West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments, New York, NY

Originally published April 29, 2008

We wound up our coast to coast trip from Los Angeles to New York City in...New York City! I was able to draw on a distinct pair from the variety of inns and non-traditional hotel offerings in the five boroughs. While there are sky-scraper luxury hotels, hostels, mid-range quality hotels (still with the big price tag) as well as a slew of 24 hour options for you to choose from, these two were self described bed and breakfasts.

The first place that we stayed on the last leg of our journey was in Manhattan at the West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments (278 W 11th St New York, NY - www.west-eleventh.com). West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments is not a place for people who don't read their instructions. As we trekked through the rain across the familiar paths unconsciously trodden hundreds of times before, the road began to seem less and less familiar. The fact was that I'd been on this road hundreds, if not thousands of times before. But the name seemed less and less familiar as we got closer and closer to our destination. West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments.

Humph.

I'd never seen or remembered seeing signs for this place before. In fact once we'd descended upon 278 W 11th Street, I was sure that this was the address I'd just checked up on but I didn't see any sign at all! The sign that I did see was an inscription in Greek which I had seen dozens of times before. In fact, just days previous a couple of friends of mine who met up with us in the city and I had noticed it (before our journey had officially come to an end; also before we'd checked in).

Regardless, once we'd figured out where we were (in our home city no less!) we quickly became acclimated. A blast of hot air and strong potpourris fills your head as you enter the sunken entryway to West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments.

This appears to be a very old building; climbing the stairs they ache and creak as you go; there is a decided noise from the folks upstairs who did not appear to be very heavy footed, and when we alighted to the third floor where our room was located, I was given quite a conciliatory buckling of knees when I'd seen the door actually sloping away from me on the tilted third-floor floor. Once we were inside of our domicile though the terrain flattened out; fully carpeted save the elevated bathroom and kitchen (!) area, we were greeted pleasantly with two chaise lounges, a sturdy queen sized bed, desk area, television, non-functioning fireplace, rocking chair, and more than 10 lamps throughout.

Another great thing about this property was that despite that fact we were in the middle (3rd floor of 5) we were in a classic, "true" property with 13-15 foot ceilings. It wasn't as though this was a floor which was created out of nothing; sandwiched between itself; or otherwise added on as so many in New York City are. This extra breathing room allowed for generous buffer from our neighbors. Not that this was a party property by any stretch of the imagination; but the fact that we'd had the ability to breathe and take a moment of solitude in the vibrant and alive city was true bliss.

To say nothing bad about the rooms or the property itself, there should be one warning put up about this properties "bed & breakfast" status. The facts were plain enough when I'd done a Google search for "bed & breakfasts New York City" and this property jumped to the top of the list. In fact, on their own website they tout their status as "Trip Advisor (ranked) West-Eleventh Apartments as the #2 Bed and Breakfast in New York City." However this place did not serve breakfast. There was a separate kitchen area in the rooms so that you could make your own breakfast, but people who come into this place expecting their choice of breakfast should be forewarned. Honestly though you're in the West Village; there are so many fine places to dine at all hours of the day, it wasn't really a problem that there is no breakfast served; it should just be duly noted.

But the true solace about the West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments was that there were no incidents of record; the place was clean and well appointed, the staff was friendly and attentive, and the sleep we got there was truly restful and fully enjoyable. While many may be afraid of New York City as some behemoth of noise and consummation, the fact is that the West Eleventh Townhouse Apartments offer a moment of peace is worth your attention.

Moondance Ridge Bed & Breakfast, New Paltz, NY

Originally published February 23, 2009

Moondance Ridge Bed & Breakfast definitely must be experienced to be appreciated.

Moondance Ridge Bed and Breakfast is in a neighborhood; this fact will not stop you from losing yourself in the experience. The property is set off from the road 100 ft or more and the three acres surrounding Moondance Ridge in the back are all natural woods. You might find yourself returning to your car and be surrounded by deer at every turn. For my wife and I we walked out back to the car to get our things and there were four in front of us and another three back by our car!

I've included a photo profile to show you some more of what this bed & breakfast is really all about. Moondance Ridge probably stands out as a bed & breakfast because it was a) built with that purpose in mind as opposed to "converted" like many bed & breakfasts are and b) because it is so totally brand new. As far as bed & breakfasts go, Moondance Ridge is but a pup, having been built less than 5 years ago.

