Burlington's Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast Inn

New Espresso Machines and Nancy on the Morning News

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:31:00 +0000

Guests at the inn will find a new update in their favorite rooms and suites. Espresso machines have been added in all five accommodations, so you can enjoy a warm and comforting drink in the morning before breakfast, during the day to relax, or as a nightcap after dinner.

Photo source and description: http://www.nespresso-us.com/machines/u/

And related to drinks and food, Nancy was recently featured on the Fox 19 Cincinnati Morning Show. She shared tips related to her signature Creme Brûlée French Toast and the clip shows a tutorial on how to torch the top of this treat before serving. If you click on the following link, it will play the morning show clip after a short commercial by the news station: Click here for video.

Thank you!

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 16:09:00 +0000

Just wanted to THANK YOU so much for all your support over this last week! While we came in just 39 votes shy of moving on in the Breakfast Tournament yesterday, we sincerely appreciate all our AMAZING guests and friends that voted. You all are the very best, and we couldn't do what we do without you. Thanks again!

Check Out Our New Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 03:22:00 +0000

We have a new video to share that profiles our property and the experience awaiting guests at Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast.

Taylor Morris Update

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 18:52:00 +0000

Nancy and Bob's son, Dan, was teammates in the Navy with Taylor Morris, whose story we have shared with you along his journey to recover from an explosion in Afghanistan. This week, Taylor and his girlfriend were invited to the White House for the swearing in ceremony, to be on the Citizen Co-Chair float in the parade, and attend the Commander-in-chief Ball.

As you read their latest blog post update, I have no doubt you will be as inspired as we all are by how Taylor is recovering from injuries that led him to be the 5th person at Walter Reed to ever survive a four limb amputation. At the end of the update, Taylor's girlfriend shares they are heading soon to the x-games in Colorado and Taylor has been fitted for a snowboard. Wow!

Taylor is truly a hero.

(photo from www.taylormorris.org)

Gift Idea for the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 02:16:00 +0000

Give (or ask to receive) a relaxing getaway at

Burlington's Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast Inn!

We can customize gift certificates for any amount over $25 to be used toward a romantic and relaxing stay at our inn. The recipient can choose between two masterfully restored early and mid-1800s buildings: the 1850s log cabin and the 1830s Federal brick homestead. In every detail, from the luxurious whirlpool baths and steam showers to our full gourmet breakfast served on individual tables dressed in white linens, guest comfort is our top priority. Our goal is to understand our guests and deliver a lasting impression that involves all five senses: the sight of antiques and comfortable surroundings, the sound of soft music, the touch of plush towels, the smell of the freshly ironed sheets, and the memorable taste of homemade cookies.

Call us at 888-226-5096 to give a memorable gift of relaxation this Christmas!

Halloween and Fall Events

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 21:41:00 +0000

Fall is in the air! If you are looking for reasons to come to the Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati area to getaway and celebrate there are a variety of events such as:

Sunrock Farm Pumpkin Patch Tour
Howl-O-Palooza in Soak City - Kings Island
Pumpkin Days on the Farm - Benton Family Farm
Trick-or-Treat with the Dinosaurs - Kings Island
Pumpkin and Gourd Festival - Bonnybrook Farms
USS Nightmare - BB Riverboats Newport Landing
HallZOOween - Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden

For a full listing and additional information about Cincinnati-area events this month, check out http://rodeo.cincinnati.com/ent/events/catresults.aspx?c=18.

And if you are looking for decorating ideas, don't miss last year's blog post on how to make vellum window decorations (http://www.willisgraves.blogspot.com/2011/10/halloween-decoration-ideas.html).

Taylor Morris Unstoppable Event

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 21:47:00 +0000

As you may remember from earlier blog posts, Nancy and Bob's son, Dan, is in the Navy. Taylor Morris and Dan were part of the same team in Afghanistan, and Taylor was injured.

As one way to show our support, we wanted to pass on information about a special event for this courageous young man:

Mountain Biker Review

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:43:00 +0000

Our thanks to a recent guest, J.B., who took time to share pictures and information about the mountain bike terrain at nearby England-Idlewild Park (just a half mile away from the inn). For those who might enjoy a bike adventure during their stay, we thought we would pass along his writing and photos. Thanks again, J.B.!

"If you’re a mountain biker or recreational trail rider the England-Idlewild park is the perfect place to ride when staying at the Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast Inn. It’s just a short ride from the Inn. The park’s rolling terrain is spider webbed with paved trails and bridges. If dirt is your preference then the hike n bike trails are great. You could ride for over an hour on the well maintained wide single-track over lumps, bridges, roots and through berms (banked turns). The hills were manageable even from a standing start. The trails are well marked and you’ll probably meet a friendly cyclist or two along the way. I know you’re on holiday but getting a ride in early before a fantastic breakfast might be worth it. Of course sleeping in here is good too and if you’re staying more than one night, problem solved. I hesitated about bringing my 29er at first, but it was worth the trouble because it just simply added to a great stay at the Inn."

