The Jenks House in JACKSONVILLE

The title is an apt description of Ila Rae and Tom, the kind of people you stay at a B&B to meet. They were very forthcoming about themselves and interested in us. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with them, as well as our visit to their backyard garden. Breakfasts were delicious, especially the fruit cup and fresh squeezed orange juice. The house was well kept, and our room was spacious. We wouldn't have minded a softer bed, but we slept okay. We stayed here to attend my nephew's graduation from high school. We'll plan on coming back when my other nephew graduates in a couple of years.

I really enjoyed my time here. The rooms were awesome, clean and fresh. Everything was organized and nice. Ila and Tom are wonderful wonderful people and I really enjoyed the conversations. I do ask a lot of questions and they patiently responded every single time :) Thank you for that. I highly recommend this place to everyone that wants to experience the real Florida. I've never been to Florida before but his was awesome. I will come back again. I certainly enjoyed it.

This was a quick stay during a business trip. For several years I had stayed at another local B&B and they had closed, so I decided to try Jenks. The hosts were FANTASTIC; some of the warmest people I have met during years of travel. The breakfast was fantastic and the rooms basic but comfortable. I would definitely recommend Jenks House to others.

Although we spent just one short night in Jacksonville, this was one of the best and most beautiful rooms of our entire USA-Trip. Very friendly (and patient!) Inkeepres that waited for our arrival until late at night and served the best american breakfast ever - thanks a lot !

Thank you so much for a lovely weekend as we enjoyed spending time and getting to know you both. We were so pleased when you joined us for an incredible breakfast. The food was exquisite and the conversation even better. You have a lovely beautifully restored B&B. It is refreshing and apparent that you are quite passionate about creating a relaxing and pleasant experience for your guests.

Fresh squeezed orange juice, delicious vegetarian breakfast, warm and welcoming hosts - we didn't just have a nice B&B stay, we made new friends. Ila Rae and Tom couldn't have been more our type of people; we liked them so much, we lingered over breakfast for hours chatting and getting to know one another. Not only are they wonderful human beings, but they have restored a gorgeous home in the historic district. The beds are more than comfortable, the shower had plenty of water pressure, the whole place was spic and span, the termperature was ideal, and the home was done in an authentic and period restoration right down to the vintage of the linens and the dishes. What clinched it for us to book was the fact that Tom and Ila Rae are committed to being a Green Lodging, which means they recycle most everything, they use rainwater that they collect and filter a zillion times for purity, they serve many foods they grow in their garden, and they have lined the driveway with soft pine which is not only lovely but makes for a quiet entrance at night. If we lived closer, we'd hang out with them and hope to have a closer connection. There is not reason to stay any where else in this area.

I had planned a special weekend getaway to celebrate my mom's birthday on New Year's Eve. Tom was beyond helpful in pointing me in the right direction for navigating the fireworks, the symphony, dinner, etc. He was so prompt with communication. The house was exquisite! We enjoyed the quaintness of it, the proximity to downtown and the river, easy access to the freeway. Breakfast was wonderful! Fresh squeezed orange juice, wonderful blueberry pancakes. Would definitely recommend!!

It was only a stop along the way, but it turned out to be a surprisingly refreshing pause! Our hosts were warm and welcoming, the house full of history and the breakfast hearty, healthy and delicious. The Jenks House is a little jewel in the historic Riverside neighborhood, close to downtown and easy to reach from the expressways. It will be our destination the next time we are in Jacksonville.

Beautiful home on a corner lot in an historic district. Loved the garden out back; drank fresh squeezed OJ from their own trees every morning. Enjoyed the "Florida" room upstairs- -great reading spot. Innkeepers welcomed us warmly and made us feel right at home. We'll look here first for next year's JaxFL visit.

Beautiful home, gourmet food, & lovely hosts! We are from Chicago and were in Jacksonville for a wedding. We did a little research and discovered this gem! The photos are great, but they still really can't do it justice. It was such a treat to stay in such a well-kept elegant old home!

We spent a week-end at The Jenks House with family and were allowed to host a baby showerfor family and friends. It was a wonderful setting and everyone had a great time. Ila Rae and Tom were gracious hosts, very accommodating to us and then stepped back and gave us there home to celebrate with our party. Then they prepared for us a wonderful breakfast each morning.

We recently stayed at the Jenks house for our 3 year anniversary. We were in town for a concert. We had an amazing weekend, we love the Jenks House. The hosts were wonderful!! Very warm and friendly, informative and just a treat to be around. The house is gorgeous, with beautiful woodwork. We sat each day for at least an hour on the front porch swing. We enjoyed delicious healthy breakfasts each morning and they have a wonderful organic garden outside which is an inpiration. If you are wanting to stay at a B&B in Jacksonville, this is your place. You will not regret it!!

The people are wonderful, friendly and have great stories to share. The food is great and the rooms were more comfortable and charming than we could have hoped for. We also got some great local recommendations from Tom.

