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The famous quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson goes “It’s the not the destination, it’s the journey.”<br />
As much as that can be the case, you wouldn’t be happy if, on arrival, you found a faceless hotel<br />
with a drab breakfast.<br />
<strong>Travel</strong>ling through North America is always an adventure.<br />
The vast lands are as varied as anywhere on Earth – there’s<br />
desert, plains, grand cities, and prairies. And all throughout<br />
this majestic scenery is the great American guesthouse.<br />
What is a guesthouse and why is it special? The typical<br />
guesthouse is a privately-owned property that is run by<br />
the owner. There are usually fewer rooms than a hotel<br />
and it feels more like a “home-from-home” than a big<br />
hotel would. The magic comes from being able to stay in<br />
a unique place that’s unlike anywhere else, plus the level<br />
of service you get from someone with a vested interest in<br />
your happiness.<br />
But for some holidaymakers, a chain hotel is exactly what<br />
they want. Whether you’re staying in Montreal or Houston,<br />
Santa Barbara or Atlantic City, the room will look, feel, and<br />
might even smell the same. You know what you’re getting<br />
before you even think about booking – and if you travel a<br />
lot, you might get discounts as well.<br />
So, how and why do these characterful hostelries remain<br />
part of the American landscape? When huge hotel chains<br />
offer more amenities, a standardised room type, and<br />
arguably cheaper rates across the board, you might think<br />
that a boutique guesthouse would lose out. However, you’ll<br />
be pleased to know that that isn’t the case.<br />
In the age of large corporate hotels that, while comfortable<br />
and reliable, lack any personality or charm, the guesthouse<br />
offers an oasis of a historic or unique place in which you<br />
can hang your hat for the night. Almost always run by<br />
hardworking folks that let their own personalities rub off<br />
on their guesthouses, they add so much to a trip that they<br />
become a key part.<br />
If you want to stay out in the countryside where the air is<br />
clear and you’re far from the rumble of constant traffic, a<br />
guesthouse is a fine option. And it doesn’t get more tranquil<br />
than La maison de l’île d’Orléans. This historic guesthouse<br />
can be found in the heart of French-speaking Canada, just<br />
east of grand Quebec City.<br />
Or if you’re in North Carolina and want a luxurious stay<br />
close to one of America’s great homes, the Biltmore Estate,<br />
then The Black Walnut Bed & Breakfast is perfect. These<br />
charming and characterful places to stay will leave you<br />
with lasting memories that just can’t be made in a motel.<br />
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