The Willow Rose opened up in reaction to the new dam put up in Pierce that created the Willow Creek reservoir area. Constructed out of an old farmhouse from the 1800''s that has been refurbished to include a huge sweeping grand staircase and several rooms for guests, it has a lot of country charm for a lot less than you can spend at other, more traditional accomodations.
Each room has a balcony where you can step out in the fresh air and look over the acres and acres of property that comprises the lands. There is a large pond with a fountain on one side, viewable from both the main community room and several of the suites. Most of the rooms do have a private bath, though the ones that don''t are significantly cheaper.
If you''ve got some extra cash for your trip, you can also rent a small guest house that''s down the hill and over a covered bridge from the main house, which has a full kitchen and several sleeping rooms -- at $80-$100 per night, it''s significantly cheaper than getting two hotel rooms elsewhere.
The grounds are fabulous -- from the old creek, where you can see bullfrogs, catfish, and mudskippers often, to the wooded groves, there is no reason to venture off the property unless you''re feeling adventurous. Breakfast is provided -- a full country breakfast that will break the resolve (and the diets of) many of its temporary occupants.
The directions provided are a little difficult to find. Remember to turn left onto the gravel road -before- the local winery, or you''ll end up in no-man''s-land, as I found out from personal experience.
Overall, this is one of the most charming places you can find in the Norfolk area. At only 12 miles from the city limits, it''s well-worth the short drive to get to a place as secluded and wonderful as Willow Rose.