I have stayed with the Mertens on several occasions and find their B&B consistently delightful. I stay with them when visiting my family in the area. Having grown up in the Riverside/Avondale historical area, I value their accentuation of the history of their home and neighborhood. The accommodations are very comfortable and lovely. Ila Rae makes a spectacular breakfast and Tom brews a mean cup of coffee. They make me feel right at home whenever I am there. There are many interesting sights and points of interest nearby so I highly recommend it for sightseeing as well as just kicking back.

Very pleasant stay. I felt like I was visiting my relatives. Whole place was natural, it was a real home with very kind and interesting people rather than commercial B&B. Very tasty breakfast and great orange juice. I would definitely stay again.

We had a great stay and Ila and Tom have great personalities. The food was great and the orange juice and coffee outstanding. Wish I had coffee before breakfast, perhaps available in the dining area early.

Very informal and doily free - - I love that part. Tom is going to be your ultimate host. ( Be sure to compliment him on his tropical shirts! He's addicted and has a great collection ! ) Ask for a tour of the garden - and the elaborate water collection system. Ila Rae, Tom's beautiful wife, is quite the pro in the kitchen, and the breakfasts will not disappoint !

I spent a very relaxing weekend visiting family in the Riverside area. Tom and Ila Rae made this possible with lovely accommodations from which to venture out and enjoy the neighborhood. They more than adequately accommodated my needs with a comfortable home that they shared with me during my visit. I would strongly recommend this quaint home to anyone visiting the area.

I stayed at The Jenks House while attending a family funeral and reconnecting with long lost relatives. Ila Rae and Tom were very welcoming and I felt like I was at home immediately. My room was very comfortable and the vintage mission furnishings and details plus the Prairie-style architecture were remarkable. They grow their own veggies, which appear in the healthy organic breakfasts - freshly-squeezed juice from oranges (did I get it right,Tom?) puffy cheese omlette with kale. Ila Rae even made me a "to go" breakfast with banana bread and apple muffins with strawberries. Don't miss the chocolate-zucchini muffins! Do enjoy the Jenks House and Ila Rae and Tom's southern hospitality.

Ila Rae and Tom's home is much more than just a B&B. Their home is just that...a home...which just happens to be a B&B. This was my first stay at the Jenks House and I'm certain it won't be my last. Arriving at their home just as a much-needed rain storm arrived made for an interesting arrival. But, once Ila Rae greeted me on their porch, and showed me inside their comfortable and warm (I don't mean temp.), home and showed me my very large room, I know that this was going to be most pleasant experience in Jacksonville. Did I mention that annual jazz festival? Ila Rae and Tom's home is a short drive to downtown and an even shorter drive to the river and the Saturday arts market. Staying with Ila Rae and Tom was a most pleasant and interesting experience made even more interesting and pleasant by the delicious breakfast items starting my day and the conversations we had over breakfast and at night when I returned from three days of music. Ila Mae and Tom's home is unique among B&Bs for lots of reasons which make their home a most desirable place to stay while visiting Jacksonville. Much thanks to Ila Rae and Tom for deciding to open their house up to those of us fortunate to stay there. And, thanks for their dedication to and involvement in their community and their love for the environment and their efforts to preserve so much for us in the future. Ken

The Jenks House is great and Tom and Ila Rae are excellent proprietors! This 1920s home is in excellent condition and the Mertens have installed a solar hot water heater and have an organic garden in the backyard. We were just passing through Jacksonville, but wish we had stayed longer. We walked to an excellent restaurant nearby for dinner and had a delicious breakfast with fresh roasted coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice for breakfast at the house. Tom and Ila Rae were great company and we highly recommend the Jenks House!

Ila Rae and Tom were excellent hosts and we shared a nice, long visit after a delicious breakfast. They made our stay with them memorable and learned a lot about the house and the surrounding Jacksonville area. If we return to this area, we would definetly stay with Ila Mae and Tom again..

This B&B is a 1925 house lovingly redone by the owners who have lived there for 30 years. Everything was lovely and Ila Rae and Tom are very friendly, but the bed was too hard for us. They said this happens about once a year, FYI.

My wife and I spent New Year's Eve at Jenks House, and couldn't have had a lovelier time. The house itself appears to be beautifully restored; the woodwork in particular is wonderfully cared for. We stayed in the Live Oak Room, which was spacious and well-furnished. Everything in the room (and the adjoining bathroom) appeared period-appropriate yet also like new. Breakfast was excellent, featuring fair trade coffee roasted and ground to order, as well as fresh-squeezed orange juice from the trees in the back garden. The neighborhood itself was quiet, yet close enough to downtown that it is not inconvenient. I would not hesitate to stay again, nor to recommend it to others. It really is a lovely place.

My husband & I are frequent B&B travelers and love the variety. This is the first time we have stayed in a home that practices green & sustainable living within an historic home. We loved it! The walkability of the neighborhood, large historic district and balanced mix of restaurants, shops, homes and the large St. Johns river added to the ambiance. The lack of a TV forced us to read and play a game after coming in for the night but that made it more home like. The breakfast was wonderful and healthy and we really enjoyed learning more about their "green" living which we hope to achieve ourselves.

