Guesthouse Lost River

I wanted to write yet another update to my previous reviews to say that we were really impressed during our most recent meal at the Guesthouse. As I mentioned in my previous review, the owners had sent us a gift certificate after discussing a disappointing visit we had had about a year ago.
They remembered us when we walked in and seated us promptly, even though we were early for our reservation and the dining room was quite busy. The service and food were both much better than the last time we were there, and Jesse helped us pick out an excellent wine to go with our meals. Really happy to see these improvements– we will be back!

Just attended a family wedding hosted at the guesthouse and not only was it an absolutely stunning venue but the owners Gary and Jesse went above and beyond the call of duty! When the 50+ guests were being seated for the reception dinner, we were each greeted by name and guided to our seats at the tables. The dinner was well prepared and wonderfully executed, with drinks, dancing and desert to follow. The inn is rustic cozy and classic all at once with sitting room after sitting room full of skillfully displayed antiques and an eclectic artwork. Outside the views of rolling hills and green pastures extend as far as the eye can see. Once you cross the threshold of this magical place you will find your cares and concerns have been left behind!

Having purchased a voucher via LivingSocial, my girlfriend and I wanted a nice weekend away. Upon arrival, the owners of the B&B greeted us and gave us a tour of the building. We then proceeded to our room and were told that they do not give out keys to rooms. While finding this strange at first, we went along and the amenities in the room were nice. If you are truly looking to disconnect this is the place to be.
Later that evening we went to dinner at the GuestHouse (onsite restaurant). My girlfriend ordered the beet salad and crabcakes. She thought they were prepared well. I ordered the French Onion soup and Steak. The soup was very good and the steak was less than to be desired. For the $ 28 price for the steak, it looked like a sirloin that you would purchase at the grocery store, not a $ 28 steak from a restaurant.
Breakfast is «family style». They ring a bell at 9am to have everyone come get breakfast. Since my girlfriend and myself were away for a weekend we wanted to get some extra sleep, but we did make it to the breakfast room around 9:30. When we arrived the majority of the guest had already left. There were dirty plates still sitting on the table and we had to find our 2 clean plates among the filth. One of the owners who was engaged in a conversation with another group (after 5 minutes) came over and took the food that had been sitting on the table to the back and warmed it up. There were no warmers to keep the food warm to help yourself to.
While the management and staff were friendly. I would only recommend this place if you really wanted to co-​mingle with other guests and not feel like you had a lot of privacy. For the price of the meals, I would not recommend the restaurant onsite as the price to quality is way off. I would recommend on driving to Strasburg, New Market, etc. (1 hour each way) to find a good quality dining experience.

A Dream Come True.
I was surprised by my birthday with a trip to The Guesthouse. We’ve gone to other Bed and Breakfasts in the past however this one has been the most memorable to date. When we arrived, the location looked as though it came out of a movie. The interior is decorated in art from local artists. There are different sections of the Guesthouse that have their own personalities and can go from elegant and classy to intimate and romantic. The Guesthouse enforces guests to socialize and get to know each other. The owners– Jesse and Gary are such joys and make you feel welcomed and if you’re a shy little bug like me, they will help with introductions. Be aware– you’ll most likely make friends during your stay.
The rooms are warmly decorated with wood bed frames and wooden nightstands. You get the feeling that you’ve traveled to some other world where your troubles just melt away. Being from NY, when Gary told me that there are no locks in the door I almost gasped. I was worried about my items but felt at home as we got to know the guests and our «next door neighbors». In a matter of hours, we went from guests staying at a B&B to being part of this community.
They have a restaurant in the B&B and I have to say the Irish Nachos are to die for! I had them the two nights we stayed there for dinner. I loved also the Gnocchi, it was packed with flavor and very filling. I would recommend it even if you aren’t vegetarian.
There entertainment rooms have heat so you’ll never be cold in the winter. Also there’s a piano in the second floor by Guesthouse room 1 and finely tuned (yes I touched). There’s a gym in the B&B which is very well kept, there’s a bathroom available as well int he gym and showers. If you don’t bring your water bottle, don’t worry it has a water cooler and also towels.
Apart from that, there are lovely trails by the B&B and is definitely worth the walk. Be mindful of the bears! Just kidding… or am I? lol.
Overall my stay there was magical. My boyfriend and I plan on traveling there again very soon.
Bottom Line: I was so relaxed that when I returned back to New York, my clients thought I wasn’t from NY because I was «laid back» and not like the normal high strung New Yorker. This B&B will wrap you in it’s beauty and give you a sense of community that no other B&B can provide.

