Vintage Cars and Classic Innkeepers go together like peanut butter and jelly! A passion for preserving vintage automobiles appeals to many of today’s innkeepers and as a guest at their bed and breakfasts you enjoy special perks, including personalized guided tours and of course unlimited picture-taking opportunities and inside information on the cars in their collections.
Don Martine in Pacific Grove CA operates the Martine Inn as well as being the proud owner of a noteworthy assortment of antique cars ranging from a 1950 MG TD VonNeumann Special racecar that won the 1st Pebble Beach Roadrace, the 1st Palm Springs Roadrace, and the 1st Torry Pines Roadrace, among many others. It was the most winning racecar on the west coast in 1950 and 1951 and still wins races today. Don notes that he finished first at the MGVR Annual Focus event at Mid Ohio, beating 29 other MGs in October 2007. His second favorite would probably be the MG Y Sedan which looks like a miniature Bentley. And it is not only the vintage car collection that is noteworthy; this bed and breakfast offers spectacular ocean views of Monterey Bay, sumptuous rooms with every amenity, beautiful antique pieces and extraordinary service. There are rooms with ocean views, rooms for families and rooms to make romantic memories.
Head northeast across California to Fish Camp where you not only get to stay at the bed and breakfast, Tin Lizzie Inn, but you can rent a Model T and drive it into Yosemite National Park. This classic American car, which celebrates its 100th birthday in 2008, has high ground clearance so it drives very well on the Yosemite trails. Another noteworthy perk is that these roadsters and touring cars have open tops so you get spectacular viewing and picture taking options! Then return for a lovely night’s sleep at the Tin Lizzie Inn, with its Victorian charm and modern amenities. The Tin Lizzie Suite in this B&B comes with a claw foot bathtub, a roaring fireplace, luxurious bed linens, and a flat screen TV addition to a tasty breakfast in the morning. And as guests of this B&B you are treated to a tour of Fish Creek in a Model T!
On the East Coast you will find Toad Hall – a private collection of RED, yes all red sports cars. As a guest of Simmons Homestead B&B in Hyannis Port Massachusetts you have the privilege of visiting the museum anytime and taking pictures to your heart’s content. You can also watch videos of vintage races. And you ask, where did the name come from? Do you recall reading about English animal characters in the late 19th century? The lead character was Toad, Lord of Toad Hall and he loved all the new motor cars, especially the red ones! To highlight a couple in this amazing collection from Innkeeper Bill: there is a 1954 Triumph TR 2, one of the first in a series of classic roadsters produced by Standard-Triumph. Another is the graceful 1953 Jaguar XK-120 FH Coupe with an in-line six engine with dual SUs. Back to the B&B you have a unique opportunity to stay in this 200 year old homestead with an animal-oriented selection of rooms – all with private baths. Try the Herd of Elephants with a large working fireplace which is perfect if you are traveling with your own dog. If you’d like a whimsically romantic room then choose the Zebra Room with its canopy bed.
The Squire Tarbox Inn is located in Wiscasset, midway up the scenic rocky coast of Maine. Here you will find two antique MGTDs belonging to owner and Chef Mario. The MGTD was the first post WWII sports car said to have ignited the imagination of drivers in America, for finally here was a car that was actually fun to drive! Step inside this bed and breakfast and choose from numerous styles of rooms, all with well-chosen New England antiques and many with homemade quilts and of course all the amenities today’s traveler requires, from wireless internet to Posturepedic mattresses and private bathrooms. Don’t forget to leave time to dine at the inn’s restaurant where Chef Mario presides and which features vegetables grown organically on the inn’s farm as well as fresh seafood.
Martine Inn http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/california/martine.htm
Tin Lizzie Inn http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/california/tinlizzie.htm
Simmons Homestead Inn http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/massachusetts/simmonshomestead.htm
The Squire Tarbox Inn
http://www.iloveinns.com/bed_and_breakfasts/maine/squiretarbox.htm
Still undecided? Browse through the 19,000 B&Bs and country inns offering other locations and interests that might appeal to you. Some of the properties listed above are also in the best-selling bed and breakfast guidebook Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns with a Buy-One-Night-Get-One-Night-Free Certificate. ILoveInns also offers Bed and Breakfast Gift Certificates, a perfect solution to help celebrate any occasion.
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