Idlwilde Inn

Fantastic place! Well kept, historic home in a great location. Wish we had more time to be more "idle". Next time we'll spend more time just enjoying the Inn itself! The owners and staff were very warm and welcoming. Food was great. Without a doubt, we would stay here again.

Idlwilde Inn was a dream for us! We planned to stay two nights and extended to three. The property was charming and relaxing, the owners are delightful and have immense passion for what they do. The location was perfect for visiting wineries on both sides of the lake with an adorable downtown. We will be back to stay and will recommend our friends and family to visit.

The Idlwilde is a special place. The estate is beautiful and it's location in the heart of the Finger Lakes, minutes away from Watkins Glen State Park, is unbeatable.

We loved everything about our stay. Marcus is incredibly attentive and his check-ins a week prior to our arrival added to the excitement for our trip. Upon arrival, the attentiveness and hospitality continued to amaze us.

In addition, we were provided with many recommendations for where to eat, hikes to check out and some other super, secret "local" tips.

Something worth noting is that there are no tv's in the guest rooms. We didn't realize this when we booked but it was no issue whatsoever.

Breakfast and coffee each morning were delicious. There were even some surprise treats in the evenings. Also, there is a filtered water dispenser to fill your bottles before leaving each day.

Staying here is a no-brainer. Big thanks to Marcus, Elin, Stella (the dog) and the entire Idlwilde team for making our first trip to the Finger Lakes such a positive experience. If we ever return to the area, we'll be sure to stay at the Idlwilde Inn.

It is a wonderful location where the staff truly cares about you as a guest. The Inn overlooks the lake and is centrally located. Marcus caters to your every need. Your breakfast is innovative and fun. The gazebo is charming. Have a glass of wine as the sunsets and wait for the deer friends as they trek to the lake. Watkins Glen State Park is a must.

The Inn is a large, beautifully furnished B&B with the owners personal touches throughout. You're encouraged each morning to wake early to watch the sun rise, have a cuppa and enjoy a delicious home-cooked breakfast. There's lots to see and do in the area like visit the many waterfalls and/or wineries then back for dinner in town and games, puzzles, music or reading back at the Inn. The rooms are pretty and cozy, the Wifi is excellent and the owner is friendly and attentive. Well worth it!!

Dear Marcus and Idlwilde Staff,

Thank you for your fabulous Hospitality over our stay at the Idlwilde Inn! Everyone there made us feel so welcome.
We have traveled quite a lot and stayed in many different types of accomodations, but your Inn made us feel more at home than any other place we have ever visited.
One of my fondest memories was being awoken by the smell of bacon cooking just as I remember it as a boy. We were worried driving up from Princeton that the colors would be all gone but we certainly lucked out with the bursts of colors in the foliage everywhere. We took up all your suggestions for local travels and restaurants and had a wonderful few days!

Thanks again for your gracious hospitality, the fine cuisine, and your welcoming presence for all your guests!
In sincere gratitude,

Gregg & Carol Buttermore

We had a wonderful stay at Idlwilde! Marcus made us feel at home the entire time. We enjoyed breakfast and the game room most of all. The inn is close to town and wineries. Highly recommend!

My wife and I stayed here for a nice anniversary getaway, and loved every minute of it. It was a very quiet, romantic B&B. It was very clean and well kept. There were always a small selection of snacks/refreshments we could grab anytime. The breakfast every morning was the highlight. The food was amazing, it was the perfect way to start every morning. Also, the views were beautiful, as well. Marcus did an amazing job making sure we had everything we needed. I highly recommend and we will definitely stay there again next time we are in the area.

We loved our stay at the Idlwilde Inn. Marcus was a welcoming host. The Inn and grounds are beautiful and well cared for. We expecially loved the breakfast and their cute dog, Stella! Thank you, we hope to visit again. :)

Very welcoming beautiful Victorian estate house on a large expansive property with a bucolic view of Seneca Lake. Lovely wrap-around veranda to enjoy the view at all times of the day. Our room 11 was bright, well decorated and comfortable with a bathroom across the hall. Coffee was always brewed for early risers in the main dining room and breakfast was hearty and different each day. The inn’s location allowed us to walk to Watkins Glen State Park and into town for dinner. Hosts Marcus & Elin were welcoming, insightful and entertaining with facts about local history. A great stay, everything an inn should be! We also enjoyed the company of Stella, the friendly resident canine co-host!

My wife and I booked a stay at the Idlwilde Inn for a relaxing upstate getaway and this place far exceeded our expectations. The personal touch of the owners/hosts, Marcus and Elin, was evident from the start. Every corner of the property was well appointed to relaxation, comfort, and enjoyment. The view of the town and lake from the porch is pretty much all you need, but in no way does it stop there; this staff and the setting go above and beyond to make sure you are fully relishing your time. Breakfast is outstanding every day - the menu creative and well-rounded. And our room, the building, and grounds themselves were the perfect blend of classic charm and modern conveniences - not to mention a perfect location to Watkins Glen and all of its attractions. We would undoubtedly stay here again!

