Boardman House Inn Bed & Breakfast

If you go to the Boardman house do not expect to be greeted by an innkeeper or have breakfast. You self check in and there is no breakfast. It is clean and what I assume the old type inn used to be with no amenities. With that in mind, it is very close to the Goodspeed Opera House which is about a 4 minute walk.||||| The area of East Haddam while beautiful but pretty much the only thing to do is to go to the theatre and the only restaurant of any note is the Gelson House which while a minute to the opera house is not noted for its food.

A great place to stay after our visit to Gillette Castle. Charming 1860 era decor but modern and clean where it should be, in the bathroom. Philly was very friendly and helpful when we saw her.

My daughter goes to boarding school in Haddam and we’ve stayed at this beautiful gem every time we’ve been to Haddam since she began. The owner, Phyllis, couldn’t be any more warm, welcoming, helpful, or hard-working, if she tried! We love staying with her in her gorgeously restored historical inn! I can’t recommend it enough (except I want to make sure I can still book a room when we visit! lol).

The boardman owner helped me late at night and got me a room! The room was clean, the bed was comfy. The house is from 1860 but it has been kept in such great condition.

We stayed two nights at the Boardman House and were very happy with our experience. We stayed mid-week so it was very quiet and relaxing. Our room was nicely appointed with many period pieces. A special place for those who appreciate antiques and turn of the century mansions. Conveniently located near Goodspeed Theater.

Loved the ambience and the friendliness of the owner. We had a wonderful time. Conveniently located near the Gelston House and the Goodspeed Opera House. Tricky to get out of the driveway as well as getting to the car parked in back, for older adults keep that in mind. Otherwise I would absolutely stay again.

We stayed a night at the Boardman House and did not want to leave! We booked the corner room and what a room it was. We had a beautiful private bathroom, a sitting area, a dreamy soft mattress, a porch to view the stars and a gorgeous chandelier from the high ceilings. We were siting in the parlor and Phyllis, the owner of the house came to say hello. She was so welcoming, kind and, friendly, and we felt like old friends. As a bonus, we even got to meet some of her wonderful family who was visiting her. We were attending a show at the Godspeed Opera House and the walk was 3 minutes. It was wonderful to go from the theatre and be in a comfy warm bed in 5 minutes. The parlor was well stocked with coffee and light snacks and beautifully decorated with an amazing gorgeous Christmas tree. The Boardman House has stunning old world charm with modern amenities. There is a private driveway to keep your car safe too. We highly recommend the house to anyone coming to East Haddam. Great for any occasion and it definitely makes your visit to Connecticut even more special. We can’t wait to visit again and see Phyllis.

The private back yard was in full bloom, very tranquil and beautiful. The Garden Room is a great choice featuring a huge porch with comfy patio chairs. Took in a show at The Goodspeed, seafood dinner at the Gelston, and made several trips to the Swingbridge wine shop across the street, all within a short walking distance. New owner is very attentive and caring. Stayed 4 nights.

The inn is gorgeous. The beds are as comfy as clouds and the host is a model of graciousness. Would definitely recommend.

Just left. Had a wonderful time. New proprietor Phyllis was most welcoming and helpful. The room was beautiful. I will def return for another visit.

We found the Boardman House to be as lovely as described! It's also very clean, comfortable, and in a great location. The rooms each had their own quaint style and there are two sitting rooms available, plus outdoor porches. Mia, the owner, was kind and pleasant, and made a point to welcome us. We will come again when we're back in town. Thank you, Mia!

If you are expecting a B and B experience you better skip this place. It's more like a VRBO. Nobody around and no personal touches. Our room never had housekeeping even though we stayed four nights. Our trash was full. There was a coffee maker in the parlor. My husband ran into owner when walking through the garden to the parking lot. That's the extent of our contact.

The Garden Suite is lovely. We enjoyed our stay. Be aware if you arrive at night, its challenging to find the B & B. We look forward to a future visit.

Very cute place. Look forward to visiting when the weather is nicer. The bathroom floors felt heated which was such a nice surprise on the freezing cold evening last night. Love the decor and grounds of the B&B.

