20% OFF rooms at The Armstrong Mansion

The Armstrong Mansion, SLC's most romantic bed and breakfast hotel, wants you to get lucky this St. Patrick's Day. Make a reservation and use the promo code "lucky" and automatically receive 20% off your reservation cost.

But be sure to hurry. Your luck runs out at the end of this month. Make your reservations now and make today your lucky day.

Just click on the link below to make your reservation and be sure to use the promo code "lucky" to receive 20% off your stay at the amazing and beautiful Armstrong Mansion.

RESERVE NOW


The Armstrong Mansion
667 East 100 South Salt Lake City, Utah

801-531-1333 / or Toll-free 800-708-1333
armstrongmansion.com

March & April special for Johnson Mill Bed and Breakfast Midway, UT

I have not been to this bed and breakfast yet. But here is their monthly special.

25% MID - WEEK & ROMANCE PACKAGE
Book any room Sun-Thurs and receive a free Romance Package as well as free rental of snow shoes to explore our winter wonderland and make sure you bring your camera since your bound to see our resident bald eagle hanging out in the trees over the Provo River or the many deer that love to romp on our fields

Also, if you book one night, Sun-Thurs, get your second night 25%off!

Good for new reservations only. Valid for for Sun-Thurs not including Holidays or weekends. Can not be combined with any other offer.
Please ask for the 'Spring Fling' when booking. Offer ends April 30th 2011

For more info go to www.johnsonmill.com

March specials for Castle Creek Inn

Castle Creek Inn in Sandy UT is one of my favorites. My husband and I stayed one night for our anniversary. I would highly recommend it.

Enjoy a Romantic Weekend Get-a-Way!
$135 Any Available Room - Fri. & Sat. March 4th-5th

Other March Specials
Sun-Wed. $99
Choose From
Palace Royale, Excalibur, Rapunzel's Tower, Canterbury, Edinburgh
Other Rooms Sun-Wed just $135
Weekends - ALL Rooms $25 Off
To receive discount - call 801-567-9437

View Rooms at:
www.castlecreekinn.net

The 1887 Hansen House Bed and Breakfast

It had been too long since we stayed at a bed and breakfast. So this Valentines weekend I knew it had to happen. I wanted to try some place new but close. I searched Salt Lake City bed and breakfasts and found a whole list. I compared the rooms, the amenities and the prices and found the best value for our money would be at the "The Hansen House" in Sandy.

WEBSITE/RESERVATIONS **
http://www.hansenhouse.com/
Looking at their website left much to be desired. To make a reservation you will have to call. There is an option of filling out a contact form to find out more information. From the pictures on the website we decided that we would like the Wine and Gold room the best. I made the call. The lady was very nice that I spoke too. I was very excited that we were able to book the room we wanted so last minute. Make sure you ask what time you will be able to check in. It did not seem like there was an exact check in time. She gave me a time frame and because I knew we would be excited to get there I chose the earlier time.


LOCATION ***
The day came for our stay February 12th, 2011. The bed and breakfast is located in an old neighborhood in Sandy. I saw many neat looking houses some of them had plaques on them say they are Historical houses. Some were large some were small. Right across the street was a little playground, rail road tracks for TRAX and beyond that was a LDS Church.

ATMOSPHERE ****
We were a little confused on how parking worked. There is a wide gravel driveway on the south side of the house with numbered posts. We never were quite sure if we were supposed to park at a certain one. So we just picked one and parked. We walked around to the front and went through a front gate and onto a walk way up to the house. The front door was wide open so we walked in. The house was beautiful inside. Very 19th century Victorian. We walked into the parlor and saw and older gentleman that we later found out to be Edward (owner). He was a sweet elderly gentleman. His wife Fran, was busily getting the library ready after moving some furniture around. She apologized for making us wait but we did not mind at all. We sat in the parlor and read the news paper and enjoyed the atmosphere. I felt I had been taken back in time to the 1800s. I felt so relaxed. Once she finished she came and led us through the dinning room to a informal dinning area attached to her kitchen. There was an awesome wood burning stove that she still uses. In the informal dinning area is where she has her office area and she checked us in. She was so friendly and accommodating. Once she checked us in she brought us up the front stair way up to our room. Just a warning if you have bad hips or knees because it is an older home the stair way is very steep. They do have a back stair well that I noticed had a electrical chair to bring you up the stairs if needed.