I’m going to mention that this was a trip planned on a bit of a whim with a Living Social voucher that ended with an unforgettable experience! Let’s start with the amazing job Gary and Jesse do with the establishment! They are very accommodating with check-​in times in a sense that they will work with you. Convenient, I was able to communicate with them through email throughout my reservation and to the drive there which can be tricky but well worth the drive. Understanding, they knew we were coming from New York City which is about a 5 – 6 hour drive depending on traffic. Welcoming, upon arrival, you receive a warm greeting from either Gary or Jesse depending on who’s available at the time. The Perfect Escape from the concrete jungle of NYC when you realize that its more than a simple bed and breakfast. You may assume that because it’s in the middle of nowhere with rustic cabin-​like features that it’ll be a cottage from the Poconos but its amenities are far from that! You feel like you’re on a resort when you start to settle in The Guest House. You get a tour of the place and realize that it’s more than meets the eye. I felt a little lost at times but then you don’t want to leave when you know your way around. Your experience may be different but for my girlfriend and it was an amazing getaway where we met some amazing people! I almost forgot to mention that breakfast is family style, homemade and starts at 9am, don’t miss it! We hope to return soon!

Beautiful wedding venue and break taking views surrounding. It really is nestled in the mountains of West Virginia. We attended a weekend wedding at the Guesthouse and everything seemed perfect. The hosts, Gary and Jesse, went out of their way to make sure the bride & groom, along with their guests, had everything they needed. The food was amazing, too, which some was prepared by one of the hosts. I would love to go back.

We stayed for a Friday and Saturday and ate at the restaurant both evenings. I had been to the Guesthouse years before and hoped my memory served me right. It was even better than I remembered. The décor is sophisticated and rustic and the staff is warm and professional. You feel the friendliness of it’s country setting with an attention to detail and quality of service that is usually reserved for pricey resorts. The food was terrific. Homestyle served up with a smile. We had bourbon cocktails and 3 courses. The timing of the food and drinks was impeccable. The curried pumpkin soup and short rib were standouts, but a close 2^nd were the flavorful French onion and perfectly cooked, thick pork chop. The owners went out of their way to individually welcome you and show you around. The grounds are spectacular and meticulously maintained. Great for a romantic getaway or large group. The country breakfast, served family-​style when the bell was rung, was a delightful final touch.

By far the best place we have eaten in a 50 mile radius.
The whole atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and tastefully decorated.
Even the bathroom is really nice!
The food was delicious. The bacon wrapped chicken with cream sauce was exquisite. The purple mashed potatoes, odd but very good. The broccoli, I despise broccoli but loved theirs. The cornbread was warm and very tasty. My husband’s steak was also impressive.
I love how they cook and support local food from the area. You can taste the freshness.
A tad pricey, but well worth it!
The staff and owners were very kind and welcoming.
Wise to make a reservation, we didn’t, but we were able to get seated regardless.

My significant otter and I spent the 2014 long Independence holiday at the Guesthouse and enjoyed dinner and drinks Friday and Saturday evenings. The owners were very welcoming and took time to give us a tour of the facility during check-​in. The Guesthouse is beautiful and the food and service were very good. This is a great place to relax.

Another disappointing adventure…6 of us went to an outdoor concert on the patio. were seated and became «invisible» to any wait staff… after 30 mins of waiting, we got up to leave and were «greeted» by the manager who asked why we were leaving. I exclaimed that we got NO service and were going else where. namely The Grill. «If you wanted dinner» he said…“why didn’t you make a reservation” showing attitude… Reservations for hear an outdoor concert on a patio with empty tables?
This would make an ideal setting for Restaurant Stakeout.

