Hello, dear readers. In this issue:

• The luxury B&B revival

• Some of America’s finest inns

• Mastering the art of a B&B stay

• B&B tidbits

The luxury B&B revival

The bed-and-breakfast is making a quiet comeback. Sought out for their authentic experiences and distinct sense of place, today's finest B&Bs have evolved into something genuinely luxurious – historic estates, restored manor houses, and architecturally significant properties where the building itself is part of the story. 

For those with the freedom to set their own pace and the desire to seek out something extraordinary, a B&B road trip offers a new kind of travel entirely: unhurried, personal, deeply rooted in the character of each destination, and rich with the kind of experiences and extraordinary hospitality that no itinerary can fully anticipate. The only question is where to start.

Some of America’s finest

Whether you’re planning a getaway closer to home or taking a crosscountry journey, you’ll find distinctive B&Bs awaiting your discovery, from the limestone hills of Texas wine country to the colorful canyon landscapes of southern Utah, the misty peaks of the Blue Ridge to the broad sweep of the Chesapeake. The more you roam, you’ll find America's back roads are lined with remarkable places to stay … if you know where to look. 

California

Simpson House Inn, Santa Barbara Treat yourself to a stay at the only AAA Five Diamond rated bed-and-breakfast in the U.S. Surrounded by English gardens, this 1874 Victorian estate immerses you in  timeless luxury within a walk to the beach and downtown. Gourmet breakfasts in the garden, wine and appetizers in the afternoon, and turndown service nightly.

Colorado 

Apple Orchard Inn, Durango  One of only several B&Bs in Colorado to hold the AAA Four-Diamond Award, six lovely cottages feature covered porches and gas fireplaces, and surrounded by mountain views, a fruit orchard, trout ponds, and award-winning gardens.

Georgia

Glen-Ella Springs Inn & Restaurant, Clarkesville Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this mountain retreat borders the Chattahoochee National Forest. The fine dining restaurant is consistently ranked among Georgia’s top destinations.

Kentucky

Louisville Bourbon Inn, Louisville A beautifully restored antebellum mansion of luxurious proportions. The host is a classically trained gourmet chef who serves a breakfast known to change people's travel habits.

Maine

The Trellis House, Ogunquit  Steps from one of New England's most beautiful beaches, sought-after seafood, and artists’ colony. The lovely, refined coastal inn offers gourmet breakfasts, an afternoon wine hour, and bicycles at the door for a ride along picturesque Marginal Way.

Maryland

Tacaro Estate, Tracy's Landing, This magnificent 74-acre historic estate near Annapolis offers eight stunning suites, a resident gourmet chef, an infinity pool that blends into adjacent Chesapeake Bay, and a forgotten level of gracious hospitality that makes each stay extraordinary.

Brampton B&B Inn, Chestertown Set on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake, this elegant plantation-era manor and private cottages with wood-burning fireplaces, ensuite bathrooms, and a freshly prepared à la carte breakfast each morning.

Michigan

Robyn’s Inn, Plymouth A beautifully restored and historic adults-only  inn in the heart of this charming city, five sophisticated king suites feature original oak floors, oversized bay windows, and classically designed private baths. Beautiful public areas indoors and out, with dailly gourmet breakfast.

New Hampshire

Top of the Ridge Farm, New Durham Views of the White Mountains grace this adult-only boutique inn on six quiet acres. Luxurious linens, private decks, and Italian-born innkeepers who bake fresh bread each morning and offer cooking classes in the afternoon.

North Carolina

1900 Inn on Montford, Asheville Arts-and-Crafts architecture, colorful gardens, gourmet breakfasts, and whirlpool tubs ease you into an extraordinary stay. Linger in the sunroom with an espresso, watch the sunset from the porch to live music, or wind down by a crackling fire.

Pennsylvania

The Settlers Inn, Hawley This handsome Arts and Crafts lodge in the Pocono Mountains features a celebrated farm-to-table kitchen, a surprising find in a region most people simply drive through.

Texas 

Rose Hill Manor, Fredericksburg With its cottages and inn set on a scenic hilltop, this is the only AAA Four-Diamond property in the area. Featuring a three-course gourmet breakfast and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence.

Utah

Slot Canyons Inn, Escalante. This Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument inn offers something almost no hotel can: real darkness and star-filled skies. Each suite offers those views from large balconies, and bath you in relaxing soaking tubs. Handcrafted daily breakfast and  seasonal dinners are served.

Wyoming

Bentwood Inn, Wilson. Just beyond Jackson Hole and the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park, the Bentwood Inn earns the "bucket-list" designation from guests who return each year. A gourmet breakfast is prepared daily by an in-house chef, followed by evening hors d'oeuvres.

Mastering the art of a B&B stay

A truly meaningful B&B stay begins with channeling the joy of what lies ahead. To make the most of every moment of your visit, remember these tips:

• Book direct Call or email the inn rather than booking through a third-party site. Hosts reserve their warmest welcome, and sometimes their finest rooms, for guests who come to them first.

• Share a little. Mention a special occasion, a food allergy, or a room preference when you reserve. A good innkeeper genuinely wants to know, and will often surprise you with the results.

• Linger at breakfast. This is a meal to enjoy slowly. And over your second cup of coffee, you find it’s where the best local knowledge flows as freely as the freshly squeezed orange juice, unexpected friendships form, and the tone of the entire day is set. 

• Ask your host everything. The restaurant that’s only known to locals. A scenic back road. The gallery opening no one knows about. Your innkeeper knows more that the internet.

• Arrive unhurried. The B&B experience is not designed for the traveler in a hurry. Leave the itinerary flexible, resist the urge to overschedule, and let everything reveal itself at an unhurried pace.

• Treat it like a home. This is the goal of an outstanding host. Common spaces, quiet hours, and shared gardens deserve the same consideration you'd bring to a gracious friend's house.

• Leave a thoughtful review. For a small inn, a well-written review is genuinely meaningful and appreciated. If the stay touched your soul, say so, and say why. It's the kindest thing a grateful guest can do.

B&B tidbits

There are approximately 17,000 B&Bs in the U.S. Of those, the average B&B has just six rooms, creating a genuinely intimate stay by design.

Studies show B&B guests report higher satisfaction rates than hotel guests across nearly every category that are important to travelers: service, food, value, and sense of place. Yet, above all else, guests make a return visit because of the innkeeper. Surprisingly, these hosts are career-changers who left corporate life specifically to create the kind of hospitality experience most never get the opportunity to enjoy.