An Unusual Place to Stay

Got a surprise this morning when I came across an article on Cleveland.com titled "10 of the most unusual places to stay in Ohio" written by Susan Glaser of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Since I am always looking for unique places to go when we need a getaway I began following the arrows to see just what Ohio has to offer in the way of unusual places.

I discovered that here in Ohio you can sleep in a tree house, a caboose, a jail, a yurt, a barn, a castle, a dude ranch, a winery, an art museum (yes an art museum!), an animal conservation reserve, a yurt, a barn, and a Civil War Underground Railroad house (this one being ours - 1830 Hallauer House Bed and Breakfast! Wow! Ms. Glaser called us several days ago for permission to use some pictures for an article for the Plain Dealer but I was really excited to see us listed as one of the 10 unusual places to stay! Thank you Susan for your super article!

So please take a few minutes to follow the arrows at the link: http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/09/10_of_the_most_unusual_places.html#1
We are number 18 and 19.

And when you want to stay somewhere different keep us all in mind!
We are unusual and we are in Ohio!

Fiftieth Anniversary on Motorcycles!

Saturday morning we said goodbye to two most interesting couples who have stayed with us here at Hallauer House, Clyde and Susie Houser and Tom and Sandy Young from New York state. They roared in on their Harley motorcycles, Clyde and Susie's an apple green and Tom and Sandy's a midnight blue. After about 6 hours on the road they were glad to plant feet on the ground and to take a walk through the gardens.

We then invited them to the pool deck where we presented them with a bottle of champagne to toast the 50th anniversary of both couples! That's right 50th anniversary and their gift to themselves is a cross country motorbike tour from their home in New York state to Arizona with many stops in states and landmarks along the way. We were the first stop on that long and amazing journey.

Both couples were friends in their younger days having lived in the same town. Then as children arrived and Clyde and Susie moved to another town a few miles away they sort of drifted apart but remained acquaintances. Then a few years ago they ran into each other and in their catching up they found that each of them had just bought a motorcycle! A Harley at that! And so the relationship is now sealed in a "Hog" friendship!

Saturday morning was perfect for breakfast on the pool deck so we sent them off with a menu of mango and cherries topped with Greek vanilla yogurt, Hallauer House muffins, Egg Roulade stuffed with peppers and onion and served on organic spinach and topped with a creamy cheese sauce, roasted rosemary potatoes, and crispy bacon. The morning went too quickly and soon the Harleys were brought out of the shed and packed up with bags that would fit into all the luggage spots. When you ride a motorcycle you ride light!

After a group hug and jackets, helmets, and glasses were donned we sent our 50th anniversary guests off to continue their special journey. And by the way Joe figured that 50 years together adds up to 36,362 days!!!! Good luck Clyde and Susie and Tom and Sandy! Stay safe and Happy Trails!

The Underground Railroad Quilt

People often ask us what we like most about owning a bed and breakfast and our response is always the same. It's the people who come and stay and share a part of themselves with us.

This past week we had guests from Michigan, Kathie and Robert Fiedler, who found our listing as an Underground Railroad house in Ohio. Kathie is an accomplished quilter and came to our area in search of quilting fabric in historical patterns. Before leaving she showed us her remarkable Underground Railroad quilt of patterned squares that were codes to help slaves escape the bonds of captivity and travel the treacherous trek from the Southern states to safety in Canada before the Civil War. It was through Oberlin, Ohio that many of these slaves seeking freedom came to pass through. And our B & B, with the basement hiding place and floor plug above could have been one such place of safety and refuge.

Kathie gave us a very knowledgeable explanation of what each of the squares coded message meant such as the Log Cabin square hung out meant "Safe House." The Shirt Pattern square meant that clothing could be found here. Arrow in a pattern pointed north to freedom. The Bow Tie square was a symbol indicating that one needed to don a disguise and seek clothing that reflected a person of higher status.  And more squares too numerous to mention because I didn't take notes! You could tell that as she talked she was telling us about a labor of love. Her heart and soul is reflected in the work of her accomplishment and we are so thrilled that she shared this with us. The pictures below show only a small part of the loving labor that is reflected in this fabulous quilt. Thank you so much Kathie for sharing it with us. Someday maybe we will have a small wall hanging of an Undergound Railroad quilt!

Take a walking picture tour around the 1 1/2 acres of garden rooms at Hallauer House. The pathways are named for the garden helpers. There is RaRa Road, Emmy Expressway, Amel Ave., Jenn Junction, Darby Drive, Ethan Alley, Dawn Drive, Brenner Blvd., Poppop Pathway, Georgia Gate, Grayson Gulch, Maya Mile, A Walk Through Thyme, Rosecake Walkway, and Path to Goldi's Pond. Walk by the garden rooms - Western Shutter Garden, Moss Hill, Ceres's Room, Sound scape Garden, Twin Oaks, Ivytree Garden, Goldie's Pond, Stairway to Freedom, Plowshare End, Ode to a Grecian Urn, Crystal Entrance, Fairy and Herb Garden, The Beach, and of course The Pool! Enjoy the pictures!

Hidden Hotel Fees

A new investigation has found that the hotel industry is starting to follow the airline industry into adding on fees for more profit. Some of the FEES cited in the report are:

• $10.00 - $15.00 per day WIFI fee and some are charging per each device.
• $25.00 and up per day resort fee ( looked at a resort last year and the resort fee was $200.00!)
• $10.00 and up charge to use exercise facility
• $12.00 and up charge for using the coffee maker in your room
• $15.00 - $25.00 parking fee to park your own car
• Of course we all know there is a mini bar fee for each item taken, but now a fee when you move an item! That will set off a sensor and automatically charge your room! 
• If the hotel has a spa, there is a fee
• Then there are the pool towel fees, 
• watch your luggage fees, 
• late and early check-in fees
• room cleaning fees (for the maids to come in and straighten your room daily)
• energy surcharge fees  
• telephone fees
• turn down service fee
• concierge fee
• bellhop service fee 
• and of course there is always the sales tax and bed tax added on at the end.

