Two of my all-time favorite historic bed and breakfast inns are both located in an area known as "The Lowcountry," which includes environs of Charleston, SC and located less than a two hour drive from each other. Each of these inns, Mansfield Plantation B&B  (also see Mansfield Plantation Mirrors the Majesty of The South) and The Inn at Middleton Place, is located on a once thriving ante-bellum plantation reflecting much of what Old South living was like during those years. The on-the-water settings of these plantations are magnificent and provide an ethereal beauty one never seems satisfied with experiencing just once. At least, that has been my experience--and I have made repeated visits to each.

Established in the early 1700s, Mansfield was a prosperous rice plantation and still has the slave village (middle photo), including the chapel, on the the premises. The Schoolhouse (right photo) provides a stark contrast to the shanties of the slaves. Built circa 1840, it was the building used for schooling the plantation owners' children; it now offers two guest rooms and a front porch with rockers for guests visiting Mansfield. My favorite rooms are The Man (upper left photo) and Woodward rooms. These rooms are located on the ground floor of the North Guest House and open onto a private patio featuring a fire pit.

There is much to explore on the plantation grounds of Mansfield as well as in nearby Georgetown, where fine dining may be enjoyed. Anytime is a good time for visiting Mansfield Plantation, and I consider the rates hard to beat for all that is offered. Sitting in a swing suspended from a moss-draped ancient oak, while watching a sunrise or sunset over the Black River, promises an indelible memory.

I love the exquisite woodworking and handsome furnishings found at Mansfield, but I equally enjoy the less formal setting to be found at Middleton Place. Set in a natural, woodsy setting overlooking the Ashley River, the Inn at Middleton Place offers spacious and tastefully decorated guest quarters in a variety of price ranges. For an over-the-top experience, The Ashley River Room (see two photos below) is more like a grand suite than a "room" with its own private deck overlooking the Ashley River and surroundng marshlands.

There is always a plethora of things to do and see at Middleton Place--from the fall Plantation Days to Ashley River kayaking. Take a look at the amazing offerings noted on their impressive Calendar of Events listing, and you are bound to find something of interest or intrigue. In addition to a delicious breakfast and a wine reception each evening, guests at the inn also receive complimentary passes to the adjacent Middleton Place Gardens, house museum, and stableyards. Wonderful nature tours and a labyrinth provide additional outdoor enjoyment. 

Last, but not least, no trip to Middleton Place would be complete without a casual lunch or a more formal dinner at The Restaurant at Middleton Place. Typical of everything found at Middleton Place, the setting is idyllic and quality reigns. There is even a well-lit path, along the river, which leads from the inn to the restaurant.

I have had the pleasure of staying at Charleston, SC's  Cannonboro (above left) and Ashley (above right) Inns on several different occasions, during the past eight years, and each experience has been a pleasant one in every way. Each of these sister inns offers guests gracious Southern hospitality, historic lodging in the heart of a major tourist destination, tastefully decorated accommodations, off-street parking, complimentary touring bikes, Wifi, home-baked afternoon refreshments, evening sherry, and gourmet breakfasts which I consider the best morning repasts to be found at a Charleston bed and breakfast inn.

Lodging offered at these sister inns includes a wide range of versatility to best suit whatever need or desire a guest may have. Shown above is a spacious suite (far left) at the Cannonboro Inn, a charming room (middle) at The Ashley Inn with direct access to the piazza, and an all-inclusive carriage house (far right and also located at The Ashley Inn).

During the past twelve years, I have personally experienced the majority of Charleston's finest bed and breakfast inns and boutique hotels. However, I have yet to find a breakfast surpassing the outstanding ones I have consistently enjoyed at The Ashley and The Cannonboro Inns. The Ashley Inn has been featured on Country Inn Cooking with Gail Greco on PBS, and recipes from each of these inns are proudly featured in a cookbook/travel guide (Lowcountry Delights Cookbook and Travel Guide) co-authored by my daughter and me--recipes often selected to serve at our book signings. Breakfast at The Ashley Inn is served in the formal dining room (left photo above), and breakfast at The Cannonboro Inn is served on the inn's circular piazza overlooking a well-tended garden (or inside during cooler weather).

Each of these sister inns offers special packages, gift certificates, and on premise catering for weddings, receptions, and other events. To offer so much, the rates found at these two Charleston inns are amazingly value-based. I highly recommend considering a visit to one or both of these delightful B&Bs whenever in the Charleston area.

