Follansbee Inn

This review is a little old, we stayed our one and only time a while back, but I felt I should share my experience.
We arrived late on a Friday, I had already arranged to have our key left for us and through email the owners seemed very accommodating.
Our room was okay, bed was a little small for us. No big deal really.
Here is the reason for the one star rating.
The female owner was incredibly rude to me during my stay in a couple separate occasions.
She was very snarky to me when we checked in the next morning after arriving.
Then Sunday morning when we got up for their «famous» breakfast, I went to the wrong coffee station, mind you there are no signs to distinguish which coffee station were for guest or staff, she snatch a mug out of my hand and then told me where to get my coffee in a very short tone.
It was crowed in the breakfast area, there were no tables open that were cleaned off, so I sat at a table that had dirty dishes at it. The female owner came up to the my table and told me,“if you are going to insist on sitting here, you need to get your own clean plate and silverware from a another table. Honestly, the breakfast wasn’t great. I felt the whole experience was ruined by the owners attitude. I know we will never stay there. For the amount that you are paying a night. I would hope for a better experience.

Bring your outdoor clothes – you will spend lots of time on the lake!
My husband and I stayed here for three nights in June. Denis has anticipated every interest. We did everything from going on the lake (he provides an array of canoes, kayaks, row boats and paddle boats), to walking the 3-​mile road around the lake, to sitting inside playing games, to just sleeping in the hammock that is right next to the lake. Additionally, there are several bicycles for you to use though we did not use them ourselves.
You’ll be glad that the activity causes you to work up an appetite because the breakfast is spectacular. Denis provides a breakfast that is nutritional (not hum-​drum continental cereals and croissants – we’re talking REAL food), beautifully displayed, and cooked to perfection. You get to eat in a lovely dining room with place settings, so you feel like you are being pampered every morning. While we were not traveling with small children, I did see other families that were quickly accommodated for with booster seats and child-​friendly dishes and cereals. So, there is something for everyone once again.
Our room was very clean and had a large bathroom. There were plenty of places to sit and store your items, and we never felt cramped or uncomfortable. Denis does have free Wi-​Fi that works well. There are no TVs as fitting for such a relaxing place.
The inn itself is a sight to behold as it dates back to the early 1800s. For history lovers, there is an adjacent old church and cemetery full of names that you recognize in the area (for instance, the Kezar family). We saw dates on headstones from the 1700s. You can really start to appreciate the area when you think of how many people have enjoyed the peaceful mountains and lake through the centuries.
There is plenty to do in nearby areas and several good eateries. Ask Denis to recommend a place. Craft brewing is huge in the area, so check out local breweries and purchase locally-​made items. If you want to just lie low for the evening, there’s a general store with a counter and stools that serves sandwiches, burgers, hotdogs, etc. We ate there twice and couldn’t believe the cheap prices. You really get to talk to locals this way, too. The general store is across the road from the inn.
Enjoy your stay, and be sure to rub Angel’s belly and watch her fetch her ball from the lake! She’s the sweet dog-​in-​residence.

We’ve reserved two days for Valentine’s day, Friday and Saturday. This B & B was very nice and cozy. The rooms were comfortable and we had all we needed. Grace and Brandon were kind and very helpful with all the questions we had. The breakfast made by Dennis (owner), it has wonderful waffle and all we could eat.
Besides, angel (Dennis’s dog) was such good behavior and adorable dog and my daughter love her so much .
After we spend a perfect Friday night there, miserable Saturday coming .The blizzard will start on Saturday and we must drive back same day. When I bring this concern to Follansbee, we’ve all got their fully understanding and got one day refund right away .
Can’t wait next time be there.

We enjoyed this lovely historical inn that is far from the maddening crowd.
The staff was very friendly. There was a cute dog too. Quiet and charming.
We chose the Jean Room because it was a corner room with extra windows overlooking the lake. The room was lovely. The inn is over 100 years old and has many old antiques, books, and pictures from that era. We checked out many of the rooms and they were all nice.
There was no television which forced us to rest. There was WIFI to keep us connected.
The property has a lake with canoes, boats, a dock, bikes, etc. I enjoyed sitting on a swing reading by the lake. Beautiful. There is a porch to sit and lounge.
Breakfast was delicious with southern cooking and charm.
There is plenty to do in the area, the state park is across the road, skiing, hiking, local theater in the summer.

A traditional lakefront mountain B&B with an Adirondack feel whose whole is greater than its parts. Spacious… clean…activities galore (no TV… hooray). One of the best breakfasts especially the biscuits. And top it off with a staff that is genuine and courteous. They don’t get much better.

