Historic Hilltop House Hotel, Harpers Ferry

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.

The Hilltop House is known for its view, which is fabulous. The place needs a good cleaning and some money put into remodeling. But the best surprise about the place was the amazing music on Sunday afternoon. They have a blues jam there on Sundays which is terrific. If you want a fun weekend in the country and like blues, this is a great place to try.

The view was beautiful, and the staff did the best they could, all things considered. That being said, the building itself was in desperate need of a good remodelling and clean-up. No elevator, and no bellman, so we had to carry our own bags up three flights of stairs. The rooom was large for the price, we give them credit for that. However, the furniture looked as if it came from a yard sale. Both beds were uncomfortably soft, one more so than the other. No remote for the television (though we should be thankful, some rooms had no television at all). Dinner wasn't served as far as we know, perhaps it's only available on weekends. The continental breakfast was sad; a few packaged danish and a pot of coffee. We were told that the hotel had recently changed ownership. We may be willing to give it another try in a few years, but I will do some research beforehand.

Everyone talks about the view and the historic charm. Well, we asked for a room with a view. We got a dirty window with an old air conditioner, window panes held in with duct tape. My wife laughed and made a few "you might be a red neck" jokes. I noticed the Home Depot lamp fixtures matched the ones in my laundry room at home. So much for historic charm. I found a spider crawling on the bed, but didn't tell my wife. Hope she's not reading this. Still not discouraged, we tried to enjoy the evening in the lounge. Even though it was a Saturday night, the dead atmosphere was pretty creepy. The staff was nice enough and actually apologized for the condition of the hotel. They told us the place was just sold last week, and their hope was that the new owners would give the hotel what it deserves. Maybe next year under new management, the place will actually be enjoyable and charming. For now, I'd recommend a drive up to see it, walk around inside and out, enjoy the view, but spend the night somewhere else.

The best view east of the Rockies, just above a beautiful and historic town. The amenities and service are quirky and uneven, but look out at the mountains or down at the rivers and you'll soon forget what you don't like about this place.

The hotel has a significant meaning to my family as they are from Loudoun Co., Va which is just over the state line about 10 minutes away. We had chosen the hotel due to our family hitory and ties with the hotel as well as the superbly gorgeous location for the ceremony! We chose to have the ceremony outside overlooking the Shenandoah River and each of our guests exclaimed many times over how it was the most beautiful wedding they ever attended. The staff were great to work with from the day we chose the hotel as the spot for our wedding on 7/9/05. The price for the buffet was by a landslide the best value per person I found any where! The chef accomodated us (without extra pp charge!) for a few special items we wanted on the buffet. The staff took great pains to ensure that the beautiful antique dining room was private for my wedding reception since the hotel policy did dictate that the restaurant would not close to the public (note- the restaurant is basically a round shape that wraps around the back side of the restaurant and accomodating the wedding reception in private was no big deal thanks to beautiful antique screens!) The staff were extremely helpful from checkin to checkout. The place is older and like other reviews have noted, the linens and floors in some areas need some TLC but all this just adds to the character and charm of the place! I would recommend it for weddings, parties, young and old alike! We went back for our first and second anniversary and plan to each year!