Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast

Negotiating for Bargain Travel and Lodging

2009-04-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Every time I turn on the television or pick up a magazine the media are encouraging the traveler to negotiate for better travel bargains. The following is one innkeeper's perspective on this subject: Mother always told you that "You get what you pay for.". I really believe that this holds true when you travel. In this past year we have had more people try and play "Let's Make a Deal" with lodging prices. From the innkeeper perspective we look at what we offer, what it costs to offer that and what we need to charge for a room to make that happen. The traveler, however, wants a lower price. So, how does the innkeeper make that happen? For example, you have a luxury, Jacuzzi room with a fireplace. You offer luxury bath robes, upscale amenities, chocolates from the local chocolate factory by the bedside, complimentary bottled water & hot beverages, high thread-count sheets that feel like satin, over-sized bath towels and a homemade breakfast made from scratch. The published rate on the room for a weekend is $175 but the traveler wants to bargain you down to $99. What does the traveler want to give up? In order for the innkeeper to knock $76 off the room rate does the traveler want to give up amenities, breakfast, chocolates, have cheap sheets? Probably not. Another expense would be the person to clean that luxury room. It takes a good hour to thoroughly clean that room but if the traveler wants a $99 rate does the innkeeper give the housekeeper 15 minutes to make it look good? We've met a former housekeeper at a hotel that told us that they were given 15 minutes to clean a room. So they clean your toilet, rinse your bath tub and make your bed and maybe vacuum the main walk way in their 15 minutes. Do you really want to sleep in a room that had 15 minutes of housekeeping? We've also heard that there is a major outbreak of bed bugs in the USA right now. In order to get that $99 rate do you think that hotel is going to bring in a pest control guy on a regular basis? Probably not. Smaller B&B's who offer lodging as a means of income are in less of a negotiating position than the big hotels with more rooms, however the traveler needs to decide if they want luxurious amenities and a clean room or sacrifice what they get for a cheaper rate. The next time you make travel arrangements think about the saying "You get what you pay for".
This blog is written by Carol Steffey, Owner at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Holmes County Ohio Amish Country.

Ohio Unique and Unusual Places to Visit

2009-04-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

"We've been coming to the area for 20 years and we know about everything" is a common phrase heard by Innkeeper Carol Steffey from Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in near Berlin, Ohio. That presented a challenge: Find unique, unusual and new things that will make the people continue to come back. Below is a list of some of Carol's favorite places:

Bowdens Bells: Vince and Jan work as a team making bells, fountains, birdbaths, feeders and other unique garden folk art handcrafted from recycled materials. Jan specializes in original handcrafted jewelry. Nothing like you've ever seen before!

Holmes County Pottery: Handmade pottery fired in Ohio's largest wood-burning kiln. Using traditional techniques, they offer a standard line of pots from functional to dinnerware to garden planters.

Treaty Line Pottery: Functional and sculptural pottery by Carol Ohl. The stoneware and porcelain pieces are wood-fired in a Japanese-style Noboragama kiln. You're sure to find a treasure to take back home!

Swartzentruber Quilts: These old-order Amish sisters have a home business. Hand quilted quilts, wall hangings, pillow covers. Other items include pot holders, hand braided rugs, aprons, etc. You will also have the opportunity to see the inside of an Amish home when you visit their shop!

Care-n-Share: A shop where you can experience the talents of physically challenged plain people. You'll find uniquely handcrafted baskets, quilts, gift items, candles and more. Proceeds go to physically challenged people, widows, and families with huge medical bills. You will even find baskets made in the shape of the entire USA.

Warther's Carvings: See the works of World Master Carver, Mooney Warther in this mesmerizing tour! Even if you don't like trains or carvings, you have to see this place. Words cannot describe this narrated tour. A place for all ages! In April 2009 they have a special Abraham Lincoln exhibit.

These are just a few of Carol's favorites. If you are a guest at Garden Gate Get-A-Way B&B they will map out an itinerary for you to visit these and other unique and unusual places to visit.

This blog was created by Carol Steffey, Owner of Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast of Millersburg, Ohio.