I wouldn’t be able to comment on the food, we never saw it. Very poor service. When we decided to leave after waiting 30 minutes — with no menus, or any service at all, we were asked if we had wanted dinner (they had an outdoor concert going on), we said we had wanted dinner. The manager (?) asked, well, did you make a reservation first? (There were a lot of empty tables) and did you tell us you wanted dinner? (Gee, order dinner, at a restaurant, what a concept?) Better off going to the Grill, if you are eating in the area.

Came here for dinner while staying in Lost River. The food was extremely good — I had the honey and apple glazed pork chop, tender and flavorful.
I also enjoyed eating in the bar area — the fireplace and large open ceilings were nice, and its a little more casual than their dining room. The owners and staff were friendly.

I attended a wedding at Guesthouse. Please note: I was merely a guest, (though a family member) and can’t speak to the planning of the wedding or logistics, etc. The venue was lovely and the food catered by the staff was quite good.
The reason for the 2 stars: This venue is wildly and completely NOT wheelchair accessible. My Great Aunt (grandmother of the bride) is not able to climb stairs. There are no ramps, no elevators, no nothing leading to the main area of the venue… and if there are, no staff member made an effort to direct us to them or knew where they were. My 85 year old Aunt had to be carried up a slick grassy hill by other family members. It was dangerous for all involved and nearly gave us all panic attacks. I hope in the future that the Guesthouse is able to accommodate this type of guest… as the law requires.

Just a 2.5 hour ride from the metro area, the Guesthouse at Lost River is a total gem! I went to a wedding here a few months back, and it is obvious why the couple chose this spot to get married. Not only are the views and scenery absolutely amazing, but the entire staff will go out of their way to give you whatever you ask. Gary and Jesse will literally stop whatever it is they’re doing to answer a guest’s question or address a need. This is certainly a labor of love, and I think the entire crew does a bang up job at it. I only wish they had more room at the pool because when the weather is nice, that pool is hoppin’! We can’t wait to come back in the winter and take advantage of all the comfy nooks in front of fireplaces in front of the lodge. I practically wanted to curl up with a mug of hot cocoa in the middle of the summer just because of those fireplaces!
I understand this is a «gay friendly» resort, but jeez… some of the other comments seem to reek of the attitude of «There goes the neighborhood — they’re letting the straights in!!» I never knew this place prior to the current owners, but the former owners are still in the vicinity and visit from time to time. I was lucky to meet one of them, Ms. Tammy, who still does massages on premises, and she seems to be happy with Gary and Jesse at the helm. Don’t let those sour grape reviews prevent you from checking this place out. Come for the great company, the yummy food and the friendly atmosphere — and stay for all the same reasons!

This remains geographically a great place to get away for a quiet few days. The new owners post 2 years are growing into their roles. I think the goal of the place has changed where before the owners had a vision of a gay-​lesbian community in the ‘almost heaven lands of WV” and the place thrived with such a welcome. The place remains a great get away yet with their marketing to more the straight community — even families with children — (we found out our weekend was «family weekend») — it is not so a place for the GLTB community. I think their goal is to make it succeed — all well and good but when one does not have a vision then??? They seek to be a 5 star guesthouse — food medicare and overpriced. If you go – go to the delicious and casual Lost River Grill. The Guesthouse Bartender still has not learned to make a decent drink «yes a Gin Martini does need dry vermouth»). Our maid service was a call up «do you want more towels» — so tidy room never done. I would come back yet after each visit I keep looking is there another nice, welcoming B/​B close to DC.

Service: spectacular. Bar scene: so above average. Clientele: excellent mix.
This THE destination for all things fabulous. I’ll be returning weekly. Ask for Louis at the bar or pool deck.

