I've got to give this restaurant 5 stars. I've eaten here about 6 times and each time the food is just great. Perfectly prepared in a cozy atmosphere. I eat all over the country and I continue to think about the JAI when I think of great food. A must try!
(5)
Kristen C.
We had a groupon and used it for a weekend stay. It was beautiful and so peaceful. The food was delicious every time. The complimentary breakfast was awesome. Lots of great options. It was so peaceful. Perfect for a romantic getaway.
This place was amazing. The food was excellent, and the Kobe beef burger was one of the best burgers to have ever touched my palate. The servers were extremely professional. We also stayed at the inn and it was very nice as well. The room was clean and spacious, and the hot tub was awesome. I will definitely be coming back here in the future!
(5)
Southern C.
Not overly friendly at front desk. Room had minimal lighting. Seems there is a lamp shortage. The windows and patio door of my first floor room were all unlocked. Glad I checked. The comforter on bed had a large stain as well as a small blood stain. I called the front desk, it's 1130 pm now, friendly woman from check in answers. She informed me there was another blanket in the closet. How about an apology or Gosh, I'm so sorry. I forget customer service is a dying art, but I am at an Inn? She called back a few minutes later to tell me I could move rooms but I was in my pjs and all unpacked plus I found a blanket sans blood, etc. They had left a tip envelope on the bed and I generally tip but not this time!! Because I want to end in a positive not, the tarocco bath products were a nice touch. And the bed was actually comfy once I got past the stain issues.
(2)
William K.
The following is a copy of an email I sent to the management staff last month that was never answered: On Sunday, 12/21 we visited your dining establishment. We had reservations for 6:30pm that were made one week in advance. Upon checking in with the hostess, we were brought into the bar area to sit down. When I asked why we were in the bar I was told that the bar area counted as your main dining room and that all other tables were full. I told the hostess that this was unacceptable and that we would be happy to wait 5 - 10 minutes for a table in the main dining area. There was a snarky response provided: "Five or ten minutes may not be enough time- I can't control how long it takes people to finish dinner". After the allotted time, we were brought back to a table in the main dining area. It should be noted that, during this time, no one had come or left the restaurant and I counted at least four open tables that we could have been seated at. When we sat down, our waiter apologized that they were out of 1 appetizer and 3 entrees listed on the menu (mind you this was at 6:30pm- not an unreasonable time to be served dinner). After ordering a cocktail our waiter gave me seltzer water with lime. I tasted the drink and told him that there was no alcohol in the drink (I had ordered a Bacardi and Seltzer). He then picked up my drink and said "Let me try it" and proceeded to taste the drink in front of us. I have to say, I frequently dine out and I have never had any service staff (be it a bartender or waiter) taste the drink in question in front of me. As the night went on the service time took longer and longer, culminating in a 2 hour and ten minute dinner. I understand that it is a busy time of year but I would expect your service staff to be better equipped to handle the volume. As a local resident of the area and one that has frequented your location, I left feeling very disappointed in the service and treatment we received that night. The only saving grace was that the sea bass and risotto was delicious (as always). I hope you share this information with your restaurant staff to help them better understand how an accumulation of poor service can lead to customers not wanting to return.
(2)
Louise T.
My husband and I ate at the pub this evening we had the shepherds pie and a burger it was delicious. Service was very good and quick. Drinks are a little pricey. That would be the only negative. Very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Donny N.
We bought a Groupon for a weekend night at this unique Inn with a $20 credit for the restaurant. The staff was extremely friendly and eager to help while the room was clean, nice and comfortable but not anything special. We really enjoyed our dinner at the restaurant. The Peach salad was ok and the baked brie was solid as well but the entrees were the stars of the meal. The Chilean Sea Bass was delicious and practically melted in my mouth. My wife loved the filet mignon as well and both meals were exceptional. The pineapple tart was delicious and different and a good end to dinner. Prices were a little on the high end but a nice evening out. The complimentary breakfast was surprisingly good for a buffet and helped it stand out from other Inns we have stayed at.
(4)
Ed M.
Great place only breakfast was disappointing Room was beautiful and clean Stuff professional and friendly Great bar a little pricey For breakfast they served yesterday bagels and the scramble egg looked like a brick made of yellow dough
(4)
Sally G.
Amazing, magical night. We had the last of our three childrens wedding rehearsal dinner there last night and I cannot say enough about the service staff, coordinators, food, and atmosphere. All of the guests made it a point to tell us how much they loved the venue and the food. We created beautiful memories last night......thank you.
(5)
Matthew D.
We were part of a wedding so we were here for the weekend. Love that ALL of the wedding activities were here. If you like mainstream hotels then this place is not for you. But if you want a change of scenery then this is the perfect place. It's got a old cottage style feel to it. We stayed in the "Thomas Wilson" building. The room was small but definitely big enough. I loved this old antique style furniture. You can hear a whisper in the house but that's what makes it authentic. The food & service is great! I cannot recommend this place enough. Do yourself a favor and stay a weekend here. Also, there's a cat name Shadow who is like the resort mascot & the squirrels come right up to you!
(5)
Harriett T.
Food was excellent. Minor problems with the young servers who had that "deer caught in headlights" kind of look. Very quaint setting-lovely rooms.Very historic.
(4)
Shannon P.
My family and I went to JAI for Mother's Day Brunch buffet. While I can't comment on their day to day service, they had plenty of staff on hand for this event and the service was great. The layout was a bit strange only because we were so far away from the buffet. This probably helped as it limited my trips to 2 since I would have had to walk past a ton of people including 3-4 hostesses every time I wanted a plate. All of the food was really good, especially the French Toast. They restocked the hot foods quite often and only one person out of our party of 4 ended up with something cold when it shouldn't have been. I'm curious to go back for a non-buffet meal. Overall really enjoyed the experience.
(4)
Kelly E.
The most beautiful B & B in Pennsylvania--it's right out of a Beatrice Potter storybook. We dinned in a small room with a photo of a horse and carriage. I felt like we were back in time, and the meal was beautiful--to start fresh olive bread, with sparkling water, everyone at our table had a unique dish and all I heard was how each person's meal was the best of the night. The latte was perfect and I skipped dessert, but was surprised by homemade truffles as a gift to our table. They sweets were filled with expresso...Woohoo! I loved this Inn and the feeling of being back in time so much, that I stopped by the desk on the way out to get a price to stay over night. :) Can't wait!!
(5)
Joe E.
This is one of the few places I've eaten that I can honestly describe as "elegant." I was there with friends on a Sunday night, and thoroughly enjoyed everything about the place: The ambience, the service, and the food. The fare was outstanding and while pricey, was well worth it. They have a considerable wine list, though the prices are not for the faint of heart. But they also serve wine by the glass. My friends had the prix fixe menu of surf and turf and were quite pleased with it. I had a dish of lobster and prawns with pappardelle pasta that was out of this world. The menu is not extensive, which means they are ready to prepare each dish carefully and they take their time to get it right. This isn't a place where they rush you. The collection of stone buildings they've rescued and brought to the site is fascinating as well.
(5)
Sharon B.
We just co-hosted my son's rehearsal dinner, wedding, after party, and brunch at this magnificent location. The staff has been so helpful over the past months of planning, right up to our leaving with all the wedding decorations, etc. boxed up for us. It helped that the weather was wonderful and there are so many great spots for pictures. A wonderful experience in every way!!
(5)
Karen Z.
Food was great, atmosphere is lovely. Will definitely be back. You can bring your own wine on Friday and Sunday.
(5)
Robert B.
Bad service and lousy take our topped off a forgettable evening. The outdoor dining area is a tremendous setting. Very attractive indeed. However, mediocre and unsophisticated service hurts the experience. Food was Ok. Take out food was really poorly done. Having whole lobsters available for seafood night is great, but they need to be willing to crack these and clean these for diners to make this a "fine" dining experience. Waitress said they could not do this for us. Silly. So we did not order. It is a shame such a beautiful setting is wasted by mediocre service. Cab wine choices need improvement. Most are very expensive. List needs a few solid mid price cabs. On a positive note, when I called to complain about the food I ordered to go, manager offered $50 credit on a future order( which I declined)...good service recovery effort...just doesn't make up for your food to go not being acceptable (especially when you are still hungry)!
(2)
Maria M.
We have hosted a number of business lunches at the Joseph Ambler Inn and have been very happy with the service, ambiance, and catering. The only complaint is WiFi can be a little shoddy depending on where you are but our attendees and sponsors were still satisfied!
(4)
Michael R.
We went to the bar for a drink and maybe some chow. It is amazing what these folks have done with the place. Very classy! But... Bartenders were not friendly at all. Very dry and no smiles. The beer selection was very limited but what they had was ok. Sierra Nevada IPA, Sammy A, etc. Good for many but not for someone looking for a good brew to go with good company and good food. My wife's vodka 'n cranberry was excellent. 2 beers and we left for better pastures.
(3)
Neen J.
this is a pretty location, easy to park, attentive staff, the food is average and plated in a way that is Ok. The bar looks like a fun spot. We had lunch here and my guest really enjoyed it. My arugula salad was really wilted and had too much salad dressing, and my shepherd's pie was tasty but weird in the way it was served. I have eaten here for dinner many years ago and remember it being better than it was for lunch.
(3)
Jason I.
Pros: Clean rooms, great spa bathtub, quaint property with character. Cons: Below average food, soft uncomfortable beds, and ice machine is disgusting as there is mold growing all over inside. Needs to be replaced or cleaned. TV in room is from the 90's and screen is the size of my iPad.
(2)
Amanda P.
This Inn is bar far the coolest place we have ever stayed and our wedding guests shared the same opinion. We started working with the staff at JAI last year and after a bumpy start with old management we had an awesome experience! Dan and his staff was always willing to help us achieve what we wanted for our wedding guests. We booked a house agreement and filled 39 of the 52 rooms on the property. We had our rehearsal dinner here as well and again, Wendi and her staff were great. Food is amazing, Peggy at the bar makes one heck of a Jack & Coke, and Overall we couldn't have asked for a better time. We also had an after party that was elegantly set up by JAI staff before our arrival back at the Inn where we continued to party and again... Just had a blast. Anything we needed, the staff was happy to help us. We'll definitely be going back soon!
(5)
Samantha G.
What a gem for this area. Moving from Boston, we keep saying to ourselves, "Where are the cute, original places to go around here. We found it! DC stayed here when interviewing and recommends the Inn portion. And we just had a lovely meal here on Saturday night. Reservations recommended and an older crowd. Beautiful environment with brick and beams. Nice bar, although cozy. The restaurant is not posh, but it is homey and the food is yummy. We went with the Prix Fixe since the meals we wanted were included in there anyway... and the price could not be beat. $39 pp. Swordfish, steak, bruschetta, walnut baked brie, scallops, and bread pudding. Walked away stuffed and satisfied. Oh! And a notable wine list to boot. I will definitely be going back and will recommend to others.
(4)
Denise L.
I thought this was suppose to be an upscale inn. The only thing upscale were the prices. Our room was run down and needed to be updated and cleaned. There were huge black carpet stains throughout our room . The air conditioning in our room was not working and there was no maintenance person on staff, and no manager to address the issue. We were told by the inexperienced desk clerk that we could come o the office and pick up a tiny fan if we wanted to. The entire building was stuffy. The hallway thermostat was set to 79 degrees! There were only two towels in the room. I had asked for an additional set of towels and only received two more. The seating area outside of the building that we were staying in was filthy. The table were infested with bees and had a one inch layer of dirt on it. There were cigarette butts all over the floor which looked like it needed a good sweep. When I spoke to the manager he was unprofessional and a bit arrogant. If you are looking for a romantic getaway and want to be comfortable do not book a room at this establishment.
