Ok, so we say this every season, but we really mean it this time! Did you know that the BEST season to visit the Princeton area is Springtime? The blooms are blooming and everyone is in such a good mood because Winter is finally over!
Here are our TOP FIVE reasons to visit Central New Jersey in early Spring:
Punk Rock Flea Market
Named "One of the Best Flea Markets in America" by Huffington Post, the legendary Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market embraces a life-long love of "punk rock and the arts, tattoos, copious amounts of coffee, the occasional Gin and Tonic, a well-timed beer and a solid, well-styled quiff."
Screening of "The Price of Silence" at Princeton Garden Theatre
The film offers an overview of the state’s history of enslaved people and shares the poignant family stories of its earliest freed slaves. Also explored is the Lost Souls Project, which is working to remember and identify African-Americans who were forcibly removed from New Jersey, the lasting impact of slavery in the state.
Princeton University Eating Clubs Tour
Join author Clifford Zink on a walking tour outside Princeton University’s majestic eating clubs. Learn about the architecture, origins, and development of the sixteen Classical and Gothic-style clubhouses, which date from 1895 to 1928.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band at McCarter Theater
New Orleans comes to McCarter Theater in the form of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The world renowned band has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 50 years, all the while carrying it enthusiastically forward as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly living history.
Princeton PorchFest
Porchfest is a walkable music festival where neighbors offer up their front porches as DIY concert venues. Talented local performers play rotating sets throughout the neighborhood during this day-long celebration of music, art, and our wonderful community. Stroll from porch to porch to enjoy live, local talent!
And, if that is not enough, you can also check out Holland Ridge Farms Tulip fields, Grounds for Sculpture, and Biking the D&R Canal or LHT.
The Princeton Area has so much to offer during Spring. Take advantage of our EARLY SPRING DEAL (Book one night and receive 50% off the second night for stays from today until the end of April) and plan your getaway now. Give us a call at 609.497.1737 or CLICK HERE to visit us online!
Puzzles, puzzles, and more puzzles!
You may have noticed Lydia's penchant for puzzles during your last visit to the Inn. She is an admitted puzzle "addict" and was fully immersed into the craze during the pandemic! Her favorite spot to piece them together was the dining room table. During the slow days of the pandemic this was ideal until the random guest would show up!
After a few too many interruptions from the brave, infrequent guest and a need for the dining room table, Lydia finally treated herself to a really cool puzzle board (holding up to 1000 pieces and large enough for a 21" x 27" puzzle) that now sits in the Office. Guests of all ages give her a hand on these puzzles while they visit, and she completes each one.
Flash forward to today: Lydia now has about 40 puzzles that she has completed and we are running out of shelf space at the Inn.
PLEASE help us!!!!!
Bring Lydia a new puzzle (that you have completed) and feel free to take one (or two) home from our office shelf. Forgot your puzzle, that's OK, just remember one the next time you visit. And, if you are a serious puzzle fanatic (or know one), Lydia is happy to share information on her puzzle board!
The Slow Tourism Movement at the Inn at Glencairn
The pandemic has forced us to reevaluate our priorities. We were all forced to take a moment (maybe a year or two) of introspection and take stock of our existence. Some of us enjoyed having an excuse to work from home, or spend nightly dinners with our children and spouses, or put the brakes on our hectic lives. Travel and hospitality has followed suit. Travelers are wanting each and every experience to count because, you never know when you might be in lock down again. Guests are looking for an enriching experience, not just a mediocre bed and a run of the mill hotel to pass through. The buzzword is "slow tourism." Remember the slow food movement? Welcome to the slow tourism movement.
We at the Inn have been practicing slow tourism since we opened back in 2004. Walking through our doors transports guests back to a simpler time. As soon as you step in you realize this is not a cookie cutter hotel. Not everyone comes to us with their eyes wide open. Our favorite guests are the ones who walk through the door and have a skeptical look on their face. Maybe they were there because a spouse made the reservation, maybe a well-meaning travel agent assumed we were the Ritz because of our high ratings on TripAdvisor and Expedia, maybe a relative purchased a gift certificate as a gift. Not everyone walks in expecting a B&B in an 18th century farmhouse.
