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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#1 of 43 hotels in Lancaster
Location
4.8
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.7
Value
4.6
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
A wonderfully nautical and uniquely Victorian experience awaits at our charming inn housed in a steamboat. Located in Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country, you’ll find scenic views, beautiful sunsets, and serenity when you stay here. And whether you’re here for a romantic getaway or family vacation, we have themed rooms and first-class amenities everyone can enjoy. Featuring an indoor heated pool, our very own duck pond, and a grand playground for the kids, we turn a normal hotel stay into a full experience. We invite locals and tourists alike to come aboard and enjoy an unforgettable escape filled with hospitality, charm, and beauty.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Great View
Languages Spoken
English
Location
1 Hartman Bridge Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602
Fulton Steamboat Inn
2,372 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
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The Fulton Steamboat Inn captivates guests with its unique steamboat theme and antique decor, creating a charming atmosphere that receives high praise. The hotel's amenities, such as the inviting indoor pool, playground, and the opportunity to feed ducks, are often celebrated by visitors. While rooms are generally commended for their cleanliness and comfort, a few travelers noted concerns with booking and the occasional lapse in cleanliness.
Although the service is lauded for being friendly and helpful, some guests have reported less-than-satisfactory experiences with reservations. Despite the allure of the property, several guests feel the hotel does not provide sufficient value, citing unexpected charges as a drawback.
Atmosphere
Charming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Inconsistent
Amenities
Relaxing
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I booked 2 nights here with my husband and two teenagers for a much needed getaway Steamboat Inn had our room ready when we arrived along with balloons we ordered to surprise my daughter for her birthday. This quaint and hauntingly beautiful place had me on relax mode immediately. From the spacious room to the beautiful pool area to the grounds. It’s just what this stressed out mom needed. The little touches of decor and the piped in ole timely piano saloon music played through out the place had me feeling like I was at a resort (dare I say Disney?) further away than just Pennsylvania. It was a pleasure to have a meal or two out on their patio (all within safe distancing from other patrons) given restaurants are still closed due to covid 19. outdoor dining is a welcome pleasure. The staff there are warm and inviting even apologizing for not having anymore cookies out when we arrived then giving us a voucher to pick up cookies when they were ready again. They also practice good safety protocol by having hand sanitizer readily available and by having everyone wear masks in the common areas and had anyone who checked in schedule pool time so that it wouldn't overcrowd. Well this worked out great as me and my family had the pool to ourselves at our scheduled time (it felt special to have the pool all to ourselves). The grounds are small but pleasing to just sit in a dock chair (especially at twilight time) and take it all in. We spotted bunnies koi fish ducks and even a farm behind the grounds and at nightfall the fire pit is lit and my daughter enjoyed making her s’mores There is a mini golf place literally right across the street that we play a round in for an afternoon. This peaceful place is just enough for a perfect little getaway. I highly recommend it and would love to return again soon.
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Date of stay: June 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JenniferBuchter, General Manager at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Jun 23, 2020
Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us, and sharing your review! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the unique features of our hotel, and appreciated the warm hospitality of our crew. It sounds as if you were able to take full advantage of our recreational offerings, and close proximity to area attractions, to round out your stay. We look forward to hosting you again on your next visit to Lancaster County!
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A beautiful, clean place to stay when in Lancaster. The steamboat theme is whimsically carried throughout the accomodation with creative signage. The bedrooms and baths are decorated with vintage pieces and appear renovated. One of the cleanest hotels we have stayed in. The pool and jacuzzi were well maintained and there was an adult swim time at night after the bar closed. The restaurant and bar feel like a bed and breakfast and the food is some of the best in the area. We reccomend the omelettes and bread pudding. The hotel itself lights up at night making it even more memorable. Would reccomend for any couple looking for a weekend get away and experience historic Lancaster or Strasburg. We will be back.
