Learn more about us and get excited for your visit!

Get to know us and gain clarity about your trip and our property policies before your arrival.

Our Policies
Wooden dock with two deck chairs and a small table overlooking a pond, surrounded by grass and trees; distant view of houses and a road.
A porch with a metal chair featuring intricate patterns, a glass table, and a vase of pink flowers placed on it. The background includes white siding and a window, with trees visible outside.

Our Story

By the Side of the Road was originally established in 1999 as Harrisonburg, Virginia’s first bed and breakfast business. Founders Dennis and Janice Fitzgerald wrote the city ordinance that defined the services of a fine B&B establishment in the region. As of June 2022, By the Side of the Road is under new ownership. Jesse and Anna Bergey saw an opportunity to continue the business as Dennis and Janice (Anna’s parents) were ready to step back. They are bringing new ideas and updates while providing clean, comfortable accommodations to those who visit. Jesse comes from a background of landscaping and worked for a local company for 10 years and most recently ran his own small landscape company for 8 years. Anna has worked in marketing and hospitality for as long as she can remember and currently works as a Realtor/Associate Broker primarily in the Harrisonburg/Rockingham area.

Gray house in a lush green landscape with trees, a pond, and foreground yellow flowers.
Wooden dock with chairs and ladder beside a pond, surrounded by trees and yellow flowers, with houses in the background.
Front porch with white railings, two metal chairs with cushions, small table with flowers, and overhead light. Surrounded by a large green tree.

At By the Side of the Road, we offer a variety of accommodations from rooms in the historic Circa 1790 Main Inn to unique, private cottages spread out throughout the property. A minimum one-night getaway or longer vacation rental is now available and affordable at By the Side of the Road. This award-winning lodging business, with 26 years of successful operation, offers a five-star level of service all day, every day.

Property Policies & FAQs

  • Rates are based on double occupancy. Additional guests are $35 per person per night. The Sugar Maple Suite and the Cedarwood Suite are the only two accommodations that can sleep more than two guests.

    A 12.3% tax is added to each rate. All major credit cards are accepted.

    A one night deposit is required on stays for two nights or more. The balance will be collected 7 days prior to your check-in day.

    For one-night stays, the entire amount (less the taxes) will be collected at the time the reservation is made.

    High Demand Weekends have their own policies. This includes JMU Graduation, Homecoming and Parents Weekends. For more information, please refer to “Special Event Weekends” below.

  • **JMU PARENTS WEEKEND, HOMECOMING AND GRADUATION - PLEASE REFER TO SPECIAL EVENT POLICIES BELOW**

    Plans change? No problem! Here’s how our cancellation works:

    • More than 14 days before arrival: Full refund minus a $50 administrative fee.

    • 14–2 days before arrival: 50% of your reservation is retained.

    • Less than 2 days before arrival or no-show: 100% of your reservation is retained.

    • If we can rebook your room: We’ll refund your payment (minus $25 fee) even if it’s within the 14-day window.

    Other important info:

    • All cancellations or date changes must be made by email.

    • You may change your reservation date for a $50 fee if within 14 days of arrival, subject to availability.

    • Inclement weather: If the National Weather Service strongly advises against travel along your route, we’ll issue a gift certificate for the full amount of your stay, valid for 1 year.

    • Third-party bookings: If you booked through Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia, or Hotels.com, you must cancel or modify your reservation through that site.

    Booking.com reservations are non-refundable.

  • Booking & Cancellation Policy for Special Event Weekends (JMU Graduation, Parents and Homecoming Weekends)

    A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining 50% balance will be automatically charged 30 days prior to your arrival.

    Cancellations made within 90 days of arrival are non-refundable, and the full reservation amount will be retained. Once within the 90-day window, the reservation is non-cancelable and non-refundable.

    A two-night minimum stay is required, and special event rates apply.

    These high-demand weekends are available to book online up to one year in advance, on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Please note: The Special Event Cancellation Policy applies with no exceptions.a

  • Check-in is 3PM

    Check-out is 11AM

    Late checkout is available for $25/hour and the latest is 1PM

    We cannot guarantee early check-in but you are welcome to call the day of arrival and we will let you know if your room will be ready early.