A bit disappointed by the Mother's Day brunch. Much of the food was not really hot enough as if the burners were not hot enough. Eggs made to order as well as the carving station was quite tasty. Kids menu items were just frozen foods and macaroni and cheese. The cost of the buffet at $42 per adult and $17 per kid was a bit much for what we received. I will not return with my family for another brunch at the Joseph ambler inn.
(2)
Ireland D.
I just now read the comment from an employee of the Ambler Inn following my initial posting. Firstly, you were not in the room with us nor were you personally present during our stay so you have no right or first hand knowledge to claim what did or did not happen. Secondly, if there are "guideline violations" in my review, you would have reported them and the posting would have been removed. This poor excuse of a response speaks volumes regarding the quality of service we experienced during our stay.
(1)
Brian H.
It hit me like a lightning bolt as to why I haven't returned here in many years when I used to frequent this restaurant in a historic building(s) located in a secluded setting off of the busy RT 463. (This is also a B & B, with a couple of small cottages surrounding the main buildings). Why? It was the service and the priorities of the servers. Deja vu all over again. :-P There is a room off to the side of the main dinning room in which there seemed to be a private party going on. This dark hole sucked our server in never to be seen again. Our server, although very polite in the beginning of the evening before that side room filled up, couldn't help very much with our selections, didn't understand a simple cocktail order and thus got one of the drink orders wrong, and then couldn't be found AT ALL once our appetizer was served. The rest of the evening was spent waving down one of the many, and hard working I might add, bus-people "can you please find our waitress". Still nothing. I wanted another drink, couldn't find anyone. I wanted another piece of grain bread (very small chunks of bread were offered at the beginning of the evening, I needed another, and it was good). After dinner plates were cleared, the dessert menu was dropped off and no one returned for at least 20 minutes to see if we wanted to order something. There was a manager, or hostess, or some other server, I couldn't tell as they all dressed the same, who was kind and listened to my explanation of the lack of service, and she did comp our drinks and dessert, but the excuse given to me was that our server has been busy with this private party. Not a very good excuse for me to have to beg for service throughout the evening. Whatever! 1 star service The food: An excellent black bean and sausage soup du jour started off the evening. It was very spicy and I like it just like that. And served in a large white bowl, just this serving of dark brown colored thick soup against the plain whiteness. Without getting too picky, it could have used a little garnish, even just chopped parsley, the presentation lacked, but the flavor delivered. 4 stars Entrees: I had the pan roasted Chilean sea bass with a lump crab and sweet pea risotto. The medium sized piece of fish was cooked properly, nice crisp sear on the outside and tender white meat within. The risotto was overcooked, the flavor was OK, the peas were crisp, but the little bit of "lump" (ha) crab was almost mush. 3 stars My date for the evening ;-) had ordered the Maine lobster cake. It was very good, I tasted it of course, nice lobster flavor served with wilted arugula, fennel basmati rice with a lobster reduction. 4 stars We shared a piece of caramel apple cheesecake for dessert, the cheesecake itself was creamy, delightful, excellent, the caramel was an OK add, but there was only two 1/4 inch dice of the apple to be found. Maybe the apple was also serving other people in that private party. Who the hell knows.
(2)
rissa q.
We came to Joseph Ambler for their Mothers Day Brunch. It's a cute place, and a friend recommended it. For Mothers Day brunch, it was...ok. The food tasted good. Good variety, good food. Just good, not great. The service was ok. The servers could use a little polish...they kept standing in the way of us getting to our table. It was a buffet, so we needed to get up down a couple of times. Each time, at least 2 servers were in our way, and had no situational awareness. I had excuse myself to get by. The price. $40 for adults, and that didn't include a mimosa. Joseph Ambler, for that price, you should have included at least 1 mimera per adult. Ridiculous. I'm not sure we'll be back. My rating is 2 1/2 stars.
(3)
Jena M.
My girlfriends mom was in town and I was told of the Thursday night seafood specials in the bar so we went to try it out last week. Everything we ate was AMAZING! When we got there, we were ignored by the bartender for like 10 minutes, but then she finally came over and asked what we needed. We started with oysters on the 1/2 and the baked brie appetizer. So amazing. The brie was served with a whole roasted garlic and little crustini bread. Next we shared a few of the seafood apps. Chilled 1 1/2 lb lobster, crab quesadilla, crabbie fries, and clams in linguine. All of which were delicious and filling. You could tell how fresh everything was and time and care put into making it. There were 3 of us, we had 5 glasses of wine total and our bill was still under $100! Looking at the entrees, I dont know if I could afford to eat here, but Thursday seafood specials, I want to go every week! After all that food we were stuffed with doggie bags, but my friend also brought home this chocolate peanut butter pie for her boyfriend and they said it was to DIE for! I also loved the feel of the bar area, high ceiling, rustic and woody with a stone fireplace at one end. Very cozy!
(5)
Jim B.
The food and atmosphere of sitting and chilling with my friend outside is exceptional. The place has so much character and charm it keeps me coming back every time I am in town. I recommend this place very much!
(5)
Chaz P.
Came here for a wedding. This place is beautiful. Staff is very friendly and the food was amazing.
(4)
Jackie D.
Had my wedding there in August. Awesome experience all the way around. Food was delicious, staff was accommodating, venue was beautiful and the price was reasonable, all things considered. Everyone had a great time, especially my guests. Highly recommend.
(5)
Cassie R.
My room was so hot and had no temperature control in the room- i went to front desk and they said they'd adjust it, came back 4 hrs later still hot..took me 1/2 hr and three attempts to get someone again at the front desk (at 9pm in the evening) and was told they couldn't make it cooler and to open a window- my allergies were full blown the next morning and I was a sleepwalker at my meetings all day. also front desk staff very snooty and not wanting to be bothered, ran out of hot water when I took a very short shower too....only nice person was the lady monitoring the breakfast buffet maybe if you are there for pleasure the ambiance is nice but so not a good place for business travel
(1)
Jimi V.
Nice atmosphere and historic surroundings. Neat little bar area but don't sit close to fireplace it gets way too hot! Dinner servers could be a little "softer around the edges." Prices are a bit high but quality is usually pretty good. One dislike is the temp of the bottle of red wine which was served. Tasted like it was 75 degrees...they need to store their wine better and at the proper temp. Overall acceptable but room for improvement.
(3)
Renee C.
Wanting to enjoy the fall foliage, we went up to the Joseph Ambler Inn for the weekend. For the price, we were a bit disappointed. Our room was located in a small bungalow situated directly next to the bar/outdoor wedding reception area. This meant that we had to walk through the party to get to our room, and then heard the DJ music and party through the walls late into the night. The bar was terrible, the drinks were gross, and the complimentary breakfast was a pain to deal with. The place has a lot of charm, but where the room was situated made it not at all worth the money.
(2)
Kristi E.
We stayed here this past weekend. The room was very comfortable (Queen Suite). The jacuzzi tub was amazing!! We really enjoyed the character of the property and the room. The staff overall was really nice. There were a few people in the restaurant that weren't so nice. They have a cat that is the resident cat of the property. Her name is Shadow. How adorable. It added so much more character to the property. She was really sweet. We ate in the restaurant. Overall we were really pleased. It's a bit pricey but most of what we had was crazy good. The spinach salad was soooo good. My husband's steak was melt in your mouth. I had the braised spare rib; which was a bit tough. Tasty...but tough. The dessert was excellent (Bailey's creme brulee) We would come back here. Only thing I would suggest would be having maybe some sort of room service or coffee service to your room. We had breakfast the next morning which was very good and a nice touch to be included in the room price. We also liked that they were able to send us on our way with a pot of coffee to take to our room. Overall very good!
(4)
Karen F.
We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary at JAI last night - and the weather and scenery were PERFECT. We come back to the JAI (where we were married on 06/07/08) every year on our anniversary for dinner. the past 2 years we brought our DD and both sets of parents. This year it was just us and our DD who is now 6. She had a delicious lobster mac 'n cheese with smoked Gouda. She also ate one of my 4 lamb rib chops which were divine. She also had 3 bites of my husbands salmon which was perfectly cooked. (All that stuff was 5 star). Here's the bad part - HIGH salt content for sides and sauces. My sauteed mushrooms were so salty I had to say something and send them back. Inedible. They promptly cooked another (only slightly less salty) batch which I took home - and may toss. DH's salmon was on a bed of soba noodles drowning in a sweet/salty sauce that, too, was over-salted. What a shame. Meanwhile the apps wre AWESOME - some of the best sweet potato fries we've ever tried (and we try them at lots of places) . Served with a warm marshmallow "fluff-like" dip. HEAVENLY. The smoked duck tostada was great, too. (If a bit on the smokey side. Yes, it is very smokey indeed.) Dessert coffees at $8.50 are a delcious indulgence - topped with a cloud of REAL whipped cream. Chocolate covered strawberries (call ahead to speacil order these) are LARGE, plump, red, sweet and juicy coated in luscious chocolate. We love it here - and got to watch the end of a Saturday wedding and the rehearsal for a Sunday wedding. Lots of weddings, showers and events are held here - and we know why - it's a GREAT venue for events. (And now they can accomodate a larger wedding in the expanded ballroom.) We love ya, Tegue & Neil! Best regards to Wendy, too. See you in June 2012.
(4)
Dana Z.
BREAKFAST BUFFET REVIEW It is tradition for my family to come here for Easter brunch. Not sure how many years we've been coming here, I've lost count. I have been to Joseph Ambler Inn for other catered events which have always been solid. I'm going to do my best to describe the wonderfulness that is the breakfast buffet. They have the tables set up in this outdoor enclosed tent area. Each table is loaded with delicious goodies. There is an area where they will carve you ham or beef right off the bone. They have a table where a chef will create your own omelet to order. The table in the center is towered high with your breakfast breads: bagels and cream cheese, croissants, biscuits, and also other small things like shrimp cocktail. There is a table with all the breakfast staples: eggs which are deliciously cooked, sausage, french toast, breakfast potatoes, grits, and some of the best bacon you will ever have. Another table has lunch items like roasted chicken, potatoes (yes another kind!) macaroni, stuffed shells, and the like. There is a salad table with Caesar salad, spring salad, mozzarella/basil salad, and fresh fruit salad. There is a kids table which doesn't stop the adults from choosing from pigs in blankets (YES! ALL YOU CAN EAT PIGS IN BLANKETS!) chicken fingers and fries. (Don't forget the bbq sauce and honey mustard) The glorious dessert table has lights of heaven shining down on it. Pretty much every dessert you can think of. Being from an Italian family and usually having at least 8-10 family members at breakfast with me, all the canolis end up at our table. Also, hello mimosas. I've been to other breakfast buffets similar but none ever this good. Everything you try here is good. It's really nice to know there is great dining options for people in the suburbs and you don't have to be in a big city to have an out of this world dining experience.
(5)
Joe U.
Nothing hits you like a little age discrimination when you first walk in. Let me get this out of the way, I have dined here many times before and never once had a problem. Now lets jump to the past Saturday night. I take my wife out to Valentines Weekend Dinner and get 5 PM reservations. We walk in and there is no greeting at all, just 2 ladies staring at us like we had no business in there. We tell them we have reservations and they proceed to sit us. Our waitress comes and is the most ignorant waitress I have ever had in my life, no welcome nothing just here is your menu and walk away. (She was the sweetest to the old couple next to us even saying happy valentines day to them.) Anyway, we order one filet and one strip steak cooked medium. The food comes out 5 minutes later with hardly any grill marks and so rare I actually had to send the food back. (This is the first time, as I never once sent something back) Never one apology for the way undercooked steak or anything. Get it back to an actual cooked rare steak which I ate. My wife's filet was also incredibly rare. The service here was the worst I have ever experienced in my life. They rushed us out of there since we were home not even an hour after arriving. The two stars are for the food which was good except the cold stale champagne cake. I will never go back here and give my business to other local establishments that know how to treat their customer and cook an actual steak to the temperature you desire.