We so thoroughly enjoyed our stay that I took their keys home with me (sorry about that-they're in the mail now). In addition to excellent ratings on all five categories, we want to thank Ila Rae and Tom for sharing stories and information about Jacksonville. As my kids would say, "you guys rock!"

Very comfortable and accommodating. Slept like a baby. Thanks Ila Rae and Tom.

If you have ever lived in North Florida, you know that it has a special feel, a simplicity, a friendly, relaxed sort of sun and shade feeling without the bright glare of other parts of the state. Tom and Ila Rae Merten have captured that spirit of place with perfection. My friends and I stayed there for a 1/2 marathon walk last weekend. It was a great choice!

When traveling, I often opt to stay at a Bed and Breakfast or small inn because they provide an opportunity to meet engaging and knowledgeable people along with staying in unique rooms and dining on carefully executed meals. The Jenks House certainly fulfilled all expectations. First, the home was beautiful and welcoming. Hardwood floors gleamed and luxurious linens covered the comfortable bed. I found interesting photos, painting and tapestries that added to the overall interest and warmth. The sunroom on the second story overlooked orange trees laden with ripe fruit - which in turn showed up on the breakfast table as fresh squeezed juice along with the freshly roasted and brewed coffee! Our hosts, Ila Rae and Tom Merten proudly point out that they are a certified “Green Lodging” in FL. Clearly the motto evident in the home (even though it isn’t written and posted) is that they treat each resource with respect – reuse and recycle. Our printed receipt is a half sheet of paper with interesting information on the reverse side. Tom revealed a past renter who wanted to recycle rather then add to the landfill gave him the paper that he uses. The hot water used in the home comes from their 30-year-old solar powered water heater. How was it you wonder? The hot shower was better than I’ve used in many hotels. And, as important to me as the residence, the Tom and Ila Rae’s hospitality at the Jenks House only added to our experience. When I asked if my daughter, a medical resident at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville could join us one morning for breakfast, Tom did not hesitate when he responded “yes”. With Tom and Ila Rae at the breakfast table, we learned more about Jacksonville’s history, shared stories of where we’ve been on life’s journey, and even looked at old menus from Jacksonville’s Jenks Restaurant. If you are traveling through Jacksonville and need a place to stay for a night, a week or longer, I recommend the Jenks’ House – you won’t be disappointed.

Breakfast was delicious. The fresh squeezed oranges were a taste sensation.

The Jenks House was the perfect place for a little get away. It just happened to be within walking distance of European Street - the location of our first date! Ila Rae and Tom added personalized touches that made our stay memorable. We would definitely recommend this B&B to our friends and hope to make a return stay this year.

We stayed 2 nights in December and it was quite cold, but Ila Rae and Tom kept us nice and cozy with their wood stove in the parlor and their wonderful breakfasts! We enjoyed the freshly squeezed orange juice from their own trees and my husband enjoyed the freshly roasted coffee every morning. Such a beautifully restored house and a wonderful, interesting couple who run it! We would highly recommend it.

We had a wonderful welcome and were shown into an immaculate room kept in the old style of the period. The food was delicious, organic and beautifully presented. Tom and Ila Rae are the most accommodating innkeepers and we would reccommend them to all our family and friends.

Perfect place for visiting hospitals or anything in downtown Jax. or Riverside/Avondale. Tom and IlaRae are outstanding people, offering aunique place to stay. Breakfast is very special.

A truly appealing home away from home. The Jenks House itself is very spacious and charming. The owners hosted us with real warmth and gave us the run of the place. Ila Rae and Tom are super -- they even put on a citrus tasting of multiple types of freshly-squeezed local fruit for us! Really great experience.

I applaud the owners of the Jenks house for their efforts at promoting a green B&B experience, but one of the reasons we patronize B&Bs is for the ambience and the opportunity to be pampered. Some of ambience is lost with the flourescent lighting, and the small vegetarian breakfast did not carry us far into the next day. Minor complaints aside, the Mertens were very gracious hosts and we enjoyed sharing family stories with them over breakfast. Tom is an avid gardener and quite ingenious with his methods of storing rainwater and growing vegetables and is more than happy to share his experiences.

This house is immaculate. The hosts are friendly but not nosy. The food was fresh, healthy and well prepared. The atmosphere was friendly and inviting. The neighborhood is historic and walker friendly. I only wish I could have spent more time here. My circumstances kept me too busy during the day. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom convenient. Thanks for opening your home to the rest of us. Joan from Iowa.

Ila Ray and Tom were outstanding and personable hosts. The breakfast was really a brunch!

The house is lovely and Tom and Ila Rae are delightful. Ila Rae is a fabulous cook, her breakfast's were terrific and she went out of her way to make them vegan for us. I loved our stay.