    ALL Accommodations are self-check-in, including the Main House Suites and Rooms. Check-in instructions are provided on your confirmation email when you make your reservation.

  • Main House (Iris Room, Redbud Room, Cedarwood Suite & Sugar Maple Suite)
    When you turn in the driveway for the Main House, the lot is the first one on your left. There are 4 spaces – One space for each Room/Suite. Additional parking is available on Glanzer Ct, which is the street directly behind the Main House.

    River Birch Cabin, Magnolia Cottage & Clover Cottage
    Follow the driveway in front of the Main House to access “Cottage Parking” marked by a sign on the left. There are three spaces – One space for each Cottage. Additional parking is available on Glanzer Ct, which is the street directly behind the Main House.

    Water Lily Studio & Mountain Laurel Studio
    The Spring Water Studios have a private driveway on the other side of the Pond. The Main House faces the Pond and the Spring Water Suites. There is a small, lighted sign that says “Spring Water Suites” under a canopy-lit elm tree. Once in the driveway, you’ll see the building on your left and the gravel driveway just past it.

  • Available for guest use only.

    TESLA Charging Station is located in the Spring Water Suites parking lot. Should you want to use the TESLA charger, please book either the Mountain Laurel Studio or the Water Lily Studio.

    UNIVERSAL Charging Station is located in the Cottage parking lot. If you’d like to use the Universal charger, please book the River Birch Cabin, Magnolia Cottage or Clover Cottage.

  • Purchase HERE

    When redeeming a Gift Certificate please note the following:

    Two night minimum may be required Fri/Sat or Sat/Sun.

    May be applied toward any accommodation.

    Non-transferable, Non-refundable, Not redeemable for cash.

    Cannot be used with other specials or discounts.

    Entire value of each Gift Certificate must be redeemed in a single reservation.

    Value is applicable to lodging only, unless otherwise specified.

    May not be applied to sales & use taxes.

  • Fireplaces are seasonal and in operation from October 1 to April 30.

  • We are a non-smoking/non-vaping property. Smoking and Vaping any substance is strictly limited to outside.

    Smoking or vaping inside will result in a $250 charge.

  • We’re happy to welcome well-behaved dogs in The Mountain Laurel Studio and The Water Lily Studio.

    • One dog: $50 one-time pet fee, plus $10 per night for stays of 3 or more nights.

    • Two dogs: $75 one-time pet fee, plus $20 per night for stays of 3 or more nights.

    Please note: Dogs are permitted only in the designated pet-friendly studios.

    A maximum of two dogs are allowed per studio, with a combined weight limit of 70 lbs. Pets should not be left unattended in the studios unless crated.

    When booking online, please let us know about your pets in the 'Special Needs/Request’ Section.

    Please ensure your furry friend is respectful of the space and other guests. If you have any questions about our pet policy, feel free to reach out before your stay!

  • We can accommodate children ages 5 and up in The Cedarwood Suite or The Sugar Maple Suite in the Main House.

  • We offer beautiful lawn and landscape plus an inviting country style pond for your enjoyment. At this time, we are not able to accommodate large gatherings or parties.

  • The Clover Cottage is ADA Approved, however it has limitations. Please inquire with us for additional details prior to booking your stay.

  • Guests provide their own meals and housekeeping.

    Cabin, Cottages and Studios are equipped to enable guests to prepare light meals and beverages during your stay. The wet bar sinks are adequate for clean up after limited food and beverage prep.

    Guests shall be liable for damage caused by his or her act, omission or negligence. If damage has occurred, By the Side of the Road reserves the right to charge the credit cared provided at the time of booking a reasonable amount necessary to repair or replace such damage. Cleanup problems beyond reasonable wear and tear will be applied to the credit card at a rate of $100/hour.

Our History

Learn more about the history of the Inn & Cottages!

Read More
Black and white photograph of two historic, colonial-style houses with bare trees in front, set in a rural landscape.
Vintage photo of a brick house with two balconies, surrounded by trees and a wooden fence.

Photos from By the Grace of God by Nancy Burkholder Hess.