(2)
Jonathan C.
We came here for a friends birthday. Food was about $50 a person. More expensive then most places in the area but I feel the price was worth it. Nothing bothers me more than ordering expensive food and having it come out poorly---but that was not the case here. All the dishes had a lot of flavor and were cooked properly. I especially enjoyed my filet. Friends ordered salads w/goat cheese, short rib appetizer, a fish entree, and rack of lamb. All were very good. Even the bread they bring around at the beginning is excellent :D My wife could have filled up on that alone. If you are looking for a bit of a "fancier" evening, for a date or celebration, this is a good place as compared to what else is in the area.
(5)
Suni A.
We stayed in a room and ate dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. The breakfast was the best part. We got to meet the chef from the previous night's dinner. There are no places to walk or hike. We arrived at 3:00 (check-in time). The clerk made us wait until 3:10 until we could go into our room. Said it was still being cleaned. We had reservations. Our stay was not a surprise to them! The check-in clerk tried to put on airs, which only made him come off a surly. If it was being cleaned, why was it only 58 degrees when we walked in? A light bulb was burned out in our room. The ceiling fan was noisy and didn't work on low speed. The bathtub leaked and water continually drained from it. Comforter on bed was not country motif. Appears to maybe have come from motel in Bensalem, PA. Bathroom paint peeling. Rate sheet in welcome packet was outdated. There was a dog barking constantly. Why are dogs allowed here? Jeans and sneakers are not permitted, but you're allowed to bring dogs! No refrigerator in room for left overs from restaurant. Mirror too low for any person of average height. TV too high to watch while lying in bed without getting a sore neck. Mattress was not level. In the restaurant the rice pilaf was too salty. No lemon in the water. For the amount of money charged, we certainly could have done much better. Will not return for quite a long time. Definitely would NOT recommend this place.
(2)
Kristin W.
We started with the Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs (a very generous portion of meat with an very sweet sauce - luckily, the piece is so large that you end up with a decent sauce:meat ratio) and the Blackened Yellow Fin Tuna. For our entrees, we both got the Chilean Sea Bass - I substituted the Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto from the Pan Seared Chicken Cut Breast and it was really delicious. I liked it more than the originally paired Lump Crab and English Pea Risotto which was more subtle and not enough like crab. Everything on the dessert menu sounded amazing, so we ordered both the Raspberry Tart and the Bread Pudding - both were generous portions of heaven. Overall, a great meal!
(5)
Joshua W.
We ate here for the 1st time last week. Biggest reason we finally went was b/c we had a $50 gift card. Our meal still cost us $30 on top of the gift card, but it was a good experience. My wife had the sea bass which tasted good and was cooked perfectly. It came w/ a crab risotto that was great. I ate the pasta w/ rabbit sausage & at 1st it didn't impress me, but by the 2nd 7 3rd bite I couldn't get enough! The staff was very courteous, but awkward at times w/4 of them standing there staring at us b/c we were the only customers for a bit. Overall a great experience and if we ever get another gift card will probably return.
(4)
Ryan D.
Had to switch rooms after the first was directly above a party with kids running around until after 10 PM. Second room was smaller but updated. However, the heat control didn't work: our room was above 76 degrees even though we turned off the heat... hot air kept spewing from the vent. We slept with the window wide open the entire night, even though the outside temperature was in the 20s. Food at the restaurant was good, fairly priced ($$$) and the service was very strong. JAI needs some refreshing but overall it's not a bad deal.
(3)
Mitch C.
Outstanding everything! We had 3 filet mignons and one swordfish. The filets were the best steak she'd "had in her life". The filets were perfectly encrusted. One was slightly overcooked for a medium order. I tasted the filet myself and agreed ... Wow! The swordfish was excellent. Skip the tiramisu ... It was not only not traditional, it was horribly sweet ... None of us liked it. Great atmosphere, live music and service.
(5)
Beth B.
Stayed here for a week while on business. Theres a nice bike path behind the hotel on beside the 202(?) Room was fine, but couldn't control the A/C ourselves. The included breakfast was fine, no extra charge for the hot items. Ate dinner there one night, just the appetizer (filet) which was delicious.
(3)
Rob C.
nice bed and breakfast...where i stayed for work every month for a while...go down and get breakfast...on fridays they do apple french toast...yeah you will be skipping lunch today... The bar is fantastic...order the yingling beer because you are going to be challenged to find it in the west coast...the single malts are handpicked by a well known distiller...no not really but it seems like it. the rooms are all historical...stay above the barn and other cool rooms
(4)
Angela R.
Obviously not an authentic B&B, more like a resort. Very pretty grounds, but on the small side. I have left this inn beyond unhappy, and I am not one to normally complain. This inn lost my reservation, so at my inconvenience I had to move days. I was upgraded rooms- in which I assumed the difference would be comped- it wasn't. I mean it was two days before, you had this vacant room, I don't see why it wasn't. All I got (after putting up quite a stink) was a lousy drink voucher in which the waitress gave me a hard time about. My room, a King Suite, was smaller than expected but pretty and full of potential. I was disapointed. The dresser was so old the drawers barely opened and closed. The table was stained with wine. The the door lock didn't work nor did the jacuzzi jets (glad I paid for an upgrade). Brian, whoever was in charge at the moment, told me to take it up with the manager who would be in at 8 am. He blatantly lied seeing as the manager wouldnt be in for another two days. The font desk refused to call the manager or the owner and were perfectly ok with me leaving upset. It's a Friday night/Saturday morning and there is nobody to deal with issues? The front desk said a superior- aka Brian- would be in at 4. Brian is a superior?!?! Then why was he so useless? And why would I still be there 5 hours after checkout? I have never delt with such poor customer service! As for my dinner- the dining hall had a nice ambience, but the food was mediocre at best. Not worth the large price tag. Breakfast was a standard continential. French toast was good, coffee was terrible. Unlike upscale buffets, the tray would empty long before replaced. Happened to me twice the 5 minutes I was filling my plate. My complaints thus far have gotten me nowhere, but honestly, even if they did the normal thing and gave me a gift certificate or something- I wouldnt go back. I don't know why their are any good reviews. --------- This is my updated review- I e-mailed the manager, seeing as they wouldn't allow me to call him or call him themselves, and I told him about my unhappy stay. About how they lost my reservation (I had multiple emails dated back a month proving so) and yet I was forced to pay for the only available upgraded room (which, at my inconvience, was that Friday not Saturday). About how the door wouldn't lock and the Jacuzzi jets wouldn't work. It was a $25 fee, clearly after these issues, it should be waived. This is the email I received back (four days later) "I hope today is going well. This email is in regards to notes my front desk team presented to me upon my return after an extended weekend regarding your unpleasant stay. Clearly you did not enjoy your stay and we the Joseph Ambler Inn are truly sorry for this unfortunate circumstance. After speaking with the General Manager and Proprietor of the Joseph Ambler Inn, we all feel that our property is not your fit. On behalf of us all; we are justly sorry you did not enjoy our Historic Inn that we love so much." Oh... is that all I get? My fit? Asshole. That's why you are $99 on Groupon. After receiving this email, my card was charged. $37, not even $25. It's not that much money, I know, but this is principle. How desperate can these people be that they won't just waive this? I've never heard of such a thing.
(1)
A S.
Stayed here to celebrate our anniversary in the most expensive room they offer. Very pricey for a Wednesday night $330 which was a package including dinner. I paid extra to have cheese tray and champagne and truffles in room before our arrival. The only thing there was champagne. They forgot everything. They scurried to get it when we arrived. There was no bottle opener on the premises for the bottle of wine we brought either. The told me the room had a fireplace. It was an electric potbelly stove of some sort. Took me half the night figuring out how to turn it on. I thought it was strange there was already water in the hottub upon arrival I thought maybe they filled it for us and my bf said it was probably left from the guest before us but I refuse to believe that and went in anyway . Dinner was great but the electricity went out for a bit. They could use some soft music to set a tone in the dining room and you wouldn't hear so many private conversations. Breakfast was complimentary and it was wonderful.
(2)
Nikki G.
We stayed at the JAI for a romantic weekend away. We were definitely NOT disappointed. The whole place was truly clean and comfy! We normally stay in a Marriott or similar but had a Groupon and wanted to give it a try. The staff was friendly and accommodating every time I called them which was several times. I called with questions, room requests, reservations made and reservations changed (last minute when something came up). Each and every time I was spoken to with courtesy and respect. Yes, even when I had to cancel and re-book the reservation the night before arrival! The suite (Queen Suite) looked exactly as pictured. Actually it is more roomy than the photos make it appear. The hot tub was clean and functional. Nice and comfy after the grueling workout I had on the morning of our arrival! I look forward to recommending the JAI to my family and friends, AND returning there for another get-away!
(4)
cindy g.
My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary with our groupon coupon. The room was on the small side but the spa tub was nice. BUT it wasn't clean! My husband had to clean it! After we hunted down the waitress we got our food fairly quickly and it was decent. overall, not worth the price or drive!
(2)
Caitlin B.
My parents were the first visitors to the inn in 1983 on their wedding night. My family frequently comes back for dinners, parties and weddings, and I have always been impressed. At our last visit, the staff went out of their way to make my parents' 30th anniversary special. A great place to get married. The food is spectacular, and the overall feel is very charming. Highly recommended.
(5)
Lisa D.
We just had our wedding at the Joseph Ambler Inn, and we were very pleased! We had a small wedding, and this venue was perfect, very small, intimate and charming. Our guests loved the hors d'oeuves, and food was amazing, and they were very responsive to any of our requests. Everything we asked was done promptly and pleasantly. We were very pleased!! Decor is very understated and authentic to the colonial style of the Inn.
(5)
Daryl C.
Rooms were ok, but the restaurant was great. There is always something unusual on the menu.
(4)
Lisa C.
It looks like some of the other reviews described a similar experience to the one I had. My biggest disappointment came with the cleanliness and condition of the room. I had purchase the rooms using a groupon so perhaps I was given a room of lesser quality than others, because as I left to check out I peaked into other rooms and they looked much nicer and perhaps even closer to being worth the hefty price tag (when there isn't a coupon discount). HOWEVER, our room was ragged and worn. The bathroom ceiling had paint pealing and the walls looked like they were primed but never painted (darker paint showed through huge gaps in the wainescoating). It was just kind of messy. The desk in the room was sticky and looked worn - but not in the antique way... just junky. The staff overall was sufficient. Never did anyone in the restaurant, front desk or on the grounds go out of their way to leave any type of impression. If these rooms were always $99 a night I'd ive this 4 stars. But it's suppose to be a high end B&B and lacked the cozy B&B vibe. It did however seem like the perfect place to have a wedding and guests, if that is the type of venue one might be looking for. I won't be going back. It was far from horrible, but far from being worth the $200+ a night for a room.
(2)
Renee M.
I performed a wedding ceremony here last September. What a gorgeous location! The ceremony was outside on the lawn with a sea of seasonal flowers as the backdrop. I adore the historic buildings which are loaded with character. The staff was incredible and very accomodating!
(4)
Shannon G.
