Vacations Blog

The Manor at Glen Laurel Inn

There are times when a weekend getaway is in order. You just need a bit of pampering, a respite from the hectic daily grind, an escape from reality. An escape from the kids! The Glen Laurel Inn in Rockbridge, Ohio offers the penultimate romantic weekend getaway. Nestled well off the beaten path in the woods of Hocking Hills in Licking County The Glen Laurel Inn sits on a 140 acre estate among wooded trails, gorges and scenic waterfalls which only enhance the allure of this peaceful Scottish Country Inn.

The Inn offers a variety of accommodations from the well apportioned rooms and suites at the Manor or Carriage House to the private crofts (Scottish for small house) or cottages. And while each might be appealing in it’s own particular way, I highly recommend the cottages. Highly.

MacLeod Cottage

The cottages have a nice living area where you can wile away the hours nestled on the couch staring into the huge stone fireplace or out of the large window and into the woods and gorge below. Don’t worry, if you’re not good at staring at fires or trees there’s an entertainment center where you can play movies or listen to your favorite music.

There are huge sleigh beds in the bedrooms and and enormous bathroom with a shower for two. The real draw here, though, is that through the double French doors in the bedroom leading to the back deck is your very own private hot tub. From there you can enjoy the soothing warmth of the water as you relax taking in the constantly changing nature with which you are surrounded. Nothing quite compares.

The Camusfearna Gorge at Glen Laurel

The Glen Laurel Inn lists numerous on-site and local activities:

• Hiking in the Camusfearna Gorge. Over two miles of the most beautiful and breathtaking nature trails imaginable.
• Over 50 species of birds have been identified at Glen Laurel including a pair of Bald Eagles
• The seclusion of Glen Laurel makes perfect opportunity for star gazing. Clear skies abound.
• There is a fire pit available to guests for evening bonfires.
• Golf is available at the nearby Brass Ring Golf Club
• Horseback riding at the local Spotted Horse Ranch
• Antique shopping in nearby Logan
• Canoeing at Lake Logan
• Local workshops (photography, kayaking, riding)

Please visit the website at the Inn for more detailed information on these activities. Since our last visit, they have added a day spa.

For the record, I have participated in none of the extra activities listed above. That’s ZERO. Glen Laurel is so absolutely comfortable and inviting that there is, in my humble opinion, no reason to leave the cottage. Except….(There’s always an except!)

Nothing Says Dinnertime Like Bagpipes!

Dinner. While the cottages are equipped with a small kitchenette and you could easily survive your romantic getaway on wine, cheese, frosted flakes, finger sandwiches and vitamin B (all readily available at the local grocery) you will definitely want to partake in the Inn’s famous five or seven course dinner.

The Edinburgh Dining Room at Glen Laurel

Guests are called to dinner by the distinctive sounds of bagpipes wafting through the early evening air. That waft is soon followed by the aroma of what can only be described as gourmet goodness. It’s a dinner that will not be soon forgotten, served intimately in the manor dining hall. There’s candlelight, music, poetry and visits with the chef. (Jackets are required on Saturday evenings.)

The Glen Laurel Inn has been labeled “the premier romantic getaway in the Midwest.” It’s a moniker well deserved. I suppose the only drawback is that at some point, you have to return to reality and back to your own home.

The Glen Laurel Inn has very specific policies regarding pets and children, please be sure to contact them prior to arriving with either. All photos courtesy of the Glen Laurel Inn.