I am raising my hand now; I admit it and am ready to write about it. I am a reluctant admirer of bed and breakfasts. It’s strange really because I’ve never actually had a bad experience at a B&B and yet, somewhere in the back of the head there’s always the nagging feeling that if I stay at one I will unwittingly walk into a dusty grandmotherly house filled with lace and teddy bears. More than any other property though, the Academy Bed and Breakfast in Annapolis, Maryland has done wonders in forever changing my perception of this great travel option.
Located in the popular colonial town of Annapolis on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, the Academy Bed and Breakfast occupies prime real estate within easy walking distance of the Naval Academy, the waterfront and of course the old town area. The owner, John, bought the historic house a few years ago when it was in a complete state of disrepair. He spent the next couple of years painstakingly restoring the house, keeping intact as many original elements as possible. The result is a modern but historic and comfortable property run by one of the kindest proprietors I’ve ever met.
Walking into the vibrantly colored historic home the first thing I noticed was the attention to detail inside. Sure, the house was gutted and fitted with all of the modern conveniences, but John also kept as many of the historic details as possible. But he did so without creating a stuffy or museum-like experience. This thankfully extends to the exquisite bedrooms that are each unique, well appointed and completely devoid of dusty teddy bears.
Our room was large with all the modern conveniences while maintaining the look and feel of a historic house. While the bathroom had a strange layout, it was huge and even luxurious. The Bed part of B&B lived up to its promises, but the Breakfast went far beyond my expectations. It must take a yeoman effort, but John prepares for each of his guests a delicious four-course breakfast that navigates the line between light and filling without erring. It gave us the energy we needed to tackle the city.
I’ve now stayed at the Academy twice, a rarity in its own right. As much as we love Annapolis I really feel that it is John and his hospitality that keep drawing us back and I know that trip number three isn’t too far in the future.
