5 HIDDEN B&B INNS YOU SHOULD FIND

Picture the historic French-style mansion in New Orleans or the seaside captain’s house on the rocky shore of Maine. Imagine comfy fireplaced living rooms, plush beds that swallow you up in soft coverings, outside patios overlooking amazing mountain vistas. These are the images that come to mind when someone mentions a bed and breakfast inn. These home-style accommodations can be the perfect destination for travelers who want to avoid the typical hotel experience. We searched for out-of-the-way bed and breakfast inns, and found quite a few “hidden” treasures.

Hidden Creek Bed and Breakfast, Girdwood, Alaska

Just 40 scenic miles southeast of Anchorage, Alaska, is a hidden treasure in the heart of the Chugach Mountains. The little town of Girdwood is a world away from the busy city of Anchorage, surrounded by glacier-covered mountains and dense primeval forests. The road from Anchorage to the Hidden Creek Bed and Breakfast borders Turnagain Arm, a shallow bay off of Cook’s Inlet. The tidal change here is second only to the Bay of Fundy, and visitors are cautioned not to walk on the mud flats. Every summer, people are rescued from the quicksand-like mud as the tide rushes in.

Turning in to the town of Girdwood you can catch sight of eagles in the nearby trees and a glimpse of the Portage Glacier at the end of the inlet. The inn itself is set on a hill above the town, nestled in a wooded area. The bungalow-style inn has three guest rooms, a common room with fireplace, a hot tub and an outdoor deck. Breakfast is home-cooked from scratch, with baked breads and muffins, Alaskan berries and other fruits, and hearty cooked-to-order entrees.

Hidden Springs Bed and Breakfast, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Travelers wander into historic Eureka Springs after fishing or boating on one of the three large surrounding lakes or exploring the gentle slopes of the Ozark Mountains. The town retains a Victorian style of architecture, and boasts more than 100 unique shops and restaurants. The Hidden Springs Bed and Breakfast offers private suites and cottages, each with its own entrance. A hot, home-cooked breakfast is delivered to your door whenever you specify, so you can enjoy the hot pastries, eggs and juice in your own bed or on a secluded deck.

When you make your reservation, be sure to opt in to one of the extra add-on services, such as a $40 dinner for two at a local Italian restaurant, a couples’ one-hour massage at the spa for $120, or a guided tram tour through the quaint village for $30.

Hidden Valley Bed & Breakfast, Washington Depot, Connecticut

Tucked into the Litchfield Hills of western Connecticut is the bed and breakfast named the “best B&B on a hill in New England” by Yankee Magazine (2012). This stately Dutch Colonial Mansion overlooks the Hidden Valley Nature Preserve, offering peaceful views of the valley from a stone terrace. At one end of the terrace is a heated plunge-pool and separate lounging area.

If you are looking for seclusion, natural beauty and elegance, this B & B will satisfy on all counts. The setting is serene and the guest rooms are tastefully furnished in European style. There are three double rooms, a Red Guest Suite, and a third-floor play room for the kids. You can rent the entire house for a family reunion, friends’ get together or wedding. It is pure pleasure to enjoy breakfast on the terrace on a summer morning, feeling a cool fresh breeze and listening to bird songs.

A Hidden Haven Bed and Breakfast, Port Angeles, Washington

Now we head to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State, where gardens, ponds, waterfalls and wildlife surround the Hidden Haven Water Garden Cottages. This romantic B&B was voted “the most romantic place to kiss in the Northwest,” and it’s no wonder. The surrounding woods with owls calling, overhead display of brilliant stars, twinkling lights of the gazebo and the evening campfire all contribute to the romance of this enchanting setting.

The 20-acre grounds include wildflower beds, sloping lawns, a nature trail through 100-year-old forests and water features. Bald eagles, osprey and otters frequent the pond and deer wander through the property. You can enjoy tea in the island gazebo and have your breakfast in a flower garden next to a waterfall. Nearby, hiking and sightseeing in the Olympic National Park, especially on Hurricane Ridge, is breathtaking.

Hawaii’s Hidden Hideaway Bed & Breakfast on Oahu

Of course we wanted to include an island destination, and Hawaii’s Hidden Hideaway on Oahu is a perfect example of island hospitality in the beauty of the tropics. This award-winning bed & breakfast inn is located on the quiet windward side of Oahu near the town of Kailua, just a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. Walk to Lanikai beach, hike the ridge trail directly in back of the property for sweet views of neighboring Molokai, or go antique shopping in the village.

Your accommodations in this Hidden Hideaway are private deluxe studios with garden-side deck and private entrance, or the Peacock Suite with room for three and a secluded outdoor Jacuzzi spa. All of the rooms are set in a lush tropical garden with flowers and songbirds. The friendly hosts will make sure you are comfortable and happy in your island home. You won’t want to leave.