Chapel Valley Estate is a bed and breakfast that is located in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania near the border between Pennsylvania and Ohio. While the business has been around since 2003, the main building was originally a farmhouse built in the late 1800s. The establishment offers a total of five units and is open year-round. Breakfast is served each morning to visitors that are staying at the inn. The company is capable of hosting events, as it has an event center with an indoor space that can seat 70 people. Additionally, an outdoor seating area facilitated by a tent rental, tables, and chairs can host up to 350 people for such celebrations. Tom, one of the owners, mentions that one unique aspect of the property is that it is centrally located to a variety of different attractions in the area, including state parks, local restaurants, and several golf courses.
Chapel Valley Estate offers a total of three rooms and two suites for reservations. The three rooms are called The Mantle, The Gable, and The Loft, and they all come with a private bathroom. The Gable and The Loft each have a tub and shower, while the other room has a shower. The suites, The Carriage House Suite and The Cottage Loft offer a few more amenities than the rooms. Snacks are located in the lounge and available to all guests, but the suites have several snacks available to the occupants when they arrive. The Carriage House Suite has a private entrance apart from the main house, which also has a kitchen and dining room. Inside the suite are a queen-sized bed, full kitchen, dishwasher, a washer and dryer, and microwave. The Cottage Loft is the second suite and is located in a separate building on the second floor. It also has a full kitchen, as well as a whirlpool tub, an electric fireplace, a king-sized bed, and a pull-out couch. The doors for the guest rooms have key codes rather than physical keys.
The Mantle Room tends to be popular as it is larger than the other two rooms and has a king-sized bed. The owners, Pat and Tom, report that The Carriage House Suite tends to be popular for families or those with children, and The Cottage Loft tends to be used as a "romantic getaway suite" for couples. Regardless of which unit a patron is staying in, visitors will also have access to the internet, a television in each room, and an invitation to breakfast in the morning.
Pat is responsible for making breakfast each morning, and for guests staying multiple days, she tries to make an effort to alternate what she makes, typically having a savory dish one morning, then creating a sweet dish the next. Regarding his wife's approach to cooking, Tom explains, "There are people who have a business and people who have a passion. This is not her business; this is her passion." Pat can serve various fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and desserts. The owners make an effort to buy ingredients that are locally sourced. Breakfast is typically served between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and is available at each half hour, allowing patrons to request when they would like to eat. Tom mentions that if visitors are planning on leaving before the allotted time for breakfast, Pat can make a to-go bag for them. She is capable of making food that abides by specific diets and food allergies. Upon creating a reservation, guests are given a small questionnaire regarding dietary restrictions, which Pat addresses when making food each morning.
There are several common areas located throughout Chapel Valley Estate. The event room is often used for get-togethers and other events that may be hosted on the property. In the main house, the kitchen and dining room are found. The lounge has several places to sit, and snacks are provided throughout the day. Outside, one can sit on the patio or spend time on the lawn at the fire pit, which is free for those staying at the inn.
Tom and Pat mention that there are many different types of attractions in the vicinity. A few golf courses, such as Stonewall Golf Course, where people can participate in 18-hole golfing. Occupants can participate in other outdoor recreational activities at nearby parks, including Mines and Meadows ATV Park, McConnell's Mill State Park, and Moraine State Park. In the town, one can find various places such as antique shops, a racing complex, and outlets. The owners also enjoy telling guests about restaurants that can be found in the area. A few that they like to recommend by name are Della Terra Italian Bistro, Shakespeare's Restaurant & Pub, Nico Luciano's, Kaufman's Tavern, and Clifford's Restaurant.
Tom and Pat, the current owners of Chapel Valley Estate, would like their guests to "feel at home." In an effort to create this desired atmosphere, they try to make accommodations whenever possible. They also interact with visitors frequently, especially during breakfast, and they enjoy getting to know those who come to stay at the inn.
Chapel Valley Estate is capable of holding events in its event room. In the past, the establishment has held celebrations such as bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, business meetings, church group gatherings, women's retreats, men's retreats, and graduation parties. They have also had live music ensembles. The bed and breakfast is capable of hosting large groups of people at a time, with the owner, Tom, mentioning, "the largest wedding (they) have had was 350 people." The business has a refrigerator, stove, freezer, and sink available outside that can be used for outdoor events.
There are several policies that visitors are asked to abide by during their stay. Pets are prohibited from staying at the property. Tom remarks that there is a local pet hotel nearby that guests can take their pets to if they would like. Smoking is prohibited inside the buildings. However, patrons can smoke outside. The Carriage House Suite is the only child-friendly suite at the bed and breakfast, as it is a more private unit.
Many visitors have stayed at the bed and breakfast over the years, and a few have left reviews of their experience at Chapel Valley Estate. One person who recently stayed with Tom and Pat wrote, "Clean, updated accommodations nestled in nine acres of beautiful outdoors. Perfect weekend getaway and outstanding homemade breakfast. Engaging and delightful owners, Tom, Pat, and her mother, made our stay special." The business is open year-round, with the busiest time being May through October. The typical demographic of guests that visit the property tends to be couples.
Before the business became a bed and breakfast, it was an old farmhouse built in the 1800s. Over the years, there have been many renovations to maintain the house and keep it in working condition. The building had been reframed, and certain sections had to be torn down and reconstructed. The previous owners were responsible for turning the building into a bed and breakfast, who then sold it to them in 2014.
Tom explains that he and Pat were led into the industry because Pat always enjoyed making food for people and hosting others at their house for events and celebrations. They met the owners of the property, who, at the time, had the establishment for sale. Tom mentions that Pat began discussing with the owners about buying Chapel Valley Estate, and about two years later, in 2014, they finalized the deal.
The current owners mention that their favorite aspect of running the bed and breakfast is being able to meet the people who stay with them. Tom remarks, "We've met some wonderful people from all over the world." The current owners have made various minor updates to the business since they purchased the property. In the future, the owners would like to add another building to the grounds that would be used for larger-scale events such as weddings.
297 Chapel Drive
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania 16117
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Tom and Pat Bishop
Denny and Rose D'Angelo
