June 9, 2011 ~ I went on a road trip recently, and since our driving time was not as set as usual, I did not make reservations at some of my favorite B&Bs – like The Speckled Hen in Madison, WI, and Jordan Hollow Farm’s delightful cottage in Lexington, KY. Rather, over the course of four nights coming and going, we stayed in a Holiday Inn, Sheraton Four Points, Quality Inn and Best Western. Next trip, I’ll definitely figure our time so we can stay in B&Bs. The chain hotels can’t hold a candle to the warmth, hospitality, quality, breakfast or amenities of a bed and breakfast inn.
The fact that one hotel had two double beds in a room alerted me that the beds were probably old. They were soft, outdated, uncomfortable, overdue for replacement. Three of the four front desk clerks were pleasant. The Sheraton Four Points (I used to work for Sheraton) no longer gives receipts to save trees. That’s a first for me! Lighting was poor in all four, partly due to fewer lamps in the room, and partly due to the new fluorescent bulbs. They flicker at 60 cycles per second and tire both your eyes and your brain, though you may not feel anything. I wonder if or how all these huge hotels manage the hazardous waste of such bulbs, which never can be simply tossed in the trash, and you have a small hazardous incident on your hands if one gets broken. Two of the four chains do not have complimentary breakfast, and of the two that did, Quality Inn (the least expensive) offered the nicest selection. Of course, it was nothing like our fresh, homemade granola, muffins and breakfast entrees, but, well, it was adequate, if adequate is, well, adequate [for you]. I suggest setting your sights higher -- here's our kitchen and a sample of French toast!
At Clay Corner Inn, you’ll slip into Comphy sheets, smooth as butter and perfect for the best night’s sleep (especially on top of our WorldClass® Beautyrest mattresses – all queen or king, of course). You’ll have a blanket then a quilt or bedspread and an extra blanket. In two chain hotels, we had a sheet and a heavy comforter --- too hot with the comforter and too cold with just the sheet, no middle comfort. And speaking of the bed, Clay Corner Inn provides four pillows: two queens or two kings and two standards on every bed. The hotels have gone to small, square pillows about the size of a toss pillow. None of the hotel rooms had bathrobes, shower caps, sewing kits, makeup removers, pool towels or quality bath towels.
So, if you’re weighing your lodging options between a hotel chain and Clay Corner Inn, well, there’s simply no contest. Our rates are competitive. Our amenities are generous. Our linens are high quality, and you simply can’t get a better breakfast – well, unless you stay at a different B&B. Innkeepers are the nation’s best breakfast cooks, and at Clay Corner Inn, we freshly grind the coffee!
If your travels take you up I-81 through PA, arrange your overnight at Pheasant Field B&B in Carlisle, PA. There’s not much better recommendation than one innkeeper pointing you to another … not just because we are in the same industry, but because I am a repeat guest at the places mentioned in this blog.
Have a lovely day and happy travels and great B&B stays, Joanne
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