Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill: Mills River, North Carolina

Several months ago, I found out about the Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill near Asheville, North Carolina from the owner of Burlington’s Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast near Cincinnati, Ohio. They were both selected this year for inclusion on a Top 10 national list of romantic inns. It is fitting that they share such a distinction, because out of the twenty-one small inns and bed and breakfasts we have experienced over the years, these two by far top our own personal list. Their attention to detail and hospitality mirror what people traditionally experience at luxury hotels or resorts. And don’t let the romantic title of the award fool you into thinking it is a couples only destination - both properties are ideally suited for group events, solo retreats, and even business travel as they are less than ten miles from major airports.

The Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill was a labor of love for the owner, Selena Einwechter. Her journey from corporate executive to innkeeper is a testament to never give up on one’s dream, no matter what obstacles life and the economy might throw your way. Selena has most deservedly been interviewed and profiled in various publications, so I won’t repeat her story here, but I do encourage you to get to know the woman behind this destination. She personifies grace and hospitality, and is the kind of person that you feel like you must have known for years because you feel so comfortable and at ease in conversation.

Upon arrival at Tiffany Hill, it is clear you have been fortunate enough to discover a new kind of destination. To define it in lodging industry terms seems to do it a disservice. Sadly there are people out there with preconceived (and outdated) notions that a “bed and breakfast” involves lace doilies, squeaky old floors, shared bathrooms, and sometimes odd interactions. So it is may be better to say this is a next generation bed and breakfast. But even then, we have stayed at other places that were built from the ground up as a B&B (as this was), but they did not share the foresight that Selena put into this property. It incorporates the decor and comfort of a luxury hotel, the ability to be as private or social as one prefers similar to a country inn, and the delicious breakfast and personal concierge service normally found at upscale bed and breakfast establishments. It is a place that blends the best of each so that you really will not want to leave. This is also a property where the business website and photos do not do it justice - it is even more beautiful and pampering in person!

Guests enter the first time through the welcoming front porch (complete with rocking chairs) and into a spacious entry. It only takes a few moments for one to take in the pristine cleanliness, beautiful surroundings, and genuine hospitality found at Tiffany Hill.


Once you step into the foyer, to the left is a gift shop/future art gallery, and to the right is a office/library that guests are welcome to use.


Straight ahead of the foyer and stairs is a beautiful view of the dining room and beyond. The built-in to the right of the dining room table houses an ice machine, beverages, and snacks for guests to enjoy.


Just on the other side of the fireplace (to the left of the dining room) is a large sitting room that overlooks the herb garden and woods. There are plenty of puzzles and games stocked in this living area, in addition to binoculars and a bird field guide for identifying birds on the property.




Each of the five suites are named and themed after a Southern city. While they vary in size and beds, a guest would be fortunate to stay in any of the five suites as they all come equipped with comfortable reading chairs, work desks, and modern private bathrooms. A hand-signed welcome note greeted us in our room.


Women will appreciate that each room is equipped with a full length mirror, and at least three of them (that I can remember) have a make-up mirror.


They all contain a custom closet with plenty of hangers for your clothes, a full-size ironing board and iron, plush robes, and a luggage rack. Small details that show the thought that went into creating the bed and breakfast: even the ironing board covers and luggage racks differ in that they were clearly chosen to coordinate with the distinct style of each suite.


For those wanting to stay connected to the outside world, each room is equipped with a television/DVD player and WIFI Internet is available throughout the building.

The suites and common areas also feature beautiful fresh flower arrangements.


Meticulous details are evident everywhere, such as dimmer switches on room lights, motion sensors for lights in the common hallway, various books and magazines to match a wide variety of guest preferences, delightful nooks and reading spaces indoors and out, and beverage stations near the upstairs bedrooms.


Each suite has been fitted with a speaker system that is controlled by a dial in your room, it pipes in pre-selected music when turned on. You can turn it off at any time and control the volume. Because it is Tiffany Hill, where every detail matters, the music has even been carefully chosen to correspond to the time of the day!