During my childhood, I often vacationed at Florida beaches. The drive always seemed to take forever, especially those long stretches of nothingness that provided absolutely no fodder for automobile bingo. However, a recent drive to a New England oceanside destination was pleasantly different. The countryside I meandered through was picturesque and punctuated with exclamation points of history at every turn. There were no areas of nothingness or sameness in these parts, nor were there topographical clues that I was approaching a magnificent and expansive ocean vista.  

I have an affinity for bold colors artistically woven into a color scheme of interest and good taste. However, I love the crisp white color motif found throughout A Beachhouse Oceanfront B&B. The beaches of New England do not have the sugary white sands of Florida beaches. Yet, the monochromatic whites gracing the decor of this charming B&B beachhouse suffices for me and conveys an airy beach feel. Located on a private beach, just 20 feet from the ocean, the sound of swooshing waves and salty breezes completes the beachside magic. From the inn's common areas and sundeck, guests are able to enjoy the beauty of Cape Cod Bay and beyond. Though the guestrooms (two) and baths are not capacious, they are welcoming and comfortable. For guests desiring a larger area, the garden level's Sandcastle Room (shown above), provides more space as well as additional privacy.  

A delicious breakfast is prepared and served each morning by Denise and Jack, the resident owners/innkeepers who have a knack for making guests feel special and wanted even before their arrival at the inn. The beautifully presented meal is enjoyed by guests either in the seaside dining room or alfresco on the sundeck. Breakfasting at Oceanfront B&B, while drinking in the ever-changing ocean view and chatting with the inn's gracious hosts and other guests, provides the perfect elixir for beginning a new day in old Cape Cod.

Fine dining opportunities are available for guests staying at A Beachhouse Oceanfront B&B, including special privileges at the nearby White Cliff's Country Club where upscale dining may be enjoyed in a high-style atmosphere. In addition to enjoying a delicious dinner in the dining room of White Cliff's Country Club, I also enjoyed a delectable lunch at Isaacs' Restaurant (shown above left) in the midst of historic Plymouth with an unobstructed view of The Mayflower II (shown above right).

   

Even though I am a veteran member of "GRITS" (Girls Raised In The South), I am convinced I must have some New England blood running through my veins as well. I felt drawn to this beautiful area of the country long before I ever breathed its air, and it only took one visit to put New England "in my blood" if it were not there before. As I drive down the winding country road leading to Stonecroft Country Inn, I feel myself falling in love with this part of the country all over again. Once I arrive at Stonecroft, I want to explore both houses, as well as the grounds, all at the same time.

Stonecroft Inn, an early 19th century sea captain's estate spanning 6.5 acres, is situated in an Edenic setting made even more picturesque by native stonewalls, an old barn, and verdant lawns. One of Stonecroft's most distinctive features is its offering of two totally different properties as part of the same outstanding inn: The 1807 House (left photo at top of page) and The Grange (right photo at top of page). For purists, the original 1807 Georgia Colonial house provides a true glimpse into early America. This house features wide plank flooring, woodburning fireplaces, common rooms for guests to enjoy (one includes a complimentary refreshment area available 24/7), a cozy library, and a charming dining room (left photo above) where a full-country breakfast is served each morning. I stayed in Sarah's Room (photo below on far left) in the newly renovated "Grange," a post and beam barn boasting luxurious accommodations with gas fireplaces and over-the-top bathrooms. 

I love the inn's lush garden area embellished by a leaf covered arbor, a mesmerizing waterfall trickling into a small pond, and the individual firepits (middle photo below) for guests to enjoy on chilly nights. Piped in music adds to the natural serenity. The "croft" (far right photo below), from which the inn derives its name, is a favorite spot for weddings at the inn. The property's woodsy backdrop is especially magnificent during its autumnal splendor.     

Stonecroft provides an ideal base for exploring popular areas of southern New England, including Mystic, Stonington Borough, Long Island Sound, and Newport. After a day of sightseeing, there is no better way to end the day than having dinner at the inn's highly acclaimed restaurant located in The Grange and featuring creative regional cuisine prepared by an award-winning chef. The atmosphere provides an elegance that will not disappoint the most discerning guest.

For me, Stonecroft Country Inn exudes the beckoning character and charm of New England. Jason and Cathi, the brother-sister/owner-innkeeper team, have a contagious enthusiasm for Stonecroft which is evident whenever one is in their presence. After just one night, I caught Jason and Cathi's enthusiasm about this unique property and became anxious to share my discovery with others. It is an inn I would love to experience any season of the year.