Old-Style Luxury and Southern Hospitality
By Brandy Jo Hastings
When you walk into the smell of freshly baked bread or pie, you’ll quickly realize that staying at a bed and breakfast is quite different from a traditional hotel. It’s not just a place to lay your head. It’s intentional. You’re welcomed into someone’s home and will likely be treated as family.
As a perk, many homes that have been converted into bed and breakfasts also have historical significance and hold their own storied pasts. Each home is different, and every room within the home is unique.
A stay in a bed and breakfast usually culminates with a scrumptious breakfast made by loving people. It is the pure definition of Southern hospitality, and the unique details and personal touches define what makes a bed and
breakfast exceptional.
You don’t have to go too far to enjoy the hospitality of a bed and breakfast. Alabama has some great ones spread across the state, and each is special in its own way.
Mistletoe Bough Bed and Breakfast
mistletoebough.com
Alexander City
Being located less than 10 minutes away from Lake Martin offers a great opportunity for some on-the-water fun. Many visitors who book one of the home’s five rooms also opt to include a sunset boat cruise, an all-day excursion exploring the lake, or a guided fishing trip as a part of their stay. In-room massages and romantic dinners for two are also popular add-ons.
If you just want to walk the grounds and explore this charming historic home, you can do that as well. The house dates back to the late 1800s, and the original outhouse, carriage house, and greenhouse are still utilized. As you wander the property, you’ll be warmly greeted by the resident kitties who have a dedicated cat abode on the porch.
Guests are treated to a Southern-style breakfast that may include one of the owner’s specialties that she calls “The World’s Best Bread Pudding” made from cinnamon rolls. It’s a Paula Deen recipe that she’s put her own special touch on. Mistletoe Bough is also a scenic wedding venue, and there’s a 3,000-square-foot covered outdoor reception space. They also offer packages for private elopements and micro-weddings.
Jubilee Suites
jubileesuites.com
Fairhope
Guests who need a little more space will appreciate the expansive layout of the accommodations here. There are nine one- and two-bedroom suites, and the larger ones can fit up to six guests. This makes it a great option if you’re bringing along the whole family or a group of friends.
Most of the suites also have a full kitchen, but you aren’t expected to wake up and start cooking. This property offers the complete bed and breakfast experience, and a full breakfast is provided each morning that includes their homemade sourdough bread. On Saturdays they serve up homemade sourdough cinnamon rolls, and biscuits and gravy are included on the menu each Sunday. The owners will happily give you a sourdough starter and share their recipe. They also gift visitors with a special homemade sleep tea, and often send guests home with Zinnia seeds.
This property sits alongside Mobile Bay, allowing for fun onsite recreation. Kayaks and paddleboards are free for guests to use. If you just want to hang out in the New Orleans-style courtyard or sit around the firepit at night, you can do that as well. There are also a variety of add-on packages, including fireside s’mores and cooking classes.
Bee on the Brow
beeonthebrow.com
Mentone
Epic mountain views make this secluded bed and breakfast a special place. DeSoto Falls, one of Alabama’s tallest waterfalls, is only three miles away. However, what happens at the home is just as memorable. This bed and breakfast sits on Lookout Mountain and has four rooms, each named after a type of honey.
Staying true to the bee theme, guests will have the opportunity to sample several varieties of honey at breakfast. Having your own personal honey tasting is a sweet start to the day, and it pairs well with homemade biscuits. However, there’s also another breakfast dish that’s popular there – the Southern BBQ Hash.
The owners are also conducting their own special celebration to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday. Each Friday in 2026 is Pie Day. They bake a homemade pie that represents the flavors of a specific state, and guests are welcome to partake in the tasty festivities.
Bee on the Brow also takes its bee theme beyond the honey, embracing what is distinctive about staying at a bed and breakfast. The owners encourage their guests to “bee” restful and “bee” adventurous. A stay here offers a chance to “bee” present in the moment.
Liberty Hall
libertyhallbandb.com
Camden
This historic plantation has remained in the same family for five generations. When you walk in, you’ll immediately feel as if you’ve stepped back in time, with old family photos still adorning the walls and books on the shelves that date back to the 1700s. The majority of the furnishings are original pieces, allowing guests to have the opportunity to sleep in a bed from the 1800s. The home has six rooms, including one on the lower level that is ADA-accessible.
The genuine experience of staying here is highlighted further by the breakfast. Homemade grits are a favorite among guests, but other delectable dishes also incorporate pecans into the recipe, using ones that are grown right there on the property. You may even get to try some of their homemade fig and blackberry jellies.
It’s also fun to enjoy some quiet time wandering around the working farm. Visit with the cows and donkeys, or maybe try your luck at fishing in the onsite pond with one of the provided fishing rods. Guided tours of the home and grounds are free for guests, but even if you don’t stay, you can call to make a reservation to tour the home for just $10.
