So although we'll each only see a relatively few bed and breakfasts in our lifetimes, it's always fun to talk about our favorites -- as evidenced by the many great bed and breakfasts listed in our recommended inns section. That list includes some of my favorites, and many more recommendations sent in by travelers who have found a great place to relax.
When the editors of Travel + Leisure magazine ran a list of bed and breakfasts with the title, "Our Favorite B&Bs," 10 inns were listed -- but only one captured the top spot...
Gaige House Inn
Glen Ellen, California
Gaige House Inn bills itself as "An Intimate Luxury Inn," and it would be difficult to argue with that description. In addition to the honors Gaige House has received from T+L, it has been called "the finest B&B in the Wine Country" by Frommer's and "stunning, simply stunning" by The Best Places to Kiss in Northern California.
All of the Gaige House Inn's rooms and suites have private baths, phones, CD players and televisions; four rooms have whirlpool baths, and several have fireplaces and decks. An outdoor pool is available in season. A two- or three-course breakfast is served each morning.
The building itself is an 1890 Queen Anne-Italianate design, with the interior decor showing influences from Asia and Indonesia. Gaige House Inn is a non-smoking property, and no pets are allowed. Rates currently range from $245 to $695 per night, though you should check the inn's Web site and confirm the price before making reservations. Rates can fluctuate based on the time of the year and the day of the week.
The inn is less than an hour away from San Francisco, one of the reasons former innkeepers Ken Burnet and Greg Nemrow purchased it. Burnet, a former high-tech executive and Nemrow, a former attorney, added six suites and a room after taking over the inn in the mid-1990s. Their work was admired by writers for a variety of publications, including one who said Gaige House "has to be the most romantic inn in Northern California."
Gaige House Inn is now run by Thompson Hotels, which also operates hotels in Los Angeles and New York City.
What's your favorite inn? Post a note on the About.com Bed and Breakfasts Forum to share your great experiences with travelers from around the world.
