The Columbia Inn At Peralynna

The best place I’ve ever stayed at overnight, hands down. This was my first time visiting a Bed and Breakfast and although this was only 20 minutes away from my home, it felt like we were a million miles away in the most secluded and tranquil part of town. We were going to a party and decided to spend the night and celebrate our 22^nd Anniversary and we did just that. The party was beautiful but our stay was even better. I came back home feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. So calm and peaceful I felt after staying here. I HIGHLY recommend this place. The staff is courteous and friendly and the owner is a class act and wants nothing more than to make sure her residents are happy and pleased with their stay. We stayed in the O Suite and it was private, quiet and luxurious. We will definitely visit again.

Stayed in the suite the night of my wedding. It’s a cute place & it was my first bed & breakfast. I didn’t see 90s/​80s décor like previous reviews stated. My room had older/​Victorian type decorations. So the one person jacuzzi was interesting. The day of my wedding was so humid that by the time I got here, I just wanted to bathe & didn’t care about the set up. I didn’t use the jacuzzi but noticed there was a shower head with 2 curtains, one for each side. Water pressure sucked. But that was pretty much the only negative thing about my stay. On one side was a «living room» type set up with a big TV, smaller dining room table & couch. Other side was large king size bed, TV and a kitchenette with fridge, microwave. They had rose petals on the bed & around the jacuzzi which was a nice touch. We did not try the breakfast though. We had a bunch of errands to run & didn’t have a lot of time. It was a cute place & the grandson (Ted?) was very nice & helpful. (Do not use the bar soap provided on your face. I forgot my face wash & had to use it to remove my make up. If you have sensitive skin, don’t use it, I broke out a little :()

Pros: good home cooked breakfast (the omelettes and home fries were good), good jazz band played downstairs the Friday night we stayed, some good snacks and drinks put out during entertainment, very friendly and attentive staff, really wanted to know how our stay was, stayed in Suite J — roomy and spacious and clean, Tempurpedic mattress, loved the shower head, our room had a pretty electric fireplace which was nice to fall asleep to, very good location — about a 6 mile drive to downtown Elicott City, which is adorable and has great bars and restaurants.
Cons: Christmas decorations out in February?, entrance was cluttered — not best first impression, décor was mixmatched, stadium style chairs in breakfast lounge, just really needs to be updated in general, they forgot our breakfast order the first time so we had to wait a very long time, but they were apologetic, not really sure why so pricy — location maybe?, blinds in our room were hanging crooked, one was broken– I notice these things! ;)

