We have been visiting Ashland for the last 20+ years. We stayed at Country Willows when it first opened--at that time it was our favorite inn in Ashland, but that was two sets of innkeepers ago. After our youngest children were born, we skipped the Shakespeare Festival for a few years, and have only recently returned. This year we decided to try Country Willows again, with some doubt that it could be as nice as we remembered. We shouldn't have worried -- It was more comfortable and gracious than ever. We highly recommend it.
The rooms are comfortably furnished and quiet, the bathrooms very well appointed. The full breakfast is very tasty (and ample enough to skip lunch), and coffee and a snack were set out earlier, along with a good set of morning papers. We stayed 4 nights this year, and each breakfast was completely different. There is ample space, even when the inn is full -- you can always find a quiet corner of the porch, garden or grounds to enjoy by yourself. The pool also has ample seating, and while it isn't huge, a pool is a welcome rarity in an Ashland inn.
While the individual parts are good, Country Willows is much greater than the individual parts. The innkeepers, Debbie & Chuck, truly understand hospitality, and try to make sure that each guest is really comfortable. Different varieties of iced tea and cookies are set out each afternoon, there are always plenty of big pool towels waiting when you're done swimming, and if you must get on line, there's a computer with good DSL access for guest use. We know Ashland restaurants fairly well after years of visits, but Debbie filled me in on what was new, and what in particular my kids might or might not enjoy. There are a few bicycles available for guest use (with helmets), and I was able to go out for a ride each morning before breakfast before the summer heat kicked in. Those are just some of the small touches.
Finally, the setting of the inn is truly special -- it's on the edge of town, up on the ridge, with beautiful views and hiking access. It's at the end of the road, and absolutely quiet, with the best night skies in Ashland. The grounds and gardens are lovely. A stay here is truly a rest.
