The Tides Inn

We hosted our wedding weekend at The Tides Inn in Irvington, VA, and it was truly the most incredible experience from start to finish. Every single member of the staff—from the bellmen to the event coordinators, spa therapists, servers, front desk team, and the babysitters made us feel so genuinely cared for. The warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail were beyond anything I’ve experienced at any other resort.||||The food was absolutely delicious (our guests are still talking about it), and the oyster shucking experience was such a fun and memorable touch. The spa deserves its own standing ovation—peaceful, luxurious, and exactly what we needed to unwind before the big day. We also rented a boat, which was a gorgeous and fun way to soak in the beauty of the bay with our family and friends.||||Every corner of The Tides Inn radiates charm, calm, and elegance. It was the perfect backdrop for our wedding and the memories we made will last a lifetime. If you’re considering hosting a special event or just need a serene escape, look no further.||||We are forever grateful to the entire Tides Inn team for giving us the wedding of our dreams and cannot wait to come back.

TLDR: We had a heavenly stay at the Tides Inn! Everything was lovely and we can't wait to come back!||We chose the Tides Inn for our babymoon getaway and had such a wonderful time. The whole resort feels luxurious and beautiful, from the immaculate landscaping to the beautifully maintained trails and boardwalk. Our room was spacious and comfortable, and we loved all the thoughtful little touches that made this resort stand out - like the little snacks in the room and the wonderful treatment our dog got with her own bed, bowls, toys, etc!||The customer service was outstanding and we were greeted with friendly smiles everywhere we went. I definitely recommend grabbing a seat at the bar where the expert bartenders whipped up delicious cocktails and mocktails. At the pool, the staff was so courteous and helpful, making sure we had everything we needed! And overall we just felt really welcome everywhere and had great conversations with folks all around the property - you can really see how hard people work to make sure you have a great time.||The facilities were in excellent condition; we could always find a nice spot by the pool or a quiet pair of Adirondack chairs to take in the sunset. We loved all of the included activities, and while we didn't get to partake in any of the add-in excursions, we were really impressed with the offering they had - art classes, boat trips, paddleboard yoga, etc. I don't think it's possible to be bored here!||And the food was excellent too - both at the casual Fish Hawk restaurant by the pool (maybe the best fish & chips of my life!) and the higher end Salt & Meadow, where we were blown away by the crab cakes and lobster.||The whole resort is so tranquil and quiet, and we felt so relaxed and happy here. Such a memorable experience, we can't wait to come back as a family of three someday!

There’s no denying the Tides Inn is a beautiful place. The property itself is postcard-perfect, with sweeping waterfront views and impeccably creative landscaping that turns every corner into something worth pausing for. The grounds are a masterclass in design—lush, inviting, and full of thoughtful details that make wandering a pleasure in itself.||The staff deserves real credit too. From the front desk to the marina, everyone we encountered was friendly, responsive, and genuinely eager to help. There’s a warmth and attentiveness here that gives the place a heart beyond its physical beauty.||The restaurant? A standout. Every meal was beautifully prepared and delivered with care. It wasn’t just good—it was memorable. The kind of dining that makes you linger longer than you planned, and still think about it days later.||But—and it’s a big but—the rooms don’t hold up. We received a free upgrade, which we appreciated, but for a property charging what amounts to half of a month’s rent per night, our accommodations felt tired. Cracked tiles, leaky shower, mildewed carpet and bathroom, doors that won’t close, and housekeeping that skipped us entirely—no bed made, no refresh—a letdown that undercut the luxury experience they’re aiming for.||We really did enjoy our time here. The setting is stunning, the people are lovely, and the amenities are top-notch. But when it comes down to value, the numbers don’t add up. It’s hard to justify the price when the basics—like room upkeep—aren’t up to standard. As much as we wanted to love it unreservedly, we probably won’t be back.

Have stayed twice now, first trip was part of a girls "moms weekend away" trip, and second was with my husband and 3 kids (all under 3), both were equally fantastic. Such a special and lovely place, very Americana in the best way. Food is delicious, service is great, and atmosphere is high end. I'm not sure there would be enough to do with kids over 5, but it is perfect for little kids. We left and immediately booked our return trip for next year.

We have been to The Tides Inn many times, but this time was by far the best! There were 8 of us traveling together on 3 different boats, so we had use of the marina as well as the resort amenities. My husband and I actually booked a guestroom for 2 nights, but the others stayed on their boats. |From the welcome we received when docking, to the excellent food and service at Salt and Meadow, every single thing exceeded expectations!|Thomas, the dining room manager, was amazing, and made our whole experience more fun! Sam, our server, who reported being fairly new, was wonderful as well. |Joey, out by the pool could not have been more attentive! Constantly bringing fresh ice for our drinks, etc, without being asked. Pete was amazing behind the bar at Fish Hawk, too.|And, we had told the concierge, (Nancy, I believe) had called us ahead of our stay to see if there was anything she could help with. When we told her that we thought it would be fun on our second night to order in Chinese Food and enjoy it in the Tide's Inn Library, she said she would make note of it, and had dishes, silverware and serving pieces all set up for us! |All in all....couldn't have been better!

The service was fabulous. I didn’t stay over at the resort, was only there for dinner, but my family did stay and are regulars. This was my first visit. Everyone and every detail, I felt like royalty. This is a classic resort with all the feels of a turn of the century, shore town resort. I can’t wait for the opportunity to actually stay. The only critique would be the need for landscaping care. So much care to every detail except the landscape and lawn. But that’s it. Highly recommend!

Our experience at the Tides Inn was truly unmatched. From the moment we arrived, every interaction with the staff felt personal, kind, and professional. Compared to other luxury properties we have stayed at, the Tides Inn offered a unique blend of relaxed elegance, genuine hospitality, and thoughtful service. Hosting our wedding here was one of the best decisions we have ever made. It exceeded every expectation.

