Top Ten Romantic Inns of 2009

Looking for a romantic getaway? Here is the the list of top ten romantic Bed & Breakfasts according to ILoveInns.com.

Top Ten Romantic Inns of 2009

The River Lodge Bed and Breakfast

This past weekend my wife and I helped our granddaughter move into her Sorority House at Western Carolina University. We searched the Internet for a place to stay while we were in Cullowhee and found The River Lodge Bed and Breakfast, only 5 miles from the college.

We finished early with the move in and were ready for a nap since we had been up since 4:00 am and driven 5 hours to get here. The problem was it was only 11:30 am and check in at the B&B wasn't until 3:30 pm. I called and asked if there was anyway that we could possibly check in a little earlier and the innkeeper, Cathy was very helpful. She went out of her way to get our room ready 2 hours early for us and we were so grateful.

Now if you are going here for the first time, I would highly recommend doing it in the daylight as this charming B&B is definately off the beaten path and would be difficult to find in the dark if you didn't know where you were headed! Of course, all of that adds to the beauty and peacefullness of The River Lodge. It sits nestled in the hills and overlooks a valley and the Tuckasegee River.

When you first enter the rustic lodge your attention is drawn to a massive stone fireplace in the great room. We were told the building was made from 100 year-old hand-hewn logs taken from old barns and cabins in the Smoky Mountions Region. It is decoratied with antiques, crafts and a Native-American motif.

The innkeepers, Cathy and Anthony were charming and very attentive to our needs during our two night stay. Our room was cozy and very clean and we enjoyed our visit there so much we really didn't want to go home!

One of the things we like best about staying at a Bed and Breakfast is the breakfast part! Our tastebuds were delighted as we enjoyed the culinary delights offered by Cathy and Anthony. The food was delicious and the presentation was stunning.

We met the other guests at breakfast and enjoyed their company. We made friends with one couple who lives about an hour away from us and their daughter is also attending WCU. We talked about getting together again in the near future. Everytime we stay at a Bed and Breakfast, we meet the nicest people.

We have already talked about coming back again next month for a repeat visit and hopefully our schedule will allow us to return very soon to this wonderful Bed and Breakfast!

Visit The River Lodge Bed and Breakfast when you are in the Culowhee area, you will be glad you did! You can check out their website here: http://www.riverlodge-bb.com/index.html .

The River Lodge Bed & Breakfast
619 Roy Tritt Road
Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723
828-293-5431
Toll-free 877-384-4400
rvrldg@dnet.net

Spring is in the Air

Spring is in the Air
by Mike Marinaro

This is one of my favorite times of the year when the flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping. We look foward to the return of the hummingbirds to our yard as they make their long trek from Mexico back to North Carolina. Spring is in the air!

This is a great time of the year to take a long weekend and visit a bed and breakfast near you. I am in NC and the weather is beautiful here right now. Below is an awesome B&B in Vermont. I'm not sure of the weather there right now or if the flowers are in bloom, so call first to find out. They have beautiful gardens. Visit their website for more information.

The Hidden Garden's Bed & Breakfast
PO Box 100 • Hinesburg, Vermont 05461
802-482-2118

Located just 20 minutes from Burlington, Vermont, The Hidden Garden's Bed & Breakfast is surrounded by 26 acres of woods and gardens. The property borders on over 120 acres of protected natural habitat and Vermont Fish and Wildlife land. These conserved lands have hiking trails that are connected to gravel and paved roads for walking, jogging, bird watching and other quiet outdoor activities. Take a brisk country walk on the Five Mile Loop or branch off on interconnecting back roads. Several golf courses are nearby as well as streams for fishing and rivers for canoeing including sections of Lewis Creek.

Enjoy a garden tea while you are there; either under a tent surrounded by gardens, or if the weather is inclement, inside in the Sun Room overlooking the Sunken Walled Garden.

I haven't had a chance to visit this B&B yet; however, I have heard from friends that it is just fabulous. It's on my list of places to visit next time I am in New England.

Your comments are welcome.

