The Guilford Bed and Breakfast is Victorian-themed and is adorned with vintage furniture to show what the house would have looked like when it was first built in the 1900s. Those who stay at the bed and breakfast are able to reserve any of the five rooms, four of which include private bathrooms and a suite. All rooms are decorated in the same theme of the house, but they differ in size and amenities offered. The Hudson is popular for having the largest bathroom, and The Isobal is popular among couples for being “cozy and romantic,” as described by the business' website. Reservations are available throughout the year, but the owner notes that the summer is the busiest season of operation and that if visitors are looking to stay during that time, they need to book in advance. The business is often known for the breakfast made daily for patrons. Each meal is designed by the owner to accommodate guests’ dietary needs, restrictions, and preferences.
The Guilford Bed and Breakfast is open to visitors for reservations in the town of Guilford, Maine. Those looking to stay at the property are able to choose from any of the five accommodations. Each room offers specific amenities and features. Four of the units include a bathroom and suite. The Cummings Suite has the largest bathroom out of all the accommodations, which tends to make the room a favorite among visitors. While the Hudson Room has two queen-size beds, allowing for more occupants. The Isobel Room is often popular among newlyweds because it is more of a “romantic room,” says Wendy , the owner. All units, and the house in general, are decorated in a 1900s Victorian theme and are adorned with vintage furniture meant to represent what “would have been here [during that] time,” explains Wendy. She also mentions that the home is historic while still offering modern conveniences.
Patrons have access to a 24-hour Keurig coffee station located in one of the hallways. Other areas of the house available to guests include a sitting room, library, dining room, living room, and a wrap-around porch. The library has a pull-down screen and projector, allowing those staying at the property to watch movies if desired. “A gourmet breakfast” is served daily anywhere from 7:00 to 10:00 AM, remarks Wendy. The morning meal is served in the aforementioned dining room and is served on “fine China,” says the owner. Breakfast consists of multiple courses and is based on guests’ food restrictions and overall preferences.
The Guilford Bed and Breakfast is located on the side of a hill, described by the owner as a “granite shelf.” Features on the grounds of the property are provided for guests to enjoy. These outdoor areas include a garden, where the owner grows her own vegetables and herbs. Another building, known as the Carriage House, is also situated on the property; however, this building is not available to visitors and instead is used for storage. Wendy remarks that visitors tend to enjoy walking around the building and looking at the older architecture. In total, the premise is located on a total of 2 acres of land that is primarily wooded and is adorned with what Wendy describes as “ancient trees.”
Wendy, the current owner of The Guilford Bed and Breakfast, wants any guests who stay at her property to feel “welcome and comfortable,” as well as "relaxed and rejuvenated." The owner tries to create this atmosphere by making the place feel inviting, specifically by welcoming patrons when they arrive at the inn. The owners focus on being available for those staying at the bed and breakfast in case they need anything while staying at the inn. A review left by a previous patron said, “Michael and Wendy were gracious and inviting hosts. I stayed here with a co-worker while traveling for business, and the hospitality at The Guilford Bed and Breakfast is unparalleled in the area. Not only did Michael greet us in person at our late check-in, but he also gave us a private tour of the premises and helped us locate a place to eat dinner.”
Occasionally, the property hosts events and activities such as concerts and an annual mother’s day event. Guests are also able to book the premises for private events throughout the year since The Guilford Bed and Breakfast is open year-round. The owner remarks that the summer is “crazy busy” for the inn due to the outdoor activities available in the area. Wendy suggests that visitors book in advance to stay during this time; otherwise, availability will be limited. Architecture and historical art are said to be the unique features of the business by the owner.
People who stay at the bed and breakfast tend to fall into a retired professional demographic. Overall, Wendy describes her typical type of patrons as “an older group” that are “well educated.” It is also typical for the property to receive a relatively large amount of repeat guests. One review left by a patron said, “I am a returning guest to this beautiful historic home that is extremely clean and well maintained. Wendy and Michael work hard to make your stay comfortable and are there to greet you at the door along with Snickers, their adorable dog.” The owner remarks that The Guilford Bed and Breakfast is most known for its “gourmet breakfast,” which she serves daily. She believes that this is the case because each meal is catered to the visitors.
The owner notes that pets are not permitted on the property due to the owners having a dog of their own. Smoking is also not permitted in the house or on the grounds. They also note that none of the accommodations are located on the ground floor, so all guests must be able to climb stairs.
Guilford, the town where the business is located, is known for being “an old mill town,” according to Wendy. Within the city limits, there are currently two mills still in operation, one of which being a textile mill. According to Wendy, the town where the bed and breakfast is located does not offer a wide variety of places to eat due to its relatively small size. If guests don’t want to drive far to eat, the owner recommends they walk across the street to the town’s local bar, the Red Maple Inn. If visitors are willing to drive to eat, Wendy recommends they try either Chew 62 or At The Quarry LLC, both of which are located in surrounding towns.
Those who visit during the winter months often are there for snowmobiling and other winter activities, such as sledding and cross-country skiing. Warmer weather activities include four-wheeling, hunting, fishing, and kayaking. Moosehead Lake is one specific water feature located relatively close to the business that visitors tend to visit.
The building used for The Guilford Bed and Breakfast was originally built in the early 1900s. Currently, the owner, Wendy, is working on getting her property on the National Register of Historic Places. When first built, the building was used as a private residence for “several interesting owners,” remarks the owner. Namely, the building has been owned by the President of one of the town mills, an attorney whose father was a court judge in the area, and a local photographer who has won various awards for his work. In total, there have been 13 previous owners making Wendy the 14th owner when she purchased the property 5 years ago.
Wendy had previous experience in the hospitality industry after owning an Airbnb in Oregon. She decided she wanted to expand and also loved historical places, ultimately leading her to move across the country to Maine to buy The Guilford Bed and Breakfast and operate it herself. Since purchasing the property in 2018, Wendy has upgraded the kitchen to be more commercial and has done other maintenance fixes since the building is relatively older. Wendy remarks that since she took ownership of the business, she has found joy and fulfillment in her job, notably through the multiple guests she gets to meet and interact with. Wendy also enjoys cooking for them daily. Overall, she says, “it’s a beautiful place to live.”
24 Elm Street
Guilford, Maine 04443
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Wendy
