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Reviews of The Albanus Phillips Inn

3 out of 5
The Albanus Phillips Inn
314 Mill Street, Cambridge, MD

Reviews

7.8

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 27 reviews" "

8.4/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.0/10

Amenities

7.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
We were NOT able to stay at the Phillips Inn because Travelocity screwed up the reservation. Travelocity said the res was confirmed, no need to call the property. I called day before arrival and was told they could not honor the res due to the death of the owner May 22. I made the res May 25. On June 22 Travelocity still had no idea the owner was deceased or what the property was doing. Call Travelocity Customer Service, 2 hour wait to talk to CSR. Used callback option, got call about 3 1/2 hours later. CSR said they would call me if call dropped, which it did after 14 minutes while on-hold for Reservation Team. Still waiting for callback.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
The reservation was not honored
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful for history buffs
The owner, Mr Harwood, is an amazing historian and you'll be delighted by his stories while enjoying David's wonderful breakfasts each morning, This is an early 1900's mansion which is within walking distance to several very good restaurants.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021
Response from Jim on May 5, 2021
I am very pleased to read your kind review. Please come again. You are always welcome. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Norman

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021
Response from Jim on Apr 30, 2021
Thank ylou for your stay with us at the Albanus Phillips Inn. Yolur review is most welcome. It would be my pleasure to have you again in the future partake of our hospitality. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A pleasant stay
The inn is in a great location and you can walk to explore downtown Cambridge. The proprietor was a lot of fun to talk to and he is happy to share the history of both the inn and Cambridge. Looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2020
Response from Jim on Dec 25, 2020
Thank you for your review. We always put our guestis and their pleasure first. We look forward to your next visit. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Joan

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2020
Response from Jim on Sep 30, 2020
Thank you for your review. I appreciate your response to each category 10 out of 10 is what we offer all our guests.

6/10 Okay

Lynn

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Interesting
The owner is a gifted storyteller and historian.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2020
Response from Jim on Feb 19, 2020
Thank you for our kind words.

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is a beautifully restored Victorian Mansion within walking distance of Cambridge shops, restaurants, etc. If you love Victorian style you will feel right at home. Lots of heavy ornate antiques, rich fabric of knick knacks, low light. The friendly host Jim happily shared the very interesting history of the Phillips family and Cambridge. David, his right hand man, was very helpful by getting us extra sleeping pillows, adjusting the heat, and cooking a tasty full breakfast.We had a very comfortable 2nd floor room with a queen 4 poster bed (Empress Room) The bathroom was old style. We chose not to use the claw foot tub/shower (too challenging for us to manage) .Wifi worked fine. Rooms require walking up and down stairs. There was the slightest hint of must here and there downstairs but that is to be expected with a very old house. - Also a hint of smoke downstairs (the owner smokes on the back porch) No smells in our room. Overall this was a very good experience.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019
Response from Jim H. on Nov 10, 2019
Thank you for your kind words. I am very pleased you enjoyed our hospitality. The bathroom has grab-bars for assistance, an eight foot long tub (large enough for President Taft when he stayed here as a guest of Albanus Phillips) and a 12 inch rain shower head mounted in the ceiling. Many guests have marveled at this bathroom and the domed chandelier. It is possible the hint of smoke was from the fireplaces,which were the sole source of heat when the house was first completed. No smoking is allowed anywhere in the building. t

10/10 Excellent

Nick, Chicago

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I stayed at the Albanus Phillips Inn for the Ironman competition. I had a lovely time. David welcomed me on a late night and was immediately pleasant and very helpful. I enjoyed his breakfasts. He was always here to help or answer any question. James, the owner, telling of the history of the Inn and the Cambridge, MD area was riveting. The room was comfortable, clean and quite pleasant. There's something genuine about the Albanus Phillips Inn I truly enjoyed. I would recommend this bed and breakfast to anyone visiting the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019
Response from Jim on Oct 1, 2019
Thank you for your kind review. We await your coming once again in the future. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful historic house and area
What a fabulous welcome to a short stay of two nights. The hotel is stepped in history and internet and the host shares this very generously. Nothing is too much trouble and we were made to feel very welcome. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Response from Jim on Jun 17, 2019
It was our pleasure to have you as our guests. Thank you for your appreciated review. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet neighborhood within walking distance of downtown/restaurants. Knowledgeable staff who enjoy engaging guests with history of Cambridge and surrounding area. Strong wifi; clean bathrooms; comfortable bed.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019
Response from Jim on May 18, 2019
Thank you for your kind words. We hope to see you again at our INN.

