Our BedandBreakfast.com offices are located in downtown Austin, Texas, just a few minutes from Gateway Guesthouse. It's a modern B&B located in a historic 1918 home that has been in business for around two years. The innkeepers kindly invited some of my colleagues and I over earlier this week for a tour and breakfast. I fell in love with the B&B and can't wait to recommend it to visiting friends and family--it is so close to Austin's most popular attractions and best restaurants.
The inn is owned and operated by innkeepers Blaise Bahara and Bess Giannakakis, two friendly and hospitable women who clearly love their jobs. Blaise has a business background and has also worked in event planning and interior design. She decorated the entire inn herself and did a phenomenal job infusing a blend of contemporary, luxurious, and comfortable. Bess has been an accomplished professional chef for 20 years, and previously owned a restaurant in Minneapolis. Their talents couldn't be a more perfect combination for running a top-notch B&B.
Gateway Guesthouse has three guestrooms in the main house. Two are well-suited to couples, while one has twin beds and is perfect for girlfriend getaways. For those looking for more privacy, there is also a separate studio, a carriage house, and a loft apartment.
In the back, the inn has a lovely outdoor terrace with seating, an ideal place for a glass of wine and a book. There is also a pool, perfect for guests wanting to cool off during Austin's hot summers.
Blaise did a fantastic job designing the inn's guest rooms with modern yet comfortable decor.
Bess cooks an incredible breakfast! She melds a variety of international cuisines and uses as much local and organic food as possible. She also hosts cooking classes; for some, she'll even take you to farm and markets with her! There are also cook and carry classes, where you prepare a gourmet holiday feast and then take it home with you. She and Blaise can also take guests on local food tours.
We were first served a colorful bowl of fruit. Then came a plate with homemade toast, homemade tomato basil sauce, and an egg dish with thin layers of zucchini, potato, cheese, and sprinklings of homemade sausage, green peppers, and red peppers. I have a food sensitivity to eggs, and she was more than happy to make an egg-free version for me (you can see both versions below). It was still incredibly delicious and filling! I finished nearly every bite.
Gateway Guesthouse also has plenty of comfortable room for guests to relax and socialize. They even have a nook for playing chess.
I loved spending the morning getting to know these lovely local innkeepers, dining on a fabulous homemade breakfast, and touring the beautiful property. Isn't that what a B&B is all about? If you come to Austin and want to stay somewhere near all of the action, I highly recommend Gateway Guesthouse.