Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast

We stayed here while visiting our son but it is such a great place it could be a destination on its own. Best breakfasts I have ever had. Great location, beautiful room, relaxing times on the porch and in the garden, great hosts, everything was just right. I really did hate to leave and I've never felt that way about a hotel no matter how nice it was.

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We wish you could stay longer too! We had guests catch their limit of Striped Bass at Smith Mountain Lake today (look for pix on the blog!) There is so much to do in these mountains - or nothing at all, just relax and take in the southern breezes....God bless you and yours! Shellie & Family

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Absolutely loved this B&B, very quiet, very romantic. We plan to visit again next winter for a weekend break. My life enjoyed someone else cooking breakfast for a change. Thank you Claiborne House hosts for making it extra special.

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"The Cook is In!" I am happy to cook your breakfast any time. CHEERS! ~Shellie (your innside innkeeper)

- Shellie (innkeeper)

We stayed the previous night at a B&B in NC, and were quite disappointed (it wasn't cheap either), so we were a bit worried about how our night at Clairborne House would be. As we were met at the door and shown our room my wife was pleased at every turn, and remarked "this is how a B&B should be; attention to every detail". The value for the money was excellent, and we had a wonderful night. Hard to believe it was only $20 more than a stupid hotel chain.

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...ahhh and our favorite guests are those who appreciate the details! Thank you for the nice review, we want you to lay your head on a soft pressed linens, not cookie-cutter hotel scratchy sheets. Look forward to seeing you again in Blue Ridge Country VA!

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Shellie was a gracious hostess from the time I sent her the first email. We were coming down for a friend's memorial service and she was empathetic and expressed it in tangible ways. We can't thank you enough for your generous spirit and kind heart. While we only got to meet Junie B and Sierra, not the whole family, it was evident that this is home where love dwells. Our room with private entrance with sooo comfy. I hated to get up for breakfast, but would have kicked myself had I missed it. Scrumptious french toast with warm syrup, fresh fruit, sausage patties and of course, their famous coffee. Sierra served us and was so efficient and sweet. If you are looking for a b & b in the Rocky Mount area, look no further as you will find this to be a little bit of heaven. Nancy Smith

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Ahhhh someone noticed the warm syrup, hurray! We want you to have the warm fuzzies when you stay with us, but give you space and privacy. We were so pleased to meet you and your family. God bless, Shellie, Sierra and JunieB (woof!)

- Shellie (innkeeper)

The Claiborne House is great place to go if you’re looking to get away for a peaceful weekend. I recommend staying in the wash house cottage. It’s nice to see that small town America still exist. The innkeepers love hosting and it shows in their hospitality.

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Thank you for the kind words. Small town USA ALL THE WAY! This is a unique cross selection of mountains and south - Southern Hospitality. Come back any time...the mountains are a callin'.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

I stayed at the Claiborne House B and B in Rocky Mount, Viriginia, recently and had a wonderful time. The innkeepers and their daughters were so welcoming. The inn was just what I wanted and the breakfasts were delicious. Definitely a must-stay. (M. Flynn, April 18, 2010)

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Wonderful guests make us happy innkeepers! Come back and see us soon. God Bless, Shellie & Fam

- Shellie (innkeeper)

This was my escape from home! I had a couple days to myself and wanted to make the most of them. I could not have chosen a better place to go! The Claiborne House is beautiful, CLEAN, quiet, and every possible comfort a normal person could want is there. The bed was comfortable, linens lovely, lighting for reading, and chairs to sit in - and this was just the guestroom! The bathroom was excellent - clean with nice towels and amenities. Breakfast was wonderful - fresh fruit, juice, omelet, potatoes, tea biscuits, and wonderful coffee one morning and pancakes, scrambled eggs, and bacon as the entree with the fresh fruit, juice, and marvelous coffee the next. Lovely presentation and they do not stint on the portions. The Red Clay is the restaurant just a block from the B & B with food that is excellent and the prices were much lower than I expected for food that good. My crab cake dinner (2 crab cakes) and 2 sides was $16! Thank you, Shellie for recommending this restaurant! As far as what to see or do? This innkeeper KNOWS the area and whatever your interests, she has suggestions and routings. The D-Day Memorial in Bedford is a must see. There are so many activities and parks in Rocky Mount - music - that I want to go back "in season".

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Lovely guests are what this business is all about. Appreciate the kind words and so glad you could visit us! Next time would love for you to experience Thursday morning bluegrass at Dairy Queen with biscuits and gravy. God bless, Shellie

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Great place to stay not too far from Roanoke or Smith Mountain Lake. We recommend the Claiborn House! Great breakfasts too.

