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Reviews of A house full of steel balls and games

2.5 out of 5
A house full of steel balls and games
5120 Earlwick Rd, Richmond, VA

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 59 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 72 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Staff & service

9.6/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Warren

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The pinball machines were very unique. This is my first BNB so I have nothing else for a comparison..
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

RICHARD

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Beware if you have cat allergies. While owner claims his cat is an “outdoor” pet the home interior - at least every public apace and the single room - are permeated with cat dander. If this is at all a health issue avoid this property. For persons with moderate or severe allergic responses to dander it poses a serious health problem.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2024

2/10 Terrible

Richard

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gloria

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raff

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pinball Fun in Richmond, Virginia
Unique and fun place to stay in Richmond. Especially nice if you are traveling with folks that really love pinball. Clean, accommodating, quiet neighborhood. Game play is included in the price of your stay, there must have been 25 machines.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
One of a kind accommodation
Great place, unique and nostalgic, pinball machines were fun, check in smooth and easy, terrific communication by owner
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chester

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Ive never experienced a bnb quite like Pinball Pete's. Nostalgic pinball machines everywhere set on free play. Got the pleasure to meet the man himself. Great guy. The house was extremely clean as well as free snacks and in a good neighborhood. Highly recommend this establishment. 10 stars if i could.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alan

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A great house, and a great host. If you love pinball and classic gaming consoles, you may find it difficult to work up the motivation to leave. The old style pop machine full of local craft beers was a nice touch, too, and is the only machine in the house that requires quarters.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marcus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cool and quirky
This is a quirky place that will Appel to lovers of pinball and other games. Robert was a gracious and thoughtful host. I’d been on the road for two weeks, and had a big day the day I left… so I did not make the most of the place because I was exhausted. Still kicking myself for not playing Elvira though.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ken

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Owner is an awesome person!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from Pete on 1 Aug 2023
Thank you Ken. It was a pleasure meeting both of you.

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Funky B&B stay - do you love pinball?
A fun and unique B&B just off 95 outside of Richmond. There are 3 smallish bedrooms and 16 working pinball machines which you can play non-stop for free. One room has a half bath, and the other two rooms share the full bathroom off the hall. Lots of fun if you like pinball or are traveling with teens. Full kitchen is available for your use, though breakfast food options are limited, but coffee is top-rate.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nili

Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The check in was easy, room very clean. My show dogs and I felt welcome. I felt much safer than in a hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allyson

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Peaceful spot in the country. My third stay! It’s like a home away from home
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Response from Pete on 17 June 2023
Thank you for the nice compliments.

10/10 Excellent

Allyson

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I stayed here one night and loved it so much I booked again! I have to add to my previous review; the fans in the bedrooms were an amazing touch! They are bulky to pack, intend to use white noise apps when traveling and it’s just not the same. The lovely touches in the comfortable bedrooms only add to the overall comfort of a home away from home experience. Thanks Pinball Pete, I will be booking again soon and many times in the future!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allyson

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
I had a great stay at Pinball Pete’s! He had every amenity you could think of; from coffee and creamer to a fully stocked fridge full of several types of bagels and spreads, fruit, and waffles. And don’t get me started on the pinball games, how fun!! (Elvira was my favorite.) I also enjoyed the patio to have a drink in there evening and coffee in the morning. I’ll definitely be staying here again, thank you!!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kalin, Laveen

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
You will definitely want to leave aside plenty of time to actually explore the different pinball machines because there are so many—that was our mistake! Pete was very nice and knowledgeable and very passionate about the pinball machines. And the “greeter,” Kat, who was a very friendly kitty who walked over to us to say hi when we arrived, was very very adorable :) Very communicative and very detail-oriented made this experience very hospitable.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from pete on 8 June 2023
Thank you for the compliments. Please let me know if I can assist you with anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Daniel A

Robert was a nice person, I could tell he put a lot of work and effort into his house to make it to the best vacation home for the guests that decide to live with him. There were some bugs that I caught. So far I saw 4 crawling in some parts of his house. Robert said he’s never had a bug problem, but would keep an eye out for them. Overall my stay at his house was a 10/10.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023
Response from Pete on 24 May 2023
Thank you for staying and it was a pleasure meeting you. Please let me know if you need anything in the future.

