We stayed here for 3 nights while we were in the area for a wedding. It was absolutely beautiful…read moreand very comfortable. Be aware, this is a historic house and you must be able to get up the stairs to get to the rooms. It is not handicap friendly. The location was perfect. Only a few minutes drive to many things. The breakfast could've been better. I'm used to a homemade breakfast when you stay at B&Bs. This was a "continental" breakfast. They did put snacks and drinks out for people to have during the day, which was a nice touch. The place was easy to find and they offered free bicycles to use. There were beach towels and things. You could use the fire pit and corn hole too. They also offered free kayak use down the street. No shortage of things to do.

Checking in was very easy, especially since we arrived late. The hotel is bright comfortable in the…read moremain areas of the large bed and breakfast. The bed was extra comfortable and the French roast coffee was delicious every morning. You have options for breakfast, continental the Stannard or walk across the street to the Westbrook Inn for a breakfast special that changes daily. We enjoyed both versions

Would like to stay here again when we are next in the area. The people that work here are very nice…read moreand helpful. Our room was clean and nicely decorated and the breakfast was delicious. I have stayed in a lot of bed-and-breakfasts and hotels for the last 30 years and this is one of the best ones I know.

Westbrook Inn recently hosted our wedding in September and made our day perfect. Meri and her team…read moreare warm and accommodating and went above and beyond to ensure everything went smoothly. The venue itself is set on a beautiful location and offered the perfect spot for our outdoor nuptials. The officiant, Bobi, was recommended and she was one of the best parts of the event! My husband and I loved her and every single guest raved about how amazing the ceremony was. An overnight stay was provided the night before and the night of our event as part of our booking and the room was adorable. It was cozy and had a charm that offered a great atmosphere for getting ready the day of! Whether you are looking for a venue to host an intimate event or a weekend away, Westbrook Inn will not disappoint!

This is a fun spot to kill an hour or so. It's priced decently at $15 per adult, and kids under 6…read moreare free. The history and submarine are cool, but what really stood out was the train exhibit on the top floor. Just a super cool and detailed train set. Very fun for younger kids!

We recently visited the Connecticut River Museum. I had learned that a ship that my great-great…read moregrandfather emigrated on was built in the shipyards near Essex, Ct. Wanting to learn more about the shipping history of the area we stopped in to the museum. It is packed with three floors of ship building and shipping history. The staff was excellent and helpful, and we learned so much about the history of the area. There is a replica of the "turtle" considered to be the first submarine and the history of wars and British ships in the harbors. Some exhibits are interactive. On our visit the third floor covered the history of boat racing on the river which was fascinating. We were thrilled with what we learned and saw. The museum is very well done. There is plenty of parking and it sits right on the water. Definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.

My visit last month was 40 years in the making. When I was a kid my dad would always make a stop at…read morethe Gris and my sister and I would take photos, especially of the always up holiday tree but we never ate there or stayed there because in the words of my dad, " It's only for adults. I'm almost 50 and live on the West Coast so for my summer sabbatical a stay and a meal was a dream come true and on it's 250th birthday too! The Stay : Check in was easy and the front desk staff gave my boyfriend and I a full folder of facts and information on what to do at the inn and beyond. We also secured reservations for dinner later. We had a lovely corner room on the third floor. The bed was high but comfortable and modernized in the sense that the AC unit worked well and so did the wifi. The bathroom was probably the weakest point - small and not great water pressure but hello you are in the oldest continuously run inn in the US. There are many charming nooks and crannies including adjacent sitting rooms and outdoor rocking chairs. The Meal : 7:30 Dinner reservation and we were seated right away in the back dining area where we were surrounded by images of boats and ships. It was busy but the service was prompt and attentive. The bread was warm and yummy. I had a delicious bowl of New England Clam Chowder and the grilled pork chop off the summer menu. It was so delicious and filling that even though I really wanted dessert , I couldn't fit any more. My boyfriend's prime rib was fall off the bone tender. When we left the tavern was full because it was Sea Shanty night! Cannot wait to make visiting an adult tradition.