Guest Room Details: Pillows

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 19:36:00 +0000

From time to time, a guest will ask us about the bedding that is used in our guest rooms. We recently contacted the manufacturer of the pillows that we use, and have obtained permission to order them for guests that are interested in adding them to their beds at home. Just ask us if you have any questions or need additional information. We put together the following PDF with details and information: http://www.flickr.com/photos/willisgraves/7734942504/sizes/h/in/photostream/

Top 10 Bathrooms

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:16:00 +0000

BedandBreakfast.com recently released a list of Top 10 B&B Bathrooms - we are grateful to be included in such a list of pampering places. For more information and a full list of inns with this designation, visit: http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/toplists/top-10-bathrooms

Welcome Home, Heroes!

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 18:33:00 +0000

You may remember from earlier posts that Nancy and Bob's son, Dan, is in the Navy. We are all celebrating the recent return of his team from Afghanistan! What you may not know is that Dan is continuing to recover after being shot in the foot while in the line of duty. We are so proud of him - his service and sacrifice - and wish him and his beautiful wife, Elizabeth, all the best as he recovers and they enjoy being back together in Virginia.

Nancy and Bob went down to welcome Dan and his teammates as they arrived home last week. One of his teammates, Taylor, surprised everyone when he arrived in new temporary legs, walking. You may remember Taylor from an earlier blog post when we shared about his injuries as a quadruple amputee and the road of recovery that is ahead for him. We will post links at the bottom of this blog post for you to read more about Taylor and how we all can support him. There will be a special fundraiser for Taylor in October, so we will keep you posted when we have more information.

Homecoming Photos - We are so proud of these young men!

Dan and Elizabeth

Dan's Bride, Elizabeth, and his sister, Elizabeth

Bob with Dan

Dan

Nancy and Taylor and Taylor's Girlfriend, Danielle

Dan and Elizabeth

Dan

Dan and Elizabeth

Dan's Foot - Recovering!

The Team

Taylor Morris - Links to websites that share the story of this courageous young man:

http://thechive.com/2012/05/31/chivers-this-is-the-story-of-taylor-morris-22-photos/

www.taylormorris.org

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/taylormorris/mystory

Nancy and Bob with Taylor and Isaac at Walter Reed

Happy 4th of July!

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 03:45:00 +0000

We wish you and your loved ones a Happy Fourth of July this weekend!

Room Updates: Flat-screen televisions

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 03:41:00 +0000

For those of you who may not have been at the inn lately, all five rooms/suites now feature flat-screen televisions for you to enjoy during your stay!

Margaret Retires July 6th

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 02:59:00 +0000

Many of you have grown to know and love Margaret over the years during your visits. Margaret and Nancy are both from Mt. Healthy; Margaret’s youngest sister was even Nancy’s best friend in high school. Twenty-five years ago, Margaret was hired by Bob’s medical group, and over the last eight years she has also worked at the bed and breakfast.

As Margaret prepares to retire on July 6th, we thought our guests would want to know of her upcoming transition. If you so desire, please feel free to send us an email message or card to celebrate Margaret’s hospitality over the years.

She will be missed!

Margaret making the famous Creme Brûlée French Toast

E-mail: inn@burligrave.com

Address: 5825 N Jefferson Street, Burlington, KY 41005

The Amazing Cooks in the Kitchen!

Margaret, Jean, and Nancy

Survey Update and Going Green

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:38:00 +0000

Our thanks to everyone who took time to share your thoughts about our breakfast offerings and other aspects of your experiences in the recent email survey. We were flattered by all your kind comments! Based on your feedback, don't expect any changes to the menu, but as always please let us know if you have any special dietary requests.

In the survey responses, one guest inquired about what green and environmentally friendly practices take place at Willis Graves Bed and Breakfast Inn. Thanks for asking! Over the years we have adopted several changes to do our part to help the environment, such as:

- We have replaced the bottled water in guest rooms with water pitchers and glasses.

- We have changed our cleaning products used for housekeeping throughout the inn.

- We have changed our in-room shampoo and soap toiletries to BeeKind products by Gilchrist & Soames. The in-room sizes reduce plastic waste and include organic ingredients. In addition, according to the company website, "A portion of the net profits of this product supports honey bee and sustainable pollination research."

- Each bathroom has a sign with directions to give guests the option of hanging towels that do not need replaced during their stay.

- Weather permitting, we line dry all our sheets to save on power/electricity. This previous blog post provides additional details and tips if you decide to try this at home: http://www.willisgraves.blogspot.com/2009/10/tips-for-freshly-ironed-sheets-and.html.