ROOM ****

Our room was great. I was so glad I picked it. The pillared queen size canopy bed was my favorite part of the room. It was very pretty. Because of the size of the bed compared to the room you can only enter from one side of the bed but I was alright with that. I liked the soft bedding. I would suggest bringing your own pillow because the pillows are extremely soft I had to double up mine just to get my head to feel somewhat supported. The mattress had a memory foam pad on top of it. It was decent. In front of the bed was a large electric fireplace that you could control with a remote. Above the fire place was a huge oval mirror that reflected the crystal chandelier. It was a nice touch. The tv was nothing special but I did like how they built it into the wall and framed it. There is a DVD player as well. Also in the same room as the bed was a vanity dresser with a sink built into it. I loved it. Through another door you entered the attached bathroom with toilet and shower. There is a step up to get into the shower. The shower is snug. They have a nice shower head but because of the size of the shower it is kind of awkward. The water pressure was great. The temperature of the water in the morning would constantly change from scalding hot to freezing cold I am guessing because of so many others using the water. However, the hot water never ran out while I took the shower. Also attached to the bed room is a smaller room where they have a 2 person Jacuzzi. It has a roman bath look to it because of two pillars and a step where the Jacuzzi has been set in. It is a small Jacuzzi tub but my husband and I were able to both sit in. The water stayed warm and the jets felt great. Also in the jacuzzi room was a small dressing table. I loved it so much I want my husband to make me one in our room at home. All it was, was a small shelf, a wall hung mirror and a chair set in front. I spent a lot of time in front of that mirror putting on my make up and doing my hair. They had a small hair dryer and curling iron for you to use.

After getting settled in our room we decided to go find some dinner. For guests that are checked in the side door located off the kitchen area was the way to come and go. Fran was busy in the kitchen as we were leaving and she chatted with us for a bit and told us some chocolate would be waiting on the kitchen table when we came back. As we were leaving I noticed what a great yard they had surrounding the house. There was a rock garden with a fountain (not running since it was winter), outdoor table and chairs and some beautiful old trees. After looking around the grounds we decided we will have to come back in summer time. For dinner we went to the Mayan restaurant, located about 5 minutes away. There is also a theater and many other restaurants with in driving distance. Also conveniently located is a TRAX station. It's with in walking distance.

When we returned from dinner, Fran was in the kitchen once again. She asked us if we would like some hot chocolate. We of course said yes! She brought us two of the yummiest looking hot chocolates with whipped chocolate with a little chocolate on top. It topped off our wonderful night.

After a great soak in the jacuzzi it was time to call it a night. We had a great sleep. The only complaints were the noisy TRAX train and a ticking clock on the wall. Luckily the TRAX train does not run all night and we took the battery out of the clock.

BREAKFAST ***
We woke to the smell of breakfast cooking. What a great way to wake up! Breakfast was served in the formal dinning room on one long table. There was 2 other couples that joined us. A full breakfast was served. It was very delicious. You may want to buy your own coffee however. They are not a coffee drinking couple so the coffee was not very good. After we finished breakfast Fran sat down with us and shared the story of the home. It was a great heart warming story.

OVER ALL ****
My husband and I would recommended this b&b and plan on returning. We loved the laid back homey feeling of the host and hostess. The home was warm and charming. The room we chose was large and comfortable. The breakfast was delicious and satisfying. The location was safe and convenient. The things we found we did not like: parking, no fridge in room, website, no advertised options to add to the room ie: flowers, candles, chocolates; no online reservations.

My addiction

It all started back in college. I studied Hospitality and Tourism Management. I belonged to a student club that would meet and tour hotels, resorts and bed and breakfasts and talk to owners about their careers. It was a lot of fun. My very favourite was when we went to the bed and breakfasts and toured. I fell in love with the idea and the locations. From that moment on I have become obsessed with bed and breakfasts. Because it is a very expensive habit I have only been able to visit them once in awhile. But in the meantime I'm constantly searching for places I want to go to next.

Bed and breakfasts have a reputation for being for old people. But I want to break through that mould and show younger generations how much fun it can be. My husband was sceptical when I first brought him to one but now he loves them too! I have decided to start this blog to inform people of what great places there are to stay other then your boring everyday corporate owned hotels. I also want to be a go to site to find the best deals or packages the B&Bs are offering. Because I live in Utah I will be focusing on Utah B&Bs but I will feature other B&Bs around the world. I will also be sharing with you my experiences at specific B&Bs and how I would rate them. I hope you enjoy!

Honeybee Inn Horicon, Wisconsin

So I have to start out by saying I am biased to this bed and breakfast because I have a personal stake in it. This beautiful Inn is owned by a family that have been friends with my family for almost 20 years. Each person in my family helped one way or another remodel the home. I also have helped clean rooms and serve breakfast. Even though I do have a personal link to this inn it is very easy to give it high marks and many others have found it easy to as well. It has received many awards for both their accommodations and breakfasts.