My husband and I *just* returned from a weekend getaway to the Guesthouse. We decided to book the trip because of a LivingSocial deal and a recommendation from a good friend. Deciding to enjoy a weekend away to the fullest, we chose to upgrade to the fancy, Guesthouse Suite. After having stayed there, we don’t think we ever will stay in a different suite – we loved it.
From the moment we called to make the reservation, the owner was friendly and hilarious. My husband was curious who I was talking to as I was laughing so much. When we arrived, we were given a walking tour of the grounds and brought to our suite. The suite’s highlights (for this couple at least) were a king-​sized bed, a double-​sided fireplace (to enjoy from both the bedroom and the living room.) and a ginormous private balcony (where a majority of our time was spent).
The LivingSocial deal came with two $ 25 dinner vouchers and 2 bottles of wine (a white and a red). Naturally, we made reservations at the Guesthouse Restaurant for both Friday and Saturday night. Both nights we were in food heaven. I was *very* surprised to read the negative reviews of the restaurant because not only was the food delicious, the servers were attentive and friendly and the view from our table was stunning at sunset.
While staying, we read on our balcony, used the indoor hot tub, put together a puzzle, met other guests over family-​style breakfast and elected to get massages. We drove home today relaxed and already determined to make this a yearly event.
Highly recommend.

Well, it’s a new era. Bob, David, and Tammy are gone, or at least not running the Guesthouse any longer. Tammy’s still available for massages, however. Maybe the new owners are just getting used to the new job. Things are much more «rule-​oriented» now. Do this. Don’t do that. Don’t even think about doing this. I hadn’t even gotten out of my car before one of the new owners said, «You need to move your car.» Really?!? With all the parking about?
The physical buildings of the Guesthouse as you might remember them are still there, just not with the same friendly backdrop. Hopefully the new owners will get their act together and can eventually be a little more friendly. Case in point, my partner walked out from breakfast and found the new owners at the check-​in desk and said, «Hello.» One of them barely grunted back. The other was nonverbal. When I went out, they didn’t even look up to recognize me. Not exactly what I’d call welcoming.
The restaurant was pretty awful. They’re offering big specials to dine there, but it’s worth contemplation. Can’t imagine the same chef is there. Could barely eat my entrée. Couldn’t eat the sides. He wouldn’t have put those plates out for consumption. For the price, the Grille is certainly a competitor.
Hopefully this is a transition period. Let’s hope, for those of us who have been visiting for years (and years and years) that the new owners will get their acts together. The opposing proposition is just upsetting. Sigh. One of my most favorite restful places ever… on hold. Sigh again.

went away this past weekend with my bf to this amazing bed and breakfast in west virginia. i found the Guest House through Washingtonian Magazine, i was browsing through google to find a unique place to go to that i knew me and the bf would enjoy. i stumbled across this website and fell in love!!!
considering how LUXURIOUS and frickin wonderful this place is, it is SO CHEAP for what you get!!! this place run by bob & dave (the best host’s ever!) is nestled in the mountains of lost river, wv off a beaten road. but if my trusty prius can make it there, ANY car can make it there! remember to follow the directions on the website to get there and NOT your navigation!!! you WILL get lost if u use the navi…
trust me…
anyways, the Guest House has a TV room, and indoor AND outdoor hot tub… a fully stocked bar that is self serve, a pool that overlooks the gorgeous mountainside, a massage room where you can get a hour long massage with the onsite masseuse, you can bring your DOG .OR a HORSE if you have one!!! they have a fenced in area up front where they have one of their horses grazing about. her name is sassy. so cute!
anyways, the accommodations are indescribable… truly…
the rooms are super cute and relaxing, each has its own bathroom and a huugee bed to relax in.
in the morning everyone comes around family style to the dining room for some fresh eggs, biscuits, piping hot coffee/​tea, crispy bacon and hash browns. u get to mingle with all the guests there, we met some great people while we were staying there!
my bf and i have already decided to make this a yearly trip, i only hope that more people will be able to experience this WONDERFUL B&B!!!
btw, there are tons of great antique stores to browse and a state park down the street from there that has tons of trails to hike if u want to go off site.

What a beautiful place to stay or to hold an event. I’ve hosted a small conference at the Guest House and stayed over night there while doing business in the area. The place is beautiful inside and out and I was pampered by the owners and their staff.
Breakfast was great and is served family style so you get to meet and interact with other guests which is a lot of fun and resulted in me meeting some great people.
The food at their restaurant is great too and the bartenders and wait-​staff were top-​notch. I’m going back down there for my anniversary and will return again and again.