Let me be very clear: this was, hands down, the best time I’ve ever had at a B&B. My husband took me there for my birthday/Valentine’s day this year. We stayed for 5 days. I’m already planning to go back for our anniversary.
The rooms are all unique, and all have their own character. We stayed in the C suite, which was absolutely gorgeous, and included a king size bed, with Tempurpedic mattress (more on that later), living room with fireplace, bathroom fireplace! (I, know, right?), wet bar, gigantic bathroom with round Jacuzzi garden tub and separate steam shower, and a walk in closet that would be big enough to be called a waltz in closet. I posted a few pics of the suite at the bottom of this review. They don’t do it justice.
The inn is full of reading nooks, split levels and charming sitting areas, like the well stocked library on the 1^st level, or the alcove on the side of the dining room, where you can just sit down with a book, or a drink, or hold hands with the love of your life and gaze in each other’s eyes. Then there is the game room. And the DVD library that you can borrow from. You have pretty much full access to most of the house. You can also grab a soda from the fridge in the library. Or serve yourself a cup of coffee or tea or chocolate from the coffee bar near the breakfast area. Or if you’re in need of a snack at 1am, go nibble on some cheese and crackers that are laid out for you every evening.
Breakfast are served until 10am, and they will cook you anything from french toast to pancakes to omelets or scrambled or fried eggs, sausages, bacon, you name it. They also have daily specials. And a variety of muffins, toasts, English muffins, bagels or raisin breads you might fancy. As well as grits, cereals, fruit juices, etc. No rubber eggs and cardboard pancakes waiting in hot plates either, no, they cook everything to order.
The owners and staff there will treat you like family, and they truly bend over backwards to make your stay as wonderful as it can be. They want you to be happy, and in our case they really went out of their way and did way more than the extra mile to make sure we enjoyed our stay.
The location, is, for lack of a better word, perfect. Not even half an hour from Baltimore, 45 min from Washington, it’s close enough for a spur of the moment getaway. You feel like you are secluded and away from everything, in that gorgeous romantic timeless house. But at the same time, you are les than 10 minutes away from an AMC mall, and less than 15 minutes away from a Cheesecake factory, and if you don’t care for chains, enough good restaurants to satisfy the toughest foodies. To name a few, Petit Louis (French), Victoria Gastro Pub (Trendy), Standford Grill (American, try the wood grilled rotisserie chicken, their ribs are also phenomenal), Royal Taj (best Indian I’ve ever been to) just to name a few. And if you really want to go all out, «l’Auberge chez Francois» (Top 10 romantic restaurants in the country, Google it) is less than an hour away. Seriously, you’ll find whatever you’re in the mood for.
To summarize, there was simply zero downside to our romantic getaway at the Columbia Inn at Peralynna. We fully intend to come back next year for Valentine week, and probably before that, too.
In a nutshell, if you’re looking for a soulless cubicle with elevator and concrete stairs where all rooms are identical, find yourself a Hilton and pass your way. If, however, you are looking for a truly charming and romantic B&B, where you’ll be treated like a person and not a number, in a wonderful house full of character where every room has it’s own identity (even if the flight of steps that take you there will sometimes whisper a creak when you climb them – you know, like stairs in actual houses do), then this is definitely the place for you.
Seriously. Just go there.
Post Scriptum:
Now, a word about Tempurpedic mattresses. Most of their beds (all but 2 or 3) are fitted with them. We have one of those at home. If you’re 20 years old and weight 100 pounds, you can sleep on a slab of rock and wake up fresh as a daisy – good for you. If, however, you’re over 35 or overweight, or if you have any back issues whatsoever, sleep on a Tempurpedic is a marvelous thing. The only problem with it, is that the second you discover how marvelous it is, you are miserable sleeping on anything else.
Doesn’t matter how beautiful the view is in that Bahamas resort you’re in. By the first night you’ll remember how fun it is to be awaken by your husband our wife each time they get out if bed to go to the bathroom, or toss and turn for half an hour to try and get comfortable. By the third night, you’ll start rediscovering the joys of waking up with a stiff neck and a backache. By the fifth night, you’ll be so miserable you’ll wish you were back home in your own Tempurpedic bed.

I could have stayed at the Sheraton but it was almost twice the price and the reviews were horrible
Here is a rambling family run gem that harkens back to an older time of hospitality
I got a huge suite, free wine and healthy snacks, free wifi, and free breakfast!!!
Yes it’s a little quirky, but I felt so much better than being in the corporate cement box where I now have to go for the meeting
Give it a try nothing seemed too much trouble for them