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Happy New Year! We hope to see you again in 2010.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

This was a great place to stay, very clean, excellent breakfast. It was very easy to get to the racetrack from here as well.

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We love race fans here twice a year! They always bring fun and laughter into our B&B. Thanks so much for the review. God bless, Shellie

- Shellie Leete (innkeeper)

I happened across this B&B after an internet search. What luck that it happens to be only a county or two away from us! I booked two nights for my husband and I to get away for our 20th anniversary. When I called to reserve a room Shellie was so friendly and helpful. They offer a few romance packages and Shellie took care of all the details. We were greeted with true Virginia hospitality and the most gorgeous cottage room complete with chilled sparkling cider and a dozen fresh roses. Our rrom was so cozy and the breakfasts were out of this world. Tony and Shellie have thought of everything. You can literally grab your toothbrush and an overnight bag for this B&B! This beautiful home is located on the neatest street and within walking distance of a neat little park and a great restaurant. We will definately go back!!!

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Thank you so much, you are super guests! Coincidentally 2010 is the 20th anniversary of The Claiborne House B&B! To celebrate we have a special promotion running for the entire year...and hope to see you both again! God bless, Shellie

- Shellie Leete (innkeeper)

Our stay exceeded our expectations in every area! The pristine condition of the home and yard, the comfortable and quiet room and surroundings, the delicious breakfasts and afternoon cookies and the gracious, Southern hospitality of the hosts all contributed to a relaxing and fun vacation in the Blue Ridge area. You will not be disappointed when you visit Claiborne House!

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You nailed it! Relaxation and fun is what it is all about. Gotta get out and leave your worries and stress behind. These mountains are terrific for that. God bless and may your year be filled with more relaxation and much fun! Shellie

- Shellie (innkeeper)

We stayed for 3 nights during our 5 year anniversary and the hospitality was great. Both Tony and Shellie were so warm and welcoming. We had a card at breakfast saying happy anniversary and we were there over fathers day as well and I had a card wishing me a happy fathers day. The breakfasts were all exceptional and very tasty. We were so full when we got done eating. The grounds were nice and well kept. It was nice to stay out on the porch at night and feel the breeze and just chill and enjoy the quiteness. We enjoyed our conversations in the morning with Shellie and she was very informative about stuff to do around the area. Our room was nice and clean and the bed was great. Nice and big and so comfortable to sleep in. We slept so good while we were there. The location is great and you can go just about anywhere within a half hour that you would want to dod touristy. A great and wonderful experience overal.

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Happy guests make happy innkeepers. Thank you for the kind review, we would love to have you come out again - especially in the Fall when everything is GOR-GEOUS! God bless.

- Shellie Leete (innkeeper)

I could not have asked for a more restful and beautiful spot to relax than the Claiborne House. I traveled to VA to meet up with friends for a few days and decompress from my business. The B&B sits on a lovely small hill on a tree lined historic residential street overlooking the charming town of Rocky Mount. The huge front porch with wicker furniture harkens back to days when people sat outside and chatted with their neighbors and friends. I spent time there enjoying the quiet and peacefulness in the cool evenings, watching the birds and visiting with my friends and other guests. I was also able to access the inn's free WiFi from the porch so I could stay in touch with my business! Shellie and Tony are the BEST B&B hosts! They are spot on with all kinds of recommendations for sites to visit and places to eat but are never intrusive. Shellie has a wealth of knowledge about all things Virginia and Tony's quick wit and humor were a treat. Their daughters will share some authentic fiddle music, if you ask. The inn is a large house and very quiet. I'd like to check out the separate Wash House Cottage on my next visit. You can find recreational opportunities, music venues, and history here in the area and come back to tranquility by Tony's landscaped ponds and gardens. My large and lovingly decorated room had everything that you need and more to make a stay comfortable. Breakfast each morning was made with fresh ingredients and was delicious, beautifully presented, and abundant. Shellie makes perfect omelets! In the afternoon, there was the tastiest Southern pecan cake set out in the dining room with iced tea. Complimentary sodas, filtered chilled water, coffee, and tea were also available in the dining room. Why would I stay anywhere else? I highly recommend The Claiborne House as the place to stay near the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Crooked Road Music Trail!!!