We were here last night and very happy with this Inn. The room was very clean, tastefully decorated and made us feel at home. We stayed in the Boardman Room. This is in walking distance to Gelston Hotel/Restaurant which was very very good for dinner and competitively priced. Breakfast was at Higher Grounds Coffee shop and also in walking distance. We highly recommend this business. Just a tip regarding the parking lot - it is on the side street (Creamary Rd) and the second driveway. The only thing that could improve the customer experience would be to have the parking instructions on the email confirmation. We drive a huge 2023 Titan and the driveway in of the front of the building would not accommodate a sharp turn in to unload the luggage. We had to drive past and turn around then turn down the side street and parked in the lot in the 1st driveway behind the Inn. It wasn't until we received the check in instructions at the front door that we read where to park so we had to move the truck to the second drive way parking lot behind the building, but not a deal breaker. This is still a great place and now we know for next time. Highly recommend!

This is an elegant, historic home that used to be a Bed and Breakfast, but breakfast is no longer served. There is a small breakfast place called Higher Grounds that is about a 10-minute walk but we cannot recommend it. Two Wrasslin' Cats is a short drive and is much better for breakfast/lunch; it is not walkable. We stayed in the Boardman Room which is in the front of the house, thus subject to considerable traffic noise, especially during morning "rush hours." The room is clean, large, and well-appointed and has 3 chairs, a desk, and a king bed. The mattress was too soft/lumpy for us. The closet has those much-despised hotel-style, anti-theft hangers. Do East Haddam visitors steal that many wooden clothes hangers? The modern bathroom with shower is spacious and perfect. The parlor off the main entrance to the House has a small refrigerator for guest use, but is devoid of snacks/water/juice. A pitcher of room-temperature water sits on a nearby table. Only one bottle of water is provided in the guest room. Free parking is down a steep hill adjacent to the House. It is very difficult to safely exit both the side street from the parking lot and the carriage driveway in front of the house, as hedges block views of oncoming traffic. Strongly recommend that the owner install driveway mirrors in both places. She lives on the top floor of the House. Goodspeed Opera House is a short walk, as is a good ice cream shop. Nearby Gelston House for dinner was a big disappointment, so get in the car and head to Chester, CT for an excellent meal at River Tavern. Definitely worth the 15-minute drive.

Beautiful historic home, well maintained. Room was very clean and nicely furnished. Bed super comfortable, lovely sheets. Very very quiet. Unlike others I appreciated the touchless check-in. (I usually avoid B&B's because I don't want the pressure to be sociable). Great dining options close by. Liquor store across the street. Cell service is spotty but they provide good wifi.

The Boardman House is architecturally stunning and beautifully appointed (and very clean!!!) I travel frequently for work and always prefer boutique places over chain hotel (much more homey). I was so pleased the inn matched its photos and positive reviews. The heated floors and towel warmer in the bathroom were an unexpected treat! I have read the reviews about the proprietor not being available or responsive...I texted Mia and within minutes she was downstairs to meet me. She is an absolutely lovely woman and we had a wonderful conversation; we hugged when I left. I have stayed at many B&Bs throughout New England and I would rate this as my favorite. As far as no longer serving breakfast, it is stated on the website, and for me a non issue. This is a family run business (for over 20 years) and Mia and her husband do most of work, which I imagine is far from easy. I plan to return when in the area for work and plan to come for fun too. Highly recommend. I stayed in the Corner Room (as on a corporate budget), which was quiet and private.

This beautiful home is a delightful place to stay. Rooms are gorgeous, hospitality exquisite. Homemade breakfast is delicious. Short walk to Goodspeed. Delightful place to stay. Bonnie Definitely 5 stars

