Clark Inn

Well. I have been busy since I got back to Maryland, but I did stay at one more Inn along my route home on 95.  It is the Clark Inn in Santee, South Carolina.  I came upon it quite accidently and in the nick of time as I was getting tired.  I had traveled from Gainesville, Florida, where I was visiting my cute young niece going to school there. Actually, I had visited my other cute neice and husband who have bought a fixer upper in Orlando earlier in the day.  I think I should blog about them another day as they are working so hard to fix up their place and made me feel I was welcome as I hoped all B&B's would.

Anyway, I was road weary and had originally planned to stay in Savannah, but missed an exit and decided to just stay at a motel, when I saw a billboard for the Clark Inn with a picture of what looked like a Southern Plantation Home.  I know, a billboard doesn't quite say quaint or charming, but the picture drew me in and rather than stay at a chain, I decided to follow the directions in to Santee.  Well, I wasn't expecting much, but the Inn was beautiful, quite well kept. 

Actually the "plantation house" is actually the restaurant which sits in front of the Inn part.
The rooms themselves are pretty much standard motel fare, but tasteful, clean, and the exterior and public areas more charming than most. There was a very nice gift shop where I bought, "Dottie's"  toffee for my late night tv watching, and where I miight have revisited in the morning had it been open.

As I said there was a very nice restaurant, where I ate that evening.  The dining rooms were large and very tasteful if not a little predictable, a little out of date, but then it was a Civil War era Inn. It had a very nice menu, however, the portions were way too large. It was such a waste.  I could have fed at least 3 people the seafood alfredo. The next morning I received breakfast with my stay and it was quite good and included grits and homefries.  Again, too much, but didn't leave too much on my plate as I didn't want to stop on the road.  Still had an 8 hour drive ahead of me.

If you find yourself tired on 95 near Santee, I would recommend this Inn.  Oh the price was way under $100.00 for two queen beds! www.clarksinnandrestaurant.com


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The Rhett House Inn, Beaufort, South Carolina

Ureka!  I have found a B&B that to me embodies what a B&B should.  Southern Charm, complete with spanish moss dripping from trees, wrap around porch set with cushiony rattan fruniture, ferns and slow moving fans, southern drawls and hospitality.  You walk in and people start greeting you and offering to help you with your bags and offering you sweet ice tea.
My room was so beautiful, decorated with black and white toile and pillows plumped.  They offered appetizers from 5 -- 7 pm and desserts at 7pm.  I didn't make the appetizers, but after my large lunch and  tour of the quaint town of Beaufort, a walk on the River front, I took a hot shower, slipped into the waffle robe and relaxed through dinner.  I made myself dress for dessert and wow, chocolate cake and lemon creme pie! I can't resist chocolate so I paired it with a cup of hot tea and returned to my room to watch X Factor and internet time. Heaven!
Next morning, I was refreshed and ready for a good breakfast and a long drive to Florida.  I like that the dining room is roomy and set with smaller tables and chairs.  Not that I am anti-social, but really, sometimes you want to just eat breakfast and collect your thoughts.  I sat near a window in the light filled room looking out over the front porch and to the street. Each table was set with white table linen and a nice large single stem chrysanthemum in a vase. The menu was eggs any way or french toast.  With that you had choices of bacon or sausage. In addition you were offered grits, fruit cup, yogurt, toast, choice of juices, jellies and coffee. In short, anything you could want for breakfast.

Apparently, I am not the only one to discover this gem as the living room or parlor is full of celebrities framed pictures on shelves who have stayed at the Rhett House Inn.  As I left there was a rental company setting up for a wedding on the side lawn.  We all hoped that the rain showers that kept coming in waves would not ruin the ceremony.  I was helped to my car and I rode off giving this B&B a solid A.  If you're in Beaufort, SC stop in! www.rhetthouseinn.com

The White House Inn

,From the moment you arrive at the Whitehouse Inn you realize there is a political theme.  The parking spaces are marked from right to left with signs reading either republican, independent and decocrat.  Each room in the B&B is named for a president.  There is the Reagan dining room, and the JFK Library and a meeting room crammed with political memorabilia.  I stayed in the Jefferson bedroom which was decorated with a lovely queen mahogony canopy bed in blue toile. The walls are decorated with a portrait of Jefferson and an aged framed copy of the Declaration of Independence. 
This well located B&B (4 blocks from historic Williamsburg) would have been given only praise from me except for the lack of care by the proprietors.  Upon our arrival a male who turned out to be one of the owners opened the door with a phone in his ear. We were not actually greeted, but pointed in and to seats in a parlor where we waited for over 10 minutes. When he returned, I felt he talked so fast through the tour and without much personality that I didn't feel a true welcome. 
That was the last we saw of out host that evening. In the early evening I began to try to use my computer.  One of the ammenities of the B&B was that it was wifi.  I looked all over for how to log on.  Not finding any info, I began to try different logical passwords to no avail.  I read how to call our hosts" with any problems that might arise", and left several messages.  The other note I'd read was to knock on their door which I did reluctantly as I hate to disturb.  There was no answer.  The next morning they appologized and said they were not there, but shopping.  While I realize that the hosts need a life also, I find it really unprofessional for there not to be anyone in residence, and not reachable by phone.  What if there had been an emergency?

The house was interesting, our room beautiful, the breakfast tasty, the location great. Again, as in Newport, RI our stay was marred by the hospitality shown. If I were going to rate this B&B it would receive a B. 

