organic valley creamery

Sutton’s Bay, Michigan: A Wine Country Bed and Breakfast Inn That Rekindles Romance

When the chaos and confusion of our busy lives begins to wreak havoc, it is a good idea to take a little break to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate the important things in life:  family, friends and nature. Fortunately, bed and breakfast inns all over the country provide a small piece of paradise for you to enjoy. Nestled in peaceful valleys, on picturesque rivers or shorelines, in meandering countryside or historic towns, a bed and breakfast inn is the perfect place to renew, recharge and rejuvenate. Rest and recuperate with loved-ones in landscapes that are idyllic and serene, with views you will never forget. Listen to the flow of rushing waters, watch for raptors soaring overhead; gather flowers and berries with your family, sip a cool beverage while relaxing on a porch swing, read on a bench warmed by the sun, or make smores over a campfire. There are many ways to experience contentment at a B & B inn. You will feel the urge to capture the essence in writing, on guitar, or with paint and brush.

When life gets stressful or overwhelming, sometimes the best thing to do is to take a little time out. Visiting a bed and breakfast inn can often bring solace, and leads to a rejuvenated mind, body and spirit. Imagine stepping away from the hustle and bustle of daily living to relax in places that exude peace and quiet.

When you want to kick back and revitalize, there are lots of destinations to consider. At a beach locale, the sound of crashing waves, salty ocean breezes, and soft sand beneath your feet can cultivate feelings of contentment. The right destination usually provides beautiful scenery for contemplation and deep thought. If the beach is crowded, why not head there at sunrise, sunset, or in the evening to see the Milky Way?

Consider taking a trip to a place you’ve never explored before. Sutton’s Bay, Michigan and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania are two areas reputed to provide their visitors with plenty of space to be by themselves. Breathtaking rolling hills, pastures, horses set against white snow views, acres of woods, farms, orchards and vineyards are some of the things you might see. Many writers have been inspired by these surroundings and musicians have composed beautiful music. If these options seem a bit remote, don’t fret. Many activities are available in the area, including shopping, performing arts, galleries, hiking, mushroom hunting, wine-tasting, biking, tennis, golf and walking. Many properties tend to be near water, which makes activities available such as fishing, kayaking, swimming and water sports. Sightseeing, tours, spa treatments, restaurant reservations and activities can usually be booked and taken care of by the innkeeper.

If making a quick getaway by air is not in your budget, why not hit the road? Some of the best places for finding contentment can be within a few hours drive. There are many areas you can visit where the nature around you brings a sense of solitude and relief. Take a walk around the grounds and facilities of a B & B and just reflect. The home-style comfort, peaceful lighting, relaxing porches and attractive gardens will transform your mood. Just a few days in this environment begs for the reveries of quiet contemplation and connection with your inner self, which often leads to new levels of awareness and clarity.

When the trip is over, return to your daily life with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration; ready to take on challenges.

One of the things important to most B & B innkeepers is the opportunity is to be of service to the hearts, minds and souls of their guests. Their goal is to create an environment for people to come and find some peace. Operating a successful B & B involves more than being a business owner. Innkeepers provide an atmosphere that can reawaken a person, enabling them to find some semblance of themselves in a busy world. Most innkeepers live and work at the establishment. The lodgers who visit them are called to be a part of their lives. In many cases, innkeepers are gifted with someone else’s confidentiality. Innkeepers have learned some very good lessons from their guests: when they should talk, when they need to listen, and when to get out of the way.

Right after having had a turbulent argument, a rattled couple visited a B & B inn. They needed to be in a different environment and in so doing, were able to rediscover the person they fell in love with originally. They found their centers and their souls. At the end of their stay, the tension melted away and the couple enjoyed a sense of peace and serenity.

Some innkeepers are so sensitive, and compassionate, they are able to provide a setting for people to unburden themselves. Not only are these innkeepers empathetic, they love to talk to people, and have the sensitivity to engage people. Innkeepers understand how to reach a level of communication, which makes their lodgers feel comfortable. Without hovering or being intrusive, innkeepers possess the uncanny art of knowing how to ask open-ended questions.