The Tides Inn wants to be a luxury hotel and charges luxury prices, but without much to back it up. Our room stunk of mildew and was not clean (built up dust on ceiling fan, buggy patio, unusable configuration of furniture). The pool was filthy and the deck needed a thorough cleaning. The grounds need attention and the building looks worn (dirty awnings, overgrown landscaping, discolored siding, etc.)||||Additionally, room service arrived in cardboard containers in a paper bag without table, plates, napkins, silverware, etc. Our order was late the first morning and incorrect the second morning. ||||The views from the property are breath-taking and I wanted so badly to love this hotel but it just falls very short of what it claims to be. Save your money and go somewhere else.

A Gorgeous Escape That Doesn't Quite Earn Its Price Tag There's no denying the Tides Inn is a beautiful place. The property itself is postcard-perfect, with sweeping waterfront views and impeccably creative landscaping that turns every corner into something worth pausing for. The grounds are a masterclass in design--lush, inviting, and full of thoughtful details that make wandering a pleasure in itself. The staff deserves real credit too. From the front desk to the marina, everyone we encountered was friendly, responsive, and genuinely eager to help. There's a warmth and attentiveness here that gives the place a heart beyond its physical beauty. The restaurant? A standout. Every meal was beautifully prepared and delivered with care. It wasn't just good--it was memorable. The kind of dining that makes you linger longer than you planned, and still think about it days later. But--and it's a big but--the rooms don't hold up. For a property charging what amounts to half of a month's rent per night, our accommodations felt tired. Cracked tiles, leaky shower, doors that don't close, mildew in the bathroom and carpet, and housekeeping that skipped us entirely--no bed made, no refresh--was a letdown that undercut the luxury experience they're aiming for. We really did enjoy our time here. The setting is stunning, the people are lovely, and the amenities are top-notch. But when it comes down to value, the numbers don't add up. It's hard to justify the price when the basics aren't up to standard. As much as we wanted to love it unreservedly, we probably won't be back.

We recently stayed at the Inn for my birthday this past holiday season. This was our second time and with our new baby! Things we enjoyed: -breakfast oats! -champagne tasting -staff -property -massage- the therapist was amazing! Things that need improvement: -menu prices- these are astronomical, especially for the area -food selection at restaurants- the menu is very limited. Please add a chicken dish! -make the property more stroller friendly-you can't even get to the reception without going around the side of the property -more kid friendly activities, especially in the off season -give slippers to accompany the robes in the room -serve breakfast for in room dining at 6 AM, not 7 AM -offer more services at the spa like nails Overall the people are very friendly and the view is gorgeous. Go to office bistro for lunch if you're looking for more options.

This review is for the restaurant. While the view and ambience were really nice, I expected more from a resort experience with these prices. The service was painstakingly slow and uninspired. Maybe the staff needs more training on delivering a delightful customer experience.

I'm leaving The Tides Inn the most relaxed that I've felt in years. Life moves a little slower at The Tides Inn, which is just what you need for a little R&R. All the staff were incredibly sweet and gracious. Our rooms were cozy, and comfortable. They kept our rooms in a neat and orderly fashion, refreshing our water, towels, and snacks throughout the day. The food at both restaurants was great. Despite all of the people at the resort, it never felt crowded, which was really nice. We participated in Clay and Chardonnay with Theresa. She was wonderful and so patient with us. She allowed us to continue working on our projects long after the class time was over. My husband and I underestimated how much we would enjoy that class. It was our favorite part of the entire stay. We also road on the Coffee Cruise boat and participated in the morning stretch. Both were excellent ways to start the day. Very relaxing. Great hosts. Good for the soul. Billy drove us to get dinner and ice cream off of the property. He was a top notch gentlemen! We stayed for two nights, but we were unable to complete all of the activities we wanted to in that time period. My recommendation would be to stay for three nights instead. I'm at a loss as to why some of the prior reviews are negative. Don't let them dissuade you, as this place is truly wonderful.

I love the Tides Inn. It is relaxing, gracious, elegant and like walking back into history a little bit. Think "Dirty Dancing" where everyone is pleasant and polite and they drink a little too much and have fun. Nothing serious happens and the afternoon nap is a given. Nobody judges you. Everyone is there to exhale and relax! The view from our room was heavenly. The serene waterfront views were gorgeous! The service was fantastic. We enjoyed a getaway that strengthens the heart and rejuvenates the soul. No pressure to do anything or wear your finest clothes. Just breath and relax! This was our 3rd time to the Tides Inn and our 1st since the big renovation. They did take some of the unique old world character out and replaced it with neutrals that are more modern. But, the essence of this place is a slow, quiet place to enjoy life and the people you love who are with you. We had a massage - both of us had Beth. She was outstanding! Maybe the most professional and successful masseuse I have ever had. The spa itself could use a little refresh; it looks a little tired. The men's dressing room in particular needs to be updated. But that does not change my opinion of the Tides Inn. This place is necessary to unwind sometime. We even met another couple - some people we did not know before - and had a lovely evening, talking and enjoying the cool early summer weather. I highly recommend the Tides Inn for a good R&R weekend!

