Michael at the Scranton Seahorse Inn provided the best bed and breakfast experience I've ever had. From picking my friend and me up personally from the train station to giving us a tour of the town, you could feel his sincerity in making sure each guest felt right at home. The rooms are clean, uniquely decorated, and cozy. My friend and I both slept so well! The inn itself is centrally located to the main town center. It was very easy to walk everywhere, like the bookstore, the train station, and all the local restaurants. Two highlights of the stay: Michael's freshly made breakfast and the two Dalmatian puppies. Harley and Winston came wiggling into the main area and brightened up the day. I hope to return on my next trip to the east coast. read more

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This is the epitome of a New England bed & breakfast - quiet, comfortable, proximity to a small walkable downtown, and phenomenal breakfast. This was a romantic getaway, and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. Michael makes the best scones I have ever had. I repeat - the best scones I have ever eaten. Do not miss the breakfast read more

We live close by and were looking for a room for a couple nights because of a busted water pipe in our house. Mike was a great host. he set us up with a room right away. We loved this older historical home. I can see why so many tourists that stay here love this place. My wife and I highly recommend if you're looking for a place to stay in Madison. read more

A charming old inn with a great vibe. We were in Madison for a friend's special BIrthday, and her husband booked two rooms for four of us. Eclectic furnishings. Both our rooms had private baths, small but comfortable. We loved the New England atmosphere and blooming tulips and flowering trees out front. You can tell this inn is being taken care of with love and effort. Friendly host Michael. And great, great breakfast. We had amazing waffles, muffins, fruit, and thick bacon. Yum! You can walk from this inn to charming town shops, restaurants, town beach, and even Stop N Shop. If you like older B and Bs with lots of character, you might like this one quite a bit. read more

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Nice old house. Our room was very narrow and bed post blocked the tv. Room was not vacuum well. There was dirt by the bed and fake eyelashes on the floor read more

Absolutely lovely time we had. Michael was wonderful, gave great recommendations on activities and restaurants. Breakfast was great both days and cozy rooms for our stay. Would recommend to anyone! read more

We spent the night here and it was very nice. Micheal, the host was very knowledgeable about the area. We went for a walk down by the water and checked out all the houses in the route we took. We walked through the town and visited some of the local establishments. The room here was just right. The breakfast served here was amazing. We had waffles, bacon, fruit, juice and coffee. Definitely the place to stay for a weekend getaway or anytime. read more

The gem of the CT shoreline. My husband and I have been coming here for the past 5 years, and no matter how many times we come, Michael never ceases to delight. Daily breakfasts are creative, interesting, and most of all, delicious . I love the peaceful beauty of the grounds, and the Madison Getaway is the best room in the house. With a Jacuzzi, fireplace and private porch, plus it's own private entrance, it is secluded , but convenient at the same time. The rooms are spacious and clean, and the decor is modern and beachy, but with an antique twist, which I love. While I just got home from my anniversary trip to the inn, I am already dreaming of our next trip. If you're looking for the quintessential New England getaway, the Scranton Seahorse Inn is it read more

When heading east for a friends wedding I spent so much time looking for places to stay. Since this would be the first time we had been to the East Coast, we didn't want to stay in a cheap motel. We were looking for charm, character and comfort. I'd found plenty of B&B's to choose from and when I emailed the choices to the Bride, she recommended we stay here, even though she hadn't been here herself. Madison is a cute town, much different from where we come from. We were due in late, so Michael made arrangements to leave the keys for us if we missed him. The Inn is so charming. We loved it from the minute we arrived. The rooms are wonderfully decorated, clean and comfortable. The food was out of this world. Michael is a gracious and helpful host. We didn't have much time to wander about, since we were only here for a couple of nights and had to head back to NYC early in the morning. He gave us directions for a wonderful walk that took us down nice country lanes to the shoreline and back around to the inn. When we found we were running late to leave on our last morning, he made sure we had a cab quickly in order to make the train we needed to get to a play in NYC on time. I hope to come back again some day and stay here again. Highly, highly recommend the Scranton Seahorse Inn. read more