Travel Saving Lodging During Slow Economy

2009-04-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

When most people get ready to travel and they need a place to stay they reach right for the hotel options in the area. The reason? They think that if they look at a bed & breakfast they will have to share a bath, they won't have any privacy, it's not accommodating to a business traveler and/or it will be like going to Grandma's house to sleep. Most of those people also think a hotel will be cheaper. I just returned from a business trip to Atlanta, Georgia and stayed at a Hyatt hotel. I received a conference "special rate" of $159 per night. I started looking around my room and comparing to the Jacuzzi suite at my bed & breakfast that goes for $165 per night on the same days of the week. I cannot understand why travelers flock to the hotels:

Hotel Daily Rate $159 ... Jacuzzi Suite at B&B $165...Comparable room at B and B $135
Hotel bed had a hard mattress ... Bed and Breakfast suite had pillow-top mattress
Breakfast at the hotel dining room ran $16-$25 ... BandB has complimentary breakfast buffet
Bottled water in hotel room $6 per bottle .... BandB has complimentary bottled water
Hotel had NO complimentary snacks ... BandB has homemade evening snack
Hotel charges for hot chocolate/popcorn....BandB has free hot chocolate/popcorn
Hotel offered shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap & toothpaste...BandB offers shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap, body scrub, make-up remover, herbal bath grains.
Hotel offered NO bed side chocolates....BandB offers bed side chocolates from local factory
Hotel charges for on site parking...BandB offers complimentary parking
Hotel charges for local phone calls....BandB offers complimentary local phone calls
Hotel charges $12 a day for internet ... BandB offers free WIFI
Hotel offers sitting in lobby, lounge or room at night....BandB has gardens, evening campfire, porch swings, glider rockers, rockers on the patio and view of countryside
Both places had Satellite TV
Both places had down alternative comforters
Both places had in-room coffee
I could easily see how a 2 night stay at a hotel could be padded with $150, or more, of add-on charges when a BandB stay can be so more comfortable and offer more personalized customer service.
I keep hearing news casts on TV telling people how to save money in this down economy, but I never hear them telling people to look at a BandB over a hotel to save on a weekend get away or vacation. Why is that?
This blog was written by Carol Steffey from Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Millersburg, Ohio.

Ohio Golf Experiences in the Country

2009-04-03T13:34:00.000-07:00

Many people have played the big golf courses in major cities, but there are some really unique golf courses off the beaten path. If you have ever been to Holmes Country Amish Country you have probably driven by Fire Ridge Golf Course.

Fire Ridge Golf Course has 18 scenic rolling holes with superb playing conditions. It is located off of State Route 39 between Berlin & Millersburg. It was built in 1930 and is a Par 72. It offers bluegrass fairways and large bent grass greens. You're going to love playing this course!

Black Diamond Golf Course was rated one of the Top 25 Ohio Golf Courses in 2002 Golf Digest! They were nominated for America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses for 2003 Golf Digest. Have you ever played a Par 6 up to 720 yards? You can play 9 holes, 18 holes or even play all day!

We also have courses for beginners. Willandale Golf Course is less hilly and less challenging. This course offers 27 holes and has a pro shop on site. You will also find a driving range with grass tees and mats.

Oak Shadows Golf Course is in Tuscarawas County. Just as an artist creates a masterpiece on canvas , Oak Shadows was designed to capture the natural beauty of the area. It encompasses 197 acres of rolling hills, wetlands, countryside, stately trees and more.

River Greens Golf Course has matured into one of the most enjoyable and finest tests of golf in Ohio. The tree lined, soft, lush fairways are constantly maintained and manicured. This contributed to River Greens receiving a 4 ½ star rating, and was named as "... one of North America’s top 201 best public-access courses" by Golf Digest in the 2000-2001 Places to Play publication.

When you are in the area of these golf courses you will also find wineries, cheese factories, Amish culture, gift shops, chocolate factory, etc. Check out the local lodging options to make sure you allow enough time to play golf and enough time to enjoy the area. Many lodging establishments work out special rates with the golf courses in order to offer their guests discounts, so consider a golf package.

