Last night we attended the gala dinner event in Columbus for the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association in the hopes that we, as one of the three finalists, would be chosen as the 2010 Ohio B & B of the Year. Alas, it was not to be. We did not come in as Number 1. That honor went to the Garden Gate Getaway in Millersburg, Ohio in the heart of Amish country. Our congratulations to them! They had over 300 reviews compared to our 50 over 8 years. Pretty impressive!

SO I GUESS WE ARE EITHER THE 2ND OR 3RD BEST B & B IN OHIO FOR 2010! YEAH!!!!!And that's not bad considering all the B & B's in Ohio! And since no runners up were announced by OH&LA we will declare ourselves as the runner up at #2!

Following you will find the answers to the required questions presented to us by the OH&LA. We hope you enjoy reading what we have to offer and what we have done for the community. And then we hope you give us a call. Come and stay and let us know how 1830 Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast can become # 1!

How long has this B&B been in operation? __8 _Years__

How many rooms does this B&B have? 2 Regular Rooms and 1 Two-room Suite__

How long has this B&B been an OH&LA member? 1 Year___

Describe this B&B and list any improvements or renovations made in the past year.

The presence of a dry cistern, a cellar hiding place with a cut out in a floor board in the room above it, all support the assumption that this circa 1830 house, which is now a 3 room Civil War themed B & B, was a stop on the Underground Railroad. To carry out the Civil War theme, the two regular rooms are named the Union and Confederate Rooms and each has on display the appropriate authentic sword and pistol and a reproduction uniform which were donated to us by a past guest. The two-room suite is named the Mason/Dixon Suite after the dividing line of the Civil War and it has approximately 560 square feet of space for guests to enjoy. The B & B is located in the country but just minutes from a small college town and just 40 minutes from a major metropolitan area,

Since it’s beginning in 1830, the house has seen several additions over the years, the last two having been done by the present Innkeepers. These additions, done in 1998 and 2005, are the downstairs Asian themed Spa bathroom for guest use and a private second floor carriage barn for the innkeepers. In October of 2009 a new exercise room was added in one half of the large garage. It was made private by surrounding it with tatami screens. Guests can choose to workout on a new, top brand, treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, or Bow Flex while they enjoy satellite TV programming or their own IPod. Also added in February of 2010 was a smaller dining area for guests who prefer a more private breakfast experience and to more comfortably accommodate larger groups at breakfast. Placed in this room is an 18th century Sheridan cherry table with a turning ‘lazy Susan’ top. A new addition to the garden this summer was an old door from the house. The glass panes were removed and in each pane there was hung various chandelier crystals. It is now the welcome door for the garden. In October of 2009, the house was totally insulated to seal up the old house drafts.

What unique services and amenities are offered by this B&B?

AMENTIES: Guests of this B & B enjoy several unique amenities found at very few other B & B’s The musically inclined can play for hours at the baby grand digital piano or the 1890 player pump organ, strum a guitar, or blow the trumpet. The physically inclined can work out in the well equipped gym or swim in the 20 X 40 ft. in-ground swimming pool. And those who just want to sit and relax can stroll the pathways through the acre of unique garden rooms, sit on the sandy mini beach, or relax in the covered pavilion and watch the flowing stream as it cascades over the upper waterfall and meanders down to the pond below. In the fall and winter guests can enjoy the two outdoor fireplaces, the bonfire pit, or the wood burning fire inside. There is free off-street parking, free WIFI, complimentary toiletries, a mini refrigerator in each room stocked with complimentary snacks and beverages, and smoothly ironed, high quality sheets on each bed. There are hand made quilts and down comforters in each room and the candy dishes are supplied with hard mints and Lindt’s Truffles.

SERVICES: This B & B offers concierge service in the way of recommendations from the innkeeper’s first hand experiences to all points of the city, county, and other out lying areas. This service includes not only restaurants, but also car repair, museums, directions, coupons, events, reservations, and on site secure parking for bicycles and special cars. On many occasions when a guest is relying on public transportation, the innkeeper will volunteer to drive him into town or pick him up at end of day. At breakfast, the innkeeper tells stories about the history of the town, how it was settled and how it was part of the Underground Railroad and the Civil War. Package deals are offered with dinner coupons, boxed lunches, a bag of Ohio made products, a basket of relaxation products, and a free night after so many stays. Because accommodations are scarce for the local college commencement and to give all past guests an equal chance of staying at the B & B, the innkeepers use a lottery system for filling the three rooms. Guests receive one ticket for each night they stay over the course of three years.

What awards or honors has this B&B recently received?

In 2003 this B & B was named by the local Chamber of Commerce as New Business of the Year. In 2004 and again in 2008 this B & B was nominated for the County Beautification award for Historic Preservation.

What community service programs is this B&B involved with?

In June of 2010 this B & B was a sponsor of the Freedom Tour, a 30 day bicycle tour by a minister and friend who were riding on the Underground Railroad bike trail to call awareness to the problem of human slave trafficking. The riders began in Alabama and after their free overnight stop here at the B & B, were making their way to their destination in Buffalo, NY. The innkeepers donate many free nights each year to charitable organizations, schools, and benefits for people in need.

The Innkeepers are members of three local Historical Societies. One of the innkeepers is secretary to the Township Historical Society and he was instrumental in getting a historical landmark plaque placed on the Civil War monument and he lead the rededication of that monument this past July 2010. He has given several talks to community groups on the Civil War and the local community’s involvement in the Underground Railroad.

What aspect of this B&B makes it deserving of the Ohio B&B of the Year Award?

This Ohio B & B is small in size with only 3 rooms but what it lacks in size and rooms is made up for in amenities and services offered by the Innkeepers. It is this smallness that allows the innkeepers to give personalized service to every guest as soon as they make a reservation. Very few B & B’s have on site a swimming pool, a gym, sauna, unique gardens, ponds, stream, fireplaces, complimentary stocked in-room refrigerators satellite TV, free WIFI, and a four course breakfast served on china and with sterling silverware and crystal stemware. But the most important thing that makes this B & B deserving of the Ohio B & B of the Year Award is the friendly service and the Innkeepers who strive to give their guests an experience that they will forever remember. And this is proven in the occupancy rates over the past year. The occupancy rate in May, 2010 was at 79% with December, 2009 the lowest at 28% (only because the innkeepers took a week long Christmas vacation with family and missed out on two multiple day stays). The average occupancy rate for this B & B from September 2009 to the end of August, 2010 is at 53%, well over the national average of 38%. That is the ultimate indicator that guests come and then they come back.

This B & B is a boutique B & B at a commercial price.

We would appreciate your feedback. Post your comments here! And thank you! Hope to see you visit us soon!