Charming, elegant, comfortable.... great summary of this lovely Inn. I had occasion to stay during Memorial Day 2019 weekend while attending a local wedding. Michael, the Inn keeper was lovely when I called in advance making me feel welcomed and accommodated. The room was clean with simple, elegant decor. Breakfast was lovely with homemade yogurt, fresh fruit, herbed ricotta omelet garnished with fresh tomato vinaigrette. A wonderful getaway - enjoy! read more

EXACTLY what we needed! We went for a single night romantic getaway for my boyfriend's birthday and the historic and beautiful Scranton Seahorse delivered (over-delivered actually). Mike helped me work out our plans on the phone and email in advance - lovely cheese plate waiting for us, beach access info, and he helped me pick a great restaurant (Bar Bouchee, drop Mike's name for extra friendliness) and we had a terrific meal, dessert, and crazy-good cocktails. Mike created an amazing breakfast (warm blueberry scone and a veggie-loaded frittata? Heck, yeah.) We like to travel to places where you interact with the owners/proprietors and meet interesting people. Not easy during COVID but even with masks and social distancing we felt the warmth and hospitality that Mike provided. Overall a relaxing, delicious, and comfortable time in Madison. Looking forward to returning! read more

My wife and I were passing through the area and needed a place to stay for the evening. I was able to book online in the morning for our one night stay. I had questions about a later check in and the breakfast that is included in the cost of the room. Mike, the owner, was very helpful in our phone conversation. I have dietary restrictions and Mike accommodated my needs. He even called me back a bit later to inform me of a local restaurant that could cater to my diet. It was very thoughtful of him to go above and beyond to ensure my comfort at the Scranton Seahorse Inn and in the surrounding area. The room I booked was on the first floor. It had a very comfy bed with clean linens. There is a fire place in the room as well so there is a mild firewood smell. It wasn't off putting in any way and I imagine in colder months would be amazing to have in the room. Our bathroom had a nice jacuzzi soaking tub and an rain head shower head. It was amazing to get a relaxing hot bubbly soak in before breakfast. The breakfast Mike provided was two courses and delicious. I appreciate the fact he had to make a separate menu for my wife and me in addition to the meal he prepared for the other guests. The vibe is amazing. Mike was really friendly. You may be able to find a cheap motel in the area but I guarantee you get what you pay for at the Inn. Although I only spent one evening here, it far surpassed my expectations. Book a room with confidence and enjoy your stay. read more

I have to say this place had so many potential positives. I am a regular in Madison, family is there. Last summer I wandered in and the place looked so lovely I had to find a way to stay there. I decided to get engaged just so I could make a stay here. Anyway, the building is lovely, and it is right in town. EVERYTHING in Madison is walking distance. It is less than a mile from the loveliest shoreline on the Long Island Sound, about 200 meters from the local grocery, 100 meters from a great public library, and 200 meters from all the restaurants/shops/postoffices you can handle. So, lovely building, great location, and I am giving it two stars. The rooms must suck. Nope. We got the cheapest room, but still lovely. TV, DVD player in the room. The amenities in the bathroom were cheap, but work. Bathrobes to use, nice. Free coffee, tea, cokes, and water just outside the room. Also, several games to play (we took Scrabble up to our room... I won!). Customer service: Just terrible. Here is where the two stars come in. First: Reserved for two nights, yet could not make the first night due to weather and long drive. Called late, but ahead of time. Didn't expect a total refund for missed night, but some apology or statement about it (sorry, but it was a late call and we will be charging you. I hope you understand) would have been nice. Instead, when we arrived early in morning we found NOBODY. My fiance and I looked around and she mentioned I should open a door. I faux pas'ed and opened the door to the proprietors residence (it was open). I apologized but when he came out I was issued not one, but TWO snide comments. Though it was MY vacation, I felt like I had to walk around on egg shells for the duration. Checkout: IT IS AT ELEVEN, DON'T YOU DARE BE LATE! I received a phonecall at 11:06 where the proprietor explained he had gone in our room to clean and saw our stuff there so what were we going to do. The tone was very rude, like I had danced on the grave of a close family member. We had been to visit my very sick grandfather and were heading back at 12, A CUSTOMARY CHECKOUT TIME FOR JUST ABOUT EVERY HOTEL OR INN I HAVE EVER BEEN TOO. The bill. I was to pay a rate of 130 a night. Doing the math that should be about 260, account for hefty taxes and a possible resort fee, I still expected the bill to be less than 300. THe manager who had been so rude to us several times was nowhere to be found when we returned the key. Nobody went over the bill, we did not get one. When the bill came up on my credit card it was 330. I hate to say it, but given no bill I have to assume I was overcharged. Also, keep in mind We really stayed for one night. So the two stars is for the treatment received. We felt like trespassers, received no bill, and were charged much more than expected. If the place itself wasn't so nice and great it would have been one. If I could break stars down it would be a 4 for facility, 1 for treatment. Customer service trumps. read more