I wanted to love this place, I really did.
The only reason I gave this place 2 stars is because of how kind and friendly the male owner was (as opposed to the woman, who I believe may be his wife?) and another star for the shower. That’s it.
I booked and checked in the same day. My husband was getting outpatient surgery, I wanted to make his night comfortable and relaxing.
I looked up reviews online and only paid attention to the star rating, that is my fault.
Firstly, this place smells like my great-grandmother;s basement. I am sensitive to smell on top of that fact, I was early in my pregnancy at that time. I nearly vomited several times off the smell alone. I would have tried to get a refund but I couldn’t due to the fact that I booked and checked in the same day (through a third party site).
The cookies they left out were stale and the cheese cubes had that greasy look that cheese gets when you leave it at room temperature for too long. When I checked in the woman at the front desk was too busy arguing with another guest to even say that she would be with me momentarily or to even nod my way as to acknowledge my presence. After standing there for 15 minutes, the male owner (who probably didn’t know anyone else was waiting) came out of the office and proceeded to check me in. He was very friendly and appreciated that after seeing how the woman owner acted.
The rooms were dated. I would say that the last time they updated the rooms would be the mid 90s. I feel a B&B should either have antique or antique décor or be updated past a recent time period (as in no 80’s or 90’s looking décor). Although I know that is my personal opinion.
The continental breakfast the next morning left much to be desired. I couldn’t even take a bagel down stairs to my husband who couldn’t walk due to having foot surgery the day prior. The woman owner was rude when she told me, as if I already knew that «rule».
While I can’t point out a major instance where the woman owner was severely rude towards me, there were a lot of little moments were she was passive aggressive or made me (a paying customer) feel like I wasn’t welcome. That is sad considering the fact that I mostly stayed in our guest room. The only time I had a pleasant experience leaving the room was when the male owner was talking to me.
As the owner of a B&B the woman owner needs to brush up on her customer service skills and level of hospitality. Also, when cooking (as I saw her cooking for other guest) I would appreciate if she would have worn a hair net.

I have to edit my review because (1) I requested the copy of receipt/​invoice of services and never got it, and (2) I got massages but never told how much it would cost etc. and they charged a lot more than I expected on my credit card, again, without explanation or details of the charges. It’s highly unprofessional, especially they don’t follow up on the request (twice) for the invoice, details of the charges. I cannot recommend this place to anyone because of this kind if headache. The people were nice there but I really hate it when I have to chase down for info that they should be providing without us asking for it. I’ve waited 2 months for them to get back to me and no response. Sorry, but I have to change my rating for this.

This review is for the dinner dance event.
My husband and I arrived a bit too early for the event… We felt awkward, but we received a very warm greeting from the owner who gave us a nice tour of the area of the event. As people started to arrive, we got a little nervous that we would be the youngest people there by twenty+ years (we are in our mid/​late thirties), but it turned out that there was a nice mix of age groups represented (although it was still definitely mostly people older than us).
Overall, it was a very nice experience. It is great for couples (I would say that probably everyone there was married). The food was good, the singers had great voices (Love Story Duo) and there were plenty of people dancing. We would definitely have to brush up on our dance steps if we were to go again!

I really enjoyed my stay here. The room was spectacular – two bathrooms and a Jacuzzi tub, two fireplaces, and an incredibly comfortable king size bed. The owners were extremely nice and very hospitable, giving us a tour of the inn when we arrived. The breakfast was incredible and was served very promptly. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return.

My husband and I came from Philly to the Peralynna Manor by way of recommendation and we love it. We liked it so much we stayed an additional night. This is a true B&B, the Inn keeper Robert, made you feel so much at home… and the place is just cozy and homey .and the breakfast is awesome… no continental… real breakfast, grits.eggs.bacon.pancakes etc. I was pleasantly surprised. If you have never been to a B&B or if you have… this place is worth a trip!

This was my first visit to an event at The Columbia Inn at Peralynna. A wonderful time was had by all! What a great place to spend an evening with old friends and a chance to meet some new friends. Great music and food! It was a very warm and welcoming feeling due to the hosts and staff. I recommend any and all the monthly events you can attend.

My boyfriend and I just visited this lovely Inn for the weekend and we couldn’t have been happier. We purchased a living social deal that included 2 nights at the Inn, wine tasting at a nearby vineyard, and champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries upon arrival. Everything was phenomenal, including the friendly staff, our beautiful and spacious room, breakfast, and the many options of entertainment in the Inn itself (renting movies, playing pool, lounging on the balcony, complementary wine). The staff went above and beyond to make our trip great. For example, after telling one of the members where we were planning to eat dinner the next night, he had the menu of the restaurant sent up to our room. He also made suggestions of other things to do based on our interests. We were sad to leave, but will definitely be back.