I’ve never been to another B&B with breakfast as good as this! This place is so cozy and comfortable. We came up from Boston for the weekend and this was the perfect spot to do some fall hiking.

Great little inn near Sunapee — Denis, the owner, and Grace were warm, attentive and knowledgeable. Me and my kids took full advantage of Lake Kezar right across the quite country road, as well as all the equipment (canoes, kayaks, bikes, etc) that Denis keeps on hand. Will definitely visit again.

This place was a wonderful escape from NYC! My bf (30) and I (26) were looking for a B&B where we could enjoy falls changing colors and we couldn’t have found a more perfect place!
Location/​activities
For starters it is right on a lake which doesn’t get much traffic. We saw 3 or 4 boats on the water during the 4 days we were there and noticed very few cars in the area other than inn guests. The Inn has a sail boat, kayaks, canoes, a paddle boat, and MANY bikes for guests to use free of charge. The road around the lake is about a 1.3 mile circle, perfect for a morning run or afternoon bike ride. There is a corner store called The Vernondale Store, GO THERE! They have everything you may have forgotten at home and things you didn’t even know you needed. They also serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and desert. If you decide that you don’t need anything then still go there! This store is a museum of antiques which the store owner is very happy to talk to you about.
Décor/​amenities
The Inn itself if decorated beautifully! There are antiques mixed with unique furniture and breakfast it served on beautiful china. They also provide shampoo, soap, conditioner, towels, blow dryer, corkscrews, bottle stoppers, every kind of glass imaginable, candies in every common room, magazines, books, a stocked game room, multiple extra blankets, a variety of flavored coffee, many different teas, water bottles, walking sticks, umbrellas, in room heaters, your own bathroom (some with amazing claw foot tubs,) and friendly hosts.
Crowd
The crowd was a little older which was great because they kept the noise level down, at least until baseball was brought up in which case everyone joined in with their opinions. The environment facilitated a lighthearted environment, if you wanted to seclude yourself that was made easy but if you wanted to make new friends then everyone seems happy to accept you. Due to all the great amenities I was shocked we didn’t meet more couples closer to us in age. It was an unexpected surprise how enjoyable it was to interact with people from different parts of the country of all different ages. We absolutely loved it!
Now my favorite part… FOOD!!!
Oh My Goodness Denis is such a good cook! I expected Bisquick pancakes and cereal. Boy was I wrong! Some of the food we had for breakfast was french toast stuffed with cream cheese walnut filing, fresh fruit, praline bacon, homemade pecan butternut waffles, maple apple sausage, baked cheese grits, sausage hash, angel biscuits, baked veggie or sausage omelets, and fresh squeezed orange and cranberry juice. Everything is homemade and has some love in it all the way down to the heart shaped butter.
Tip: Bring nice outfits to go out at night in! Not all restaurants in the area are «classy» places where you are expected to dress up. But the ones we went to were and we were slightly under dressed. Plus the town is maybe 50% locals 50% tourists and all tourists were dressed up.
Pleasant Lake Inn Restaurant is a great intimate place, dress recommended for women and a blazer for men. The crab cakes were the best I’ve ever had! Also get there early to enjoy the view before the sun sets.
Simon Pearce Restaurant has amazing views of a river and waterfall, the best butternut squash soup, and glass blowing in the basement.
Denis and Cat were amazing hosts, very friendly and open to giving suggestions to help make your stay even more enjoyable!

Neat place in a quaint town. Breakfast was amazing! The bed we got was super hard, the two quilts on the bed weren’t warm, and there is no wi-​fi on the third floor. Other than that, I think this place lives up to the reviews if those few things don’t bother you.

We stayed for 2 nights in the Family Suite. The hosts were very friendly, the inn is clean, well-​maintained and beautifully decorated, like a home you don’t want to leave. The breakfast was delicious. We also enjoyed walks around the lake, kayaking and swimming.

I went skiing at Mount Sunapee this past weekend I was looking for a place that was not your standard hotel, motel or condo and that offered Suites and The Follansbee Inn came through in more ways than I possibly imagined.
First it is a beautiful family friendly Inn and it has suites and continguous rooms that they offer as a package together at a family rate when available.
Second, breakfast comes with the room and it was made from scratch by the hosts whose home cooking was like no other I have ever experienced. The breakfast one day included the fluffiest omlette I have ever seen or had the pleasure of tasting, naturally processed bone in ham, tartes, biscuits that melted in your mouth (I am getting hungry writing this).
Third we were close enough but just the right distance to have a country feeling. Door to chairlift it was thirty minutes to Mount Sunapee. When we arrived back after skiiing there were great options for eating and the bar and gaming areas were great. There is a fridge where we stored drinks for apres skiing.