8/10 Good

marc

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pinball Wizard.
We pulled in and we're immediately greeted by Kat the owner's Cat. It was easy to check in on our own. The house is very eclectic with memorabilia, vintage video games and the famous old steel ball Pinball Machines. Kitchen is well stocked with coffee and breakfast items. Everything was neat and clean for an old house. Very comfy stay as we were the only guests in this 3 Bed 1 (Shared) Bath. Living room and Small dining area in the kitchen. We elected for the King Bedroom and glad we did.
Stayed 1 night in May 2023
Response from pete on 22 May 2023
Thank you for staying and let me know if you need anything in the future.

8/10 Good

Jeff

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Response from pete on 22 May 2023
Thank you for staying and let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Alexis

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place is really nice and we will be returning!
Response from pete on 22 May 2023
Thank you for the kind compliments.

10/10 Excellent

Marian Catherine

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Comfy and fun place to stay
Really fun play to stay! Comfy bed, friendly owner and the location is great, too. I hope to stay there again when I'm next in town. Even the cat who lives in the back yard was welcoming! lol You really should try this place- once in a lifetime fun, if you like pinball machines.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from Pete on 24 May 2023
Thank you for your compliments and please let me know if you need anything in the future

10/10 Excellent

Jacqueline

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was a perfect spot for my overnight trip to Richmond! It's a very cool space. The host was friendly and responsive. Looking forward to staying here again!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2023
Response from Pete on 24 May 2023
Thanks for staying.

8/10 Good

ILKYA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
You like games? Pinball Pete's got a housefull
Excellent communication from the host with a 'my house is your house' attitude made this a very laid back, easy stay. Because I only stayed one night, I was unable to take advantage of the myriad of games located all over the house. But it's a fun-filled place.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Pete on 19 Mar 2023
Thank you for your compliments. Please let me know if you need anything in the future.

8/10 Good

Jian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
This is my first bnb experience in the US. The manager was very responsive providing timely answers to my questions. The antique furniture and pinball machines were very impressive. The shared bathroom part was not expected. The bedroom was small and did not have a night stand. I was in room2z not sure the other rooms.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2023
Response from Pete on 28 Mar 2023
Thank you for your compliments. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It contains a great variety of pinball games and other classic games. The host was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jay

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay and good value
Mr Pete was a very pleasant host. Fun atmosphere and nice clean room. Enjoyed the Pinball and the soda machine that dispenses local beers. Will def book again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Response from Pete on 5 Feb 2023
Thank you for staying Jay. It was a pleasure meeting both of you.

10/10 Excellent

Arlene

Business traveller, Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pinball machines were a lot of fun! There was a nice yard for the dogs to run around in. The owner was available and very friendly. If you are looking for "retro" fun this is the place to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
Response from pete on 7 Mar 2023
Thank you for the compliments Arlene. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pinball Wizard
Such a pleasant surprise.. it’s like staying at a good friends house who happens to be a pinball wizard..I can understand how this may not be for everyone, but I had a blast.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marc

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hands down the best value in Richmond. And by far the coolest place to stay anywhere! Pinball machines, classic video games, big screens, lots of dvd's. Clean, comfortable rooms, convenient to the city.
Response from Pete on 22 Dec 2022
Thank you for the compliments and thanks for staying.

10/10 Excellent

Orkun

Business traveller, Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great and Special Place
We went back in time during our stay. The pinball machines and game tools were great. Perfectly decorated and very quiet place. The host Pete is very helpful and friendly person. If you happen to be in Richmond, I definitely recommend you to stop by.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022
Response from Buz on 20 Nov 2022
Thank You Orkun ans it was pleasure meeting you.

8/10 Good

Al

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very interesting.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2022
Response from Pete on 26 Sept 2022
Thank you. Glad you had a great time.

6/10 Okay

Alex

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
The 2 stars are because this is not a hotel and whoever owns the house does communicate which is good. But I’ll give my honest opinion if you’re traveling for business or just appreciate privacy; the extra $50 - $70 you’ll spend at a regular clean hotel are worth it. This place lacks privacy; there are three rooms where you hear everything the other guests say or do. I noticed there was one bathroom. I slept in room 3; there’s a small, uncomfortable bed where a 6-ft tall person doesn’t fit, so you’ll have to sleep diagonally. There’s a cat in the property that’s dying to come inside; I felt bad for it. No, you won’t be able to play unless you want to disturb the other guests. And by playing, I mean the pinball machines in the living rooms; “steel balls” comes from the amount of pinball memorabilia this guys has in the house, which makes it look cluttered, tacky and not cozy imo. Access is important; if you misplace the key or if you don’t find it, the host may or may not be in the house, and you’ll be hating yourself out there for not spending the extra $50-$70 at a regular hotel. Anyway, I won’t be staying there again; I guess if you’re in a low budget, don’t mind other people talking next door at midnight and are a smaller person (no more than 5’7”), consider it. If not, go to a hotel
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Pete on 17 July 2022
Hello Alex, Thank you for staying at Pinball Petes bnb nd your honest compliments. This is not a hotel and I do my best to make it feel your staying with a family member rather than a corporate atmosphere. Please let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Pete on 17 July 2022
Thank you for your review. Come back anytime