We recently had a guest who was "put up" at the Inn while giving a talk at a local institution. She was somewhat taken aback by the skeleton key. We know because she posted about it on facebook! What followed in the comments are priceless, ranging from, "18th century dungeon door key" to "do they require payment in schillings" to (my personal favorite) "is Narnia on the other side?" Well, on the other side was a well appointed four poster bed with a fluffy down comforter and silky softs sheets, a comfortable sitting area overlooking our back gardens, and a modern spotless bathroom with fluffy towels and handmade soaps. After one night, we had a convert and perhaps our biggest fan to date. She posted about the fabulous homemade breakfast featuring eggs benedict over baked prosciutto and arugula served with fresh jams, granola and a chocolate truffle along with a grapefruit dish that was so good "I wanted to cry!" When she left, she had a bagful of homemade granola and jams and our homemade laundry detergent.
When you walk into the Inn, you might be taken aback that it does not look like a hotel, it might have a few bumps and bruises because it is nearly 300 years old. We work tirelessly to keep everything maintained impeccably and our recent renovation brought the structure into the 21st century, but at its heart, the Inn is quite simply "an old farmhouse" and we celebrate it as such. So, make a reservation and come see what "slow tourism" is all about. You will not be disappointed.
Not Your Grandmother's Bed and Breakfast
I had the recent experience of visiting a college campus with my teen daughter. We stayed in a bed and breakfast near the campus. Sound familiar? The campus visit was a success, the B&B not so much.
After we checked in and looked around, my daughter said, “Is this what you’re implying when you say your B&B is “not your grandmother’s bed and breakfast?” Maybe the stuffed peacock in the corner, or the extensive collection of glass figurines gave her that idea.
Listen, there’s a B&B out there for everybody, and some people LOVE the stuffed peacocks and glass figurines, but when we opened our doors, we wanted to be different. The best compliment we can receive, is, “We hate B&Bs but we LOVE your place!”
The Hunt Room
Our decor is eclectic. The antiques we do have are mostly sideboards, end tables, and accent pieces. Our artwork is a mix of modern and traditional. Any surface you sit on is new. Don’t worry about encountering a wobbly 100-year old chair or a creaky bed and springy mattress. OK, full disclosure, our floors are random width pine, and crooked, and you can see through the cracks. But, we call that character!
You will never see doilies, stuffed animals, dingy wall to wall carpeting, or drab wallpaper at the Inn at Glencairn. You will see comfortable rooms that complement the era of the building and enhance the ambience. And, rest assured, our electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems are all up to date and working properly! Sure, they didn’t have central air conditioning in the 18th century or flat screen TVs, but wouldn’t it have been nice if they did?!
So, when you book at the Inn at Glencairn. Keep in mind, this is “not your grandmother’s bed and breakfast” and enjoy your stay!
Getting Ready for Jersey Fresh Tomatoes!
This simple recipe allows for the sublime combination of Jersey Fresh Tomatoes and sharp cheddar cheese to create the perfect Summer Brunch treat!
Tomato Pie
Ingredients
Par baked pie crust (homemade or store bought)
2 large tomatoes or several medium size
8-10 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Fresh herbs of your choice
Salt & pepper
Directions
Slice your tomatoes into 1/2 inch slices, salt the tops, and place on a paper towel to drain a bit. Leave them for 20 minutes at least. Chop your herbs (our recipe uses fresh green onion and thyme). In a par baked crust, layer cheese, herbs, and tomato, twice in that order. Top with cheese and some herbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Be sure the crust is nicely browned on the bottom. Remove and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Serve warm. (NOTE: because there are no eggs, baking longer than stated is fine. Go with how it looks.) Enjoy!
Inn at Glencairn nominated for CN Traveler Readers Choice Award!
We are so excited to be nominated again this year for the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards! We placed seventh last year for the Mid-Atlantic Region and are so appreciative of the honor. It has been a challenging year to say the least, and to be nominated for this prestigious award among these top hotels and resorts means the world to us.
