Description: Located in historic downtown Lynchburg the Norvell-Otey House has been lovingly restored by Jen and her son Jim. It is filled with beautiful antiques and yet manages not to be stuffy. This is more like going to grandma’s house, if your grandmother has wonderful taste and isn’t shy about showing it. Jim was here to welcome us when we arrived and he gave us the basic tour and showed us to our room. When we were settled, he offered refreshments and I welcomed a glass of fresh ice tea. While we were chatting in the parlor, Jen arrived. She has that easy charm that so typifies the South. Within minutes we found that we had a great deal in common. Al had to remind us that he hadn’t eaten since breakfast to break up the gabfest. We went off with recommendations for our dinner and directions on how to get there.
Our room was beautiful with a high ceiling that was the perfect backdrop for our four-poster bed. The walls were crimson and the chair rail was green, together with the oriental inspired cornice on our bed it was very luxurious. Everywhere you look in our room there were antiques bureaus and tables and two wing back chairs. If you want a little nip before you go to bed there was a decanter of brandy on one of the tables. There was painted oriental furniture as well, a corner wall cabinet and an end table. At the foot of our bed there was a blanket chest. Modern amenities haven’t been forgotten either, there was a remote control TV and two bathrobes. The robes come in handy if you decide to use the hot tub. Al and I did and it was delightful to sit in the steaming water on a cool October evening.
Our bathroom was large and modern with a tub with an overhead shower. There were plenty of towels and a basket of amenities. Our bathroom was private but not in our room. We needed to go out the side door of our room and go around the corner.
There was not a parking lot but it was no problem for us to find a parking spot on the street out front. We stayed for a single night on a Friday, be warned this is not usually allowed. On the weekends there is usually a two night minimum. With a single night our first choice of rooms could not be guaranteed and as it turned out we didn’t get it. However, this was no hardship since our room was lovely.
Breakfast is served at 8:30am. Coffee is available for early birds from 7:30. It is a communal dining experience and we very much enjoyed our fellow guests. The menu varies but there was fresh fruit, juice, yogurt, scones, sausage, frittata and fresh from the oven biscuits. We left here feeling delightfully full and cherishing newly made friendships.
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