By Emily Harrington
Maybe you’re looking for a romantic staycation spot? Or maybe a place to gently persuade your in-laws to shack up instead of your abode? Whatever your reason for seeking overnight accommodations, there are options in Champaign-Urbana outside of traditional hotels/motels.
Bed-and-Breakfasts provide intimate, cozy environments for overnighters to stay. They are often uniquely decorated to suit the owner’s taste. Typically, B&Bs are mature, large homes offering public accommodations for the owner’s unused bedrooms. There aren’t unlimited rooms that are replicas of each other at B&Bs. You also won’t find stiff duvets and disposable cups wrapped in plastic. Rather, you’ll find homemade quilts, antique porcelain teacups and homes steeped in history.
Breakfast will await you when you come to the communal area in the morning. Please note, I said communal. If you don’t like small talk or meeting new people, B&Bs might not be your best accommodation option. A B&B hallmark—caretakers and other guests typically mill around the communal areas at night and in the mornings. For the provided meals, you’ll commonly share the same table.
Check into the local B&Bs in our area:
The Avenue Bed & Breakfast
Where: 802 W. University Ave. in Champaign
Contact: (217) 390-9830
What’s charming? This B&B balances traditional feel with modern amenities. The Avenue, built in 1919, was renovated in 2007. Book the Spare Room (only in conjunction with the Queen Suite), the Queen Suite, the Maid’s Suite or the King Suite. The rates range from $149 to $279 on non–event evenings. Look for the period gas lights flickering above the front door when you visit.
The Golds Bed and Breakfast
Where: 2065 County Rd. 525 E. in Champaign
Contact: (217) 586-4345
What’s charming? Breathe in the country air while staying at this 1874 farmhouse. If you are looking for peace and quiet, you’ll find it here. Admire the antiques during your stay.
Hubert House Bed and Breakfast
Where: 710 W. Oregon St. in Urbana
Contact: (217) 367-8793
What’s charming? The six-bedroom home was built in 1915 for the Van Doren family. Emmy and Tony winners, ministers, professors from around the world, CEOs, Nobel-Prize winners, cartoonists, heads of national security and nuns have all stayed at the Urbana mansion.
Sylvia’s Irish Inn
Where: 312 W. Green St. in Urbana
Contact: (217) 384-4800
What’s charming? The inn features five rooms: English Garden Room, Animal Room, Red Romance Room, Dr. Lindley King Suite (named after the first homeowner and builder) and the Carriage Suite. All the rooms range in price from $100 to $185 per night with deals for multiple nights. The Carriage Suite is its own unit that stands apart from the house, ideal for a family with small children or long-term visitors. The inn was created in 1887 with the Queen Anne style of Victorian architecture in mind. Admire the intricate woodwork, antique clock collection and lush outdoor spaces.
Want to take a little drive?
Try Linda’s Oak Meadows Bed and Breakfast Resort in Dewey or Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast in Paxton.
Forget sterile and impersonal! B&Bs provide a way to break out of the hotel/motel box and into a fun, often whimsical, experience. Explore our towns in a fresh way and meet new and interesting people.
Emily Harrington is a Chambana townie that left her 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job to be a 24/7 mom to a dreamy son. Still interested in writing, Emily uses some of naptime to practice her passion and keep her mind right. Emily is a happy wife with a happy life because she fell for a fellow townie. Oh, and let’s not forget her other son, a degenerate canine named Heppenheimer.