We stayed in the Charlottesville Suite. It is a very large room complete with a king-size bed, comfortable chairs and ottoman in front of a flat-screen television (which I forgot to get a picture of), and a spacious bathroom with two sink vanities, a large soaking air-jet tub, and separate shower. There is even a heat lamp above the shower!





The Natchez Suite includes a queen-size bed and has a cozy window seat that overlooks horse pastures. The bathroom has a soaking tub/shower combination and a pedestal sink.






The Madison Suite includes a queen-size bed and two soft reading chairs. The bathroom is complete with a shower and pedestal sink.





The Beaufort Suite includes a queen-size bed and a long vanity with two sinks. This is the only room that can accommodate more than two people; there are two twin fold-out window seat beds.






The Seaside Suite includes a king-size bed. It is on the first floor and the bathroom is ADA accessible with a large shower and stand alone sink.








When it comes to food, guests will not go hungry at Tiffany Hill. A three-course breakfast is served each morning at 8:30am in the dining room or outside on the patio. Admittedly, we normally look for places with individual tables because we are not always chipper in the morning and we have had some rather odd experiences at communal bed and breakfast tables. That said, our experience at Tiffany Hill was delightful. There were several other couples that we genuinely enjoyed meeting. One couple was celebrating a milestone anniversary and as Selena honored them with a beautiful toast, I surprisingly had tears in my eyes to be present for such a thoughtful gesture. Do not let the set time or communal table deter you from booking and enjoying breakfast. You will not want to miss it!

Because there is one chef in the kitchen, there is not a menu or choices in the morning, so guests pass on any allergies or food preferences before arrival. Each morning included a fruit course, main entree, and then even dessert! On one of our favorite days, each plate was comprised of individual size pastry cups filled with scrambled eggs and topped with a savory Mornay sauce. Roasted rosemary potatoes were on the side garnished with bacon crumbles and fresh tomatoes. The recipe will be featured in an upcoming edition of SavorNC magazine. And did I mention Selena has her own herb garden? As someone who loves fresh and local ingredients, I was thrilled to see a bed and breakfast with an on-site garden.


Towards the end of breakfast, Selena checked in with everyone and provided assistance in planning excursions. She thoroughly knows the area and has a plethora of printed material to assist guests. I am not sure that words can accurately convey just how devoted she is to making guests feel welcome and taking care of any needs you might have. If you have any preferences at all, or special requests, she seems to go above and beyond to make sure that everyone has an unforgettable stay at Tiffany Hill.

During our first day, my husband went off to play golf with a friend while I relaxed on the grounds. The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful and I wanted to check out the property’s acreage. Just behind the main house, tucked into the wooded landscape, there are an amazing array of gardens and sitting areas complete with a walking trail.







And just in case you don’t believe me when I say that Selena really does think of everything, take a look at this picnic table. Notice anything out of the ordinary? How about the brush that has been conveniently attached to the side of the table so that guests can brush off any leaves that might have fallen! The genius is truly in the details.


Had we not had plans to join our friends for dinner, I might not have gotten up from the hammock. With a good book in hand, a light breeze, and the gorgeous canopy of leafy branches, I was well near heaven. And then as Selena was walking in between buildings, she stopped by and unobtrusively handed me a rolled up throw to use as a head pillow. Is this the Four Seasons? Again, such thoughtful attention to detail truly sets this bed and breakfast apart from the rest.


The inn also happens to be within a short drive of some breathtaking waterfalls, state park grounds, downtown Asheville, and the Biltmore Estate. An extensive list of activities and attractions can be found on the main website. We chose to stop by a few waterfalls while we were there.


Coming and going you can use a side door that gives access directly to the parking area. All of the suites and main exterior doors feature keyless entry so you do not have to keep up with keys! And as the placard notes, the property is a member of Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America. Guests earn Select Registry points for each stay, which count toward a $100 gift certificate valid at any member property. (And don’t forget to notice the umbrellas next to the door for guest use - another characteristic detail!)


As I mentioned previously, the Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill has already been profiled in numerous press publications. While sometimes magazine articles can give an edge to properties that advertise in their magazines or they gloss over everyday guest experiences, in the case of Tiffany Hill all of the praise is much deserved.