Kelly's Ford Inn

My Sister in our room.

Our deck with a view.

Located on the Kelly's Ford Battlegrounds near Culpepper, Virginia, my sister and I stayed here this Spring while visiting historic Culpepper. The rolling hills, the green fields with horses grazing behind miles of wooden fences make this a picturesque setting for a B&B and perfect backdrop for a wedding. http://www.innatkellysford.com/info.html. I reserved the room in the main house with the ajoining outside deck, where our hot, made to order breakfast, was delivered the following morning by a very nice staff member. The perfect spot to survey the entire area.

The property has a couple of cottages, perfect for newlweds or anyone planning a romantic weekend

One of the cottages

The Red Silo

 Everyone was so friendly during our stay. The most unique space to stay is a converted red silo, good for a couple or small family. While we were there we met the couple staying in the silo for the weekend who were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary. One thing I liked about the room we stayed in and I think most rooms is they are not overly decorated in victorian floral and lace.  Rooms have just enough shabby chic without being stuffy. Bedding is white and high end and comfortable.

Me by the Kelly's Ford old green truck.

Not feeling like dressing for dinner we opted for the pub downstairs. The menu had good selections and to our pleasant surprise there was live music.  We both enjoyed our meal and then had a pleasant walk around the property.

All and all it was a great sister get away.  I would go back.  I would consider it a good place for a family get together or a wedding.  There was a large building for weddings, meetings or parties.

What a Girl Wants -- at a B&B Breakfast

As a hostess you want to make your guests feel special.  I think that's what the guests want too, to feel a little special.  Not the same old boring breakfast.  As a hostess at a B&B or home you also want to make something which can feed a group, not be too time consuming and hopefully can be made ahead.  Optimally use local ingredients.  In Newport and along the New England Coast, Lobster comes to mind when you think of local and special.  Why not make either of these two dishes as your main entre for breakfast, along with fresh fruit, scones and clotted cream.http://www.lobsterfrommaine.com/savory-maine-lobster-asparagus-strata-11873.aspx. http://www.lobsterfrommaine.com/my-maine-lobster-quiche-11883.aspx Your guests will want to come back again and again. Don't forget the coffee. It really is a basic and should ideally be made first for those early risers. I like to grind a good quality coffee, just before making. Keep it coming. If you plan on self serve, get a commercial size pot or several carafes.  A selection of teas and several carafs of hot water is another good idea.

As for decor, A fresh white table cloth and napkins, fresh flowers or a bowl of fresh inseason fruit down the center of the table, and good stoneware dishes are understated and just fine.

What are some of your go to meals to serve a breakfast crowd?

The Inns of Newport -- Cleveland House

Well what's not to like about Newport, Rhode Island?  It's hard to be critical of anything when you've had such a great weekend of sailing, dining and entertainment among good friends.  The Inns of Newport, however, has inspired me to finally start this blog.  Their web site is beautiful, the managers talk of luxury and yet there was so much lacking that I can not recommend it.  First the good news; The Inns of Newport are convenient to downtown.  You can walk everywhere and yet it is still quiet. The beds are comfortable and the bedding of a good quality.  Rooms are small as you would expect in many B&Bs and showing wear and there is the feeling an update is in order. That alone would not inspire my negativity. Lack of care might be the best way to put it.  Switched to a room with the promise that it would fit four easily and be fitted with luxury bedding, I now realize they needed the third room that I gave up for other guests. The room was not set up for four until late in the evening with complaint, and much scuring around to find a rollaway bed and mismatched sheets.  There were not towels for four and the next day bathrooms in either of the rooms were not cleaned or given towels and toiletries. Breakfast, although the cook and waitress struggled to keep up, because two large groups had been assigned the same dining time was chaotic. Guests ended up dragging tables and chairs together, clearing dishes and going next door repeatedly for coffee. The coffee situation did not improve the second day. The managers promise, apologize and then ridicule staff. The food, made to order was good, but a simpler menu or more wait staff would alleviate the disjointed service.

This could be such a pleasant place, but lack of coordination of staff and lack of enough seasoned staff is the problem.  The managers talk about guests and staff to guests. Not cool! A few extras like a bowl of warm cookies to return to at the end of the day wouldn't hurt either. Okay, maybe we should not push our luck.

Any one have suggestions of B&B's in Newport? Beautiful town. Great food.  Lots to do.

Tomorrows Blog will concentrate on possible simple menues and measures to streamline breakfast whether for a B&B or weekend guests.

Welcome to Mamie's B&B review

If you are like me all anyone has to say is "Road Trip" and you begin checking out travel sites online and planning outfits. The plotting and planning of various aspects of where to stay and what to do when we arrive can occupy me happily for hours.  I revel in scheduling the best  that a town has to offer in only three days of a long weekend. Quality of places to stay, to eat and enjoy are much more important to me than quantity.

After transportation considerations, I turn my attention to where to stay. Though hotels can vary in quality from place to place, a person knows to expect a certain level of quality from a Marriot or a Hampton Inn.  Quality of Bed and breakfasts, though researched, are much harder to assess until you arrive and find the room is tiny and has one too many dirty lace doilies to match the dusty lace curtains.

So this site will  critique  the B&Bs  and Inns I've been to and will go to, and if you want to assess places you've been, feel free.  Hopefully, we can help each other out and be able to select our home away from home with confidence.