No compensation was received for this post. We were provided with lunch and apple dumplings by Quail's Covey, as a participant in the Discover Hartville in the Fall Blog Tour. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.
My family and I have lived in Northeast Ohio for over eleven years. There are many places that have been on our list of places to go, but for whatever reason, we never seem to find (or make) the time to head out and explore all that the area offers. Often times, it is a special event that brings us to finally explore a destination that we have been intending to see.
Hartville, Ohio is one of those places that we have been meaning to go. My husband had talked about visiting the Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market and we have always heard good things about Hartville Hardware, but our travels had not yet taken us to this quaint community with so much to offer, just miles from Akron and Canton (about 17 and 12 respectively). When we were invited to participate in the Discover Hartville in the Fall as part of a blog tour, we jumped at the chance.
Our destination: Quail's Covey Bed and Breakfast; but it was not our first stop. We decided to extend our visit by turning lunch into a full day in Hartville. We first paid a visit to Hartville Marketplace and Flea Market. It was a lot of fun exploring the different permanent vendors inside the building, as well as all of those that had set up shop for the weekend in the outdoor area. Whether you are looking for baseball cards, books, toys, clothes, fresh produce, fresh made pastas, meats or cheese, you are sure to find what you are looking for at the Marketplace and Flea Market.
Our next stop was
Quail's Covey Bed and Breakfast, where we were treated to a wonderful lunch made by Charlotte (she asks to be called "Charlie") and served by her and her husband John. As we drove from downtown out into the countryside to the Bed and Breakfast, we passed a golf course and saw signs for Quail Hollow State Park. We found Quail's Covey, a beautiful Tudor home that was built by John for his family over a quarter of a century ago, at the end of a long tree lined drive. The large back yard is surrounded by trees that are part of the Quail Hollow State Park. It is so quiet and serene. In front of the house is a large stocked pond that John added to the property. The dirt that was excavated was used to create a rolling landscape that includes a waterfall feature on the side of the home.
As you enter the home through the front door, there is a sense of welcome and you almost at once feel completely at home. Even my husband, who normally would have felt awkward, commented after our visit how completely at ease he was. Charlie and John, were wonderful hosts and they made us feel very welcome in their home.
We sat down in their sun room to enjoy our wonderful lunch. Charlotte and John didn't eat, but they did sit with us and visit. The meal started with a salad of greens, dried cranberries and croutons, topped with a delicious raspberry vinaigrette. There was also a basket full of soft, warm homemade bread that my daughter complimented by saying it was as good as my homemade bread. Our main course was a delicious baked chicken - drumsticks for the kids and chicken breasts for us. It was served with mashed potatoes topped with gravy that included bits of chicken in it and delicious green beans from their garden that were prepared with cheese. I had never had green beans prepared with cheese and they were delicious. As we ate, we visited and learned more about Quail's Covey.
John had grown up across the way and as a child, had imagined a house in the spot where the house now sits. They actually bought the grey house next door, before purchasing the land upon which John built the Tudor style home that is very similar to the house he had imagined. The house was built for their family and was only turned into a bed and breakfast about 6 years ago.
The main floor features the great room, where guests can gather and watch TV, play games, read a book, and relax by the fireplace. Next to the great room is a dining room that opens up to the great room.
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| sun room |
Also on the main floor is a beautiful sun room that looks out over the back of the property. (It's here where we enjoyed our lunch.) The kitchen, where Charlie makes up the homemade evening dessert and the breakfast each morning (both included with your stay), is next to the sun room and right off of the great room. Off of the kitchen is the family's private quarters which includes a bedroom, living space and bathroom. The back of the house features a nice deck that overlooks the large backyard. On it are several tables for gathering and a few hummingbird feeders. From the deck, you can watch the deer, see hikers and bikers on the trails at the adjacent Quail Hollow State Park, hear the soothing sounds of the waterfall and just generally relax in the peacefulness of it all.
The primary
accommodations for the Bed and Breakfast are upstairs.
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| Dogwood Suite |
The spacious former master bedroom is now the Dogwood Suite and includes a king-size bed, sitting area, jacuzzi tub and a private deck that overlooks the pond, which is graced by the resident swans. The wood detail on the ceiling is beautiful. The other two rooms upstairs are the Woodland Room and the Queen Ann Room. They both include a queen-size bed and share the hall bath. The Woodland Room includes a private deck. They did note that they typically will only rent one of the rooms, unless the guests know each other, since they do share a hallway bath.
The basement features a second kitchen, a large common space with a bar and pool table and a couple of bedrooms. This space is sometimes rented out as an apartment for extended stays. The steps up from the basement feature a wall that has been papered with shopping bags, it may sound strange, but it really is a neat looking finish.
After taking a tour of the house and grounds, we returned to the sun room for dessert. We were treated to homemade apple dumplings a la mode and a cup of coffee. The apple dumplings were so delicious! They made me think that I should make some at home soon. As we enjoyed our apple dumplings it began to rain outside. This disappointed the kids who were looking forward to visiting the three donkeys that are also kept on property (they're named Jack, Jill and Down the Hill). We learned that the donkeys help keep the wild animals away from the swans (George and Gracie).
As we enjoyed our dessert and coffee, we continued to visit with Charlie and John. It felt like we had known them for years instead of just an hour. We learned that every morning, Charlie prepares a tray with fresh squeezed juice and scones for the guests and leaves it at their door. Then, when they come downstairs for breakfast, they are treated to more of her wonderful cooking in the form of a homemade breakfast. There are several meals that she rotates through as choices for her guests at breakfast including french toast casserole, pancakes and omelets. She shared how they have several tables at which guests can dine so that they can eat on their own. It is not uncommon, however, for guests to ultimately wind up sitting together. In addition to their home cooked breakfast, guests are also treated to dessert each evening. On a request basis, they will prepare and serve dinner too.
We talked about how Quail's Covey has played host to a few small weddings over the years. When we asked where the majority of their guests arrive from, Charlie & John indicated that guests come from as close as Hartville, looking for a getaway, and as far away as Europe. People who stay at Quail's Covey come just to visit the Hartville area (for the shops, flea market, golf courses and more) and some are newlyweds who choose to stay on their honeymoon. Some come to town for the Football Hall of Fame, and others are traveling on business.
As we wrapped up our delicious apple dumplings, John took out his German accordion and began to play for us. My daughter wouldn't get up and dance, but she did sit in her chair moving to the rhythm. The rain outside began to lighten and we decided that although we were having a wonderful visit, it was time for us to go and allow Charlie and John to get ready for an evening picnic that was planned with their children and grandchildren.
From Quail's Covey we headed over to Maize Valley Winery, where we sampled some local wines and chose a few to buy, then to Hartville Collectibles and lastly to the Hartville Chocolate Factory, which was closed, before heading home.
We agreed that we would not wait so long to plan another visit to Hartville and check out more of what the community has to offer.
Whether you are visiting from out of the area and need a place to stay or you are local simply looking for a getaway night or weekend, I would recommend checking out Quail's Covey Bed and Breakfast. You're sure to love the setting, the rooms, the food the proprietors, and the overall experience that comes with a stay at a Bed and Breakfast.
If you want to learn more about Quail's Covey or if you'd like to book a stay, check out their
website for more details.
No compensation was received for this post. We were provided with lunch and apple dumplings by Quail's Covey, as a participant in the Discover Hartville in the Fall Blog Tour. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family. The pictures are courtesy of Quail's Covey.
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