A true Bed & Breakfast, the owner / operators take great care of every aspect of their small business from Booking to Checkout! The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable. Breakfast every morning was spectacular. Fresh OJ, homemade muffins, hot coffee comes standard. The hosts will also adjust the daily flavor to the tastes of their guests. The "Inn" is super close to downtown and about a 10 min jog to the beach. read more

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So cute. So, so cute. We had a wedding to attend in New Haven on the same weekend as Yale's graduation- THAT, combined with last minute change of plans left very few hotel options. I scrambled around online and found Th SSI in Madison,CT. I called up Mike, the innkeper, explained our situation, and he gave me a room for the NEXT day at a reduced rate from the advertised internet prices. I LOVE a deal- especially when we're on a budget. And did I mention how super cute it was? I was a little giddy about it. Beautiful grounds in a sleepy little upscale neighborhood that could have been painted into life by Tomas Kinkade, this small B&B was only 20 minutes from New Haven, 10 minuets from outlets (good ones, too... not like Gilroy) , and a quick, cute walk from coffee shops, nail spa's, and little restaurants. (Though, we ate at Subway- cheap eats and a predictable sando within walking distance!) Our room had th most comfortable bed ever. I mean. It was hard to get out of it... and not crawl back in. We had a big jacuzzi tub, lots of windows, lots of space and a cute little sitting area. The entire place was neat and clean with a comfortable make-yourself-at-home vibe. But, let's be honest... it's a B&B. You always feel a little awkward liiiike you're a stranger crashing in someone else's house. ...Caaaaause you're really a stranger. Crashing in someone else's house. The walls are a bit thin... I DID feel like I needed to tip-toe around, and kinda attempt to pick up before we went out for the day. And when we returned home WAY late from NYC, I felt like I might get busted for curfew. -Turns out I was either just projecting my perfectionism, or they just didn't care, but Mike the friendly innkeeper didn't say a word : ) Breakfast was so sweet.... fresh muffins, oj, and coffee. A yogurt parfait with homemade granola started each breakfast; that was then followed by farm fresh eggs and other warm goodies. (literally, Mike picks the eggs up from the farm in the morning! Crazy) I'm a vegetarian and don't eat eggs so Mike whipped up a super tasty smoothie for me- rally thoughtful. Next time I think I'd bring some oatmeal or cottage cheese with me. We went on an early morning run down to the water and through the quaint neighborhood. It's super safe, people are oddly friendly, and the weather in May is perfection. So, a big thank you to Michael S for letting us stay there instead of the EconoLodge... and for that. I'm not mad that you used up ALL of our pictures for YOUR review. ;) read more

