Golden Eagle Inn

Golden Eagle Inn is found in Bedford, Pennsylvania, a city located on the Raystown Branch Juniata River. The city has multiple museums and restaurants, and outside of the town, one can find opportunities to participate in outdoor recreational activities such as hiking and biking. The business is open year-round and offers ten units. Those who stay at the inn are invited to eat breakfast at the restaurant the following morning. People with reservations at the inn can also receive a discount on lunch and dinner menu items at the restaurant. The business also has a pub in the basement of the building that serves alcoholic beverages each evening, Monday through Saturday. Golden Eagle Inn first opened its doors as an inn in 1794 and was initially called Pennsylvania House. According to the manager, several noteworthy people, including George Washington, have visited the business.

About

Golden Eagle Inn offers a total of ten rooms to the public for reservation. Each unit is uniquely decorated and named and offers different amenities than the other spaces, although they tend to be fairly similar. For example, The Juliana unit offers a king-sized bed, while Miss Mary Espy Room has a queen-sized bed. Several of the suites also have added accessories such as a gas fireplace, access to the Sun Porch, a ceiling fan, and a rocking chair. The size of each room varies as well. Amenities that all units come with include cable television, access to Wi-Fi, an invitation to breakfast at the pub, off-street parking, a private bathroom, and a 10% discount on lunches and dinners at the inn's restaurant.

There are a considerable number of common areas available for guests to use during their stay. The Farmer's Porch is a balcony that is located outside and it provides tables and chairs. It should also be noted that Golden Eagle Inn has a few gardens with various flowers. Furthermore, the inn has a restaurant and pub that patrons can visit when it is open in the afternoons and evenings. A few dishes that are served in the evening include soup, sandwiches, salads, and other similar items. The manager mentions that the property has a separate whiskey bar from the restaurant. Additionally, there is an outdoor patio that recently opened where visitors to the restaurant can eat their food. Due to the fact that the patio is outside, the business allows guests to bring their pets with them. 

Breakfast is free to guests who have a room reserved at the inn, and the meal is typically served in the dining room. Mary Jane, the innkeeper, is responsible for making breakfast in the mornings and usually creates dishes such as eggs, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, and fruit cups, to name a few. According to the manager, everything is made from scratch. Before breakfast is made, the employees try to ask patrons if they have any specific diets or food allergies. Mary Jane can make food that abides by particular diets, including gluten-free and lactose-free, for example.

Beyond the property is the city of Bedford. Bedford has several historical places and museums that detail the history of the land, the people, and the events that occurred in the area. One such museum is Fort Bedford Museum, which, according to the inn's website, has the original fort's flag on display. Outside of the city, one can find many areas for outdoor recreational activities. Lincoln Caverns and Coral Caverns are two different cave systems that can provide tours of closed mines. The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike Tunnel is a 13-mile-long highway that is often used for hiking or biking, though guests are recommended to bring flashlights and helmets as the tunnel is dark and over a mile long. Caution is advised, as the trail is not maintained. The employees of Golden Eagle Inn also enjoy recommending restaurants to visitors looking for a local eatery to get food. Martha, the manager, mentions several by name, including 10/09 Kitchen, Original Italian Pizza Shop, and Bad Boyz Bistro.

Culture

The employees of Golden Eagle Inn would like their guests to feel relaxed when they arrive at the business. "Our goal is to make everyone feel comfortable and try to meet their hospitality needs," says the manager. In an effort to help them feel relaxed, an employee typically shows guests to their room, and the workers can answer questions should the visitors have any. They reportedly interact with occupants frequently.
There are a few policies that the establishment would like guests to be aware of when they come to stay. Currently, the business does not have any pet-friendly units, but the manager mentions that she is interested in making at least one room compatible with pets in the future. That being said, pets are allowed on the outside of the property. The restaurant shuts down at 9:00 p.m., and the owners ask that visitors keep noise to a minimum after that designated time. Smoking is prohibited inside the building, but there are ashtrays outside. In terms of events, the business can host weddings, fundraisers, and other similar gatherings. Golden Eagle Inn has worked with companies such as the Humane Society and Pink Ribbon Society to raise money for their charities.

People have been coming to Golden Eagle Inn for many years, and a considerable number of reviews have been written. These reviews typically mention aspects of the property, including the quality of hospitality and the food and drink offered. One person who recently stayed at the inn wrote, "Service was great, all the staff was friendly, food was delicious, and they have a wide variety of choices on the beer menu. Our room (The Juniata) was clean and cozy. I love the proximity to all the shops in Downtown Bedford." The busiest season of operation tends to be during the fall, and the typical demographic of guests tends to be couples. However, the manager mentions that they receive many different kinds of patrons that are in the town for various reasons.

History

The current owners have owned Golden Eagle Inn for about nine years. The manager, Martha, mentions that it has been used as an inn since 1794, and at the time, it was called Pennsylvania House and owned by Dr. John Anderson. Before the establishment changed hands, it was used as a boarding house. One unique aspect of the property is that, according to the manager, several noteworthy people have visited the inn, one of which was George Washington, who came to Bedford in the late 1700s.

The owner's family was led into the industry because the current owners have a history of working at bars and restaurants. Martha explains that she enjoys meeting the people who come to stay. "I like to hear about where they are from, where they are going, and what brings them to Bedford."

The family has made many changes since they took ownership of Golden Eagle Inn. There was a tavern nearby called The Golden Eagle Tavern that was around in the 1800s, which is where they took their inspiration in naming their bar. The pub was not originally a part of the inn, but they decided to add it to what they already had when it opened nearby. They also added a whisky bar and patio to the establishment.