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| Copperstone Inn in Rockton, IL |
From small towns and foodie flourishes to urban neighborhoods and countryside views!
In its May/June 2011 issue, Midwest Living® magazine serves up its editors’ top picks for the region’s 30 best bed and breakfast destinations. These B&Bs offer expertly prepared food, exquisitely maintained properties, modern amenities and gracious hospitality.
Midwest Living’s travel team, which includes a group of on-staff editors and more than 40 professional freelance travel writers, spent more than a year researching B&Bs. To be considered, a B&B had to offer rooms inside of a home for overnight visits, the rooms must have private baths, and the B&B had to serve a homemade breakfast. Inns, boutique hotels and resorts were not part of the research.
In 18 months, the editors and writers stayed at more than 100 B&Bs in the Midwest region. They used report cards created specifically to rate each stay. The report card asked the writers to rank on a scale of 1 to 10, the décor, the owners’ approach to hospitality, the quality of the room amenities, the quality of the food served, the food’s presentation, and the atmosphere in the B&B and at breakfast. The report card also asked whether anything detracted from the stay. The highest-scoring B&Bs made the list of our 30 favorite B&Bs.
“Midwest Living readers are so passionate about B&Bs, but we also know a number of travelers who wouldn’t consider a B&B stay because they didn’t think they would enjoy the experience,” said Travel Editor Kendra L. Williams. “We set out to show everyone that there are exceptionally well-run B&Bs for every taste in the Midwest that balance traditional hospitality and personalized service with the amenities travelers have come to expect.”
Midwest Living’s Top 30 B&Bs Include:
Journey Inn in Maiden Rock, WI – Set on 66 acres, this modern farmhouse uses solar heating, aromatherapy, local food and organic décor to create an earth-friendly escape.
McCormick House Inn in Hayward, WI – At this 1887 Victorian, patrons enjoy pillow-top mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets, preprogrammed iPods, and English-style gardens.
Old Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield, WI – Stately Queen Anne architecture meets modern amenities at this Inn which overlooks Lake Superior.
Inn at Cedar Crossing in Sturgeon Bay, WI – An on-site bakery churns out locally famous morning buns.
Honeybee Inn Bed and Breakfast in Horicon, WI – Guests of this Victorian come to relax on four-poster feather beds.
Vrooman Mansion in Bloomington, IL – Eleanor Roosevelt and Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan visited this 1869 home.
Chestnut Street Inn in Sheffield, IL – Located in a little central Illinois town, guests have to pace themselves at this Inn’s four-course dinners.
Beall Mansion in Alton, IL – This mansion offers personalized service and includes a 24-hour chocolate buffet.
Harvey House Bed and Breakfast in Oak Park, IL – Chic bunny touches inspired by the 1950s Jimmy Stewart film Harvey deck this three-story brick B&B.
Copperstone Inn in Rockton, IL – This 1858 limestone home has blossomed into a sophisticated wonder with guests enjoying a home theatre, a you-pick organic apple orchard and hiking trails.
Beiger Mansion in Mishawaka, IN – This Neoclassic limestone home features a solarium, outdoor pool and a workout room.
Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast in Vevay, IN – This renovated 1874 mansion which is said to be haunted, offers a vineyard for strolling in a town that overlooks the Ohio River.
Songbird Prairie Bed and Breakfast in Valparaiso, IN – Glazed poached pears, fresh scones, French toast soufflé are showcased at this B&B.
Col. Taylor Inn in Cambridge, OH – This Victorian palace was once owned by U.S. Rep. Joseph D. Taylor.
J. Palen House in Cleveland, OH –Primitive décor meets huge baths with rain showers at this B&B.
The Rooster’s Nest in Winchester, OH – Set inside a tiny historic log cabin the rustic interior fits the area’s Amish influence.
Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast in Dellroy, OH – Playful landscaping welcomes guests to this romantic hilltop retreat overlooking the Atwood Lake.
Wickwood Inn in Saugatuck, MI – Guests are treated to an abundant champagne brunch, playful afternoon sweets and an evening hors d’oeuvres.
Fleur-de-Lys Mansion in St. Louis, MI – This 1913 Tudor Revival offers views of the historic neighborhood from the balcony hot tub.
Sandpiper Inn in Union Pier, MI – This adults-only retreat faces Lake Michigan and offers a private beach.
AG Thomson House Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn in Duluth, MN - Wi-Fi, iPod docks, gas fireplaces and a hydromassage whirlpool outfit this restored 1909 Dutch Colonial.
Alexander Mansion Historic Bed and Breakfast in Winona, MN – This 1886 Victorian mansion delivers sumptuous stays with gracious hospitality.
Sweetgrass Cove Guesthouse and Bodywork in Grand Portage, MN – This Zen-like Lake Superior spot boosts a Finnish sauna, hot tub and massages.
Castle Inn- Riverside in Wichita, KS - This 1888 Scottish-looking castle has 14 distinctive rooms, a 665-year-old fireplace and a rose garden.
Circle S Ranch and Country Inn in Lawrence, KS – It looks like a rustic barn, but guests here enjoy double-sided fireplaces and facials.
Butler House on Grand in Des Moines, IA – This B&B sports décor provided courtesy of designers who have worked at Better Homes and Gardens.
Atwood House Bed and Breakfast in Lincoln, NE – Roses, chocolates, bath salts and terry robes pamper guests in this capital city.
Dakotah Rose Bed and Breakfast in Minot, ND – The1906 Dakotah Rose has lead-glass windows and carefully inlaid hardwood floors.
Buffalo Rock Lodge in Keystone, SD – Guests gaze out at Mount Rushmore as they nibble on garden-fresh veggies.
Southmoreland on the Plaza in Kansas City, MO – Guests can sip strawberry-mango frappes before the barbeque breakfast begins at this top spot which showcases culinary talents.
To view a slide show of Midwest Living’s favorite B&Bs, please visit:
http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/interest/weekend-getaways/bed-and-breakfasts/
Midwest Living’s May/June issue is on newsstands until June 21, 2011.
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