Bed and Breakfast Bliss

Our "Inn-vestment" In Our Marriage

2011-01-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

Glorietta Bay Inn

Coronado Island, CA

I am fond of referring to the 60+ Bed & Breakfast Inn trips my hubby Steve and I have taken since 1987 as our "magnificent obsession." I'm sharing a list below of the inns we have stayed in, and while we have enjoyed all of our trips, I've put a * by our personal favorites with a note as to why we liked them. Some of the inns are still in business and some are not since we began staying in inns way back in 1987. At the bottom of the list below you'll find the website that I love most when searching for an inn to visit. You'll love that inn site! Guaranteed! Enjoy!

Steve and Kathryn Bechen Marriage "Inn-vestment" List

*1. The Abigail. San Francisco, California.

Faded European charm and easy walking access to trolley, sights, restaurants.

*2. Singleton House. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Cozy, comfy, welcoming with a beautiful backyard garden in an adorable little village sometimes referred to as "Little Switzerland."

3. Offutt House. Omaha, Nebraska

4. Thompson House. Brownville, Nebraska

5. Whispering Pines. Nebraska City, Nebraska.

6. Milford House. Kansas City, Missouri

*7. Hillcrest Inn. Scottsdale, Arizona

Lovely inn owned by a fascinating woman from New York, but no longer operating as an inn.

8. Dixie Cottage. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

*9. Meadowlark Manor. Red Cloud, Nebraska

Red Cloud was once the home of famous author Willa Cather. Lovely little prairie town.

10. Apple Orchard Inn. Missouri Valley, Iowa

11. Beal House. Brookings, South Dakota

12. Gardener's Cottage. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

*13. Chestnut Charm. Atlantic, Iowa

Beautiful historic home with a lovely sunroom and carriage house suites.

*14. La Corsette Maison. Newton, Iowa

Sophisticated; had a ballroom.

*15. Plum Creek Inn. Thurman, Iowa

Lovely sedate home with French touches in a quiet rural setting.

*16. J.C. Robinson House, Waterloo, Nebraska

Beautiful historic home with gorgeous antiques.

*17. Magnolia Inn. Savannah, Georgia

Exquisite architecture and antiques located across from a beautiful park. True Savannah.

*18. Villa de la Fontaine. Charleston, South Carolina

Huge exquisite Old South mansion with beautiful antiques.

*19. Delamar Inn. Beaufort, North Carolina

Prettily comfortable and lovely flower gardens.

*20. Silver Thatch Inn. Charlottesville, Virginia

Large historic inn with beautiful grounds.

*21. The General Lewis House. Lewisburg, Virginia

Large historic inn with beautiful grounds in a sweet little town.

*22. Sills Inn. Versailles, Kentucky

Impeccable decorating. Beautiful Kentucky horse country.

23. The Rogers House. Lincoln, Nebraska

24. Nostalgia Inn. Blair, Nebraska

25. Walnut Creek Station. Walnut, Iowa

26. Bed and Breakfast of Fremont. Fremont, Nebraska

*27. The Redstone Inn. Dubuque, Iowa

Gorgeous mansion in a pretty Iowa town.

*28. Mansion Hill Inn. Madison, Wisconsin

Incredible spiral staircase and a revolving wall in our room. One of my absolute favorite inns.

*29. Inn at Pine Terrace. Oconomowoc, Wisconsin.

Beautiful historic mansion in a lovely lake town.

30. Benson Bed & Breakfast. Oakland, Nebraska

31. Carriage House. Beatrice, Nebraska

32. St. Martin's House. Atlantic, Iowa

33. West House. Lincoln, Nebraska

*34. Bed & Breakfast Inn at La Jolla. La Jolla, California

Beautiful seaside location in a lovely sophisticated village. Tucked back in a sweet neighborhood within walking distance to all. Comfy inn.

35. Aunt Betty's. Ravenna, Nebraska

36. English Mansion B&B. Sioux City, Iowa

37. Conner's Corner. Denison, Iowa

38. Grandma's Victorian Inn. Hastings, Nebraska

39. Seal Beach Inn and Gardens. Seal Beach, California

40. The Atwood House. Lincoln, Nebraska

*41. Four Columns Inn. Sherburne, Minnesota

The sweetest owners/innkeepers who made us feel like family. An Old South style mansion on the Plains.