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Thank you so much! Did you know you are officially a member of Professional Porch Sitters Union, Crooked Road Local 1895? Professional Porch Sitters (PPS) is an informal organization with a large and growing grassroots membership. To become a member you simply need to say you are a member and agree to sit around with friends and neighbors shooting the breeze as often as possible or practical. PPS only has one rule but it's more like a suggestion. "Sit down a spell. That can wait." As my favorite author wrote: "I believe all that is wrong with the world can be attributed to the shortage of front porches and the talks we had on them. Somewhere around 1950, builders left off the front porch to save money, and we've had nothing but problems ever since." Philip Gulley from Porch Talk God bless, Shellie - Our porch is available for new and old members at any time.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Everything about this B&B makes me want to come back and stay here again! From the comfortable and beautfully decorated guest rooms to the bountiful breakfasts and beautiful outdoor surroundings, it was all wonderful. Shellie, your innkeeper, thinks of everything to make your stay wonderful. We hope to be back soon!

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Thank you for the kind words - we would love to have you stay with us again, you are fantastic guests or should that be 'fantasy guests' definition: Guests who enjoy what the innkeepers have put together – from the coffee to the smallest details. THE PEONIES ARE IN BLOOM! God bless, Shellie & Tony

- Shellie & Tony (innkeepers)

What a wonderful time we had when we arrived the first time at this beautiful bed and breakfast in Virginia.So we came back! This time with my wife and father in law. We had two very lovely rooms, with comfortable beds, antiques, cable tv's and wifi so we could confirm our next stop. We sat on the porch for hours and sipped iced cold coca cola, Jones soda and coffee the innkeepers made available to us as well as other goodies. The hosts were cheerful and accessible to answer all the questions we had about the area which we didn’t get to see the last time, as we only stopped briefly overnight. Shelley graciously made these arrangements for us (wife and I) She telephoned a fantastic place for an afternoon horseback ride. The views were magnificent! We would have never found that place on our own. Day 2 we left after a fabulous breakfast and more great coffee. We highly recommend this special B&B.

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We loved having you, the third time is a charm? Hey Fla is only what, 16 hours from here? Our favorite horse farm/ranch will have ROMANTIC MOONLIGHT Trail Rides beginning in May. What is the saying "The Best Place to Steal a Kiss?" We can set it up for you. God bless, ~Shellie

- Shellie (innkeeper/owner)

We stayed in the Wash House cottage - great for privacy and charmingly decorated. Breakfast was wonderful - a great start to the day. Shellie is very hospitable. We recommend a stay at the Claiborne House.

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We are glad you enjoyed the cottage - the little love shack as we sometimes refer to it. We hope to see you again soon! God bless.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast is a beautiful and peaceful Victorian home, The innkeepers, Tony and Shellie make you feel at home from the moment you check in with a glass of refreshing iced tea and one of Shellie's homemade deserts. We indulged in the most decedant brownies on our arrival and then another day, enjoyed a real homemade blueberry pie that took me back to my grandmother's kitchen. The room was beautiful and lavished with special touches like soft cuddly bathrobes. The bed was so comfortable that I had to ask what kind of linens they used. We enjoyed an abundant and delicious breakfast each morning with other guest in the antique dining room. Each dish had a special flavorful touch from the typical and truly the best coffee I have had outside a coffee shop. Our visit was with long time friends so we enjoyed the porch and fish pond and the parlor to talk and play games. I would recommend the Ferrum College Theater as well, delightful plays and very close by. So much to do and yet you can do little and be perfectly content. If you are blessed you will get to hear a beautiful piece by the family's inspiring young violinist as well. We will definitely go back and hopefully soon. Thanks Tony and Shellie for a wonderful weekend.-Mike and Carle, Alexandria, VA

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Here is a direct quote from yours truly "Opening an inn is like skydiving and hoping your chute will open!" Shellie Leete. We are so glad our chute opened, and we have safely been grounded by such wonderful guests as yourselves! Come see us again soon. All the best.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Even though the Innkeepers are not "Southern," they exhibit true Southern warmth and charm. The Inn is beautiful, relaxing, beautifully decorated, and even has a little "Wash Cottage" on the premises for extra privacy and comfort. We loved the experience and would happily do it again. Shelli is a very special and easy to be around hostess. Her early morning coffee was a Godsend, and the breakfasts were delicious. This was our first experience with a B&B, but definitely not the last!