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from JohnE4398, General Manager at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Jan 6, 2020
Thank you for sharing your comments about the Fulton Steamboat Inn. So glad you enjoyed our clean comfortable rooms, indoor pool and your meals in Huckleberry's Restaurant. We look forward to serving you and your family in the future. John Esbenshade
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A friend recommended this Lancaster hotel. We requested and received an early check-in. Brianna was engagingly pleasant, informative and accommodating during our check-in. The rooms preferred on the 3rd floor feature a king bed, single jetted hot tub, refrigerator, microwave, safe, electric remote fireplace, balcony for rooms on farm view side and Victorian clean ambience. One hidden pleasure is the joy of having a hotel where the 3rd floor has no rooms over top of you and is restricted to adults only. This hotel also has a restaurant, inside pool and adults only whirlpool with Covid necessary restrictions and reservations required. Finally, for a first stay, we were quite impressed and will definitely return.
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennifer Buchter, General Manager at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Feb 19, 2021
Thank you so much for choosing to stay with us for the first time! I'm so happy to hear that you were able to experience a Sun Deck room on our adults-only floor, and that you found the accommodations and amenities to your liking. We hope to see you again very soon!
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The hotel room was spotless, any worry about the pandemic was quickly relieved when we walked in the door. The remotes were all bagged, the whole place felt very clean. We stayed on the third floor, Sun Deck level. Unfortunately during our stay it rained so we didn't get to take advantage of the balcony off our room. The room was huge, as was the bed. I had to use the bed stairs to hop in. Extremely comfortable from the bed to the wing back chairs. The fireplace created the perfect relaxing atmosphere. The bathroom was also spacious with a great tiled walk-in shower, only minor complaint was the water pressure, but it was tolerable. The Sun Deck level is a little more money but it was totally worth it. If you are traveling with kids that level isn't an option. Very nice area around a small lake with several fire pits, lots of chairs, a nice play area, piped in music, and lots of ducks to watch. We will definitely plan another visit in the future.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:If not traveling with kids try the Sun Deck level.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We spent Valentine’s Day weekend here on the Sundeck and it was absolutely lovely. Staff was so friendly and accommodating and everything was clean as a whistle. You can reserve a time slot at the poor, help yourself to homemade chocolate chip cookies, and even sign-out DVDs from the front desk to watch in your room. The overall atmosphere is a very charming, nautical steamboat theme that really gives this place so much character. It’s also in a great location with easy travel to all of the main attractions in the area. We wouldn’t hesitate for a second to come back here and will likely stay again. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennifer Buchter, General Manager at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Feb 19, 2021
Thanks for staying with us, and sharing your review! I'm delighted to hear that our crew was warm and welcoming, and that you found everything to be clean throughout your stay. Cleanliness has always been a top priority for us, but even more so now in the wake of COVID-19, so it pleases me very much to know it was noticed and appreciated! Thank you for recommending our hotel, and we hope to see you again in the near future!
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We booked a room based on reviews and that there was a highly rated restaurant on site. I thought the price was a bit high but because we were looking for a unique experience,it was worth it. The first disappointment came when we checked in expecting to have dinner. The dining room is temporarily closed for dinner. Then we found out there would be no housekeeping service. I don’t expect to pay full price for a room when I have to make my own bed. On our first morning, we thought we’d try the restaurant for breakfast. We arrived 25 minutes before the end of breakfast service. I rang he bell at the entrance as the sign indicated. Nobody paid any attention to me. I rang it 5 more times and nobody came o help us. 15 minutes later, when I was finally able to get the hostesses attention, she said she did not hear the bell and she had announced they would not be taking any more names half an hour ago. Since we weren’t there half an hour earlier, we, of course, didn’t hear that announcement. The next disappointment came when we returned from breakfast to discover that our room keys had been deactivated. If it had been one key card, I would believe it was just a defective key card. To have both stop working at the same time and right after check out time tells me someone at the front desk deactivated them. It was likely a mistake but no less annoying. The last disappointment came when I asked for a 2 hour late check out and was told it would cost $60.00 additional. I have traveled the world, stayed in much nicer hotels and never before been refused a free late checkout, much less been asked to pay a 25% premium. On the plus side, the room itself was lovely even though it overlooked the parking lot and highway. The daily cookies and bottled water were also a plus. If I’m ver back in the Lancaster area, I will stay elsewhere.
