Black Lantern Inn
When traveling, we have fallen in love with staying at Bed & Breakfast Inns, especially in smaller towns. Recently in Roanoke, Virginia, this was never more true than when we found Black Lantern Inn at the suggestion of a friend at Black Dog Salvage Architectural Salvage. What a wonderful stay we had, courtesy of Chris and Jayne, the new owners of the Inn.
We were provided a two night stay by the owners, but all opinions are my own. Do I recommend this? YES – and we would stay again.
Over the next year or so there is some construction on nearby roads, so check with the owners ahead of time to see if your GPS will be correct. Located in the Old Southwest Historic District, you are convenient to all areas of Roanoke.
We were given a warm greeting by Chris & Jayne, along with a friendly poodle named Jax. A quick tour of the Inn was followed up with a welcoming gift of local chocolates and a glass of wine, also from the area. This was something we found throughout our stay with all the food, the owners loved to shop local markets and use local products as much as possible.
We were given the Skyline Suite, which is the most popular room at the Inn. The whole third floor belongs to you.
There is also a separate seating area on the second floor with this suite. I loved having this area. For one, it was next to the kitchen and coffee pot. Since I usually wake up earlier than my husband, it was a great space for me to enjoy my coffee in a quite space to catch up on my laptop, or do a bit of light reading.
Along with the coffee pot, there’s also a kitchen area for all the guests to use. Water was offered as complimentary. A snack basket was available on an honor system.
Two other spacious rooms are on the second floor, each with their own private bath.
All rooms are tastefully decorated and updated with a mix of the typical bed & breakfast decor, but The Black Lantern Inn also has some modern touches and the history of the Inn. Make sure you check out the coffee table they had design with help from Black Dog Salvage.
Our stay was for two nights, which we were the only guests there for one of those. It was during the week which could have more availability. During weekends, especially during home Virginia Tech games, make your reservations well in advance.
It’s hard to say what my favorite part of staying at a B & B is, but it might have to be breakfast. And The Black Lantern Inn doesn’t disappoint in this area either.
The first morning, a lovely table was set in the dining room for us to enjoy a full breakfast, starting with yogurt and fruit. As I’m not usually a full breakfast person first thing in the morning, I think I could be if I could walk down to this. Maybe it’s I just don’t like preparing breakfast for myself.
Second course of this wonderful breakfast was a Meyer Lemon Waffle. I will admit I’m usually a plain waffle with lots of butter and syrup, but this changed my mind. I love most lemon anything, and this was beyond delicious. I hope Jayne will share the recipe. As we were the only guests, Chris and Jayne joined us for delightful conversation. It was also a great time to learn a bit more at the Inn and how they acquired it.
Since we were leaving the second morning on our way to Pennsylvania, we told them something quicker would be good for us. And even this lighter breakfast didn’t leave us hungry.
As it was a lovely morning, breakfast was on the deck. A great place to enjoy a sunrise.
Fresh fruit, a choice of juices, and of course, coffee would have been enough in this setting. But there was more.
A sampler of biscuits was offered, each with a different local honey or jam. Is it bad to admit I ate all four of mine? In defense, they weren’t very big, but just enough for all of those great flavors. I couldn’t decide which was better, so I had to have all of them.
Although the owners were fairly new to Roanoke, they were able to provide a lot of history of the town, the Inn, and the must places to visit or eat. Menus and brochures are available.
Remember I mentioned Jax. He was always there to greet us when we came in, or downstairs. A feature I liked about this Inn was not having to keep up with a key to enter. They have a keyless entry so you just have to remember the code. This was such a convenience.
There are a few outdoor areas to enjoy for sitting or maybe an afternoon glass of wine.
A larger area is available for events such as company picnics or maybe a wine and cheese party.
I cannot recommend The Black Lantern Inn enough to anyone wanting an enjoyable stay while in Roanoke, or even just passing through. Please stop by and see Chris and Jayne (and Jax) and tell them I sent you.
Check out their website for more details and reservation information.
For anyone around the Roanoke area, they are having an open house this Sunday, November 12.
I hope you consider a visit to the Roanoke area. Visit Roanoke Visitor Center for more information.
I’ve included affiliate links to Amazon for you to find some products easier. I may receive a small commission, but the price is the same for you. It just helps my blog out.
