Smithfield Inn

Arrived at Smithfield late after 10 hour drive. Keys were left for us with a note saying no breakfast because we paid “promotional”rate. Who knew? Room freezing cold with no way to control thermostat. No hot water for shower or sink. The only good thing about the stay was our breakfast at the cafe down the street. Good food and service. Smithfield Inn advertises complimentary breakfast at the cafe. They did not tell us when we booked room that we were paying a “promotional” rate Which does not include breakfast. Would not stay again or recommend.

This is a review of only the Sprigg Room in the Garden House at Smithfield Inn, Smithfield, VA. When we were unable to reserve a room set aside for wedding guests at another location, the receptionist there enthusiastically recommended this B&B. Before calling to check on availability I visited the website which provided photos of what appeared to be charming, clean, and nicely furnished rooms. The website also displayed a “Coastal Virginia Best of Readers’ Choice” awards 2021-2025. All seemed perfect so I called, spoke with the innkeeper, and reserved the room. My goodness was I wrong. The room was nothing as pictured or described. The 12x12 room was so cramped from the bed, dresser, table, chair, and mini fridge my husband and I had to sit on the bed or squeeze against furniture to move in the room. This was before we brought up our luggage. The furniture was anything but “period”, rather it looked like 1960s pieces with little charm. Certainly not “circa 1900s” as was displayed on a sign outside the Garden House. The a/c is an old Carrier probably from the 1980s. For it to work you had to turn the knob in the opposite direction than shown on the unit (we had to ask when we were unsuccessful in getting the room cooled after we arrived). When the compressor did work, it was so loud in the small room it was difficult to sleep. The presence of two tower fans bedside cemented our suspicion they were very aware of the sketchy a/c. The lighting was poor. There were no plugs available for charging a cell phone or a computer, except in the bathroom where there was no shelf to place the phone. Do you really want to set a phone on the bathroom floor while it is charging – especially when there is a sticky mousetrap on the floor by the sink? This room was tired and worn. While I have never stayed at a Super 8 or Motel 6, they likely have nicer rooms than this one. Even the common area of the Garden House was disappointing – worn, torn, and/or stained furniture. Dark and unwelcoming. Is there anything good I can share? The water pressure and water temperature were both good. Breakfast was delicious but requires you to walk a block or so down the street to a bakery/café. If you spend more than $12 per person for breakfast, you pay the difference. For breakfast that would compare to other B&Bs where we have stayed, we spent more than $24. Maybe without coffee you could come in under the limit. My recommendations? Don’t stay in the Sprigg room. Ask to see your room before you check in. Before you make your reservation, check to make sure you know the total cost.

The worst food I've had in some time. The Brunswick Stew tasted like it was made with catsup and decomposing chicken. The crab cakes were some of the worst ever. Go to the Smithfield Station instead.

The Smithfield Inn was our home base for a weekend that included visiting Virginia's historic James River plantations, seeing (just a few) of the historic monuments and places of colonial Virginia, and just resting our eyes on the Atlantic ocean. The Inn is modernized just enough to have good bathrooms and comfortable beds, without losing the beautiful woodwork, furniture, and fabrics of the days before cookie-cutter hotels. Dinner at the Inn on Friday night was delicious - my pork loin was perfectly cooked and accompanied by sauteed apples that avoided the curse of mushiness, and was paired with a very fresh salad whose slightly garlic-y apple cider vinaigrette resonated with the main course apples. My husband chose a more trendy pasta with country ham and andouille sausage, which he reported was excellent. The menu is large enough to keep guests happy for several days, and we would have showed up the next night, napkins tucked under chins, had we not had a dinner date with friends in Virginia Beach. Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday (included in the room rate) was at the Smithfield Gourmet Cafe down the street, and was also very good. The Inn is in the middle of the historic district of Smithfield, and neighbors the historic county courthouse, built in 1750. All in all, the Inn sets just the right mood for a history-focused jaunt to southside Virginia. I recommend it.