We enjoyed our stay so much in July we decided to come back for a longer visit over Labor Day. We enjoy the many areas to bike ride not only around St Michaels but in nearby Cambridge. There is nothing better than coming back to this comfortable inn and taking a nice swim in the warm pool and hot jacuzzi in a tranquil setting. The rooms were very comfortable and everything worked well. I especially appreciated the high quality mattress which was very comfortable. The owner, Will, provides home baked muffins every morning before breakfast and cookies later in the day. Guests are welcome in all the common rooms. There is a relaxed attitude here. Do not pay attention to some of the complaints as they are trivial. I have stayed in many bed and breakfast inns and all the important things are here, namely comfortable and very clean rooms, free sodas and water , baked goodies, and an innkeeper who knows the area. I found Will to be very friendly and helpful. This is a first class inn that is a very good value.

We were given a choice of places to stay, and this B& B was perfect for our needs., attending Yale class of 65 mini reunion. We were close to our class host's home, as well as the Chesapeake Maritime Museum. The Inn was cozy, warm and welcoming and worked with us so that we could be on our 8:20 bus to the Poplar Island Ferry and not be starving until lunch.
We really appreciated that ! Our room #2 on the first floor was perfect, bed very comfortable, and bathroom very clean, I would recommend this B&B very highly

After staying at the George Brooks House recently during the summer season I feel that I need to share my experience so that other potential guests can get an honest opinion of what they can come to expect when visiting this property. Most of the recent reviews are on point with what I had observed during my visit to the property. Among the various things that I had observed can be best described in the following terms:

“Positives”

(1) I love that the property is historic and representative of a local gentleman living during the early 20th century.

(2) Will clearly has a passion for the area with his vast knowledge of local history and folklore that is very helpful in keeping a visit to Saint Michaels interesting.

(3) The Inn accommodations were comfortable.

(4) There is free bottled water and soda for guests.

(5) Will is welcoming to guests and doesn’t intrude much at all. (Except when getting in the hot-tub with guests).

(6) Free candy in addition to the soda and bottled water.

(7) The awesome pool and hot –tub area!

(8) Pet friendly!

(9) Bikes to ride into town on!

“Negatives”

(1) The house needs a cleaning.

(2) I find it hard to believe that a pool side outdoor shower is usable if it’s covered in reeds. This cannot be the result of “Irene”. I read your retort to a prior review and it’s simply overgrowth! It is not hurricane damage.

(3) The cobwebs are overwhelming and need to be gotten rid of.

(4) The various “lawn ornaments” need to be put away. I understand that the late great William Donald Schaefer may have referred the Eastern Shore of Md. As the “Sh*t Pot” of the State but that doesn’t mean that the property has to look the part.

(5) Install a switch so the hot-tub jets can be controlled at the pool side. I was tired of tracking you down to turn them on.

(6) The breakfast.

(7) Oh yes, the breakfast was unremarkable.

(8) If you have a staff that serves breakfast and is foreign make sure they can communicate to the guests beyond a simple “you’re welcome.” I want to know what I am eating. Without a menu it’s hard to guess. The server wasn’t shy to the other Russian employee and if I remember correctly, her knowledge of Apple electronic devices was pretty astute. I.e. don’t lounge with your “I-Pad” in the common area if you should be working to stock the outdoor fridge that I had to restock myself.

(9) There was a vegetable garden on premises but alas, covered in weeds i.e. the outdoor shower.

(10) You need a person be stationed at the front desk. It shouldn’t be too much of a financial burden to you since I paid good money to get my room.

(11) The website needs to be updated with accurate pictures of the current state of the premises.

‘Overall”
I feel that I paid too much for a stay at the GBH. The property needs a good cleaning and better attention to detail. Will needs to focus on the guest which pays his paycheck ultimately. I felt that I didn’t get what I expected for the amount that I had paid. My standards are not unreasonable but fair and I only wish that Will and the staff of the GBH could live up to the bare minimum. And for the love of god, hire a more communicative staff.

Will, you have a nice place; we enjoyed our stay this summer.

But, listen to the advice of your critics; I think they're mostly right on target. You have an issue with clutter and upkeep. These strike me as small problems easily resolved. Take a fraction of the time you spend writing defensive, overly-technical responses to your critics and just fix the problem! Then hike your prices up about 10% to 15%; you have a nice place and I'd spend a bit more if you fixed the small problems.

You have too much clutter in the common areas (with dust collecting as a result), you have too much junk around the yard (looks trashy), you have cobwebs collecting here and there and overgrown brush that detracts from what could be a sharp look for the place (and blocks entry ways too). You also have trim work that could use a repaint.

These things don't represent a substantial investment of time or $. Will, we enjoyed our stay with you and thank you for all your good advice re: restaurants, things to do, etc.

Ken