A Storybook Inn
Historic Amsden-Haupt House, Circa 1843

Experience the ultimate in tasteful elegance and accomodating service in an exquisitely restored Antebellum Mansion owned by a prominent Versailles/New York family for over 140 years! 

“A delight to the senses!” “Elegant” “Amazing!” “A Real Treasure!” are all descriptions used by guests to describe A Storybook Inn.

Come see why our guests give us rave reviews and tell their friends about us, and keep coming back again and again!

At A Storybook Inn, you will find the ultimate in style and service. Upscale in every way, from the thick, top of the line mattresses, high thread count sheets, manicured private gardens, wonderfully appointed, private suites to the “insanely amazing” breakfasts [as one of our L.A. guests termed them], Storybook Inn is a special respite from the busyness of life that is beyond our guest’s expectations. Not your garden variety B&B, some of our well-traveled guests have remarked that “A Storybook Inn is more like a small luxury European hotel than a Bed and Breakfast.” It is a challenge to balance exquisite elegance and comfortable welcome, but Elise, the Innkeeper, has accomplished just that. And A Storybook Inn is minutes from the picturesque Keeneland Racecourse, Bluegrass Airport, quaint Midway, Shaker Village, The Kentucky Horse Park and historic downtown Lexington. Though minutes from everything, A Storybook Inn is worlds apart!

The Innkeeper at A Storybook Inn deeply respects the heritage of Southern Living and the special quality of life enjoyed in the Bluegrass.  She understands what true gracious Southern hospitality is...she was born and raised in the South! A true Kentuckian that grew up in the heart of Horse Country! Elise has owned and raised horses and has a love for all things equine. She can arrange private horse farm tours for you or show you self-guided horse farm tour routes with free maps included. In the recent past, Elise gave tours of the Lexington and surrounding areas for out-of-town guests for a large Lexington business, so is familiar with the countryside.

A Storybook Inn is not just an incredibly pleasant place to stay, there is a special delightful ambience that keeps our guests returning again and again. And with the Innkeeper's extensive background in holistic nutrition and love of cooking, if you have special dietary needs, she will make every effort to accomodate. If not, feel free to indulge in what Elise terms "healthy decadence" from the freshly made whipped cream, 5 Cheese/Veggie Frittata to the Apple Cinnamon Bourbon Breakfast Pudding! Or as simple as you like it!

A Storybook Inn is a quiet respite from the rest of the world. The well-stocked library invites reading and relaxation, though high-speed Internet is available as well! And as a perfect end of your 'storybook' day, have Elise schedule an ensuite massage with a licensed professional Massage Therapist! [Please request this days in advance.]

Enjoy leisurely gourmet breakfasts in our beautiful and inviting, European-style dining room. Homemade goodies (homemade cake, cookies,  or chocolate with fresh fruit. Bottled water, soft drinks, and premium coffee or tea [from our wonderful Flavia machine] is  available at all times. We have fresh ground, organic coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice with breakfast every morning.

After a long, lovely day in the Bluegrass, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while restfully swinging in the extra long wicker porch swing on our gorgeous Victorian porch. Enjoy the song of the katydids and gentle waterfalls on a balmy summer evening while relaxing beside the ancient restored stone pond.

The rooms at A Storybook Inn all have private baths and King or Queen size beds, top of the line thick mattresses with built in memory foam and luxury high thread count sheets. My Fair Lady Suite  has a hypoallergenic feather bed atop a thick Sterns & Foster mattress. All rooms contain armoires with satellite television and VCR, DVD, desks, walk-in closets and mini-refrigerators. And, at over 7,800 sq. ft., Storybook Inn also features a working elevator! Travel Writers and other well traveled B&B critics have told us repeatedly that we are "the cleanest and the nicest decorated Bed and Breakfast" that they have seen in all their travels!

A Storybook Inn was paintakingly restored with adult guests in mind. Having said that, we love children!  I raised 3 fantastic ones and my assistant has great adult kids and wonderful grandchildren!  Well-behaved children over  the age of 10 that are under adult supervision are welcome and younger children are certainly considered on an individual basis.

For our allergy prone guests, we don't house cats inside the Inn. We love kitties, and have one sweet "people friendly" outdoor kitty named "Tiger Lily." She was our barn cat at the farm. We have Nicholas or Sir Nick as some call the big guy. He is a gorgeous black Standard Poodle that loves our guests and is well behaved. Some guests say that they come to the inn just to take Nick for a walk...really.

To further aid in your comfort, health and peace of mind, we use Hepa filter vacuum cleaners, hypoallergenic scent free detergents, we sanitize doorknobs, remote controls, and all guestroom surfaces between guests.

Huntsman's Chase Cottage: Open Now! Spacious 77+ year old cottage, freshly and beautifully renovated with 2 Bedrooms, large Master Bath w/Jacuzzi & double walk-in shower. Also features: hardwood floors, wood burning fireplace, private deck and fully equipped eat-in kitchen (though breakfast can still be enjoyed at the main house). Very private - ideal for honeymooners, anniversaries, small families, those Keeneland bound, or for individuals who just want to get away from it all! Satellite TV/VCR/DVD. Wonderful sunrise view!

Romantic Getaway Packages

Gold package:
Upon arrival, your beautiful storybook suite will have gourmet truffles or homemade healthy dark chocolate dipped Strawberries, soft music, and a dozen long stem Red Roses arranged in a vase...You will look like the romantic hero that you are!    
Only $75 extra

 
Platinum package:
Upon arrival, you are greeted in your suite, with a bottle of quality wine [your choice red or white] or sparkling cider or grapejuice, quality chocolates or healthy dark chocolate dipped Strawberries, hand pressed high thread count sheets in red, romantic selection of music, and a dozen long stem Red Roses arranged in a vase.
Only $100 extra

Imagine Your Storybook Wedding

We host beautiful Storybook Wedding and Receptions at the inn. If you would like information, pricing and photos of weddings/ receptions at the inn, please send us an email requesting wedding information to our alternate email address of: storybookinn@aol.com Please include the date that you are interested in so that we may tell you of availability.

We regret that we are not scheduling any more weddings for 2008, 2009 or 2010 at this time.

Tea Time!

We have beautiful, tastefully created Full Teas at the inn. Our quality loose teas are served in clear infusion tea pots kept hot on clear blown glass lighted bases. Our delectable sweets, savories and scones are made fresh at the inn using quality ingredients and no trans fats, and are utterly delicious! Our teas are held seasonally: Valentines, Spring, Summer, and Christmas teas. Please send us an email to storybookinn@aol.com to inquire about specific tea dates that you may be interested in.

Teas are 3-Courses, starting with hot freshly made scones with handmade toppings. We use loose leaf tea served in our clear teapots that sit on a lit hand blown glass base. We serve a selection of savories next and last of all a tier of sweets last. The teas are $19.95 plus tax and gratuity. 

All of our teas are full for 2008. We will not be doing special teas in 2009 due to renovations that will be taking place at the inn. We look forward to starting the teas back up when the time is right. We will be making announcements when that time comes. Thank you for your past patronage.