This blog was written by Carol Steffey at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast near Berlin, Ohio.

Visit Amish Country in Winter

2009-01-19T14:33:00.000-08:00

The following poem was written in a guest room journal by Katherine Szerdy from Hudson, Ohio, and is shared with her permission:

AN AMISH RENGA POEM

Mother-daughter trip
To Garden Gate Get-A-Way
Amish Paradise
Or warm weather escape

Hospitality
Carol, Herb, and Beverly
Have a special knack
For providing a haven --
Go out of way to spoil guests

Take some time to tour
Baltic, Charm, and Sugarcreek,
Millersburg, Berlin, --
You will be forced to slow down
Behind buggy climbing hill

Alongside of road
Rugged old Amish man walks
Lunch pail in hand
In below zero temperatures
Miles to go before he's home

And we Englishers
Have the gall to air complaints
About winter time --
Don't miss out on the lessons
Which old man winter teaches

Slow down, take the time
Look at sparkling snow landscapes
See the horses breath
Hear snow crunch under your feet
Feel the cold tickle your nose

Time to head back home
After Mom-daughter retreat
We'll be back next year
To smell sparkling snowflakes fall
And taste Carol's homemade bread!

Written by guest at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Holmes County Amish Country

Ohio Weekend Get Aways

2009-01-12T07:43:00.000-08:00

You've been cooped up in the house or married to your job and you're ready to go away for the weekend with your spouse or your best friend...Only problem: They like culture and you like shopping OR They like fine gifts and you like flea markets OR They want to go to wineries, bakeries, cheese houses and you just want to go out exploring, etc. There is one place in Ohio that has something for everyone! Holmes County Amish Country. Some people think that the only reason to visit Holmes County is to see the World's largest Amish community, but it is much, much more. You will find fine gifts and flea markets, fine dining and fast food, golf, spa treatments, chocolate factory, cheese factories, wineries, tours, museums, historical homes, pottery, animal ranches, auctions, hot air balloon rides, Rails to Trails hiking and biking path, antiques, farms, art galleries, furniture builders, quilts, festival and events,and more! Some of the places mentioned are just over the County line, but close enough to visit. When it comes to Amish Culture your can tour Behalt, a narrated mural tour that depicts the history of the Mennonites and Amish. You can also take a back road tour to learn about culture and customs including stops at Amish-owned businesses. Treat yourself to dinner in an Amish home and see how that family lives. Shop the many small businesses owned and operated by the Amish such as candle makers, furniture builders, leather workers, quilts, hickory rockers, basket makers, general stores, etc. For those who prefer a culinary get away, you will find places like Raven's Glenn Winery, Breitenbach Winery, the Winery at Perennial vineyards, Gateway House wine-tasting show room, etc. Looking for some cheese to go with that wine? Our area boasts many cheese factories with award winning cheeses from Guggisburg Cheese Factory, Heini's Cheese (where you can sample 50 kinds of cheese), Walnut Creek Cheese, Pearl Valley Cheese, Steiner Cheese, and more. Coblentz Chocolate Factory will get your taste buds flowing. Not only can you watch the chocolates being made, but you can make up your own box of your favorites or buy something pre-packaged. They have caramels, creams, clusters, nuts, milk chocolate, dark chocolate and so much more! If you've visited an auction or festival in Holmes County you have probably seen them selling Trail Bologna and Swiss sandwiches. There is a small town, Trail, near Walnut Creek where they make the famous, Trail Bologna. You can purchase some to take home in many local cheese factories and bulk foods stores. Speaking of bulk foods, you can find almost any kind of spice, flour, sugar, candy, and miscellaneous foods at places like The Ashery, Walnut Creek Cheese, Troyer's Country Market and more. Off on the back roads the Amish have set up general stores that also include these items that are often less expensive than the bigger stores on the State Routes. For those in to culture you will find some places like no other in the USA! Warther's Carvings Museum is home of the works of world master carver, Mooney Warther. No words can describe the skill and genius of this man who only had a 2nd grade education. You have to see it to believe it and it appeals to all ages. Wendell August Forge have 2 locations in the U.S. and one is in Berlin, Ohio. Not only can you watch the craftsman making items in the back room, but the gift shop is huge with a variety of items from coasters, to bread plates, to wedding/baby gifts and more. Holmes County Pottery has Ohio's largest wood-fired kiln. Meet the artist and watch him forming new creations to firing in the kiln. Treaty Line Pottery is just down the street and worth a stop as well to see their Japanese-style kiln and different styles of pottery. Bowden Bells is a one-of-a-kind place that makes bells and other items from recycled materials. The bells come in different sizes and have beautiful, wind chime-like tones. If you are more in to physical activities you haven't been left out. Holmes County has part of the national Rails to Trails path running through the County. This program is where old railroad tracks have been up-rooted to make way for hiking and biking paths. Holmes County has the only section of path in the USA where you might pass an Amish Buggy. They actual have a "buggy lane" on the trail. There are also several golf courses in the area including a course that has Ohio's only Par 6 hole! So when you are looking for a place with a lot to do, think Holmes County! This blog was published by Carol Steffey, of Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast where they help guests to "experience" Holmes County.