I first came across this venue through living social and asked my fiancé if he would be interested in the getaway special. He decided to use the Dinner Dance offer to gauge whether or not he would be willing to stay.
The dinner dance event was different from what we are used to but a good time none the less. the opportunity to meet a greet couples living in the Howard county area was fun and we even walked away with several new facebook friends and invitations to meet at other restaurants in the area. We we served a 3 course meal, buffet style and all we can drink sangria and wine varieties.
I would like to consider this place as a wedding venue but am a bit discouraged by the menu. It certainly has a beautiful layout and the owners are wonderful which makes me want to definitely do a tour and get pricing in the very least.

A hidden gem. Great for a weekend getaway.

We went for a mini getaway and purchased the trip through Living Social. It was a bit on the pricey side but figured it would be worth trying out for ourselves despite the mixed reviews. Looking back, I would have rather put the money toward ONE night at a better B&B. The night we arrived was a «Dinner Dance» event. We could hear EVERYTHING from our room including the after parties that were taking place until well past 1:00AM. Our room, Room V, shared a door with the public hallway restroom which was constantly being used (very disturbing) and the light and fan were always left running. The place is old. You can tell by the creaky floors and doors and the type of fixtures in the place. It wasn’t the charming and cozy old, but the unmaintained old. Our bathrobes probably weren’t washed after the previous tenants because they smelled like, well, old towels.
Am not going back and really wouldn’t recommend others to even try it out. B&Bs are a dime a dozen, save your money and go elsewhere.

Everything was really well thought out. The water filters installed on the individual thought, the tea, the Temperpedic mattresses. Breakfast was absolutely delicious as well.
Unfortunately, there was an Indian wedding going on next door, and I couldn’t sleep starting 5 AM, which was when they decided to start banging on the walls and screaming (they had a horde of kids with them too). I didn’t get back until early morning since I was at a friend’s wedding, and was absolutely exhausted. I informed the staff of what happened when they asked me about my stay, and they offered me a free night.
Because the customer service was outstanding, I’m willing to overlook the poor room placement and upgrade this review to a 5 stars, if they honor their agreement (and I get to enjoy the hotel in peace).

We spent a few days at The Inn at Peralynna Manor this week. We very much enjoyed our stay and will consider staying here again in the future. If half star ratings were possible on Unilocal,I would give this place 4 and a half stars.
Positives:
Temper-​Pedic Mattresses (we got one of these for home last year and so we were very excited to see this place had them in every room… this was a very big selling point for us)
Home-​cooked breakfast (breakfast is included in the room price. The selection is very good and I was happy with everything I ordered. Coffee, Teas, Juices, milk are available along with made-​to-​order omelets, bacon, sausage, french toast, etc. My wife had the french toast and said it was excellent)
micro-​fridge with freezer compartment and microwave in the room (it had to be some of the hottest days of the year, so it was nice to know that we could get drinks and have them cold waiting in the room for us.)
Hospitality (beverages, snacks, and wi-​fi all available for free. The common area were nicely furnished and welcoming. The outdoor sitting areas looked nice as well, but with the heat we did not try them)
Convenience to area attractions but quiet (it’s on 108 just off 29, which is easy to get to 100 (takes you to I-​95) or 175 (takes you to the town center area)
Negatives:
You cannot cancel your reservation. Once you reserve your credit card will be charged and they will not refund you if you cannot make your stay, they will only give you credit for a later date. Otherwise, I would’ve given this place five stars.
No pool (not a deal breaker for us but could be for some.)