High quality dishes and close proximity to our house have ensured that we've racked up a good number of visits to Joseph Ambler Inn. The historic location is not particularly large (for the restaurant area at least), and despite being surrounded by Montgomeryville chaos manages to maintain a surprisingly quiet setting thanks to its large property and far setback from the road. During fair weather they open up the outdoor seating on the patio under a large pergola, where you might catch a glimpse of the resident cat meandering past the tables. Serene would be a good description. Menu is large enough, and a lot of the dishes are compelling. My wife puts the Sea bass and Halibut amongst her favorites anywhere in the area. The lamb and sirloin are also solid, but the reason we're able to keep going back is the ever changing prix fixe menu. $35 as of this writing, you get a 3 course meal where the chef gets to peek his head out of the Traditional American box and experiment a little. So far so good, we've mostly enjoyed it each time, although the last couple times we've been there have not been as impressive. Portions are substantial for this type of dining. Your check is presented with Espresso truffles. Friday and Sunday are BYOB. (as of this writing) Do you really need more reasons to come here?
(3)
Jason S.
Loved this place. Their drivers were all out when I arrived, so the hotel manager picked me up from PHL personally--nice touch. Great guy, easy to talk to, and clearly believes in customer service, all of which made the trip fly by. Dinner was delicious, the grounds are great, and the people were super accommodating. I do a lot of business travel and am accustomed to the sterility of the major chains--this was an incredibly welcome reprieve! The atmosphere definitely carried a sense of intrigue, too--the inn is a complex of buildings that date back to 1735 (the building I was in was built in 1793). I'd step into a room and could immediately imagine life 200+ years ago, yet at the same time the place was warm and inviting and had all the modern conveniences I needed. The 4-poster bed in my room was pretty cool, too. Plus, as an aside, I had the surprise pleasure of meeting Thomas Ambler, the 94 year old great grandson of Joseph, on the same trip--I got a big kick out of telling him where I was staying! I will most certainly be back...
(5)
Daniel H.
Beautiful buildings, clean rooms, cute lobby areas, and nice hot tubs in all the rooms. The place is more of a privately owned hotel than "bed and breakfast" in the traditional sense. It's significantly larger than most B&Bs and the room decor isn't that "quaint and antique." It's a cute little hotel but I wouldn't call it a B&B. The management seemed attentive enough and when we had a problem with our room we were switched to a different room with no issues. The breakfast buffet was okay. It just didn't have that B&B personal touch I was hoping for. Kind of boring, actually. But the dinner options were great. Excellent food but pricey. And the chef sends you truffles with your dinner check. Very classy feel to the restaurant. Nice ambiance. Would definitely return to eat here for a special occasion. The baked brie is fantastic and I recommend it. Four stars for the dinner. Three stars for the hotel room.
(4)
Amy R.
The Thanksgiving buffet was extremely disappointing and far below average for a LOT of money. Turkey was salty, overbrined and rubbery. Yams were not seasoned and undercooked, gravy was salty and the stuffing was carelessly overseasoned with far too much sage. The desserts were just as weak, eggy cheesecake, cookies seemingly from Pillsbury cookie dough and dry and overbaked pumpkin bread. For $40 a person plus drinks plus tax and tips, it was honestly such a huge waste of money. Perhaps the food is better from the dining room on a normal night but I wouldn't spend my hard earned money there again.
(2)
Lauren Y.
A fantastic place for a shower. Very quaint, and very relaxing. The staff were all very friendly and professional. The food was delicious and quickly replenished both of which tend to not be the case in a buffet. I did not go for overnight, and to be honest, I am glad that I didn't because there was nothing going on other than a few old barns converted into a b&B. I'm sure its a good place to unwind but with a highway 200 ft away, that seems difficult. Come for the food and service. I noticed a signed that offered BYOB sundays.
(4)
M D.
What a disappointment!!! My husband and I had dinner last Saturday in the restaurant, we were celebrating a special event and had been looking forward to a nice evening. I'm giving Joseph Ambler Inn two stars because the ambiance is nice and the food overall was good. If I was rating on service alone there would be no stars, just as there was no tip! Our waitress, Peggy, (name on receipt)was honestly the worst I can recall in a very long time. Initially, she did approach us quickly and take our drink orders, that's where the service ended. After the drinks came it took her 10-15 minutes to return for our dinner orders, we simply did not see her anywhere. Keep in mind we had an early reservation, 6:15, and the restaurant was not busy. After our order was taken Peggy returned to our table one time, I believe it was while we were eating our salads, my husband asked for a drink refill which she never brought. We didn't see Peggy again until she asked if we wanted dessert, which we were interested in but decided we should go elsewhere. In our heads the tip percentage had been dwindling throughout the entire evening, but what happened when she returned our bill clarified what the tip should be. Peggy did not completely approach the table, she got within arms reach and dropped it on the corner, without uttering a word, she turned and walked away. My husband, who's a softy and always gives the benefit of the doubt, agreed that no tip was warranted. Believe me, this was a first for him; so that there was no mistaking the intent he put a note inside the little card presented with the bill. The young man who keeps the water glasses filled, clears dishes, and brought the drink refill when our waitress failed to was excellent. The young man was slipped a five as we left. I stopped at the hostess stand to express our disappointment, the lady there clearly could have cared less and there was no offer of speaking to a manager. For a resturant of this type, I have to say I was shocked; to spend that kind of money an be treated so poorly, we will not return!
(2)
Joe C.
I was there this past weekend for a wedding. It was located in a very nice area and the scenary was amazing. However, the food for the wedding was cold and there was not enough seating for everyone to sit inside. All and all I thought it was nice, but I am glad that I am not having my wedding there.
(3)
Cheryl P.
This is a nice looking place and has a good atmosphere, Our room, though charming enough, had a big coffee stain with little drip stains around it, still damp from a prvious tenant. The food was very disappointing, at least in the tavern. We had oysters, and though difficult to ruin, these were not very good. Some had to be left because they looked too bad to eat. The wine was awful, though not cheap and the fish dish even made my husband complain, which is quite rare. We really wanted to like this place because it looked so sweet, but can't rave about the food. The website pictures are certainly an oversell. Maybe the Kobe Beef Burger would be okay. Others around us were eating theirs and looking content. PNot a place to which we will return.
(2)
k k.
I am planning a wedding shower for my future niece, and have been very impressed by how helpful and flexible the staff has been so far. I took my sister for lunch to show her the beautiful buildings and grounds and to sample some of their foods. What a pleasant surprise! My sister ordered the eggplant roulades, stuffed with goat cheese and served on a bed of spinach and polenta wedges. I ordered the crab and asparagus quiche with a beautiful side of salad with the most delicious toppings and dressing! We shared all the food and truly loved it all, including the delicious breads. With coffee, the entire bill was only $25 for both of our lunches! The atmosphere is that of a 18th century inn, with quiet rustic elegance you will enjoy. The service was professional, friendly and most helpful! We'll be back again soon!
(5)
Richard K.
Beautiful setting, very neat and well kept grounds and facilities, and friendly people. Typically don't enjoy Bed and Breakfasts, but this one had definite charm without feeling like you're visiting with strangers. Would stay there again.
(4)
Onji S.
This review is for the Inn and the restaurant: *We had a Groupon that was for $89-it included a deluxe room and $20 credit towards a $40 purchase at the restaurant.* The check-in/check-out processes were easy and all the employees I encountered were very pleasant. The Inn is a quaint place with a very nice charm. The room we stayed in was called "The Conrad Room" and it had a very comfortable King bed and large bathroom with a LARGE jacuzzi tub. My boyfriend is about 5'8 and fit in there very comfortably with room to spare! The jacuzzi jets can be set to low, medium, or high which I thought was awesome! Oh, and the shower had 2 shower heads (great surprise)! The patio area of the restaurant had a nice view of the trees and was decorated very nicely! I ordered the steak frites and they were DELICIOUS. Oh my goodness, I wanted to order another plate . For dessert I had the chocolate cake which was melt-in-your-mouth good! Again, could've ordered another
(5)
Terri G.
We ate dinner, snacks in the bar and our host organized a full breakfast. At each meal, especially dinner, the food was excellent. The ambiance and service were very pleasant. The room was quaint. I would eat there again.
(4)
Tim O.
A good place for a classy dinner. I went on a Thursday night and it was not crowded. We were offered our choice of seating and chose a side room that was quiet. My dinner companion and I each got the petite filet mignon which came with mashed potatoes, carrots and string beans. The filet was very good and cooked perfectly. They offer a large selection of wines and we enjoyed a wonderful merlot. The one negative I would say is that I thought the service did not live up to the standards of a classy restaurant. While our server was attentive, she was clearly in a rush to get us out of there by 9:30pm (the restaurant says they are open until 10pm). Also when I ordered the wine, our server did not offer for me to try a small sample first, she just poured it for both of us.
(4)
Eli H.
Always a great meal in the most beautiful setting. Actually had our wedding reception here.
(5)
Margie M.
We had our wedding weekend here over the weekend. I can not say enough about how amazing the food and service we received. From our rehearsal dinner Friday night through our send off breakfast our expectations were exceeded. Our guests raved about the amount and quality of food that was served through out the entire weekend. Our family enjoyed the property and food so much we have decided to return next year for a family thanksgiving. The restaurant and bar have amazing food and it is a great place for a quick getaway. Allison the hotel manager and Wendi the banquet manager are the best you will ever meet!
(5)
Luba P.
Super romantic, adorable and cute place for a classy dinner. The atmosphere is classy but in a cozy way, and I love the outdoor garden seating. I do think the prices are quote high for entrees $25-$35, but the prix fix menu of $39 is not too bad. Definitely come on Thursday where you can get tons of seafood for great prices...$14 whole lobster, $3 fish taco (soo good, would get two), $3 scallop skewer (a bit too salty), and $3 crab cake (OK). My amish chicken and risotto were also pretty tasty. One issue they don't list any vegetarian options so you do have to ask for it. The pasta primavera was fresh and very creamy tomatoey, with lots of vegetables. Meal also comes with fresh delish garlic bread and soft herb butter. Our waitress was really nice, but our food did take a really really long time to come out. Overall this is a great place to visit for out of towners, especially since it's also a hotel/wedding venue.
(4)
MandA R.
We had the opportunity to stay at the Inn for a friend's wedding. Although close to the main road you really can't hear road or traffic noise. We felt like we were staying in a very cute village not an old B&B. The property has multiple buildings which seem to be in constant use. As we checked into our room in one of the buildings, there was a baby shower going on downstairs. As we left for our wedding there was another event set to take place in that same room. The setting for the ceremony was well done, including the heat lamps for the cooled temps. Cocktail hour was held in yet another building with a nice fireplace and good appetizers. The wedding food was catered and served buffet style and it was done very well. People at our table all spoke highly of the food and service. I really enjoyed the filet mignon. The rooms were nice and came with free wifi. Our room was cute and comfortable with a large bathroom and jacuzzi tub in the actual room. Sure in spots you can hear some hallway noise but this is an old house with limited insulation. The bed was really nice and we both had a good night's sleep. Our rooms heat and ac worked well, and we were comfortable temp wise. Our room also had an electric fireplace and tv but no refrigerator. It was really convienent for a wedding to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and hotel for guests all at the same place. Oh and the bride and groom had a room for an after party and breakfast for guests the next morning. Very well done.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
M V.
I've got to give this restaurant 5 stars. I've eaten here about 6 times and each time the food is just great. Perfectly prepared in a cozy atmosphere. I eat all over the country and I continue to think about the JAI when I think of great food. A must try!
(5)Kristen C.
We had a groupon and used it for a weekend stay. It was beautiful and so peaceful. The food was delicious every time. The complimentary breakfast was awesome. Lots of great options. It was so peaceful. Perfect for a romantic getaway.
(5)André P.