Just got back. Brand new owners who are very nice and take good care of the place. Food was good and service was nice.

Delightful all around, Take the 3 miles walk around the lake, talk to the new owners, enjoy the best of the past. Unhurried, no frequent traveller programs, just real nice hospitality,

We stayed at the inn for two nights during Columbus Day weekend. The surroundings are spectacular. The inn also provides free boats (there’s a beautiful lake across the street) and bikes.
Our room was quaintly decorated and well kept. And it got tidied-​up during our stay, which is something I haven’t encountered much in Bed and Breakfasts where we’ve stayed for more than a night.
The owners are really friendly, and the inn is a charming place. Breakfast is great as well. It’s a keeper!

I stayed in a suite at the Follansbee Inn for five days in July. It blew out any expectations I had for my stay for the following reasons.
I intended for the Inn to be a base camp for New England exploration after driving up from my hometown of Atlanta. However, I found many attractions at the Inn itself that caused me to relax and simply enjoy being there.
I met the proprietors, Dave and Cathy, from their niece. Dave is the jovial one with entertaining stories of the many lives he has lived as a volunteer fire fighter, prosecutor, and much more. Cathy is the hands-​on chef and purveyor of local knowledge. Both were very happy to make my friends and I comfortable at the Inn and point out many things to do in the area.
Every morning there is a great spread that Cathy creates from scratch. Daily items seem to be homemade granola, tea, coffee, milk, and juice. The majority of the main items are made fresh each day and during our time included omelets with swiss/​ham/​asparagus, ginger waffles, and potato cakes with apple sauce. One main item is usually accompanied by a couple other side dishes such as raspberry scones, yogurt, blueberry muffins (amazing!), hard-​boiled eggs, and/​or Waldorf salad. And, yes, dinner is just as amazing as breakfast if not more so. Meals are laid out buffet style in a room of many wooden tables overlooking the lake. Cathy is also conscientious about her cooking in order to meet the dietary needs of people (30% vegetarians or other restrictions) who stay at the inn. Beyond the deliciousness, this is another reason she makes her items from scratch so she knows everything that is in her food.
Kezar Lake is another attraction within about 50 yards of your bed. The lake is just across the sleepy road in front of the inn. A short dock serves as the launching point for swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or simply floating on a raft. I was so excited to explore the outdoors that I repeatedly rose without alarm at 6am to kayak on the lake. I’d circle Blueberry Island which is 0.5 miles from the dock and has beautiful water lilies on one side or I’d circle the parameter of the lake where I found a beaver dam down one stream and a great heron swooping off just prior to that discovery. This equipment is available along with safety equipment and some bicycles; just inquire with Dave and Cathy. If you are a runner, you can circle in the lake in about 3 miles.
However, you could always just take it easy in the hammock, lounge chairs, or benches on the bank of the lake. It’s comfortable and beautiful. I recommend a little bug spray in the summer at dusk for the mosquitoes which are large and slow but persistent. This is a beautiful time of day to sit out and enjoy a pizza on the park bench by the lake. Ask about Pizza Chef (restaurant) which has great pizzas and many other items I didn’t have the time to enjoy.
Now, if you didn’t get sucked into simply relaxing at the Inn with it’s unique, comfortable rooms, it’s bar room that’s made lively by Dave’s entertainment, the lake, or it’s game room — then there are many sites in New England to see. I’m from the South and I enjoy some good food so I ventured to the Lobster Shack (Cape Elizabeth, ME), King Arthur Bakery/​School (Norwich, VT), Cabot Cheese Visitor Center (Cabot, VT), and Ben & Jerry’s Factory (Waterbury, VT). There were many other sites to hit for food but frankly the Inn was a pretty comfortable place to stay and relax.
I definitely recommend staying and enjoying your time here.

My grandmother’s family has been going to the Follansbee Inn and Kezar Lake since sometime around 1911. It’s pretty amazing that a century later it remains a lovely and special place. My family has seen the Follansbee through many innkeepers and Dave and Cathy are definitely among the best. This beautiful old inn retains its historic charm in the Colonial-​inspired décor, antiques, and the original and historical transom doors (doors with built in «air-​conditioning»). At the same time, Dave and Cathy have made tasteful renovations, including expanding many of the bathrooms and creating a few suites.
The Follansbee is great for a relaxing weekend or mid-​week break. The lake is beautiful and you can spend your time walking, taking out one of the inn’s boats, relaxing on the porch, or chatting with Dave, whose outgoing personality encourages low-​key socializing between guests.
Cathy’s breakfasts are also amazing. I’ve been trying to replicate her gingerbread waffles for years.
You get the best of New England inns at the Follansbee – and it comes with five-​generations of my family’s seal of approval!