I’m SO conflicted on this place. I really, really, really wanted it to be a 5-​star experience.
My hubby and I visited on April 30^th, 2011. This was our 5 year anniversary and we were looking for something not far from home. I booked a couple weeks in advance and was SO excited! We stayed in room D, and it was lovely. Comfy tempurpedic bed, pretty décor, great bathroom, robes, etc.
Now, on to the negatives. Upon checkin we were greeted by a girl who was really unfriendly. No smile, not chatty, just really blah. Then Dave, the owner, showed us around. At that point we were informed that they were having an event that evening, and that we couldn’t use the common areas. (We weren’t told this when we booked)
In addition, the «hospitality» that was to be in the evening, was moved upstairs to another very small common area. This area has a tv, computer, wet bar area, etc. And «hospitality» was a couple trays of crackers & cheese and veggies. No mingling or anything like that.
We went out to dinner and came back to the room to relax. We went to go out on the balcony/​deck to have a glass of wine. But the tables and chairs were filthy, even with wiping them down with a towel, so we went inside.
We decided to watch a movie (you can check out DVD’s at the front desk). We didn’t attempt to watch the DVD until about 10pm, and found that the DVD player didn’t work. We were in bed and decided that it was a pain in the rear to ask someone to come take a look at it, so we just watched tv.
We wanted to call down to the front desk for something, and realized we had no phone in the room. (they are supposed to). Went to put on the slippers they provide, there were none.
Just one thing after another of little crappy events.
The morning was lovely. Wonderful breakfast, chef was friendly and cooked wonderfully. Great food.
So, like I said — conflicted. We would like to go again, but this time I’ll know what to ask about and what to look out for, and next time hopefully it will be much, much better.

I wanted my 100^th review to be special… and it is.
Every once in awhile you run across people who have such a strong will, desire and vision for a business that they embrace a «Field of Dreams» personna. And even though some of them may possess MBA’s or advanced degrees in finance, they don’t always perform a surgically precise market analysis and assessment like a McDonalds, but rather react more on a gut level than a purely Wall Street sense. Cynthia and Dave, the owners of the Peralynna, are such people.
They could have taken an easier path and bought a large house and coverted it to a bed and breakfast, like Kevin Costner just mowing down a cornfield, buying bases at WalMart and calling it quits. But no. Cynthia had a dream and a vision on what she wanted in a bed and breakfast, so she went out and got it, no matter what the odds were against her. The problems she had to surmount involving city permits, poor contractors, etc would make a good book or a reality tv series.
What resulted from the blood, sweat and tears is a beautiful, huge (10,000++ sq ft), modern Victorian looking mansion. This is almost like an East coast version of the Winchester House without the meaningless rooms/​doors/​hallways and OCD aspects. You can literally spend a week here wandering around the house (and they will let you) going through all the hallways, looking for «hidden out of the way rooms,» climbing the lookout tower, etc etc. Ok, ok… if you really do explore this place, you will occasionally see a nook or cranny and say to yourself, «What is that doing there???»
Aside from the rich history here and the wonderful accommodations, the real reason why this place deserves 5 stars is the heart and personality of this place as set by the owners They truly care about their customers and take the time to know you. And its not that creepy, in bred (remember the commercial where the driver says he has GPS and the gas attendant says, «What you call me?»), «I’ve only lived in this houe my whole life,» curiousity. They are both highly educated and down to earth. People you would want as neighbors kind of friendly. If there is anything wrong with your stay or if something isnt right, they will bend over backwards to make it right. I was there during my relocation for a couple of months and they were in the last stages of construction.
The rooms are great, some with jacuzzis in them. You feel more like at home… but a luxury home. The large living room area has a 3 story cathedral ceiling, there is a sunroom, spa, pool room, large backyard. You are allowed full use of their kitchen. You can stuff yourself at their included breakfasts. They have beer and wine included in the rate. Best news of all, they support government per diem and give our troops a deep discount to stay there. Occasionally they throw a random party for whatever reason, and if you are lucky enough to be staying that night, you are included in the festivities.
«If you build it, they will come…» … and they have been for almost 10 years now.