Belden House & Mews — Hotel in Litchfield

Our stay at The Belden was disappointing from beginning to end and honestly left us wondering how it maintains such high ratings, or a Michelin Key. The property seems severely understaffed, and many of the staff who were present looked disheveled and disengaged. Organization was clearly lacking. It felt like one hand didn’t know what the other was doing. We passed multiple staff members during our stay who didn’t even offer a smile or greeting. Valet service was nowhere to be found, and parking was limited. We ended up unloading our own car. The “butler service” never appeared. To their credit, the room itself was beautiful and the bed was very comfortable. It is also within walking distance to shops and downtown area. Unfortunately, the walls were paper thin in the room of the Mews so we could hear full conversations and even someone using the restroom next door. When we tried to visit the bathhouse, the lights and computer were on but no staff were anywhere to be found. We would have loved room service or breakfast but neither were available until late in the morning. We were looking forward to checking out, which is disappointing. Upon checkout, we discovered several unauthorized charges on our bill for items we didn’t purchase or consume. Once again, disorganized. We had to load our own car, and then after check out back out of the driveway out front because another car was blocking the entrance all night & staff couldn’t locate the owner. Overall, our experience felt overpriced, unprofessional, and underwhelming. What was presented and what we received were two very different things. The Belden may have the aesthetic of a luxury inn, but the service and management were...

A Perfect Stay – Exceptional Service and Charm The Belden House in Litchfield offers the perfect ambiance and location for either an overnight or extended stay. We arrived in the afternoon for a one-night visit and were immediately greeted by attendants offering valet service and guidance for self-parking. From the moment we arrived, the staff displayed the kind of professionalism and courtesy you’d expect from a 4-star+ experience. Our luggage was already being organized for pickup from our car when we were met by Mark, the butler, who gave us a brief tour of the property. He walked us through the restaurant, pool, sauna, and ultimately to our room located just behind the main house. What stood out most was the genuine enthusiasm from Mark and another staff member who brought our bags. They effortlessly blended history and hospitality, offering interesting insights about the property without being prompted—turning a simple walk into a meaningful connection with the place. Our room was spacious, beautifully appointed, and stocked with everything we needed. Thoughtful personal touches were noticeable throughout. Mark even offered to bring us drinks from the bar, which was a lovely gesture. Dinner at the on-site restaurant was a continuation of this high level of service. Multiple staff members ensured our evening was smooth and enjoyable, and the manager personally checked in to see how everything was. We had the duck and the steak—both were excellent (though I had a favorite!). This was a 5/5 experience for service, attention to detail, and genuine care. Well done to everyone at The Belden House - you’ve created something...

I have never heard a "hospitality" team say "No" more than while I was at the Belden House. In fact on a chilly autumn evening in an empty hotel lobby & restaurant the word "no" was all we could hear. So much so that it became the joke among the 5 guests in the lonely building.||Name brand spirits? No - figure out what you want to drink by staring at a back bar of labels no one has ever heard of. Might I add the staff was completely clueless on also. "Oh yea...this one is Japanese". Helpful...thanks.||May we eat at this cozy little nook we're sat in? No - the chef says we do not serve food in that seat.||May we use two cocktail tables to accommodate our cocktails and food? No - one per group...even thought here are no other groups.||May we order a hamburger? No - that is for room service only at this time.||May I order a hamburger to my room and bring it down? No - that is ONLY for room service.||I'm looking into the dining room at 7:00pm - it is totally empty - not a single person sat down to eat - may I order dinner here in this room...10 feet away...so that I can at least be around other people? No - you must eat alone in the lonely room.||What the heck guys? Why even be in the hospitality business if you can't show your guests one scrap of hospitality? Sit your head chef down and have a talk with him - you won't make it if all a guest gets told is no. And he'll be out a job again and again throughout his entire life until he realizes that you actually can accommodate people...usually very easily. People like when you do that.||Until they get this figured out drive a few extra minutes to stay at Mayflower and eat...