The room we stayed in; The Moondance Suite; had a king size post bed, an amazing an amazing bathroom, electric fireplace and leather loveseat in the completely separate alcove sitting area with flat screen TV, which was very well done. But that's not all. In the Moondance Suite (as well as the neighboring suite), guests are appointed with a veranda area overlooking the common space below (our room was on the second floor).

The bathroom deserves its own section as this thing was truly blissful. As you can see from the bathroom photograph here, the tub was an amazing couple, whirlpool tub with these soothing jets (and honestly probably enough room for at least a third if not a four spot...not that I'm suggesting anything lurid). There was also a very nice frosted glass basin sink with lotions and soaps made ready with the room. Next to the whirlpool tub, for when you're just looking to rinse off or actually get clean there is a standing shower with soap and shampoo dispensers. All in all this bathroom was scores nicer (and a considerable amount larger) than my former New York City apartment on 36^th Street (seriously).

Sleep was blissful silence but breakfast the next day was the cherry on top of a five scoop banana split sundae of a bed & breakfast experience (again, quite literally!) Not about the ice cream but the first delight to breakfast (beyond out awaiting OJ & ice water) were these cherry scones. Warmed, delightful, and apparently "borrowed" from the Culinary Institute of America's breakfast cookbook. If I'd been told that these were "cherry scones" before I'd tasted them, I probably would have scrunched my nose like a cat; however, not knowing what they were, I tasted one and could not get enough! They were amazing (just one more in a long string of amazing things that the Moondance Ridge Bed & Breakfast had to offer!). Then there was coffee, baked apple with raisins and almonds, and this remarkable Cinnamon Orange French toast which was made on whole grain bread and was served with strawberry syrup and turkey bacon. I mean, come on! First thing in the morning no less, I was ready for my evening nap! The picture of the breakfast offering is located here.

Right after this was our long goodbye with Kathy Drew and we headed off into the chilly morning with a warm feeling in our hearts along with the promise from our lips that the next time we needed a place to stay anywhere in the area, we'd be giving her a call. And we will. Our families live nearby but the Moondance Ridge Bed & Breakfast is every reason in the world why the more refined traveler should come early, stay late, and stay often.

Moondance Ridge Bed & Breakfast is open year round and can be reached in a variety of ways. Located at 55 Shivertown Rd New Paltz, NY (800-641-5618) Moondance Ridge will defy all your preconceptions and expectations.

Hill Side Inn, Wyoming, NY

Originally published April 8, 2009

You're not going to stumble on the Hill Side Inn by accident. Unless you're dreadfully lost, miles from everything else, and you have some of the most dumb luck around. That doesn't really seem to concern the innkeepers and owners at Hill Side Inn. Not that they wouldn't graciously welcome your business, as they graciously welcomed my wife and I presently. It's just that even if my wife and I hadn't been here and our room had stayed empty, they still would have had plenty to do. They did have plenty to do in fact and that's just fine for the Hill Side Inn. When we first walked into the Hill Side Inn there were busy people walking to and fro it's sort of like stumbling on the Lollipop Kids in the Gumdrop Forest that is East Bethany Road in Wyoming, New York.

Way, way upstate on a street as plain as any is where the Hill Side Inn is. Some fifty feet from the street; just before the south bound traveler on East Bethany Road hits the epic hill which runs smack into Rte 19; the Hill Side Inn will take you by surprise if you're not careful. You're a pretty good drive from everything at Hill Side Inn; Rochester, New York is your closest bet and even that's a good forty miles up the road. You're 90 minutes from Buffalo; 90 minutes from Niagara Falls; 90 Minutes from the shores of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Yet you're strangely centrally located and many people take full advantage of this fact by making the Hill Side Inn their destination of choice.

Regulars and first timers heartily agree that the Hill Side Inn has so much to offer. With a bed and breakfast as well as a restaurant which serves up hearty lunch and dinner for guests and others alike, the Hill Side Inn is a destination which people come back to again and again.

Many of the rooms at the Hill Side Inn have porches. The room that we stayed in was a beautiful and impressive spread, with an epic bathroom with whirlpool tub and separate shower. The fireplace in our room at the Hill Side Inn wasn't working when we stopped through but that's no mind! We were truly caught up from the quality of the room we stayed in; it's one we won't soon forget.