Completely loved our stay at the Seahorse. Michael is a wonderful host, and does everything he can to make your stay comfortable and memorable. We stayed in the Town View Suite, which was very nicely decorated and had an extremely comfortable bed. The breakfasts are delightful, and Michael's talents as a Pastry Chef shine through in the morning meals. We really loved that the decorating was modern and fresh, unlike many B&Bs that rely heavily on the "doily" school of decorating. The Seahorse definitely has warm country charm, but the style pulls more heavily from a modern palette than something you'd see at grandma's. Upstairs, there is a DVD collection (there was a DVD player in the room) and a 24 hour coffee/tea maker. We used both and really appreciated that we had access to them. It made getting a late night decaf easy, and made us feel right at home. Michael gave some very solid recommendations for dinners, and places to visit. He and his mother Olive are long time residents of the area and know the place well. Their insights were welcomed additions to our trip. The Seahorse is a short walk from Walker - Loden (home furnishings) and RJ Julia's (local bookstore), and Ashley's ice cream, a few of the staples in Madison. We enjoyed walking over to Julia's one evening to hear an author speak. We went on to Boston from Madison and were sorry to check out. We definitely hope to return next year to the Seahorse. read more

Thank you for such great hospitality for my family! We enjoyed everything and I could eat that breakfast daily. We will be back!

Just returned from an amazing 3 night stay with Michael. This is a great bed & breakfast in a perfect location. Local beaches and the town center of Madison are all a quick walk away. The inn is comfortable and welcoming, the rooms are spacious and make it easy to feel at home. Michael's breakfasts are nothing short of amazing with many ingredients from his garden or local farms. Can't wait to go back! read more

A quaint new England Inn! Gracious owner offers a beautifully beachy decor, spotless accommodations, and scrumptious breakfasts. Loved the coupons and free samples in the room, from local business! Oh, and anytime keurigs down the hall; be back soon! .. read more

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Had a wonderful stay! Michael was an amazing and accommodating host and served a great breakfast. We look forward to returning.

Ughh, how shall I begin, let's start by saying this place is unfortunately misrepresented. Crusty and dingy are the best words to sum up the condition of my room experience. After night fell, the room became very cold. The walls and ceiling were stained from the fireplace, which was in itself not properly cared for, ( not cleaned, the hearth was sinking in to the sub floor, the surround was in poor shape). There walls around the bed area had horizontal linear cracks from what looks like a poorly done patch job. The bathroom is 2 rooms, a tub room and a toilet room located on opposite sides of the room which is not uncommon in an older house. The toilet room was clean enough, but the tub room was, in a word, dingy. NOT someplace I would sit down and take a bath, no way. The tub and tile work, needed a lot of attention. The sitting room was a dim, austere and cold environment, uninviting to say the least. Our room was not a room that's really fit to use as accommodations for guests, it badly needed a full rehab. I can't comment about the other guest rooms, but the room we stayed in was on the first floor and called the "Madison Getaway" (such irony). The public spaces in the house were old but generally OK, they too needed a good cleanup and TLC ( general wear everywhere, the front door was barely operational, the side door refused to latch due to a poorly fitted strike plate). This is not a special Bed and Breakfast for a romantic getaway, if you book it for this purpose you WILL be disappointed. The money charged was what you'd expect to pay at a proper Bed and Breakfast, so there's not really a value proposition that can be argued here. The website has some fuzzy pictures to obfuscate the actual condition of the rooms and he is charging a standard price for a very sub-standard place. There were a bunch of "5 star reviews" of the place when I looked quickly, hmmmm.....suspect to say the least. Well shame on me for making hasty plans and not doing my due diligence, but I had last minute business to do in town, and hey, that's life sometimes. Also suspiciously absent were any Youtube videos of the place, stupid move on my part for not wondering why. I have stayed in many B&B's in New England before and have almost uniformly found them clean, charming and well loved by their owners, so I know the difference between vintage and just plain bad. It's really quite a shame because the house has some interesting historic features. It could really be a lovely place in the right hands. Unfortunately, it's not. I can't comment on the breakfast either, I didn't have it for obvious reasons. read more