10/10 Excellent

michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A Perfect Getaway!
Very charming BnB with impressive interior decor that makes one feel transported back to a different era! Each room is unique and have that warm cozy feel perfect for couples. The proprietor and staff are very accommodating and a wealth of knowledge on local lore. Love the breakfasts! Excellent downtown location and easy walking distance to restaurants and attractions. We will definitely stay here again when visiting the area!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019
Response from Jim on Feb 19, 2019
Thank you. We try to offer enlightenment of the past and comforts of the present. Your pleasure is our goal. We always like to know that our effort was well received and appreciated. James Harwood

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great staff and owner is friendly, very knowledgeable, and takes pride in his home and its history.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
Response from Jim H on Jun 27, 2018
Thank you for your kind words.

8/10 Good

kurt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very close to downtown area
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

4/10 Poor

Dee, PA

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Past its prime.
In reviewing the brochure and staying at the B&B, there was some disappointment in our experience. It is a lovely old building but it was missing the warmth and charm of a usual B&B. Sadly, the breakfasts were very limited. The hosts were very cordial and accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017
Response from Jim on Dec 22, 2017
Thank you for your review. We always seek to share the warmth and charm of our Inn with all our guests and to make their stay most memorable.

10/10 Excellent

Kevin, Bucktown, PA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful well kept historic jewel.
A friendly, knowledgable and welcoming staff only add to the gestalt of this beautiful fully restored conveniently located B&B. The food was excellent and the innkeeper made our stay pleasant. I would highly recommend this location for anyone visiting the Cambridge area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from Jim on Jul 29, 2017
Thank you for your stay with us and your most kind review. We look forward to your next visit. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cambridge is a lovely town -the inn was charming and enjoyed learning about its history
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017
Response from James Harwood on Jul 8, 2017
Thank you for your kind review. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

Dianne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great place to stay for Eagleman 70.3
Great historical B&B! Owner and staff went out of their way for us.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
Response from James Harwood on Jul 8, 2017
It was our pleasure to have you as a guest. Thank you for your review. James Harwood

10/10 Excellent

John William, US

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Just passing through town.
What a beautiful old house. I made a reservation through Expedia the morning before getting there and apparently no one had checked to realize I was coming, but we got that worked out and it was a delightful stay. Huge comfortable room, large (really large) bathroom. I was the only person staying so had the house to myself. I almost always stay in historic homes and inns if available, and I know that some people write reviews about them criticizing certain aspects. It's an old house, of course it takes a long time for the water to get hot and figuring out how the shower curtain fits around a freestanding tub is a challenge, but Holiday Inn Express doesn't have multiple rooms of beautiful antiques, hardwood floors, or any sense of history or continuity, a breakfast made for you or pleasant conversation from people working there. If you want a standard box, Holiday Inn it is (or any other - they are all about the same, that is the point).

8/10 Good

Revman, Detroit, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Magnificence revisited
The Albus Phillips Inn is a wonderful example of opulence as represented by the wealthiest in turn of the century, Cambridge society. The house features amazing architecture and appointments that transport the guest back into the early 20th century. Jim, the host, charming and engaging, is assisted by Eddie who provides a fabulous breakfast for the guests; Dennis, the handyman, is willing to help wherever needed. If you are looking for a romantic getaway or an historic trip back in time, this place is a great choice. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Response from Jim on Oct 21, 2016
Thank you for your gracious review.

8/10 Good

Melissa, Sterling, VA

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Fantastic Old Home (now a B&B)
My husband and I booked this B&B for our anniversary. Because there was an event in town the same weekend (that my husband was also attending), the B&B was completely booked and we grabbed the last remaining room. The house is REALLY old and full of fabulous rooms and décor. The innkeeper/owner, Jim, was very pleasant and accommodating and had lots of interesting stories about the neighborhood and surrounding area. Because everything was booked, we had a shared bathroom. Once the event ended, we had the place to ourselves. The breakfasts were amazing. Make sure you eat breakfast!
Response from Jim on Oct 7, 2015
It is a pleasure to know that a guest enjoyed their stay with us and that our efforts to offer first rate accommodations and service met with their approval.

4/10 Poor

mark, Richmond, Virginia

Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Seen better days
The room was billed as having a private bath/shower, but there was only a Bathroom down the hall with bath only. So the bathroom was neither private nor did it have a shower. We were informed we could use the shower on another floor but another guest had their personal belongings in it so we felt uncomfortable using it. As stated in a review we read before our stay, the entire first floor smelled of cigarette smoke and was unpleasant.
Response from James Harwood on Oct 10, 2015
The Empress Room/Suite includes a sleeping room, a sitting room and private bath. This guest elected to book the Sleeping room only and could access the bath through the sitting room or from the hallway. A temporary plumbing problem occurred and the guest was asked to use another shower in a bath, which is/and was advertised as "shared". Problems do ocurr rarely but we try to remedy them quickly. The bathroom has been remodeled since this occurred. No smoking is permitted in the Inn, only on the exterior. Once, an open window allowed smoke to enter the kitchen, but this immediately was remedied by closing the window and kitchen door which had been opened earlier. Our guests comfort is our most important service and we are here to make sure that their stay here is a pleasant and favorable experience.