My wife and I have wanted to try The Griswold Inn for many years, and our schedule finally allowed…read moreus to make the trip ahead of a nearby show. Reservations via OpenTable were easy. When we arrived at the hostess station, she verified the reservation and immediately led us to a table in a small room off the main dining area and bar. The entire dining area is old wood -- floor, wall, ceiling -- and the room we were in had narrow floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with hardcover books. I write this to demonstrate that all the decor served to dampen the sound despite nearly all tables being occupied. While you could hear the bustle and conversations around you, you could still have a conversation. Our server greeted us promptly and took a drink order. When he returned with our drinks, we ordered the clam chowder and braised short ribs for my wife and a wedge salad with the dry-rubbed pork chop for me. After entering our order, our server returned with a basket of warm dinner rolls and butter, then minutes later brought out our soup and salad. Both appetizers were terrific, and I think that may be one of the best blue cheese dressings I've had. Water glasses were refilled frequently without being asked and dishes were cleared by other waitstaff. We never wanted for anything, and none of the comings and goings were disruptive. This was a professional and competent team. Our entrees were served shortly after we finished our appetizers, and they were beautifully presented on the plates. My wife loved her short ribs, which she said melted in her mouth. Until this meal, I've yet to find pork chops to surpass the ones I make at home, but this was truly exceptional! While the mango salsa topping the chop was nice, it was completely unnecessary as the chop was well seasoned and juicy. We capped off the meal with desserts, a chocolate mousse pie for my wife, a warm butter caramel cake with berry compote for me. Delicious! We'll be back to this gem of a place!

Much more than brunch!…read more I wanted to treat my parents to brunch and I found this truly unique venue where you can dine on a yacht on the CT River and dance/listen to music! It is the 2-hour fall foliage brunch cruise on the Lady Katharine yacht called the Mystique. You arrive by 10:30am at Eagle Landing State Park in Haddam, and everyone (I'd estimate about 150 people, tops) begins the boarding process. You have pre-assigned tables and can request to sit together with family/friends ahead of time. The buffet brunch is hot and ready as soon as you board which is great because there are literally no lines - it's a gradual process. Also, the food is out and replenished for a long time, so you don't have to worry about not getting any, e.g. if you decide to partake in the music and view on the top deck first, you can eat when you are ready. The buffet consisted of salad, rolls, salmon, stuffed chicken with a delicious cranberry stuffing, tortellini, tender beef tips with gravy, carved ham with a delicious sauce, Belgian waffles with fruit and cream toppings, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, raw salmon w/capers and several desserts... I'm probably forgetting something. There is a cash bar but coffee, juice and tea are free ($3 for a fountain beverage which I thought was strange). The staff members were all incredibly friendly and attentive. There was a 3-piece band playing a variety of music on the top deck and people were having fun dancing. The views were amazing, especially seeing Gillette's Castle from the water. For only $50-ish dollars per person, this was an awesome alternative to your usual brunch buffet!

First I would like to say Donna the promoter for the ALL WHITE Cruise intentions were good!!!! Who…read moregoes on a $5k+ boat ride and the boat cannot sail. Absolutely, unacceptable LK. You charge a lot of money for?? Boat didn't move IJS... The Lady Katherine staff were so nice and pleasant to the guests EXCEPT the contact, She was unapologetic & awful. So back to the boat the venue. I was so disappointed there was no silverware just paper plates, plastic forks and rolls of paper towels on the tables. The bar was limited not sure if the promoter had an opinion. Anyone who rents from them please read the fine print and have insurance... their boats needs repair... this was not a cruise more like a tugboat PARTY

The very nice and the hosts were very friendly and welcoming. The rooms were very clean as well so…read morewould recommend!

Looks like the owner is running out of money and the ability to maintain. Rotting wood, roof leaks,…read morebleach-damaged rugs and water damage. Past half-hearted renovations and garden enthusiasms have long since outlived their shelf lives and become yet more maintenance drags. And by far the smallest TV I have seen in an inn since before lodgings used to brag about "Color TV!!!" on their road signs.