Persons with incredible despondency can be transformed in a matter of days. For whatever they need – healing, growing or understanding, a charming bed and breakfast inn can be a place where people go to recuperate, restore, renew, and reconnect with their loved-ones. All it takes is a unique combination of gorgeous nature and an innkeeper’s sense of attention to well-being.

A young couple arrived at a B & B inn in a state of grief. The innkeeper made their room cozy and nice. There were flowers in the room. The lights were dimmed with soft, soothing music. Candles were twinkling; down pillows were fluffed; the fireplace was lit and bath salts were placed inside. A massage appointment was arranged, and a picnic was provided. At the end of their stay, the stricken couple felt peaceful, inside and out. The visit was enormously therapeutic.

FEATURED PROPERTY: Hands down a near perfect blend of warm service, sumptuous dining, breathtaking rolling hills, horses grazing in pastures, and home style charm, The Inn at Black Star Farms, Suttons Bay, Michigan is highly recommended.

ROOMS: Rooms are comfortable and spacious. Locally made Patricia’s chocolates are placed on the bed; made with the house specialty: eau de vie fruit brandy. Signature Aveda toiletries are included.

SERVICE: The level of service, from the check-in staff, to the wait staff, to the housekeeping crew and personnel in the tasting rooms and stables, is known to be impeccable. The staff is very polite and filled with genuine smiles. When breakfast is served, the owner commiserates with guests.

AMENITIES: There is a copper kinetic wind sculpture that greets guests by the fountain; it is the work of a local artisan. Arriving guests receive a bottle of house red wine. A plate of cookies awaits visitors in the common area. In the evening, the inn hosts a welcome hospitality hour in the Pegasus lounge featuring local wines and cheese made on the premises. Public balconies offer mesmerizing views of 160 acres of woods, orchards and vineyards. The back courtyard has comfortable lounge chairs for reading or relaxing. Gourmet picnics, prepared by the inn on request, can be enjoyed on a blanket in the courtyard, near the croquet lawn. WiFi is included in rooms and throughout the public spaces. A sauna and marble Jacuzzi tub, with double-headed Jacuzzi shower, is also available. 160 acres of groomed wooded trails are accessible for hiking. In winter, guests can cross country ski on the property. The inn also provides snowshoes. Boyne mountain ski resort is one hour away. The inn has a library with a variety of books and board games like Monopoly or skip-bo.

LOCATION: The location is in the heart of the Leelanau Peninsula wine trail, about 20-25 minutes north – 13 miles, from Traverse City airport. It is a nice journey through the main town of Traverse City, taking M-22 along the Traverse Bay shoreline. The vineyard is perched up on a lushly landscaped hill providing stunning vistas throughout the property. It’s rear grounds slope downward to the inn.

CUISINE: Ingredients for the Artisanal style cuisine that is served to guests are grown or raised on the property, or obtained within a 100 mile radius. The Chef hand gathers eggs from chickens in the morning; herbs and greens are grown in the inn’s green house. The property makes wine, including ice wine and eau du vie – using a hand crafted approach to wine making.  A cheese creamery on the premises produces local Leelanau cheese. The cafe serves melted Raclette cheese, which is similar to Swiss cheese. The creamery also makes fromage blanc (similar to crème cheese.)  In the beginning of May, innkeepers take guests out to the forest to hunt for the hard to find; morel mushrooms. The muddier the forest, the better, as the rain helps the morels. No mosquitoes are present at that time of year. After the hunt, guests provide their mushrooms to the Chef, who prepares a five-course morel inspired dinner.

CLEANLINESS: The rooms and public areas are immaculate. The staff can be seen cleaning the property interiors, grooming the public spaces, and even organizing the board games and books in the library. The landscaping, with dense greenery and vibrant colors, is flawlessly maintained.

VALUE: Compared to the larger hotels in the area, the lush beauty and quaint charm of the Inn at Black Star Farms offers tremendous value.

www.sustainablecontentment.com

Dungeness Valley Creamery

[groupmage source="groupon" location=0 display=5]
[groupmage source="crowdsavings" location=1 display=5]