Murder Mystery Packages

2008-09-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

There is something intriguing about murder mysteries that people seek them out. There are different styles of murder mysteries that you can attend. Some larger hotels and restaurants will bring in professional actors and actresses to perform for you while you eat your meal. At the end of the program you can guess "who dun it" and some times there are prizes and awards. Some larger establishments also have interactive murder mysteries where you can walk around and question the characters/professional actors about what they have done and where they have been. For the people who really want to experience a murder mystery you can find one where you get to be an actor/actress. Some B&B's set up murder mysteries that are great for beginners because they are facilitated and tell you when to ask questions and when to reveal clues. Prior to your arrival you will receive your character name, character description and a costume suggestion so that you can have fun preparing for the character that you will portray. These murder mysteries usually involve food and beverage that is served in between the various stages/rounds of the murder mystery. Murder mysteries come in all sorts of themes from weddings to wineries to destinations like Denver or Hawaii. Be sure to search for the kind of murder mystery that appeals to you. This article was written by Carol Steffey from Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast.

Wine in Amish Country?

2008-09-30T16:44:00.000-07:00

While Holmes County Ohio and the surrounding area may be home to the World's largest Amish Community, it is also home to some great wineries! For people who are not really wine drinkers you will find places like Swiss Heritage Winery or Silver Moon to have sweeter wines that are more enjoyable to new wine drinkers. For the "wine snobs" who prefer a more dry wine you will really enjoy Ravens Glenn Winery and the Winery at Perennial Vineyards. Ravens Glenn is located on the Tuscarawas River across from a golf course and has an on-site Italian restaurant with a great view and fabulous food. The Winery at Perennial Vineyards is set in an old barn from the 1800's with a wonderful ambiance and great pizza! Everyone will enjoy Breitenbach Winery which is Ohio's 2nd largest winery. They have drier wines such as a Cabernet and yet if you name a fruit, they sell a wine that is that fruit flavor and more of a dessert, sweeter wine. Rainbow Hills Winery does dinners on the premises. In the summer months you choose from beef or chicken and they have outdoor grills where you can grill your own meat. They provide the side dishes and a bottle of wine for each couple. In the winter months they have indoor gourmet dinners in a log cabin type setting. There are also wine tasting showrooms such as Gateway Place where you can sample wines from approximately 40 Ohio wineries. What goes better with wine than cheese? Holmes County and the surrounding area has several award winning cheese factories and many, many flavors of cheese that go with all sorts of wines. Some say it is the Amish milk that goes in the cheese making that make the cheese so good, but you can decide for yourself. You will also find weekend packages to celebrate your love for wine. One example of this is that Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast and Olde World Bed & Breakfast have teamed up to offer a mini-tour with a gourmet dinner. You will visit Heini's Gourmet Market in Sugarcreek where everything is made in Ohio, especially their wine & cheese. You will also stop at Pearl Valley Cheese Factory and have the opportunity to sample some cheese. Your ultimate destination is Ravens Glenn Winery where you will receive a winery tour and learn how wine is made, participate in a wine tasting with a souvenir glass, and then indulge in a 5-course gourmet dinner that includes 5 different wines to compliment each course. You won't have to worry about how much wine you sample because they will provide the designated driver with the package. There are 6 dates set up for this tour including special packages for Halloween and Valentines Day.
This article was written by Carol Steffey, Owner of Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Millesrburg, Ohio.