*42. Lumber Baron Inn. Onalaska, Wisconsin

Cozy, lovely decor, and wonderful breakfasts.

43. Westby House. Westby, Wisconsin

*44. Strawberry Creek Inn. Idyllwild, California

Cozy and comfy and set amidst the pine trees in a sweet quiet mountain town.

*45. Zosa Gardens. Temecula, California

Panoramic California views from the deck in a peaceful rural setting.

46. The Venice Beach House. Venice, California

*47. Blue Lantern Inn. Dana Point, California

The photo in this blog header was taken from our room. Need I say more?! A favorite.

48. Heritage Park Inn. San Diego, California

*49. Casa de Elena. San Clemente, California

Exquisite California mansion on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Beautiful grounds. No longer an inn, but one of my favorites.

50. Cardiff by the Sea Lodge. Cardiff, California

*51. La Casa del Camino. Laguna Beach, California

Step out back to the beautiful Pacific Ocean below. Lovely lobby.

*52. Garden Cottage at the Green. San Clemente, California

Sweet hosts, exquisitely manicured gardens, beautiful home near the golf course in a lovely seaside California town.

53. Bracken Fern Manor. Lake Arrowhead, California

54. The Carriage House. Laguna Beach, California

*55. Korakia. Palm Springs, California

A touch of Morrocan magic in the beautiful Palm Springs, California desert. Very unique; attracts Hollywood sorts who want to get away for a quiet stay.

*56. Edgewood Manor. Providence, Rhode Island

Absolutely gorgeous antiques, mansion, and exquisite sunroom. My award for the most comfortable B&B bed!

*57. Inn at Stonington. Stonington, Connecticut

Cozy New England elegance in a picturesque seaside village that's home of my favorite lifestyle author, Alexandra Stoddard. A favorite.

58. Glorietta Bay Inn. Coronado Island, California

59. Adobe Rose Inn. Tucson, Arizona

*60. Britt Scripps Inn. San Diego, California

Exquisite Victorian. I wrote a national magazine article about this inn and it's one of my favorites ever. $6 million restoration.

61. Doryman's Inn. Newport Beach, California

*62. Villa Royale Inn. Palm Springs, California

Cozy elegance in the desert with a touch of faded Hollywood grandeur. A favorite understated getaway of ours. Wonderful patio breakfasts, FAB restaurant for dinner, great prices during the summer desert heat. One of my absolute favorites!

*63. The Willows Inn. Palm Springs, California

Exquisitely tucked right into the desert mountainside with a 50 foot waterfall view from the dining room. An absolute favorite of mine where we stayed for our 30th wedding anniversary. Gorgeous antiques. Blissfully quiet.

*64. Inn at Rancho Santa Fe. San Diego, California

Can you say "genteel?"

65. Simpson House Inn. Santa Barbara, California

66. Apple Farm Bed & Breakfast. San Luis Obispo, California

67. Inn on Summerhill. Summerland, California

"The incognito of an inn is one of its striking privileges." --William Hazlitt--

My favorite website? You guessed it: I LOVE Inns.

Happy Inn Travels!

Kathryn :)

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Inn Love at Christmas Time!

2010-12-15T00:36:00.000-08:00

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Dear B&B Friends,

If you'd like a restful California getaway to get out of the cold this winter, check yourself into The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in San Diego County. My hubby and I have stayed here more than once and always enjoyed it. It's especially fun at Christmas time, when it's decked out for the holidays and they put on their annual decadent and delightfully delicious Christmas Eve and Christmas Day buffet. To see more about our stay during Christmas, go here:

Happy B&B Travels!

Kathryn

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

The Villa Royale--Palm Springs, CA

2010-09-19T23:16:00.001-07:00

My hubby Steve and I recently returned from the beautiful Villa Royale Inn and Villa Europa Restaurant in lovely Palm Springs, CA where we celebrated my 52nd birthday. I hope you enjoy my photo tour and review!

I'm INN Love!