Just over a 2.5-hour drive south of Washington, D.C. is a peaceful inn along a private Chesapeake Bay peninsula. Pet friendly, my wife, five-year-old daughter, and 8-montn yorkie poo stayed at Tides Inn over Thanksgiving weekend in 2022. Here's our experience. 1) Accommodations: We stayed in the Lancaster suite on the bottom floor of the house. It's a short walk down a small hill from the lobby with two bedrooms- a bedroom and a sitting area with a couch that turns into a bed. Each room came with their own bathroom. For being a little outdated, the inn does a good job with decor. As we walked in, we noticed they set out a pillow, dog trays, poop bags, and a toy for our dog. On the counter were three bags of snacks- goldfish crackers, pretzel balls, and gummy bears. The private outdoor terrace overlooking the water was a big plus! 2) Amenities: The inn itself has a full gym, a heated outdoor pool, a little beach, a marina, an oyster bar, a restaurant, a game room, a gift shop, and an artist room that offers classes. We took the holiday ornament class for two hours and it was surprisingly fun and worthwhile. 3) Location: It's a short walk from Irvington where you can find a restaurant, winery, and coffee shop or two. 4) Service: It was top notch. Everyone we met was very helpful and kind.

I have been stopping here for years bringing many vessels to the Tides Inn. The marina and Hotel staff were great!

We stayed there for 4 days in July 2024. As part of our visit, my wife participated in the pottery class . The pottery she created was to have been sent to her but never was. 5 months later and 6 un-answered calls to resolve this, we have not heard from management at Tides Inn. This is unacceptable for a resort like this.

Took in a weekend at the Tides Inn. Rooms were recently updated, very clean and amazing views of the river! Resort on the smaller scale but incredibly friendly and service oriented (many activities are included with your stay eg tennis, pickle ball, kayaking/ paddle boarding etc) and fresh complimentary coffee available every morning. If you're a foodie, then this is your place. On site dining is incredible went to main dining room for dinner and pool side restaurant for lunch and both rivaled the best meals/ restaurants I've had in big cities. There are also several offsite options that were also delightful. Pool scene is adequate and probably needs a refresh at some point and not sure I'd swim in the River water (lots of jellyfish). But overall, the perfect spot for a getaway!

Tides Inn is lovely and in a tranquil setting. But The property, building and rooms are not Senior Friendly. Too many steep stairs to the pool, boardwalk and river. Sign for handicapped access only lead back to the parking lot. Elevator access was only through a construction zone marked Do NOt Enter. But we had to use the evelvator. The tub/shower tile surround in the room was 24" high and 18" deep. Too much for my husband to enter safely. We were regular, younger visitors in the past but could not enjoy all the features today. Very disappointing.

Disappointing experience. Made a new reservation and at noon there were no guests and no staff to be found in their dining room. We seated ourselves and waited. Waitress arrived and poured room temperature water in the small glasses set on each table. We ordered the crab dip and crackers which we found over seasoned with pepper Our meal; crabcakes with lots of filler, my poor boy shrimp sandwich, which was supposed to have Roma laid sauce, but evidently they forgot it and was very dry. Coffee for after the meal was not brewed and we were served lukewarm instant coffee. The table had no condiments on it no salt, no pepper and no sugar or sugar substitute. All in all we will never go back.

Was in Irvington 2 nights staying with family. We ate here twice for lunch. I've been to the Tides Inn a bunch over the years. The food is solid and the service is always good. We ate at the Inn the first day and down by the beach the second. Food was pretty good at both locations. It's pricey which you would expect from a resort. The Tuna bowl I had the second day could have been better. It was over seasoned but not horribly. The service down at the beach was bad but it was the kids second day so we felt bad complaining.

Tides is nice in the off season when the crowds have gone. View and rooms are wonderful, service is excellent. Only issue is the options in the restaurant were limited for dinner and the drinks were $26 each! That may work in the summer time with Northern VA crowd but too much for a shot of bourbon in Nov. Also no need for Wagu beef at $75, a good VA Ribeye at a decent price would be great. With Fishhawk closed so it's the only option.

My son and daughter-in-law took me here for a special lunch on June 2, 2024. I always wanted to see this resort and plan a stay there. I no longer wish this. We ate lunch on the patio which was beautiful overlooking the river and the boats. But the lunch experience was terrible. We ordered 2 starters, thinking we could share them. Then ordered our lunch. The menu was more limited than I would have expected. Our lunch items came out - the soft shell crab sandwich looked good but the plating was stark. My cioppino was much smaller than I expected for 28.00. There were only 3 pieces of fish among the mussels and clams, and maybe 4 small potato cubes. We kept expecting the starters to arrive, but hey never did. The waitress brought us the dessert menu and I asked what happened to the starters. She said she would bring them out - so we had them as enders! There was no way to share the fish taco one - it was too small to do so. Overall it was a very disappointing experience for a large price! Oh - and the gift shop is a total rip-off! Local BBQ sauce was 24.00 - we went down the road to Miss Mary's Seafood and it was 9.99 there. Quite a mark-up!

We have thoroughly enjoyed our two night stay at The Tides for an anniversary celebration. This is a lovely traditional resort, on an exceptional parcel of waterfront property, with many amenities. Guests range from older couples to young families with children. We enjoyed swimming at the pool best early in the day, and then stayed there once Fish Hawk restaurant opened to serve drinks poolside. The Tides has nearly finished an ambitious shoreline restoration project. They have all kinds of water sports, from kayaks, to sailing, SUPs, and cruises. It was too warm today for us to use the bicycles. There is a spa and a fitness center, which we did not use. There are so many lovely places to sit, inside and out, to take in the views, with a drink or a cup of coffee. We ordered in room dining, and ate at the Chesapeake Restaurant (see separate review). But the main thing I appreciated is the exceptional level of service. Every single staff member, from the front desk to pool staff to housekeeping goes out of his or her way to smile and greet guests. We used to go annually to a favorite resort in Bermuda, and this place is the only resort in DelMarVa I have found that provides that same cheerful, high level of service. It is a trip of a couple of hours from the city, but it feels like a world away.

