On Tuesday March 29, 2016 my husband John and I headed for the Northern Neck of Virginia to the Tides Inn Resort in Irvington, VA. I had read the reviews, both good and bad, and was anxious to see what our thoughts would be. Among the many comments were: beautiful setting, friendly and helpful staff, musty rooms, outdated, would return, would never return etc. etc. etc.
We arrived at the Inn at 2:53 and were greeted by the door man who was extremely friendly and helpful. He explained where check in was, where to park, helped with our bags etc. We checked in and were given the keys to our room. The gal that checked us in had just started and this was her second day. She was very nervous, but very friendly. Off we went to our room, or so we thought. We could not find our room. There did not seem to be a room with our number in the building. A man that worked at the marina at the Inn happened by and asked us if we needed help. We explained we could not find our room. He immediately took over and assured us he would help us find it. He went to the desk, then came back, took our bag and helped us to our room. Our room was actually in the adjoining building. (I am sure that if the person that checked us in had not been new this would have been explained to us. I also feel pretty sure that this was later explained to her as well). We entered our room and there was the musty smell that had been in one of the negative posts. John and I just looked at each other and I went over and opened the sliding glass door that looked over the marina with a gorgeous view! We left the door open, there was a screen, and within a few minutes the musty smell was gone. Our room was very nice, the bathroom appeared to have been recently updated and the balcony with the view was great to sit out on and read, look at the water etc.
The food at the resort was wonderful. The oysters were great and I don’t even like oysters. We later learned that the oysters that are harvested locally are less briny than ones closer to the bay and therefore sweeter. I loved them…… The drink of the Inn is a Lancaster Lemonade. It was warm enough that we were able to sit out on the veranda and have our drinks and watch the water. We liked the personal touch in the dining room where your server knew you by name and made you feel special. (Some people complained in reviews I read about the price of the food. There are options off premise that have lower prices and are easy to get to if you want. We walked to a little place called Local Call each morning for breakfast. It was not pricey and was very good, plus it helped us get part of our daily walk in.)
There is a resort fee, but it is well worth it. You do not pay extras on top of the resort fee for things such as paddle boards, bikes etc. like at some places we have stayed. Though it was too cold to use the paddle boards the protected cove would be a perfect place to use them. The pool was also closed, but it appeared to be very nice with lots of seating both at the pool and down near the beach. There was a par 3 golf course, which my husband and I had fun playing, a Frisbee golf course, volley ball nets, tennis courts, croquet on the front lawn, lots of bikes to borrow, nightly s’mores on the deck and milk and cookies at 9:30. (All included in the resort fee). There were also activities you could sign up for such as guided walks, guided bike rides and many activities for kids. There is also a spa that we did not have time to take advantage of.
Considering we were there during off season we found many things to do both in and around the Inn. We played golf, sat on our balcony and read, walked around the town daily, rode bikes to the Dog and Oyster winery that is maybe a mile from the Inn. We drove to some nearby towns, sampled local cuisine, shopped etc. All in all we had a wonderful, relaxing time.
I would say the Tide IS IN for the Tides Inn. Are there things that need updated? Sure, but it appeared that there is constant work being done on the grounds and to the buildings. Would we go back? Yes, we would like to go back during the fall when the water is warm and we could take advantage of the water sports, cruises, etc.
The only true negatives that I have for the Tides Inn: the rooms do have a musty smell at first, but also they just opened for the season. The Wi-Fi is spotty, but I am not sure how good it is anywhere in Irvington.
Journal entry Friday April 1, 2016:
Up and out to walk before the rain. We decided not to stop for breakfast because of the rumble of thunder in the distance. Heading back to the Inn John said, “I think this will be like when we are at the shore. Thunder rumbles all around you, but it never rains….” Three minutes later it is POURING!
“I guess you were right John, this IS just like the shore when you con Liza into walking down the beach because “It is only raining inland” and you come back soaked, your beverage glasses full of rain water and you both comment that the rain was so hard it hurt when it hit you”
Back to the Inn, shower, and pack to head home.
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