The Ampersand Inn
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About
#1 of 1 B&B in Newton
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
The ten-room Ampersand Inn is located on a 14-acre estate nestled within Kittatinny Valley State Park in Sussex County, New Jersey. There are seven rooms in the Main House & three in the Carriage House. We are surrounded by the Kittatinny mountains, numerous lakes, state parks, hiking and biking trails, highly acclaimed restaurants, renowned wedding venues, and outstanding musical performances at the Newton Theatre and other local venues. Breakfast is served daily in our dining room and features fresh fruit, Inn-made bread, a main entrée, coffee, tea, and juice. Complimentary coffee, tea, soda, & snacks are also available anytime in the guest pantry. We were honored to receive the 2024 New Business Award from the Sussex County Economic Development Partnership, the 2023 Travelers’ Choice Award, and to be featured as one of the eight most romantic getaways in New Jersey.
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Pool
Free breakfast
Bicycles available
Hiking
Books, DVDs, music for children
Photo copier / fax In business centre
Electric vehicle charging station
Parking
Wifi
Pool / beach towels
Outdoor pool
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Special diet menus
Horseback riding
Bowling offsite
Canoeing offsite
Fishing
Patio
Water park offsite
Board games / puzzles
Couples massage
Foot massage
Full body massage
Massage
24-hour security
Gift shop
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Picnic area
Shared lounge / TV area
Sun loungers / beach chairs
First aid kit
Umbrella
Express check-in / check-out
Room features
Air purifier
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Fireplace
Electric kettle
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Housekeeping
Private balcony
Seating area
Sofa
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Flatscreen TV
Radio
iPod docking station
Whirlpool bathtub
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
Room types
Mountain view
Pool view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Business
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
140 Goodale Rd, Newton, NJ 07860-2788
Getting there
Newark Liberty Intl Airport
60.3 km•
See all flights
Morristown Municipal Airport
37 km•
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Car Hire
133 Restaurants
within 10 kilometers
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 513
- 22
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Detailed Reviews
Marianne and Jason are incredibly gracious hosts who always make us feel welcome. My sister and I used to travel here with my Mom who has since passed. The first year arriving without Mom was difficult, Marianne was AMAZING and even gave us a (very welcomed) hug! The rooms and shared spaces are immaculate and with many special touches, there is always coffee and beverages available and some comfortable share sitting spaces that are clean and quiet with plenty of great books to choose from, all genres. The Wooden Duck truly has become a home away from home for us.
Breakfast is always something different, and always incredibly delicious, we enjoy sitting in a sun filled dining area looking out at the garden/pool area, watching a wide array of birds and viewing the expanse of nature that surrounds the property.
The rooms are well appointed with lovely bathrooms, plenty of closet and drawer space, small fridge, fireplaces in most ()maybe all?) and are QUIET. In addition to central air in the home, there are also room units so that you can adjust cooler if needed. The linens and beds are cozy and comfortable.
With beautiful grounds and a state park down the street, there are plenty of nature options. Downtown Sparta, about 10/15 minutes away has some great restaurants (and ice cream) and Andover has an array of antique shops that are nice for rainy days.
I can't say enough about the gracious host and hostess, as well as the property. I would HIGHLY recommend The Wooden Duck!
Breakfast is always something different, and always incredibly delicious, we enjoy sitting in a sun filled dining area looking out at the garden/pool area, watching a wide array of birds and viewing the expanse of nature that surrounds the property.
The rooms are well appointed with lovely bathrooms, plenty of closet and drawer space, small fridge, fireplaces in most ()maybe all?) and are QUIET. In addition to central air in the home, there are also room units so that you can adjust cooler if needed. The linens and beds are cozy and comfortable.
With beautiful grounds and a state park down the street, there are plenty of nature options. Downtown Sparta, about 10/15 minutes away has some great restaurants (and ice cream) and Andover has an array of antique shops that are nice for rainy days.
I can't say enough about the gracious host and hostess, as well as the property. I would HIGHLY recommend The Wooden Duck!
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Date of stay: May 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, General Manager at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 15 Jul 2020
Thank you for your kind words. We enjoyed having you with us. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences here. We look forward to your return
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife and I spent one night here to get out of the city, and we were very happy with our choice. Maryann and Jason were incredible hosts and ensured that our stay exceeded expectations. The breakfast (quiche, potatoes, fruit, pastry, coffee, juice, and more!) was perfect and served in our room, which had a cute little balcony overlooking the woods. The property has a well maintained trail on-site and is just minutes away from a gorgeous state park, lake, and many other trails. We were upgraded to the Golden Eye Room, which has a large soaking tub and plenty of space! With cookies upon arrival, and plenty of COVID-related safety measures (sanitizing stations, socially distanced check-in, removed throw pillows, and more), we hope to return as soon as possible!