We used to LOVE the restaurant at the Tides Inn - great atmosphere, menu & food. Our family went yesterday (6 adults) and were quite disappointed. The menu no longer had the brunch items (which we were looking forward to), the redesign is light and bright but felt diner like (long row of table set too low to see out to the boats) instead of like a fine dining venue and the food was mostly disappointing. The worst item was the crab Mac and cheese. The crab was fine but the dish arrived barely warm, the pasta was undercooked, and the sauce was gloopy and under seasoned. For $28, we expected at least warm food that was cooked and seasoned properly. The brisket quesadillas arrived limp/floppy and kinda greasy with no presentation at all. The fried chicken was okay but nothing special and the soft shell crab sandwiches were the best item. The water was served at room temperature. It was a very disappointing, expensive lunch.

My wife and I visited The Tides Inn this weekend. This lovely property has been operated in Irvington VA for almost 75 years! It is about 3 hours from DC; an easy and bucolic roll down 301 or a faster frenetic buzz down 95 (not recc'd ). The towns of Kilmarnock, Tappahannock, and Irvington are delightful. But, the Tides Inn is an even nicer oasis in this water wonderland! The Rapannock and Potomac rivers converge near here and flow into the Chesapeake Bay. At the Tides Inn you can take lovely guided pontoon boat rides (thank you Captain Bill for the inside history from a waterman's eyes) through Carter's Creek and briefly along the Rapahannock and view scores, lots! of beautiful and surprisingly affordable deep water access (big deep keel sailboats - Ches. Bay worthy) homes. The Inn is spotless. Hardwood floors, beautiful blue & white decor, comfortable furniture, art everywhere, really a first class resort. There are several restaurant options on property ranging from open collar blazer to bathing trunks. Food is terrific - way better than you usually attribute to resort hotel chow. For example, my wife and I began Happy Hour with hand-crafted G&Ts and broiled Thai-infused oysters, enjoyed while overlooking the sun-dappled Carter Creek (really an estuary) that feeds into the Rappahannock. Exquisite! The meals that came after were all equally tasty! I've mentioned that the Inn is nice. Very nice. Wedding nice.... But paint, wallpaper, flowers, and art are only skin deep. This place is a secret garden 75 years old! The special sauce is the staff for sure. Happy to be there, professional hoteliers, with a commitment to professional excellence that comes from both the heart and the head. Recent big ($M) investments have made this a world class property. The staff, starting from a warm and sincere hello from Ms. Washington at check in, and continuing throughout the stay was consistent, warm, and genuine. Thank you. I didn't know you and you didn't know me but we connected! I am rattling on so I'll stop here. Try the the Tide's Inn. But don't ask for room 117. That is mine! Thanks for a lovely birthday visit, Tides, we'll be back! Mike & Kristi

Trying hard to offer a higher end resort feel for the area, but has the worst customer service you'll ever encounter. This establishment leaves much to be desired across its offerings. The only upside is it's location and view. Do yourself a favor and avoid it if at all possible. If you don't, you'll sorely disappointed.

This is an incredible property! The views, the setting, almost heavenly and that is why I gave them 3 stars. Also the customer service was generally good except Travis in their restaurant. This property needs a lot of love to reach its full potential. Necessary updates are required for all outlets so they work, bathrooms, general appearance of room and up keep including the quality of towels and just housekeeping in general -frankly very disappointing. Given the price charged, close to $300 a night I expect a lot more. Then there was the restaurant---horrified at the dead flies everywhere. My friends were like we have to say something. How can you leave dead flies all over the blinds and window sills in an eating establishment? My friend asked for the manager who came over and unapologetically declared that their cleaning g company doesn't do a good job???? Seriously? My friend told him a place like this shouldn't look like this and clean it up. So our Waitress got the job...very strange situation. Can you imagine what their kitchen looks like? Anyway, I love the views, BUT.... Finally, the Spa. Went to get a pedicure- $65.00. Keisha was great, she did a wonderful job, but her chair was broken. I almost fell out of it twice!!! The side arm kept collapsing. The massage doesn't work...seriously? I would love to go back one day when the property get the right care and maintenance.

This was the best place to celebrate our 25th anniversary during the quarantine. Everything was excellent. The best feature wasreturn the Tesla charger. The room was very comfortable and a lot bigger than we expected. The gym is huge a well equipped. The property is pretty big that sits on a beautiful place by the river. We walked around. played bocce ball, and had our meals onsite. Finally, the staff was very friendly and attentive. Can't wait to return.

Good food, meh service, crazy prices.if we are paying this much for food, the staff should be more accommodating. There are so many delicious options in the NNK, we really don't feel the need to pay the exorbitant prices and deal with the snooty service. Will we go back? Sure, but if you are looking for that "special" meal, there are other options in the area that offer the full package.

Beautiful and quiet inn on the water. We went for thanksgiving holiday and loved it. The staff was so kind and friendly. The town and local area is cute/peaceful. Food was awesome.

Tides Inn was a great weekend getaway from DC for my birthday weekend! I was excited for all the onsite offerings, unfortunately, it was a little too chilly to do some of the water activities. The room we were given was such a fantastic location looking out over the Marina and it was a great place to watch the sunset sitting on the patio furniture. It was a great time to visit because the resort didn't seem to be too full and I felt safe considering COVID restrictions. Claudia the concierge was SO helpful with making dinner reservations and suggestions of places in town to visit. Irvington is a small sleepy town, but the resort provided free bicycles to ride around and made it really easy to explore without feeling like we needed to drive everywhere. This was really helpful when riding back from the winery instead of worrying about drinking and driving! The room service food and dining room food was excellent. My one complaint about the room service is that it got a little backed up, so there was almost an hour long wait on a Saturday morning for breakfast. If you're getting room service on the weekend, make sure you time it well so you're not waiting too long for your food. The resort also had an onsite spa that was spectacular! I got a massage on my last day and it was such a relaxing experience. I would definitely visit Tides Inn again during the warmer summer months when we can do more outside activities and hopefully the town will come alive a little more!

