We had stayed here in 2012 as it was so close to where we used to live in 1980-81. It was a…read morefabulous choice. We had been back to the area in 2017 but in mid summer elected to get a beach house rental for the week, walkable to Surf Drive Beach. But this fall we were returning for a shorter visit in order to see more of New England and friends from our past, so we booked here again. We learned that the inn had been sold in the interim and called to make a reservation. We discovered that the new owners Liza and Alfredo still ran it as an Inn but no longer as a Bed and Breakfast as they also had other careers and school age children. The name has been changed just a bit to reflect this. Though it was lovely in the past, we found it even more so now, even without the breakfast. You will not starve in the area. We did not, there are many choices.
The Inn is just as lovely as before, though we were here in early fall during a rainy week, it was still very comfortable. If anything, the many updates made it even more so. It had been 11 years since our last visit, yet so much of the normal wear and tear we had expected were not visible. It was so fresh and cheerful in a mostly gloomy weather week. But we enjoyed every minute of our time in Woods Hole and Falmouth, from Nobska light, now restored and open twice a week for tours (do go up to the top of the tower) , Spohr Gardens, preparing for winter but monarchs still in the butterfly house, with some renovations to the aging wooden dock underway, Oyster Pond almost into fall colors, so much to see. Some new businesses to us on Main St in Falmouth, like Estia for Greek food right near the Green.
For the first time ever, in a visit to Woods Hole, we did not see the drawbridge on Water Street open even once, though we ate two breakfasts at the venerable Pie in the Sky and a dinner at the Kidd.
The labs were quieter than we have seen since our winter of 1980-81 though the research vessels in port. Still some activity around the Ferries but less than full summer. If you are fit and it is not raining, the Shining Sea bike path is still well used. It was so nice to be back, almost like coming home, which our former space was such a short distance from the Inn. Though busy with other careers too, Liza and Alfredo were very approachable and involved. When making arrangements for our reservations, Liza was accessible and full of information. She was raised nearby and knows everything about the area. Though they have 3 children, we never heard a peep or any disruption. It was a school week and they were taking care of their business too. We hope to return another time, in the summer, this really is our go-to place to stay in the area and in summer, I am sure the kids might be helping out too. We were so busy, I neglected to take any pictures but the previous ones are still good guides, minus the breakfast food. The room interior was still the historic furnishings but the usable floorings and bath fixtures are very new and modern. Do not hesitate, it is not a creaky old inn, like some places I have stayed around the country. It is respectful of the history but thoroughly modern where needed.