I brought my spouse to this bed and breakfast as a part of a birthday beer getaway. There is a great gastropub a block from this B&B, so I thought this the best place to stay. The married couple who run this two bedroom B&B are so kind and so hospitable, they made the accommodations a major part of the celebration. They just gave us a key and said "be back whenever." There is a mini fridge under the stairs that they let us use to put a nice bottle of craft brew in. I spoke with the husband on the phone before we arrived about my spouse's interest in craft brew, so for our arrival there was a newspaper article from the previous day sitting nicely on our bed. They also let us schedule our own breakfast time, and they ended up sitting and chatting with us the entire time without hurrying us out the door one bit. Highly recommended!

Very accommodating hosts - breakfast very nice and simple (as requested). Outstanding home-roasted fair-trade coffee.

Southern Hospitality is alive and well in Jacksonville! Ila Rae and Tom are wonderful hosts and we had tons of things to talk about. The breakfasts were fantastic and picture perfect. They made breakfast early so I could get to 8:00 classes. Ila Rae recommended a great restaurant for dinner and it was so good I went back the next night. Room was bright and cheery, plenty of light for reading in bed or big comfy chair, loved the period accessories and fixtures. Would definitely stay at Jenks House again!

A stay at the Jenks House feels like visiting good friends! Ila Rae and Tom are wonderful hosts who put you at ease with very comfortable accommodations, delicious breakfasts, and enjoyable conversation. Tom roasts the (fair trade, shade grown!) coffee himself and Ila Rae creates perfect omelets and blueberry pancakes. The rooms are spacious with comfortable beds and bookcases filled with reading material, and there is ample common space in the beautifully restored house in which to read and relax. As a plus, the B&B is eco-friendly, which I appreciated so much. Our two days at the Jenks House was somewhat hectic, but Tom and Ila Rae made it relaxing as well!

I travel a lot and I've stayed in many hotels and bed and breakfasts over the years and I have to say my stay with Tom and Ila Rae at the Jenks House is on the top of my "best places to stay" list. Tom actually roasted the coffee beans for my breakfast and Ila Rae made delicious yet healthy meals. Having fresh-squeezed OJ each morning was such a treat!

This place is lovely. The host and hostess are helpful and freindly beyond the call of duty. The room was clean and spaciose with plenty of personal touches. The B&B was cheaper and more characterful than some kind of chain hotel. The breakfast cooked fresh each morning with orange juice freshly squeezed while you wait. I would recommend it most highly. Matt

I don't know where to begin, all aspects were great during our week stay on Post Street. Tom and Illa Rae were the perfect host, very accommodating to some unusual circumstances that were presented to them to make our stay so wonderful. The breakfasts and the coffee were superb!! If I ever make it to Jax again I will definitely stay at the Jenks Home. May 29 thru June 6, 2010

My wife and I spent 4 very pleasant nights at the Jenks house. There is much attention to detail here. We slept on very soft sheets in a very comfortable bed and woke to a delicious breakfast every morning, cooked by Ida Rae, served by Tom who also roasts and brews fresh coffee every day. Our hosts were charming and the house is interesting and comfortable. The solar heated hot water was plentiful.

Enjoyed conversing with the owners. They are very interesting people.

My wife and I stayed for 3 nights while visiting family. Tom and Ila Rae are truly gracious hosts. They are not just inn keepers but become your friends. The meals were outstanding, and the accommodations were very nice and comfortable.

Historic Prairie Style home with comfy environment, rich woodwork meticulously restored, combined with tasty fresh food and friendly hosts for socializing. Don't forget to ask about the View Master and historic Florida scenes from yesteryear...you might just see your grandparents! Don't miss this B&B! Johnny and Elaine

Ila Rae and Tom were great, friendly, prepared for a gluten free guest and generous. Their fresh sqeezed ambersweet orange juice was the naturally sweetest, best-tasting orange juice I have ever tasted! The accomodations were clean, green and water-conscious without being stingy. I would stay here again.

From the moment we walked through the door, Tom and Ila Rae made us feel like one of the family. The ratings speak for itself, but I assure you that the next time I am in Jacksonville, I will be staying at the Jenks House, if available.

This was an exceptional experience that far exceeded my expectations. Tom and Ila are wonderful hosts, attentive to every need. Plenty of privacy, lovely old rooms, delicious healthy breakfasts, and an incredible value. Our party was very happy with the experience. In the evening, less than two blocks away was a bar with over 411 varieties of beer. Overall, the stay at Jenks House was a memorable, outstanding experience - a very special way to ring out the old year and ring in the new.

