Yellow Springs Run, Berkeley Springs

We booked ahead and were very pleased. The location is great because it is a couple of streets behind the main street on a quiet road. Yet, within a few minutes walk there are antique stores, cafes, restaurants, novelty shops and the Berkeley Springs Castle. Berkeley Springs is really one of the best towns within a short drive of Washington DC. The town is a great retreat and I recommend the National Park spas - only $45 for a 1/2 massage and a soak in the Roman Baths. I felt pampered :). From the outset, I really appreciated the efforts of the owner, Henry Beale. He took a great deal of time to discuss with us which of the retreats in Maryland or West Virginia would suit us best. He was also very flexible when we needed to change dates. Best of all he allows pets (for a small surcharge, but it was reasonable). The place was clean and had nice touches. His properties have modern conveniences mixed with "rustic" features. Not as fancy schmanzy as some retreats but far better value than places that boast gimmicks like hottubs and charge hundreds of dollars extra! I just wanted a quiet, rustic, country getaway and it was just as I had hoped. Rustic Retreats doesn't take credit cards. Rather, they ask for an old fachioned check to be mailed but that was all in keeping with the "rustic" theme of the business perhaps! Kidding :). Had a great weekend and plan to make it an annual getaway from the city. Yet to try their Cedar Crest Cottage in Maryland but that has also caught my interest as it is (I gather) surrounded by trees on a hillside with a river below which sounds great too.