Four Distinct Bed & Breakfasts: #1 The Inn at Glen Alpine

The 90-year-old Victorian home sits proudly atop a hill of well-manicured grass and provides an impressive view of the misty Blue Ridge Mountains.

The Inn at Glen Alpine, a new bed and breakfast between historic Morganton and Asheville, is "so serene and calm [guests] leave everything behind when they step into the house," says Bonnie Van Patten, owner of the inn.

Built in 1913 by J.D. Pitts, a prominent local businessman, the home was constructed in order to "out-do" Noah Pitts, J.D.'s brother. In 1905, Noah built a grand two-story house overlooking the town of Glen Alpine. Spurred by a sense of rivalry, J.D. built an even more impressive home on top of a neighboring hill, conveniently looking out on his brother's house.

The residence passed through several generations and fell into a state of neglect.
When Dan and Carol McGalliard, a local couple, found the home in 1990, it was about to be condemned and burned down. After much hard work and dedication, the house was restored. Van Patten, a former travel agent from Upstate New York, purchased it in September 2002.

Van Patten worked for months, renovating the inn room by room. She installed bathrooms, painted the 11- and 12-foot walls and decorated the home with a mixture of antiques and new fine linens. In January 2003, she re-opened the inn for business. Today, the inn is listed on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks.

Every room in the home is uniquely designed and decorated beginning with the foyer. The hardwood floors, extending from the entryway into the library, are designed with yellow pine, inlaid with walnut. The decorative design of the wood, Van Patten admits, is what immediately sold her on the house.

Four distinct guest rooms make up the home's second floor. The Spa Suite, aptly named for its special whirlpool spa, includes a bedroom and an oversized bathroom. The Queen Anne, Magnolia and Country Garden rooms each have elegant Victorian charm with modern amenities. The combination of her select linens, window treatments and newly installed bathrooms bring an updated twist to the rooms. Using dressers she purchased from antique shops, Van Patten installed functional sink insets to give the rooms an Old World feel.

One of the most appealing aspects of the house is its 1,800-square-foot wrap-around porch. It's perfect for large gatherings and a magnet for couples seeking a quiet place to enjoy the scenery. In July, Van Patten's inn hosted its first wedding; guests spilled out onto the porch after the ceremony.

Though operating an inn is a lot of hard work and requires "constant cleaning," welcoming guests and forming relationships are satisfying, she said. Reflecting on the day she shared with her recent wedding guests, Van Patten said: “At the end of the day, they weren't just my guests, they were my friends."

The Inn at Glen Alpine is located in Burke County off I-40, exit 100. For prices and reservations, call Bonnie Van Patten at (828) 584-9264.

by Beth Hardy

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