Vote for your favorite bed and breakfast!
USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
If you're looking to experience the charm and hospitality of a destination, staying at a bed and breakfast can be a great idea. They offer a more intimate setting, where guests can get to know the hosts as well as other travelers. Not to mention, you'll enjoy a delicious home-cooked breakfast every morning, often featuring local specialties and fresh ingredients.
If you're looking for a cozy retreat, a romantic getaway, or a cultural immersion, these 20 bed and breakfasts — nominated as the best in the U.S. by a panel of travel experts — do not disappoint.
Which bed and breakfast is your favorite? Help crown the winner by voting once per day until voting ends on Monday, August 5 at noon ET. The 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 14 at noon ET.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
If you're looking to experience the charm and hospitality of a destination, staying at a bed and breakfast can be a great idea. They offer a more intimate setting, where guests can get to know the hosts as well as other travelers. Not to mention, you'll enjoy a delicious home-cooked breakfast every morning, often featuring local specialties and fresh ingredients.
If you're looking for a cozy retreat, a romantic getaway, or a cultural immersion, these 20 bed and breakfasts — nominated as the best in the U.S. by a panel of travel experts — do not disappoint.
Which bed and breakfast is your favorite? Help crown the winner by voting once per day until voting ends on Monday, August 5 at noon ET. The 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 14 at noon ET.
Read the official Readers' Choice rules.
If you're looking to experience the charm and hospitality of a destination, staying at a bed and breakfast can be a great idea. They offer a more intimate setting, where guests can get to know the hosts as well as other... Read More
Best Bed and Breakfast Nominees
Photo courtesy of Giselleflissak / E+
Balcony Guest House
New Orleans, Louisiana
Located on Royal Street, around seven blocks from New Orleans' French Quarter, the Balcony Guest House features six guest rooms all with private bathrooms. Two of the rooms include access to the property's namesake wraparound balcony overlooking the Marigny neighborhood.
Photo courtesy of Prostock-Studio // Getty Images
Bellwether House
Savannah, Georgia
Get a feel for Savannah's Historic District at this charming bed and breakfast that feels more like a boutique hotel once you're inside. Free parking is included with all reservations, as is a full breakfast and afternoon tea. There's even a champagne sabering and toast every evening to kick off the opening of the full-service bar.
Photo courtesy of Jumping Rocks
Brampton Bed and Breakfast Inn
Chestertown, Maryland
Experience Maryland beyond Baltimore and the beaches, with a stay at Brampton Bed and Breakfast Inn. It's located on 35 acres surrounded by forests, with easy access to the Chestertown Historic District. You can stay in the 1860 Manor House or even have your own private cottage. Enjoy a locally-sourced breakfast before exploring the property's meadows and landscaped gardens.
Photo courtesy of Matt McGraw Photography
C.W. Worth House Bed & Breakfast
Wilmington, North Carolina
This Queen Anne-style bed-and-breakfast has just seven rooms, giving it a cozy, intimate feel. And guests of C.W. Worth House enjoy a farm-to-table breakfast each morning. Plus, the property is close enough to downtown and the Wilmington Riverwalk that you can walk to many restaurants and attractions.
Photo courtesy of Giselleflissak / E+
Cedar Gables Inn
Napa, California
Built in 1892, the Cedar Gables Inn includes 11 guest rooms perfect for any occasion ranging from a romantic getaway to a family vacation. Guests can start their day with the included homemade breakfast, and then easily explore downtown Napa on foot, where they can enjoy all that the scenic town has to offer.
Photo courtesy of Gene Iverster
Elk Cove Inn & Spa
Elk, California
Overlooking the Mendocino coast, the Elk Cove Inn & Spa welcomes visitors to choose from a range of guest accommodations, from carriage house rooms to cliffside oceanfront cottages. Each morning, guests can start their day with a decadent breakfast crafted by chef Victor Passalacqua, who also oversees the dinner service at the inn's on-site restaurant, Sibo.
