It's hard to narrow down what was most special about our 2-night stay at the beautiful Grace Manor Inn. Our June visit began with a tour of the circa 1910 fully-restored home in the fan district of Richmond, within walking distance of many local sites. Everywhere we looked in the spacious Inn, there was a combination of period furniture and modern B&B ammenities! The Fensterer-Davis suite is huge and luxurious with special touches such as a welcome appetizer plate and in-room gourmet coffee maker. Having visited in June, we were glad to find that the rooms were quite cool (A/C).
While the interior of the Inn is magnificent (see web site), the exterior is just as special. There is a veranda on the second floor that just begs a visiter to grab a book & some sweet tea, and read under the ceiling fans. The courtyard has many lovely places to sit, relax, and enjoy the gardens. (Don't miss the sour cherries in June - delicious!).
Days begin at Grace Manor Inn with a 5-star breakfast prepared by Dawn, co-inkeeper & chef extraordinaire, and served by co-innkeeper, Albert. After finishing several courses, you'll be ready for a day of taking in the local sites.
Innkeepers Albert and Dawn ensured that we were armed with all the information we needed to make the most of our short time in Richmond. Whether it's museums, theatre, local food, or guided tours, the Schicks are more than willing to advise and make reservations.
There is much to see and do in Richmond. We recommend a leisurely walk along Monument Avenue, visits to one of the many really wonderful museums, a water tour of the reclaimed canal. In two days, one can't really see all there is to offer!
While much of the city is still in need of an extreme makeover, there is a tremendous amount of revitalization going on. Almost surprisingly, the restaurants in Richmond are terrific - and there are many from which to choose, from Spicy Tai Shrimp (Minnie's) to southern barbeque!
A review of the Grace Manor Inn would not be complete without mention of the two furry members of the innkeeping family. Coco and Bear, two adorable Yorkies, greet all the guests and are happy to engage in a game of fetch!
The Schicks are warm, welcoming, and eager to make your stay an experience you won't soon forget. Though you are co-occupying the Schick's home, you will feel relaxed and comfortable in the parlors and porches. The Schick's passion for innkeeping is evident in each little touch (loved the Lindt candies and the chocolate chip cookies!) offered by the Grace Manor Inn.
We couldn't recommend the Grace Manor Inn more highly, and we plan to return there soon.
S. & O. Osborn
Herndon, VA |