This place was amazing. The food was excellent, and the Kobe beef burger was one of the best burgers to have ever touched my palate. The servers were extremely professional. We also stayed at the inn and it was very nice as well. The room was clean and spacious, and the hot tub was awesome. I will definitely be coming back here in the future!
(5)Southern C.
Not overly friendly at front desk. Room had minimal lighting. Seems there is a lamp shortage. The windows and patio door of my first floor room were all unlocked. Glad I checked. The comforter on bed had a large stain as well as a small blood stain. I called the front desk, it's 1130 pm now, friendly woman from check in answers. She informed me there was another blanket in the closet. How about an apology or Gosh, I'm so sorry. I forget customer service is a dying art, but I am at an Inn? She called back a few minutes later to tell me I could move rooms but I was in my pjs and all unpacked plus I found a blanket sans blood, etc. They had left a tip envelope on the bed and I generally tip but not this time!! Because I want to end in a positive not, the tarocco bath products were a nice touch. And the bed was actually comfy once I got past the stain issues.
(2)William K.
The following is a copy of an email I sent to the management staff last month that was never answered: On Sunday, 12/21 we visited your dining establishment. We had reservations for 6:30pm that were made one week in advance. Upon checking in with the hostess, we were brought into the bar area to sit down. When I asked why we were in the bar I was told that the bar area counted as your main dining room and that all other tables were full. I told the hostess that this was unacceptable and that we would be happy to wait 5 - 10 minutes for a table in the main dining area. There was a snarky response provided: "Five or ten minutes may not be enough time- I can't control how long it takes people to finish dinner". After the allotted time, we were brought back to a table in the main dining area. It should be noted that, during this time, no one had come or left the restaurant and I counted at least four open tables that we could have been seated at. When we sat down, our waiter apologized that they were out of 1 appetizer and 3 entrees listed on the menu (mind you this was at 6:30pm- not an unreasonable time to be served dinner). After ordering a cocktail our waiter gave me seltzer water with lime. I tasted the drink and told him that there was no alcohol in the drink (I had ordered a Bacardi and Seltzer). He then picked up my drink and said "Let me try it" and proceeded to taste the drink in front of us. I have to say, I frequently dine out and I have never had any service staff (be it a bartender or waiter) taste the drink in question in front of me. As the night went on the service time took longer and longer, culminating in a 2 hour and ten minute dinner. I understand that it is a busy time of year but I would expect your service staff to be better equipped to handle the volume. As a local resident of the area and one that has frequented your location, I left feeling very disappointed in the service and treatment we received that night. The only saving grace was that the sea bass and risotto was delicious (as always). I hope you share this information with your restaurant staff to help them better understand how an accumulation of poor service can lead to customers not wanting to return.
(2)Louise T.
My husband and I ate at the pub this evening we had the shepherds pie and a burger it was delicious. Service was very good and quick. Drinks are a little pricey. That would be the only negative. Very nice atmosphere.
(4)Donny N.
We bought a Groupon for a weekend night at this unique Inn with a $20 credit for the restaurant. The staff was extremely friendly and eager to help while the room was clean, nice and comfortable but not anything special. We really enjoyed our dinner at the restaurant. The Peach salad was ok and the baked brie was solid as well but the entrees were the stars of the meal. The Chilean Sea Bass was delicious and practically melted in my mouth. My wife loved the filet mignon as well and both meals were exceptional. The pineapple tart was delicious and different and a good end to dinner. Prices were a little on the high end but a nice evening out. The complimentary breakfast was surprisingly good for a buffet and helped it stand out from other Inns we have stayed at.
(4)Ed M.
Great place only breakfast was disappointing Room was beautiful and clean Stuff professional and friendly Great bar a little pricey For breakfast they served yesterday bagels and the scramble egg looked like a brick made of yellow dough
(4)Sally G.
Amazing, magical night. We had the last of our three childrens wedding rehearsal dinner there last night and I cannot say enough about the service staff, coordinators, food, and atmosphere. All of the guests made it a point to tell us how much they loved the venue and the food. We created beautiful memories last night......thank you.
(5)Matthew D.
We were part of a wedding so we were here for the weekend. Love that ALL of the wedding activities were here. If you like mainstream hotels then this place is not for you. But if you want a change of scenery then this is the perfect place. It's got a old cottage style feel to it. We stayed in the "Thomas Wilson" building. The room was small but definitely big enough. I loved this old antique style furniture. You can hear a whisper in the house but that's what makes it authentic. The food & service is great! I cannot recommend this place enough. Do yourself a favor and stay a weekend here. Also, there's a cat name Shadow who is like the resort mascot & the squirrels come right up to you!
(5)Harriett T.
Food was excellent. Minor problems with the young servers who had that "deer caught in headlights" kind of look. Very quaint setting-lovely rooms.Very historic.
(4)Shannon P.
My family and I went to JAI for Mother's Day Brunch buffet. While I can't comment on their day to day service, they had plenty of staff on hand for this event and the service was great. The layout was a bit strange only because we were so far away from the buffet. This probably helped as it limited my trips to 2 since I would have had to walk past a ton of people including 3-4 hostesses every time I wanted a plate. All of the food was really good, especially the French Toast. They restocked the hot foods quite often and only one person out of our party of 4 ended up with something cold when it shouldn't have been. I'm curious to go back for a non-buffet meal. Overall really enjoyed the experience.
(4)Kelly E.
The most beautiful B & B in Pennsylvania--it's right out of a Beatrice Potter storybook. We dinned in a small room with a photo of a horse and carriage. I felt like we were back in time, and the meal was beautiful--to start fresh olive bread, with sparkling water, everyone at our table had a unique dish and all I heard was how each person's meal was the best of the night. The latte was perfect and I skipped dessert, but was surprised by homemade truffles as a gift to our table. They sweets were filled with expresso...Woohoo! I loved this Inn and the feeling of being back in time so much, that I stopped by the desk on the way out to get a price to stay over night. :) Can't wait!!
(5)Joe E.
This is one of the few places I've eaten that I can honestly describe as "elegant." I was there with friends on a Sunday night, and thoroughly enjoyed everything about the place: The ambience, the service, and the food. The fare was outstanding and while pricey, was well worth it. They have a considerable wine list, though the prices are not for the faint of heart. But they also serve wine by the glass. My friends had the prix fixe menu of surf and turf and were quite pleased with it. I had a dish of lobster and prawns with pappardelle pasta that was out of this world. The menu is not extensive, which means they are ready to prepare each dish carefully and they take their time to get it right. This isn't a place where they rush you. The collection of stone buildings they've rescued and brought to the site is fascinating as well.
(5)Sharon B.
We just co-hosted my son's rehearsal dinner, wedding, after party, and brunch at this magnificent location. The staff has been so helpful over the past months of planning, right up to our leaving with all the wedding decorations, etc. boxed up for us. It helped that the weather was wonderful and there are so many great spots for pictures. A wonderful experience in every way!!
(5)Karen Z.
Food was great, atmosphere is lovely. Will definitely be back. You can bring your own wine on Friday and Sunday.
(5)Robert B.
Bad service and lousy take our topped off a forgettable evening. The outdoor dining area is a tremendous setting. Very attractive indeed. However, mediocre and unsophisticated service hurts the experience. Food was Ok. Take out food was really poorly done. Having whole lobsters available for seafood night is great, but they need to be willing to crack these and clean these for diners to make this a "fine" dining experience. Waitress said they could not do this for us. Silly. So we did not order. It is a shame such a beautiful setting is wasted by mediocre service. Cab wine choices need improvement. Most are very expensive. List needs a few solid mid price cabs. On a positive note, when I called to complain about the food I ordered to go, manager offered $50 credit on a future order( which I declined)...good service recovery effort...just doesn't make up for your food to go not being acceptable (especially when you are still hungry)!
(2)Maria M.
We have hosted a number of business lunches at the Joseph Ambler Inn and have been very happy with the service, ambiance, and catering. The only complaint is WiFi can be a little shoddy depending on where you are but our attendees and sponsors were still satisfied!
(4)Michael R.
We went to the bar for a drink and maybe some chow. It is amazing what these folks have done with the place. Very classy! But... Bartenders were not friendly at all. Very dry and no smiles. The beer selection was very limited but what they had was ok. Sierra Nevada IPA, Sammy A, etc. Good for many but not for someone looking for a good brew to go with good company and good food. My wife's vodka 'n cranberry was excellent. 2 beers and we left for better pastures.
(3)Neen J.
this is a pretty location, easy to park, attentive staff, the food is average and plated in a way that is Ok. The bar looks like a fun spot. We had lunch here and my guest really enjoyed it. My arugula salad was really wilted and had too much salad dressing, and my shepherd's pie was tasty but weird in the way it was served. I have eaten here for dinner many years ago and remember it being better than it was for lunch.
(3)Jason I.
Pros: Clean rooms, great spa bathtub, quaint property with character. Cons: Below average food, soft uncomfortable beds, and ice machine is disgusting as there is mold growing all over inside. Needs to be replaced or cleaned. TV in room is from the 90's and screen is the size of my iPad.
(2)Amanda P.
This Inn is bar far the coolest place we have ever stayed and our wedding guests shared the same opinion. We started working with the staff at JAI last year and after a bumpy start with old management we had an awesome experience! Dan and his staff was always willing to help us achieve what we wanted for our wedding guests. We booked a house agreement and filled 39 of the 52 rooms on the property. We had our rehearsal dinner here as well and again, Wendi and her staff were great. Food is amazing, Peggy at the bar makes one heck of a Jack & Coke, and Overall we couldn't have asked for a better time. We also had an after party that was elegantly set up by JAI staff before our arrival back at the Inn where we continued to party and again... Just had a blast. Anything we needed, the staff was happy to help us. We'll definitely be going back soon!
(5)Samantha G.
What a gem for this area. Moving from Boston, we keep saying to ourselves, "Where are the cute, original places to go around here. We found it! DC stayed here when interviewing and recommends the Inn portion. And we just had a lovely meal here on Saturday night. Reservations recommended and an older crowd. Beautiful environment with brick and beams. Nice bar, although cozy. The restaurant is not posh, but it is homey and the food is yummy. We went with the Prix Fixe since the meals we wanted were included in there anyway... and the price could not be beat. $39 pp. Swordfish, steak, bruschetta, walnut baked brie, scallops, and bread pudding. Walked away stuffed and satisfied. Oh! And a notable wine list to boot. I will definitely be going back and will recommend to others.
(4)Denise L.
I thought this was suppose to be an upscale inn. The only thing upscale were the prices. Our room was run down and needed to be updated and cleaned. There were huge black carpet stains throughout our room . The air conditioning in our room was not working and there was no maintenance person on staff, and no manager to address the issue. We were told by the inexperienced desk clerk that we could come o the office and pick up a tiny fan if we wanted to. The entire building was stuffy. The hallway thermostat was set to 79 degrees! There were only two towels in the room. I had asked for an additional set of towels and only received two more. The seating area outside of the building that we were staying in was filthy. The table were infested with bees and had a one inch layer of dirt on it. There were cigarette butts all over the floor which looked like it needed a good sweep. When I spoke to the manager he was unprofessional and a bit arrogant. If you are looking for a romantic getaway and want to be comfortable do not book a room at this establishment.
(1)Erica J.
