Set beside the Ellis River, near a covered bridge, this property is as much a tiny theme park as it is a bed-and-breakfast. The main building is slathered with so much gingerbread and sugarcoating it looks more like a set for the story of Hansel and Gretel than a hotel. This wedding cake of an inn sits on 65 manicured acres, shared with the neighboring Victorian Village, rambling gardens, statuary, arched bridges, benches and picket fences. Farm animals and deer entertain guests, who also enjoy riding at the stables, sitting in a gazebo appointed with a fireplace, sipping hot chocolate by the lake, relaxing in hammocks for two and pledging their troth in the
chapel on the property.
Although maintenance isn't as good as it has been in the past, it is in good shape. The interior features beamed tin ceilings, fireplaces, gleaming beveled glass, woodwork and brass. Oriental rugs, throw pillows and Tiffany-style lamps fill the public rooms, which include a parlor, a pub with video games, a guest kitchen, and a breakfast room with pressed-back oak chairs.
The modest outdoor 
pool is one of few in the area that is heated year-round. Sleigh rides, hiking, fly-fishing, ice skating and snowshoeing provide outdoor recreation.
Each guest room is named after the local artist whose paintings adorn its walls. All are romantic, with antiques and whirlpools for two. Three units boast canopied four-poster beds, a few have balconies, and one has a fireplace. The best picks are Myke Morton, with original beams, a brick hearth, access to the side porch and river views, and the C.C. Murdoch Suite, which takes up the entire third floor and features a sitting room, separate whirlpool room with a wet bar and fantastic views.
Despite its hokey make-believe aura, a stay here can be fun for guests who do not expect the real thing. Closed in April, the inn prohibits smoking, pets, and children younger than 12 and adds a hefty 15% service charge. Honeymooners will find this a better choice than the nearby Wentworth Hotel.