We would be thrilled to place again this year. To vote, just go to: https://www.cntraveler.com/rca/vote and search for the Inn at Glencairn under Hotels & Resorts. (You will be asked to sign up for a newsletter but you can always unsubscribe.) And, take a moment to recognize your other favorites. Chances are they had a rough year too and could benefit from a little positive recognition! Thanks for your support!
Outdoor Pursuits in Central New Jersey
If you’re looking for a safe place to visit while awaiting your vaccine, celebrating having been vaccinated (our innkeeper, Lydia, is fully immune now), or just needing a different set of four walls, consider a stay at the Inn at Glencairn. We have nearly three acres of beauty to explore including our 200-year-old barn, stone stables, and old smokehouse. Take your complimentary wine out to the barn to enjoy intimate conversation at sunset or get your coffee in the morning, do some yoga or meditate while listening to the birds chirp. It’s finally Spring so it’s time to GET OUT!
If you’re into bicycling or hiking, consider any of these wonderful locations (bring your own or rent in Princeton):
At Duke Farms, you’ll find over one thousand acres of land to explore native species, sustainability efforts, and the area’s natural beauty. Walk, bike, or take a class to learn more about conservation efforts and how you can fight climate change. Eat at the farm-sourced, award-winning café or support local farmers at the seasonal farm market. (At the time of this writing, Saturday visitors need to reserve a free entry pass per car. Register online for the pass.)
D&R Canal Trail (Lydia’s favorite)
Enjoy the nearly 80 miles of flat trail that follow the D&R Canal. This is a quiet ride that takes you through beautiful meadows, quaint towns with wonderful coffee shops and cafes, and offers incredible views. The trail starts in New Brunswick and ends in Frenchtown, but you can get on and off in any of about 30 spots along the trail. Consider the four mile ride into Princeton for lunch or dinner so you can work off Lydia’s deliciously filling breakfast.
There is a nearly-finished 22-mile ride in and around Lawrenceville and Hopewell if you like a more challenging, not-always-flat-and-a-bit-urban ride around those two delightful towns. Stopping off for coffee, tea, or an amazing pastry in Lawrenceville or perhaps lunch in Hopewell should be on your list. Accessing the trail can be done a short one mile ride from the Inn’s driveway (Please use caution on Lawrenceville Road.)
We are surrounded by dozens of excellent hiking and biking trails through the Rails-To-Trails system. One of Lydia’s current favorites is the Columbia Trail which starts at High Bridge (an easy one hour drive) and rides for about 15 miles. You pass charming towns, a Clydesdale horse farm, coffee shops, and quiet beauty through Central NJ.
This little gem is only a short five minute drive from our parking lot and will keep you walking or biking for miles. It’s an old pole farm and a favorite with bird watchers and naturalists.
For a quick, close walk in a beautiful little town park, head into Lawrenceville and turn on Gordon. In about two miles you’ll drive right into this little charmer. The park actually connects up to Mercer Meadows if you haven’t had enough exercise. Bikes and hikes welcome, or take a book and enjoy reading in the sun.
If you want to do some forest bathing, try the Institute Woods. A short drive into Princeton, Institute Woods is a beautiful, quiet place to walk, contemplate, and enjoy being alive. The paths are not paved so it’s best for walking, and you will likely encounter all kinds of happy wildlife.
This large park has a paved 3.5 mile (one way) bike ride that is pure delight; it has curves, straight shots, and a few rolling hills. Over the lake you can see any of the four pairs of nesting Bald Eagle couples fishing and feeding their chicks, which are hatching now. Juveniles can be seen flying, too. Bring your binoculars and a snack. Mercer Park has lots to offer besides bikes and walking paths. There is an amazing exercise station, new since the pandemic to help people get out while gyms have been closed.
Walking in the Footsteps of History
History abounds in Princeton since this is where the Revolutionary War took a turn toward our side. Princeton is home to several signers of the Declaration of Independence, a place for Washington and his troops during the battle of Princeton, field headquarters for Washington during the War, a five month meeting place for Congress, the final resting place for Aaron Burr, Jr (famous for killing Hamilton), and more.
Walking the campus of Princeton University is not to be missed. The beauty of the Gothic architecture is something to behold. You will need your camera handy to capture and enjoy the beauty of the buildings, archways, and gardens.
