Review - Mount Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast, Mentone, Alabama

Relax on the front porch in an old-timey rocking chair and let your senses come alive. See the mountain laurels bloom and the leaves turn colors. Hear the birds singing, the creek babbling and Lickety Split's friendly bark. Smell nature at it's finest. Taste a breakfast so good, you'll think you've died and went to heaven. And leave the stress and worry of everyday life behind, even if only for a short while.

Welcome to Mount Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast. This quaint, cozy Inn is located in Mentone, Alabama, at the top of Lookout Mountain. Mentone is in northeast Alabama, with northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee being close neighbors.

Sarah Wilcox is the Innkeeper and Lickety Split is the Official Greeter. He's really a Golden Retriever but don't tell him that. He thinks he's human! It's their job to make sure that your stay with them is an enjoyable one.

There are plenty of things to do at Mount Laurel Inn and in Mentone. Hiking trails behind the main house will lead you to Desota Falls and Little River. At The Gathering Place, you can sit and chat with other guests, play games or check out videos to watch.

A short drive to downtown Mentone is a must. There's hiking, biking, fishing, snow skiing and horseback rides. Make sure you visit one or all of Mentone's antique shops; you're sure to find something special to take home with you. Dinner at one of Mentone's quaint cottage-style restaurants is a real treat. Choose from fried catfish, rainbow trout, frog legs, steaks, salads and everything in between.

Back at the Inn, the main house offers a beautiful view of the inspiring woods that can be enjoyed through the full size windows or in the rocking chairs on the porch. A separate guest house features beautifully decorated rooms, each with private entrance and bath, TV with VCR, heat and air. Each room has a theme to reflect the setting.

The Wildflower Room is decorated in a blue denim and white eyelet, represents the abundance of wildflowers on Lookout Mountain. Springtime abounds with magnificent blooms from mountain laurel to lady slippers. The Wildflower room offers a queen size bed and an outside porch with a nightly rate of $95-$105.

The Ski Room is done in a dark blue and green plaid; honors Alabama's only ski slope across the river. Winter in Mentone is beautiful with the contrast of boulders and trees on the mountain and the occasional surprise of snow flurries. The Ski room offers a queen size bed and an outside porch with a nightly rate of $95-$105.

With the patchwork quilt and deer heads, the Deer Room recognizes the many friends in the area such as deer, Canadian geese and wild turkey. Walks through the woods in the early morning or at dusk often give guests a glimpse of Mountain Laurel's neighbors. The Deer room offers a king size bed and an outside porch with a nightly rate of $95-$105.

The Bridal Room is done in a pink floral and twig pattern; is so named for the Mentone Wedding Chapel next door. Anytime of year is appropriate to celebrate and enjoy each other. The Bridal room offers a queen size bed and an outside porch with a nightly rate of $95-$105.

Decorated in a cheery yellow with wonderful skylights, the upstairs Apartment has two rooms with a king size bed in one and a trundle bed and kitchenette in the other. May accommodate 2-4 people. Like all of the mountain, this room is just a little closer to heaven. The apartment has a nightly rate of $120-$130 for two and $150-$160 for four people.

My wife and I were fortunate enough to have spent a couple days at Mount Laurel B&B last year. We stayed in the Wildflower Room and let me tell you, it was magnificient. I hated to leave. But we'll be back, just as soon as we can.

The Mount Laurel Inn Bed and Breakfast. As close to heaven as you can get without actually dying.