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Nov 16, 2008 11:23 pm US/Central
Finding Minnesota: A Cozy Room With A View
LANESBORO, Minn. (WCCO) ―
Before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season gets underway, it's not a bad idea to get away and get some rest and relaxation, perhaps in Lanesboro where you'll have no problem finding a room with a view.
Two hours from the hubbub of the cities, the quiet of the countryside and the decadence of a stately old home on the hill await.
The
Berwood Inn sits on 200 acres above the community of Lanesboro. Built in 1873, it was the childhood home of Fran Scibora.
"And I lived here thoughtout my whole childhood and growing up, people would come and talk about the view and the way the valley was," she said. "And it was breathtaking to them."
When Scibora's parents left for the city, the house sat empty for 16 years. She decided it was too special to let go. Her brother took over the farm and she took over the inn, aiming to make it a place to relax and rejuvenate.
"One of the things I wanted to do was not to make it so ultra-formal that it wouldn't fit in to the environment and (instead) kind of flowed with it," she said.
There are five rooms in the Berwood in addition to one cottage hideaway in the gardens. The cottage is closed during the winter months, but Scibora said guests love its privacy the rest of the year.
"People enjoy sitting out there and reading and having a glass of wine off to themselves in the gardens," she said.
The rooms are cozy and comfortable, and come with their own personalities, such as the third-floor Owl's Nest, a full-floor suite which offers a bird's eye view of the scenery outside.
"And we have a little challenge for everybody to count the numbers of owls, and they get a discount on their next stay if they get it right. And it's amazing how many people get it right," exclaimed Scibora. "I'm not going to tell you how many are in there, but there's a bunch of them in there."
Scibora has a flair for interior design that is obvious in every room. The Berwood itself is beautiful, but just as magnificent are the 10 acres of gardens around it. You definitely want to schedule enough time to do some exploring. The gardens are open in spring, summer and fall, offering cozy little corners to kick back and let your mind wander. There's enough to keep them interesting even in wintertime. Guests are also free to explore the whole 200 acres if they choose.
You can also get more than breakfast at this B-and-B. Fran believes in a menu that broadens the palate. Fine cuisine is complemented with candlelight chocolate tastings or, if you prefer, a wider array of desserts.
The Berwood is designed around leisure and letting go whatever has your wound up. And it's a great little getaway any time of year. So grab your favorite book and sit in front of the fireplace.
"I always tell myself I want to make this as comfortable as I can for my guests, who do want to get away from the hectic lives we live in," said Scibora.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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