Shenandoah bed and breakfast inns

The next time you feel the need to get away from the everyday worries of our sometimes fast pace world, consider a bed and breakfast. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia are home to the much celebrated, Shenandoah Valley. The Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia is rich with history, beauty and some wonderful Bed and Breakfasts and mountain and valley Inns. Let me introduce you to some of B&Bs and Inns for you to consider.

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge is Fountain Hall. Located in the heart of Virginia’s wine country and, historic Culpeper, Fountain Hall was originally owned by Virginia’s Royal Governor, Sir Alexander Spotswood in 1859. This simple country Victorian was remodeled in the 1920’s to its current style Colonial Revival.

Though special arrangements can be made, arrival time is after 2 p.m. and checkout by 11a.m. A deposit of one night’s room rate is required which can be paid by personal check or credit card, with all major credit cards accepted. Standard room rates are $95 - $150, per room, per night. There are also corporate rates available. Deposits will be fully refunded if cancellation is received within a full 7 days prior to arrival date; otherwise your deposit is forfeited. For information and reservations call: 800-29-visit or e-mail: visit@fountainhall.com.

The Mayhurst Inn is an 1859 plantation bed and breakfast with 1700 acres. Located on the grounds is a summer kitchen, smokehouse, and an old schoolhouse from the 1860’s. There are also 200-year-old trees near a pond and springhouse. The mansion served as headquarters for General A. P. Hill who commanded over 18,000 troops from a tent on the front lawn. The mansion also played host to Generals, Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson. Mayhurst is on the National Registry of Historic Places.

This 4 story B&B has 7 private rooms, the Madison Room, Southern Charm Room, the Garden Room, Magnolia Room, Generals Room, the Italian Room and the Farm Suite. All rooms are air-conditioned and have private baths. The beds are fitted with luxurious linens and down pillows. Each room uniquely adorned with an excellent selection of antiques. Five of the seven rooms are furnished with gas and wood burning fireplaces.

Breakfast is served by the fireplace in the dinning room or on the front porch from 8:30 to 9:30. For a $10 service fee, you can have a candlelight breakfast in your room. You will take pleasure in an highly praised three course breakfast of muffins, baked bread, individual fruit plates and rotating entree, such as: Apple-pecan French toast, Creamy eggs with chives or their Plantation breakfast and juices. There is always freshly ground gourmet coffee or teas of your choice. Smoking is permitted on the balcony of the Italian Suite, the terrace of the Garden room, the front porch and the grounds. No pets are allowed however, well-behaved children supervised by an adult are welcomed.

There is a two night minimum on holidays and weekends in May and October. Rates are based on double occupancy. For more information, call (888) 672-5597.

The Queen Anne Bed & Breakfast, rests in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia near the Shenandoah National Park. This graceful Victorian Suite offers 4 rooms with era furnishings, original art, original heart pine floors, oriental carpets and luxurious decor. This is the perfect place to spend your honeymoon or anniversary, where you can relax in your private parlor which is equipped with a bar and a fireplace.

There is an introductory rate of $390 for two nights including breakfast. Smoking is not permitted indoors. For information and reservations, e-mail Victorian@ecojobs.com or call (804) 985-1587.

In the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia sits the “Inn at Keezletown Road B&B”, just 5 minutes south of Harrisonburg Va. This 104 year old Valley Victorian has 4 rooms, each with its own intimate sitting area, private baths, cable TV, central air-conditioning and refreshments upon your arrival. The Inn at Keezletown Road offers delightfully comfortable beds with fluffy down comforters, fresh flowers from gardens on the grounds, oriental rugs, Shenandoah Valley antiques, Victorian ceiling fans, porch rockers, a swing and a Pawleys Island Hammock. At the Inn at Keezletown Road, your first smell will be the full breakfast that might include country ham and biscuits, lemon glazed fruit muffins, pumpkin pancakes, fresh country sausage imported from North Carolina, Pennsylvania Dutch hickory smoked bacon, savory cheese grits, fresh fruit compotes and the inn’s own fresh eggs.

Rates at the Inn at Keezletown Road are $85 to $120 plus Tax. There is a corporate rate available. No pets allowed no smoking indoors and children 14 years and up are welcomed. For reservations call (800)-465-0100.

Enjoy a romantic getaway at The Hidden Inn in Orange Virginia. Consisting of four buildings, The Hidden Inn’s Main House, now more than 100 years old was built by descendants of Thomas Jefferson. From the wrap around verandas you can look out into the woodland gardens.

On the first floor of the main house there is the Madison Room, this room has a working fireplace, bath with an oversized whirlpool tub and a queen size 4 post canopy bed. On the second floor is the Greenock Room, which has a bath with a walk-in shower, a queen size brass bed and a working fireplace. The room is decorated in a hunt theme. It is a bright room as the result of natural light provided by windows on three walls. The second room on the 2nd floor is the Caroline Room. This is a large room with a walk-in shower, queen size canopy bed, a sitting area with a sofa bed , a wingback chair and reading lamp. With four rooms total on the 2nd floor we come to the Portico Room. In this room you can have a king or twin bed, and a loveseat. There is a bath with a tub/shower combination. The last room on the second floor of the main house is the Veranda Room. This pink and white room has a queen bed with a string canopy and a chaise lounge with a reading lamp. This room has a double sized whirlpool tub in the bathroom. There are also French doors leading to a private veranda, which looks out over the flower gardens.

The Carriage House at The Hidden Inn has one room on the top floor. The Travellre Room being a large room, has a mini-living room with a wingback chair and a sofa bed. There is also a queen size brass bed. In the bath there is a double whirlpool tub/shower.

The Garden Cottage overlooks the flower garden and has a private porch. In the bedroom there is a four-post bed beneath a small skylight, a TV and armoire. The bath has a whirlpool tub with a skylight.

The Caroline House has three bedrooms, one downstairs and the other two upstairs. All of the bedrooms have private baths. On the first floor there is a living room with a TV and gas fireplace. Also in the first floor room, there is a small kitchenette and a screened in back porch. There is the Sweet Briar Room, with a double size canopy bed and a large bath with a walk in shower. Then, there is the Constitution Room with a queen size poster bed, sofa bed and a love seat. There is a large bath with a walk in shower. Last is the Berryhill Room which has a queen-size bed, a private bath with a shower and tub and a small kitchenette with a refrigerator and stove.

For information and reservations for The Hidden Inn, E-mail info@hiddenInn.com or call (800) 841-1253.

This is just a few of the many fine places to stay in or near the Shenandoah Valley. Drive just a few miles in any direction from any of these Inns and B&B’s and you will find Art Galleries, Civil War Attractions, Golf Courses, Annual Events, Antique Shops, some wonderful restaurants and cafes and many other things to see and do. There is the Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is plenty to do in the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding areas, so pick a B&B, relax and enjoy!