We stayed here for one night over Christmas Break and were quite pleased with everything. The room was lovely, as was the rest of the house. Tom and Ila Rae were excellent hosts, and we enjoyed talking with them, as well as with their daughter, Erin, who was visiting for the week. In fact, we sat down to breakfast at 8:30 the next morning and ended up sitting at the table and talking with them until 11:30, sipping fresh-squeezed orange juice the whole time. Tom said the ambersweet oranges on his tree were a few weeks off-peak, so he juiced some others of a different variety that he had bought--but then he juiced his own as well, just so we could taste the difference. (I guess we don't know much about orange juice, because we thought they were both delicious.) Ila Rae's breakfast was wonderful as well (she said she tries to gauge what you'll want for breakfast based on where you chose to eat dinner), and before we left, Tom showed us the rain water catchment sy stem he'd built for watering the garden (where they grow several of the foods they serve, including, soon, lots and lots of papayas) and picked a few oranges we could take with us. Our Florida road trip was completely improvised as we went along, and as such, Tom and Ila Rae were valuable resources for suggesting places to go and things to try.

The Jenks House offers a charming stay in authentic Florida setting of the Twenties: real wood, no rattan and bright flower prints. The hosts are always availabel to help...with any desired information or water for the car's windshield wipers. The breakfast and home roasted coffee are delicious.

Rooms were comfortable and spacious. Lots of common areas to relax. Walking distance to several activities. The Mertens fixed a wonderful breakfast an hour and a half earlier than usual so we could get to our meeting on time. Appreciate their extra effort to be a green lodging. Will be back and already have recommended to others.

Our hosts, Ila Rae and Tom Merton, were very personable and the breakfast excellent.

Love home. Breakfast was excellent. Light an delicious. The Orange juice is the best I have ever drank! Ila Rey and Tim were just wonderful hosts. 10 minutes and we were downtown. Only thing was that there was no A/C in the main house. Rooms were A/C'd via window A/C. Not a huge problem though. Delightful.

Have stayed with Ila Rae and Tom twice and both times were very pleasant!! The stay was a great deal considering a wonderful breakfast is included with freshly ground organic coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice!! Plus their green efforts in the use of solar panels, rain collection for irrigation and organic gardening get a huge thumbs up!!! A stay here will surely not disappoint. Naysha & Josue

With a wonderful breakfast and even better conversation, the Jenks House is the best eco-FRIENDLY place to stay!

It would be good if there was a list of local restaurants and local attractions in the binder that was on our bed in our room. We were lucky that Tom was available to give us recommendations in person. We especially like the environmentally-friendly approach to innkeeping. My wife says that the garden area was a little unkempt, but I found that to be attractive because it showed that the garden was alive and functioning -- take this as you will. Thanks for a great stay!

The house and rooms are beautiful. The owners are friendly, professional, and helpful. They provide the best breakfast in Jacksonville and it is all organic.

My husband and I recently stayed two nights for a three day weekend at this wonderful B&B. You will instantly feel relaxed and enamored with this lovingly restored home! The owners Tom and Ila Rae have spent 30+ years bringing the life of the heart pine wood back to its warm glow, collecting furnishings both original and contemporary to this unique home, as well as utilizing green practices throughout the home (e.g. fresh home garden items in the menu, rain water reclamation...). We enjoyed the Riverside / Avondale area and thank the Mertens for helping us plan our mini-trips to the Cummer Museum & Gardens, the Riverside Arts Market, and dinner at Avondale. We espcially enjoyed our time with Tom and Ila Rae at morning breakfast! Crepes with fresh fruit, whole wheat blueberry pancakes, fantastic fresh roasted coffee beans in-house! It was no surprise to learn Ila Rae was a personal chef at one time! Delicious food, along with great conversation! This couple has much love and pride for the area they raised their family in, and share so many interesting stories and collectible items from by-gone eras... intriguing newspaper clippings, pictures, postcards which all tell the story of earlier days in beautiful Jacksonville! All-in-all, a perfect home away from home!

Wonderful hosts, great food in a beautiful home. We loved the atmosphere and really enjoyed the other guests.

Ila Rae and Tom are the most interesting innkeepers we have met! the food was to die for and the history they shared with us was amazing. The attention to small details is a rare find in these times.

I stayed in the "Live Oak Room" at the Jenks House recently. This was a great alternative to the typical hotel...convenient, easy going, Green, and grandly nostalgic. The Mertens are hosts with a generous spirit. I didn't see a TV for the weekend and never missed it.

Tom and Ila Rae were some of the most gracious hosts and people I've ever met. It was hard to leave such a wonderful B&B ~ delicious fresh squeezed OJ and hand roasted coffee were part of the amazing homemade breakfasts, a gorgeous home and rooms they lovingly renovated and restored over the years, their organic garden with fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers were part of the treat of staying there. They had the best restaurant recommendations and generously shared their museum membership. What a great trip - thank you!

We stayed at The Jenks House overnight on our tour South. It was a highlight of our trip as we enjoyed the house which is delightful, an excellent home-cooked breakfast and particularly the company of our hosts, Tom and Ila Rae, so much. House is in a quiet residential district with easy access nearby to good food and the riverfront. We would certainly have no hesitation in highly recommending.

Warm and friendly hosts. Excellent breakfast and freshly roasted coffee. Very informative about the surrounding area. Lively and engaging discussions. Lovely home with a comfortable bed.

