Conveniently located mid-way between Lexington and
Natural Bridge at the upper end of a long hollow which follows scenic
Buffalo Creek, Applewood Inn Bed and Breakfast and its 37 acres is perched high
above the creek in a very private and beautiful setting.
This passive solar home is furnished with antiques,
reproductions, quilts and original artwork with massive lodge-style
south-facing porches that afford lovely views of the surrounding woods,
hillside pastures grazed by llamas and the distant mountains.
Off the east end of the house is a full-sized in-ground
swimming pool and on the ground floor a hot tub.
Adjoining the inn's property are more than 900 acres of
forest and meadow criss-crossed with miles of trails for hiking, riding
(bring your own horses) and llama treks. The llama treks are two hour
guided hikes with a llama from the inn.
From the top of the hill just behind the inn, you can
enjoy a 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge, the Short Hills, House
Mountain and the distant Alleghenies. As a guest at Applewood you will
be greeted as friends by Linda and Chris Best, innkeepers for 19 years.
Though just 10 minutes from downtown Lexington, you will
be drawn into the "otherworldly" tranquility of this unique
bed and breakfast which they like to call their "little piece of
heaven."
Rooms:
Quilter's Room:
Spacious ground floor room with four-poster queen bed,
love seat, gas-log fireplace and large bath with Jacuzzi/shower
combination. The room is decorated with a variety of hand-quilted
items and adjoins a small porch with swing. This room is wheel-chair
accessible.
European Room:
A comfortable queen-bedded ground floor room with a
European flair. Artwork from Germany, France and Holland adorns the
walls. A gas log fireplace adds a cheery touch. Adjoining through French
doors is a small porch which in turn adjoins the hot tub room, which
opens onto a patio. A private bath has a shower. For an extra fee,
this room may be booked with private use of the hot tub. The room has
a small gas-log fireplace.
Hillside Room:
A very comfortable room with antique queen four-poster
bed and a small gas-log fireplace. Artwork carries a theme of wildlife
and the hunter. The private bath has a separate vanity area and a
large whirlpool tub/shower. The room opens onto the largest porch and
the side entrance from the porch may be used for access.
Autumn Room:
Opening onto the large porch, this room has an antique
queen bed and private bath with corner shower. The artwork depicts a
variety of Autumn scenes.
Common Areas:
Enclosed Porches:
Because of the passive solar design, the second floor
porches are virtually year round, with temperatures on sunny winter
day reaching into the 80's. The largest porch is 8' by 45'.
Pool:
Located off the east end of the house, this lovely
pool and patio are the setting for the summer barbecues. It is
generally open from May through October.
Dining Room:
On the second floor between the two main porches, the
dining room has lovely views of the mountains and llama pastures.
Common Room:
A comfortable place to relax and enjoy the fireplace
in winter. There is a TV with VCR and a selection of movies.
Meals:
Breakfast (8:30 - 9:00 AM):
Breakfast at Applewood is usually served family style
in the main dining room but can also be arranged to be served on one
of the porches or patios. The menu consists of fresh in-season fruit,
from the inn's garden when possible, fresh-baked herb biscuits, whole
grain breads or muffins and such main courses as Gingered Peach
Soufflé, Corn Pudding, Omelettes, whole grain pancakes or waffles and
breakfast meats. Jams and jellies are made on the premises and are
available for sale.
The emphasis is on hearty, delicious but healthy
breakfasts. The menu changes daily and special diets are cheerfully
accommodated with advance notice.
Dinner (7:00 PM Sunday only):
During the warmer months, usually May through October,
a deluxe poolside barbecue can be arranged in advance, featuring Smoky
Chicken, Rosemary Pork Chops, or Steaks and fresh organically grown
veggies from the garden. This is alfresco dining at its most relaxing,
watching the sunset and the fireflies come out on the hillside.
During the cooler months, dinner is served in the main dining room by
candlelight. It consists of a choice of soup or salad, main course,
desert and coffee or tea.
Dinner is part of our long week-end package; however,
other guests may join us, if dinner is already planned. Please ask for
current prices.
Picnic Lunches:
Hikers or llama trekkers may order a picnic lunch in
advance for an extra fee.
Llama Treks:
Llama treks are guided hikes of about two hours usually
leaving from the inn mid-morning. Each guest who wishes may lead one of
the inn's llamas, which are fascinating creatures with great curiosity
and sense of adventure.
Our furry friends are willing to carry your lunch,
bird/wildflower book and binoculars. In the spring, special wildflower
treks are available from April through May, observing and identifying
the myriads of wildflowers found around the Inn. Bird watching treks in
May and June are also popular.
In the fall, September through November, trekkers get to
view the spectacular fall vistas, and weather permitting, in the winter
they get to see the mountains at their most dramatic, with a coating of
light snow in the crystal clear mountain air while sipping on the hot
chocolate or cider carried by the llamas.
Please ask for current rates.
Horseback Riding:
If given plenty of notice, we will be glad to make
arrangements for you to spend either an hour or two or up to a whole day
riding with an expert local trail guide. We can also make arrangements
for you to bring your own horse and board it at a stable about a mile
away. From there are miles of trails.
Hiking:
Guests may also hike the trails on their own as long as
they take along one of our maps. One could hike several days and do a
different hike every day. Picnic lunches may be ordered in advance.
