“The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.”
~Audrey Hepburn
Ron and I were blessed to celebrate our first anniversary this May 28. We initially had plans of going on a cruise or somewhere exotic, but our frugality got the best of us. We decided to celebrate simply as we did on our honeymoon. We went to a bed and breakfast in Waynesville, North Carolina, for our honeymoon and had a wonderful time. It was near Asheville, the Biltmore Estate, and hiking spots, and our hostesses/chefs were fantastic. They accommodated Ron’s gluten allergy by making fluffy GF waffles with strawberries and chocolate sauce, sorbet, frittatas, and more. Every morning was a 3-course meal. I would think it’d be pretty hard to have a bad honeymoon, but this simple vacation was the perfect choice for us.
Since we had such a great time at a BnB the first time, we thought we’d try it again. Little did we know, there was one located under an hour from our home in Williamsburg, Kentucky! Located in Burnside, Kentucky, the Eagles View Bed and Breakfast offered us an escape from our busy, cluttered lives.
Our room at Eagles View BnB for a couple of nights. $165 Fri. and Sat. $145 Mon.-Thurs.
Our room was decorated elaborately, just like the rest of the inn. It had a large bathroom, closet and shower. Right outside our door was the guest mini-fridge and snack bar. We even got a candy bouquet, which we indulged in… I must mention that our bed was extremely comfortable, both for watching television and sleeping. Also, I love cabins, so I really liked the architecture of the inn and all the natural wood throughout the house.
We had a private porch, complete with a fan and citronella candle, which came in handy in the evening. Our porch connected to the larger deck with various seating and a better view of the lake (which looked more like a river canyon to me—great for boating, not for swimming).
If you want a secluded escape from the world and you’re in southeastern Kentucky, I recommend spending a couple nights at Eagles View. It is close to Cumberland Falls and hiking destinations. We took a morning bike ride around some of the streets surrounding the property and didn’t run into any traffic or vicious dogs. Basically, we did a lot of lounging around and being lazy because that’s what a vacation is for. It also gave us time to remember each other and the commitment we made to one another a year ago. Sometimes it’s hard to believe it has only been a year.
The inn had a large deck to which our private porch connected. We shared a private lunch of veggie burgers under the canopy one hot afternoon.
The only complaints I have about Eagles View are 1) The hot tub was out of order. However, the owners were not at fault and had been waiting for the workman to show up. 2) The food did not even compare to what we got at Mountain Mist in Waynesville. But to be fair, we asked for a gluten-free, vegan diet for breakfast which left our hosts a little confused about what to make for us. They probably didn’t run into requests like that very often around these parts.
The cliffy lakeview from our back deck. The lake was very busy with pontoon boats and jet skis over the Memorial Day holiday.
One more thing…if you want a romantic, delicious place to eat dinner, go to Guthrie’s on the river just a few minutes from the inn. You and yours can watch the sun set while you reminisce about your wedding day or first date or some other happy moment you’ve shared.
It was a hot and muggy evening, but we had a great view of the sunset and river sitting outside Guthrie’s.
Top 5 reasons to stay at a bed and breakfast
1. You get personalized service. Bed and breakfasts aren’t operated by big chain corporations. They are typically run by people just like you who one day had a dream that became a reality. Your hosts will, or at least should be, knowledgeable of the area and can offer you tips for day activities and sightseeing. They can help you find the best deals. They’ll even make a custom breakfast based on what you like! They want to do everything in their power to bring you back again or to get you to tell all your friends, so expect unbelievable hospitality.
2. They are known for being quiet places. Some even have restrictions about children. They are generally small, so you won’t be bothered by a floor full of noisy teens and busy maids circulating the halls day and night.
3. You’ll get the most bang for your buck. Bnb’s are actually quite affordable, especially considering the delicious breakfast (not continental) you will be served and the personality of the inn you’ll be staying at.
4. There’s probably one near you. Visit bedandbreakfast.com for inns in your area or somewhere you’d like to visit. There are also lots of helpful reviews on there!
5. It’s not just for old couples! Our hosts told us they had many guests in their 20s stay with them. You don’t have to make best friends with the other couples in your inn. You can be as private or public as you wish (within reason I suppose). Simply put, bed and breakfasts are just cozy retreats from reality. Whether you want a romantic weekend with your spouse, a girls’ weekend, or a weekend alone to read, write, and relax, a BnB is worth the trip!
The McKnight Life 