10/10 Excellent

Helena

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022
Response from Pete on 7 July 2022
Thank you Helena. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

KimberlyHogan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We really enjoyed our stay. The pinball machines were great fun, the kitchen was well stocked with breakfast items and our host was very friendly and welcoming. Came complete with Kat the cat who was an excellent greeter but stayed outside.We loved the eclectic decor. It's a home, not a hotel and you probably will be sharing the space with others but if you're OK with that give this place a try. Would definitely stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Pete on 7 July 2022
Thank you for the compliments. Welcome to stay anytime

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Despite a hiccup at check in that left me in the heat and humidity for an hour, Pete went out of his way to make my stay as comfortable as possible including handling a fussy washing machine so my laundry could get done.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from Pete on 7 July 2022
Thanks for staying. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Steve

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pinballers Paradise
This was a sweet deal! If you are a pinball enthusiast this is like staying in a pinball museum, we’re nearly everything on display is playable. Add to that the overwhelming number of movies and books from the 70s and 80s, retro games, and the Pepsi dispenser with bottled craft beer selections (excellent Virginia brewery selections), you could practically vacation here. Breakfast options were wonderful. Bathroom was clean and everything worked well. Location is very convenient to the interstates. My only regret was we were attending a convention and needed to be in bed early and up early, so we couldn’t enjoy getting to know our guests and playing the games.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022
Response from Pete on 7 July 2022
Thank you for compliments. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Adam

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Traveling
We were welcomed by a friendly cat and were able to get into the home easily. We had fun playing the pinball machines and even though 1 other guest, we never saw him and met owner in morning who was very nice. We helped ourself to bagels and oatmeal for breakfast. Quiet area.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Pete has a large collection of vintage pinball machines that you can play for FREE! It's pretty awesome. He also has lots of breakfast/coffee options-Highly recommended!
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

SHANNON

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great stay, less than stellar booking site
I can’t say enough about how unique the property is. The pinball tables were all in perfect condition and were some pretty rare/fun tables. The beer machine is up to $.75 but the selection was worth every penny! There was confusion about the bathroom being private (it is not) but this seems like a problem from hotels.com’s end and we were compensated for the misinformation. I feel bad that it came from Pete’s pocket because we really did enjoy our stay.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Diego

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great experience, will throw you off a little when you get there. But great place to stay! Definitely would go back.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marc

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Becca

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This place was so much fun, with so many special details to make it a better place to stay. Dog friendly was a plus too, and our pups were very happy here. I'm not sure I've ever seen that many pinball machines in one place before, and the vending machine of craft beers was awesome. Overall a great stay - we hope to be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from Pete on 18 May 2022
Thank you Becca for your kind remarks. Come back anytime.

10/10 Excellent

Lynn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved it
Terrific place to stay. I was in and out in less than 24 hours but if I’d had more time I’d definitely have taken advantage of the unique entertainment options. It’s such an original and fun concept and the host makes everything very easy.
Stayed 1 night in May 2022
Response from Pete on 18 May 2022
Thank you Lynn. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Bertran

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent!
Just exactly what I needed while in Richmond.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2022
Response from Pete on 18 May 2022
Thanks Bert. Let me know if you need anything in the future.

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The house and owner were fantastic!!! This was our first time staying at a bnb and i was a bit nervous about being in someone else's home but I truly felt as if i was staying at a friends house. Pete made it clear from the beginning that his house was ours and to make ourselves at home. He provided excellent communication the entire stay and was available by text at anytime. Definitely stay here if you are in the area!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022
Response from Pete on 18 May 2022
Thank you for Staying Christina. Let me know if you need anything in the future

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice room and breakfast. Highlight was the fantastic pet cat.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022
Response from Pete on 18 May 2022
Thanks Daniel. Let me know if you need anything in the future.