See and experience it for yourself soon, as such a unique getaway is bound to fill up once the word gets out. Please stop back by to share your experience - a few passing health challenges have limited my ability to travel this fall, but I would love to live vicariously through your reports!

It is truly a memorable escape and very special place.

Bed and Breakfast on Tiffany Hill
400 Ray Hill Road
Mills River, North Carolina 28759
www.bbontiffanyhill.com

Inn at Warner Hall: Gloucester, Virginia

First Impression and Room Details

The entire Warner Hall property makes a positive impression as you drive up the entrance. The buildings have been beautifully restored and rooms furnished with antiques and modern conveniences.


We stayed in Austin’s Desire, a third floor room with a king bed, plenty of living space, and views of the surrounding acreage. An in-room thermostat provides individual control of the room temperature, which is nice to have in such a historic home.



The attached bathroom includes a corner tub, pedestal sink, and shower. It is evident that someone added guest-friendly additions to the space. One example is a small table next to the sink to make juggling hair appliances easier with the lack of counter space that a pedestal sink affords. (There are other guest rooms with the sinks built into a vanity if spreading out is important to you.) Small touches in the bathroom also show a thoughtful attention to detail, such as a make-up mirror, soft towels, and plenty of toiletry items in case you forgot any essentials. There was one corner of the shower that could have used a thorough cleaning or better caulking, but otherwise housekeeping was top-notch throughout our room.

Dinner

Our best experience at Warner Hall was enjoying Chef Eric Garcia’s creations on Saturday evening. When we ran into him during our stay he was charming and hospitable. The culinary skills that he shares with guests on Friday and Saturday evenings are remarkable. The dinner he prepared was one was of my favorite meals in quite some time. The most notable courses were salad and dessert. The homegrown tomato salad included Asaigo cheese, capers, pine nuts, croutons, basil and white balsamic over mixed greens. It sounds simple, but the combination of flavors with the bright tomatoes from his personal garden created a burst of summer on a plate. For dessert, his homemade ice cream with fresh lavender and a berry compote was a delicious end to a delightful evening.

We met the innkeepers, Theresa and Troy, briefly before the meal during the cocktail hour; they were both welcoming and have clearly put a lot of work into making Warner Hall what it is today. (To clarify, they left on vacation mid-stay, so our brief interactions are not because they are not hands on, but because they were out of town.)

Dinner is served in both the dining room and the back sunroom. We enjoyed watching the day turn to dusk from our table. Service was excellent throughout the meal. The cocktail and hors d'oeuvres time before the meal happens as an informal and unstructured gathering throughout several rooms on the main floor. We noticed several couples enjoying time by themselves. It felt a little awkward to me personally, since we were unsure what was normal for the gathering - do we keep to ourselves or extend conversation to those around us? I tend to prefer when the cocktail hour is a little more confined to one room and guided slightly by a host making introductions, like at the Inn at Vaucluse Spring. In that setting we have noticed that guests can contribute to conversation or merely listen, while still feeling a part of things before moving to individual tables for the meal. But again, this is just a personal preference and I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a reservation for Friday or Saturday night dinner at Warner Hall. It is also open to the public, so I would encourage reservations not just if you are a guest, but also if you are in any drivable radius for a special evening of Chef Garcia’s cooking.

Service

What was interesting at Warner Hall was that service at times went above and beyond guest expectations to be on par with luxury hotels, and at other times was simply adequate, but the differences seemed largely tied to who was working. The good news is that the staff seem like a very tight-knit bunch who interact well on a personal level since they had a shower downstairs for one of the employees during our stay. It is always nice to see employees in an organization who have built a culture that celebrates each other’s milestones. Likely the experience one morning at breakfast of basic service (we refilled our own glasses and never were asked after receiving the entrees if everything was okay), was merely an isolated, outlying experience involving a staff member who is still learning the ropes or perhaps she was juggling responsibilities and didn’t have time to follow up. The only other glitch in service was the fact that the Internet was very hit or miss in connecting on the inn’s public use computer and wirelessly on our own (this was not an advertised service we expected, I only mention it for business travelers to keep in mind), and we were told upon arrival that the television in our room might not be working. We were given the option of switching rooms for a reliable television, but since we knew there were no other king-bed rooms available when we made our original reservation, we chose to stay. It didn’t affect our experience one bit since we generally do not watch television on vacation, but just something to note if it is important to you.