I have stayed their a feww times from the year it was opened to my last stay being on my honeymoon during 2006. I hope to stay there many more times.

LOCATION ***
The 1905 Victorian home is located in the small town of Horicon, Wisconsin. Horicon is 45mins from Madison and Milwaukee. Even though Horicon is a small town there are many things to do. One of biggest draws are for bird lovers because of the Horicon Marsh. The marsh is one of the top destinations for bird watching in the Midwest. I have many wonderful memories of this beautiful Marsh.

YOUR HOSTS *****

Barb and Fred Ruka are your hosts. You will not find better hosts then the Ruka's!


BREAKFAST *****


Breakfast is served in their beautiful dinning room. They also have the option for you to dine outside on their veranda or to have a breakfast basket brought to your room. They take breakfast very serious and you will feel like you are in breakfast heaven. They even guarantee you will not go away hungry. By far they have the best breakfast I have ever had at any B&B or even at any restaurant for that matter.


ATMOSPHERE *****

The Honeybee Inn is beautiful inside and out. On the outside the yard is well manicured. Beautiful gardens of flowers and other plants surround the Inn. You enter through a 4 season porch and into a beautiful entry way. The wood work will take your breath away. Right off the entry way is a gift shop where you can buy chocolates, romantic souvenirs to remember your stay and items you may have forgotten. To the left of the entry way is a large common room with beautiful furniture and a huge working fire place. It is a great place to sit with your honey and talk about the plans for your day. Also off the entry way is where you will eat breakfast in the morning. There is another beautiful working fire place. The room is warm and inviting and you almost cant wait for the next morning so you can sit by the fire and eat the delectable breakfast. Off the dining room is a veranda.

ROOMS
Back to the entry way and up the grand stair case you see a beautiful stain glass window. On this 2nd level are 4 guest rooms. All decorated beautifully.

I have had the opportunity to stay in two of the rooms. I stayed in the Honeydew Lodge by myself. It is decorated with a Northwoods feel. The queen size cedar log canopy feather bed and down duvet was so comfortable I had a hard time leaving it in the morning. There is a flat screen TV/VCR/DVD and a radio/cd player with Ipod port. So you never really have to leave that bed if you don't want to. If you don't leave your room but do need some fresh air just walk out onto your semi private balcony and have a seat. The Honeydew Lodge also has a private bathroom and shower. Definitely make time to take a long shower, there are four wall mounted jet sprays in the shower. You will want time to enjoy them. Since my stay they have also added a state of the art, Dimplex electric fireplace stove. I did not know the room could get any more cozy! I think this room would be great for a single person on business or couples who are plan on enjoying the beautiful nature and wild life you find in Horicon.

On my honey moon I was able to enjoy the Country Nectar room with my husband. It is their largest room and is very romantic. The queen mahogany hand carved four-poster feather bed is so comfortable. This bed was also hard to leave and not just because of the good looking person next to me. To add to the romance of this room it has a two-person corner air jet whirlpool tub, working fire place (seasonally) and a cushioned window seat. The room also has an attached private bathroom and shower. We enjoyed this room very much. We enjoyed playing the board game for couples that we found in the room and watched movies on the flat screen TV/VCR/DVD. This room is great for any romantic get away.

I hope to someday return and stay in the other two rooms. The Honey Pot Cottage is a bright and romantic room. The room includes a queen canopy white iron feather bed with down duvet, TV/VCR/DVD, clock radio/cd player, state of the art Dimplex electric fireplace, luxurious high thread count sheets, and private bathroom with two body jet sprays in the shower.

The Queen Bee room fits its name. I would definitely suggest this as a honeymoon room or anyone looking for luxury and romance. Features include a large two-person Jacuzzi air jet tub, flat screen TV/VCR/DVD, cd clock radio with Ipod port, tiled hand painted romantic fireplace (seasonal), semi-private balcony with seating, carved mahogany king canopy feather bed with down duvet, luxurious high thread count sheets, and private bathroom with rain shower, body jet spa with nine spray heads.

AMENITIES

Besides the amazing breakfast in the morning the Honeybee Inn has many other wonderful complementary amenities. In each room you will find, plush spa robes, gourmet chocolates at bedside, basic cable TV/VCR//DVD/CD players, air conditioning, private bathrooms, fireplace (seasonal), and wall mounted hair dryers. Other complementary items cold soda and bottled waters, and a Flavia coffee maker with 24 types of coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

They have many packages and extras you may include with your stay. Including massage!

WEBSITE *****

The website is very easy to use and includes all the information you will need for your stay. You can make a reservation online.

OVERALL *****
The best bed and breakfast I have ever stayed at. You will love it!