Romance at the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast, Hampton, Iowa

Last minute planning is generally not my style but when one arrangement falls through, another must take its place. A romantically assembled evening for a Valentine holiday took several weeks of organization, only to be destroyed a few days prior to the event. Frantically, I began searching, grasping for any idea or romantic escape in order to create the proverbial "Plan B". I sifted through hundreds of websites and made numerous phone calls, only to find all accommodations were booked well in advance, yet the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast in Hampton, Iowa came to my rescue.

As a veteran of bed & breakfasts, I am prone to seek out plush mansions, lavish castles, or bizarre locations, all for a unique experience. Only one option was available at this point; I must admit that this was far from my first choice too. Armed with the little information listed on the website, I took the leap and made the call. A pleasant voice on the end of the line made me aware that not only did they have a vacancy, but all rooms were available...on Valentine's Day no less! This information, coupled with the fact that this was a house rather than the previously mentioned accommodations, did not set my mind at ease. Letting go of my apprehension, I continued. The innkeeper graciously secured a room for the evening as well as recommending reservations at a local eatery. Jumping at the chance for food, not to mention the possibility to leave the inn for a few hours if the accommodations were sub-par, those reservations were also completed.

Just off the main highway leading into the small town of Hampton, Northern Iowa idly resides the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast. A large home, gazebo, and barn surrounded by farmland, along with the amazing scent of the unrestricted mid-February breeze, welcomed my fiancée and me upon arrival. We were greeted by a large friendly black lab on our way to the entrance. A few knocks later, Lacey--innkeeper and breakfast preparer extraordinaire--was giving us a tour of the lodgings.

My panic washed away upon entry of the elegant home. Led to the second level, which contains the Pine Suite in addition to the Mahogany Suite, the two of us were shown our room. The amenities for each include a queen bed, private balcony, fireplace, heart shaped whirlpool bath with skylight, shower, television, and a goody basket of gifts. Beautiful chandeliers adorn the ceiling along with the Amish furniture located in the Pine Suite. The Mahogany Suite, as its name would suggest, contains mahogany furniture. As a rule, furnishings do not interest me, but here everything was elegantly arranged and certainly noteworthy.

The second floor also contains another much smaller room, used mostly as a gathering place for guests. In this room you will find a coffee pot and microwave for the items in the goody basket included in the room rate. Please note that chocolate, tea or coffee, and popcorn were included in the basket and special requests such as wine or massage oils are welcomed. Charges may apply for special requests. A private third floor is reserved for the Bridal Suite. Amenities for the Bridal Suite include a queen bed, private balcony, fireplace, whirlpool bath with surrounding mirrors, shower, and television, as well as an accompanying basket of goodies.

All Suites have mood lighting to add to the romance of the setting. Though the temperature outdoors in the Midwest can be rather frigid, mid thirties on this Valentine's eve, the fireplace allowed us to relax comfortably on the private balcony with the entrance door ajar. The balcony door never closed in the Pine Suite that evening due to the roaring fire which not only served as our warmth, but also kept the room alight. The atmosphere of the Suite allowed for complete relaxation after a long calming soak in the whirlpool bath. Falling into slumber was of little trouble considering the coziness of the adult cradle that enveloped my form as I began to drift off.

The fire was still blazing as the sun rose through the trees, the light landing upon my face. The aromas of the morning's offerings crept in beneath the door, developing anticipation for our meal. As we entered the dining room on the first level of the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast, we saw the spread of juices, fruit, toast, and eggs, along with an assortment of other breakfast items. Innkeeper Lacey did a remarkable job of making us feel comfortable while expanding our stomachs. Lacey's pleasant conversation lead us out the door following our enjoyable meal. The same large black lab that greeted us upon arrival was now seeing us off during our departure.

It has been justified that one cannot judge a bed & breakfast by its website, or it's façade for that matter. By no means is the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast website bad, it just seems a little short on information. Failing to capture the elegance of the location, the romantic ambiance of the suites, and the overall magnificence of the grounds is a detriment not only to this superb Bed & Breakfast, but also to potential guests.

The Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast is an absolute can't miss getaway for romance. An attention to detail on top of a commitment to personal comfort & privacy, the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast is pure, down-to-earth, rural luxury. To the make reservations at the Country Heritage Bed & Breakfast (which you should do immediately) please see the official website at www.countryheritagebb.com or contact Lacey at 866-456-4036.