Need more reasons to visit Princeton? Let’s talk about the Culinary Presence: Dozens of cafes, bakeries, and restaurants are serving up top notch food that have locals and tourists returning time and again. We have indoor and outdoor dining for your comfort. We have artisan pizza, steaks, chops, generations old bread baking, farm-to-table, and James Beard winning chefs at work. French, Italian, Greek, Thai, Chinese, and American, among others.
"Best Quiche Ever"
When your Chef and Innkeeper says she just made the best quiche ever, you take note, especially when guests tell you that they nearly proposed to her after having her scrambled eggs! Travel is still slow these days, but Lydia continues to try new recipes and perfect old ones. Here is her latest. Or as she calls it “one of the best quiches ever … really!”
Sausage and Spinach Quiche:
8 ounces of your favorite ground sausage
4 ounces of cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
5 eggs
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
Handful of spinach
Directions: Brown the ground sausage. Add cream cheese and mix so sausage is covered. Remove from heat and pour into pie plate. Add a little water to the pan used for sausage and wilt the handful of spinach. Layer the wilted spinach on top of the sausage mixture. Cover with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Blend the eggs with the heavy cream and pour over the mixture in the pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Let the quiche rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Inn at Glencairn named top 10 Hotel in the Mid-Atlantic by Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards!
When we converted our 18th century farmhouse into the Inn at Glencairn, we knew it would be a labor of love. At the time, many nearby historic properties were being deserted, boarded up, and demolished. We wanted to preserve Glencairn and give it life as a sustainable enterprise.
With just five guest rooms, we knew the Inn could not compete on size with the big chain hotels in the Princeton area, but we also knew that those big chains could not offer the unique history, charm, and personality that a small country Inn can provide its guests. So, we focused on what we could offer: A respite from the average hotel stay. We set out to create an environment that would transport travelers to a cozy country estate owned by a favorite relative.
Now, over fifteen years later, we are so excited to be a recipient of the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Award! Being ranked in the top 10 for properties in the Mid-Atlantic really is such an honor. We are beyond grateful to our past and present guests who recognized us by voting. To be on the same list as The Rittenhouse and the Four Seasons is pretty humbling. Our staff, Lydia and Sindi, deserve the accolades. They are constantly striving to improve the guest experience and have been so resilient and dedicated, especially during the current environment.
So, a big thank you to our guests and to our staff. We are beyond grateful to receive this award! Check out the list of winners for the mid-Atlantic below.
Condé Nast Traveler’s full Top 10 Hotels in the mid-Atlantic ranking includes:
The Rittenhouse: Total score: 99.55.
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia at Comcast Center: Total score: 99.23
The Reeds at Shelter Haven: Total score: 99.04.
The MC Hotel, Autograph Collection, located in Montclair, New Jersey. Total score: 98.54.
Troutbeck, located in Amenia, New York. Total score: 98.31.
The Roxbury at Stratton Falls, located in Roxbury, New York. Total score: 97.72.
Inn at Glencairn, located in Princeton, New Jersey. Total score: 96.97.
The Ivy Hotel, located in Baltimore: Total score: 96.92.
Historic Hotel Bethlehem, located in Bethlehem: Total score: 95.63.
The Study at University City: Total score: 90.45.
Book a Two Night Getaway at the Inn at Glencairn and Receive the Second Night Free!
We understand that the current pandemic has changed a lot of things recently. But, we want to let you know what it has not changed, here at the Inn at Glencairn:
It has not changed the immediate feeling of warmth when you walk through the door.
It has not changed the delicious freshly made chocolate chip cookies greeting you upon your arrival. (It has changed the location: They are now waiting for you in your room!)
It has not changed the chef prepared, gourmet breakfast served in our beautiful Dining Room. (But we only serve one room at a time.)
It has not changed the homemade jams, butters, granola, and preserves that accompany every breakfast. (You can even take some home for later!)
It has not changed the personal attention you receive from Lydia or the concierge service she provides, if you ask. She is social distancing and behind a mask, but she still knows more about the area than anyone!