New In-Room Binders

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:06:00 +0000

We recently updated our in-room binders so that guests have the most up-to-date information about guest amenities, area attractions, restaurants, etc.

If you want to check out details about various itineraries and attractions before your arrival, you can visit our website (www.burligrave.com) or check out the in-room binder pages on Flickr.com using this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/willisgraves/sets/72157629840944540/detail/.

As always, just ask us if you have any questions we can help you with as you plan and prepare!

Area Attraction: Eagle Bend Alpaca Farm

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:00:00 +0000

The Eagle Bend farm, located in Burlington, is where our inn gets the farm fresh eggs used at breakfast. It is also the largest alpaca farm in the state and tours are available with advance notice. Their Fiber Workshop store is filled products for sale such as beautiful raw fleece and items made from the alpaca. This farm is one stop of the Ring of Boone County tour; the itinerary can be downloaded from our website at: http://burligrave.com/images/boone-county-tour-itinerary-1.pdf

Additional information about Eagle Bend Farm can be found on their website (www.eaglebendalpacas.com) and Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Eagle-Bend-Alpacas/121108911908?v=app_2309869772&ref=ts).

Some pictures from our visits:

Taylor Morris: Navy Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 18:01:00 +0000

As many of you know, Nancy and Bob's son, Dan, is in the Navy. Taylor Morris is a member of Dan’s team in Afghanistan, and he was injured about one month ago, and is now a quadruple amputee. He’s doing better than expected, but has a long, tough road ahead. According to an article online:

Upon his arrival, Taylor became only the 5th person at Walter Reed to ever survive a four limb amputation. His physical progression in the last three weeks has defied everybody's expectations, "My body is responding well. I'm already sitting up. I'm very fortunate." Just yesterday, the stitches in his arms were removed and he was fitted for prosthetics.

As one way to show our support, we wanted to take a moment to share links to websites that share the story of this courageous young man:

http://thechive.com/2012/05/31/chivers-this-is-the-story-of-taylor-morris-22-photos/

www.taylormorris.org

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/taylormorris/mystory

Snapshots from Monthly Burlington Antique Show

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 02:07:00 +0000

As many of our guests know, the Burlington Antique Show is held the third Sunday of every month, April - October. Show hours are 6:00am - 3:00pm and in addition to furniture, signs, trinkets, and other antiques, there are several food vendors if you are hungry for lunch during your stay.

Remaining dates for 2012:

June 17

July 15

August 19

September 16

October 21

Don't forget our multiple night special rate for reservations in the Graves' Suite, William Rouse Suite, and William Rouse Retreat over the weekend.

Snapshots from April's Burlington Antique Show

Burlington Tractor Pull: June 1-2, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Tue, 22 May 2012 02:19:00 +0000

Do you like tractor pulls? We had a cancellation, so there is new availability during June 1-2 while an annual Tractor Pull is held at the Boone County fairgrounds bordering the inn. Call us for more information at 859-689-5096.

Window Surprises and Job Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:38:00 +0000

Guests in Catharine's Room had a surprise out the window this spring season! A bird nest with three blue eggs found a home on the exterior window sill. By the time you read this the new birds will have likely flown from nest, but this is a snapshot of the colorful eggs.

In other inn news, we are hiring! If you know anyone in the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati area who is looking for a job, please feel free to pass on the following information.

Thanks and News

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:44:00 +0000

Many thanks to our great guests for contributing through your reviews to this news: We were just selected Top B&B for Most Romantic in the Annual 5-Star Service Awards by the Bed and Breakfast Association of Kentucky, 2012-2013. The Awards Program is based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent B&B Guest reviews submitted to TripAdvisor.com and other leading Travel Review Sites. Again, thank you!

Cabin in the News

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 21:31:00 +0000

A travel writer from The Columbus Dispatch recently paid us a visit. Click here to be taken to his article and read about his experiences in the Log Cabin Suite!

Antiques Roadshow Producers Next Door: May 20, 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:16:00 +0000

If you are a fan of the popular television show Antiques Roadshow, the producers will be taping a new series at the Burlington Antique Show on May 20, 2012! This is located right next to our property on the county fairgrounds.

The producers are working on a cross-country competition series, with the working title "Market Wars" and it will air Summer/Fall 2012.

Click on the document below for more information related to the market and this exciting event.

The Burlington Antique Show is held the third Sunday of every month, April - October:

Show hours: 6:00am - 3:00pm

April 15

May 20

June 17

July 15

August 19

September 16

October 21

There are still rooms available during the upcoming market, and we are offering a multiple night specie ratel for reservations in the Graves' Suite, William Rouse Suite, and William Rouse Retreat.

New Website and Valentine's Day Options

noreply@blogger.com (Willis Graves Inn) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:51:00 +0000

Our new website is live and we shared options for Valentine's Day celebrations in our latest e-news update!

Click here for details.