The fees are popping up and many times guests do not hear about them until they go to check out. Sometimes the fee list will be in very fine print at the bottom of your check-in paper. And who wants to take the time to do that!

So our advice - The better way to stay could very well be to stay in a small, quaint bed & breakfast. Here at Hallauer House our mini refrigerator bar is FREE. Our WIFI is FREE. Parking is FREE. Use of pool is FREE. Pool towels are FREE. Late or early check-in is FREE. Use of the exercise and rec room is FREE. Use of Asian Spa is FREE. Daily room straightening is FREE. Use of telephone is FREE. Luggage watch is FREE. Gas, electric, and water are FREE. Use of the 'resort' is FREE. Coffee and tea are FREE, even Keurig coffee!  Concierge service is FREE. Bellhop service is FREE. And no extra charges for taxes. In other words, the price you see is the price you pay.

So try the B & B experience and see for yourself that it is the better way to stay.

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!

Do You Believe?

This is from a pure skeptic! (This post was written by my Innkeeper partner/husband)

We have had several "sensitive people" tell us that the room in the northwest corner of our house ( Union Room in the B & B) has a spirit.

The first occurrence of some note has been the 'odd' feeling people have shared when looking at the north window of the room - an eerie sensation that made them feel sad. I personally, began to weep while painting in that area over 8 years ago. (Maybe it was the paint fumes?)

Last year we had a 'ghost hunter' stay in that room but he experienced no sightings nor did he have any 'odd feelings'. But our youngest daughter claims that the lights flashed on and off one night while she was swimming in the pool and she knew for a fact that no one was staying in that room. She also claims that the bed shook one night as she slept in it. And now when she comes home to visit, she'd rather sleep on the sofa than in 'that' room! These occurrences were noted and ignored because of my skeptical nature and lack of belief in 'ghosts'. But a few days ago a much more detailed story emerged.


I was preparing for breakfast when a guest came down early for coffee. He struck up a conversation in which he claimed to be very sensitive to feelings and spirits. He began talking about two people he encountered in the room. He described one as being a woman in black mourning clothes waiting at the north window for a man who would not return. He had a strong feeling that the woman's name began with the letter F. The man was standing behind her but she could not see him nor feel him.


Now several months ago a neighbor told me the story of one of her ancestors, Francis Barnard McRoberts, who lived in this house in the early 1900's. It seems that her husband, a Pitt McRoberts, was bitten by a rabid horse and needed to travel to Chicago for treatment. A year later he died there, having never returned home to his house in Oberlin. The irony is that in the Union Room, where our guest saw the 'woman in black' she was looking in the direction of the Chicago/Buffalo rail line that went through Oberlin just north of our house. Could she have been Francis waiting for her husband, Pitt, to return to her, cured of his illness? Was he trying to comfort her?

The most compelling of facts in these stories is that they all occurred in the same room - the Union Room, with no corroboration between the tellers. If we do have a spirit visitor in our house, I'd like to meet her and charge her for all of the nights she has been in that room since we are now a Bed & Breakfast! (but I guess she doesn't eat much breakfast!)

Are you a believer?!! Have you been a guest in that room and did you have any 'strange feelings' or odd occurrences while there? If so, let us know. Do you want to book a night in the Union Room? It is almost Halloween night! Maybe the spirits will be up and about, weeping and wondering! Come for a visit and meet Francis. She wants to meet you!

Finalist!!

I just received a call from the Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association informing us that Hallauer House Bed & Breakfast is one of three finalists for Ohio B & B of the Year!!!!! Yeah! The winner will be announced at the annual gala in November! I will have to buy a new outfit! We are so excited and so honored! Cross your fingers for us and we will let you know the results!

Anna Han left yesterday and we will miss her! She is only 14 years old and was here for 9 days accompanied by her father, Wenhai Han and her piano teacher, Fei Xu. Anna was one of 43 competitors in the first annual Thomas and Evon Cooper International Piano and Violin Competition which is sponsored by Oberlin College and The Cleveland Orchestra. These talented young pianists, ages 13 to 18, came from all over the world for the 9 day competition. After five elimination rounds, each of the final 3 performers had the honor of playing a concerto with the world renouned Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall. Joe and I listened in amazement as these young people performed pieces that we thought only adults could play after years of study and practice.

Anna, of course, was our favorite to win! We watched several rounds of the competition and were dazzled at how she could make the piano sing, so soft, so smooth, so strong. She was fluent with pieces by Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, Wagner/Liszi, Ravel, Brahms, and I'm sure I've missed many other composers that are her friends! Anna was chosen as one of the 6 finalists and after a 30 minute concerto in the fourth round that was absolutely amazing, she finished in 5th place. She has already won several other competitions at her young age and we certainly do hope that she returns in two years to Oberlin for the next Cooper International Piano competition.

Next summer the competition will feature violin students, again, ages 13 to 18. We hope that one of them will stay with us here at Hallauer House so that we can enjoy another young person's talent and enthusiasm for music.

And Anna, thank you for letting us get to know you and see you perform. It was tremendously gratifying to us as Innkeepers to meet a talented and budding star. Someday we will see you play with the Cleveland Orchestra! Thank you for your autograph! And thank you Fei and Wenhai for bringing Anna to Oberlin. See you all in 2 years!

And to everyone else, mark your calendars for July 2011 and plan to come to Oberlin to see and hear some great violinists. We absolutely guarantee that you will not be disappointed! Our only advise - Reserve early!