One of America’s Prettiest Towns is just a couple miles down the road from our Long Island Bed and Breakfast. It’s called Greenport, New York.
Each year, Forbes compiles a list of America’s prettiest towns. To do so, Forbes works with travel experts (from Frommer’s, Midwestern Living magazine, and Rough Guides) who scour the country in search of potential candidates for America’s Prettiest Town. They passed by the Hamptons in 2011 and found themselves in an old fishing village on the North Fork of Long Island. Greenport stands up well to the competition.
The Village of Greenport was established in 1838, though settlers were in the region as early as the mid 1640s. Shipbuilding, trade, and the whaling industry flourished for decades; in its prime, Greenport could support up to 24 whaling ships at one time. Business boomed. Goods and people from all over the world traveled between Greenport, Connecticut, and New York City by ferry and rail.
Greenport is much quieter today than it was then, but it’s economy is still largely linked to the sea. Today, people travel to Greenport to relax in a beautiful, tranquil setting. They come to stay in inns like our North Fork Long Island Bed and Breakfast, and to rediscover a slow pace of life–even if it’s only for a weekend. They visit the pretty town of Greenport, take long beach walks, and feast on local seafood.
The North Fork of Long Island is not immune to change, of course. Quite a few old tackle shops and fish huts have been transformed into art galleries, internet cafes and gourmet restaurants. Restaurants serve wine made from grapes nursed on ocean mists in local vineyards.
We appreciate these changes. What’s not to like about restaurants full of good food, art galleries full of good art, and great local wine?
Fortunately, Greenport has retained much of it’s quaint, small town charm, and it draws people who find simplicity appealing. The online editor of Frommer’s travel guide, Jazon Clampet, is quoted as saying that the Village of Greenport draws visitors who “would rather relax than star-gaze.” Mr. Clampet is referring here to stars like Meryl Streep, not stars found in constellations.
The next time you have a few days to yourself, consider heading to one of America’s Prettiest Towns. Stay in our New York Bed and Breakfast, and discover just how lovely and relaxing the North Fork of Long Island can be.
Please visit Forbes to read more about America’s Prettiest Towns.
Travelers today have many lodging options. You can stay in chain hotels and hostels, vacation rentals, and RVs. But to stay in a Bed and Breakfast is to stand up and declare that you want something different. Something special.
Just what makes a Bed and Breakfast so special? Read on:
Mi Casa es Su Casa
Innkeepers typically live in the B&B or in an adjacent dwelling. We are, in essence, inviting guests to sleep in our homes, as we would a friend. In doing so, we’re taking part in the ancient tradition of hospitality. It’s essential to us that our guests are comfortable and treated well. If you’re not, it reflects poorly on us. It’s hard to find another lodging option with those kind of stakes.
Size Matters
Bed and Breakfasts are, by definition, small. Like our New York Bed and Breakfast on the North Fork of Long Island, most B&Bs are owner run and operated. The small size allows us to be attentive to details, ensuring that our guests have a positive experience.
The Personal Touch
When friends or family visit, hosts plan and arrange activities. The Concierge Service at our Long Island Bed and Breakfast provides the same service for guests; we’ll talk to you about what you like to do, make suggestions, and, if you like, make arrangements for you. Our Concierge Service will book North Fork Wine Tours, make dinner reservations, and arrange spa services in house. Guest who prefer to make their own plans are, of course, welcome to do so.
The Gourmet Breakfast
There is always at least one cook in a Bed and Breakfast; one person passionate about cooking. At our New York Inn, it’s Veda. Breakfast is gourmet, with three full courses. Veda puts her heart and soul into each dish.
Romance is in the Air
To stay in a Bed and Breakfast is to embrace intimacy; that’s a quality so different from larger hotels. Guests feel pampered. Optional romance packages help create an intimate atmosphere.
B&B vs Boutique Hotel
New York City is known for its boutique hotels. A Bed and Breakfast is similar to a boutique hotel, in that both are focused on providing comfortable lodging and unparalleled attention to detail. Yet like chain hotels, boutique hotels may be quite large. As we said above, Size Matters.
Let 2012 be the year you stay in a Bed and Breakfast. Travel with someone you love: your boyfriend/girlfriend, your fiance, your spouse. Pamper yourself and pamper each other.