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Plan to wait an hour or more for a table for dinner at ant restaurant in the area.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spend a great deal of time in Ronks, and I have stayed at the Steamboat many times (8+ times) and every visit has always been wonderful. I actually think I have stayed in every style of room they have. My personal favorite is up on the sun deck. This recent visit was just not quite the same. The room was clean, the ducks and the pond were amazing, as usual. The check in staff was also polite and efficient. I ran into some complications with the bedding. I found the beds unusually hard and uncomfortable. (not usual for this place). I was also taken off guard when I asked for a blanket and what arrived was a very scratchy, well used, Velux blanket. I am still in shock that these are still being used. The bedding was set up for summer, just a very lightweight throw and sheets. I'm not sure what happened to all the wonderful bedding they used to have?
The Steamboat is definitively feeling the crunch from Covid. Hucklebees was not open for dinner the evenings we were there, so we ate in the lounge. The food was excellent, but, our server really gave me the impression he did not want to be there. I paid my bill in cash and he told me he could not cash out the check. I guess they pay the checks out of their own money? He said he did not have change, so, he threw my change back at me on the bar. He appeared very flustered. Overall, still a great unique place
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Rooms on the Sun Deck have wonderful balconies.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Sikking, Guest Services / Front Office at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Mar 25, 2022
I would first like to thank you for your patronage throughout the years as it is very much appreciated. I am happy that our housekeeping and front desk crew provided an enjoyable start to your trip. It is disheartening to hear that there were some disappointments throughout your stay, especially because I believe we could have provided solutions to some of your concerns. While we do still use Vellux blankets because they are lightweight, very warm and hypo-allergenic, we also have down comforters that we can provide upon request. I believe that you remember using the down comforters in the past but again we have switched to primarily using Vellux blankets due to potential allergy concerns for our guests. We have our mattresses on a rotation schedule to ensure optimum comfort, but understand mattress firmness is a very personal preference so we do offer foam toppers that can be added upon request. Lastly, I would like to personally apologize about the experience that you encountered while dining in Huckleberry's Tavern. We pride ourselves on providing friendly and hospitable service from the moment you step aboard to the moment you disembark but it sounds like we let the challenging COVID environment get the better of us that evening. While nation-wide staffing challenges present a challenge to our restaurant and tavern, our management team and Huckleberry's crew are working hard to provide guests with delicious food in an enjoyable environment. That said, we greatly appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this time until we are able to open our restaurant fully again. Please reach out to me at nick@fultonsteamboatinn.com if I can assist you with anything further. I am glad to hear that overall, your stay was enjoyable and we greatly look forward to your visits and feedback in the future!
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The décor of this hotel and restaurant are amazing! I was originally expecting something a bit tacky considering the theme, BUT it is clear once we visited that the owners and staff take great care into making sure their décor and furniture are of the highest quality. We were able to enjoy a tour of the hotel, and see the beauty in the details. The outdoor was amazing with a well-kept playground for the kids, and multiple areas along a walkway around a lake that you can sit and relax. There is a small “beach” area where you can feed the ducks that are often in the area as well! Moving indoors was like walking into the 19th century. The details of the furniture/walls/doorways would all make you feel like you’re in a different time. Even the bell for service looked handmade and added a rustic feel. The buffet at Fulton was what we originally went for. They have a pianist who can play any music and entertain while doing so. The food for most buffets can be risky depending on the timing that you come in, but the staff take great care into making sure that the food is at it’s best. They were asking a lot of questions in order to seek for improvement. A good majority of the food is made in house, and I can safely say all of the food was cooked well and enjoyable. The items that stood above the rest were the tomato bisque, pot roast, bread pudding (with in-house made caramel sauce) and probably the best dirt pudding I’ve ever eaten. The breaded stuffed chicken was a bit dry because we were there towards the end of the night, but the breading stayed nice and crispy, and the white gravy was the perfect topping to counteract how dry the chicken was. Overall I can say that I will return, and I would love to try the tavern next time to enjoy some of the fresh made dishes as well.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Sikking, Guest Services / Front Office at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Sep 26, 2022
Firstly, on behalf of everyone here at the Fulton Steamboat Inn, I would like to thank you for taking the time to leave such an in-depth and amazing review of our unique Victorian-themed property! We do take great care in ensuring our grounds are well manicured and we continue to keep our distinctive furnishings and décor up-to-date and clean! We love our playground for children visiting the property, our beautiful pond and the gazebos and seating areas around the pond. Our crew is also ecstatic to hear such wonderful feedback on our buffet, and we do truly strive for perfection everywhere! We are glad to hear you enjoyed our famous pot roast and our dirt pudding, which is also a personal favorite of mine! We are also thrilled you were able to enjoy the wonderful music from Mr. Bill Horn, who plays in the dining room on Friday and Saturday nights. On behalf of all of us here at the Fulton Steamboat Inn, we sincerely hope to have you climb back aboard soon!
