It’s not often you get to step back in time and at the same time enjoy the view.

Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast is a quaint, Victorian beach cottage located just two blocks from the shore in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This bed & breakfast hosts guests ages 18 and over.

Owned and operated by Stephen and Marie-Louise LaFond, the cottage received a complete renovation after the LaFonds purchased it a few years back after leaving corporate America to pursue a life of tranquility.

Humble Beginnings

Originally built in 1895 as a golf course clubhouse (which was never built), the property eventually landed in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Columbus Barclay, and their daughter, Lillian, the eleventh of their children and the only one to live past infancy.

Lillian never married; however, she became a school teacher and, following the death of her parents, transitioned the bedrooms into classrooms where she taught children and operated the school until closing in 1972. “Miss Lillian,” as she was known to her students, died a few months later at age 97.

In 1991 the school was redesigned as an inn. Over the years, several of Miss Lillian’s former students would bring in small items reminiscent of their years at the small school. Today many of those items are still prominently displayed throughout the cottage.

 
‘Let’s Buy a Bed & Breakfast!’

He was an attorney. She held a management position in a large corporation.

They’d raised their children and were ready to make a change.

As Marie-Louise tells it, “We were both pretty unhappy with our jobs. They were well-paying jobs, but very stressful. We just wanted something different.”

So how do you transition out of “corporate” to become innkeepers?

“We were driving down the street one day – not talking about anything in particular. I said, ‘Let’s buy a bed & breakfast!’ He said, ‘Ok’ and that was it.”

And so the LaFond’s began their new life. They took a course in operating a bed and breakfast and sought out their new venture. Coming upon Barclay’s, they immediately had a vision to restore it to its original luster, purchased it from the previous owner (who lives just next door) and never looked back.

It was a wise decision.

Bird’s-Eye View

The white-painted cottage is located at 400 16^th Street. The first features you’ll notice are the upper and lower wraparound porches that look out on the small streets before it.

Finely adorned with comfortable wicker and wood furniture, the lower porch overlooks several well-manicured bushes and grounds sprinkled with small pebbles. Private parking is located on the side of the cottage. And a brick-paved path will lead you to its entrance.

Once inside, you’ll swear you just stepped back in time. The hallway is filled with memorabilia from Miss Lillian’s students, and Miss Lillian herself. Baby dolls, toys, quilts – even an attendance sheet from the 1920’s – are prominently displayed.

The first floor holds the check-in/office area, and a hospitality area where guests are welcomed to refreshments.

Just beyond are two of the four guest rooms. Each room is exquisitely adorned with its own characteristics and comes with Turkish towels, beach equipment (chairs, umbrellas, etc.) and is decorated according to its own theme (such as the Nautical Room). Each of these rooms comes with its own upscale bathroom and is fully loaded with amenities.*

A tour of the second floor reveals more of Miss Lillian’s life, and even items from the LaFonds’ own childhoods to add to your delight.

Two more bedrooms are featured on this floor and both share a large, bright full-size bathroom that features all the finest amenities.

There are NO TVs in the bedrooms (and do you really need one in Virginia Beach?); but there is a large TV in the cottage’s Great Room for all guests to enjoy.

Step out onto the outer deck to enjoy the fine beach air, enjoy a view of the beach or watch the fireworks sprayed over the shore.
Fond Memories and Repeat Business

Its guests come from far and wide, Marie-Louise likes to note. Recently, one guest traveled from the Mid-West, by train, to experience the inn – yet again. Another young couple was recently engaged while on their vacation at the inn. Other couples visit annually, making their reservations for the following year prior to leaving the grounds to assure their spot – and their favorite room.

Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast has received many fine reviews since the LaFonds took ownership**. And while accurate, they could never fully portray the up-close-and-personal feel you’ll experience at this charming inn.

Inspired by an old school, and dedicated to relaxation and fine living, you can’t go wrong by choosing Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast.

This is living.

*The following amenities are included at no added charge: Upscale bath toiletries; 500-thread count linens; non-allergenic ‘faux down’ blankets and pillows; soft/thick Turkish towels; chocolates; beach equipment, including fresh towels daily, beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards and beach cart for hauling; use of bicycles and helmets; DVD library and books; use of binoculars; snacks and beverages; homemade cookies made daily; coffee in the morning/to-go cups for “on the run”; specially-decorated rooms for special events such as anniversary, retirement, etc.); and sherry (alcoholic beverage). NOTE: Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast possesses a full liquor license and owners are certified food service managers. The Cottage is inspected regularly by the Virginia Beach Health Department.

**National Recognition
Barclay Cottage Bed & Breakfast has been featured in the following noted newspapers and magazines: Continental (June 2004); Coastal Living (Oct 2005); Washington Post (Aug 2006); and more.

Prior to my visit to the Bureau, I took a walk through the very quaint Barclay’s Bed & Breakfast, Virginia Beach’s best kept secret – located just three blocks from the sandy shore. The owners (Steve and Marie-Louise) are the kindest folks in the vicinity of the beach. AND they serve warm cookies.

My findings on these two stunning sites will be shared in further detail within the next few days so be sure to check back. You certainly won’t want to miss out – especially if you’re planning on traveling to Virginia Beach anytime soon.

‘Til later,

JBB

Jones, ”in the business” for several years now, provides accommodations to newlyweds, families, entrepreneurs and plain ol’ regular folks to locations across the country and abroad.

For some of her larger clients, Jones even sponsors events, such as the recent International Bridal Show held at the Doubletree Hotel in Virginia Beach, VA.

What makes her story even more impressive, though, is that this woman with the effervescent personality is legally blind. She doesn’t drive, yet she travels hundreds of miles to support her clients. Her eyesight doesn’t allow her to appreciate vibrant hues and shapes, yet she invests in the best exhibits and displays her money can buy.

In short, Ms. Jones is a true professional in the travel industry.

To experience her skills and find the best travel packages for your money, contact Valora Jones at Restful Travels at (866) 753-1714 or check out her Web site at www.restfultravels.org.