by Audrey Kerchner

Created on: March 02, 2007   Last Updated: April 17, 2007

I love old homes and personal service so when I travel I like to stay and B&B's when ever possible. They are all different so you never know what you are going to get as far as service and amenities, but the one thing you can count on is warm friendly inn keeper and a good breakfast. The DeBary in Summit, NJ was no exception.

I had a two day business meeting in Summit, New Jersey this winter and found this small, 15 bedroom B&B. Rooms are from $89 to $189 per night depending on the room that you stay in. Summit is not a traditional vacation destination, but for the non business traveler they have great little shops and restaurants in the main area of the town which is walking distance from the train and the Inn. The town has up beat American colonial fell of a town that really saw its hay day back in the late 1800's to early 1900's which has now become a elegant modern version that celebrates its past while embracing the future.

The DeBary Inn offers the best of two worlds for a corporate executive that likes to feel like she is at home when she's away from home. The 1880 circa mansions 15 guest rooms are elegant furnish with period pieces that propels you back in time. When you walk up to the front you are greeted by a great oak door on a winding wrap around porch. A great place to spend afternoon tea and watch the traffic go by. The first floor is almost all common area with nice size rooms including a library where you can curl up with a good book in front of a big fire. The second and third floors each have a pantry with snacks and drinks for those that like their midnight refrigerator raid in their PJ's

While the house is beautiful and historically fashioned it comes with many modern amenities that business traveler's cherish; wireless internet access through out the house and a TV in the bedroom. Phones are not available in each room, but really not necessary in this day and age of cell phones.

I decided to save some money and go for the low cost room ($89) that shares a common bathroom with the other rooms on the floor. I am really glad that I did, there are two large bathrooms on the floor and I never encountered any other guests in route to and from my room. This allowed me to get all the great benefits of this B&B without paying hefty prices.

Beware of room number 6. While the room was cute, cozy and warm there was a intermittent tapping which I believe was coming from the radiator on a cold winter night. It was loud enough to continually wake me out of a sound sleep at least 4 times. If the radiator caused the tapping and not a ghostly resident my guess would be the room would be fine during a summer visit.

Check out their website www.debaryinn.com and if your travels take you to Summit New Jersey, I recommend The DeBary Inn if you are a fan of B&B's.

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