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Tony says he is THE MOST SOUTHERN, being from down under. LOL! We hope you continue your B&B journey, since they are all unique, and report back with any special finds. We love hearing B&B stories. But remember at The Claiborne House "all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average." You are now included in that, lest you forget. God bless.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Very well done and pleasant. We enjoyed the well kept 1800's house, the gardens, and the tasteful antique collection. Our innkeepers were friendly and thoughtful. Breakfast was well organized and delicious. We especially appreciated the early morning coffee, travel cups, and snacks left out for our early departure.

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Wow! Someone who really gets our motto: Life is too short for bad coffee. We wouldn't want anyone leaving without being fully caffeinated. All the best!

- Shellie (innkeeper)

This property met my expectations!

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"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." -- St. Augustine Thank you for staying with us! God bless.

- Tony & Shellie (innkeeper)

Claiborne House has been tastefully decorated and is a lovely place to recoup while traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shellie is a wonderful hostess.

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"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles." – Tim Cahill Thank you and we hope to see you again!

- Tony & Shellie (innkeepers)

We arrived in the early evening greeted by Tony, the warm Australian born inn-keeper. Our private room and bath (with private entrance) was a perfect anniversary getaway. The breakfast in the room option was a special feature too! it was a very nurturing time.

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We love to celebrate special occasions here. Happy Anniversary and many more memories to come. God bless.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Had an amazing stay over a long weekend at the Claiborne House. Stayed in the Wash House cottage and enjoyed every minute of the visit.

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Did you get the chance to visit Burke's Garden? Or see where the Woolley Mammoths were found in the New River Valley? You were wonderful guests. God Bless.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Claiborne House was charming. The owner was a lovely person.

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THANK YOU! You have started a marriage quarrel, Tony says this review mentioned him. LOL!

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Claiborne House Bed & Breakfast in Rocky Mount, Virginia is in a great little town on the Crooked Music Trail. The innkeepers have created a wonderful retreat for the weary traveler. Comfortable, restful. and well appointed guest rooms, super breakfasts with lots of fresh ingredients and perfect coffee, and a beautiful outdoor garden setting are just a few of the lovely features of this inn. Plan to make a stop here if you are traveling on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The innkeepers will also point you in the right direction of the abundance of things to do in the area. Highly recommended!

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Thank you. We look forward to your next visit when you can enjoy Smith Mountain Lake - the water temp is around 84 midsummer! I bet even Bob would enjoy that. God Bless.

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Due to unforeseen physical problems we had to cut our stay short, but the Claiborne House was the best part of the trip. The room was VERY comfortable and the breakfast was wonderful. We will be back!

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We were sad to see you go! I think we may have some common interests. It is just a few weeks later and now the purple wisteria is blooming OUT OF CONTROL near the gate. It is breathtaking. God bless, we look forward to seeing you again!

- Shellie (innkeeper)

a lovely respite in a wonderful central location. hosts could not be more gracious and do a wonderful job in mking you feel at home and yet giving you lots of persoanl space to relax and enjoy the setting. highly recommended

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Thank you for your kind words!

- Shellie (innkeeper)

Super hospitality in friendly town with great breakfast

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We're glad you enjoyed your first B&B and hope to see you again real soon. Since B&B's are all different it is easy to get hooked. Happy Spring!

- Shellie (innkeeper)

I enjoyed The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast so much I am already planning my next visit. Why is it so special? A wonderful reception. A smiling innkeeper greeted me after my long tiresome travels and welcomed me into the B&B. Once inside there was no pressure to sign this, pay that. She showed me the common areas and pointed out the iced tea and sweets in the dining room placed there just for me. Then the guest fridge stocked with sodas and other snack items (all complimentary). We then went upstairs where (SHE) helped carry my other bag without hesitation. I stayed in the Blue Ridge Room. There was a queen canopy bed, soft light filtered in from the lacy window coverings, an asian rug over hardwood floors, a walnut armoire with fabric hangers for my stuff (as well as a closet), extra pillows, cable tv, rocking chair, and a couple side tables. One side table held a small crystal vase with fresh flowers (for moi!). The bathroom was very large with a tub/shower and plenty of space to move around. The mirror was antique with old lighting fixtures. The water pressure was good, the water was hot and the shower delightful! My room was quiet, private and very comfortable. There was a ceiling fan as well as central a/c and heat. The view from the room was the front of the house with large trees full of squirrels and birds. There was a mockingbird singing outside my side window bright and early the next morning. The coffee is was hot and strong and not bitter. The breakfast was just right, the perfect amount of sweet and savory, with fresh fruit, and oj and it hit the spot. I promised myself, I will spend time on that huge wraparound porch next visit I highly recommend the Claiborne House to anyone who wants a quiet, relaxing escape from the mad world we live in. Next time I explore The Crooked Road Music Trail – Shellie (Innkeeper) said she can send me right off to the Moonshine Exhibit nearby and some local jams.