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Date of stay: August 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Golden Eye has a large soaking tub, private balcony, and plenty of space! The pictures are 100%...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 26 Aug 2020
Thank you for your review. It was wonderful have you with us. Thank you for the kind words. We hope to see you again soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This was our first time staying at a B&B and I will say we were blown away at this place. We stayed into New Years so the property was fully decorated with Christmas decor. The property was immaculate, the common areas were all cozy and inviting (we stayed in our room the whole time due to Covid) but we will definitely be back to see how it is post Covid. Regarding cleaning and covid policies, they were great. There was a socially distant check in which was easy, the property had signs all over about wearing masks and sanitizing. We stayed in the Golden Eye room and it was wonderful. The room was spacious and clean. The bathtub was big enough for 2 people comfortably. The bed was great as well. The breakfast each morning was delicious, the freshly baked muffins, French toast and homemade cookies were all delicious. In the common area there was a fridge with water, juice and soda, a nice touch. Overall, can’t recommend this place enough.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 23 Jan 2021
Thank you for sharing your kind words and assuring us we are doing it right. We hope you visit with us again soon. Warm Regards, Maryann and Jason, Owners
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
My wife and I have stayed at quite a few B&B's over the past few years. To be honest most of them were very good experiences. That being said Wooden Duck surpasses all of them. We have stayed there three times between last year and now. Every stay was a terrific experience. Jason andMaryann have a way of making you feel more like family than guests. The rooms are always spotless. The inn itself is very well maintained. I can't say enough about the breakfasts. Maryann has a way of taking ordinary things and turning them into something special. There is always fresh baked cookies, coffee, tea and other refreshments put out for the guests. Its a great place to get away for a couples retreat or to meet new people at breakfast. I could go on and on. Highly recommended
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 17 Oct 2020
Thank you for your kind words. We truly appreciate your visit AND your review. We cant wait for your next visit! Thank you again!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the moment you pull in the driveway until you leave, this is what a B & B should be. Very nice curb side appeal, well adorned interior but nothing over elaborate. Everything about Wooden Duck is appealing from the foyer, dining room, sitting rooms, bedrooms and most importantly are the breakfasts. Though we were only there for two (2) nights, the morning meals were phenomenal. Even with the safety restrictions, Jason and Maryann did not let this hinder them from providing excellent customer service. Do not hesitate to inquire about restaurants, attractions, etc.. Both are very knowledgeable about what the area has to offer.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, General Manager at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 3 Aug 2020
We truly appreciate your kind words. It is wonderful being able to share our B&B with you. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts online. We look forward to your return.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We were on a trip to New England and did not want to do the trip in one day. After researching B&B's along our proposed route we settled on the Wooden Duck. The property is tucked in along a very rural road with much privacy and nature. We chose the Golden Eye room. It truly was magnificent. We've stayed at many B&B's and this was easily the nicest we've experienced. Please check their website because the property is perfectly represented. We left after a very generous breakfast (which was delicious) so did not get a chance to enjoy many of the outside amenities. The Innkeepers were friendly and attentive in spite of the COVID mask wearing. I felt very comfortable with the precautions they took. This is a highly recommended B&B!
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Date of stay: September 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 17 Oct 2020
Thank you so much first for staying with us and second for taking the time to share your thoughts. We are happy you loved your room and the entire inn, including the breakfast. We look forward to seeing you again in the future! Thank you!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Quiet, secluded, and beautiful! The hosts are warm and welcoming and readily available for questions and information about the area. The Pintail Room was lovely; a clean, cozy, and private space furnished with a mini fridge. Though I chose the Chef Special for breakfast each morning (delicious!), the hosts provided choices such as a more basic eggs and toast offering. The breakfast room looks out onto a lovely pool and also provides breakfast to lots of visitors such as chickadees, tufted titmice, and hummingbirds. What a great way to greet the morning! For nature lovers and those yearning for a respite, the location is ideal as it is surrounded by woods and hiking trails, all within walking distance, that connect to the Kittatinny Valley State Park.
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Date of stay: September 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: The Pintail Room is located in the Carriage House and offers a separate entrance, privacy, quiet,...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 1 Nov 2021
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are happy you enjoyed your stay with us and hope to see you again!