We really wanted to enjoy our meal. My fiancé, daughter and I had a 5:30 reservation and were the first table in the dining room. The server was nice and the bread was fine. We ordered a dozen oysters and the foie gras. It took almost 20 minutes to get the first course. The foie gras was well done and the pears had no sweetness. The oysters were mediocre. The food runner had no idea what kind of oysters they were and had to go ask the kitchen. I had the Amish chicken, my daughter had a filet medium rare and my fiancé had scallops. The sauce with the chicken was confusingly sweet. The risotto and vegetables were ok. The filet was cooked well but there was a weird cranberry cheese crust. The scallops were ok but the risotto cake was too large. We did get one dessert, the salted chocolate cake with cayenne pretzel brittle. Again, just ok. The brittle was so thick I was afraid someone was going to break a tooth. We spent over $200 for just ok. If we come back it will be to try the bar. Can't recommend the dining room.
(2)Adam L.
A bit disappointed by the Mother's Day brunch. Much of the food was not really hot enough as if the burners were not hot enough. Eggs made to order as well as the carving station was quite tasty. Kids menu items were just frozen foods and macaroni and cheese. The cost of the buffet at $42 per adult and $17 per kid was a bit much for what we received. I will not return with my family for another brunch at the Joseph ambler inn.
(2)Ireland D.
I just now read the comment from an employee of the Ambler Inn following my initial posting. Firstly, you were not in the room with us nor were you personally present during our stay so you have no right or first hand knowledge to claim what did or did not happen. Secondly, if there are "guideline violations" in my review, you would have reported them and the posting would have been removed. This poor excuse of a response speaks volumes regarding the quality of service we experienced during our stay.
(1)Brian H.
It hit me like a lightning bolt as to why I haven't returned here in many years when I used to frequent this restaurant in a historic building(s) located in a secluded setting off of the busy RT 463. (This is also a B & B, with a couple of small cottages surrounding the main buildings). Why? It was the service and the priorities of the servers. Deja vu all over again. :-P There is a room off to the side of the main dinning room in which there seemed to be a private party going on. This dark hole sucked our server in never to be seen again. Our server, although very polite in the beginning of the evening before that side room filled up, couldn't help very much with our selections, didn't understand a simple cocktail order and thus got one of the drink orders wrong, and then couldn't be found AT ALL once our appetizer was served. The rest of the evening was spent waving down one of the many, and hard working I might add, bus-people "can you please find our waitress". Still nothing. I wanted another drink, couldn't find anyone. I wanted another piece of grain bread (very small chunks of bread were offered at the beginning of the evening, I needed another, and it was good). After dinner plates were cleared, the dessert menu was dropped off and no one returned for at least 20 minutes to see if we wanted to order something. There was a manager, or hostess, or some other server, I couldn't tell as they all dressed the same, who was kind and listened to my explanation of the lack of service, and she did comp our drinks and dessert, but the excuse given to me was that our server has been busy with this private party. Not a very good excuse for me to have to beg for service throughout the evening. Whatever! 1 star service The food: An excellent black bean and sausage soup du jour started off the evening. It was very spicy and I like it just like that. And served in a large white bowl, just this serving of dark brown colored thick soup against the plain whiteness. Without getting too picky, it could have used a little garnish, even just chopped parsley, the presentation lacked, but the flavor delivered. 4 stars Entrees: I had the pan roasted Chilean sea bass with a lump crab and sweet pea risotto. The medium sized piece of fish was cooked properly, nice crisp sear on the outside and tender white meat within. The risotto was overcooked, the flavor was OK, the peas were crisp, but the little bit of "lump" (ha) crab was almost mush. 3 stars My date for the evening ;-) had ordered the Maine lobster cake. It was very good, I tasted it of course, nice lobster flavor served with wilted arugula, fennel basmati rice with a lobster reduction. 4 stars We shared a piece of caramel apple cheesecake for dessert, the cheesecake itself was creamy, delightful, excellent, the caramel was an OK add, but there was only two 1/4 inch dice of the apple to be found. Maybe the apple was also serving other people in that private party. Who the hell knows.
(2)rissa q.
We came to Joseph Ambler for their Mothers Day Brunch. It's a cute place, and a friend recommended it. For Mothers Day brunch, it was...ok. The food tasted good. Good variety, good food. Just good, not great. The service was ok. The servers could use a little polish...they kept standing in the way of us getting to our table. It was a buffet, so we needed to get up down a couple of times. Each time, at least 2 servers were in our way, and had no situational awareness. I had excuse myself to get by. The price. $40 for adults, and that didn't include a mimosa. Joseph Ambler, for that price, you should have included at least 1 mimera per adult. Ridiculous. I'm not sure we'll be back. My rating is 2 1/2 stars.
(3)Jena M.
My girlfriends mom was in town and I was told of the Thursday night seafood specials in the bar so we went to try it out last week. Everything we ate was AMAZING! When we got there, we were ignored by the bartender for like 10 minutes, but then she finally came over and asked what we needed. We started with oysters on the 1/2 and the baked brie appetizer. So amazing. The brie was served with a whole roasted garlic and little crustini bread. Next we shared a few of the seafood apps. Chilled 1 1/2 lb lobster, crab quesadilla, crabbie fries, and clams in linguine. All of which were delicious and filling. You could tell how fresh everything was and time and care put into making it. There were 3 of us, we had 5 glasses of wine total and our bill was still under $100! Looking at the entrees, I dont know if I could afford to eat here, but Thursday seafood specials, I want to go every week! After all that food we were stuffed with doggie bags, but my friend also brought home this chocolate peanut butter pie for her boyfriend and they said it was to DIE for! I also loved the feel of the bar area, high ceiling, rustic and woody with a stone fireplace at one end. Very cozy!
(5)Jim B.
The food and atmosphere of sitting and chilling with my friend outside is exceptional. The place has so much character and charm it keeps me coming back every time I am in town. I recommend this place very much!
(5)Chaz P.
Came here for a wedding. This place is beautiful. Staff is very friendly and the food was amazing.
(4)Jackie D.
Had my wedding there in August. Awesome experience all the way around. Food was delicious, staff was accommodating, venue was beautiful and the price was reasonable, all things considered. Everyone had a great time, especially my guests. Highly recommend.
(5)Cassie R.
My room was so hot and had no temperature control in the room- i went to front desk and they said they'd adjust it, came back 4 hrs later still hot..took me 1/2 hr and three attempts to get someone again at the front desk (at 9pm in the evening) and was told they couldn't make it cooler and to open a window- my allergies were full blown the next morning and I was a sleepwalker at my meetings all day. also front desk staff very snooty and not wanting to be bothered, ran out of hot water when I took a very short shower too....only nice person was the lady monitoring the breakfast buffet maybe if you are there for pleasure the ambiance is nice but so not a good place for business travel
(1)Jimi V.
Nice atmosphere and historic surroundings. Neat little bar area but don't sit close to fireplace it gets way too hot! Dinner servers could be a little "softer around the edges." Prices are a bit high but quality is usually pretty good. One dislike is the temp of the bottle of red wine which was served. Tasted like it was 75 degrees...they need to store their wine better and at the proper temp. Overall acceptable but room for improvement.
(3)Renee C.
Wanting to enjoy the fall foliage, we went up to the Joseph Ambler Inn for the weekend. For the price, we were a bit disappointed. Our room was located in a small bungalow situated directly next to the bar/outdoor wedding reception area. This meant that we had to walk through the party to get to our room, and then heard the DJ music and party through the walls late into the night. The bar was terrible, the drinks were gross, and the complimentary breakfast was a pain to deal with. The place has a lot of charm, but where the room was situated made it not at all worth the money.
(2)Kristi E.
We stayed here this past weekend. The room was very comfortable (Queen Suite). The jacuzzi tub was amazing!! We really enjoyed the character of the property and the room. The staff overall was really nice. There were a few people in the restaurant that weren't so nice. They have a cat that is the resident cat of the property. Her name is Shadow. How adorable. It added so much more character to the property. She was really sweet. We ate in the restaurant. Overall we were really pleased. It's a bit pricey but most of what we had was crazy good. The spinach salad was soooo good. My husband's steak was melt in your mouth. I had the braised spare rib; which was a bit tough. Tasty...but tough. The dessert was excellent (Bailey's creme brulee) We would come back here. Only thing I would suggest would be having maybe some sort of room service or coffee service to your room. We had breakfast the next morning which was very good and a nice touch to be included in the room price. We also liked that they were able to send us on our way with a pot of coffee to take to our room. Overall very good!
(4)Karen F.
We celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary at JAI last night - and the weather and scenery were PERFECT. We come back to the JAI (where we were married on 06/07/08) every year on our anniversary for dinner. the past 2 years we brought our DD and both sets of parents. This year it was just us and our DD who is now 6. She had a delicious lobster mac 'n cheese with smoked Gouda. She also ate one of my 4 lamb rib chops which were divine. She also had 3 bites of my husbands salmon which was perfectly cooked. (All that stuff was 5 star). Here's the bad part - HIGH salt content for sides and sauces. My sauteed mushrooms were so salty I had to say something and send them back. Inedible. They promptly cooked another (only slightly less salty) batch which I took home - and may toss. DH's salmon was on a bed of soba noodles drowning in a sweet/salty sauce that, too, was over-salted. What a shame. Meanwhile the apps wre AWESOME - some of the best sweet potato fries we've ever tried (and we try them at lots of places) . Served with a warm marshmallow "fluff-like" dip. HEAVENLY. The smoked duck tostada was great, too. (If a bit on the smokey side. Yes, it is very smokey indeed.) Dessert coffees at $8.50 are a delcious indulgence - topped with a cloud of REAL whipped cream. Chocolate covered strawberries (call ahead to speacil order these) are LARGE, plump, red, sweet and juicy coated in luscious chocolate. We love it here - and got to watch the end of a Saturday wedding and the rehearsal for a Sunday wedding. Lots of weddings, showers and events are held here - and we know why - it's a GREAT venue for events. (And now they can accomodate a larger wedding in the expanded ballroom.) We love ya, Tegue & Neil! Best regards to Wendy, too. See you in June 2012.
(4)Dana Z.
BREAKFAST BUFFET REVIEW It is tradition for my family to come here for Easter brunch. Not sure how many years we've been coming here, I've lost count. I have been to Joseph Ambler Inn for other catered events which have always been solid. I'm going to do my best to describe the wonderfulness that is the breakfast buffet. They have the tables set up in this outdoor enclosed tent area. Each table is loaded with delicious goodies. There is an area where they will carve you ham or beef right off the bone. They have a table where a chef will create your own omelet to order. The table in the center is towered high with your breakfast breads: bagels and cream cheese, croissants, biscuits, and also other small things like shrimp cocktail. There is a table with all the breakfast staples: eggs which are deliciously cooked, sausage, french toast, breakfast potatoes, grits, and some of the best bacon you will ever have. Another table has lunch items like roasted chicken, potatoes (yes another kind!) macaroni, stuffed shells, and the like. There is a salad table with Caesar salad, spring salad, mozzarella/basil salad, and fresh fruit salad. There is a kids table which doesn't stop the adults from choosing from pigs in blankets (YES! ALL YOU CAN EAT PIGS IN BLANKETS!) chicken fingers and fries. (Don't forget the bbq sauce and honey mustard) The glorious dessert table has lights of heaven shining down on it. Pretty much every dessert you can think of. Being from an Italian family and usually having at least 8-10 family members at breakfast with me, all the canolis end up at our table. Also, hello mimosas. I've been to other breakfast buffets similar but none ever this good. Everything you try here is good. It's really nice to know there is great dining options for people in the suburbs and you don't have to be in a big city to have an out of this world dining experience.
(5)Joe U.