Sleep at the Hill Side Inn was about as peaceful as you'd expect. We winded down our day early on this evening and slept through a restful, blissful night's rest. This is the real allure of the Hill Side Inn; the relative obscurity you're prone to enjoy. The following morning, while taking a shower, I was tickled from this very fun looking shower head. The water pressure and temp were all great; I just thought that the pictured shower head was a hoot!

Breakfast at the Hill Side Inn was cooked to order with eggs, coffee, juice, potatoes, and toast. We dined and left feeling confident and content. The next time you're up in the farm country that is upstate New York and you need a place to sleep or dine head over to the Hill Side Inn; you'll be glad that you did!

Adams Basin Inn, Adams Basin, NY

Originally published April 14, 2009

There are quite low ceilings in the Adams Basin Inn; don't be alarmed. There is also an antique sewing machine. And a record player. The Erie Canal runs ten feet away, through the Adams Basin Inn's backyard. And there's a secured WiFi network. One room of the Adams Basin Inn was a tavern in the early 1800's. The current owners, Pat & Dave Haines, have also installed solar panels to provide 40% of the current Inn's electricity. That's the thing about the Adams Basin Inn; this place is a clever mixture of the old and the new, the past and the present. Innkeeper Pat Haines told me that she's got the original Adams Basin Inn taverns liquor license; when getting such license cost a whopping $150. A 3 year liquor license in New York State today costs $27,080.00 with a $20,000 Surety Bond. So as you can see, the times they have most definitely changed. But the Adams Basin Inn, a registered National Historic Site, has remained largely as they have which suits most guests here just fine.

The Adams Basin Inn has served as many things in its day; a rail station, general store and tavern. The space was also deserted for a number of years; probably should have been torn down; however due to the loving resuscitation of the former owner, the Adams Basin Inn was re-imagined and stands today as a tall and proud member of this tiny community. Adams Basin might not pop up on your MapQuest directions; that's because the tiny hamlet is a paltry three blocks long; comprised of 73 total residents; sandwiched between the towns of Spencerport and Brockport in upstate New York. This fact is mere details as the Adams Basin Inn has a number of exciting attractions, dining, entertainment, and history nearby; moreover the fact that Adams Basin is between here and there leaves it as a great spot to just relax and unwind.

The Adams Basin Inn has two very finely detailed breakfast areas; the private dining room can seat four and the tavern dining room has room for ten. A three or four course gourmet breakfast is prepared with fresh ingredients from local farmers; food seasoned with herbs from the Adams Basin Inn's own garden.

There are only four rooms at the Adams Basin Inn, so you're never going to feel squeezed out by space or by too much noise from other guests. Innkeepers Pat and Dave live in the inn directly on the second floor and are always available in a pinch.

When my wife and I descended on the Adams Basin Inn we stayed in the Alexander Milliner Room. Alexander Milliner was a drummer boy for General George Washington's Army in the American Revolution. Milliner also has a great deal of sway in the community around which Spencerport and the Adams Basin Inn was formed. According to lore, Alexander Milliner was the reason that the current street which runs outside the doors of the Adams Basin Inn was named Washington Street at all!

The room in the Alexander Milliner room is very well appointed with simplicity and grace. There was a full sized bed, comfortable chairs, a desk, and an attached private bath. The bathroom of the Alexander Milliner room is actually quite modern with newly installed floor to ceiling windows, a modern looking shower stall, and a mysterious red light in addition to the standard bulb in the room.

Wind whipped around the evening that my wife and I stayed at the Adams Basin Inn and I was suddenly quite glad for the replacement windows which I'd just noticed earlier. The wind was horrendous all night and the whipping noises collided with the sturdy new windows, keeping the last throes of winter far from our bed.

Breakfast at the Adams Basin Inn was very sweet! Fruit drizzled with honey glaze was the first course of our breakfast; followed fast by an orange/fig pastry tapped with powdered sugar. For our main course, we were served crème Brule French toast with a sticky, walnut glazed top. All this food was quite good and filled us up quite well.

We were held back from more engaging conversation of the innkeepers as well as Christy and Greg; two guests visiting from Chicago. We were reticent to leave and as we pulled away, it occurred to me that were there not a blistering wind and April snow (snow!) outside, my wife and I could still be sitting out by the Canal right now, sipping some of Pat's cranberry apple cider, learning from the stories of chief historian Dave; chatting the day away while life breezes by.