We are thrilled to announce that the Inn at Glencairn has once again been nominated for the Conde Nast Travelers Readers Choice Awards! This is a very exciting honor for us, and we are humbled to be in the running for four years in a row. We placed third last year in the Mid-Atlantic Region, ninth in 2021 in the Northeast Region and seventh in 2020 in the Mid-Atlantic Region!
Please vote for us! We would be forever grateful if you spent a minute or two to cast a vote for us. Just click on this LINK and then click on "Hotels" and type in "Inn at Glencairn." You will be asked to sign up for the newsletter but you can unsubscribe if you would prefer not be receive future emails. Voting ends June 30th!
Thank you for your support!
When did Authentic become Trendy?
The word authentic gets thrown around a LOT. It seems to be a favorite among travel bloggers and influencers who are encouraging their readers to travel authentically. What does that even mean? When did it become trendy to be authentic?
If you consider constantly examining what matters most to our guests as being authentic, then count us in! When you pull back the curtain and take a deep dive, what truly matters most is a comfortable bed in a clean room that is aesthetically pleasing. If it's that easy, then why do so many properties get it wrong? Mostly because they over promise and under deliver.
Here at the Inn we try to be brutally honest. The structure dates back to 1736 which means the floorboards are wonky and angles don't always meet at 90 degrees. Ceilings and doorways are low in certain areas and doors tend to creak occasionally. We call that charm, and besides demolishing the place, there is little we can do about it.
What we can control, we do. We make sure our beds are comfortable and our bathrooms are spotless. We make sure our greetings and interactions are warm and friendly without being overbearing. We make sure that we offer several options for breakfast and that our guests dietary requirements are met. We make sure our furniture throughout is well maintained and cozy. We make sure our guests are safe by carefully maintaining the structures and strictly adhering to the latest health and fire codes.
So, when you come to the Inn, you can expect us to give you our best effort to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. We aren't sure if that makes us authentic or trendy, but hopefully it makes you want to come back!
Top Five reasons to visit Central NJ in the Spring!
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!
Spring Break: Eggs Benedict "Gone Wild"
It all started with Eggs Glencairn: Poached eggs, arugula, and crispy prosciutto atop a croissant, drizzled with Hollandaise sauce.
That version of Eggs Benedict (pictured here) placed in the top 10 for B&B breakfasts!
As Spring approaches, Lydia is excited to shake things up again with a few of her latest versions of this classic breakfast dish.
Here are five that she has lined up to try this Spring. Call ahead if you are interested in trying one and I am sure she will work it into the schedule!
Italian Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs, grilled bell peppers, fresh spinach, fried Pancetta over a Polenta slice, topped with Marinara sauce.
Greek Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs, chopped fresh onion and pepper, Feta cheese, lamb sausage over a toasted pita, topped with Tzatziki sauce.
Eggs Bollywood: Poached eggs, fried Paneer cheese, cooked spinach over toasted Naan, topped with Tikka Masala hollandaise.
California Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs, goat cheese, asparagus over toasted Sourdough bread, topped with avocado hollandaise.
PacNW Benedict: Poached eggs, cream cheese with chives and onions, salmon over Dave's Killer Bread, topped with Hollandaise sauce.
Inn at Glencairn #3 in CN Traveler Readers' Choice Awards for Mid-Atlantic Region!
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 is such an honor. We are beyond grateful to our past and present guests who recognized us by voting.
Lydia, our amazing Innkeeper, and our housekeeping crew deserve the accolades. They are constantly striving to improve the guest experience and have been so resilient and dedicated over the past few years. So, a big thank you to our guests and to our staff. We are beyond grateful to receive this award for the last three years!
Check out the list of winners for the mid-Atlantic below.
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh
Inn at Glencairn
Asbury Ocean Club
The Ivy Hotel
The Reeds at Shelter Haven
The Asbury Hotel
The Rittenhouse
Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia
Hotel du Pont
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!
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 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.
Eco-Friendly Practices at the Inn at Glencairn
At the Inn at Glencairn, we have been incorporating sustainable practices into our business for some time. In fact, our entire business model was built on the philosophy of preserving and restoring an 18th century farmhouse and filling it with beautiful antique and vintage furniture and paintings!
