Hilltop House Hotel, Harpers Ferry

I cannot believe that the Hilltop House is in such horrible neglect. My husband and I would make an annual drive to Harper's Ferry just to stay in one of the quaint rooms at the Hilltop House. We took my husband's family there one weekend for a haunted mystery that they had there. They did not find the charm in this hotel as my husband and I did. They thought it was old and outdated, but that is what we liked about it! I am so sad that this historic landmark is falling apart. I just hope someone can repair it back to its splendor.

My husband and I had little time to be away from our jobs after marrying in the late eighties, and decided on the Hilltop House, which was only an hour and a half drive away from our home. It could have any year of the 100 since Hilltop was established, our room was so old fashioned (in a pleasant way) that I couldn't help but imagine the thousands of others who had stayed in that very room. It was so lovely, the food was good, and the views spectacular. Our honeymoon pictures of the beautiful Harpers Ferry were certainly a big hit with our families in Texas and Florida - everybody was interested in visiting someday, Hilltop is a very romantic place to stay, I hope the renovations are completed before our 25th anniversary.

I proposed to my wife in March 2002. The staff was wonderfull but at the time I could see that the hotel was on it's way downhill. The walls were pretty rough and the floor creacked with every step. I have wanted to go back since the area is beautiful but it has been closed to severely needed renovations for a couple of years.

We loved this wonderful hotel. Now it's gone. The last snow storm destroyed it. The new owner, has let it go. What a shame this historical land mark was let go of. I'm amazed Oprah didn't rescue this piece of black history, the owners housed students at one of the first black colleges here in Harper's Ferry WV. So sorry. It's hard not to cry over a once grand hotel. Now the windows are shattered, and open to the elements, soon she will be gone for good. So sorry. History is truly hard to come by and will never come again.

Yes, it was a little run down, and yes, we were given a haunted room (which we changed) and yes, there was no hot water the first night, but we would go back there if we were ever in the area again. Breakfast was delicious and we had one of the best dinners we've ever had anywhere. I would love to see it restored with more comfortable furniture, but it was one of the greatest weekends ever.

As a child about 7 years old, my parents took me and my sister to the Hilltop House Hotel. I still remember the view and how neat the old hotel was. Just yesterday, my husband, son, and I took a trip to Harpers Ferry to just be tourists for the day. Of course, I had him stop up at the old Hilltop House Hotel. I could have cried when I seen the hotel had fallen so badly in disrepair and neglect. I saw a photo of the hotel just a year ago on the hotel website and the front of the hotel was still intact. Now, it's collapsing inward. Very sad. I spoke with the man who runs the book shop in town and was told that someone had bought the hotel and had planned on turning it into a 5 star resort. I really wish that someone would follow through before the old historic hotel just falls to pieces. In the time we were visiting the hotel yesterday (8/15/09), there were at least 20 car loads of people pulling in the driveway to see the hotel. So, if you're the owner, please note that people still are showing an interest. By the way, Harpers Ferry was very nice to visit also. We ate in the old Caboose by the train station. The pit beef sandwich was fantastic and the service was very very good. Not a fancy place, but you get a lot for your money.

We just saw it from the outside, never seen a lovelier view in my 20 years in the USA. This place needs to be rescued, and remodeled just the way it must have looked in its heydeys. Mark Twain stayed there, Woodrow Wilson... A place with such view and such history, what a shame it's falling apart! West Virginia...raise to the occasion, this is a treasure!

Me my girlfriend went summer of 2007 for a weekend out of WDC. I had had lunch with my family of origin a couple of decades ago at the Hilltop House and was always charmed by the ancient building and "country" (old diner) buffet. The location is great for access to Harper's Ferry. It is the HILLTOP House and if you go up and down a few times a day your legs are likely to feel it. The front desk was very accommodating. From arranging a room and letting us check-in early and allowing use of their parking lot after checking-out. I got the least expensive front side room. The view from the hilltop (outside) is wonderful. Inside through the drapes, blinds, around the table lamp and over the desk was not so great ... though we both laughed that the view out the window in the shower(!) was outstanding. The room planning and appointments are crude like the attention to view above. The room was small and had little accommodation for luggage or tourists activities (running in and out). When I use shower I end up with a wet towel - hooks are not really modern ideas. The furniture like the building is old and broken. The bed had the a dip for us to roll into. My big disappointment was the food. First the buffet was history. Second - I read about the restaurant in other reviews and we tried it anyway for a fast lunch between activities. The reviews were right .. avoid the restaurant. I had a humus sandwich that was prepared as if humus was a condiment, the waitress blew it off my request for some humus. We worked eating elsewhere into our schedule. Too little food for too much money with nothing to like about it. If you think you will need a fast meal ... pack something and take it with you. I would think this to be a great place for backpackers .. if they can stomach one - more - HILL.

This is without a doubt the worst place I have ever stayed. The hotel reminds me of a death trap. Very old and not maintained. Beds were terrible. Plumbing was worse. No water pressure. Toilets would not flush unless you held the handle down. The air in the room was very dry, (Radiator heaters). My friend found a cock roach in her bed. We went for drinks at the bar and were charged $7.00 for gingerale with maybe a thimble of bourbon in it. Horrible. Went back to room only to hear pipes making noises all night and then early in the morning the fire alarm went off. When we checked out we didn't get a "How was your stay?" or a "Thank you" Place was horrid.

Each year when I return to the D.C. area my brother and I drive to Harper's Ferry. Having the buffet at Hilltop House is part of our tradition. There was a time about 10 years ago that the food was disappointing. Now it is back up to our particular standards. What I would like to find in the recipe for that delicious breadpudding. I asked one of the waiters and was told that it is made there by the chef. Looking forward to next October's visit including a good lunch and wonderful view.