The McCall House Boutique Hotel — Hotel in Ashland

We live locally and want to support local businesses. But Royal Tea was a HUGE miss at McCall House.

We tried the Royal Tea for my birthday. I was really anticipating it b/c as a new Mom it’s really hard to get space for yourself or with your husband — especially b/c our little guy was sick on my birthday.

We arrived 15 mins early and they were ready for us, which was great! They had set out various happy birthday touches that felt really special.

The spread was all laid out beautifully.

Unfortunately, the tea selection did not include any black tea. I am a tea drinker and love proper British tea ritual — including quality tea and strong enough to cut with cream and honey.

The young woman making the tea clearly didn’t know how to make a cuppa. We were given individual pots of tea full of approx 16 ozs of water. And she put 1 tsp of tea in the entire pot. So, I poured out a cup of vanilla water.

If you’re going to advertise Royal Tea, please 1) invest in the proper zero accoutrements to make actual tea including quality tea leaves, proper brewing items 2) and train your staff how to make proper tea.

I let the young woman helping us know that for the amount of water that was nowhere near enough tea. I mentioned that I typically use 3 heaping tsp-fulls per about 10 ozs.

She tried again and brought the pot back explaining that if it was light on top again it would be darker the longer I poured. That tells me the tea pot is not the proper brewing equipment for a cup of tea for your guests.

But I gave up after that b/c she clearly didn’t care to ask how I liked my tea or maybe didn’t even know how to make it properly.

My husband ended up switching pots with me b/c his was slightly stronger.

To have Royal tea with flavored water is pretty disappointing… especially when you’re paying over $40 a head!

Then we started tasting the lovely food. The biscuit looked delicious! But it had a consistency where it just disintegrated in your mouth into graininess. Seemed like a missing ingredient or imbalanced batter.

The egg salad sandwich wasn’t seasoned.

The chicken salad was on small croissants that were hard and cold and we ended up taking it out and just eating it without bread.

I just ended up crying a few times in exasperation as I’d looked forward to this as a busy parent and it ended up being a miss.

Then an older woman emerged from the kitchen to ask how it was and if we needed anything… but then proceeded to not stop even a breathe to allow us space to actually share our experience and then went away.

So strange!

The young woman came back a little later to ask if we needed anything. I mentioned the eggs salad sandwich could use salt — which seemed like an incredible bother to her! So she asked if I wanted salt. Yes!

The service was so strange and made us feel so awkward and unwelcome there.

People repeatedly asking if you need something, but seemingly bothered if you do or simply just talking at you and then leaving.

I ended up crying a few times in disappointment b/c this was my only time out while we’re paying for childcare and this was the level of service.

It’s a beautiful home with a beautiful presentation. But that seems as far as it went in our experience.

It seemed more about appearances and their own pride than about our experience.

The staff were awkward and unwelcoming. The tea was total shit. And a number of the items we paid top dollar for were just meh.

I wouldn’t recommend it if you like tea or British tea culture or know what quality...

We have been guests at McCall House for the past 7 years, once or twice a year. We have always enjoyed it immensely. This year, it has new owners and we were so disappointed with the changes they have made. They have painted the rooms more muted tones, changed the furniture and the bedding. We stay in the 2 upstairs front room, President Hayes and Chaucer. The chaise chairs and the comfy chairs with stools have been replaced by chairs that are very uncomfortable to sit it. The days of relaxing and reading in the bay window are gone. The bedding used to be sweet and individual to each room. The bedding in President Hayes and Chaucer is identical. You might as well be in a hotel room. The Library has new furniture as well, it looks like the Inn has now been furnished by Wayfair. The new pieces are uncomfortable and they don't keep with the historical charm of the Inn in any way, shape or form. The mirrors on the dressers are gone and in their place there are flat screen TVs that double as artwork. Not inviting at all. If that weren't enough, the rooms were filthy. There was so much dust and dirt under the beds and furniture, it was disgusting. The chef has left, the Innkeepers seem stressed. They did not really even engage us in conversation as they have in the past. We changed our fall reservation to another place. The history and the charm of McCall House has been completely decimated in our opinion. For anyone who hasn't stayed there in the past it may be fine but not for us loyal patrons who look forward to our special place every...

The proud heritage of the McCall House is tastefully documented with printed recollections, stories, and photos and carried on by the current owners. I was welcomed by Shanna, one of the two owners and found them to be a very kind, professional, experienced, and successful businessperson with a heart of gold who is easy to talk with, never rushed, and who anticipates guests needs and comfort. 2nd in charge, M.J., is a confident up and coming businessperson who possesses great intuition along with delivering the professional hospitality to carry on the leadership and legacy of this fine house with ease. Arriving to McCall house in Fall, it was delightful to find it seasonally decorated in the best of taste and curated to perfection. Brava! The furnishings were all in perfect condition, clean, and with antique pieces that were incredible, unique, interesting, and some were downright impressive! McCall House has several self serve curios cabinets around the house with any bits you may need from a robe, extra towels, or toothpaste at no charge. It was comforting to know it was there with no strings. Each room had its coffee, tea, etc but the house has two galleys for additional water, tea, cups, glasses, corkscrew, and other items as self serve. After a 3 day drive up the pacific coast, this was the perfect place to land and catch up. We planned to stay one night but stayed two because it was so great and the town...