middle of town! read more