Spa Services while on Vacation

2008-02-06T07:07:00.000-08:00

About 5 years ago, if you went on vacation and wanted to pamper yourself with a massage or spa treatments you would have to look to find a Spa in the area of your accommodations. A couple of years ago some luxury inns started a Spa on site. Today there is another option. Today even the smallest B&B can bring the Spa to you with services at the B&B or even in the privacy of your guest room. I'll bet you never thought you could find a Spa or Spa Services in the world's largest Amish community. Well guess again! One such example is at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Holmes County, Ohio. The B&B works with a private Spa who will bring couples massages, a variety of individual massages, and mini-services for bachelorette parties and girls get aways right to the B&B. Guests who really want to pamper themselves can book the Garden Gate Suite with a Jacuzzi and fireplace and receive massages right in their guest room. Guests staying in standard guest rooms can receive the services in a newly designated Spa room which is located on a veranda style porch over looking the beautiful countryside. While it is best to book these kinds of services in advance to insure availability, the innkeepers will also try to make last minute arrangements after you have checked in. Sometimes with just 4 hours notice they can bring the Spa to you! Some lodging establishments will arrange for just relaxation massages or Swedish massages. These services are sometimes delivered by someone with a certificate in massage and others are delivered by a licensed massage therapist. If the guest has a preference they should be sure to ask. The Spa at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast offers both types. Some spas offer wellness massages and programs or use Chinese techniques. There is quite a variety of the kinds of massages that you can receive.
This article was written by Carol Steffey
Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast

Special Experiences in Holmes County Amish Country

2008-01-08T16:03:00.000-08:00

So you have come to visit Amish Country for the day, or even spent a night or two. You drive up and down State Route 39, US 62 or State Route 241. You visit a cheese factory, stop in an Amish-made furniture store and eat a hardy chicken dinner. There are so many ways to experience Amish Country that you are really missing out! For instance, some people pay a local tour company for "concierge" services. They have the tour guide map out a route to visit an Amish quilt maker, a furniture store, an Amish basket maker, Lehman's Hardware and a bulk foods store that they can drive on their own at their own pace. Why??? Did you know that one local bed and breakfast in the Berlin area does this free of charge for their guests. At Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast they have created several itineraries that guests can choose from or they will customize an itinerary just for you. This is all part of their excellent customer service and you don't pay any extra for this service! Many times the city tourists are disappointed when most of Amish Country closes up around 5 p.m. Many of the bed and breakfasts in the area offer packages where you can visit a spa, participate in a murder mystery, take a tour, get a horse and carriage ride and more. Some people call Carol Steffey from Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast the "package queen". Some of her 2008 packages includes: Ladies Spa Get-A-Way, Amish Cultural Tour with Dinner in an Amish Home, Pre-Valentine Gourmet Dinner & Spa, Valentine Romance Package, Winery Tour with Gourmet Dinner, Murder Mysteries, Tuscarawas Valley B&B Wine Tour, Moonlight Serenade Romantic weekend with acoustic guitar & picnic, Mothers Day Weekend garden and spa package, Culinary Delight Tour, and more! If you really want to experience Amish Country you need to stay at a bed and breakfast. The owners know their Amish neighbors, know their area and offer a completely different look at the area. Most hotel staff don't live in the community and cannot even tell you where to eat, let alone plan a package, itinerary or tour. Bed and Breakfast owners usually keep up with special events in the area such as the annual January Pajama Party, or the Corvette Cruise-In at Roscoe Village or the Christmas Events in the area. Don't cut yourself short with just a day trip, but find a bed and breakfast that suits your tastes and really experience Amish Country.
Submitted by Carol Steffey
Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast

Christmas in Amish Country

2007-12-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

Did you ever wonder how, or if, the Amish celebrate Christmas? Well they do! An Amish Christmas, however, is quite different from the way most of us celebrate Christmas. You won’t find Santa, or a Christmas tree, or extravagant gifts, garland and bright colored decorations, etc.
The Amish keep “Christ” in Christmas. If you visit an Amish school around the holidays their Christmas program is based on the Bible. Their celebration is all about the birth of Christ.
They will exchange gifts but you won’t find new cars, diamonds or furs in their gift boxes. They usually give something simple. A young woman may receive some cloth to sew herself a new dress. A young man may receive a pocket knife or flashlight. A child may receive a game, puzzle or toy, but not 20. Spouses who exchange a gift may give each other something like a new egg beater or a thermal travel mug to drink coffee while driving in their Amish buggy.
Like many of the rest of the world, their families will gather to share a meal. You may find traditional foods like turkey, mashed potatoes, noodles, etc. But they also have things that they might make just for the holidays like Monster Cookies. Monster Cookies have several add-ins like M&M candies, nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, etc. They are more expensive to make, so you won’t find them on the table just any old day.
Singing is a very popular pass time and you may find singing in an Amish home at Christmas time. At some gatherings each family that comes to the dinner/gathering will sing a song to all of the others. Some of the songs may be a church or school song, and some will be originals that they made up just for the holiday.
You may also find them playing games at a holiday gathering. They like card games like Dutch Blitz, board games, and homemade games and brain-teasers.
You may hear them speak of “old Christmas”. While they may have a special celebration on December 25th, they celebrate Christmas on January 6th or Old Christmas. If you visit an Amish community on January 6th you will find their businesses closed.
If you visit a community like Holmes County, Ohio, which is home of the World’s Largest Amish Community, you may have the opportunity to take a tour that describes the Christmas traditions and takes you to an Amish home for a meal. Many times if you are staying at a bed and breakfast they will arrange for you to meet the Amish, take a tour and/or have a meal.
This article was written by Carol Steffey at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast.

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Bed & Breakfast?

2007-12-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

It’s Friday afternoon and travelers are calling around trying to find a room for the weekend. The phone rings, the innkeeper answers, “Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast, this is Carol”, and the person on the other end says “A bed and breakfast! I don’t want to stay at a bed and breakfast!” and she hangs up. B&B owners all over the United States experience similar reactions to people wanting to stay in a bed and breakfast.
What is a bed and breakfast anyway? A B&B is a home where the owners opened up extra rooms to travelers and/or put an addition on their home to accommodate travelers. Each bed and breakfast is unique so you need to ask questions to get the kind of accommodations that you are looking for. Some of these lodging establishments have you share a bath with another guest room and some offer private baths. Some bathrooms have shower stalls and some have bath tubs. Some have a private entrance to your room and others make you walk through their home or upstairs to get to your room. Some have double bed, queen beds or king beds. Some specialize in traditional or standard rooms. Some have luxurious Jacuzzi rooms or rooms with fireplaces. Some offer a continental breakfast and some have a gourmet, sit-down breakfast that is served in courses, or anything in between. Some are in the city and some in the country. Some are on a lake and some have beautiful gardens, etc.
How is a bed and breakfast experience different from a hotel experience? Many B&B’s cater to adults so you won’t hear children running up and down the halls and slamming doors. Many B&B’s offer a home-cooked breakfast, not something frozen and thawed from a restaurant supply company. Many B&B’s put a higher thread-count sheets and nicer blankets on your bed to help you have a more comfortable rest. You will also usually find nicer towels and amenities in the bath than you would at a hotel. The biggest difference is the personal touch! If you have never been to the area, a B&B owner will help you find a nice place to eat within your budget. They will tell you the attractions that you just don’t want to miss. They may tell you about that little, out-of-the-way place that a tourist wouldn’t normally find on their own and hotel wouldn’t mention. They will help you plan for a special birthday or anniversary with various packages or reservations. For instance, they might put a cake in your guest room, make dinner reservations for you and then set up a horse & carriage ride after dinner to top of the special occasion. If there is something that you are looking for, shopping for, or wanting to see they can usually tell you if it is available in their area and how to get there. At a bed and breakfast the guest is a V.I.P. and the innkeeper does what they can to make you have a special experience and want to return.
This Blog was written by Carol Steffey, Owner of Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast in Holmes County Ohio (home of the world’s largest Amish Community). For more questions or information about a bed and breakfast stay you may contact Carol at (330) 674-7608 or email at info@garden-gate.com.
www.garden-gate.com

