Joan Smith has been the sole proprietor of Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast for nearly 17 years. The property is found on the outskirts of Montgomery in the southern region of New York, surrounded by pastures, farms, and woodlands. A total of three rooms are available for visitors to occupy, and breakfast is provided every morning for all guests. The home bears historical significance, as the building was constructed in the 1830s. With the intent to maintain its historic character, Joan has decorated the inn with antiques and collectibles that she has accumulated over the years. Although the establishment is fairly original to its time period, modern amenities such as cable TV and WiFi are available to guests during their stay.
Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast occupies two acres of land in the countryside of southern New York. The home presently offers three accommodations that visitors can reserve, which are as follows: Queen Ensuite, Queen, and Twin Room. Each room is named after the size of beds that are provided within. As the name would suggest, the Queen Ensuite room offers an ensuite bathroom, while the other two accommodations have private bathrooms that are located down the hall. Every guestroom is equipped with cable TV, air conditioning, and WiFi. Throughout the home, the rooms are adorned with various antiques and vintage items. As such, Joan Smith—the owner of the establishment—describes the property as an "1830s farmhouse." Notably, the home is listed on the local register of historic places.
Beyond the guestrooms, visitors also have access to a few common areas that can be found both inside and outside of the home. One such common area is a screened-in porch where Joan serves breakfast to her guests each morning, provided that the weather permits. Moreover, a gazebo with a seating area is found on the premises, in addition to a rose garden. A particularly noteworthy feature on the grounds that patrons can utilize over the course of their stay is a swimming pool with an adjacent patio.
Every morning, Joan cooks breakfast for everyone staying at Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast. As previously mentioned, this morning meal is typically served on the screened-in porch; however, visitors can eat their meal in the dining room as an alternative. The meal is generally distributed to patrons at around 9:00 a.m., though Joan says that she can adjust the time to be more suitable for people's schedules. Some of the items that one might be offered for breakfast include cut fruit, an egg dish, french toast, juice, yogurt, cereal, and a type of breakfast meat. For those who have dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free or lactose-free, Joan can accommodate these food allergies, and she makes an effort to ask her guests about this in advance. In view of Joan's former occupation as a home economics teacher, she mentions that she has prior experience with cooking, which she believes facilitates accommodating food allergies.
Farmland encompasses Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast, as the establishment is located in a fairly rural region. Several wineries can be found in the neighboring town of Montgomery. Joan mentions that the "world headquarters for Angry Orchards" can be found in relatively close proximity as well. A fair amount of people also bring their bikes to explore the trails that wind throughout the vicinity. With regard to nearby dining options, two restaurants that Joan recommends people visit are Ward's Bridge Inn and City Winery.
Joan Smith, the owner of Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast, has the goal of helping her guests feel relaxed and comfortable during their stay. She believes that the property's location, the common areas, antique decorations, and other details that contribute to the bed and breakfast's character are some specific elements that can create a comfortable atmosphere. Most people who stay at Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast are there to enjoy the secluded location away from the more urban districts near New York City, according to Joan.
While the property itself doesn't host any events, Joan observes that a considerable number of her guests stay at the bed and breakfast to attend a wedding or other similar events that are taking place in the area. As the inn is situated near West Point Military Academy, several people who attend this school have stayed at the bed and breakfast during their graduation. Regardless of the reason people are staying at Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast, Joan remarks, "I find that people are very appreciative that I open my home to them." One former guest who stayed at the property commented in a review, "My husband and I experienced a lovely weekend in Joan’s inviting home which is decorated with her family’s antiques and with love. Our room was so clean and comfortable and the bathroom was well stocked. Joan adds her special touch to every part of the home."
All guests are expected to conform to the guidelines that are implemented at Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast. Due to the fact that Joan keeps a couple of house cats at the inn, those who have sensitive allergies to cat fur are discouraged from staying at the bed and breakfast. With the exception of service dogs, pets are prohibited from accompanying visitors at the property as well. Furthermore, smoking is not permitted inside the home; however, patrons are welcome to do so outside. It should also be noted that, in order to maintain the inn's historic nature, children under the age of 14 cannot stay at the establishment.
Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast is open from April to October, with the best season of operation most commonly occurring from summer into fall. Joan believes that the summer months are busier because "more people vacation [there] during the summer." She also explains that people are drawn to the changing colors of the leaves that take place in September and October. Concerning the primary demographic of those who stay at Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast, the property mainly receives young couples from New York City and older couples who are traveling, according to Joan.
Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast was built circa 1830 and has been under the ownership of five different families throughout its history. The present owner's family began residing in the home in the 1930s. For nearly 17 years, the establishment has operated as a bed and breakfast, and Joan Smith—the current owner—was the one who first started the hospitality business at the home. Following Joan's retirement from her previous occupation as a home and career skills teacher, she decided to convert her historically significant home into a bed and breakfast. Her son, who is a carpenter, was able to assist her with adding more bathrooms and redoing the rooms to be more suitable for accommodating visitors. By reason of Joan's maiden name being "Buck," she decided to name the property Buck's Homestead Bed and Breakfast.
Joan says that her favorite part of being a bed and breakfast owner is "meeting people from all around the world." Concerning any future plans for the business, she hopes to continue running the bed and breakfast for several years to come.
364 Goodwill Rd.
Montgomery, New York 12549
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Joan Buck Smith