Photo courtesy of Hidden Serenity Bed and Breakfast
Hidden Serenity Bed and Breakfast
West Bend, Wisconsin
Looking at a map, one can be forgiven for asking, "How do you get there?" The aptly named Hidden Serenity Bed and Breakfast is nestled in the woods, with a driveway that extends for a quarter-mile. The charming property includes a 1.3-mile wooded trail and a spa to help you relax even more than the bucolic setting demands. Luxury rooms with heated bathroom floors — and some with fireplaces — amp up the coziness.
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Samsel
The Historic Browning
Lee's Summit, Misssouri
Just two blocks from downtown Lee's Summit, The Historic Browning includes four bedrooms and four bathrooms, plus 3,000 square feet of living space open to guests. During their stay, guests enjoy a hot gourmet breakfast each morning, a welcome beverage at check-in, fresh-baked cookies, fresh fruit, and cold beverages.
The Historic Magnolia House
Greensboro, North Carolina
Music legends including Tina Turner, James Brown, and Ray Charles have stayed at The Historic Magnolia House, and the property's four guest rooms feature decor inspired by past guests. The property also happens to be one of a handful of Green Book sites still operating in North Carolina.
Photo courtesy of Jumping Rocks Photography
Holualoa Inn
Holualoa, Hawaii
The Holualoa Inn is located on a 30-acre estate in the Kona Coffee Belt. At 1,400 feet in elevation, visitors delight in spectacular ocean views and refreshing sea breezes. Well-appointed accommodations include the use of cotton robes and beach towels, and guests enjoy a daily gourmet breakfast.
Photo courtesy of FG Trade // Getty Images
The Homestead
Madison, Connecticut
Situated in a quintessential southern New England coastal town, The Homestead includes 11 individual rooms and has been run by the same family for three decades and three generations. Guests can explore the beautiful surroundings on complimentary beach cruiser bicycles.
Photo courtesy of Rafa Jodar / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Inn at Playa Del Rey
Playa del Rey, California
Outside the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, the Inn at Playa Del Rey invites guests relax in comfy rooms our suites that feature gorgeous views of Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve. Each day at the inn begins with a delicious breakfast while overlooking the scenery, but complimentary eats don't stop there. Guests also can partake in wine and savory bites during the afternoon wine hour, as well as fresh-baked cookies available each day.
Pilgrim's Inn
Deer Isle, Maine
This post-and-beam property that dates back to 1793 includes 12 guest rooms, as well as three cottages outfitted with kitchenettes and sleeper sofas. Pilgrim's Inn features scenic views, overlooking Northwest Harbor and Mill Pond, and it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It's a charming and hospitable home base for those looking to enjoy Downeast Maine.
Photo courtesy of Joshua Haines
The Publishing House
Chicago, Illinois
The Publishing House is ensconced in an early 20th-century industrial building, which now houses 11 guest rooms. Spacious living and dining areas complement the en suite accommodations, making it easy to get to know other Windy City guests at the daily gourmet breakfast or in the shared lounge.
Photo courtesy of fcafotodigital / E+
Seven on Shelter Island
Shelter Island Heights, New York
Seven on Shelter Island in New York offers visitors an idyllic escape in the form of a refurbished 1902 whitewashed farmhouse, complete with king and queen guest rooms. In addition to adorable breakfast baskets, guests can also enjoy a swimming pool, smart home gym, lawn and board games, and beach accessories.
Photo courtesy of TSG Columbus & Kismet Visuals
The Timbrook Guesthouse
Columbus, Ohio
The Timbrook Guesthouse is close enough to downtown Columbus for a big city experience but far away enough to make you feel like you're in the countryside. A tropical theme adds to the relaxed ambience, with common areas such as the Nui Hut (gazebo), Leilani's Lagoon (outdoor pool), and the Tropical Aviary (housing parrots).
Vrooman Mansion
Bloomington, Illinois
Whether you're doing a Route 66 road trip or looking to use Bloomington's White Place Historic District as your temporary base, the Vrooman Mansion is a great lodging option, with its 19th-century charm and history. The rooms are adorned with antique furnishings, some with their own ornamental fireplaces and claw-foot tubs.
The Welsh Hills Inn
Granville, Ohio
Any of the rooms and suites at The Welsh Hills Inn will feel like a home away from home, with luxurious linens and cozy furnishings. Admire the original works of art and antique furnishings that adorn the spaces and enjoy a full gourmet breakfast prepared with farm-fresh ingredients each morning.
