An ultra-charming place to linger on the Chesapeake Bay, in the summer, is the Hope and Glory Inn. Built in the 1880's, this three-story house has seen much and offers a glimpse back into the complex history of the American South. Historic and venerable, it's first incarnation was as a co-ed boarding school and it now boasts seven, elegantly restored rooms in the main house, 13 cottages and, according to Coastal Living Magazine, is one of the top-ten boutique hotels in the country.
The rooms are cozy and quaint, with big comfy beds and Victorian-styled furnishings.
The cottages, which can be reached by skipping down a bricked lane past the dancing ballerina statue, are recent additions, though with equal grace to the rest of the property.
Their proximity to the wondrous outdoor bath, makes the cottages a delightful place to spend a night, or two.
The highlight of the stay is definitely bathing alfresco. There is nothing like soaking in a steamy claw-foot bathtub with the dreamy sky overhead.
The food in the on-site restaurant is as charming as the surroundings. Menu's are creatively developed to suit guest(s) tastes. We had the lightly fried oysters on the half shell as our appetizer, an innovative ceasar salad and the local crab cakes with cucumber slaw for the main meal.
Though a small town, there is much to see in tiny Irvington, VA.
Luckily, the Inn has beach cruisers which you can take for a spin around the few blocks.
There are many cute, little shops to browse and pick up souvenirs.
And The Local is a great cafe to stop, park your bike and dine.
The pool isn't located on the main property, but an easy bike ride over to the vineyard.
The riding is smooth and scenic and with not many cars on the road, very safe for children.
I imagine that the Inn got it's name from the hopes the South had for the Civil War and the glory it fought for. If the outcome wasn't exactly what the Confederates had in mind, in the end the name still represents an even higher hope and glory for both the South and the North, Blacks and Whites and our great earth as a whole.
