Wedding Wednesday!

The Perfect Parlor Photo from Joe Payne Photography

While I (Samantha) write most of the blog posts at the Inn, I have decided to share some of my own passion for wedding ideas and planning here on our blog to share with many of the potential brides that may be interested in our venue or just want a couple of fun ideas for their special day.  

The Inn will host weddings almost every weekend from now until NEW YEAR'S EVE! As these weddings are celebrated, I plan to share some of the wonderful and unique details. From origami escort cards to customized welcome bags to the eco confetti thrown during a couple's farewell exit, there are so many amazing ways to truly show the couple's personality on their wedding day.  

This Saturday, we will be hosting Kristen & Tim's nuptials. I will be sure to snap a few photos!

Welcome to Wedding Wednesday at the King's Daughters Inn....

Northern Adventure!

This past weekend, our marketing director flew north to visit friends. However, when making a trip to Manhattan, it is a wonderful time to do a little market research on the hospitality world. 

The beauty of boutique hotels around the world is that they can add the small extras to make a guest's stay just a bit more enjoyable. One of the trendy hot spots in New York right now is The Standard Hotel. Boasting views of the city's High Line and focusing on all facets of fun for the guests, The Standard has a biergarten, a living room area and a grill that has some amazing food & drink.  There is a over sized cartoon character named Kaws outside the hotel as well to add a little interesting art!

While we do not plan to have an over sized Blue Devil or Wooley Bull on our door step, we do appreciate the focus of a guest's experience. Recently, we have been thinking of more ways to enhance our guests' experience. We have been experimenting with a signature cookie as well as created hotel cards that are put in each person's room at turn down.  We wish every guest to "sleep well" with their port and chocolate! Take a look....

And, of course, while the big city and bright lights were fun for the weekend, it is always great to come home to Durham sans overly expensive cocktails and extremely trendy outfits. 

It's good to be back ya'll.

Massa(ahhh)ge

Wouldn't you LOVE a massage in the Austin Suite's living room?

 Many of our guests visit us for a quick getaway. Whether it be for a surprise evening out, an anniversary or birthday, guests are always looking to enhance their stay. Yes, we can offer the romantic champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, fresh flowers in your room or reserve a town car and dinner reservations for the evening, but nothing is better than an in-room massage. Our staff is happy to arrange either a single or couples massage in select rooms. The wonderful massage therapists from The Retreat at Brightleaf will arrive at your door and set up a fantastic ambiance right in your room. Custom massages start at $85.00/hour.  Check out all of their massages here: http://www.theretreatdurham.com/massage/.

Mention this blog post while you're making your overnight reservation and in-room massage, we will include a bottle of sparkling wine for the perfect night at the Inn!

Cheers to Relaxation!

Good Eats!

It has come to our attention that a number of new restaurants have either just opened or are in the works! We could not be happier that new small businesses are spreading like wild fire around the Durham area, but of course restaurants are our favorite type of establishments. We love a good meal! 

That being said, there are three new restaurants that we plan to hit up in the next few weeks. All three are only minutes away from the Inn and it always great to recommend new places to guests!

One of our staff members plans to meet one of the Durham Visitor and Convention Bureau representatives at L'Uva Enoteca this evening. Located in the heart of the American Tobacco District this eatery was opened by the folks behind downtown hot spot, Revolution. Can't wait to try the seared scallops, frisee, arugula, grape tomatoes, portobella mushrooms, goat cheese and mustard vinaigrette! YUM!

Nanataco on University Drive located across the street from one of our favorite special occasion dinner spots, Nana's, offers a simple twist on Mexican food. We will most likely head over there on a Saturday afternoon for lunch take out. There also is a $5 margarita that will be tested in the near future! Don't forget Local Yogurt is across the street...so don't fill up too much!

Finally, the Herald-Sun just reported that Chef Matt Kelly (of Vin Rouge) plans to open a new tapas spot where the Old Book Exchange was on Main St.! Thus expanding the wonderful cuisine in downtown. No word on when they will open, but if they have anything as heavenly as the Duck Confit Salad at Vin Rouge...We will be there!

Hungry Yet? We are too. Off to L'Uva!

Happy Birthday Denel!

From the humble beginnings, both Deanna & Colin's families have been an integral part of the success of the Inn. From helping cook breakfast in the early stages of the Inn to painting rooms to aiding in electrical problems, the family has been supportive and helpful throughout the entire process.

Many of our guests have met Denel, Deanna's mother. She is known as the chef in the family and our guests enjoy her muffin, scone and granola recipes that appear on our breakfast menu on a daily basis. Not only is she an amazing cook, but she has become the Inn's second mother to many of the people on staff.

This week is her birthday and we were able to celebrate last night! We were so pleased she was able to come into town (she travels in from Charlotte quite often) and celebrate her special day with gifts and champagne. Her dedication to the Inn is unparalleled and she is truly a wonderful person.
So, we want to send a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Denel!

Double Magnum, Tonic & Crack Pie...Me Oh My!

With Deanna's LARGE double magnum birthday wine staring at us for the past month now, we decided to have a party to eat, drink and be merry! We had most of our staff, both past and present, to enjoy a delicious dinner that paired spectacularly with the Clay Station Old Vine Zinfandel.

In the photo, you see a glass of red, a couple glasses of Colin's home made tonic and Susan's "Crack" Pie.

What is "Crack" Pie you ask? Check out this article from the LA Times for a full description about Momofuku's Restaurant, but it basically is a pie that is so delicious you become addicted. You are sure to have sugar buzz after a few bites and, of course, we made some home made whipped cream to top it all off.

Thank you to Deanna for sharing her LARGE birthday gift with the whole King's Daughters Inn crew.
Not a bad place to work, huh?