Loved the food and of course the view. Hot day but has a nice gentle breeze to keep cool while we sat on the deck under an umbrella. All perfect. Hugs, From Bunny Slippers.

Our room was so comfortable and clean. I mean really clean and I am very picky. The bar and bartender were beautiful cocktails and interesting story of the Inn. We had breakfast at the hotel, excellent but went to town for dinner because the prices were very expensive. Such a great stay we are going again next week.

Really loved our stay here. We tried pretty much every activity the resort had to offer (pasta making, pastry, pottery, progging, all the alcohol classes) and had a fantastic time. Theresa, Brittany, Ashley, Brian, and all of the instructors were extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The resort itself is secluded and peaceful, rooms were well appointed with a nespresso machine, and the food was excellent all around. Thank you to the entire staff for making our visit special. Can't wait to come back in the summer!

Beautiful location, friendly staff, with so so rooms and service. We took our dog with us and discovered that it was very difficult to get room service unless we gave 3+ hours notice that we were leaving the room with our dog. Several times we requested fresh towels and coffee mugs and they never arrived. Poolside service was also slow. The room walls are paper thin and noise travels from room to room. The hotel offers a ton of activities which is a plus.

Finally got into my room. Arrived at 1:30 knowing check-in time was 4 pm but most resorts will work to get you in early. Not here. They said they were full last night but would have me in before 4. Checked again at 3:30. No luck. Again at 4:30. No luck and the front desk MANAGER kept saying they didn't know when we'd get a room. I asked if they had other rooms that were clean and said I didn't care about my preassigned room. No. Then I heard him call on the radio to housekeeping (after 4:30) where they said, 'Oh yes, its ready." I asked to see a manager and he said he was the manager. If the first 10 seconds makes all the difference, you can imagine my thoughts. Won't be back here and will tell everyone I know that they take your money and then don't care.

Full disclosure: we never were able to stay here because of the reservations department. I know this review isn't as meaningful as one from someone who actually stayed here, but the Tides Inn made it tough to do so. In the spring of 2019, my husband and i suggested to our 6 friends that we should stay at the Tides Inn in the spring 2020. We all made reservations for a visit in April of 2020. In February, only 2 of the 4 couples received notification from the hotel that they were unable to honor our reservation since they will be still closed in early April due to hotel renovations taking longer than expected. I made several phone calls to reservations but didn't get very far. Finally, I reached out to the Director of Guest Services. I was able to reschedule our trip to early May but did not receive an email confirmation. I had to call again to receive an email confirmation. Obviously, this was all before the pandemic started. By late March, the hotel decided it couldn't open in time for our reservation, which was totally understandable. Several of our friends received calls that the reservations had to be moved again, but I never got that phone call. I was never contacted. When I spoke to the Director of Guest Services, she said that Chase does not give them email addresses for their guests. How ridiculous is that? You can't contact your guests?! If it were my job, I'd call Chase to get the contact information. I went online with Chase/Expedia since I made the original reservation through them, and I cancelled our Tides Inn reservation. The entire group agreed to give up on our trip to Tides Inn for 2020 and the next year. There were too many problems. You'd think that a hotel would work hard to keep guests, particularly in the times of the pandemic with the travel industry being destroyed. The last thing that I heard from one of our friends in May 2020 is that they recently received a rescheduled reservation for January 2021, which they never asked for. The lack of communication with the Tides Inn has become comical. I gave them multiple attempts to salvage the situation but they never did. So this review is completely appropriate.

My partner and I just had the most perfect weekend getaway at The Tides Inn. The weekend was a belated birthday gift from my partner to me. Upon arrival to the resort, the bellhop immediately wished me happy birthday. He knew! It was clear to me that the communication at the resort was top notch. The concierge also wished me happy birthday, too. Their excellent attention to detail was evident. The property is nestled on its own peninsula and has a private beach for those staying at the resort. The natural light that shed onto our room was such a peaceful way to wake up each morning. Every single staff member that greeted us was so friendly and made sure we were taken care of. Our room was beautifully set up when we arrived and included a nice birthday card to me! The turndown service was such a nice perk, too. Our bed was made, our curtains drawn, and our lights down low. We participated in many activities during our stay - tennis lesson, oyster cruise, sunset cruise, crabbing, and massages. I wish we had more time to rent the kayaks and spend time by the pool. Our tennis instructor, Frederic, was so nice and patient with me (I'm not the greatest at tennis). He was encouraging and broke down each movement. At the end of the lesson, I was able to hit the ball with the right form! Capt. Will, who led our oyster and crab cruises, was so smart and fun. As an ecologist, he taught us about all that the Inn was doing on land and in the creek to make the waters a place where oysters can thrive. Both cruises ended with an oyster and crab feast - we even got some crabs to take home! Capt. Bill, who led our sunset cruise, taught us about the history of the Northern Neck, and he timed our cruise perfectly so that we hit the sunset right on our return back to the Inn. The wine and charcuterie board on the sunset cruise was such a nice touch, too. We ate at the Chesapeake Room for dinner one night. The baked oysters were the best I've had - so creamy! I also really enjoyed the crab soup - I just wish there was more lump crab in it. The flavor was there, though. The special of the night was scallops (three large). They were cooked to perfection and so juicy. My only critique there would be that it should have included more scallops, four at the very least. We finished each night with s'mores by the bonfire on the beach. That was also one of our favorite things. You could buy a s'more kit in the restaurant. It included ingredients for two s'mores for around $3 per kit. In conclusion, I don't share the same sentiments as those who left negative reviews in the past. If you're looking for tranquility and exceptional service, give The Tides Inn a try! It is just a three-hour ride from DC through peaceful backroads. We plan to come back in the future, especially once the new spa is built. The Tides Inn is doing a lot of continued development, and we look forward to seeing the finished products!