Happy Travels,
Rosemary
You stayed in a historic district which would be something I would do. Just walking around the neighborhood enjoy the old homes and gardens would be a wonderful walk.
This looks like such a gorgeous place to stay. Very cozy! That waffle looks amazing as well.
Now that is the kind of place I would love to go! First of all I kind of like the smallness of a bread and breakfast. I love the food that is cooked and I love the peacefulness of it. Second of all I love history and seen something like this would be fun.
A hotel is good for a quick nights rest but for a few days, you have to enjoy a B&B. So personal and the food is always so good.
It looks like a quaint and quiet place to visit. Southern Virginia is beautiful this time of year, glad you got to enjoy it!
We love all areas of Virginia. Our second trip to Roanoke and we will be back.
Bed & Breakfast Inns are the best! The biscuit samplers look amazing! We are headed out to Niagara Falls, Canada tomorrow for our anniversary!
It was great. We visited Niagara Falls on both sides, and also Toronto last year. Check my blog for a few links.
This looks wonderful! I’ve never stayed in a bed and breakfast inn but have always wanted to.
I highly recommend a B&B. It’s such personal service.
From the outside, it looked a tad bit creepy, not going to lie – but inside, it looks cozy, quaint and insanely inviting! <3
Oh my – it’s not that at all. Not creepy at all – maybe it was my pictures.
This place looks just delightful. I love all the effort they put into the food. The biscuit sampler and the fresh fruit look so yummy. I have to admit that the owner wearing a Cubs shirt made me love them more. #FlyTheW
That is actually us in the pictures. So much attention to details in all areas.
Oh my those biscuits look amazing! Looks like a fun place to visit!
Oh they were. Wish I had them right now.
I discovered Bed & Breakfast Inns a few years ago and have never gone back to staying at hotels in smaller places. It is such a great way to meet some amazing people while you are travelling. I recommend everyone tries a B&B at least once.
I’m so picky about hotels and it always seems a B&B is always a hit.
I would fall in love too. Looks like a quaint and cozy place for the perfect fall getaway. Glad you got to enjoy it.
It was so nice and the owners were just great.
Your whole floor looked really cozy and welcoming. It sounds like this would be a lovely place for a getaway.
I loved having a separate area for seating and the floor. So private.
What an adorable little inn! I love how quaint it looks! It doesn’t look like a typical inn and has a more welcoming vibe to it
So many B&B are very Victorian decorated, which can be lovely. But, I loved the more modern feel.
I love staying at Inns and B&Bs. This looks like such a cozy and beautiful place to stay at!
This has been one of my favorites so far.
What a pretty inn! When my husband and I do couple’s travel, we love staying in inns and B&Bs.
What a cute and inviting place to stay. I think my brother in law lives in that same town. I will have to mention this place to him.
The Black Latern inn really
looks like a very homey and cozy place to stay! I love to stay in a place where you can feel like home!
We plan on going back to Virginia so I will keep this in mind. That’s the kind of place I would want to stay when traveling.
Nawww it looks like a cute and cosy little place. It’s nice to stay at places like this rather thank hotels/motels as these places tend to have more of a personal touch.
Lennae xxx
http://www.lennaesworld.com
Hotels are ok for a quick stay, but a B&B is a must for a longer stay.
Black Lantern Inn looks like a great place to stay at. I would love to visit during our next travels to PA.
I hope you visit – and tell them we sent you. Can’t wait to go back.
I felt you did a great job at showing how lovely this place is with all your photos. Plus the food looks so good. B&B is apparently where it’s at.
We loved this place. Such great host/owners. Food was best we’ve ever had.
You make a compelling case for this Inn. I love small bnbs and this would be great for a short stay,!
Oh wow what a fantastic B&B, I love the stylish but quaint interior and that breakfast looks amazing, sounds like the perfect place to explore the town and relax
Laura x
It was a lovely place. Can’t wait to go back.
That is a lovely, quaint Bed and Breakfast. I will definitely give B&Bs a thought the next time I travel. It looks like you enjoyed your stay there. Thank you for sharing your experience.
We love the personal touch we get by staying at a B & B. And not the typical hotel breakfast.
Awwwwww what a cute and cozy place to stay!!!! Totally my kind of place to stay when traveling that’s for sure
This looks like great spot, nice and cosy rather than another anonymous hotel. The breakfast looks fab too!
that is the sweetest and coziest place I have ever seen. That suite, it’s huge and just perfect.