8/10 Good

Jay, Baltimore,MD

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fascinating Inn in Cambridge, MD
First, I was impressed with the continued calls from the owner, Jim, to confirm I was coming and the time of my arrival. When I arrived, I was given a tour of the building and several of the bedrooms. I was given the history of the house and its visitors, as well as the owners of the other mansions in the neighborhood. (I won't spoil it, ask the owner when you get there). Jim talked to me about several restaurants, especially, when I said I did not want to drive, local establishments that were within a few blocks. The room was comfortable and clean. The common areas were nicely laid out. Parking on the street was available directly outside the entrance. Unfortunately, the weather was not very accommodating so I could not really appreciate the exterior but I would love to re-visit during the Spring.
Response from Jim on Oct 7, 2015
We enjoy helping guests explore all that is available within the surrounding town and countryside.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveler

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disappointing Stay
Expected a bit more from a B&B. Overall cleanliness left a lot to be desired. There were fly paper traps all over, with dead flies still stuck..... not exactly a great selling point. Price was certainly not in line with the conditions of the rooms.( way over priced). Lobby reeked of cigarette smoke. Free internet was advertised but no one knew the password
Response from James on May 23, 2015
Housekeeping cleans the entire property daily and there are staff on hand to clean any mishaps during all hours. A previous guest had brought snacks and introduced food moths which were eradicated by an exterminator with traps specific to the pest. These traps were placed in innocuous locations in that specific room. Smoking of any kind is prohibited in the entire Inn. Anyone wanting to smoke, must go outside to smoke. We sometimes become aware of an infraction only when housekeeping goes into the guest rooms to clean daily. This has only occurred twice. We are very proud of both our housekeeping staff and our desire to promote a favorable and memorable stay for all our guests.

6/10 Okay

Verified traveler

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A historic house with historic problems
While I understand that this is a historical property and certain things need to be kept a certain way that does not mean other things need to suffer. We stayed there from a Thursday to Saturday and while the inn keeper was hospitable and knowledgeable about the area we were a little put off by the fact that the hot water took close to 5 minutes to get hot, that we were told the mirror needed to be wedged with a cigarette pack to keep it straight, and that we were forced to leave our key to the room at the Inn whenever we wanted to go anywhere, which made us feel like we had a curfew. I would say something needed upgrading that could still make it historical but also a better stay for the guest
Response from James Harwood on Nov 15, 2014
Thank you for your review. I would like to respond to the questions that were raised by our guest. The mirror needs to be secured with two hands being used and with my handicap I cannot do this each time a guest changes the positioning of the mirror. The antique keys for the rooms cannot be replaced any longer and for that reason we have provided a secure drop box for their safe keeping while guests are out of the Inn. The drop box is guarded continuously by management. Additionally , management can at a glance note which guests are either in or out of the facility. This is most important in that the property sentry alarm is set at night after all guests have returned to keep them safe from any potential intruders. The eco-friendly shower heads and sink faucets reduce water flow and therefore it takes longer for the hot water to rise to the location. I hope these comments have resolved your concerns.

8/10 Good

DC, DC

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
BNB N History
We were at the hotel on way to Assateague National Seashore. Very pleasantly surprised by the rich history of Cambridge, Md. and the Albanius Phillips Inn. Presidents, well known tycoons from the turn of the 19th century were owners and guests at the Inn and surrounding homes. Entering the inn immediately brings you back 100 years. Photos, authentic period furnishings were reminders of an era gone by. Very friendly and helpful service. If I have to complain, I would complain that the bedroom door requires a strong shoulder to open.
Response from James Harwood on Dec 12, 2015
Albanus Philllips was a significant industrialist and his house is one of the most important mansions built on the eastern shore. We have tried to stay true to the decorations of the original decorator. Sometimes the weather makes old heavy doors stick.

8/10 Good

Minnguy, DC area

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Magnificent House for B&B Stay
We were looking for a weekend away and noticed this location. The Inn was the home of a millionaire industrialist from the early 20th century and has a fascinating history which the owner will recount. The public rooms on the first floor are nicely decorated and highlight the qualities of the building itself. The inn is walking distance from the historic downtown in Cambridge and from the Chesapeake Bay. Although the Cambridge downtown has more empty storefronts than one would like to see, there are several good restaurants and an above average bakery and coffee shop.
Response from Jim on Oct 7, 2015
Our eateries are first class here in the historic district. It is always a pleasure to hear that our decorating meets with the approval of our guests.