Falmouth inn makes a point of personal touches

The inn is an imposing Queen Anne-style Victorian at the edge of Falmouth's historic, shop- and restaurant-filled downtown, which makes it central but quiet. There are 12 rooms in the main house, four in the guest house (including a handicapped-accessible room), and a two-bedroom cottage.

The decor is decidedly Victorian but not over the top. The parlor, bathed in light falling through high leaded glass windows, features comfortable furniture in rose and colonial blue and a wood-burning fireplace. A large tea table was stocked with teas, coffee, hot chocolate, and ice water, and shortly after we arrived a plate of fresh-baked oatmeal raisin cookies appeared. Guests are welcome to enjoy tea in the parlor or on the verandah in warm weather.

We stayed in the Robert Frost Room (all rooms are named for American authors, Pat told us), decorated in shades of green, maroon, and tan, with an attractive stenciled border. The corner room was spacious, with a four-poster king bed, mini-refrigerator, coffee maker, telephone, television, and bath with a whirlpool tub.

Thoughtful extras included bottled water, packets of coffee, an ice bucket and tongs, stemware, and a corkscrew. And while I am not a thread-count snob, I have to say the 600-thread-count sheets were among the softest and silkiest I have ever slept on.

The best part of our room was a comfortable, well-lighted sitting area with two wing chairs and a footstool, and two smaller upholstered chairs on either side of a round table in front of a double window alcove. On the table we found fresh flowers and two books of Frost's poetry. The layout gave us space to chat, read, and indulge our passion for sudoku puzzles.

The comprehensive guest information booklet, a hefty 14 pages, offered advice on everything from operating the room's heating and air conditioning system to getting beach stickers, buying ferry tickets, and booking tee times.