My recent trip to the Inn at Westwynd Farm was combined with a “kidcation” to Hershey Park, and while the roller coasters were the high point for my girls, the highlight for me was the chance to stay at this fabulous farm and inn. The Inn at Westwynd Farm had been on my “B&B Bucket List” for awhile, so when planning our end-of-school trip, there was some method to my madness in taking the kids to Hershey Park, just three miles from the inn.

Take a big dose of romance, combine it with a gorgeous horse farm, add a kid-friendly attitude, and you begin to understand the Inn at Westwynd Farm. Now imagine huge helpings of extra amenities like a guest fridge filled with wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, popcorn, Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels, plus four or five different offerings for afternoon refreshments, along with free wi-fi, and you’ll fully appreciate the haute hospitality and extra value here. Gorgeous rolling hills with horses grazing, manicured gardens and lilies popping open everywhere complete the picture.

My youngest child went right to work making friends and managed to find her way to the kitchen to help Carolyn Troxell, the inn’s co-owner and innkeeper, make zucchini bread for the next morning. Carolyn’s husband Frank had no trouble luring both daughters away from the kitchen  to see the horses and the barn. We all got the chance to meet the goats, alpacas, horses, cats and barn dogs, which were a highlight for the girls. My youngest stayed behind to help feed and brush the horses while my older daughter and I set off to explore the waterfall, koi pond and gardens next to the inn.

Just three miles from the thrills and chills of Hershey Park, I was impressed with how quickly the landscape changed from outlets and amusement parks to the rolling hillsides and farms of Pennsylvania Dutch country. The inn offers a perfect bucolic retreat for rest and relaxation, with complete access to the restaurants, outlet shopping, concerts, caverns and rides in Hershey. Yet once at the inn, it’s tough to think about leaving. Upper and lower living rooms featuring snacks and TVs, ambling porches, a library with a guest computer, plus a barn filled with interesting animals mean that common space and built-in entertainment are plentiful.

Rarely does one inn do so well catering to diverse interests, yet here honeymoon couples can easily co-vacation with families and corporate guests. Guest rooms are located throughout the house, and the two-story carriage house adjacent to the inn offers living and dining rooms, a kitchen and a bedroom spacious enough for a family or those wishing for extra privacy.

The note on the chalkboard in the dining room captures the essence of what vacations are all about here and hit home with me; it read “it doesn’t matter where you go in life, it’s who you have beside you”. The Inn at Westwynd Farm is a place to enjoy having those you love beside you. I did.

For More INNformation:

Inn at Westwynd Farm, 1620 Sandbeach Road, Hummelstown, PA 17036, 1-717-533-6764 or 877-Westwynd(937-8996). Rates: $109-189/nightly, a BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection member.

Fly Jet Blue direct from Boston to BWI or Philadelphia Airport, then drive under two hours to Hershey. Alternately, fly from Boston Logan to Harrisburg, and then it’s a twenty minute drive. Enjoy lovely country views, gourmet breakfasts and afternoon refreshments, and comforting amenities in rooms accented by antiques, fireplaces, jacuzzis and luxurious linens The inn is also fully equipped for business travelers with wi-fi access and a guest computer. Experience the attractions of Hershey and Pennsylvania Dutch country, go biking or canoeing, explore Amish Country and Civil War sites easily from the inn's central location.

FREE GARDENING GETAWAY

There really are people who love to work in the garden ... you know who you are. If you would like to come and help me by working outside with me for 8 hours, you are welcome to stay for 2 nights at no charge. Usual amenities are included. Call for more details.

More information on this package is available at their website under rates.

Be sure to visit BedandBreakfast.com to find other getaways for gardeners that are listed under our Special Packages. Here are a few other garden getaways you may find appealing:

Pennsbury Inn - Chadds Ford, PA

05/26/09 - 10/31/09

Escape to Chateau Country: A bargain in beauty awaits as Winterthur, Longwood Gardens and the Hagley Museum are offering our guests a reduced rate of $30. to visit all three gardens and the mansions at Hagley and Winterthur. The Dupont family's original home and gardens Eleutherian Mills is on the Brandywine River at the Hagley Museum, along with the gun powder bills that atarted their fortune. The Winterthur mansion was enlarged by 105 rooms to house Henry Dupont's collection of American Fine Arts when he inherited this prize. Cousin Pierre saved an arboretum from development to turn it into the world's premiere garden, Longwood. For further information about each venue, visit their websites.

