What do people do at Pembroke Springs Retreat?
Most guests come to our retreat to relax and enjoy the baths. If guests are interested in tennis, we ask that they bring rackets and tennis shoes. If guests are interested in fishing, a fishing pole needs to be added to the list. Hiking is a must as there are several miles of trail, and be sure to bring the appropriate shoes. If you have a mountain bike, our Guests have told us that our trails are perfect for those who want a workout! We do not have TV’s within the guest rooms, but we do have several TV’s in the common areas. There are several DVD players, and the living room is a cozy room with games.
If you want to go off property, we are equidistant from the George Washington National Park and the Shenandoah Park, with beautiful hiking as close as the Tuscarora Trail, just a few miles away! Wineries and breweries keep getting added to the list, farm markets are abundant, and it’s a great area for antiques stores and flea markets. The area is rich in history, and we are big fans of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. The closest towns are Wardensville, Strasburg, Middletown, Winchester, and Front Royal – all with unique attractions for our Guests. We are happy to assist you with your itinerary!
How do the baths work? Can we visit just for the baths?
We are not a spa, but we are lucky to have authentic Japanese baths. The water is natural mountain water that we heat to 104 degrees. As in Japan, guests wash outside the bath first and then immerse. Children who are not toilet trained are not permitted in the baths. We have two separate baths which no longer require reservation as we are now a booking the whole house. Since we are now selling only to groups, visiting for day use is not an option.
Do you offer food? Can we use the kitchen?
Pembroke Springs Retreat can offer an optional partial catering package for full house (5 room) bookings, but it is not always available. Groups who do not order the catering can use our kitchen, but groups that order the catering cannot enter the kitchen per regulations. As we have shifted to a vacation home from a bed & breakfast our kitchen set up remains commercial and those who love to cook will find it a Chef’s dream! We have a range with six burners, a three compartment sink, and a microwave for Guest use. Besides the basics of pots and pans we also provide paper products for easy disposal so that you don’t have to wash dishes on vacation! We also have a grill for barbeque outdoors!
Can I connect to the internet?
We hope that our Guests can connect by disconnecting! However, we realize the importance of being able to check e-mails, etc. You can get a connection, but we do not have high speed, and it can also be affected by factors out of our control. However, cellular reception here is good, so as an alternative, you may want to turn on your hotspot on your iPhone or Samsung and connect your laptop, iPad or similar device to the hotspot.
Can we check in early? Can we stay late?
We advise checking in before dark as the country roads are not well lit and we want you to be welcomed by the beautiful scenery surrounding us. If you are interested in an early check-in, please give us a call on the morning of your arrival so that we can give you an update on the status. We do not offer a late check-out due to scheduled cleaning. We do not recommend arranging with a driving service unless you have a firm contract. On several occasions, our Guests have been delayed in checking out due to companies not being able to keep their commitment to our location.
How are you different from other rentals?
Besides the Japanese theme, our Guests have access to trails on 175 acres of property! We are always on site if you need us, you don’t call a 1800 number to talk to an operator. Although we offer no contact service, we will assist by doing things like collecting garbage or changing a light bulb, we don’t expect sheets to be stripped! We don’t tack on fees such as cleaning, grill use, or resort. The rate is what it is! So, it is quite different.