We just returned from a 3 night stay at Spencer House Inn and were pleased with every aspect of our stay. First, let me say that this Victorian inn was built as a hotel, so it does not suffer many of the idiosyncrasies of old homes that have been converted to B&B’s. The guest rooms and common areas are spacious and airy, owing in part to the Victorian construction which features high ceilings on the first and second floors. This is a Victorian inn with primarily Victorian furnishings and decor, yet there is a handy guest elevator right next to the stairs, making checking in and out with luggage a breeze. The first and second floor porches are accessible to all guests.
We stayed in Room 201 on the 2nd floor at the front of the house. This spacious corner room was not the largest in the inn, yet it was much larger and brighter than the average B&B guest room. The second floor porch is just outside the front windows, yet we never felt a lack of privacy. Also, despite the location at the front of the inn, we never heard street noise. The inn has central air which is not controlled individually in the guest rooms. On check-in, we were assured that adjustments in temperature would be made upon request. Normally, my husband and I are very sensitive to temperature during the night, yet we never needed to ask for an adjustment. We were always comfortable - even in the 90+ degree afternoons - because of the high ceilings, adjustable ceiling fan, and efficiently circulating central air. The king-sized bed was very comfortable. A “white noise” machine in the hallway provided an unexpected and relaxing nighttime bonus, just one of the many little details that showed a lot of thought has gone into making the guests comfortable. Our private bathroom was spacious and bright with a new pedestal sink, new toilet, and new storage cabinet. The claw-foot tub/shower took a little getting used to, but we managed (If you prefer a traditional tub/shower there are several rooms available that have these.)
Proprietors Mary and Mike went out of their way to help us arrange our Cumberland Island tour, even giving us insider tips on when and where to check in for the ferry and as well as the best walking route from the inn to the ferry dock. Their delicious and hearty lunch packed in a handy soft cooler was ready on time for our day’s adventure. Breakfast options are plentiful every day, ranging from freshly baked breakfast breads and fruit to hot and delicious made-to-order egg entrees. If you prefer just regular scrambled eggs, they are available too. My fussy dietary restrictions were cheerfully accommodated as Mike made changes in the recipe according to my needs. Each afternoon, we were encouraged to partake of the freshly baked cookies, coffee and teas set out in the breakfast room (no dietary restrictions necessary on the cookies!)
Beyond all the charm and comforts, the most outstanding quality of this inn is the high level of hospitality provided by the proprietors and every staff member we encountered. We were made to feel completely at home during our entire stay. Mary and Mike were like old friends to us, although we had just met. We enjoyed getting to know them, and even though they meet lots of people that come and go every day, they seemed genuinely interested in getting to know us and the other guests. They possess a generosity of spirit rarely encountered today and it shines through in every detail. This quality “spills over” to the other staff, all of whom worked hard to make our stay comfortable and fun. You could say they set a very high bar on hospitality. And you would be right.
When we return to St. Mary’s, we will most definitely return to the Spencer House Inn for a comfortable and relaxing visit with our new old friends.