Highlights in regards to service were plentiful and began with our welcome, tour, and arrival. Additionally there was a particular full-time staff member, whose name we sadly forgot, who truly exemplified hospitality throughout our stay. The evening after our dinner by Chef Garcia, we were still talking about the amazing lavender ice cream. When my husband went down to inquire if there was any leftover that he could purchase to add to our picnic dinner, she not only gave it to us gratis, she also hand dipped it in beautiful glass dishes and brought it up to the porch.



Later when my husband came down with a brief 12-24 stomach bug during our stay, the same staff member repeatedly inquired if there was anything she could do for him and offered to reheat some chicken noodle soup that I had purchased earlier in the day. And when we accidentally left our pillows behind, she kindly called our cell phone so we could come back for them before we got too far down the road. She is a class act and definitely went above and beyond to ensure we had a pleasant stay!

Breakfast

Breakfast was fine, but not on par with other small inns we have experienced and it was disappointing after the Saturday dinner. There was a choice between two options: one savory (i.e. omelet) or sweet (i.e. pancakes) each day. Given the exceptional dinner by Chef Garcia, who utilizes ingredients from area farms and his own on-site garden, it was surprising that the breakfast cooks did not take advantage of the fresh herbs in the garden or seem to source flavorful ingredients. A little rosemary on the potatoes, fresh mint or other flavoring with the fruit, or adding fresh herbs or in-season vegetables to the omelets (instead of asparagus in August) would have elevated the breakfast fare from ordinary to something a little more memorable. To be clear, nothing was wrong with breakfast. But normally when leaving small inns and bed and breakfasts, we recall a favorite dish with fondness or wish we had the recipe to recreate their morning fare, which was not the case.

Grounds and Activities

One of the real high points at the Inn at Warner Hall is the beautiful acreage and grounds. There are plenty of things to see and do depending on your interests!

The area is steeped in history for sightseeing in neighboring towns or even on the grounds. Guests are within driving distance of various museums and historical attractions such as Williamsburg and Yorktown. An on-site cemetery includes historical pamphlets with information regarding the resting place for ancestors of George Washington, Robert E. Lee, The Queen Mother of England, and Queen Elizabeth II.


We chose to mostly stay on-site and just relax at the inn. They have a collection of canoes, kayaks, life jackets, and paddles for you to go out on the water. In addition, the boathouse, hammocks, and outdoor lounge chairs provided plenty of opportunity for rest while taking in the beautiful views.



The inn’s website explains additional options if you are looking for other ways to enjoy the property such as fishing, outdoor chess, and even cooking classes. One of my favorite spots was the upstairs front porch. With a glass of wine and a computer (or good book) in hand, it was an ideal place to sit during the evenings as the sun set.



If you do venture into town, I highly recommend the Kelsick Speciality Market on Main Street for meals. They carry some organic items and feature prepared foods, cheeses, and wine.

Overall

Warner Hall is a beautifully maintained property. The owners have clearly put a lot of thought and expertise into restoring both the grounds and buildings. And Chef Garcia is truly a treasure - I wish we lived closer so we could sample his creations more often. While solo travelers and couples come here repeatedly for lovely getaways and special occasions (previous tripadvisor.com reviews illustrate this well), I doubt we will return for a long weekend again if it is just the two of us. Given our own personal preferences, a subsequent visit would be with others as the location seems ideally suited for group events. There are plenty of large gathering rooms, spacious porches, and separate areas for a business or small group meeting such as the dining room or the sun porch. From what we learned in conversation, they book a lot of weddings and host receptions with a white tent on the green space overlooking the water view.


Inn at Warner Hall
4750 Warner Hall Road
Gloucester, VA 23061
www.warnerhall.com