My wife and I visited the Tides Inn over the Independence Day holiday for a getaway without the kids. Overall, it is a bit of old school fun in a quiet setting. I thought the on-site dining was excellent, but both the dining and accommodations were pretty pricey for what you get. I had three first impressions of the place. First of all, it seemed like we drove a long ways through nowhere to get here. It is a pretty remote place! Second, the resort has an old-school feel to it; it reminded me of the resort in the movie DIRTY DANCING. Third, the photos of the resort I'd seen are a bit misleading in that I expected the resort to be much bigger than it is. We had dinner reservations at THE OVERLOOK, thinking it was far away from the main dining room (the CHESAPEAKE) and other people. In reality, it is right on the center lawn of the resort, 50 feet from the main dining room. The room was OK. Not tremendously luxurious nor particularly big. However, it did have a view of the water (which was tremendous for July 4th fireworks!), a mini bar, TV, etc. The bed was very comfortable. The food was very good for this type of destination resort, featured lots of seafood, but was very pricey. We ate dinner at the OVERLOOK and had lunch and dinner in the CHESAPEAKE. Oysters were right out of the river and very good, the shrimp and grits were good, desserts were good, etc. No complaints! They had a nice wine list, good cocktails, and a few beers on draft. You pay $30/day for activities and extra for premium activities. We used the par-3 golf course (we are non-golfers), played tennis (never done that either), rode bikes around, and also paid for a jet ski excursion (first time for me). All were fun. The activities center was well staffed. The staff was hit and miss. The housekeeping staff was friendly and very prompt (if you wanted your room made up, they would do it immediately). The wait staff varied. Service at the OVERLOOK was great, but lousy at the pool-side restaurant and in the CHESAPEAKE room (slow, inattentive, unengaged). The couple of bartenders who helped me were good. Ambience is a bit of a mixed bag. The music played outside on the CHESAPEAKE patio which was audible on the lawn and at the OVERLOOK was TERRIBLE. Imagine the worst early 80s soft rock you can. Now imagine it never stopping. We made some comments about how bad it was and each time the reaction of the staff was something like "Yeah, we get a lot of complaints about that. Ha, ha, what are you going to do?" as if the music was some kind of unavoidable force of nature. There are parts of the place that seem in disrepair. The tennis courts need to be redone. Overall, we had a really nice time. But, the place could do certain things better. In all though, I'd be happy to return if I was ever again nearby.

Spent a Saturday night here. We had a good time, but everything at the hotel is way overpriced. This place needs a major renovation to recapture what it once was. We had a good time because we spent most time on the water in a canoe fishing. The good: nice location on the water. Good canoes and kayaks and they were available when ever we wanted them. Other guests were pleasant. Staff was pleasant. VERY comfortable bed. Big bathroom. The not so good. - please hire some gardeners. Beautiful landscaping had way too many weeds. - structure needs some upkeep. Sliding doors falling apart. Recaulk the baths. Details like this noticeable everywhere. The walls are paper thin. - we never ate at your restaurant because it was ridiculously expensive. Which gets me to the prices of the rooms. Way to high for the offerings and quality of the hotel. 30$ resort fee was ridiculous. I am willing to spend money on hotels, but I did not get my money's worth. - I got a waterfront balcony room. Unless we were on the balcony, the only water we saw was the old boathouse and brackish water. This was not what most would consider an waterfront or water view room. It is an indirect view.

I stayed here for one night (April 18) for a work trip. My room wasn't anything special- the hotel itself was older and some of the infrastructure could use updating. A couple outlets looked loose, there weren't very many lights in the room, and it just seemed dated and in need of some TLC. Staff were great. We had a dinner and reception in the viewing room, and that room is properly named. The view of the river was exquisite. As a bonus, the weather was perfect so I could go inside, get a drink from Geoff the bartender (who was fantastic and very nice to all the guests, and also very good at remembering drink preferences), and go sip it on the patio while the sun set. The view from my room got the hotel 5 stars. I was on the ground level, with double doors that opened onto a patio overlooking the harbor. The patio even had a coffee table and two chairs outside every room. I would stay at this hotel again just for that view. Overall- kind of dated, but the location and views are 10/10. I haven't even mentioned the fire pits, giant chess set, cricket, or corn hole! Absolutely stay at this hotel if you find yourself in the area- you won't be disappointed.

Tidewater Virginia's classy old resort. On the Rappahannock River and offering a pleasant mix of both old and new appointments, whether arriving by car or boat you will find the service is top notch.

I have actually waited till the end of my stay to post. Before arriving, my boyfriend is the Godson of Bob Lee Stephens, the son of Big E who built The Tides Inn. We had a visit with Bob Lee before coming. To hear the history told and fond memories of what once was a piece of history, nostalgia, a diamond in the rough, and success beyond belief, you have a sense of The Tides Inn that is frozen in time. When we arrived the grounds are beautiful, the golf course meets you in the beginning. The landscape was not as pristine as I expected, but still beautiful. The workers that I encountered while at my stay were flawless. So courteous, respectful and did not skip a beat with manners. Our visit was in the off season so the place was not very busy. The rooms are a mixture of history and modern updates. The beds extremely comfortable and comfort is at a best. The views from the rooms are beautiful. Our room though in the welcome hall, had a bad spot almost scary to step on. The bath tubs are very high to step into especially for people with bad knees. When I think about history with the original owners as to what the inn is today, it seems like the new owners haven't decided on the reflection of the inn. Do you go more modern for today's society or do you keep true to the history of The Tides Inn history and the value of that. At the present time, it seems a mix that is effecting the popularity of the inn. The views from all aspects are beautiful . The pool and recreation area is well kept and true to the original vision of a 5 star hotel. From every point outside you can hear nature and have a chance to visualize the vision so long ago. There is something for all to do with activities. This place takes great pride in the customers and their happiness. This is a place I will remember for quite some time. I will follow the progress of the renovations that are proposed in hopes of The Tides Inn to be the successful place it once was.