Read more
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Overall, this is a great location. Away from the city, there are numerous parks with hiking trails nearby ranging in difficulty. You're sure to find one that suits your needs. Breakfast each day was delicious and varied. We chose to have breakfast in our room each day at 9:30 and Jason and Maryann brought the food exactly at 9:30 each day.
The room itself (Bufflehead) was great for us. It has everything you need for a couple to enjoy a romantic getaway. The added dedicated parking spot for this room and side-entrance make it all the more convenient.
COVID-19 precautions were all in place and made us feel safe.
The room itself (Bufflehead) was great for us. It has everything you need for a couple to enjoy a romantic getaway. The added dedicated parking spot for this room and side-entrance make it all the more convenient.
COVID-19 precautions were all in place and made us feel safe.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 23 Jan 2021
Thank you for your kind words. Happy you felt safe during this pandemic. We hope you visit with us again soon. Warm Regards, Maryann and Jason, Owners
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason and Maryann took great care to ensure that we felt safe during our stay. They wore masks at all times and respected social distance when interacting with us. The room was very clean and the unnecessary additional bedding had been removed from the room. They also arranged breakfast in a way that limited our interactions with the other guests to a friendly 'hello' from another room.
Our hosts were very knowledgeable about the local area, and we benefited from their recommendation to check out Raymondskill Falls. The B&B was also close to Sparta, NJ, which was a cute town on a lake with some nice restaurants.
We made use of the DVD collection in our downtime but regretted not bringing our laptops to have access to our streaming subscriptions as well.
All in all, our experience matched the other excellent reviews and we would recommend the Wooden Duck to anyone!
Our hosts were very knowledgeable about the local area, and we benefited from their recommendation to check out Raymondskill Falls. The B&B was also close to Sparta, NJ, which was a cute town on a lake with some nice restaurants.
We made use of the DVD collection in our downtime but regretted not bringing our laptops to have access to our streaming subscriptions as well.
All in all, our experience matched the other excellent reviews and we would recommend the Wooden Duck to anyone!
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Date of stay: July 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: It seemed like the more expensive rooms were better value
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, General Manager at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 15 Jul 2020
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are happy you enjoyed you stay and that you feel we are getting the Covid safety stuff right! We care about our guests! Thank you!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
After being on my “vacation radar” for many years, my wife and I finally visited the Wooden Duck this past weekend. From the moment we arrived - relaxation was the word. With protocols in place, Jason provide an easy registration and familiarization with the area. We stayed in the “Old Squaw” bedroom in the Carriage House, and we were very comfortable. Breakfast on Saturday morning was a delicious French Toast Bake, poached pear, and freshly made banana cake - all prepared by our gracious hostess, Maryann. The Skylands area of NW New Jersey provided many options for dining and day trips - with Jason providing additional options. Sunday morning eggs and quiche was another excellent breakfast. We had a truly lovely and relaxing stay at the Wooden Duck.
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Date of stay: March 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Jason Jerome, Owner at The Ampersand Inn
Responded 6 Apr 2021
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was wonderful having you with us. Keep us on your radar for your next vacation! See you soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Congratulations on your 10th anniversary and thank you for your inquiry! Please visit our website at Wooden Duck Inn (all one word) to view and reserve your stay. If you look at the rooms page on our website you can view pictures of the rooms and descriptions. Our Golden Eye and Harlequin rooms are the most romantic and include a 2 person soaking tub, double sided gas fireplace, large sitting area and balcony. You can also check out Canvackback, Bufflehead and Mallard. If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to call us directly (unfortunately they do not allow us to post our direct phone number. Thank you
…
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Wooden Duck B&B
LOCATION
United StatesNew JerseyNewton
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Ampersand Inn
Which popular attractions are close to The Ampersand Inn?
Nearby attractions include The Newton Theatre (3.6 km), Kittatinny Valley State Park (0.7 km), and Scranberry Coop Antiques (5.5 km).
What are some of the property amenities at The Ampersand Inn?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and a pool.
Which room amenities are available at The Ampersand Inn?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a desk.
What food & drink options are available at The Ampersand Inn?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, complimentary tea, and free instant coffee during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to The Ampersand Inn?
Conveniently located restaurants include Krave Caterers, Dominick's Pizzeria, and Thai Nakhon.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Ampersand Inn?
Yes, guests have access to a pool during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Ampersand Inn?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
Are there any historical sites close to The Ampersand Inn?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The Growing Stage (14.1 km).
Is The Ampersand Inn accessible?
Yes, it offers wheelchair access, reduced mobility rooms, and facilities for disabled guests. For specific enquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.