Kathryn

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

"Where Beauty, Order, & Business Bloom"

The Willows of Palm Springs, CA

2010-03-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a an elegant and private refuge in the desert, or a beautiful place to get married, look no further than The Willows B&B in Palm Springs, CA. You can see my review and more photos of the inside and outside here.

Happy Travels!
Kathryn :) www.KathrynBechenInk.com

My Britt Scripps Inn B&B Article Is Published In Country Victorian Magazine!

2009-10-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

Magazine cover used with permission of Harris Publications.

The magazine article I wrote about the beautiful Britt Scripps Inn bed & breakfast inn in downtown San Diego, CA is published in the Winter 2010 Special edition of Country Victorian magazine, available at Borders Books and national drugstore and grocery store chains. You won't want to miss this article as the Britt Scripps Inn is one of the most beautiful Victorian inns you could ever visit and is impeccable down to every detail. My hubby Steve and I stayed there and were enthralled by their gorgeous authentic furnishings, scrumptious organic breakfasts, and wonderful hospitality! Owner Gordon B. Hattersley III orchestrated a $6 million historic renovation to return the inn to its original beauty. You can read the article online at Kathryn Bechen Ink. Enjoy!

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, CA

2009-01-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Dear Bed & Breakfast Friends,

If you're looking for a lovely place to rest your weary head after the busy holidays, try The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, CA. It's a genteel place with a wonderful restaurant and beautiful expanse of lawn and garden. My hubby Steve and I stayed here for Christmas and it was just lovely; it's one of my favorite inns, ever. At Thanksgiving and Christmas they have wonderful holiday buffets that you won't want to miss. To see more of their lovely Christmas festivities, go here:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2008/12/hope-your-christmas-was-merry-bright.html

Bed & Breakfast Bliss!

Kathryn :)

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Treehouse Bed & Breakfasts

2008-08-05T19:27:00.001-07:00

My "Tea/Tee for Two Urban Cottage Treehouse"

Dear B&B Friends,

When I found my current apartment home, I was smitten, because from every window in every room, I view beautiful trees in San Diego, CA....palms and other lush tropical sorts, and I can also see the lovely La Jolla Hyatt hotel. So I named my new place my "Tea/Tee for Two Urban Cottage Treehouse!"

Want to stay in a "real" treehouse B&B? Check out this link for more info.

http://bandb.about.com/cs/uniquegetaways/a/treehouses.htm

To tour my "urban cottage treehouse" home, which is as comfortable as a B&B since I've gleaned many decorating ideas from my B&B stays over the years, go here:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2008/02/my-urban-cottage-treehousethe-inside.html

Bed & Breakfast Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Adobe Rose Inn in Tucson, AZ

2008-08-04T21:44:00.001-07:00

Adobe Rose Inn

Tucson, AZ

Dear Bed & Breakfast Inn Friends,

If you'd like a comfortable stay while in Tucson, AZ, be sure to check out the Adobe Rose B&B. Hubby Steve and I stayed there in early May of this year and enjoyed our visit. It was cozy, comfortable, and convenient to the university. To see more photos and my entire tour, including photos of the heavenly chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast, check out my blog post on my Kathryn Bechen Ink professional writing blog:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2008/05/im-back-from-tucson-az-b-trip.html

Take your sunblock as the Tucson sun is HOT!

Bed & Breakfast Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Decorate Your Bedroom Like a Bed & Breakfast Inn

2008-07-26T20:13:00.001-07:00

We decorated our own new Master Bedroom

like a Bed & Breakfast Inn.

Dear Bed & Breakfast Travelers,

Okay, so sometimes you just can't spend $200 bucks on a fancy B&B. I've been there so I have learned to get creative at home. Why not create "the mood" inexpensively right in your own master bedroom?! That's what my hubby and I did here in our own new bedroom and none of it cost much. The linens and quilt are from Marshall's and the get-up above the bed is just floral curtains from Home Goods and a rod from Target for a total cost of $100. The large picture above the bed I found at a thrift store for only $100, frame and all, and it's a gorgeous painting of a porch lush with colorful flowers. I added a couple of hot pink bed rests from Linens 'n Things so we can snuggle up and watch movies on Friday night, and there you go!