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Next time it's blueberry pancakes for you! Thank you so much for your kind words. We also look forward to another visit. HAPPY SPRING - IT SPRING TODAY. I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils. - William Wordsworth

- Shellie (innkeeper)

We stayed at The Clairborne House the end of September. What a beautiful place! The hosts Tony & Shellie have done a superior job in making their B&B a very welcoming and comfortable place to stay. We stayed in spacious The Sierra Suite. After our vacation down to Atlanta, I can tell you it was the most comfortable bed so far! We stayed at 5 B&B's and this one was our favorite. Maybe because it was more personal than the others? Two had hired innkeepers, the Claiborne House is run by the owners themselves, and their hardwork and pride shows in the place. The rooms were not cluttered, but had enough antiques to keep me interested! Shellie has some very interesting pieces (and she is not even an antique herself, just a spring chicken) The breakfast was delightful. Best french toast I have had! We took our coffee on the porch before hand and really enjoyed the atmosphere of the small town of Rocky Mount. People were so friendly and genuine. They walked down the street and waved to us up on the porch. Bill thought they thought we were someone else? We spent one afternoon at Smith Mountain Lake. There is a super golf course there and some great restaurants. Next time we rent the pontoon! We both agreed, there will be a next time and we will be staying with Tony and Shellie at The Claiborne House! PS I didn't want to say too much, but the Claiborne house girls are adorable, when we left they were out on the porch playing fiddle songs for us. I even took a couple photos of them, I will try to post them here if I can figure out how to do it! I highly recommend the Claiborne House Bed and breakfast.

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SUZANNE & BILL! Thank you for staying with us. We had as much fun as you did. You are the reason we do what we do and can enjoy it so much! Makes all the drudgery worthwhile. Don't forget the giant sunflowers in bloom up at Peaks of Otter winery around labor day - next year. A kodak moment extravaganza. God bless.

- Tony & Shellie (innkeeper)

What a special time we had at The Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast. It was our first B&B and we were blown away by all the little extras there. The warm welcome we had when we first arrived after a 4 hr drive was so very nice. The information the innkeepers gave us about local sites was invaluable. We found a family style restaurant with live mountain music (Pine Tavern) that we would never ever have stumbled across on our own. Thank you for that Tony and Shellie! The coffee was great, just like they promised. I heard the grinder going early, then the smell of fresh percolated coffee pulled me right out of bed. Served with real half and half, not some powdered creamer like hotels. The breakfast was fantastic! Yogurt, granola and fresh berry parfait, juice, waffles with strawberries handpicked by Shellie in the Spring. She said they were colonial strawberries - 400 years old (hey they tasted great!), tasty sausage, the sweetest melon and kiwi fruit, and of course more coffee. We did sit out on the beautiful porch for a few minutes with our coffee - just us, it was wintertime, but it was not cold yet in Rocky Mount when we were there. We saw two brilliant red cardinals at the bird feeder and one Blue Jay. I read old reviews here and want to add that they HAVE added a guest fridge, bottled water, snacks and other additional treats for guests. I won't tell ya what, I will let that be a surprise! Well done Tony & Shellie. Give the girls a hug and Junie B Jones a wrestle for us. What a super family. Keep up the violin girls, we want to hear you again next time, for sure! You made our entire trip worthwhile - twas the highlight.

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We always enjoy guests who love good coffee. There really is something about the smell of coffee and cinnamon in the morning! We thank you for staying with us and can boast, per usual that at The Claiborne House "all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average." You have proven it once again!

- Shellie & Tony (innkeeper)

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at The Claiborne House B&B. The rooms are cozy and comfortable. We stayed in the little wash house cottage and had total privacy, even had a delicious breakfast delivered to the room. The innkeepers were very pleasant and welcomed us with a warm welcome. We were there in Dec so the gardens were not in bloom, but it was an oasis from the winter dulldrums and a very special time away that I will always cherish. I recommend the CLaiborne House B&B to anyone who wants a restful and quiet time away from the rat race.

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We were so pleased to have you and thank you for the nice review. It is guests like you that make every day memorable for us as innkeepers. You are the reason we do what we do. We hope you can visit us again when everything is in bloom...we'll keep the kettle on for ya an the light down low. :O) Best, Shellie

- Shellie (innkeeper)