Unique Bed and Breakfasts Across America

The Gastonian
Savannah, Ga.

The Gastonian — an elegant bed-and-breakfast perched in Savannah's Historic District — sets itself apart from its Southern peers with graceful architecture and a unique sense of history. On the façades of two Regency-Italianate inspired mansions, you can still admire small cracks from an earthquake that rocked the area in the 1800s. History also pervades the Gastonian's 17 guestrooms. Each pays tribute to a local Savannahian with a name like Mary Telfair or Flannery O'Connor. Begin your day with homemade muffins, lemon ricotta pancakes and smoked bacon or poached eggs with grilled tomatoes. If you're still hankering for more gourmet goods, take advantage of afternoon hors d'oeuvres and evening desserts.

(Photo: The Gastonian)

Fort Hill Bed and Breakfast
Eastham, Mass.

At this three-suite Greek Revival farmhouse in the historic Fort Hill area, guests are privy to sweeping views of Nauset Marsh, not to mention Cape Cod National Seashore's rich array of wildlife. Innkeepers Gordon and Jean Avery ensure a memorable stay with breakfasts prepared with ingredients from the inn's garden. After you fill up with tasty menu items like cheesy-chive egg soufflé and buttermilk-currant scones, you can laze on Coast Guard Beach, hike along Fort Hill's scenic trails or check out nearby museums. Later, wind down in one of three cozy suites. The Emma and the Lucille suites are appointed with modern conveniences like cable TV and Wi-Fi access. The more spacious Nantucket cottage boasts its own fireplace, skylight, wrought iron bed and maple wood flooring.

(Photo: Fort Hill Bed and Breakfast)

John Rutledge House Inn
Charleston, S.C.

This beloved bed and breakfast in downtown Charleston makes an excellent base if you're looking to take in antebellum architecture, Spanish moss-draped streets and a dizzying array of historic sites. History spills over from the city's cobblestone walks into the John Rutledge House Inn; John Rutledge built the home in 1763 as a present for his bride-to-be, Elizabeth Grimke. In 1989, the house was converted into a charming B&B with 19 rooms and two carriage houses interlacing modern amenities and unique antiques like marble fireplaces and ornate ironwork. You'll wake up to a scrumptious continental breakfast before indulging your inner history buff with a jaunt through Charleston.

(Photo: John Rutledge House Inn)

Shafer Baillie Mansion Bed & Breakfast
Seattle

Occupying a 1914 Tudor revival home, the Shafer Baillie Mansion exudes a classic 1920s charm with lavish decor and period accents like mahogany woodwork, oak paneling and oriental rugs. Each of the eight guest rooms and suites comes with a mahogany bed, luxurious linens and a 32-inch LCD TV. The rooms on the third floor offer additional space for larger groups and boast in-floor heating and views overlooking Millionaire's Row or Queen Anne Hill and the Olympic Mountains. Kick off your day with a continental breakfast before exploring the surrounding Capitol Hill area or downtown Seattle.

(Photo: Shafer Baillie Mansion Bed & Breakfast)

Stone Hill Inn
Stowe, Vt.

This nine-room retreat, surrounded by the gorgeous scenery and verdant gardens of Stowe, Vt., provides a woodsy ambiance coupled with upscale accommodations. Guest rooms are outfitted with fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, two-person Jacuzzi tubs and sleigh, canopied or four-poster king-sized beds. Delight in sumptuous dishes like orange-pecan waffles along with freshly brewed Vermont Green Mountain Coffee. After breakfast, take advantage of the nearby slopes, spas and shops before returning for evening hors d'oeuvres. When nighttime rolls around, curl up in a hammock or Adirondack chair, or cozy up by the fireplace in the Stone Hill's main sitting room.

(Photo: Stone Hill Inn)

La Maison Marigny
New Orleans

Tucked away along the Crescent City's legendary Bourbon Street, La Maison Marigny makes a convenient stay for visitors looking to soak up the vibrant French Quarter. Inside, you'll discover reproduction antique beds, luxurious linens, hardwood flooring, complimentary Wi-Fi and high ceilings. But the real showstopper here isn't the 1898-inspired bedrooms; it's the breakfasts. Homemade casseroles, quiches and New Orleans-style coffees are all on the menu. Plus, you can rely on host John Ramsey for a warm welcome as well as helpful recommendations on where to explore during your stay. When you're ready to hit the town, check out the museums surrounding Jackson Square or peruse the eccentric shops lining Bourbon Street.

(Photo: La Maison Marigny)

Shinn Estate Farmhouse
Mattituck, N.Y.

Stretching out along Long Island's North Fork, this 1880s estate houses a robust wine collection and four rooms that grant sweeping views of the surrounding vineyard. Rooms are appointed with feather pillows, thick robes and flat-screen TVs. Outside the accommodations, you'll find a tranquil outdoor porch and gazebo as well as a tasting room with a diverse collection of top-notch vino. If you're craving more activity, hike along the picturesque Oregon Road or enjoy a Vineyard Walk tour (complimentary for guests staying over the weekend). Expect tantalizing breakfast dishes like fresh-griddled sausage, sunny-side up duck eggs and maple-smoked bacon prepared by owners (and former restaurateurs) Barbara Shinn and David Page.

(Photo: Shinn Estate Farmhouse)

Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast
Valparaiso, Ind.

This unique B&B caters to nature seekers with its covetable location near the Dunes National Lakeshore. Each of the five suites boasts its own color scheme and decor; all are equipped with modern touches like flat-screen TVs, whirlpool baths, fireplaces and European linens. Morning breakfasts here include homemade breads and an assortment of specialties like oatmeal soufflé, buttery biscuits and crispy waffles layered in berries. Once you've appeased your taste buds, take to the great outdoors to admire serene meadows and majestic oaks as you listen to the songbirds that call this remote retreat home.

(Photo: Songbird Prairie Bed & Breakfast)

Beltane Ranch
Glen Ellen, Calif.

Flanked by picturesque vineyards, orchards and gardens, this ranch built in 1892 offers breathtaking scenery on 30 acres of land in the heart of wine country. Enjoy a homemade breakfast with fresh berries, eggs and locally sourced meats and cheeses before partaking in a wide array of outdoor pursuits, ranging from tennis to bird-watching. Afterward, delight in tastings along the ranch's Beltane loop wine trail or the 17-mile-long Valley of the Moon wine trail. Accommodations are equipped with elegant wooden furnishings, family antiques and sweeping balconies or porches overlooking Sonoma Valley.

(Photo: Steven Krause / Beltane Ranch)

Hale Ho'okipa Inn Maui Bed and Breakfast
Makawao, Hawaii

Built in 1924, Hale Ho'okipa Inn Maui Bed and Breakfast, a former Maui plantation, houses only five bedrooms. They are appointed with local artwork, antique furnishings, bay windows and claw-foot tubs (in some rooms). Outside the serene lodgings, you'll discover tropical flowers, lilikoi vines and a massive Norfolk pine tree. Start your day with an organic breakfast filled with fresh papaya, local breads and cereals that come in varieties such as mango passion and raspberry ginger. Once you're well fed, hike in the scenic Haleakala National Park (approximately 18 miles south), hit the links at Pukalani Country Club (roughly 3 miles southwest) or crush gnarly waves at Ho'okipa Beach (about 10 miles north).

(Photo: Hale Ho'okipa Inn Maui Bed and Breakfast)

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