Over the past 12 years, we have stayed at Arden Forest Inn for 2 separate weeks each year. We always come away with the self-satisfied feeling that we enjoyed the best B & B in Ashland. In addition to the clean, well appointed rooms, there are lovely gardens and creative, sumptuous breakfasts. But the real treasure is Bill and Corbet, the innkeepers, who make our stay relaxing and comfortable. Their overall knowledge of theatre, and the OSF plays in particular, make the breakfast conversation enjoyable and stimulating. This unique situation is unparalleled in Ashland.

The Arden Forest Inn is a wonderful place to stay. My friend and I could only stay two days but wish we could have been there for at least a week. Bill and Corbett, owners made us so welcome and the setting is so peaceful and relaxing we felt like we had had a longer break. There has been so much love poured into the Arden Forest Inn and beauty in the rooms and the grounds. I loved the communal breakfast with discussions of the shows that were on that day or that we had seen the night before and also other subjects. One breakfast lasted for several hours.

I will definitely be back and will be telling my friends about this place.

June & August - 2007

If you're looking for the quintessential compliment to your theater experience while in Ashland, we'd suggest you try the Arden Forest Inn.

After trying a number of Ashland's fine accommodations over the years, my wife and I discovered Arden Forest Inn several years ago. This was just what we'd been looking for - great setting, fantastic breakfasts, wonderful accommodations, and stimulating and informative
conversations at breakfast.

We've stayed in B&Bs all over the world and can't think of one with a more beautiful and relaxing setting. The guys have created a magical garden space. It's hard to decide how best to take advantage of the place after breakfast, especially if we don't have a play to attend until evening: should we relax by the pool, find a quiet corner to catch up on our reading, or just take a nap on the hammock under the willow tree.

The nap is always an easy choice after one of Bill's tasty breakfasts, especially when buttermilk biscuits are on the menu. This visit he added a sweet roll one morning that was incredible (I had three!). But each visit brings some new treat to start the day.

But the great food and relaxing setting are merely the background. What makes Arden Forest unique are the breakfast conversations. As you would guess, the plays are the center piece of these conversations. We talk of the plays people saw the night before, the ones they are attending in the nights and days to come, past performances, actors, playwrights, it runs the gamut. Of course, it always seems that one of the best plays any season is the one we don't have tickets for. This happened last June when everyone at the Inn was raving about Rabbit Hole, a play we hadn't planned to see. Fortunately, we were able to get tickets and saw the play, which was as good as everyone had said it was. They've now started sharing their impressions of the season's productions on their website and this will be very helpful in making ticket choices next season.

An added treat most visits is the appearance of one of the actors (current or former) from the company at breakfast. Their insights offer new perspectives on the plays, the company and acting in general.

But the discussion of the plays is just the starting point for the morning's conversation which are as varied as are the guests around the table. Some mornings we find it hard to leave the table we're all enjoying the conversation so much.

We've been to Ashland twice this season and will visit one more time before the close, and we wouldn't think of staying anyplace but Arden Forest Inn.

Bruce and Lori Wheeler

As an annual visitor to Ashland for the Shakespeare Festival, I've stayed in several places over the years, but have settled on Arden Forest as the B&B I return to again & again. The rooms are comfortable (I've stayed in four of the five) and make you feel like you're in a home away from home, not unlike many other B&Bs in Ashland. However, the difference really comes from the sense of community that occurs at every stay. The Inn really attracts folks who are there for the theatre, and not by accident. Corbett & Bill are always knowledgeable about the shows and other activities at the Festival, and have managed to attract other like-minded people to return repeatedly. As people have commented in other reviews, the breakfast conversations are always lively, with insights from the hosts and lots of exchange among the guests. On more than one occasion, the gazebo in the lush garden has been the gathering place for afternoon wine & cheese, a perfect place to relax and discuss the day's activities. We think this is the place for theatre buffs and those that enjoy a relaxing retreat that also offers a congenial atmosphere among the guests.