Nice relaxing experience. Opportunity to socialize with other guests or stay to yourself if desired. Friendly staff, including Stella the dog. Fantastic breakfast. Historic and well mantained property. Must plan to stay longer next time.

Idewilde Inn is magical. The views from the house on the hill of the morning sunrise and the lake below are breathtaking. A whole afternoon could be killed on the porch, just taking it all in. The included breakfast was the best part, always on time and it was AMAZING and different each time. This is not some cheep continental breakfast, they make each guest a plate and the food blew me away. Plenty of coffee and tea is there as well as other snacks. Service was incredible, the people who run this place know what they are doing to make you feel special. Plenty of lawn and parlor games around the house to keep you occupied. We never drove more than 30 minutes for incredible falls hikes and wineries, so the location is perfect. We splurged on the larger honeymoon room and it was worth every penny, could not believe how spacious it was and with a private balcony! I left feeling rejuvenated and was sorry to go but will surely be back.

No words can sufficiently describe how excellent our experience was at Idlwilde. The inn is beautiful and full of entertaining ways to pass the time. It is situated high up on a hill overlooking Seneca Lake and the view is stunning. The breakfasts we were served were delicious and creative. As for customer service, the folks at Disney could learn a thing or two from this team. From the top down, every interaction we had was fun, positive, and comfortable. We entered the inn as complete strangers and left feeling like we'd been old family friends for years.

On our way in, we were contacted by Marcus, who wanted to make sure not only that we were able to get there without any difficulties, but also to make sure he was available for our arrival. He gave us a tour of the available salon rooms on the main floor. He also took the time to not just show us to our suite, but to show us around it and give us tips on how to get the most enjoyment out of our stay.

In an ever more disconnected society when customer service has become the exception instead of the rule, the team at Idlwilde swims against that tide, taking obvious pride of ownership and seeming to sincerely enjoy providing their guests with the best possible experience.

Do I recommend Idlwilde to anyone staying in Watkins Glen? Absolutely and without any hesitation. It is a rare gem, one that I am so very glad I had the opportunity to enjoy. We very much look forward to returning next time we are anywhere NEAR that region!

My wife and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary there this past weekend. Everything in the location from the rooms to the host make you feel at home. The views are breath taking. Marcus is very friendly and witty. One of the staff was walking around with a button on her shirt that said I am not Marcus’ wife, I think this was his idea giving his humor, I laughed about it most the way home.

While we did not get the chance to meet his wife her food was amazing. Well portioned with so much flavor. Honestly I’d want to go just for breakfast if I could not get a room when we stay in Watkins Glen.

While the mansion is very charming and keeps a lot of the amenities from its era, it still has a lot of modern touches.

Highly recommend this Bed and Breakfast!

We chose the Idlwilde Inn for our stay this past weekend and would highly recommend it! The property is meticulously maintained, check in was easy, bed extremely comfortable and the breakfasts with a view from the porch superb!
Marcus,Elin and their staff are very friendly and concerned all was going well.
Stella, however, made my day with her welcome! She's the best!
We will definitely stay again when in Watkins Glen.

This was our first trip to Watkins Glen and the Idlwilde Inn and it won't be our last! Marcus & Elin are wonderful hosts and our stay could not have been better. Our room was comfortable, the breakfast was delicious, and there were many thoughtful touches around the house that make you feel at home. Our only regret was that it was a bit too cold outside for us to fully enjoy the beautiful wraparound porch and lawn area, so we will need to plan a return trip in the warmer months to take advantage of all this beautiful property has to offer.

Delightful B&B in all respects. The house and grounds are historic, tasteful, and lovely. The proximity to town and the entire area is quite accessible, yet the inn is private, quiet, and relaxing. The hosts are helpful and gracious, but not fawning, and Stella is a sweet canine asset to the location. The breakfasts are truly delicious and vary each day. Absolutely recommended!

While sitting here sipping my delicious coffee I am greeted with a smile and warm good morning from Marcus the Marvelous innkeeper. Barefoot is the way to go. Breakfasts were wonderful and quite tasty with such variety each day I am not sure how Elin his wonder partner does it. The space is… everything you would expect from a home built in the 1800’s. It would take weeks to see all details and truly enjoy them. The attention to detail is outstanding. I would give them 10 stars if I could.

The house is amazing, and in great condition. The grounds are beautiful with a nice view of lake Seneca. The service was top notch. Great breakfast in the morning. Even though the house was built in 1892, Marcus, the proprietor, has incorporated the latest technology. He meets all of the guests and is super accommodating to their needs. He gave us some great suggestions for things to do while in the area.