Red Lion Inn

I enjoy going to the Red Lion INN. I love the history behind this INN. I had a wonder experience at the gift shop! Many wonderful items to choose from. Has a little something for everyone. They have lovely Victorian night gowns. When I was there they didn't have my size. The very friendly cashier took my name and other information down and offered to call me when they got my size. She called me within a few days and had the night gown shipped to me.She was just so nice!!!! Its always nice to shop at the Red Lion Inn gift shop!! Read less

I have been wanting to visit the Red Lion Inn since I was young. I used to clip the ads from magazines. Always thought it sounded like a really cool, romantic place. It took me 50 years to finally get there, but it was worth the wait (and this year is their 50th anniversary of sorts - I think the Fitzpatrick family took it over in 1969). My significant other booked the trip. He did well. I initially thought I would have liked to stay in the original building, but we wound up in one of the guest houses, Maple Glen. I would highly recommend this accommodation. Very recently refurbed and absolutely lovely. We had a big, comfy king sized bed, with wonderful linens, comforter and quilt. Bathroom was wonderful too. Radiant heated floors, a huge walk in shower, great toiletries (took my soaps home - they are lovely), 2 cushy robes to use. We had a Keurig machine for that first cup of morning coffee, and there was a well stocked honor bar. Beautiful common space downstairs with a small kitchen, wood burning fireplace, sofas, chairs, lots of books. Just really comfy. I have stayed at several older resort hotels in the US. The rooms in the original inn will by nature be smaller, since everything was smaller back then - furniture, rooms, ceilings, and people! Be guided accordingly. Your trade off will be historical vs newer space. If you stay in one of the guest houses, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to visit the main inn. Lots of amazing common areas, including the vast rocking chair front porch, and the lobby area with many sofas and chairs - and Norman, the resident cat, who seems to be a huge aficionado of the lovely piano music that is played during dinner. We were also very fond of the Lion’s Den bar, which is downstairs below the inn. Friendly bartenders, a great selection of beer, wine and cocktails, and some little bar noshes to go along with your drinks. I could have spent quite a while there! We had dinner at the inn the 2 nights we were there. Widow Bingham’s Tavern has a lighter, funkier menu, while the main dining room serves classic New England comfort food (turkey dinner with all the fixings, prime rib au jus with a giant popover, very decent clam chowder). I thought the food was all very good, considering they are probably churning out a couple hundred meals on a busy night - perhaps even more, as they also serve food for the private meeting space). All of the staff we encountered could not have been nicer and more helpful, including our housekeeper who always had a cheery good morning for us. Front desk staff was extremely knowledgeable and efficient, as was the restaurants’ waitstaff. All in all, this was a solid 4 star experience! Read less

We were driving back from Albany and wanted to have a nice lunch and stopped at the Inn. There was NO parking and had to park off the common. Once we got in the lunch menu was very expensive so we ate at the bar. Too close to each table. Do NOT do this if you want a private conversation. After we got in we found out the menu was the same in the main lodge. The waitress forgot to give us our bread and we had to ask twice. The food was average but the place has a lot of history. Most people there were older people. The bathrooms like the Inn were very small and hard to get to. Glad I went but will not do that again. Read less

This Inn offers both charm and top notch service with fantastic food options in their main dining room or tavern. I have traveled here many times for day visits and overnight stays and enjoy the consistency of their quality service and food options. It's a must-have during the holiday season since they put up an xmas tree and having the fire going and also feature some musicians playing the piano. The cat will probably not greet you since its main job is to relax and just observe all of the visitors. You may get to sneak a peak during your visit. Read less

A lovely old building in the centre of town with comfortable rooms; although rebuilt after a fire in the 1890s it looks as old as it’s 1770s heritage. Good restaurant and tavern for eating- it’s popular with locals so book a table at weekends. Particularly nice is the choice of simple breakfasts - no big fixed price arrangement. Also highly recommended is the Hancock Shaker Village nearby. Read less