Historic Smithton Inn, Ephrata

This is a beautiful, historical home and we really loved learning about the history, new renovations, and future plans from the owners, who are so friendly and welcoming! The rooms are large and cozy, with private baths and fireplaces (huge plus!!!) Rebecca made us a fantastic breakfast worthy of five stars!!! We can't wait to go back!

We stayed last a few weeks ago and what a great time we had. I believe there are new owners and many changes since these reviews I have read. The innkeepers were kind and friendly. They gave us a great rate since it was so out of season., We stayed in the purple room with the most comfortable bed, great fireplace, jacuzzi, flat screen tv. We didn't want to leave even to go to dinner. The housekeeper served breakfast. She was friendly, food was great and she even gave us a little history and directions to sight see when we left. It was a great experience. Everything extremely clean. Can't think of one negative thing. We will definately go back

My husband and I wanted to celebrate our 1st year of marriage at a special place so we looked all over the internet for a B & B that would cater to our needs. I came across the Smithton Inn and their website's room pics made it a done deal. I booked 1 night in the "Purple Diamond Room". Check-In is at 3:30 pm but we got there about 15 minutes early and an absolutely sweet man greeted us at the front desk and checked us in immediately. I was so glad since we were a bit tired from sight-seeing. After joking about making it through a year of marriage, the innkeeper showed us the sitting room with its leather sofas, wooden chairs, Amish decor and soaring windows that let the sun shine straight through. The breakfast room was just as welcoming with its red hues. Up the stairs we went to our room's door, which was tastefully decorated with a wreath. As the innkeeper opened the door, the stunning quilts, rich woodwork, and numerous windows made it all look like a massive suite. I must say that the attention to detail, such as the designs on the door, the old metal locks, the armoire's, the bed's headboard, the lighting, the lanterns, the fresh flowers in the vase, the candles, and the pillows all made it so much more intimate. It was like a little "gift" for us. I don't know what you consider to be luxury but for me this was it. Our room had a 2-person Jacuzzi with a red "romantic" light, king-Sized feather bed, heated tile floor in the bathroom, fireplace and scented soaps. Is there anything the missed? I certainly don't think so. The hunger bug started to hit us so we went downstairs to the breakfast room where they had a whole pile of menus from local restaurants. How convenient is that? As we were reading, Dorothy (the owner) came out to greet us. She gave us some directions and we were at a great local restaurant within minutes. Before we left, the nice innkeeper offered to light our fireplace so it would be lit when we returned. I found this too be wonderful but I'm not really a fan of the aftersmell so I declined. Breakfast is served at 8:15 or 9:15 so, being late sleepers, we chose the later time. We came down on the dot but the Breakfast Room door was closed. We waited just 5 minutes in the Sitting Room and Dorothy sat us at our own table with fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Next came the French toast and sausage links...and coffee refills for us caffeine addicts. It was a wonderful light breakfast that was just right. I thought check out was at 10:30 (like most hotels) so we were all packed but when I asked Dorothy, she replied, "12:00". I was so happy to spend 2 more hours in our room. It's rare when you are treated like gold. It was all one of the most unique experiences of my life. I really don't understand the other reviews. Maybe it was a different time. Sometimes people have bad days. I like to think that people just got the wrong impression. I know what I saw and felt and it was no where near a negative experience. I guess the only other things you should know are that your room door can only be locked from the inside, which means that when you leave, you can't lock the door. I really felt no threat in leaving my things there. If you come from a big city, I understand that fear but try to remeber that this area and the people are quite different. Also, DEFINITELY ask for the feather bed. It clearly states on the website that you must request it at least 1 day in advance. If they are offering a feather bed, then it must be for a reason. I'm a plush-loving person so it was a wise choice for me. Another thing to know is that you better not expect a big screen TV with multiple cable channels. Our room had a tiny TV with about 10 local channels...some fuzzy. You have to remember that this is a B & B. It's meant for those who want to spend "quality time" with a loved one so I was not disappointed.

Every year, for the past 9 years, the women in our family have gotten together for a B&B weekend. We have always had such wonderful experiences with the different B&B's and even more wonderful the experience with the Innkeepers......until NOW. Ms. Graybill, the Inn Keeper at The Smithton Inn obviously does NOT embrace the concept of hospitality. From the very moment, we arrived, we were met with restrictions, regulations and rudeness. Ms. Graybill dismissed all our requests. ONE of many examples was that one woman in our party is 3 months pregnant and asked for a second piece of French Toast at breakfast and was promptly told by Ms. Graybill that "the griddle had been turned off" and therefore, there would be no seconds. Breakfast was stingy and measured with NO alternatives offered. No dietary needs were ever addressed or offered. Another example of Ms. Graybill's rudeness was that we had asked her on Saturday afternoon if she could recommend a restaurant for dinner that night and she replied, "I already discussed all of this with you. I don't need to repeat it. You were already told about your dining options". Is that the way you treat your guests? I could list at least a dozen more examples just like that which could describe Ms. Graybill's consistently rude and unapproachable demeanor. Bottom line is, house is beautiful, Innkeeper is NOT ...so why spend the money getting aggravated?

While the rooms are clean and well maintained, the service we received by the Innkeeper was terrible. After a 1.5-hour drive, we arrived at the Smithton Inn at 3:17 p.m. We took a seat in the Common Room and were soon met by the Innkeeper, Dorothy Graybill, at the front desk. She announced that check-in was at 3:30 p.m. I replied that we would happily wait for 13 minutes. Upon checking in, she asked my wife what time we would be eating breakfast (there were 2 seatings: 8:15 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.). My wife told Ms. Graybill that we would have to be leaving at 8:00 a.m. because we had an event to attend early in the morning. So no breakfast for us. We have two young boys. When we made the reservations, we made sure that this was a B&B that welcomed children. Ms. Graybill said that she welcomed children, but this was contrasted by the strict rules layed out for us during the room tour regarding what the children could touch and that they had to be watched very carefully. Most unsettling, though, was our morning wake-up. At 5:40 a.m., I set out with my oldest son to pick up some breakfast in town. Our door had been locked from the outside. We were trapped in our room. I called Ms. Graybill who, after a sleepy response and 15-minute delay to arrive at our door, insisted that it was us who were to blame for the incident. We had clearly not locked the door from the inside, she claimed, contrary to her very specific instructions during the initial room tour. She demonstrated how the outside lock would not engage if the inside deadbolt was engaged. I could see through the door window that she was only pretending to turn the key as she said, "See, we would not have been able to lock the door if you had done what you were told." I asked her to come inside the room while I tried her key. Sure enough, the outside deadbolt easily engaged even after Ms. Graybill had locked the door from the inside. She was completely unapologetic, stating that this should not have happened and that she would have to look into it later. B&B's main advantage over a typical chain hotel is the hospitality and personal service provided by the Innkeeper and staff. The Smithton Inn is run by a woman with no sense of flexibility, humility, or customer service. We left the Smithton Inn thoroughly disappointed and resolute to never return again.