We were delighted with our stay at the Jenks House. Tom and Ila Rae not only shared information about their house and Jacksonville but provided a dining recommendation that was superb. Our room was lovely (with wonderful ironed sheets), the breakfast treats started the day on a positive note. We would definitely visit again.

We had a wonderful time staying at the Jenks House....Tom and Ila Rae are fantastic hosts and we had several great conversations with them during our stay...the house is warm and inviting and the room was very clean and quiet....we recommend to anyone staying in the Jacksonville area to try their house out..you wont be disappointed

We sat at the beautifully presented breakfast (different menu every day) and talked about politics, life, religion, container gardening, real estate, kids, and, once I got Ila Rae alone, we talked about how soft the sheets are and how does she keep them that way! It was a wonderful week (five nights) and we not only rested well, but also made two new friends. We were so pleased with our choice made from the yellow pages. Sally Collier Bob Caiola Slanesville, WV 25444

We immediately felt welcome in the Merten home and we're invited to make ourselves at home. Our first visit to Jacksonville was a wonderful experience due to the accommodations and conversation with the Mertens. We felt more like a part of the family than a guest at a B&B. Thanks for making us feel at home!

My wife, son and I spent a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend in Jacksonville and the highlight (other than visiting our family, of course!) was staying at the Jenks House. A beautifully restored family home in a quiet neighborhood with wonderful hosts, that made us feel like we visiting old friends. The food was a great balance of comfort, inventiveness, and deliciousness--arriving fresh from their organic gardens. We can't wait to visit Jacksonville again, if only to stay with Tom and Illa Rae at the Jenks House again!

I stayed at Jenk's B&B the night before my interview. I had a comfortable night sleep and a wonderful breakfast with best tasting Sri Lanka tea. I was refreshed and ready for my big day. The owners take pride in their little gem of a house.

Very nice place to stay if you have business on the East side of Jacksonville. Everything was clean and quiet throughout the night.

I had a wonderful experience at the Jenks House. The owners were wonderfully hospitable and the breakfast was outstanding. Their fresh squeezed orange juice comes right from the back yard. The house was very clean and accommodations far exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this bed and breakfast. The owners are committed to providing you the best accommodations and service imaginable. Thanks!

When one places a reservation at a bed and breakfast, it is easy to assume lodging will be comfortable and the meal filling, not to mention the attention to detail one receives when compared to a hotel-little did we know just how memorable our stay would be. The room was splendid-bedecked with family heirlooms and unique touches. We were especially found of the antique (but fully functioning!) tube radio in our room. Our breakfast was like no other; homemade sticky buns, freshly squeezed orange juice (from the backyard, no less), newly roasted and ground fair trade coffee, and scrumptious buckwheat blueberry pancakes with heart healthy potatoes...what more can be said? The innkeepers were truly a delight and were very knowledgeable about the community and sights and scenes. Further, their eco-friendly lifestyle is something we should all model. I would strongly recommend this inn to anyone who longs for something more from their typical lodging...even for a professional b & b'er.

Excellent place. Beautiful house, great folks and good food.

We met friends for a weekend of socializing- good food, fun, bridge, outdoor activities, etc. Tom and Ila Rae were fantastic hosts, providing excellent service and suggestions!

When I arrived at the Jenks House on a rainy evening, Tom was waiting for me in the driveway with an umbrella and that was just the beginning of his and Ila Rae’s thoughtfulness. The house was very welcoming at night, but the next morning the beautiful woodwork was absolutely glowing in the sunlight. I enjoyed looking at the memorabilia they’ve collected about the Jenks Restaurant which was run by the home’s original owners. As someone who strives to live a “green” life, I really appreciated the Mertens' commitment to the same thing. They suggested a nature preserve for me to visit and supplied detailed directions. Jenks House is a refreshing change from the sometimes too-cute Victorian B&B’s. My comfortable room/bed, a wonderful healthy breakfast and interesting conversation made my stay unforgettable.

My wife and I spent three nights at the Jenks House and we had the best stay. The breakfast blew away any expectations we had. The room was great and the little history book they had put together for each room brought us up to speed with a little history of the house and Jacksonville and was very enjoyable to read at night. Our hats are off to the best B&B we have ever stayed at. Thank You guys for the great experience.

This is a beautiful house and the accomodations are very comfortable and the hospitality excellent! We especially enjoyed the sunporch for reading and chatting. The location is excellent, quiet and close to shopping and dining. We look forward to returning!

Great location- we could walk to the game. Tom and Ila Rae were exceptional hosts and the coffee and fruit was to die for, Breakfast each morning was wonderful and they were great to just sit and talk- very gracious and helpful. We loved our stay-would definitely be a repeat B&B for us Your Clemson buddies- Go TIGERS

Tom & Ila Rae are very nice people to stay with, they were very attentive to our dietary needs. The breakfast they served was fabulous and so was the conversation. My husband was a bit unsure of the whole bed & breakfast idea but, when we checked out, he said he would definately do that again! The house is beautiful, the rooms are VERY clean and in walking distance to resturants and shops. Thank you, Tom & Ila Rae for a great time! We will be back to see you again soon!