Visiting the World's Largest Amish Community

2007-10-04T14:02:00.001-07:00

Many visitors who come to Holmes County to see the Amish come back to our B&B at night and say how disappointed they were because they traveled from town to town and there were no Amish shops. The Amish who own businesses usually have them on their homesteads or farms. Most of them do not have fancy, commercial signs, but they will have a piece of wood that has been white-washed with hand paint letters saying "Baskets" or "Candles". At our B&B we have created some maps to send our guests on the back roads to find those Amish-owned businesses. Some maps have a variety of businesses and others concentrate on Amish-made furniture or quilts. Some of our favorite places include a candle-maker, a furniture maker, blind broom-maker, basket maker, Amish general store, etc.
The candle maker did not start her business until she was 70 years old. She hand-dips and carves candles with bows, hearts, swirls, etc. Some candles look like a light house, some candles are appropriate for a wedding, and they all come in just about every color in the rainbow! She will even offer to drill the candles for you. This is a technique where the top of the candle is drilled down about 2 inches and filled with a small oil lamp. You will never have to burn your candle down but simply replace the oil instead.
There are many furniture stores in our and the Amish are known for their excellent workmanship. Most of them will customize almost anything that you want. The key is to shop around. We have found that the more off the beaten path the furniture store is, the better the price you will receive. There is one store in particular that we map out for our guests that about 99% go back to and purchase their furniture from.
Move over Longaberger and make room for the Amish basket makers. You won't believe how inexpensive the Amish-made baskets are and how well they are put together. Many have hardwood tops or bottoms with leather handles. Be sure to bring lots of cash.
There are several general stores throughout our area where the Amish shop. They carry everything from kitchen wares, to tools, to baby clothes, to books, toys, gift items, wedding supplies and gifts, and more. Let us map out directions to a few of our favorite for you.
Our favorite quilt shop is owned by some Amish sisters that never married. You actually enter their home and can see how their home is built. They have a couple of rooms with their wares. One room is all quilts that are beautifully stitched and embroidered. The other room has smaller items such as potholders, table runners, placemats, lap quilts and more. This is a must see for quilt lovers and sewers.
Come stay at Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast and let us show you "our" Amish Country. You won't be disappointed!

Carol Steffey,
Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast

Amish-made Furniture

2007-09-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

People travel from all over the United States to purchase Amish-made furniture. Not only is it beautiful, sturdy, made with quality, but you can customize about any piece to meet your ideas and/or decor. When you come to shop for Amish furniture be sure to look around. You will find similar styles in many of the retail stores but you will also find a wide variation in pricing. Stores on State routes in popular towns tend to have the highest prices. We have made a customized map for our guests to take them to several furniture makers/stores. A large percentage of our guests all purchase from the same store. If you are in the market for Amish furniture be sure to ask for our Furniture Shopping Map when you check-in at our B&B.
Carol Steffey
Garden Gate Get-A-Way B&B

We're among Top 10 B&B's in USA

2007-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

BedandBreakfast.com holds an annual contest to determine the top 10 overall best bed and breakfasts in the United States. They also have awards for best food or best hospitality, etc. Guests who have stayed in the nominated lodging establishments review the B&B with bedandbreakfast.com Winners are based on qualitative and quantitative reviews. This September, Garden Gate Get-A-Way Bed & Breakfast was named one of the Top 10 Best Overall B&B's in the United States for 2007-2008!

Carol Steffey
Garden Gate Get-A-Way B&B