It has not changed the delightful furnishings, nor has it changed the historic ambiance and pub atmosphere in the Great Room that dates back to 1736.
The Hunt Room featuring a King Sized bed and Custom Greek Key Molding.
So when you start lamenting everything that has changed, we would like to let you know that we are still doing what we do best, providing hospitality.
We invite you to take a much needed break from your four walls and take advantage of our Fall Getaway special: Book your two night stay with us from now until April 1, 2021 and receive the second night free. Please call 609.497.1737 to make your reservation. (Note: Exemptions do apply, and the special is valid for NEW reservations made for a weekday stay Sunday through Thursday. Give us a call with any questions! )
And, yes, we understand that travel plans change and sometimes states end up on the quarantine list suddenly. So, with that in mind, whatever you book is completely flexible. You can use your credit ANY time you want if you need to change your original plan.
Inn at Glencairn receives the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Award!
Inn at Glencairn receives 2020 Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor
We are thrilled to receive the 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award! The award has replaced the former Certificate of Excellence, so this is the sixth continuous year the Inn has received this award. As our guests know, we take our job seriously, and we strive to give each guest a wonderful, authentic stay. Thank you to the nearly 400 guests who took the time to sit down and give us their honest feedback. We continued to maintain our pace of hitting the mark with 98% of our reviews in the Excellent to Good category! Kudos to our Innkeeper, Lydia, who is often mentioned by name and whose breakfasts are nearing legendary status. 2020 has been a tough one, to say the least, but it is the kind words of our guests that keep us going!
Travel in Pandemic Times
We have had the pleasure of sitting through many webinars for hoteliers dealing with the current pandemic. As we listen to what we should be doing, we find ourselves looking at each other and saying more often than not, "We've been doing that all along."
Sure, mandatory face masks are a new thing and no, Lydia is not handing out hugs and handshakes anymore. But, we have always required our staff to clean and disinfect guest rooms after each stay. We have always required our staff to disinfect all linens after each stay. We have always regularly sanitized high traffic common areas. We have to wonder why other hotels have not been doing the same?
What is new? Well, like we said, masks are mandatory. Check in and check out is "no touch." Hand sanitizer is available throughout the Inn. Our famous chocolate chip cookies will be in your room upon check in (sorry, now you have to ask for more!) Our breakfast will be waiting for you at your scheduled time slot, so that the occupants of the dining room are only those people from your room or your family unit. Housekeeping will only enter your room upon check out, unless you specifically request for service during your stay. And, we are now leaving a 24 hour minimum vacancy between guests in the same room. Just to be on the safe side.
Take a look at our reviews, we are consistently lauded for our cleanliness. We had these best practices in place since we opened nearly 15 years ago. As you consider your future travel options, we hope that you will continue to place your trust in us, knowing that we had these high standards in place all along.
History of the Inn: Harry the Trapper
Ever wonder where we got the inspiration for naming our rooms? We dug into the archives of the nearly 300 years of Glencairn history and paid tribute to a few of its interesting inhabitants. The Baldwin Suite is named for perhaps the most fascinating character of Glencairn, Harry Baldwin, or more affectionately known as Harry the Trapper.
Harry lived in the Stone Wing of the house around the turn of the nineteenth century and was employed as a farmer on the property. The farm at that time ran up past Carter Road and onto the property now owned by Bristol Myers. Harry tended to the cows, chopped wood, and became known around the area as a first class trapper. He earned a fair amount of income from trapping animals and selling their fur. Children would bring their trapped muskrats, raccoons, and skunks to Harry, and Harry would skin them for 25 cents and sell them to a local buyer. Given his rough and tumble ways, Harry always smelled a little of skunk and had a habit of spitting tobacco wherever he pleased! Yet, despite his crude ways, Harry was also honest to a fault and known as a kind person.
The Great Room Fireplace
Years later, after we converted the farmhouse into the Inn at Glencairn, we were fortunate to strike up a friendship with a descendant of Harry, our dear friend Audrey. She loved Halloween, and made an annual pilgrimage to the Inn to stay in the Baldwin Suite hoping for a “visit” from her dear, departed relative. Harry never showed up, but we always enjoyed our visits with Audrey!