I've been able to stay at some lovely places and was really hoping to add the Tides Inn to that list. Sadly, it misses the mark. Perhaps it's too early in the season. A few observations: -If you need to reach anyone after 9pm, good luck. I had to contact folks a few times to change reservations, sign up for activities, etc. It's impossible to get ahold of anyone. Some folks on concierge desk are incredible (Jennifer), some are surly. -I booked a king Waterview. The room itself is small, the view is great. No soaking tub, but a standard contractor build bath tub. Coffee is Nespresso, and tea is Numi. Nespresso maker and small tea kettle are nice. Molton Brown amenities in bathroom. Fresh flowers are a nice touch. -No housekeeping day one, housekeeping day two left dirty dishes and didn't refresh water, glasses, etc. -Masks are hit and miss by employees and contractors. -Room service meals are good, great service, slight mess up on order each time. -Prices are a bit ridiculous for what you get frankly. -Liquor cabinet a nice idea, wine bottle on 1st night, popcorn and stores kit next nights so not really liquor. -Was told pool was open but discovered pool is empty when we arrived, two days later they are still filling it. -Bocce ball court is cute, croquet balls awol. Bikes are nice, not sure about cleaning them or the helmets in between rentals. -Service at the Chesapeake restaurant first night severely slow, 2+ hrs for chicken tenders and crab cakes. And the place was empty. Have not returned for a meal, room service is quicker. -Kids pottery was nice, but no idea of what each day's activity will be in advance. Some concierge staff more helpful than others here. -Service and food at Fish Hawk are exceptional, especially Brittany. -Not many places to walk. We have another full day here and I regret extending the reservation, especially at nearly double the price for a weekend rate. Better on Instagram than real life.

This place is amazinggggg! The service is unbelievable....britt in activities totally set us up...she was so helpful...almost all of the activities are free and unlike other resorts, you barely need to make reservations for anything. I had casually mentioned that this trip was for my boyfriend's 30th birthday and a few hours later kiy brought us a complimentary cheese board with a happy birthday card! This place is top notch...they deserve 10 stars!

We came on recommendation for our honeymoon. We booked our stay In March for a August stay on a 2 night get 1 night promotion. We read reads prior to going and were skeptical. Upon arrival at 11:30a we took the chance our room would be read so we came and were greeted by Gregory- a bellman, he was happy joyful and smiling, opening the front doors and offering us a bottled water. We went to go check in and yes it is very dated decor but the atmosphere and the decor is what makes The Tides Inn. At the reception we were greeted by Mrs. Barbara Sutton, she checked to see if our room was ready and it wasn't so she looked to see if another room was available.( we wanted secluded and a balcony ) I noticed that her name tag was upside down so to be funny i tilted my head to read it and she looked at me quizzical and began to laugh that she too noticed her name badge was upside down. We stated this was our honeymoon (married on Saturday it was now Monday) and my birthday week Wednesday. We laughed and talked about the wedding and next we realized we were in the "Lee Suite". Lets just say in the 10 minutes of being at the Tides inn nothing could remove our smile. * Not the bike chain breaking after we rode them to Kilmarnock 13.7 miles and had to call them to pick us up. * Not the Moonsoon storm that came in and took an outside night from us. We just went to the Hawks next by the pool and had a few drinks. * Not the jetted tub that did not work. I actually fixed it for them. That's all minor this is a resort that you get out what you put in. We Kayaked 4 miles each morning Rode bikes into town and shopped Ate seafood...omg we ate some seafood to the point we found a pearl in one of them at the Hawks next at the $2 5-9 time frame. ( it is now a necklace on my new Bride/Wife} Went to the coffee shop "Local" (THIS IS A MUST for Breakfast) Sang Karoke in the Hawks Nest Made smores on the "beach" Went out to a local fine dinning restaurant Sat by the pool Went to the Hope and Glory winery. We never turned the TV on, really looked at our phones and just plain enjoyed the atmosphere. We kept busy, the room was HUGE and NICE and APPRECIATED but we were so relaxed by the end of our stay it was a blur.. This is old skool vacation. secluded out of the way treasure. No glitz, No show it is what it is and turning 50yrs old on a Honeymoon it was exactly what we needed and liked. The service and people that work at the Tides Inn are what make your stay here. We are on first name basis with alot of the staff. This is one of those treasures for even people as OCD and Hyper as myself would recommend and will continue to visit. Remember it is a resort you get out what you put in. It is kid friendly but oye....they looked bored....I wouldn't bring mine.

Absolute classic been going there for 7 years. Wish they had there 9 pm cookies but whatever. Just a nice vibe.

The Tides Inn is an adorable resort overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. I golfed at their Golden Eagle Golf Club a couple of years ago and really enjoyed my experience. Recently, I went to tour the Tides Inn as a perspective place to host my wedding for next Spring. This was the first time I had been to the resort and thought their rooms and facility were very nice! Their special events rooms left a little something to be desired (they reminded me of any old hotel banquet room) but the views overlooking the Bay were stunning. We ended our visit with lunch at Commodore's Waterfront Restaurant. The Lancaster Lemonade was so delicious! I also highly recommend their tuna tacos. And again, the views from the restaurant were spectacular! Although I ultimately decided not to book my wedding at The Tides Inn, I will surely be back for a weekend getaway, lunch, or another golf outing.