Beautiful, quaint little inn. Our room was well appointed, the French Room. Very comfortable bed with luxury bedding, lounging chairs, Keurig, beautiful electric fireplace, radiator space heater, floor to ceiling drapes, granite countertops, beautiful bathroom tile and glistening hardwoods - some original to the era of the home - really add a level of elegance. The surrounding towns are cute. We got lucky and stumbled into downtown Chester. Restaurants, bars, eclectic shops and breweries. A definite for some nightlife. We had dinner at Rustica and the food was amazing. A few downfalls - the inn is unattended. No innkeeper onsite to greet you with a glass of wine, cookies, no breakfast, or local recommendations of things to do. Self check in only. No roaring fire in the common living room because there is no one to tend it. Nowhere to sit and eat the food you bring in (that we could find). Our room was more motel style (no interior entrance) so getting to common living area was inconvenient. We had some critters keeping us up at night - we suspect squirrels or chipmunks running through the gutters - but that's to be expected at a country inn. Also, the crowing rooster from 3:45-5:00am added a bit of country flare. All in all, the Boardman is definitely worth the stay if you are looking for a little country getaway near some cute towns and state parks. Definitely worth a trip to Gillette Castle and Harkness Memorial Park while out this way!

Do not tell anyone about this place because I always want to be able to stay here. I think one of the most beautiful Bed and Breakfast I have ever had the pleasure of staying in. Mia and Andre have thought of every detail. Comfortable beds, gorgeous decor, radiant floor heat in the bath, warm towels..just lovely. Thank you for creating such a wonderful place. Oh, and walk to the Goodspeed and see a great musical. Tapper

What great B&B self check in, so arrive at your leisure. Very small town with great restaurants and the Goodspeed Theatre put on excellent shows.

My sister and I stayed here recently and absolutely loved the Boardman House. Mia was a gracious and friendly host - her Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, and selection of Keurig coffee and tea was just perfect. The home was a lovely mix of both old and new, and our Corner Room was so comfortable that we really felt at home. Mia keeps the place spotless, both inside and out, and the pretty seating areas outside are simply welcoming. We are already taking about our next trip since we'd like to stay in the Boardman Room next time, also perhaps taking in a show at the Goodspeed theater that's a short walk down the road. Thank you, Mia - we'll see you again soon!

We stayed only 1 night, but I wish we had stayed longer! Our room was fab, the garden bedroom was completely self contained and beautiful. Hopefully we will return for longer.

We had a great one night stay at Boardman House Inn! We were in the Corner Room and it was very cozy. The bathroom is modern and features a heated floor which was a nice touch. Mia, the innkeeper, was welcoming and quite friendly. She cooked us tasty French toast for breakfast and was attentive to our needs. The decor of the house was tasteful with seasonal touches. This B&B is highly recommended for a relaxing getaway!

My boyfriend and I had the best time at the Boardman House Inn last weekend! We stayed in the "French Room" which included a lovely private entrance and the coziest interior. We were pleasantly surprised by the fireplace (electric but still amazing!) and the beautiful garden outside our room. It felt like a fairytale!! Conveniently across the street is a super friendly wine store where we were given great advice about wine and the restaurants in the area. The town is also super cute and perfect for a calm getaway. Our breakfast the next morning was super delicious and exactly what we were hoping for! Mia, the inn keeper, is super friendly and I hope to see her there the next time we make it up to Connecticut. Highly recommend!

Really disappointing experience with this hotel and "host" Mia. From the poor communication to the bugs in the room I would not recommend this hotel to anyone, especially someone looking for a "luxurious" experience as advertised on their website. I booked the "Garden Room" for a last minute work trip and tried several times prior to arrival to contact the inn to learn more about their arrival procedures - no one ever answered the phone and the mailbox was full so you could not leave a message. When we arrived there was an envelope taped to the front door with directions to the room. We followed the directions and arrived to find the front door of the room covered in hundreds of small bugs...we did our best to sneak in to avoid any bugs entering with us, however, when we entered the room was already populated with many small bugs around all the lights. We tried shutting lights off but after spending about 20 minutes in the room, decided we could not stay in a bug-filled room for the night. The arrival note indicated to please email any concerns after business hours -- and since it was almost 10pm, that is what I did. I let Mia know we were not comfortable sleeping with bugs and would not be staying the night. I called and texted several times the next morning and only at 11am did Mia return my email and basically blame us for not following the right procedure -- saying I should have texted her and that all she found were "a few dead flies in the windowsills". When spending over $300 on a 4 star hotel I would expect to find any bugs anywhere (personally). I then called (again) and emailed Mia asking if she could please call me so we could talk about the issue - my husband also tried to reach her several times. She finally TEXTED back mid-day and offered for us to come back if we left the lights off and she vacuumed the flies out of the windowsill. Again, I asked if we could speak over the phone and she simply never replied. We have since made several attempts to talk to Mia over the phone but she has not responded to us. I know that running a B&B is not easy and often things are not 100% in place, however, having worked for several years at a bed and breakfast I know that the basic rules of hospitality and customer service still apply. I wish Mia had been willing to talk with us over the phone to work something out. I would save yourself the disappointment of staying in a musty, buggy, overpriced room.