Nothing hits you like a little age discrimination when you first walk in. Let me get this out of the way, I have dined here many times before and never once had a problem. Now lets jump to the past Saturday night. I take my wife out to Valentines Weekend Dinner and get 5 PM reservations. We walk in and there is no greeting at all, just 2 ladies staring at us like we had no business in there. We tell them we have reservations and they proceed to sit us. Our waitress comes and is the most ignorant waitress I have ever had in my life, no welcome nothing just here is your menu and walk away. (She was the sweetest to the old couple next to us even saying happy valentines day to them.) Anyway, we order one filet and one strip steak cooked medium. The food comes out 5 minutes later with hardly any grill marks and so rare I actually had to send the food back. (This is the first time, as I never once sent something back) Never one apology for the way undercooked steak or anything. Get it back to an actual cooked rare steak which I ate. My wife's filet was also incredibly rare. The service here was the worst I have ever experienced in my life. They rushed us out of there since we were home not even an hour after arriving. The two stars are for the food which was good except the cold stale champagne cake. I will never go back here and give my business to other local establishments that know how to treat their customer and cook an actual steak to the temperature you desire.
(2)Jonathan C.
We came here for a friends birthday. Food was about $50 a person. More expensive then most places in the area but I feel the price was worth it. Nothing bothers me more than ordering expensive food and having it come out poorly---but that was not the case here. All the dishes had a lot of flavor and were cooked properly. I especially enjoyed my filet. Friends ordered salads w/goat cheese, short rib appetizer, a fish entree, and rack of lamb. All were very good. Even the bread they bring around at the beginning is excellent :D My wife could have filled up on that alone. If you are looking for a bit of a "fancier" evening, for a date or celebration, this is a good place as compared to what else is in the area.
(5)Suni A.
We stayed in a room and ate dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. The breakfast was the best part. We got to meet the chef from the previous night's dinner. There are no places to walk or hike. We arrived at 3:00 (check-in time). The clerk made us wait until 3:10 until we could go into our room. Said it was still being cleaned. We had reservations. Our stay was not a surprise to them! The check-in clerk tried to put on airs, which only made him come off a surly. If it was being cleaned, why was it only 58 degrees when we walked in? A light bulb was burned out in our room. The ceiling fan was noisy and didn't work on low speed. The bathtub leaked and water continually drained from it. Comforter on bed was not country motif. Appears to maybe have come from motel in Bensalem, PA. Bathroom paint peeling. Rate sheet in welcome packet was outdated. There was a dog barking constantly. Why are dogs allowed here? Jeans and sneakers are not permitted, but you're allowed to bring dogs! No refrigerator in room for left overs from restaurant. Mirror too low for any person of average height. TV too high to watch while lying in bed without getting a sore neck. Mattress was not level. In the restaurant the rice pilaf was too salty. No lemon in the water. For the amount of money charged, we certainly could have done much better. Will not return for quite a long time. Definitely would NOT recommend this place.
(2)Kristin W.
We started with the Braised Kobe Beef Short Ribs (a very generous portion of meat with an very sweet sauce - luckily, the piece is so large that you end up with a decent sauce:meat ratio) and the Blackened Yellow Fin Tuna. For our entrees, we both got the Chilean Sea Bass - I substituted the Mushroom and Parmesan Risotto from the Pan Seared Chicken Cut Breast and it was really delicious. I liked it more than the originally paired Lump Crab and English Pea Risotto which was more subtle and not enough like crab. Everything on the dessert menu sounded amazing, so we ordered both the Raspberry Tart and the Bread Pudding - both were generous portions of heaven. Overall, a great meal!
(5)Joshua W.
We ate here for the 1st time last week. Biggest reason we finally went was b/c we had a $50 gift card. Our meal still cost us $30 on top of the gift card, but it was a good experience. My wife had the sea bass which tasted good and was cooked perfectly. It came w/ a crab risotto that was great. I ate the pasta w/ rabbit sausage & at 1st it didn't impress me, but by the 2nd 7 3rd bite I couldn't get enough! The staff was very courteous, but awkward at times w/4 of them standing there staring at us b/c we were the only customers for a bit. Overall a great experience and if we ever get another gift card will probably return.
(4)Ryan D.
Had to switch rooms after the first was directly above a party with kids running around until after 10 PM. Second room was smaller but updated. However, the heat control didn't work: our room was above 76 degrees even though we turned off the heat... hot air kept spewing from the vent. We slept with the window wide open the entire night, even though the outside temperature was in the 20s. Food at the restaurant was good, fairly priced ($$$) and the service was very strong. JAI needs some refreshing but overall it's not a bad deal.
(3)Mitch C.
Outstanding everything! We had 3 filet mignons and one swordfish. The filets were the best steak she'd "had in her life". The filets were perfectly encrusted. One was slightly overcooked for a medium order. I tasted the filet myself and agreed ... Wow! The swordfish was excellent. Skip the tiramisu ... It was not only not traditional, it was horribly sweet ... None of us liked it. Great atmosphere, live music and service.
(5)Beth B.
Stayed here for a week while on business. Theres a nice bike path behind the hotel on beside the 202(?) Room was fine, but couldn't control the A/C ourselves. The included breakfast was fine, no extra charge for the hot items. Ate dinner there one night, just the appetizer (filet) which was delicious.
(3)Rob C.
nice bed and breakfast...where i stayed for work every month for a while...go down and get breakfast...on fridays they do apple french toast...yeah you will be skipping lunch today... The bar is fantastic...order the yingling beer because you are going to be challenged to find it in the west coast...the single malts are handpicked by a well known distiller...no not really but it seems like it. the rooms are all historical...stay above the barn and other cool rooms
(4)Angela R.
Obviously not an authentic B&B, more like a resort. Very pretty grounds, but on the small side. I have left this inn beyond unhappy, and I am not one to normally complain. This inn lost my reservation, so at my inconvenience I had to move days. I was upgraded rooms- in which I assumed the difference would be comped- it wasn't. I mean it was two days before, you had this vacant room, I don't see why it wasn't. All I got (after putting up quite a stink) was a lousy drink voucher in which the waitress gave me a hard time about. My room, a King Suite, was smaller than expected but pretty and full of potential. I was disapointed. The dresser was so old the drawers barely opened and closed. The table was stained with wine. The the door lock didn't work nor did the jacuzzi jets (glad I paid for an upgrade). Brian, whoever was in charge at the moment, told me to take it up with the manager who would be in at 8 am. He blatantly lied seeing as the manager wouldnt be in for another two days. The font desk refused to call the manager or the owner and were perfectly ok with me leaving upset. It's a Friday night/Saturday morning and there is nobody to deal with issues? The front desk said a superior- aka Brian- would be in at 4. Brian is a superior?!?! Then why was he so useless? And why would I still be there 5 hours after checkout? I have never delt with such poor customer service! As for my dinner- the dining hall had a nice ambience, but the food was mediocre at best. Not worth the large price tag. Breakfast was a standard continential. French toast was good, coffee was terrible. Unlike upscale buffets, the tray would empty long before replaced. Happened to me twice the 5 minutes I was filling my plate. My complaints thus far have gotten me nowhere, but honestly, even if they did the normal thing and gave me a gift certificate or something- I wouldnt go back. I don't know why their are any good reviews. --------- This is my updated review- I e-mailed the manager, seeing as they wouldn't allow me to call him or call him themselves, and I told him about my unhappy stay. About how they lost my reservation (I had multiple emails dated back a month proving so) and yet I was forced to pay for the only available upgraded room (which, at my inconvience, was that Friday not Saturday). About how the door wouldn't lock and the Jacuzzi jets wouldn't work. It was a $25 fee, clearly after these issues, it should be waived. This is the email I received back (four days later) "I hope today is going well. This email is in regards to notes my front desk team presented to me upon my return after an extended weekend regarding your unpleasant stay. Clearly you did not enjoy your stay and we the Joseph Ambler Inn are truly sorry for this unfortunate circumstance. After speaking with the General Manager and Proprietor of the Joseph Ambler Inn, we all feel that our property is not your fit. On behalf of us all; we are justly sorry you did not enjoy our Historic Inn that we love so much." Oh... is that all I get? My fit? Asshole. That's why you are $99 on Groupon. After receiving this email, my card was charged. $37, not even $25. It's not that much money, I know, but this is principle. How desperate can these people be that they won't just waive this? I've never heard of such a thing.
(1)A S.
Stayed here to celebrate our anniversary in the most expensive room they offer. Very pricey for a Wednesday night $330 which was a package including dinner. I paid extra to have cheese tray and champagne and truffles in room before our arrival. The only thing there was champagne. They forgot everything. They scurried to get it when we arrived. There was no bottle opener on the premises for the bottle of wine we brought either. The told me the room had a fireplace. It was an electric potbelly stove of some sort. Took me half the night figuring out how to turn it on. I thought it was strange there was already water in the hottub upon arrival I thought maybe they filled it for us and my bf said it was probably left from the guest before us but I refuse to believe that and went in anyway . Dinner was great but the electricity went out for a bit. They could use some soft music to set a tone in the dining room and you wouldn't hear so many private conversations. Breakfast was complimentary and it was wonderful.
(2)Nikki G.
We stayed at the JAI for a romantic weekend away. We were definitely NOT disappointed. The whole place was truly clean and comfy! We normally stay in a Marriott or similar but had a Groupon and wanted to give it a try. The staff was friendly and accommodating every time I called them which was several times. I called with questions, room requests, reservations made and reservations changed (last minute when something came up). Each and every time I was spoken to with courtesy and respect. Yes, even when I had to cancel and re-book the reservation the night before arrival! The suite (Queen Suite) looked exactly as pictured. Actually it is more roomy than the photos make it appear. The hot tub was clean and functional. Nice and comfy after the grueling workout I had on the morning of our arrival! I look forward to recommending the JAI to my family and friends, AND returning there for another get-away!
(4)cindy g.
My husband and I came here to celebrate our anniversary with our groupon coupon. The room was on the small side but the spa tub was nice. BUT it wasn't clean! My husband had to clean it! After we hunted down the waitress we got our food fairly quickly and it was decent. overall, not worth the price or drive!
(2)Caitlin B.
My parents were the first visitors to the inn in 1983 on their wedding night. My family frequently comes back for dinners, parties and weddings, and I have always been impressed. At our last visit, the staff went out of their way to make my parents' 30th anniversary special. A great place to get married. The food is spectacular, and the overall feel is very charming. Highly recommended.
(5)Lisa D.
We just had our wedding at the Joseph Ambler Inn, and we were very pleased! We had a small wedding, and this venue was perfect, very small, intimate and charming. Our guests loved the hors d'oeuves, and food was amazing, and they were very responsive to any of our requests. Everything we asked was done promptly and pleasantly. We were very pleased!! Decor is very understated and authentic to the colonial style of the Inn.
(5)Daryl C.
Rooms were ok, but the restaurant was great. There is always something unusual on the menu.
(4)Lisa C.
It looks like some of the other reviews described a similar experience to the one I had. My biggest disappointment came with the cleanliness and condition of the room. I had purchase the rooms using a groupon so perhaps I was given a room of lesser quality than others, because as I left to check out I peaked into other rooms and they looked much nicer and perhaps even closer to being worth the hefty price tag (when there isn't a coupon discount). HOWEVER, our room was ragged and worn. The bathroom ceiling had paint pealing and the walls looked like they were primed but never painted (darker paint showed through huge gaps in the wainescoating). It was just kind of messy. The desk in the room was sticky and looked worn - but not in the antique way... just junky. The staff overall was sufficient. Never did anyone in the restaurant, front desk or on the grounds go out of their way to leave any type of impression. If these rooms were always $99 a night I'd ive this 4 stars. But it's suppose to be a high end B&B and lacked the cozy B&B vibe. It did however seem like the perfect place to have a wedding and guests, if that is the type of venue one might be looking for. I won't be going back. It was far from horrible, but far from being worth the $200+ a night for a room.
