Carlisle House Inn

My friend and i stayed one night just prior to the Inn closing for the season. We had afternoon tea that was lovely, so many tea choices, and an included breakfast the next morning. The owner, Teresa, was just a super host and so accommodating. The beds were comfortable and the rooms were very clean. We look forward to returning in high season to take advantage of all that Annapolis Royal has to offer. Check out their sister property, Hillsdale House Inn, across the street.

This is a difficult review to write, as we had been looking forward to our stay here, but unfortunately, certain issues have left a bad taste in our mouth. When we arrived at the Inn around 4.30pm, there was a note on the front desk saying “I’m across the street, be right back”. After waiting 10 or 15 minutes, we went back outside to see if we could see anyone around. Finally, a handyman appeared from the garage and was able to check us in. It was a little strange, but we understand sometimes these things just can’t be helped. On first appearances, our room was just as we had seen in the photos, however we felt that a little more attention could be paid to cleanliness. Windowsills and baseboards were dusty, and more disturbingly, the ceiling in the bathroom was cracked and peeling from shower humidity. It appeared that the bathroom vanity had been recently changed from one wall to another, and while it may have made sense to re-configure the bathroom, when the sink was moved it put the faucet directly in front of the electrical outlet and vent switch. The outlet didn’t function, thus leaving only one accessible outlet in the room for plugging in a hairdryer. We were surprised to find that there was no housekeeping service done while we were out the next day, but again chalked it up to a shortage of staff. The included breakfast was great both mornings, with wonderful service. When it came time to check out, there was again nobody at the desk. There were two different notes with two different phone numbers to call for assistance. As we had to leave to get to the Digby Ferry, the dining room attendant did her best to make sure all the paperwork was in order, but she had no access to payment records. Someone called us an hour later while we were in line for the ferry to get the security code to process our payment. This place is close to being a top notch Inn, but more attention to detail is needed. Hopefully the safety issue of the bathroom electrical will be addressed.

Despite the web site claim that Carlisle House was just renovated, this place looked like the owner had hired some unskilled laborers to paint the walls, ceiling and trim with zero preparation, so there were drips everywhere and the pain was already peeling. The windows were painted shut, one was missing a screen and the second had an old screen with a large hole in it. There were spiders and dustballs all over, and the area between the headboard and the wall was solid cobwebs. The rugs badly needed to be sent to be cleaned professionally, to remove decades of grime. Instead, they were vacuumed and felt dirty. The owner never sent an email confirmation with the price, and I discovered why when I checked out and she tried to charge me much more than the rate I'd seen online. Three employees were trying to do a good job, but their hands were tied given that the owner's apparent goal is to minimize costs.

We spent 2 nights at the Carlisle House in Annapolis Royal. We had a room upstairs which was a good size. The Bed was comfortable. There was an Air Conditioner in the window. There are no TV's in the bedrooms. There is a TV in the library. I am not a breakfast person but my husband is and he enjoyed the breakfast which consisted of a starter of yogurt and fruit followed by 2 eggs, bacon and pancakes. Special thanks to Samatha who was lovely.

We were travelling with another couple. Their room was on first floor. We were in a room upstairs. Both of the rooms had cobwebs. Our room had underwear under the bed. My husbands bed was missing a top sheet. No tv in both rooms and the room downstairs had no air. I directed my complaints to the manager/owner? I was advised that old homes have spiders. I agree but dirty cobwebs should be addressed. The breakfasts were pre packaged frozen pancakes and eggs. We have travelled extensively and I have never had to give such a poor review. Don’t book this place!

I had wanted to stay at the Hillsdale House where I have stayed before but it was full. Their website recommended their sister hotel, the Carlisle House Inn, so I booked a room at the Carlisle House Inn. It turned out to be a very disappointing and expensive experience. When I arrived to check-in, I found the air in the room to be very stuffy and stale. The front desk clerk said that the window was broken so could not be opened. There was actually weather *****ping hanging from the window, and the door lock was not functioning properly. I asked if another room was available and was told no, despite the fact the inn seemed completely empty, and the other rooms had their doors open, all cleaned and ready to receive guests. I told the clerk that I would not be able to stay in the room if the air could not be improved, especially with the threat of covid. I was told that nothing could be done and that I would still be charged for the room in full, even though I was not going to stay there. I ended up being charged $165 even though I had not even set more than one foot in the room. I was never contacted by the owner to inquire more about why I had left without occupying the room. Two days later I received a generic email saying the Carlisle House hoped that I had enjoyed their hospitality. I then emailed the owner to inform her of what had occurred and that I had not stayed at their in after all even though I was charged for the room. I never received a reply. I also wrote to Hillsdale House informing them of my experience, and never received a reply.