Had a great romantic weekend here--very charming, well-kept B&B. Michael was a great host. The breakfast was delicious--gourmet waffles that were light and fluffy, along with freshly baked scones. The room was cozy, spacious, and well-decorated. If you're staying in at night, they have a DVD collection to keep you entertained. The inn also has an on-site massage therapist who was really wonderful. Definitely recommended for a weekend getaway. read more

I heard back from the owner and I have to say he wrote the most cordial and thorough apology note I think I have ever received! I appreciate his attempt to make everything right! Thanks Michael! read more

The chef's breakfeasts were a great way to start the day (especially the cranberry sausage)! Simple and comfortable atmosphere.

Great location to explore the town and only about a quarter mile walk to the water. Mike is a very gracious host and his breakfast was great. We stayed in the one room on the bottom floor and it was very comfortable. It has a jacuzzi tub which was nice although the controls for it and the shower weren't really easy to use. Only small suggestion I have would be to add some sort of sweets like cookies at night next to the coffee. read more

Michael was a gracious host. Great room within walking distance to town. Amazing breakfast of scrambled eggs with baby spinach & feta, hash brown potatoes and applewood bacon. We WILL be back! read more

The Scranton Seahorse Inn is located in the small town of Madison CT and is situated right next to the downtown area. The other nice thing is that it's a short drive to the ocean. The price was more reasonable than other B&B's in the area in off season. The Inn keeper was polite and a nice guy overall. I stayed here with my wife for a night in the room called Ocean Dreams. The room was ok and kind of small with Queen size bed and a sitting area. The only bonus was the large bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. One major complaint was the lack of a table anywhere in the room (besides the nightstand)...you take a simple thing like this for granted until you have no place to put a drink, etc. The rest of the inn had a museum feel and wasn't as inviting as we wanted it to be. The grounds were equipped for events (gazebo, etc) and definitely seems like it could be a nice place to have a wedding ceremony. I'd have to say the continental breakfast was pretty good with plenty of choices to eat & drink and the inn keeper also served us a hot quiche. read more

September is a lovely time to visit Madison, CT and stay at Michael's Scranton Seahorse Inn. In town, 10 minutes to the train and beach and so close to lovely shops and restaurants - our stay could not have been better. The B&B itself is very clean, well decorated, lots of lovely details. There is a huge DVD collection (and lots of books) - so ask if you are interested. Michael is a great host and chef - his breakfasts are lovely - his brown butter and almond coffee cake is so delicious! You are a few minute walk to RJ Julia - a fantastic bookstore. We had rooms 2 and 3 and they were cozy, clean and had picture perfect views of Madison's greenery.... The sheets were so soft! Some shops are closed on Sundays in Madison.... Great B&B experience. read more

Comfortable, low-key, welcoming, gay friendly, great breakfast. Located near some nice parks and beaches. Loved it.

What a wonderful find! The house is charming, the bed comfortable and the breakfast Michael prepared was just a wonder. So convenient to walk to town and nearby restaurants. We enjoyed our conversation around the table with the other guests. read more

I stay here whenever I'm visiting the Padula Institute in Guilford. Michael and Olive are great hosts who do everything they can to make you feel at home. The house is beautifully furnished and has a warm, comfortable feeling. The breakfast is incredible - everything is made from scratch. I also appreciate the room with the espresso machine, cookie jar filled with homemade cookies and frig filled with drinks. read more

My wife and I were looking for a nice, cozy, bed and breakfast to spend our anniversary. The town of Madison was perfect for us, as was the Scranton Seahorse Inn. Mike was an incredibly gracious host. We had a room on the ground floor which was excellent. Breakfast was delicious both mornings. Spinach eggs and sausage the first morning, along with homemade granola yogurt which was fantastic. The second morning we had corn pancakes (also homemade) and ham. Everything was made from locally grown products. Mike went out of his way to accommodate my diet restrictions, as I'm a diabetic. He was also very helpful with anything we needed, from plates to glasses to towels, etc. Anything we needed, we texted him and he would provide it as soon as was possible. Both mornings there were also home-made pastries available which were also terrific. The B&B itself was also lovely. Quaint and intimate. We were both very pleased and highly recommend the Scranton Seahorse Inn. read more

