The Inn at Tacaro Estate has a lot going for it. The mansion exudes old world charm from an era…read morethat I can only read about in books and magazines. It is a magnificent estate home in a storybook setting. The man who built the home, Taylor Chewning, owned a large brick foundry and that is evident throughout the grounds. The mansion itself is brick, many of the walkways are brick, the extensive stables are brick. This brick added to the almost palatial feeling of the Inn.
The view from the front lawn (and from the back lawn actually) put us both at ease; it is a place to sit and read - completely relaxing. The Inn allows us to step out of the hectic and crowded life we have in the city; it transports us to rolling lawns, the smell of fresh grass, beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay. For a short weekend trip away from DC, it was a nice way to unwind.
However, there are things about the Inn that keep it from being five - or even four - star.
I get that the bathrooms are original to the house, vintage and keeping with the ambiance of the mansion (which was originally built in 1940). That is interesting but, for me, when I am treating myself to a weekend away, I want a modern bathroom with modern features. I want a walk-in shower, 2 sinks, a separate toilet room. The 1940's style of the bathroom was a complete let-down for me. Now, I knew it would be like this because the pictures on the Inn's website showed the bathroom. So, I was not surprised. But, staying there for a weekend emphasized that the world of design, particularly in bathrooms, has progressed a lot - I bet even the Chewnings (original owners) would not put up with the current state of these bathrooms. There was plenty of room in our suite to expand the bathroom and renovate it into a modern, first-rate spa-like oasis. If the Inn wishes to up its game, it will have to do that.
Likewise, there were smaller cues that reflected a lack of modernization and elegance. Poorly hung wallpaper, mis-matched furniture perhaps purchased from yard sales, electric cords handing loosely all over our room, outdoor furniture that is not in great condition, windows that are dirty and paint peeling here and there. The Inn at Tacaro Estate misses being a 1st class destination because the little things are not up to par.
The service is also lacking. They try but, like some of the facilities, they miss the mark here.
My overall lasting impression of the Inn at Tacaro Estate is rather like Blanche Dubois from Streetcar Named Desire. Old world charm and elegance trying to remain swanky but actually run-down and not maintained, failing to meet current standards of hospitality. The beautiful dress that Blanche wore as a young girl in high society is now tattered and torn here and there. I can appreciate the posh clothing from another time but I also recognize that it is old and weathered.
The owners have a very special piece of land and a beautiful home here. But they need to bite the bullet, spend the money and upgrade the finishes, the furniture and the service if they hope to make the Inn a real upscale destination. In the 1940's, I am certain that this mansion exuded money and upper-class refinement. However, for my stay here in the 2020's, it is more of a historical glimpse of pre-WWII society. I am willing to pay for luxury and that is what I want for a weekend away. But Tacaro Estate simply does not provide luxury.
For these reasons, I cannot recommend a stay at the Inn at Tacaro Estate. I hate to give this place this tepid review. However, I feel that I am being honest.