Finding The Right Style of B&B For You

By Patti Rob

Which bed & breakfast location should you stay at? This isn't any easy question to answer but if you take the time to do some research you will come up with that answer. No one can provide it for you because that answer can be different for each person looking for a bed & breakfast. Knowing what you are looking for can help you make the right choice though.

You may have a particular place you are traveling to and want to find a bed & breakfast there. You may be open to going somewhere just because you love what a particular bed & breakfast has to offer. It is going to depend on why you are going there though. If you are looking for romance then you will want a different type of bed & breakfast setting than if you are going there to stay for business.

If you are more concerned with the scenery than the actual bed & breakfast facility though, you need to look beyond the doors. What will your view be like from the location? Will there be plenty of great things to look at and take your breath away? Many beach front bed & breakfast locations meet these needs but they are very costly and you can't just show up and expect then to have a vacant room.

It is acceptable to seek out a bed & breakfast location when you travel for business as well. It is more comfortable and less chaotic than staying at a regular hotel. You will also enjoy having a homemade breakfast instead of eating in a restaurant like you normally do when you travel for business. It can be hard to travel so much for work but staying at a bed & breakfast can make it more tolerable.

For those planning a trip to visit others, consider staying at a bed & breakfast instead of with them or at a hotel. You can savor the private time you have alone in the bed & breakfast. This will make the time you do spend with them quality time as it can be stressful for them to host people around the clock.

The interest is a terrific resource when it comes to tracking down the right bed & breakfast location. You can look at pictures, find out what events take place in the area, and see what people have to say about various bed & breakfast locations. You will find their honest opinions to be more useful than just reading the well written advertisements for the bed & breakfast locations.

Don't rush in your decision to select a bed & breakfast location. Take your time to make sure it is right for your needs. You may want to find out about the menu or the layout of the business. Don't settle for less than what you really want or you won't be satisfied with your experience at the bed & breakfast.

It can be exciting to stay at a bed & breakfast, and in many instances you may really be looking forward to getting away for a while. Do your part to make sure the time you spend in a bed & breakfast is going to be a wonderful experience for you. There are some great businesses out there just waiting to offer you the very best service possible so give them a chance to prove it.

About the Author: Patti Rob has some new, profitable ideas for starting a Bed and Breakfast. This information might give you a foot up when you consider owning a B&B.

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=248008&ca=Travel

What Makes A Bed & Breakfast So Special?

By Mark Hammond

Traditions hotels may be great for some travelers, but if you are looking for a quaint more rural kind of experience, a bed & breakfast options might be perfect for you. Because they include a more personable approach, bed & breakfast lodging is commonly available in smaller towns and rural areas.

What makes a bed & breakfast so special? Unlike a regular hotel, a bed & breakfast has less rooms and is usually run by a single person or family. Instead of a large building, a bed & breakfast usually is a large house with rooms converted for visitors or a smaller building with simple rooms. Your rooms have a more homey appeal as opposed to a regular hotel.

As the name implies, a bed & breakfast is not a place that you will lounge all day in most cases. It is simply a place to sleep and to eat in the morning. Check-in is usually during the late afternoon, and breakfast is served at a specific time. In most cases, breakfast is a real meal cooked especially for guests, not a continental breakfast. It depends on the particular bed & breakfast where you stay.

Most people stay at a bed & breakfast for a short time. There is not rule, however, that says you can’t spend your entire two-week vacation there. Some bed & breakfasts have great tours, games, poolside meet and greets, and other activities for guests to enjoy. Other bed & breakfasts have themed rooms.

No matter what bed & breakfast you choose, try to find one that fits your specific needs. For example, some do not accept families with children under a certain age. Others specifically have rooms only for single travelers. Still others have no handicapped lodging available. Bed & breakfast options are extremely varied, so hunt around until you find the perfect one for you vacation.

About the Author: Article written by Mark Hammond of National Hotels http://www.nationalhotels.co.uk/ UK Hotel Accommodation Finder and Travel Resource.