Photo courtesy of borchee // Getty Images
Wickwood Inn
Saugatuck, Michigan
Wickwood Inn offers a serene waterside setting in Michigan — without having to make the jaunt to the Upper Peninsula. In addition to the seasonally inspired breakfast, guests can also enjoy locally sourced charcuterie in the evenings. Guest accommodations range from cozy rooms to luxurious estate suites.
The Winchester Inn
Ashland, Oregon
Step back in time when you stay in one of the 21 well-appointed guest rooms and suites located in the main house, Heritage House, Carriage House, or one of the two cottages. Guests of Winchester Inn can enjoy a two-course breakfast each morning, and, come dinner time, enjoy a meal at the on-site Alchemy Restaurant.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Brian Cicioni
Brian enjoys exploring cities along public transit... Read More
Brian enjoys exploring cities along public transit lines and writing about it at his blog, imayroam.com. He also writes about food tours, layovers, and exploring movie and musical landmarks. Brian has traveled to 57 countries as well as every state. On weekends, he leads music and film-focused tours of New York City. His five-star rated Goodfellas Tour has been featured in Airbnb Magazine. Always happy to offer tips to aspiring travel writers and tour guides, Brian has been featured at the New York Times Travel Show as part of their Meet the Experts panel.
Brian Cicioni
Brian enjoys exploring cities along public transit lines and writing about it at his blog, imayroam.com. He also writes about food tours, layovers, and exploring movie and musical landmarks. Brian has traveled to 57 countries as well as every state. On weekends, he leads music and film-focused tours of New York City. His five-star rated Goodfellas Tour has been featured in Airbnb Magazine. Always happy to offer tips to aspiring travel writers and tour guides, Brian has been featured at the New York Times Travel Show as part of their Meet the Experts panel.
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a... Read More
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a... Read More
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown (Chicago) when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and relies on her vast experience and gray matter to produce informative, entertaining content.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50... Read More
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jamie Davis Smith
Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los... Read More
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Jenny Peters
Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).
Joanne and Tony DiBona
Travel memories may fade over time, but... Read More
Travel memories may fade over time, but photographs recall those magical moments.
Joanne and Tony DiBona
Travel memories may fade over time, but photographs recall those magical moments.
Katie McElveen
Writer Katie McElveen began her travel career when... Read More
Writer Katie McElveen began her travel career when a wrong turn on the way to a family vacation took her on an eleven hour odyssey that she thoroughly enjoyed. Today, more than 40 countries later, her work has appeared in Real Simple, Southern Living, Global Traveler, Fodor’s, Virtuoso, Bride’s, Islands, Reader’s Digest, AFAR and other publications.
Katie McElveen
Writer Katie McElveen began her travel career when a wrong turn on the way to a family vacation took her on an eleven hour odyssey that she thoroughly enjoyed. Today, more than 40 countries later, her work has appeared in Real Simple, Southern Living, Global Traveler, Fodor’s, Virtuoso, Bride’s, Islands, Reader’s Digest, AFAR and other publications.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in... Read More
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melanie Reffes
Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com. A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.
Melissa Curtin
At age 20 Melissa Curtin traveled around the world... Read More
At age 20 Melissa Curtin traveled around the world on Semester at Sea, igniting her passion for globetrotting and learning about new cultures. She is a longtime educator, a Fora travel advisor, and has been a freelance travel and food writer for over 10 years - published in Lonely Planet, Fodor's, Insider, MSN, AAA World, Travel Awaits, and many more. Raised in Connecticut, she has joyfully lived in California the last 17 years splitting her time between Malibu and Palm Springs.
Melissa Curtin
At age 20 Melissa Curtin traveled around the world on Semester at Sea, igniting her passion for globetrotting and learning about new cultures. She is a longtime educator, a Fora travel advisor, and has been a freelance travel and food writer for over 10 years - published in Lonely Planet, Fodor's, Insider, MSN, AAA World, Travel Awaits, and many more. Raised in Connecticut, she has joyfully lived in California the last 17 years splitting her time between Malibu and Palm Springs.
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best... Read More
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.
Tamara Gane
Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.