I needed a quick getaway that didn't involve spending a zillion dollars and far enough away that I…read morecould unplug. After some soul searching and what not, I figured I'd try a bed and breakfast and do this place since I'm a scrapbooker. My scrapbookings fallen by the wayside over the past year, so I got really behind due to my work schedule. I figured why not, let's see what all this excitements about with this Bed and breakfast stuff.
They're supposed to have valet here on Friday nights, but I guess not this time. I was kind of bummed because I had three different things to carry in, two of which were heavy. (The valet was supposed to carry in your scrapping cart and luggage for you.) since that wasn't available I went inside, found the host Tracy and she was more then willing to help me get my stuff in.
I had an assigned seat with other crafters, most of them were repeat people who come all the time. It's not just scrapbooking here. One lady had her sewing machine, another was doing digital drawings, others were making a multitude of projects. You have to bring most of your own stuff like scissors, supplies, etc. They have a "store" in the basement with a great selection of paper, a few light supplies (which I ended up needing because I blew thru a TON of double sided tape) and a crop area.
The die cut area is something to be desired. The blade needs sharpening on the paper cutter. They have a cricket but said to bring your own cricket mat. I asked about using it, and it was like "oh yea, that thing. If you know how to use it, go ahead." *sigh* Not a single person there used it and nobody had a mat. Good thing I didn't buy one. That would've been a huge waste. The die cuts themselves are okay, but it could be better. They have some premade ones for sale, and the ones on the wall where you do it yourself were really limited. Nothing's more exciting than being in the middle of a project and needing to find a little wagon for my page only to find out they don't have a wagon die cut. The stores I go to have a decent selection. Why not here.
Anyway, I digress. The bonus of being here is they have a fabulous outdoor pool. It's not heated, so if you like swimming in ice water, this is your scene. LOL. I did get in because it was 90 degrees and very humid and I needed to cool down. We all were outside swimming and actually had a good time! There's plenty of good seating throughout, flowers, pool seats you can take with you to float and sit on. Flowers are everywhere, and drinks were provided! Very well done on the pool area. It was actually a great way for all of us to relax. A lot of the ladies read books, did workouts or just had coffee and talked.
The rooms were wonderful and cozy. Limited space in the room to put your stuff down, so there's that. I had a roommate and we got along just fine. Another ray of sunshine! The food was wonderful and we never went hungry.
The major downside which I did not like? As the other posters said, the "frequent flyers" that come here are hard regulars. They're NOT a friendly group. I did talk to Tracy the hostess about it and told her hey, this is a thing here I guess. It's not awful but it kind of left a mark with me. It's not that it's clickesh or anything, but they just aren't friendly. Some are. Some are not. It made for awkward moments. I know I, the hostess or anyone else cannot tell people to be friends. I made friends with other people while here, but some of these people are literal pain in the butt. It would be nice if they had a mixer instead of everyone just sitting at their tables all the time, and maybe break up some of the tension at times.
Will I come back? Probably, but I'd have to think twice first. I had a good time, the place is absolutely fabulous but I don't know. Most of the stuff was fun, lots to do, but again, the old ladies just kind of ruined everything.