Vandiver Inn front view.
The Vandiver Inn is delightfully different from the average bed and breakfast property. For starters, it’s a popular wedding event space with multiple awards. The innkeepers also hold supper club dinners that attract dozens of locals in-the-know throughout the year. Corporate guest love the inn’s selection of suites, some of which come with full kitchens. And even though they serve breakfast to overnight guests, the Vandiver Inn is not considered a bed and breakfast style property. The owners, John and Susan Muldoon call this a mid-size boutique inn.
Three separate houses make up the inn. The main house was once the home of Murray Vandiver, who made his fortune as a partner in the famous Gold Mine Toll Bridge. Murray went on to hold public office positions like Maryland delegate, Maryland treasurer, and Secretary of the Democratic State Committee. The main house, built in 1886 was a wedding gift for his wife, Anne. Their son Robert lived in the family home until the mid-1960s.
An inviting porch for summer days. Photo courtesy of the Vandiver Inn.
When John and Susan bought the inn, the three houses were already in place as one unit. Guests get a choice of rooms in the Vandiver mansion, Kent House, or the Murphy House. The rooms come in three categories, standard, deluxe, or premium. The standard rooms tend to have queen-size beds, and most have a shower instead of a tub/shower combination.
Vandiver Inn room choices
Deluxe rooms like The Rodgers suite on the second floor of the Vandiver Mansion features an elegant sitting area, king bed, unique ornate split chimney, eco-fireplace, large bathroom with both a claw foot tub and a walk-in shower. Add to all that a semi-private porch with tables and chairs for a very luxurious stay.
The John Henry premium suite provides a full-kitchen option for guests looking at an extended stay. Located in the Kent House on the second floor, the John Henry suite is a home-away-from-home. Blessed with plenty of space, a desk, king bed with memory foam mattress, flat screen TV and DVD, this is home-like.
Rodgers Bedroom 1
On the Vandiver website, guests are directed to read the part that explains there’s often a wedding party or other event going on during your stay. But don’t worry, the parties have to be concluded by 9 p.m. or sooner. Even though the sound of laughter might be heard throughout the property during some of these events; the owner’s find most guests not attached to the party enjoy the festive feel.
Food and drink
Another note to prospective guests is about alcohol. Since The Vandiver Inn have their own liquor license, guests are informed this is not a BYOB establishment. It would be like bringing your own drink to a bar, which is against liquor laws.
The inn could lose its valuable liquor license if this law was broken. The Inn has a wide selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks available during your stay.
Although the Vandiver Inn is not a restaurant, they do hold Monday Supper Club dinners. For just $24, Chef Susan serves a themed-dinner out back in the Pavilion. Themes range from Italian, Thai, comfort food, and whatever strikes Susan’s fancy at the moment.
Lamb Chop plated, photo courtesy of the Vandiver Inn.
No two supper club dinners are alike and judging from the one my wife and I attended, the locals love these dinner events. Some supper club fans drive in from Baltimore and New Jersey for this delicious dining event. Guest of the inn are welcome to reserve seats if their stay coincides with a Monday Supper Club. Breakfast is served daily for guests of the Inn and includes a continental spread of fruit, yogurt, bread, juice, coffee, tea, and usually a couple of hot items.
They also provide top-notch meals for special events.
In the area
Vandiver Inn’s location on historic Union Street puts guests in easy reach of Havre de Grace’s best activities and restaurants. The waterfront is an easy ten-minute walk, as is downtown. The Concord Point Park is good for a stroll followed by a look inside the Keeper’s House Museum (open April-Oct. Saturdays and Sundays). Across from the Keeper’s House find the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum showcasing maritime skills and cultural heritage. The Steppingstone Museum preserves the areas farm heritage with demonstrations of homesteading ingenuity throughout the season.
Concord Point Lighthouse.
One of the best wine bars in the entire country is located in downtown Havre de Grace, just a 10-minute walk from the Vandiver Inn. A visit to the Vineyard Wine Bar is a must for an oenological trip around the world. With 80 wines by the glass and terrific food, this is a must see and taste experience. Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday-Monday, this is one of my favorite wine bars anywhere! Don’t miss their baked brie appetizer, or the chocolate cherry ice cream if you go.
Vineyard Wine Bar chocolate cherry ice cream.
Havre de Grace is lucky to have such a classy lodging and event business like the Vandiver Inn.
I recommend you book a room and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.
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