1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast

The 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast, located in Palmyra, Pennsylvania, features eight guestrooms that are available throughout the year for guest reservation. Of the eight rooms, six of them are found on the second floor of the main house, while the other two are in a separate building behind the main house. The two rooms that are in a separate building, both of which are called Cottage Rooms, each have a king bed and a twin pull-out bed, allowing for three occupants per room, as opposed to the rooms in the main house that each only have accommodations for two people. All rooms at the bed and breakfast have private bathrooms and independently controlled air conditioning, and there is Wi-Fi available across the property. Breakfast is provided to all patrons of the establishment every morning, generally consisting of either a savory or sweet entree, fruit, and juice or coffee. 

About

The 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast—located in Palmyra, Pennsylvania near Hershey, Pennsylvania—features a variety of rooms that guests can reserve throughout the year. There are six guestrooms in the main building, all located on the second floor, as well as two Cottage Rooms in a building behind the main house. Both of the Cottage Rooms are ground-level units, and they each feature a king bed with an additional pull-out twin bed. The six rooms in the main house either have a king bed or a queen bed. Regardless of which room is reserved, amenities such as a private bathroom, individually controlled air conditioning, and Wi-Fi are available throughout one's stay. The cottage rooms have additional amenities such as a jetted tub, mini-fridge, and Keurig. One of the owners, Don, says that the decor style of the home is an "1800s Americana," style. While each room is individually decorated, fitting within the theme of the home, the Cottage Rooms are "a bit more modern," Don notes, while the rooms in the main house are more traditional. 

Aside from the rooms, there are multiple common areas where guests can spend time during their stay. The first floor of the main building has a gift shop, which sells framed artwork from Lancaster County, floral decor, candles, and "Americana type" artwork, as mentioned by Don. Additionally, there are sitting rooms and "a breakfast room that lets in natural light," Don says. There is also an outdoor covered deck where patrons can lounge, with seating for 16-20 people. Don says that the outdoor deck is "usable for three seasons," due to weather conditions. On the deck is also a gas firepit. 

The grounds of the inn feature a garden with a "colonial look," according to Don, as well as a potting shed, and a "tree-covered backyard." Don says that the exterior of the property is considerably shady, due to the number of trees found on the grounds. There are also multiple seating areas on the grounds and swings that can be utilized by guests. 

Breakfast is served in the breakfast room of the property or on the covered deck upon request. Each morning, a plated breakfast is served that consists of an entree, fruit, and juice or coffee. The chef alternates between sweet and savory entrees each morning, and some meals that have been served previously include french toast, german apple pancakes, and souffles. Don reports that if a savory dish is served, a baked good is generally served alongside it, such as a scone, muffin, or popover. Breakfast is typically served at 9 a.m., although the staff seeks to accommodate those with a need for earlier breakfast times. At the time of reservation, guests can also let the chef know if they have any dietary restrictions or needs, and upon arrival, Don usually checks again with each patron to make sure they can eat the meal in the morning. 

Culture

The 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast is located "a stones throw away from Hershey, Pennsylvania," according to Don. As such, there are a variety of activities and events that take place throughout the year. The Hershey's Company throws various events that include concerts and other similar activities for both families and couples. Don reports that many of the guests who stay at the bed and breakfast come to the area for events taking place in Hershey, as well as to visit the different sites in the area. Some local attractions that Don recommends include Chocolate World, Hershey Park, Hollywood Casino, and sights such as Gettysburg and Lancaster County. He also recommends Chocolate Avenue Grill, Devon's, and Babe's, as places in the area to eat. Depending on the preferences of the patrons, Don can recommend additional eateries as well. 

In terms of events, the inn can host gatherings of up to 30 people. These events can take place on either the covered porch or in the breakfast room. In the past, bridal showers, baby showers, and birthday events have been held at the property. There have also been weddings at the establishment, however, the maximum attendance of the gathering is 30 people. Don says that he tries to schedule events and private parties at times that will not interfere with those staying overnight at the establishment. 

During a stay at the property, there are policies in place that guests are expected to abide by. Children are allowed to stay at the inn, but they must be at least eight years old, and Don reminds patrons that only two rooms have occupancy for three people. Additionally, there is no smoking allowed inside either of the buildings on the premises, but if visitors would like, they may smoke outdoors. Lastly, pets are not allowed to stay at the bed and breakfast. Don hopes that those who stay at the inn can feel that they are in a "home away from home." He says that he does not want the inn to feel "sterile," or have a "hotel feel," but a more personal feel to it. He tries to be present throughout guests' stay, be a resource tool for things to do in the area, understand their needs, and accommodate their dietary needs. 

Those who have previously stayed at the establishment often comment on the cleanliness of the rooms, attention to detail, and the decor of the home. One former patron said, "Our stay was wonderful, the room was very nice, and the amenities were great too. The garden is absolutely beautiful and it feels like you are way out in the middle of nowhere whilst being a few minutes' drive from the bustle of Hershey. Breakfast was also fantastic." Another guest said, "Snacks and hot beverages are always available. Great breakfasts and nice rooms. We had very fancy french toast one day and excellent quiche the other morning."

History

The current owners of the bed and breakfast, Don and Ellen Zelek, purchased the property in 2017. The business has been in operation, however, for around 30 years, according to Don. Originally, the home that would later become the 1825 Inn Bed and Breakfast, was a private family farmhouse. The building was originally constructed around 1825, although Don says that there is no official record of which year specifically the home was built. The builder of the home passed away in 1837, and in his will, he left the constructed farmhouse to his daughter. Don and Ellen approximate that the original home was supposedly built sometime in the 1820s, hence the name of the establishment. 

Don and Ellen are the third owners of the bed and breakfast business, as the previous owners operated it from 2005 to 2017. The owner before Don and Ellen added the building behind the main house, which contains the cottage rooms as well as the covered porch. As he was getting older, he decided to sell the property and move to Delaware to run a smaller bed and breakfast. Don worked in the corporate world before he and his wife purchased the inn. He had desires to run a small business and "liked what the bed and breakfast world had to offer." During his time in the corporate world, he worked in both sales and customer service, and says now that he gets to do what he enjoys by being able to interact with and serve guests, as well as improving the home and working on the garden area.

Over the course of Don and Ellen's time running the bed and breakfast, they have done multiple renovations, including replacing showers, updating the bathroom vanities and sinks, as well as increasing the marketing of the business. They have also worked on the landscaping of the property by maintaining the flower beds. In the future, Don says there are lots of ideas for further improvements, including potentially adding another building for more guestrooms.