Where to Stay in Stonington: The Leeward Inn

 
 

A Coastal Retreat with Legendary Breakfasts

Nestled among lush gardens and perched on the edge of a salt marsh is the Leeward Inn — a quaint coastal bed and breakfast offering charm, serenity, and exquisite meals to start your day. As the only B&B in the Borough and with only three guest rooms, it’s a standout for travelers seeking equal parts privacy and attention.

 
 

Innkeepers Wendy Koch and Jim Andrus weren’t always in the B&B business. What started as a weekend visit with a stay at the (former) inn and sailing lessons on the harbor, quickly turned into a real estate transaction by the close of the weekend. 

I want to live here. It’s paradise. It’s where I want to be.
— Wendy Koch, Innkeeper
 

The Octopus Room at the Leeward Inn in Stonington Borough

 
 

After a series of renovations to the primary house and some upgrades to the guesthouse, Wendy and Jim began accepting guests. “It’s a great way to meet people, be part of the community, and it’s a lot of fun taking care of people,” Jim says. He added, “We’re becoming known for our breakfasts. Even our neighbors look forward to baskets of baked goods we send around the neighborhood.”

But it’s not just the baked goods. Wendy and Jim are delivering 5-star meals each morning for every guest, crafted with the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients — eggs Benedict, cold smoked salmon, banana pancakes, Italian panna cotta, grilled fruit over luscious whipped ricotta parfaits, omelettes stuffed with vegetables, handmade Belgian chocolates — carefully considering their dietary restrictions when designing the menu. Two seatings allow them to cook to serve fresh off the stove or out of the oven and still be able to hit the harbor in the afternoon.

 
 

The Leeward Inn’s legendary breakfasts

 
 

What makes Wendy and Jim such natural innkeepers? A recipe of global curiosity and experienced dedication. Wendy is a world traveler who favors European tastes — a breakfast of pastries and cheese. Jim cut his teeth in a college fraternity kitchen, feeding 60 hungry young men daily. “Food is an expression of love that you can share with people.” He adds, “It’s the experience of the meal and the fact that someone is taking care of you.” 

Wendy jokes that the Inn is a hobby, but Jim is quick to clarify. “It’s a real job for both of us. Planning, shopping, cooking, laundry, turning rooms…it takes commitment and it’s a lot of work.” Either way you look at it, it’s clear they both get a lot of joy from it.

 

The Kitchen Garden at the Leeward Inn

 
 
 

The Leeward Inn Experience

The guest experience includes more than a delicious breakfast. The Leeward Inn serves as a home base to a walkable village — shops, museums, the harbor, and duBois Beach. Of course, there’s also Mystic and Westerly, but “we’re particularly delighted to see guests enjoying the garden…talking or reading a book,” says Jim.

 
 
 
 

The Leeward Inn is conveniently located just one block from Main Street and two blocks from Water Street. There’s plenty of parking and an easy walk to everything Stonington Borough has to offer. Each of the three guest rooms has a queen-sized bed, mini-fridge, private en-suite bathroom, a coffee maker, and a private patio opening to the inn’s gardens. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and designed for a restful stay. For reservations, call or email.

39 Orchard Street, Stonington, CT 06378
Phone: (860) 281-1791 or (860) 629-8604
Website: www.leewardinnsb.com
Email: leewardinnsb@gmail.com