Charming Carriage House still has Room at the Inn
When I roam around the county filling displays at hotels, motels, resorts and wineries, I try to take a moment and chat with the owners and staff. I stopped this week at the Wellington Inn in Traverse City and was surprised to learn that there was still room available in the carriage house this summer. Since I’ve never taken a tour of the property, I asked Barb if she’d mind showing me around.
The carriage house was the first building to be renovated when Barb and Hank Richel purchased the Inn in 1999. The care and attention to detail of the property is evident everywhere you look. From the well-maintained exterior to the antiquities it holds, the carriage house and the Inn next door are a perfect Traverse City getaway.
There are two apartments located on the upper level of this former barn. Even as we entered the stairwell, I couldn’t help but enjoy the collision of past and present. An antique original wallpaper mural guides us to the stairway and the apartments above. We opened the door to the first and walked into a casual, comfortable place. The decor is French Country. Our view roamed from the tiny but full-service period kitchen to the living space and bright windows. There are two bedrooms that share one bath in this apartment. Each is beautifully decorated with an attention to detail and a nod to history and comfort. Guests leave their thanks and compliments in a notebook on the dresser for future dwellers to enjoy.
The second apartment is slightly larger, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The light from the windows pours into the room and illuminates Rishel’s attention to detail. Art Deco decor can be found throughout—from the fixtures to the artwork. And the condition of the pieces is amazing. The stamped velvet couch is vintage 1930s, and it’s the original covering. The rooms are filled with antiques, many of which have been lovingly restored by Barb and Hank.
The Wellington Inn Bed & Breakfast is located in the heart of Traverse City. Guests are within walking distance of shopping, dining, galleries, the State Theater and, of course, Grand Traverse Bay. Whether you stay in grand elegance at the historic 1905 Inn or in pristine comfort at the carriage house, The Wellington Inn will not disappoint.
I doubt these apartments will last long, so contact The Wellington Inn today while there’s still room this summer. For more information on the Wellington Inn, visit their website at www.wellingtoninn.com or give them a call at 231-922-9900.
