Lily House Bed and Breakfast is located in Suffield, Connecticut, with four rooms available for guests. The building is situated on a historic street, and because of this, the home is required to keep its exterior architecture intact. Modern amenities have been added to the home, and all but one of the rooms have been renovated into a more modern look. The Rose Room is the only unit that reflects the history of the building, and it is seen as the more romantic option for those staying at the property. Brian and Andi DiLascia, the owners of Lily House Bed and Breakfast, hope that their guests have a unique experience while staying in their home and that they find the many things to do in the area enhance their stays.
The building of Lily House Bed and Breakfast is an old colonial house that was originally built in the early 1800s. "[It is] right in the center of Suffield, Connecticut," says Brian DiLascia, the owner of the business. Four rooms are available for those staying at the property. Each unit has its own TV, heating and air conditioning, a private bathroom with a shower, and two of the bedrooms also offer a soaking tub. The owners have strived to keep the rooms up-to-date despite the home's historic nature, leaving one of the rooms, The Rose Room, as the only unit reflecting the history of the building. Brian mentions that "the nicest room is the Stargazer Suite" due to its size, however, he explains that "The Rose Room is a little bit more romantic." He also mentions that "The Garden Room probably has the best view of the backyard," which makes each room somewhat unique from the others.
Other rooms that guests can utilize include a sizeable dining room, a living area with couches, and common areas on both floors. The common areas have a microwave, a refrigerator, coffee, tea, water, and snacks available throughout the day. Brian also mentions that a local masseuse offers massages to those who reserve a time for one at the property. A massage room is available on the premises to those with an appointment. Lastly, there is a boutique on-site that sells apparel and locally made goods.
There are a couple of porches with porch swings that guests can use, as well as a fire pit and a garden. Lily House Bed and Breakfast is situated on about half an acre of land, which consists of the building itself, grass, and some trees. Brian says that the home is conveniently located in the city of Suffield. He mentions that there is a market across the street from the business, and in addition, there are five restaurants within walking distance. He personally recommends Tosca Restaurant for those looking for fine dining. Some attractions near the property include Suffield Academy and Eastern State Exposition, and the owner remarks that the area can be popular during the fall because of the foliage.
Brian, the owner of Lily House Bed and Breakfast, says that he wants his guests "to feel like they were well communicated with, that the [bed and breakfast] is clean, and that [they have] a unique experience in an old house in the center of an old historic district." He mentions that, despite the home's historic nature, modern amenities are provided so that visitors might have a more accommodating stay. The owner remarks that though they are located in the city, "the property itself is usually pretty quiet."
When it comes to interacting with guests, the owners strive to reach out to those staying with them in order to see what they can do to make their stay memorable. Brian says that some patrons desire to meet the owners, and he strives to be available for them if that is the case. Otherwise, guests are able to make reservations and access the property through keyless entry. Those who prefer this method can stay at the property and leave it without seeing the innkeepers.
Events such as weddings and bridal showers have been held at the property, but they are rare occasions. Those that are looking to have an event at Lily House Bed and Breakfast will typically rent the entire building for their festivities. The most common demographic that visits the home are couples that are looking for a romantic getaway; both those that are young and old. There are also many parents of students in the nearby academy that choose to stay at the bed and breakfast.
Lily House Bed and Breakfast is open year-round with a busy season that Brian says lasts from about April through September. He mentions that many guests that stay at the establishment are visiting the area for events that take place in the area or to see the fall foliage. A considerable number of patrons are repeat guests, having created relationships with the innkeepers. One person that stayed at the property left a review about the innkeepers, in which they said, "we had a great host. They were helpful and couldn’t be more accommodating. Beautiful place for pictures." Another visitor wrote, "This is a wonderful inn. The owners were so nice, and the rooms were beautiful."
Brian and Andi DiLascia currently own the Lily House Bed and Breakfast. It was previously owned for 15 years by Lorraine Mancini, Brian's mother. Before she purchased the property, it was simply used as a private residence. When it went up for sale, she drove past the building and decided that she wanted to change the home into a bed and breakfast, which she did around the year 2005. The current owner says that the building "became a staple in the town" and that most people in the city of Suffield today know of the property and knew Lorraine. The owner says that she was very involved in the community and was a big part of the success of the business.
The current owners took the property over from Brian's mother in January of 2020 and have strived to preserve the house's historic nature. Renovations have been made in the hopes of keeping the home up-to-date with modern amenities, though one of the rooms, The Rose Room, has remained relatively untouched to portray the history of the house. Brian and Andi decided to take over the property so they could keep Brian's mother's tradition and legacy going after she retired and moved away. Today, Brian says that he enjoys "meeting interesting people and [helping them feel] good on a property that is our home."
13 Bridge St.
Suffield, Connecticut 06078
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Brian and Andi DiLascia
Lorraine Mancini