Source: http://www.isnare.com/

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=126775&ca=Travel

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The Bed And Breakfast Expeirnce

By Martin Vernon

"The Bed and Breakfast Experience" describes the differencesoffered by bed and breakfasts compared to hotels. Essentiallyyou enjoy the amenities of a hotel with added personal touches.Someone once described a bed and breakfast as the next bestthing to staying with friends. You are even greeted by name!There are no "cookie-cutter" aspects to a stay in a bed andbreakfast - each home is as individual as its owners.

There's somewhere for everyone to stay: you can choose from adowntown heritage home, waterfront guest house, country manorhouse, elegant inn, country cottage, contemporary home, farm ora woodland retreat.
It can be a daunting task to find reliably good qualityaccommodation when browsing through websites. Look forprofessional-looking sites: these reflect the qualities of theB&B. They should offer a website availability calendar with easyonline reservations as well as a toll-free telephone service.Further, reputable bed and breakfasts often subscribe toorganisations with inspection and approval standards. If youbook with a bed and breakfast which meets these requirements youshould be assured that you will not be disappointed. Forexample, in Canada the national ratings system, Canada Select,assesses amenities and quality of décor. 4, 4.5 or 5 Starsindicate the best quality.

Business travellers have traditionally sought theiraccommodation in hotels catering to their requirements. Butthings are changing with many bed and breakfasts now offeringall their business needs free of charge: high-speed wirelessinternet, desks, telephone, computer and printer. The provisionof free local telephone calls, free parking, free movies, freenewspaper and free beverages make for savings - and that is notto mention an inclusive memorable breakfast. Themed uniquefurnishings and comfortable décor help to make the staypleasingly memorable. There is, or should be, no sense oftrespassing in someone's home; privacy is paramount. The daysare long gone when staying at a bed and breakfast entailedsleeping in someone's spare room with basic amenities (possiblyincluding a tired shag carpet) and a shared bathroom "down thehall"!

The B&B is typically a private residence whose owners choose tohave this business lifestyle because they enjoy meeting people.A high level of service with an attention to detailed is almostguaranteed; after all, their livelihood depends on it. Somewelcome families, others pets, whilst others are adult oriented.Your hosts gladly provide insights into the areas touristattractions and activities, restaurant recommendations as wellas tips and local secrets. The inclusive breakfast has localproduce, fresh jams, delicious baked goods and mouth-wateringspecialties.

Many bed and breakfasts are in attractive older homes oozingcharm furnished by antiques, while others offer modern crispelegance and contemporary art. Luxuriate in fine linens on acomfortable bed, soak in a two-person bubbling whirlpool bathtuband snuggle up in armchairs to enjoy the ambience of a fireplace- just the place for a romantic or quiet break. Beautifulgardens are often a feature too for quiet relaxation. Smallerboutique hotels are now incorporating some of the successfulqualities of bed and breakfasts into their renovations.
If this is to be your first bed and breakfast experience itvery likely will not be your last.

About the Author: About the author: Martin Vernon, and his wifeLinda, have operated Gazebo Bed and Breakfast in Victoria,British Columbia, Canada for over ten years: see http://www.gazebo-victoria.com/
Source: http://www.isnare.com/
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=211130&ca=Travel

Your comments are welcome.

The Samuel Thomas House

Located in the historic district of Wendell, NC, The Samuel Thomas House is within walking distance of quaint shops and is reminiscent of Southern tradition. Enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds, sit on the front porch and relax as you sip some sweet tea or take a stroll downtown and dine with the locals.

Start your day with a gourmet breakfast and nibble on cheese and homemade deserts in the afternoon. This recently restored home offers three upstairs guest rooms including a honymoon suite. The Samuel Thomas House is the perfect place for a romantic weekend or just a quiet, peaceful get-away.

They also offer an extensive menu which can be personalized for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners, teas or other special events.

For reservations or more information please contact:
919.374.9647
jlsollin@bellsouth.net



The Samuel Thomas House
3501 Wendell Blvd.Wendell, NC

www.samuelthomashouse.com/


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