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We made Lancaster a two night stay for our 30 year anniversary and chose FS Inn due to its central location for our retail and dining activities. It offers adults-only third floor rooms complete with a jetted single bathtub (first floor has a huge hot tub as well as a pool for guests). Reservations are easy online and the staff is very accommodating during your stay (Christine). Complementary cookies and water coupons are issued at check-in. FS Inn also has a convenient restaurant and bar/lounge on the property. Our room had two queen beds, refrigerator, safe, fireplace and microwave. I was slightly disappointed at the higher price in the off-season but we only do a 30 year anniversary once!
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Nick Sikking, Guest Services / Front Office at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Feb 26, 2022
Thank you for celebrating your special occasion with us aboard the Fulton Steamboat Inn! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay and some of our many amenities. Team members like Christine are truly what make this place so welcoming and I am glad that you got to experience that. Happy anniversary and we look forward to seeing you again in the near future!
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We stopped here after a few days at a B&B on our way home. We chose this hotel for the location, amenities and cost. The hotel is very nice and well kept. The room had a slight musty smell but we used our oil diffuser to fix that. Upon check in the woman at the desk let us know about the pool check-in due to COVID restrictions and went over the rules of wearing mask throughout the hotel. Understood and glad they have the rules & regs in place. However, the next shift was not in compliance with the regs as the young man did not even wear a mask at the desk. The pool was nice and clean. The hot tub was also very nice and clean. Several of the lounge chairs were in disrepair. The back wheels had fallen off and were laying there with the screws & washers laying beside them. We ordered lunch and breakfast from the on site restaurant, the Huckleberry. My wife had difficulty reaching the staff via phone and when she went to place the order she was told that the phone goes to voicemail after 3 rings and no one checks the voicemail. I did not find the bed comfortable but my wife swears it was extremely comfortable. The A/C was ice cold. The room was very well appointed and updated with fridge and microwave, coffee pot & blu-ray player. Overall our stay was great. Would stay here again, some consistencies should be fixed with mask policy and repairing furniture.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jennifer Buchter, General Manager at Fulton Steamboat Inn
Responded Aug 7, 2020
Thank you for choosing to stay with us, and for sharing your comments. I'm disappointed to hear that a member of our crew was not wearing a mask, as this has been our strict policy since reopening in May. I have used your comments as a training tool for our team, to illustrate the importance of 100% compliance, even if we are behind the protective plexiglass. Thank you also for making me aware of the broken lounge chair outside the pool. Regarding the restaurant, I'm unsure why you were informed that we don't check the voicemails in the restaurant, as I know that our team does so at each meal period (breakfast, lunch & dinner). Regardless, this was not a professional response to give a guest, and I apologize for that as well. Thank you again for the opportunity to host you, and I hope that you will give us a chance to do so again on your next visit to the area.
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Our check-in begins at 3pm and check-out is 11am. If the room is ready ahead of time, we would be happy to get you checked in right away. If the room is not ready upon your arrival, you are more than welcome to use the amenities on property until the room becomes available.
There is no age restriction at all its a wonderful place to take a family or for a couples get away now if you have young children the pool is nice and there is a adult swim it's after dark 10:00 pm till 12 midnight it nice to spend with the one you love or a friend its very special I always say it quite and the hot tub is fantastic . I Hope this help to answer your question.
There are more places to choose from in the Lancaster area.
PRICE RANGE
$144 - $167 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
fulton steamboat hotel lancaster, fulton steamboat inn, hotel fulton steamboat
LOCATION
United StatesPennsylvaniaLancaster CountyLancaster
NUMBER OF ROOMS
97
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Fulton Steamboat Inn
Which popular attractions are close to Fulton Steamboat Inn?
Nearby attractions include The Amish Farm and House (0.7 miles), American Music Theatre (0.5 miles), and Professor Hacker's Lost Treasure Golf and Maze (0.1 miles).