For more ideas on how to create your own "Bed & Breakfast Inn" ambiance at home, check out my article I wrote, "Decorate Your Bedroom Like a Bed & Breakfast Inn." This article is to appear in a new Christian book for couples written by another author, due out January 2009.

Read my article here:

http://www.onewomanslife.com/home/2006/07/decorate-your-bedroom-like-bed.html

Bed & Breakfast Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Bed & Breakfast Bliss Award--Britt Scripps Inn--San Diego, CA

2008-07-26T14:21:00.003-07:00

Britt Scripps Inn

San Diego, CA

http://www.brittscrippsinn.com/

Dear B&B Travelers,

When I went to the website of the Britt Scripps Inn in San Diego, I was lured in by the copy telling about the rooms! (Obviously the writer writes romance novels for a day job!) It worked, as I suggested to hubby Steve that he take one of his vacation days and we head on over for a night of rejuvenation in true Victorian splendor and style. He agreed, and the next thing I knew, I was living like a Queen! So much so, in fact, that of the 63 B&B inns Hubby Steve and I have stayed in since 1987, I rate the Britt Scripps Number 1! To find out why, go to my Kathryn Bechen Ink writing blog.

Click here:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2008/07/blog-post.html

Bed & Breakfast Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Korakia of Palm Springs, CA

2008-07-24T23:09:00.001-07:00

Korakia of Palm Springs, CA

Dear B&B Travelers,

I seem to have a lucky star over my head when it comes to B&B rates. More on that later.... Hubby Steve and I were in a bad hotel and I suggested we find a beloved B&B. He agreed and and I couldn't pick up the phone fast enough! Lucky me, I found the best room at Korakia for a song and was I glad as it's totally unique and charming. It's a "campus" of several white stucco buildings with interesting architecture, winding paths of rock, and desert flora. I felt like I was staying in Morocco, complete with the mystique! You can view more photos on my Kathryn Bechen Ink writing blog.

Click here:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2007/08/korakia-bed-breakfast-inn-palm-springs.html

Bed & Breakfast Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Edgewood Manor, Providence, RI

2008-07-24T17:40:00.001-07:00

Edgewood Manor

Providence, RI

(Photo above used with permission of Edgewood Manor owner)

Dear B&B Travelers,

A sunroom to die for! That's my best description of this grand old dame of an inn. Impeccable would be the second word I'd use. Owner Andrew was a most gracious host and we enjoyed the huge jacuzzi tub in our bathroom and the sink-down-in restful bed. For more photos and information, please head on over to my writing blog at Kathryn Bechen Ink...

Click here:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2007/08/b-bliss-edgewood-manor-providence-ri.html

B&B Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Bed & Breakfast Inn of La Jolla, CA

2008-07-24T17:05:00.000-07:00

Bed & Breakfast Inn of La Jolla, CA

Dear B&B Travelers,

Okay, I admit it. This inn is just a hop and a skip from my home in San Diego, but yes, I've stayed there! My hubby Steve took me to this gorgeous seaside Bed & Breakfast inn a couple of years ago to celebrate my birthday and it was a wonderful stay as you can see by the gorgeous delectables (not the diet version, obviously!) we were greeted with when we stayed in the Garden Room. Head on over to my writing blog at Kathryn Bechen Ink for more photos of this lovely B&B and to read the full review. You won't want to miss this one if you're coming to CA anytime soon! Or if not, just enjoy the virtual tour!

Click here:

http://kathrynbechenink.blogspot.com/2008/03/bed-breakfast-bliss-award-b-of-lajolla.html

B&B Bliss!

--Kathryn--

http://www.kathrynbechenink.com/

Welcome!

2008-07-24T16:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new Bed & Breakfast Inn blog! I'm Kathryn Bechen, a professional home and garden magazine writer, and I admit that I'm obsessed with B&Bs and inns and have been since my hubby and I stayed in our first one in San Francisco in 1987! Since then, we've logged 63 of them in 17 U.S. states. It's been a wonderful journey and I'd like to share it with you, so stay tuned as I will be reviewing them, giving you great recipes, travel tips, and other little tidbits I've learned on this very fun journey.

B & B Bliss!

--Kathryn--