We had an absolutely lovely time staying here! Warm welcome, amazing breakfast every morning (seriously, out of this world), and the room was absolutely perfect. We had a double jacuzzi, which was wonderful, and a fire in the fireplace each night. I could not recommend this inn more. read more

My husband and I had our wedding night at what we lovingly refer to as the " seahorsey inn" on November 28th, 2008 which was our first of many stays in OUR room, the Madison Getaway.... Yes, this is our room lol. We don't always get that special time together as the years have passed by and my husband works hard and I'm not well anymore, fighting chronic illnesses...so when we are able to just get away even for just one night, we ALWAYS choose to come back to our room at the Scranton "seahorsey" inn. Even if we just lay there in front of the fire place talking or just resting.... It always feels like home. The minute you walk in this house, you immediately feel like you belong there. There's something special about this house and when we are there, all our worries, concerns and stress just disappears as if the house is taking those burdens off your shoulders at the threshold. It's truly magical for me. It's as if we belong there. Michael, the owner, always has a smile and warm greeting for us when we arrive. He truly does make you feel right at home and sees to it that you have everything you need for your stay. The amenities are fantastic, the Inn is always spotless and well kept. Michael doesn't seem to forget you either! Pretty amazing considering all the people that come to stay there. Now, my husband and I are not breakfast people so we sleep in but I can tell you the smells are out of this world and one day I will wake up in time to eat! The ambiance is that of peacefulness, serenity and privacy. It's very quiet and we always have wonderful stay while we are there. So, if you have the chance to stay at the inn you should do so! Honestly it's my favorite place to visit and stay and we go for no reason other than to relax and reconnect. It's truly an enchanting bed and breakfast that encompasses the feel and vibe of a era gone by and that " old New England" historical feel and charm. The inn is well cared for and you can feel and see the passion and love that Michael puts into making the Seahorse Inn a home away from home. As long as I'm physically able, we will visit again and again! I read all the reviews and have to say that I'm totally shocked that anyone would have such a difficult time with Michael or the facilities! I'm sorry to have read those reviews and want others to know that we've stayed here numerous times and not once, not ever, have we had any issues at all so I'd say to Someone considering a visit to the Inn to focus on the 17 other glowing 4 star reviews and I guess there are just some people whom perhaps should stay at a five star hotel instead of the warmth and comfort of a B&B, some people just aren't B&B people I guess but at the end of the day, he's still running a business and has a living to make, so if you prefer room service, a gym, pool And nightcaps... I'm sure there's a place for you too! read more

Love the crew here, this place was very well appointed, extremely clean, and breakfast was to die for! Parking was easy, free, and plentiful. Have I mentioned that it is definitely worth getting up for that breakfast?!?! Wife and I stayed here for our anniversary stay-cation. We were given great recommendations for dinner places and though I think the place accepts pets there was NO pet smell. The only thing that I would change, though I am not sure they can change it, is to make one room have a king sized bed as my wife is a bed hog. We will definitely stay here again, great for a local getaway or if you are new to the area. read more

This is the most charming place I have ever stayed. My boyfriend and I took a trip for a belated Valentines celebration, and the place is so charming and absolutely to die for. It's right in the middle of the town, though you would never know it, so between our arrival and departure we never needed to use our car. The hosts were extremely gracious; they have an open tea, coffee, hot cider bar, with homemade cookies and yogurt available for snacks. They are great at recommending places to go if you're from out of town like we were, and the rooms are just totally charming. They also had about one hundred DVDs to choose from so that we could watch a movie and relax at night, which was really nice (we watched Chocolat which was perfect!) and the breakfast was delicous. It was a good time to relax and chit chat with people, and generally a perfect small-town experience. I will be back in the future! read more