Beautiful, elegant, clean, and gracious host. Arrived Saturday late morning to the area and checked out Gillette Castle State Park. Had a leisurely lunch at the Gelston restaurant then caught the 3pm matinee at the Goodspeed. The check in wasn't until after 3pm so we did that after the show ended. The inn is within walking distance of the Goodspeed. The decor is beautiful and the Boardman bedroom was amazing. We met the innkeeper at breakfast. We filled out a menu slip the night before and were served the best French toast ever. After dinner at the Brushmill restaurant about 10 minuets away we sat on the inns porch and had an after dinner drink that we brought with us. Cannot find one negative thing to say or that I would change. The quality of the bed and linens provided for a restful sleep. Even though the inn is on a busy street we never heard any noise from traffic or neighbors.

What a beautiful place! Mia is charming, and it is evident that the place is a labor of deep, and ongoing love. The heated bathroom floors took the cake for us! The surrounding area of East Haddam, Chester, Essex. and Old Lyme were fascinating, and Mia had many wonderful recommendations. Just to add to the previous review, the complimentary Belgian chocolates and the museum passes were a very nice touch. My husband enjoyed the breakfasts (being a vegan, I didn't eat the eggs and meats). I look forward to returning in the spring, hopefully.

Elegant, warm and inviting! Boardman House is Beautiful both inside and out. Inside furnishings and outside gardens were fabulous! Mia was a gracious host. Her breakfast was delicious. Fabulous location! Down the road from the Godspeed Opera House. Can't wait to return!

My sister and I had a most enjoyable stay in the Corner Room - complete with heated tile floors in the bathroom. Mia was always so friendly and shared suggestions on restaurants in the area as well as how to spend our free time. Her breakfasts seemed simple but just perfect! Yummy waffles and french toast were served hot, crispy on the outside but moist and tender on the inside...and the presentation was beautiful as well. I am certainly glad we chose to stay at the Boardman House Inn during our visit to the Goodspeed.

This is truly an elegant, pristine old mansion. The rooms are charming and very comfortable. This was my third stay there. They owners are very warm and welcoming......and the breakfasts are divine!

The room was beautiful. Unfortunately the innkeeper was extremely rude and obnoxious to myself and daughter who stayed there the eve of her wedding. Mia the innkeeper added undo stress to us on her wedding day. I would never recommend the Boardman House Inn to anyone.

This place is amazing! I wanted to surprise my boyfriend with a nice birthday get-away. It took me over a month to find a place that I knew he would love. When I found the Boardman House Inn, I knew IMMEDIATELY that he would love it. I'm so glad that I listened to my gut. This place was beautiful!!! The inn keepers were beyond friendly. We arrived a little after 5:30. As soon as we were shown to our room Mia informed us of local restaurants to eat at after we had mentioned we were going to go out for dinner. We stayed in the French Room! It was so cozy and inviting. I should also add that the breakfast was delicious! One morning we had french toast with fresh fruit. The next morning we had scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, toast, and my boyfriend had sweet bacon which he said was some of the best bacon he's ever had! I should also add that the location of this Inn is just perfect! I didn't have any set plans for the weekend, but after only a few minutes of research we had our whole day planned! We went to gilette castle, then we took a train ride. Plus the little town that the Boardman House Inn is in is just so adorable. On our last night we decided to walk around the town and get some ice cream. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend staying here!!

There is no reason NOT to stay here! Innkeepers are outstanding, accommodating and very friendly. Rooms impeccable and comfortable (we had four rooms). Very good restaurants within 15 minutes. Very highly recommended.

A bit of Old Sweden in Old Connecticut. Immaculate, quiet and cozy. furnished with beautiful Swedish antiques. Mia welcomes you like a long-lost Swedish cousin. A delightful place to stay.