So, next time you walk into the stone side of the Inn and up to the Baldwin Suite, close your eyes and imagine a time when Harry was living there enjoying a good book by the fire or sharing some stories with the children who brought him their hides!
In Times of Uncertainty: We Think Smaller is Better!
Worried about travel in the age of a rapidly spreading Coronavirus? With a small staff, we know our crew is trained to diligently clean and disinfect rooms after each stay. Our Housekeepers, Sindi and Lis, are often the unsung heroes of our Inn. They have been diligently working to keep your rooms sparkling clean for nearly four years now. Given the high turnover in the hospitality industry, we are thankful that we have such reliable, trustworthy, and professional housekeepers at the Inn. That along with our second-to-none Innkeeper, Lydia, gives us great confidence that we are providing a safe and healthy environment for our guests.
Our reviews keep us on our toes, and time and again, our guests tell us that our Inn is among the cleanest establishments they have visited during their travels. The truth is, with the constant turnover in the hospitality industry, it is comforting to know exactly who is preparing your food and cleaning your room. Many of our larger competitors with larger staffs cannot offer the same level of personalized service and consistency. Sometimes we view our small size as a challenge, but in times of uncertainty, we firmly believe smaller is better!
That said, we understand travel plans have been changing rapidly during this uncertain time, so please know that if you book directly with us either via our website or by telephone, we will extend your reservation to a later date, if you require additional flexibility due to travel constraints. (Reservations booked through a third party travel site such as Expedia, hotels.com, and booking.com are nonrefundable.)
Central New Jersey DOES Exist!
Recently, we found ourselves sitting in a meeting of local businesses with the goal of highlighting agritourism in Central New Jersey. We walked away even more in love with this special region we call home. Years back, when we were city dwellers, we would make day trips to Central New Jersey along with other more popular areas upstate. Time and again, we returned to this area and eventually put down roots here. During the past 20 years, we have seen remarkable changes: The restaurant scene has exploded, thanks to the farm-to-table movement, the art scene has grown, and yet, the countryside remains largely untouched and the charming towns retain their small town appeal. (Spoiler: This is not the New Jersey of malls and exits.)
When we first opened the Inn at Glencairn, our guests were coming to the Princeton area for a reason. They were visiting schools, traveling for business, or simply coming to see relatives. Our favorite review came from someone who said, “if you can make my mother happy, you are a miracle!” We clearly filled a need for people looking to avoid the cookie cutter hotels dotting the major highways, but most our guests were just passing through.
Now, we are starting to see more and more guests who are visiting the area as a destination. Finally, people are beginning to see what we fell in love with 20 years ago. Central New Jersey does exist and it has a lot to offer. Guests can easily spend several days visiting the local farms, romantic vineyards, craft breweries and distilleries, and fascinating historic sites. The Garden State is alive and well in Central New Jersey!
Did you know:
Central New Jersey is where the War of American Independence was saved, thanks to George Washington’s daring decision in 1776 to cross the Delaware River to win battles at Trenton and Princeton.
Central New Jersey provided the nation’s first Capitol building, as the Continental Congress met at Nassau Hall, now the most famous ivy-draped building on the campus of Princeton University.
Central New Jersey was the first “breadbasket” of America’s greatest city, New York, producing corn and wheat, tomatoes, and other crops critical to feeding the “Big Apple.”
Central New Jersey is home to the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, one of the most stunning historic and recreation assets you’ll find anywhere—though we’ve sort of kept it a secret. The canal was once vital to bringing the bounty of the Garden State to New York. Today, it is a highly accessible recreation area for New Jersey, New York, and Philadelphia.
These are just a few reasons to come for a visit. The bit above is “borrowed” from the Discover Central New Jersey website. Take a moment to visit their website and start to plan your next retreat from the city. Be sure to make the Inn at Glencairn your home base as you explore the area. You cannot get more authentic than staying in an 18th century farmhouse that was overtaken by Hessians during the Revolutionary War. And, while we cannot say for certain that George Washington ever stepped foot on the property, we are pretty sure he marched past on his way to Princeton!