Arriving by Amtrak into Ashland Virginia abut an hour north of Richmond is fascinating once you realize the railroad tracks run right through the center of the town’s main street, Railroad Avenue. Departing the train, it’s easy to see that part of the Randolph Macon College is on one side of the tracks, and directly across, on the other side across the tracks, the road, and behind the train station is the Henry Clay Inn.
As he had indicated on the phone call I received while on the rain, William, the reservations manager, was indeed waiting in the spacious and beautiful foyer with its huge fireplace, wall paintings and wooden and carpeted staircase to the upper rooms. The Inn, named for the patriot born here, overflows with warmth, charm, and hospitality and a small but very efficient and generous staff who simply want you to feel at home and know they are there to help wherever needed.
The Inn is a 19th century Georgian-style mansion completely renovated while preserving its historic beauty, and a popular site not only for the overnight accommodations but also for breakfasts through dinner five days a week locals apparently love as much as visitors.
While Ashland calls itself the Center of the Universe, the Henry Clay Inn says it is part of the fabric of the community and part of its history for more than a century.
The large front porch of the in, well-lighted in the evening with sparkling lights also has interesting brick pathways amid shrubs and flowers leading to it. The comfortable tables and chairs spread across the spotlessly clean outdoor area invite guests to enjoy meals or cocktails outdoors in pleasant weather and offer one of the best views of the railroad, which is definitely a highlight of the city.
Having confirmed I like the sound of trains night or day, William showed me to a magnificent room overlooking the station, complete with all the amenities of a modern day hotel including a refrigerator and fused with the charm and comfort of a gracious and beautiful four-poster bed complete with a white silk and lace coverlet. Windows facing both east and south offered expansive views and the bathroom and adjoining dressing area were well stocked and lighted.
In truth, even for those not enamored by train whistles and rail clacking, the noise during the night is not enough to disturb sleep, but could be considered very relaxing as freight trains a couple of miles long rumble through a few hundred feet away.
Like all the rooms on the second floor, it was down a hall from a central living room, complete with comfortable couches and chairs, a fireplace, a bookcase filled with a variety of books, a coffee and tea service, and French doors opening out to a second floor front porch and comfortable chairs overlooking the town, the railroad and the train station which has been converted to a local tourism site filled with information on all the fascinating places to visit in Virginia.
Going down for breakfast in the morning also meant meeting Andrew, just as genial, gracious and eager to please as William, and the head chef and kitchen manager overseeing the three dining areas of the intimate little room, a much larger dining room, and, for those who wish, that gracious porch. Andrew immediately brought a beverage of choice before launching into the fascinating menu that included everything from eggs and pork belly or bacon to pastries and a pecan log served warm, loaded with pecans and served amid a maple syrup that brought out both the outstanding texture of the pastry and the taste of the nuts.
By the coffee and tea service in the upstairs living room, there is a framed quotation on the wall from Henry Clay. “Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart.”
William and Andrew, and I daresay every employee of this gracious Inn teeming with Southern charm and personality, certainly exemplify and practice the Inn’s namesake’s quote.
My Train Ride to Ashland Story Can Be Found HERE
Wow sounds like a wonderful trip!
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