View all specials for Pennsbury Inn     

Victorian Charm Bed & Breakfast - Niagara Falls, ON

04/01/09 - 10/31/09

2 nights accommodations and 2 gourmet breakfasts with choice of 6 hot entrees and fresh fruits, served from 7 to 10:00am, guided tour of my garden, choice of plants to take home and instructions on planting, pruning. Later in the Summer you can harvest fruits, make jam and jelly with Anne-Marie, a Home Economics Teacher, You can also take home Everbearing raspberry canes, blackberries, Rose of Sharon trees, cuttings from cacti. Rate $325 plus 5% tax and up depending on room chosen.

View all specials for Victorian Charm B&B     

Abberley House Irish Bed and Breakfast - Dresden, OH

09/13/08 - 09/27/99

Garden Lovers’ Getaway Our surrounding area is "blooming" with beautiful gardens for your enjoyment. There are also many shops that cater to the gardener and offer unique items for your home and yard. A map and a bag lunch in an insulated tote will be provided. Bring your camera! $20/night + room rate, double occupancy.

View all specials for Abberley House    

The Queen, A Victorian Bed & Breakfast - Bellefonte, PA

05/01/09 - 10/30/09

Spring, an absolutely perfect time to visit The Queen, A Victorian Bed and Breakfast. The gardens are in full bloom and looking stunning! Take home some Victorian style when you spend the night– choose 3 perennials, trees, shrubs from a large variety, as available, to name a few: ferns, cone flowers, sedums, red raspberries (bare from July–Nov), horsetail, ivy, iris, myrtle, euonymus, sage, chives, oregano, mint, thyme, heritage hydrangea, hellebores, peonies, columbine, laities, weeping Japanese tree, crabapple, balsam, lady’s mantle, lamb ear, day lilies, bee balm, bachelor’s button and much more!!! Come visit and take a part of Victorian style home to your garden.

View all specials for The Queen     

Happy Gardening!  Rose

Happy New Year to all BedandBreakfast.com blog readers.  We're delighted to welcome in the new year with encouragement to continue traveling to your favorite B&Bs, along with some enticements to try a few new ones.  Whether your January travel plans involve skiing, surfing, or post-holiday relaxation, BedandBreakfast.com offers packages and incentives for winter getaways. We know that you are are fed up with hotel charges of $5 for a bottle of water, $7 for a phone call, and are looking for the valuable money-saving bonuses that B&Bs offer. BedandBreakfast.com recently surveyed more than 5,200 innkeepers and heard from almost 1,400 of them about B&B amenities, ranging from free local and long distance phone calls to complimentary afternoon refreshments, wine and cheese, and/or evening desserts.

Inn travelers also save with free parking, free Wi-Fi, and tip-free bellhop and concierge services like restaurant reservations and insider sightseeing advice. Add in a $50 Ski and Surf Vacation Bonus from BedandBreakfast.com for a two-night online reservation, and it's clear that B&B bonuses can add up to savings of hundreds of dollars on an unforgettable winter getaway. In fact, BedandBreakfast.com estimates the following savings when you book a two-night B&B getaway:

• Free breakfasts for two daily (all B&Bs): $50
• Free Wi-Fi access and/or guest computers (nearly 90% of B&Bs): $20
• Free afternoon refreshments, wine and cheese and/or evening dessert for two (94% of B&Bs): $40
• Tip-free help with luggage and concierge services (over 65% of B&Bs): $10
• Free local telephone calls (75% of B&Bs) plus free long distance calls $10
• Free parking (over 95% of B&Bs): Up to $50
• Total savings for the two day stay is $180.  Include the $50 BedandBreakfast.com online booking bonus and save $230 for a two-night stay!  

Covered Bridge House, Glen, NH: Stay two midweek nights and receive two lift tickets honored at any of the seven Mt Washington Valley ski resorts or two trail passes, group lesson and equipment rental good at any one of six Mt. Washington Valley Nordic centers, absolutely free. After a vigorous day on the slopes, return to the inn for a relaxing soak in the hot tub under the stars. This package includes two night’s lodging (Sunday - Thursday), two full country breakfasts daily, and two lift tickets for only $198 for two people through April 1, 2009 (excluding February 14-22, 2009).

The Craftsman Bed and Breakfast, Storm City, OR: Take advantage of the midweek special.  Stay two nights, Sunday through Thursday for the price of one. Cuddle up warm inside while the high winds, blowing surf and waves crashing into the Cape Kiwanda offer pure excitement that Oregonians look forward to every year.