B&B at it's best; friendly, helpful, comfortable. Outstanding.

As a frequent traveler, I've rested my head in many places, but I rate the Jenks House among the best. Lovingly and impeccably restored by its innkeepers in the "arts and crafts" style, the house combines modern conveniences (wi-fi), historic fixtures, and "green" consciousness. Tom and Ila Rae are wonderful hosts and great conversationalists. They even suggested a route for my morning run. Their breakfast was to die for. Five stars!

We live seventy five miles from Jacksonville and found this to be the perfect weekend gettaway. We had visited the "Five Points" neighborhood before and enjoyed its history and charm. The Mertens are gracious hosts and the house is attractive and comfortable. My favorite time was spent reading in the second story common room as the sun was setting. And the value added lillies are taking root in out front garden. If you like bed and breakfasts like I do, you won't want to miss this one.

Jenks House had everything we want in a B&B--a convenient location, it is spotless, the bed is great with heavenly pressed sheets; after the first course I would have rated the breakfast excellent...and then the main course arrived! Excellent materials in the room for reading, all in a quiet & lovely setting. We wanted to stay much longer. The hosts are interesting and so pleasant; this is an extraordinary place, & we highly recommend it. Truly the best B & B we have stayed in anywhere. We will return! Kitty & Dave

I lived in Jacksonville in the 70's and have tried ever since to explain what I loved and still miss about North Fla. The Merten's B&B catches the essence of the beauty, peach, simplicity, and friendship of the Fla. that I remember.

A beautiful, skillfully restored old Florida house filled with light, peace, and beauty. Not cluttered with cute stuff like so many B and B's, but with artfully selected Floridiana (NOT Mickey!), comfortable period furniture, and the best range of books I've ever seen in a B and B. The Mertens are warm, intelligent, interested hosts, and the breakfast with plenty of fresh-squeezed oj was delicious. A great walking neighborhood - I believe this is a historic district- though shabby in some areas. Go down by the magnificent river - and if reading and walking aren't enough for you, the Mertens will tell you everything you can explore in and around Jacksonville.

My ratings speak for themselves, however they cannot convey my personal feelings for the place and the people. Tom and Ila Rae took care of me, not just my needs, for an entire week. I would not have made it that long away from home had it not been for their kindness, warmth and hospitality. I am returning next week because I miss them already. Dawn Quarles Pensacola, Florida

My wife and I spent a lovely time here. Tom and Ila Rae were great hosts and a joy to talk with. The orange grove is a real treat and the breakfast is the best we have ever had at a B&B. We plan to stay here the next time we get a chance to go to Jacksonville.

My husband and I recently enjoyed a stay at the Jenks House during a visit to attend our goddaughter's high school graduation. Tom and Ila Rae were wonderful hosts and even insisted on serving us breakfast extra early on a day we had to depart for the graduation ceremonies. The fresh-squeezed OJ was great! We were very comfortable at this beautiful B&B and would highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience "Old Florida" at its best.

Ila Rae and Tom went out of their way to make our stay with them one of our best B&B experiences. We hope to return soon.

This was a charming bed and breakfast beautifully maintained by the innkeepers and very convenient to all the spots in Jacksonville by public transportation. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the Mertens, and the food was absolutely fabulous. I would return here and will definitely recommend it to my friends.

Having stayed at 100's of B&B's this haven is my most favorite! With only two rooms it is small enough to allow for making new friends with ease and being treated like special family by the innkeepers. The property is beautiful and our room exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort, style, and cleaniness.My food allergy needs were fully supported with a breakfast that set the stage for an extraordinary day, which included fresh squeezed organic oranges from the backyard and a cup of coffee so good it should make Starbucks want to cry! The innkeepers made us feel like family by readily sharing stories and points of interest including their green thumbs.

I was in Jacksonville for a work conference. Staying at the Jenks house with Ila Rae and Tom Merten was exactly what I needed every evening after long days of meetings and training. The beds were comfortable, the house was spotless, the bathroom was well appointed and clean. The food was simply amazing, really tasty, healthy, fresh squeezed orange juice, crepes, fruit, other delicious things I didn't even know the name of. Some of which came straight from their own garden outside the kitchen. Tom, Ila Rae, and the other guests were respectful of my space, yet we had engaging and fun conversation over breakfast. I was really impressed with the time and effort that Tom and Ila Rae have spent restoring their beautiful 1920's era house. They have paid attention to historical detail while incorporating up to date energy and water efficient systems. All in all, Tom and Ila Rae have set a high standard that I hope other B&B's can follow.

While recently in the US we stayed an The Jenks House in Jacksonville. The house was beautiful and our hosts couldn't have been more helpful. Ila Rae and Tom were great with dining recommendations, directions and general information about Jacksonville.

