*** Enchantment at its finest ***

*** Enchantment at its finest ***
This was my first time to North Carolina and my first time staying at a bed and breakfast. What a treat the Duke Mansion really is. I make very few recommendations, but this is one I endorse, wholeheartedly.

My niece s wedding reception was held here and it was something out of a storybook, really. We all read about these things in magazine and papers, but have you ever been to one? Neither have I, until now. Allow me to gather my thoughts. The hotel is very old, built in 1915 and so plumbing and electricity were relatively new. Elevators were uncommon and air conditioning was unheard of, yet the Duke Mansion has all these amenities and herein lies its undeniable charm: The modern world melds with old time tradition and opulence. I went back in time and loved it. The hotel has a unique allure; well kept, clean, beautifully old, stately and plain charming. The grounds and gardens are a site to see. Amazing. Where else in today s modern world can you find this?

Here is what brought a gleaming smile to my face. The staff is great. They are proud to welcome you to this facility. It is written with the BIG smiles on their faces. The rooms are clean, the beds are very comfortable and what s not to like when you wake in the early morning and meander downstairs to the dining room where a hot breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit and hot coffee are awaiting you (vegetarian items too)? This alone was worth staying there. You ll meet Inez, she s amazing. She is charming and personable. Don t skip breakfast, it is fantastically superb.

It was a genuine pleasure experiencing the Duke Mansion. The staff exhibit heartwarming converse and are sincerely happy to assist you. The hotel is set center direct within a neighborhood of superbly old, towering growth trees they re huge. The canopy s are vast and cove the residential streets in entirety. The most peaceful time abound was strolling through the neighborhood after breakfast. The temperature was cool, the sun was shining, the chipmunks were abundant and the army of landscapers were buzzing about. The neighborhood is adorably quaint. Mansions are commonplace on every street and they are quite the spectacle to see. I wish I could own one and call this place home (maybe when I retire). To boot, the mansion is a mere 7 minute drive from downtown Charlotte and oh, how I love this feature. Think about this.

If I am ever back in Charlotte, I will not hesitate to go out of my way to stay here again. In fact, I can t wait to visit this place again. I m thinking of ways to entice my wife to come back and, I have to say, it s pretty easy. Looking forward to my next stay.