The saying, “as southern as sweet tea” is actually quite funny since sweet tea originated in the north. The earliest recipe for sweet tea was from back in the 1890’s and back then they used green tea. I personally enjoy a half sweet and half unsweetened tea. Regardless of how sweet you like it, I can guarantee that you will like Sweet Tea Bed and Breakfast in Conover, North Carolina. At this bed and breakfast southern hospitality comes off as a way of life for the Innkeepers and proprietors, Ralph and Patricia Hatch.
I have stayed at many bed and breakfast establishments. Patricia and Ralph made this a very welcoming and relaxing stay. We enjoyed lounging in the living room and talking about the history of the house in the evening.
We had some fun reading the old hand written doctor’s ledgers from the 1800’s that were found in the house. They believe in letting the guests dictate how much they are seen. If someone is looking for a quiet get away, this is for you. If you want to sit around and talk innkeeping and house history with the owners, this is for you.
For us, this was a perfect stop on our way home from the mountains. We drove to Linville Gorge early in the morning and spent the day hiking. From there we drove a little over an hour to the B&B. The shower never felt so good! Hot water was aplenty and the soap was just what we needed after hiking all day. It was a handmade goat milk soap from Freedom Farm in Maiden, North Carolina. It was made with eucalyptus and mint, and it was just what our sore muscles needed!
Each bedroom at Sweet Tea Bed and Breakfast is decorated beautifully. The bed I slept in was a four poster bed and the mattress and pillows were divine. Each room is equipped with a flat screen tv that live streams. I logged into my Netflix, but was asleep in five minutes. Best night of sleep ever!!
Early the following morning I smelled the bacon cooking down in the kitchen. I strolled downstairs and saw my friend, Mandie Robertson, sitting out on the front porch swing. I joined her and it was a perfect way to start the morning. The breeze out on the wrap around porch was perfect! Patricia appeared and asked if we were ready for our iced coffee. The night before, Ralph, the chef of the B&B and trained pastry chef, asked us how we liked our coffee. We both said iced. The night before he made the coffee and put it in the fridge and guess what else he did? He made coffee ice cubes so our coffee wouldn’t get watered down. That was a nice touch!
Our breakfast was divine. Huge homemade cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, big fluffy biscuits, crispy bacon and an omelet made with fresh vegetables handpicked from their garden that morning. Whether you are looking for a quick getaway or want to try out a new bed and breakfast, you really can’t go wrong with Sweet Tea Bed and Breakfast. It’s proximity to the mountains is a bonus! 45 minutes to Boone, an hour to Grandfather Mountain.
You can visit their website here to book a stay and then you can also go have some sweet tea on their front porch swing. Southern hospitality at its finest!