Since we first opened our doors in 2004, we had a towel reuse policy; as the years went on, we extended that to bed linens for guests who did not want their linens washed daily. Also, since day one, we had programmable thermostats in guest rooms and an active recycling program. We are fortunate to live in a town that recycles, and we take advantage of their programs. Lately, we have started recycling plastics that are not typically included in the municipal program by taking them to recycling centers such as Whole Foods and local farmers markets. More recently, we discontinued the practice of using plastic water bottles. We have a highly inspected and regulated well on the property, and we enjoy our very own spring water! You will also notice that we use real glass, china, and cutlery rather than disposable products.
We have begun to switch out less eco-friendly items for more sustainable products as their useful life ends: We have begun phasing in LED lighting, and we have installed solar lighting outside where it makes sense. Where possible, we blend our own cleaning and laundry products using natural ingredients. And, finally, in the kitchen, we endeavor to buy local and organic ingredients, and we have increased our daily breakfast to include two new options that allow guests with smaller appetites to enjoy a full breakfast without leaving a plateful of waste for the landfill. Plus, we are constantly adding to our list of “made from scratch” goodies such as baked goods, yogurt, granola, jams & jellies.
We look forward to adding new initiatives as the year continues. The best part of being eco-conscious is that many of our initiatives take place behind the scenes without sacrificing the comfort of our guests, and in many instances it can enhance their stay. We fully anticipate that the Inn will be around well into the next century, and we will do our best to minimize its carbon footprint so future generations can enjoy its unique history and ambiance.
Inn at Glencairn recognized in TripAdvisor Hall of Fame!
We are so thrilled to be recognized in the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for receiving the Certificate of Excellence award for five continuous years from 2015 to 2019. We strive to give each guest a wonderful visit, and we take our reviews seriously! Thank you to the nearly 400 guests who took the time to sit down and give us feedback on their stay. Luckily, we hit the mark more often than not with 98% of our reviews in the Excellent to Good category! Kudos to our past Innkeepers who have laid the groundwork and to our current Innkeeper, Lydia, who has elevated our breakfasts and customer outreach to an exciting new level. Looking forward to another great year at the Inn at Glencairn!
Inn at Glencairn awarded 2018 Certificate of Excellence Award!
We are thrilled to announce that the Inn at Glencairn has been awarded the 2018 Certificate of Excellence Award from TripAdvisor.
The Inn has received this honor for the past four years, making it the only lodging establishment in the area to consistently earn such high marks from travelers on TripAdvisor since 2015.
The Certificate of Excellence celebrates businesses that continually earn great traveler reviews and receive strong praise and ratings from travelers. We are honored to be included among the best of the best!
Princeton University Library, Firestone Library, Princeton, NJ
Princeton University Library is one of the world’s most distinguished research libraries, consisting of the Harvey S. Firestone Memorial Library and nine buildings across campus.
The library's collections include more than eight million books, six million microforms, 49,000 linear feet of manuscripts, and impressive holdings of rare books, prints, archives and other material that require special handling. The library's extensive electronic resources include databases and journals, statistical packages, images and digital maps.
The Department of Rare Books and Special Collections sponsors two major exhibitions a year in the Main Gallery located on the first floor of the Firestone Library. The Cotsen Children's Library includes an interactive exhibition gallery for children. In addition, materials from the collections are displayed in various lobby cases, in online galleries, and in the exhibition gallery of the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library at 65 Olden Street. All exhibitions are free and open to the general public.
Current Exhibition:
Versailles on Paper: A Graphic Panorama of the Palace and Gardens of Louis XIV
This exhibition documents the contemporary representation of Versailles through a multifaceted array of prints, books, maps, medals, and manuscripts. It highlights in particular those elements that today survive only on paper: ephemeral festivals; short-lived creatures (courtiers, animals, flowers); fragile groves and fountains too costly to maintain; and once celebrated masterpieces of art and architecture that were irrevocably destroyed or altered.
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-258-3184
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library
65 Olden Street
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-258-6345
www.library.princeton.edu