We had a wonderful stay at the Jenks House, which has been lovingly restored by innkeepers Tom and Ila Rae. The breakfasts were fresh and delicious with many ingredients coming directly from their organic garden. The highlight of this experience is the warm, lively conversation and caring that Ila Rae and Tom share with their guests. When my mom fractured her ankle while in Jacksonville, breakfast was brought upstairs to the sunroom along with frequent visits from Tom and Ila Rae throughout the day. They treated us like family and made us feel right at home.

I was able to book a last minute reservation at the Jenks House and am now so glad that I stumbled upon this gem of a B&B! The innkeepers are wonderfully friendly and accommodating people, not to mention excellent cooks and conversationalists! What's more, their commitment to providing a true experience is clear, from the home-roasted free-trade coffee, organic garden, and impeccably restored home. I have only had the pleasure to stay at the Jenks House once, but am sure to recommend it to anyone I know going to Jacksonville, FL. I wish there could be a Jenks House in any city to which I might one day travel!

A wonderful home with charming and attentive host. They were most helpful with info on where to eat. They also provided a wonderful breakfast each morning.

Knowledgable and friendly innkeepers take wonderful care of this beautiful home and their guests. The food was incredible, fresh, and varied.

A different breakfast each day for our four-day holiday. Friendly host & hostess.

They provided the ideal B&B environment – Peace & quiet, excellent food & comfortable spaces. They have stayed true to architecture of the home, making it a destination itself!

We had a great time staying with Ila Rae and Tom, they are great host. We loved the stories and conversations. The smell of the hot cinnamon rolls really get you down to breakfast. You will enjoy the fresh papaya and other fruits grow right on the property. The only thing that would have made our stay better would have been if the Gators could have won. We can't wait till next year.

The Jenks House is wonderfully cozy and the innkeepers are exceptionally hospitable. What wonderful breakfasts - fresh squeezed OJ and home roasted coffee! Doesn't get any better. We loved the "green lodging" experience.

Tom and Ila Rae are justifiably proud of their recent designation as a “Green Lodging.” In actual fact their normal lifestyle for the past 30 years made the award an obvious choice. Gracious hosts and wonderful décor made this a wonderful stay. We’ll be back!

Once owned by local restaurateurs, the Jenks house is in every way a “little taste” of the history of Jacksonville. Every furnishing in the house has a story to it, which the proprietors, long time residents of this historic district, love to share. The hospitable owners are a wealth of knowledge about the area (everything from hidden sea food joints for locals attend to local shopping and art opportunities). The food is excellent: OJ -fresh within seconds, organic fair-trade coffee roasted on sight, and scrumptious breakfast foods.

I recently visited Jacksonville and stayed at the Jenks House. It was the perfect choice for lodging. Tom and Ila were gracious, friendly and attentive to all of my needs. They served a splendid breakfast while accommodating my vegan diet. The house is in a refurbished historical neighborhood and is spacious, quiet and handsomely furnished. There are several spots to “get away”: a wide and airy front porch, a large upstairs sitting room lined with windows and books, a lovely organic garden on the side of the house with vegetables, orange and papaya trees, and Ila’s flowers. Both gave excellent directions around town and made recommendations for sightseeing. I had enjoyable and interesting conversations with them and they made me feel very welcome. I look forward to staying there again.

I visit Jacksonville frequently and the Jenks House is my home away from home. Ila Rae and Tom Merten provide a beautiful and comfortable place to stay, incredibly delicious breakfasts, freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly roasted coffee, and kind and bright conversation. I'm always happy to go back.

The Jenks house is an excellent choice for many reasons - the flexibility and friendliness of the owners, the beauty of the home, various choices of lounging areas for guests, the house-related antiques, porch swing, the pillow assortment, fresh orange juice and garden produce, and the location. Architecture buffs will enjoy the neighborhood and that the eclectic art deco street of non-chain cafes and the beautiful Cummer museum are within walking distance.

We came to Jacksonville for the first time for the Jazz Festival. The Jenks House neighborhood is definitely not upscale, but is a great location, not far from downtown events and with onsite parking. We have rarely encountered such gracious, yet casual, hospitality. Tom and Ila Rae radiate their joy in their home and its history. It is beautifully furnished with many personal and historical items and is immaculate. Sleep on 500 count pima cotton sheets, lovingly ironed by Ila Rae. Enjoy wonderful period furniture and decor. Peace rules. We did not have a TV in our room and did not want one. Everything else listed on this site is there. At $100/night what a value. Most delightful were Tom and Ila Rae-such interesting and intelligent people with a commitment to the earth. Ila Rae served delicious creative breakfasts with many organics from her extensive garden. Tom roasted, ground and brewed our coffee just minutes before we drank it. They catered to our dietary and scheduling requests. Although it was clear they would have left us to ourselves if we wished, we enjoyed really interesting conversations together. They really enjoy having you visit.