There is a place in Southbridge, Massachusetts
which is a self-ascribed "sanctuary for individuals who have a habit of
treating themselves well!" Step inside of the Vienna Historic Inn Bed &
Breakfast and even if you have no idea what to expect, you will invariably have
a good time. Proprietors of the inn and attached restaurant, Lisa and Jonathan
Krach will make sure of it; whether your idea of a good time is long, luxurious
dinners and late breakfasts or if you are more interested in staying out late
and getting mixed up in the latent, brewing, nightlife which exists in
Southbridge or if you'd just like to check in to your awesome suite and kick
back to enjoy yourself with someone that you love; all of these options are
possibilities. There is even the likelihood of your having all three of these
proposed outcomes on your single visit. This is part of the allure, part of the
mystique, part of the draw, and all of the reason you should visit Southbridge
Massachusetts and the Vienna Historic Inn Bed & Breakfast the next time
you're considering where to go and what to do for your own downtime.
Many people confuse "Southbridge" with
"Sturbridge." Anyone who grew up in New England; maybe even further
out; in the last 50 years undoubtedly went to "Old Sturbridge
Village," with their class or their family or their friends or something
when they were growing up. Old Sturbridge Village is a 200 acre "living
museum" which is actually just a short four miles up the road from
Southbridge. However the Southbridge that Lisa and Jonathan know; the
Southbridge that exists today is like night and day with the Sturbridge that
many of us know. For your own sake, I implore you to give the Southbridge of
the Vienna Historic Inn Bed & Breakfast another look.
When you first pull into the drive at Vienna, you
will seem suspiciously as though you have been misdirected. This is not the
first secret the curious observer will uncover but the truth is that, were it
not for the address you were given and the small sign, you might think you had
just happened upon an unassuming home. The modest façade of the all white
siding belongs in a home of any town USA; however the Vienna Historic Inn Bed
& Breakfast is much more than meets the eye.
Upon first entrance to the space you are
presented with a pair of leather stools at a small bar front and a winding set
of stairs immediately before you and to your right and left there is the dining
areas (more about that later). The bed portion of things is found up these
stairs; the Vienna Historic Inn Bed & Breakfast has "five comfortable
& affectionately appointed 2-room guest suites (which) are spacious, clean,
and bright."
On this night my wife and I were fortunate enough
to stay in the "Freudzimme" or "Sigmund Freud Room." As
described on their website, this room "...celebrates one of History's most
controversial and colorful characters - the father of modern psychoanalysis,
Dr. Sigmund Freud, an Austrian Jew who spent much of his life in Vienna. This
Suite sports a Queen bed in one room as well a second room with a twin bed with
the privacy of a door between the rooms & an in-suite Private bath."
I didn't do a lot of reading up on the room we
were staying in prior to coming here so needless to say, I was quite impressed
with a two room suite. When you walk in you are between the two rooms; to your
right is a desk, the queen bed, a dresser, and many other detailed
appointments; to your left is a second room with a smaller twin bed, a leather
couch, television, end table, desk, old fashioned typewriter, and many other
fine appointments; all leading to the private bath with an old style,
freestanding tub with shower. There are also two open closets between the two
rooms for coats or whatever other hanging needs you might have. When I first
made my way into the second room, I immediately felt the inclination to hop
onto the couch and spill my deepest, darkest fears; until I remembered that
this was a bed and breakfast and not a shrink's office.
There are many other secrets to the Vienna
Historic Inn Bed & Breakfast. When you are there you should ask about
"what lies below," and see if you can't be taken on the tour my wife and
I were. They have a number of impressive things downstairs.
If, unlike me, you are able to arrive on time for
your visit (traveling on the day before Thanksgiving anywhere is never a good
idea!) they serve a "chef inspired" hors d'oeuvres of the day from 4
till 6PM as well as a cocktail or beverage of your choice for you to enjoy in
their parlor, the porch, or in your room.
Breakfast at the Vienna Historic Inn Bed &
Breakfast is anything but common. On the day we were there (Thanksgiving) we
had "turkey omelets" which appeared to be our server's idea of
holiday humor. They were very good cheese and red pepper omelets, served with
thinly diced potato and onion and venison sausage. For some people (my wife)
venison sausage at 8 in the morning is an experience to be relished; I,
however, felt a little spent from our revelry the night previous, participating
in the underground Southbridge nightlife scene, so I wasn't able to enjoy the
experience as much as her; not for lack of trying.
The Vienna Historic Inn Bed & Breakfast has
rooms available right now for the wintertime. Southbridge Massachusetts has an
exciting entertainment scene which deserves your attention. Even if you're
visiting nearby Sturbridge, Lisa and Jonathan welcome all comers with open arms
and in the process could just become your new best friends. So if you are
looking for something a little different, a little exciting and a whole lot
more welcoming and refreshing, then Vienna Historic Inn Bed & Breakfast
should be at the top of your list.
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