The restaurant was okay for dinner. We went on a weekend getaway with another couple. The men ordered steaks. One medium rare. The rare. They both came out well done. They both ate them and we wanted to let the manager know just because of the cook and hopefully they could improve. He didn't even apologize or anything. We were disappointed that they didn't even try to just make anything better.

Our family experience here went above and beyond what we had expected! The courteous staff, fabulous dining experiences and endless activity options made this a weekend to remember for us. I would highly recommend reaching out to the activities coordinator upon your arrival to set up an activity itinerary based on your interests. You will find everything from cooking classes, yoga sessions, pottery painting, jewelry making, boat cruises and so much more. The staff is very attentive to making special accommodations, especially due to covid and can set up private or small sessions for any of the activities you might want to participate in. We were especially excited to take a private yoga session right on the water one afternoon! We were also happy to see that the spa is taking all the necessary safety precautions and offering limited options like massages and manicure/pedicures. The Tides Inn is certainly a hidden gem and we're so glad to have found it!

I have been going to The Tides Inn for over half a century, and am saddened to see a continuous decline in what was once a truly great resort. I feel I must report this to your readers, as I would want to know about this encounter. Last evening, we decided to go to dinner at The Tides. Since it was certainly off-season, as we had done many times, we opted to forego reservations and arrived around 7:00 pm. As we approached the dining areas, the tables were mostly open and things appeared quiet. However, when we spoke with the "receptionist", we were curtly informed by a smug, older man (who refused eye-contact) that he would not have anything available for "quite a while". His dismissive countenance, coupled with his arrogant and brisk manner, was simply unacceptable. While I am sure that we could have eventually eaten there, the reception by this completely unworthy employee ruined our prospects for a delightful evening. Very sorry to report, we shall not be dining at The Tides for "quite a while".

My fiance' and I stayed here during the thanksgiving week. It is such an amazing place to get some quiet, and to just soak up the fresh air and relax. Tides Inn was awesome overall. PROS: - GREAT location, only 2.5 hours away from The DC metro area, so the drive is not too far - It's a resort so they have fun activites for everyone, from swimming in the lake, jet skiing, sailing, golfing, they have bikes for rent (included in your stay), a few restaurants, fitness center, daily yoga, fitness walks, cornhole, they have boardgames indoors, a library, a HUGE living room that has a huge fire place. - The terrace has an amazing view of the lake that we enjoyed very much! - 7:00pm S'MORES on terrace (OMGOMGOMGOMG) - 9:00pm cookies and milk in the view room (OMGOMGOMGOMG) - SUPER WELCOMING AND FRIENDLY STAFF! I can't stress this enough. The Tides Inn is a bit dated compared to other inns. You can tell by the furniture, but i saw it as classic, because even though their buildings are dated, the facilities are kept clean, meaning our room and bathroom were nice and clean, the linens were fresh and everything was great. My only complaint is that, i do think it is a bit overpriced for an off-season visit, considering we weren't able to use their kayaks or swim in the pool. But regardless of that, we enjoyed our short stay at the Inn and we definitely want to try to come back in the summer!

Visited the spa with my daughter as a day visitor, which I confirmed was acceptable when I made the reservation. Spa treatment was very nice BUT staff rushed us out, asked repeatedly about "settling up" and was downright rude. We ate lunch and had a drink by the pool then walked back to the spa to retrieve our belongings, no thank you, no hope you enjoyed your visit. After spending several hundred dollars on treatments and lunch I expected a much more gracious staff. I emailed the GM and communicated the above, no response. A day at the spa is a treat, a special time - entire day ruined by rude staff, so unwelcoming.

We stayed here for 2 days as a respite from the virus challenges in DC. This place claims to care for its guests, but the first thing we saw on entering the hotel was a worker without a mask. We learned that their "mask" policy is merely words...as you can see from this picture. Unless you want to expose yourself unnecessarily to the virus, stay home. We left early and are hoping we are safe.

Im driving back from my 3 day stay at The Tides Inn. I have nothing but hood things to say. Needless to say it is absolutely gorgeous. Staff is kind and all about giving great service, from the front desk staff to the servers at the restaurant. I took the Pinot and Pottery class, such a fun experience and the pots turned out pretty nice (Im sure the instructor fixed them after we left haha). Overall an amazing weekend away from the city fuzz! COVID: everyone was masked up and the distance between the sitting areas is enough so you feel comfortable.

re: Commodore's Waterfront Restaurant, Sunday Brunch, June 8th I'm not certain how to average 5 stars to 1 star, so I will go with 2. First off, the views are spectacular. The Service was well above average, the Drinks (Spicy Bloody Mary and a Lancaster Lemonade) were excellent, albeit somewhat expensive (as was the entire meal). My thinking as a very good cook myself, is that the chef ought to taste what goes out the door. We ordered the Avocado/Crabmeat/Grilled Cheese Sandwich and the Oyster Po'Boy... In a greasy spoon what you do it take some form of oil and butter, paint the bread with it and slap it on the grill to "toast." Apparently that is done here, too which wouldn't have been such a problem, but the oil mix was either rancid or the grill was filthy. I suspect the oil. The bread in the grilled cheese overpowered any taste of avocado, crab or cheese due to the oil. The Po'Boy sub bread so saturated the bread that I couldn't taste the sweet/saltiness of the oysters! Once the bread was removed, all was well, but folks, this was served as a SANDWICH, so the bread counts. I informed the server who says she informed the manager who may have informed the chef, but who knows. My guess is that this same grease was used to cook the eggs and everything else. Such a shame for what ought to be the crown jewel of the Northern Neck restaurants.

I visited the Tides Inn in May 2017 and loved my stay! Really beautiful property and very friendly stay! Great for families with kids or couples looking for a relaxing weekend. The dining on property is great, delicious oysters. I would visit this property again!