We have stayed in a number of B&Bs over the years. Sobotta Manor is not exceptional but the value was good. The manager was extremely friendly and helpful. A recommended restaurant was excellent. Our primary criticism is a matter of taste--the house is heavily overdecorated with lots of dust catchers. Less is more when it comes to decorating.

Sobotta Manor is a beautiful old house, reminded me of my grandmother's home, only nicer. It is a house with real character. The room was pleasant and the bed very comfortable, with its soft sheets and caressing duvet. There was a flat-screen TV artfully concealed in a cabinet. One minor "complaint:" A night table on both sides of the bed, not just one, would have been helpful for visitors who need to keep glasses and medicines close at hand. The stairs creak, also. We were pleased to find a coffee and tea-maker in the common area downstairs, and a small fridge with water and soft drinks. The kitchen featured a huge, well-polished Aga stove; I haven't seen one in years, and it really took me back to a cozy kitchen in rural Ireland, years ago. Fresh-baked peanut-butter cookies were available for guests. I hope I didn't eat more than my fair share!

Breakfast was delicious, and not over-loaded with sugary things, as has happened at other B&B's. The place was full, and breakfast with our fellow guests, well-traveled, entertaining folks, was a convivial occasion. We were well-fueled for our day's project; hiking at Hanging Rock State Park. Mt. Airy is not particularly interesting, except for fans of native son Andy Griffith. However, the surrounding countryside, wineries, and Blue Ridge Parkway might give us an excuse to re-visit Subotta Manor.

We chose Sobotta Manor based mainly on the impressive awards for this B&B listed on their site. Perhaps my expecations were too high, but I found our stay to be pretty average, compared to other B&Bs we've visited over the years. Although he was present, we didn't meet the owners. I spoke with JR a couple of times on the phone. Based on my brief, somewhat curt conversations with him, I can perhaps see how someone might view the guy as less than warm & hospitable. It wouldn't have been difficult to make an effort to make sure we felt very welcome, but I can't say that JR appeared all that interested in doing so. He appeared much more interested in securing my credit card info..
The Innkeeper was nice...very talkative.. Not sure we needed to know everything she shared about Andy Griffith & the siamese twins over breakfast, but it was informative.. She recommended a local thai restaurant for dinner, which we really enjoyed. Breakfast the 1st day was tasty, albeit not the hearty fare I'd hoped for - more sugary & sweet than we're used to I guess. We did enjoy kicking back & watching a few movies in our room. It was nice to be able to choose from the large selection.
We stayed in the room on the 1st floor. When the upstairs guests came down the stairs, it sounded as if they had wooden shoes on - the stairs are pretty loud. The walls do seem a little thin. At one point, I mistook the conversations of other guests outside our room for my wife speaking to me. The bathroom ajoins the kitchen & when I was in the kitchen while my wife was showering, it sounded almost like we were in the shower with her..
I'd recommend hiking Pilot Mtn as a great nearby day trip. The views are wonderful and it was a beautiful day to be outside.

We found this jewel only by random, and it was just breathtaking. If i would have seen this only on pictures i would have been convinced it must be in Great Britain or Germany, but not in the United States.
This also effects the owner of Sobotta Manor, Junior and Robin. It was pleasnt to make the experience, that there is more than just small talk, but a true and essential conversation about life and present subjects in America.
Coming to Sobotta Manor was like visiting a museum of the 1930s. My wife and i looked at each other and we know this is the place to stay. A true brickstone house, with character, full of beautiful furnitures, accessories and oil paintings. It was a journey back in time, sleeping one night in Mr Sobotta's manor.
The breakfast was everything but not continental. It was unique and made with love and attention to the detail. Real china, and silverware was a welcome contrast to the many one-way experiences we had in the USA. My wife loved the AGA-oven and the many small stories of the house and its people who live there.
We wish you all the best for the future, and we are thankful for the opportunity that you gave us to get to know the "other" side of the USA. Many regards from Kirberg, Germany.