(2)Renee M.
I performed a wedding ceremony here last September. What a gorgeous location! The ceremony was outside on the lawn with a sea of seasonal flowers as the backdrop. I adore the historic buildings which are loaded with character. The staff was incredible and very accomodating!
(4)Shannon G.
High quality dishes and close proximity to our house have ensured that we've racked up a good number of visits to Joseph Ambler Inn. The historic location is not particularly large (for the restaurant area at least), and despite being surrounded by Montgomeryville chaos manages to maintain a surprisingly quiet setting thanks to its large property and far setback from the road. During fair weather they open up the outdoor seating on the patio under a large pergola, where you might catch a glimpse of the resident cat meandering past the tables. Serene would be a good description. Menu is large enough, and a lot of the dishes are compelling. My wife puts the Sea bass and Halibut amongst her favorites anywhere in the area. The lamb and sirloin are also solid, but the reason we're able to keep going back is the ever changing prix fixe menu. $35 as of this writing, you get a 3 course meal where the chef gets to peek his head out of the Traditional American box and experiment a little. So far so good, we've mostly enjoyed it each time, although the last couple times we've been there have not been as impressive. Portions are substantial for this type of dining. Your check is presented with Espresso truffles. Friday and Sunday are BYOB. (as of this writing) Do you really need more reasons to come here?
(3)Jason S.
Loved this place. Their drivers were all out when I arrived, so the hotel manager picked me up from PHL personally--nice touch. Great guy, easy to talk to, and clearly believes in customer service, all of which made the trip fly by. Dinner was delicious, the grounds are great, and the people were super accommodating. I do a lot of business travel and am accustomed to the sterility of the major chains--this was an incredibly welcome reprieve! The atmosphere definitely carried a sense of intrigue, too--the inn is a complex of buildings that date back to 1735 (the building I was in was built in 1793). I'd step into a room and could immediately imagine life 200+ years ago, yet at the same time the place was warm and inviting and had all the modern conveniences I needed. The 4-poster bed in my room was pretty cool, too. Plus, as an aside, I had the surprise pleasure of meeting Thomas Ambler, the 94 year old great grandson of Joseph, on the same trip--I got a big kick out of telling him where I was staying! I will most certainly be back...
(5)Daniel H.
Beautiful buildings, clean rooms, cute lobby areas, and nice hot tubs in all the rooms. The place is more of a privately owned hotel than "bed and breakfast" in the traditional sense. It's significantly larger than most B&Bs and the room decor isn't that "quaint and antique." It's a cute little hotel but I wouldn't call it a B&B. The management seemed attentive enough and when we had a problem with our room we were switched to a different room with no issues. The breakfast buffet was okay. It just didn't have that B&B personal touch I was hoping for. Kind of boring, actually. But the dinner options were great. Excellent food but pricey. And the chef sends you truffles with your dinner check. Very classy feel to the restaurant. Nice ambiance. Would definitely return to eat here for a special occasion. The baked brie is fantastic and I recommend it. Four stars for the dinner. Three stars for the hotel room.
(4)Amy R.
The Thanksgiving buffet was extremely disappointing and far below average for a LOT of money. Turkey was salty, overbrined and rubbery. Yams were not seasoned and undercooked, gravy was salty and the stuffing was carelessly overseasoned with far too much sage. The desserts were just as weak, eggy cheesecake, cookies seemingly from Pillsbury cookie dough and dry and overbaked pumpkin bread. For $40 a person plus drinks plus tax and tips, it was honestly such a huge waste of money. Perhaps the food is better from the dining room on a normal night but I wouldn't spend my hard earned money there again.
(2)Lauren Y.
A fantastic place for a shower. Very quaint, and very relaxing. The staff were all very friendly and professional. The food was delicious and quickly replenished both of which tend to not be the case in a buffet. I did not go for overnight, and to be honest, I am glad that I didn't because there was nothing going on other than a few old barns converted into a b&B. I'm sure its a good place to unwind but with a highway 200 ft away, that seems difficult. Come for the food and service. I noticed a signed that offered BYOB sundays.
(4)M D.
What a disappointment!!! My husband and I had dinner last Saturday in the restaurant, we were celebrating a special event and had been looking forward to a nice evening. I'm giving Joseph Ambler Inn two stars because the ambiance is nice and the food overall was good. If I was rating on service alone there would be no stars, just as there was no tip! Our waitress, Peggy, (name on receipt)was honestly the worst I can recall in a very long time. Initially, she did approach us quickly and take our drink orders, that's where the service ended. After the drinks came it took her 10-15 minutes to return for our dinner orders, we simply did not see her anywhere. Keep in mind we had an early reservation, 6:15, and the restaurant was not busy. After our order was taken Peggy returned to our table one time, I believe it was while we were eating our salads, my husband asked for a drink refill which she never brought. We didn't see Peggy again until she asked if we wanted dessert, which we were interested in but decided we should go elsewhere. In our heads the tip percentage had been dwindling throughout the entire evening, but what happened when she returned our bill clarified what the tip should be. Peggy did not completely approach the table, she got within arms reach and dropped it on the corner, without uttering a word, she turned and walked away. My husband, who's a softy and always gives the benefit of the doubt, agreed that no tip was warranted. Believe me, this was a first for him; so that there was no mistaking the intent he put a note inside the little card presented with the bill. The young man who keeps the water glasses filled, clears dishes, and brought the drink refill when our waitress failed to was excellent. The young man was slipped a five as we left. I stopped at the hostess stand to express our disappointment, the lady there clearly could have cared less and there was no offer of speaking to a manager. For a resturant of this type, I have to say I was shocked; to spend that kind of money an be treated so poorly, we will not return!
(2)Joe C.
I was there this past weekend for a wedding. It was located in a very nice area and the scenary was amazing. However, the food for the wedding was cold and there was not enough seating for everyone to sit inside. All and all I thought it was nice, but I am glad that I am not having my wedding there.
(3)Cheryl P.
This is a nice looking place and has a good atmosphere, Our room, though charming enough, had a big coffee stain with little drip stains around it, still damp from a prvious tenant. The food was very disappointing, at least in the tavern. We had oysters, and though difficult to ruin, these were not very good. Some had to be left because they looked too bad to eat. The wine was awful, though not cheap and the fish dish even made my husband complain, which is quite rare. We really wanted to like this place because it looked so sweet, but can't rave about the food. The website pictures are certainly an oversell. Maybe the Kobe Beef Burger would be okay. Others around us were eating theirs and looking content. PNot a place to which we will return.
(2)k k.
I am planning a wedding shower for my future niece, and have been very impressed by how helpful and flexible the staff has been so far. I took my sister for lunch to show her the beautiful buildings and grounds and to sample some of their foods. What a pleasant surprise! My sister ordered the eggplant roulades, stuffed with goat cheese and served on a bed of spinach and polenta wedges. I ordered the crab and asparagus quiche with a beautiful side of salad with the most delicious toppings and dressing! We shared all the food and truly loved it all, including the delicious breads. With coffee, the entire bill was only $25 for both of our lunches! The atmosphere is that of a 18th century inn, with quiet rustic elegance you will enjoy. The service was professional, friendly and most helpful! We'll be back again soon!
(5)Richard K.
Beautiful setting, very neat and well kept grounds and facilities, and friendly people. Typically don't enjoy Bed and Breakfasts, but this one had definite charm without feeling like you're visiting with strangers. Would stay there again.
(4)Onji S.
This review is for the Inn and the restaurant: *We had a Groupon that was for $89-it included a deluxe room and $20 credit towards a $40 purchase at the restaurant.* The check-in/check-out processes were easy and all the employees I encountered were very pleasant. The Inn is a quaint place with a very nice charm. The room we stayed in was called "The Conrad Room" and it had a very comfortable King bed and large bathroom with a LARGE jacuzzi tub. My boyfriend is about 5'8 and fit in there very comfortably with room to spare! The jacuzzi jets can be set to low, medium, or high which I thought was awesome! Oh, and the shower had 2 shower heads (great surprise)! The patio area of the restaurant had a nice view of the trees and was decorated very nicely! I ordered the steak frites and they were DELICIOUS. Oh my goodness, I wanted to order another plate . For dessert I had the chocolate cake which was melt-in-your-mouth good! Again, could've ordered another
(5)Terri G.
We ate dinner, snacks in the bar and our host organized a full breakfast. At each meal, especially dinner, the food was excellent. The ambiance and service were very pleasant. The room was quaint. I would eat there again.
(4)Tim O.
A good place for a classy dinner. I went on a Thursday night and it was not crowded. We were offered our choice of seating and chose a side room that was quiet. My dinner companion and I each got the petite filet mignon which came with mashed potatoes, carrots and string beans. The filet was very good and cooked perfectly. They offer a large selection of wines and we enjoyed a wonderful merlot. The one negative I would say is that I thought the service did not live up to the standards of a classy restaurant. While our server was attentive, she was clearly in a rush to get us out of there by 9:30pm (the restaurant says they are open until 10pm). Also when I ordered the wine, our server did not offer for me to try a small sample first, she just poured it for both of us.
(4)Eli H.
Always a great meal in the most beautiful setting. Actually had our wedding reception here.
(5)Margie M.
We had our wedding weekend here over the weekend. I can not say enough about how amazing the food and service we received. From our rehearsal dinner Friday night through our send off breakfast our expectations were exceeded. Our guests raved about the amount and quality of food that was served through out the entire weekend. Our family enjoyed the property and food so much we have decided to return next year for a family thanksgiving. The restaurant and bar have amazing food and it is a great place for a quick getaway. Allison the hotel manager and Wendi the banquet manager are the best you will ever meet!
(5)Luba P.
Super romantic, adorable and cute place for a classy dinner. The atmosphere is classy but in a cozy way, and I love the outdoor garden seating. I do think the prices are quote high for entrees $25-$35, but the prix fix menu of $39 is not too bad. Definitely come on Thursday where you can get tons of seafood for great prices...$14 whole lobster, $3 fish taco (soo good, would get two), $3 scallop skewer (a bit too salty), and $3 crab cake (OK). My amish chicken and risotto were also pretty tasty. One issue they don't list any vegetarian options so you do have to ask for it. The pasta primavera was fresh and very creamy tomatoey, with lots of vegetables. Meal also comes with fresh delish garlic bread and soft herb butter. Our waitress was really nice, but our food did take a really really long time to come out. Overall this is a great place to visit for out of towners, especially since it's also a hotel/wedding venue.
(4)MandA R.
We had the opportunity to stay at the Inn for a friend's wedding. Although close to the main road you really can't hear road or traffic noise. We felt like we were staying in a very cute village not an old B&B. The property has multiple buildings which seem to be in constant use. As we checked into our room in one of the buildings, there was a baby shower going on downstairs. As we left for our wedding there was another event set to take place in that same room. The setting for the ceremony was well done, including the heat lamps for the cooled temps. Cocktail hour was held in yet another building with a nice fireplace and good appetizers. The wedding food was catered and served buffet style and it was done very well. People at our table all spoke highly of the food and service. I really enjoyed the filet mignon. The rooms were nice and came with free wifi. Our room was cute and comfortable with a large bathroom and jacuzzi tub in the actual room. Sure in spots you can hear some hallway noise but this is an old house with limited insulation. The bed was really nice and we both had a good night's sleep. Our rooms heat and ac worked well, and we were comfortable temp wise. Our room also had an electric fireplace and tv but no refrigerator. It was really convienent for a wedding to have the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and hotel for guests all at the same place. Oh and the bride and groom had a room for an after party and breakfast for guests the next morning. Very well done.
(4)