The Morsston House

The Morsston House has become the preferred escape from New York City for us. Initially my boyfriend was somewhat hesitant about staying in a bed and breakfast owing to some bad experiences in the past. Now, we both look forward to weekends spent in Livingston Manor with Jim, Caesar, and Mambo. Jim has worked for over twenty years restoring his family's beautiful home, and makes every effort to make you feel as if you are an extension of the Palumbo clan. Upon arrival, Jim always has something warm and sweet just pulled from the oven. From pies, muffins, and cookies, to fluffy omelets and crispy bacon in the morning, Jim's spreads are better than anything you'll find in town. It is difficult to capture just how masterfully Jim observes the line between host and my perfect grandfather type. Where other B&B owners fail to respect guests' privacy, or even watch you from around corners as you move through the halls, Jim is always right where you want him when you want him. Perhaps this sixth sense has been passed down through the generations of his family, who have used the house as a place to board travelers since the early half of the last century. The walls of Jim's lovely home are a testament to a family tree full of warm people with expressive faces, adventurous spirits, and generous hearts. Each room contains one or two old family snapshots, and a jigsaw puzzle completed by Jim's mother, carefully framed and on display. These thoughtful touches exemplify what makes staying here such a pleasure. The Moose Lodge, located adjacent to the house provides hours of entertainment. Pingpong, pool, every board game imaginable, badmitton, and plenty of other distractions keep our laptops shut down and our cellphones in the bedroom. The spectacular woods on Jim's property are perfect for hiking or a thrilling game of hide and seek once it gets dark. If you feel the need to find entertainment off the grounds, Jim is always handy with a map and plenty of recommendations for ways to spend a day. He has never steered us wrong. As for the things I always care about most when staying at a bed and breakfast: the rooms are bright with comfortable beds and void of the frequent heavy decorating hand that seems to haunt many B&Bs. Jim lets the wonderful sunlight and antique furniture provide the atmosphere. The bathrooms (there are two) are brand spanking new and so clean I feel like I am staying with my mother. The shower water is always piping hot, and the towels are plentiful and soft. We cannot recommend the Morsston House enough and we cannot effectively communicate what a charming and perfect host Jim is. Do yourself a favor and don't take our word for it.
17 years ago (03-08-2010)