Glenwood House
49 Glenwood Road
Pine Island, NY 10969
845-258-5066

Glenwood House Home Page

September 2000

Welcome to www.weloveourlife.com. This is our page dedicated to our experiences while staying at the Glenwood House in Pine Island, New York. The Glenwood House has been awarded a "best of ..." www.weloveourlife.com award.

Check out our 2002 visit to the Glenwood House.

Accommodations

We stayed in Lord Byron's Suite. This suite was located in the Guest Cottage behind the main house. The room was masculine yet not overbearing, with a dark canopy queen bed that was very comfortable and full of puffy pillows. There was a sitting area complete with a sofa, an inviting gas stove in the corner, and cable tv. The generous-sized bathroom contained a large 2-person whirlpool. The accommodations were everything we hoped for. The innkeeper thoughtfully had candles lit and music playing when we entered our room. She had also cracked open some windows on a beautiful autumn day to let in some fresh air, and it was a most inviting first look at our accommodations. The bedroom/sitting room had large windows on three sides (a meadow was in the back), and a window unit air conditioner. The bathroom contained a separate shower and a another large window over the tub. The lights had dimmers, which was convenient. The room was clean and the owners obviously took great pride in their accommodations for their guests. Robes were provided. We felt at home as soon as we arrived.

Inn Amenities

This is what all bed-and-breakfasts should aim to be. It was one of the best experiences we have ever had in a b&b. It is out in the country, just a few houses away from New Jersey, and the mist in the valley in the morning is hauntingly beautiful. Deer came right up to our doorstep. It was a magical place, and the 2 days we spent there were truly a peaceful escape. No matter where we were on the grounds, we felt like we were at home. We heartily recommend this inn to anyone who wants to get a true taste of a well-run, comfortable, peaceful b&b, and it is an excellent value for the money. We hope to return soon.

Inn Food

The nightly rate includes a very filling, multi-course breakfast. The food was wonderful and hearty. Breakfast was in the dining room with other guests, and it was apparent to us they all felt very fortunate to be able to spend time in this beautiful little corner of the world. The innkeeper rescues/adopts Pug dogs, and they peacefully slept under the table, warming our feet (although not begging for food). The website does indicate that breakfast can be delivered to the room, if requested.

Inn Bar/Lounge

There was no bar/lounge; we had brought a cooler to chill some wine and for a few beers when we watched a football game Sunday evening.

Inn People/Service

We can't say enough about Andrea Colman, who owns the inn with her husband, Kevin (whom we did not actually meet during our stay). She manages the b&b, along with a large family of several very well-behaved children who interact pleasantly with the guests and who seem well aware the inn is important to the family. Andrea greeted us when we arrived, and carried some of our bags to our suite (over our protests, and she simply smiled and said, "it's my job"). It was a few minutes later that we realized she had used that opportunity to light candles and put on a CD to make the room more welcoming. She asked us what we felt like having for dinner, and produced many different menus for restaurants in the area, and went over them at length with us, discussing pros and cons of area restaurants. She also offered to make any necessary reservations, if needed. She showed us where they kept videos, and explained what was going on in the Warwick Valley that weekend and told us she was available if we needed suggestions, directions, etc. She was the supreme hostess, although very mellow and appeared she would be unflappable in even the most dire situations. She had a "Mother Earth" aura about her. She is the sort of person who draws people out, perfect for an innkeeper. Anyone wishing to preside over a well-run inn would do well to spend some time with Andrea. This is the service all innkeepers should aspire to. Keith gets credit for finding this inn...he did a great job!

Area/Attractions

The little town of Pine Island is located in the Warwick Valley, just below the Hudson Valley region. It is just north of the northernmost part of New Jersey. This area has plains known as the Black Dirt Region for exactly that reason...the dirt in the fields is a dark, thick black. This region was previously the bottom of a glacial lake which eventually receded. In the late 1800s, settlers drained the remaining water and found some of the most fertile soil in the US. Sweet Empire State onions are grown in the black dirt, and we could actually smell the sweet onions as we drove on some of the elevated roads by the farms.

We arrived in the area on Saturday, September 30, the height of the apple harvest/festival. Warwick, a charming small town in the region, was mobbed with city folk eager to pick their own apples, so we retreated to the country roads. Having both grown up in rural suburbs, we had done enough apple picking in our lives, but for those of you who haven't, September is a nice time to visit this region (but plan ahead, as there are crowds).

Sugarloaf is a nearby town with lots of local artists and crafts stores.

We continued on our wine tour. We visited Demarest and Warwick Valley Winery. You can read more about these wineries and more on our wine page.

Dining

Ye Jolly Onion - County Route 1, Pine Island, NY, 10969 845-258-4277
Ye Jolly Onion's Web Site
This restaurant was integral to the town. They did not take reservations, and since it was early Saturday evening, we had to wait. We ended up in the cocktail lounge, which served drinks and appetizers. We sipped a couple drinks and Lori snacked on some shrimp cocktail while we waited for our table (a little over an hour, which was actually shorter than the wait originally quoted). The food and service were good, and Lori's crab legs were some of the best she has had. Keith had a steak. It was a welcome short ride home just up the road.

The Barnsider Tavern - 1372 Kings Hwy., Sugar Loaf, NY, 10981, 845-649-9810
On Sunday afternoon, we stopped for lunch in Sugarloaf, a small artsy town with lots of great shops. The Barnsider does not take reservations and you have to stand in line or lose your place. There was actually motorcycle parking out in front, and there were quite a few Harleys which their owners took great pride in. It is actually a rustic restaurant, full of rough-hewn wood. We opted for seats at the bar and ordered fairly good sandwiches for lunch.

Crystal Inn - 10 Amity Road, Warwick, NY, 10990, 845-258-4232
Crystal Inn's Web Site
On Sunday evening, we wanted something casual, perhaps somewhere we could watch some football. Andrea listened to Lori's request, and recommended the Crystal Inn. It was a hillside Italian restaurant with a bar with a big-screen TV. We settled in with drinks and ordered a pizza, which was exactly what we wanted. The pasta on the menu also looked appetizing.

Nightlife

There are more bars and restaurants in Warwick, the local center of population, with some live entertainment. We decided to soak up the country aura, and retired to our room both evenings to sit by the fire. On Sunday evening, we enjoyed a snack and some beer while watching the Philadelphia Eagles in a rare prime-time appearance in an ESPN-televised football game, curled up in front of our cozy gas stove.

Weather

This is the Mid-Atlantic region of the US. We were in Pine Island from September 29 - October 1. The days were mild (60s) and the nights were just a bit cooler (high 40s/low 50s). The Mid-Atlantic region can get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. It is nearly always humid. Early fall is a pleasant time of year to visit.