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Sweet Retreat
For years, the Inn at Honey Run has been a darling of the innkeepers' inner circle. Lovingly conceived, built and cared for by Marge Stock, the snug property in Millersburg won acclaim from its peers for its lush property -- more than 60 acres of woodland in the heart of Ohio's Amish country -- and its rustic architecture. So, when Stock decided to retire and sought to sell the inn a few years ago, she was determined to find the right buyer. Poor Phil Jenkins thought he was out of the game. Having sold his award-winning inn in Georgia, he was enjoying semi-retirement on a beach in Florida when Stock called to sing her siren song. Jenkins, an old friend of Stock's and a former choral director, fund-raiser and sailor, should have tied himself to the mast so as not to be seduced by the property and Stock's entreaties. But after a few conversations and a visit or two, Jenkins signed the deed to the Inn at Honey Run. That was in January 2003. Since then, Jenkins has been updating the inn while maintaining the spirit of harmony and retreat that Stock built into its foundation. "I want to move the inn to the [AAA] Four Diamond level," says Jenkins, standing in front of the lobby's limestone fireplace. "That's the only way I know how to run an inn." He turns to the fireplace, noting the locally quarried sandstone and pointing out the new olive jars -- recently arrived from Europe -- that sit high up on the sandstone shelf. A series of copper waterfalls hang against walls in the entranceway and in the dining room, "to encourage serenity," notes Jenkins. Just off the lobby, guests can enjoy morning breakfast on the patio when the weather cooperates. At first, Jenkins' staff "couldn't imagine that people would want to eat outside," he says, but the practice has caught on quickly. Throughout the inn's 24 rooms, Jenkins displays works by local artists, such as Will Kallberg's wood sculptures. He also showcases furniture from Ohio companies such as Norwalk, Millersburg Furniture and Arhaus. Overstuffed couches in the inn's newly decorated suites mix well with four-poster beds made up with locally crafted quilts. All rooms at the Inn at Honey Run feature floor-to-ceiling windows to capture views of the surrounding woodlands. Interior lighting is augmented by Jenkins' quirky collection of nature lamps -- some fashioned out of twigs, and others from wire that mimics tree branches. Set apart from the main building, the Honeycombs are the Inn at Honey Run's most memorable and sought-after guest rooms. Set above the main building, 12 units are tucked into a gentle hill. The only window in the suites is a patio door that opens out to a sitting area overlooking the surrounding hills and farmland. The suites are designed so that you would never guess from the rooms' interiors that you are underground. The angled walls give a sense of depth, while fieldstone fireplaces, plenty of wood accents and quilts add a homey touch. The walkout patios are designed with privacy in mind -- small fieldstone walls separate the patios, which offer stunning views of the countryside. In October, Jenkins opened additional guesthouses on the property, including the Cardinal Cottage, a two-bedroom house with conveniences such as a small kitchen and laundry. He has also converted Stock's private home into The Monarch House, a meeting facility with two guest suites. Jenkins plans to renovate more structures on the property -- such as the Trillium house, a one-bedroom house with a Jacuzzi -- in order to offer a variety of accommodations for guests ranging from couples looking for a quick getaway to groups seeking a working retreat. As Jenkins walks through the inn's common areas he chats with guests, including a group of bridge players. "This is what people come here for," says Jenkins, "to relax and get away." Sometimes, he notes, they'll go to Berlin or downtown Millersburg to shop, but mostly, he says, "they like the comfort and serenity here." More than 10 walking and hiking trails -- a mix of paved and dirt pathways -- surround the property, and even Jenkins is surprised by the number of serious birders who book extended weekend stays in order to search for elusive species. Other guests simply take walks by day and enjoy the inn's restaurant at night. In fact, the restaurant is a top priority for Jenkins. Though there will always be local favorites on the menu, including the chicken pot pie and traditional ham loaf, he has introduced offerings such as his favorite herbed baked chicken with cranberry Dijon sauce and a seared wild Atlantic salmon over blue crab hash with classic béarnaise. Jenkins' new liquor license allows him to offer wine with dinner. A bundle of energy, Jenkins describes his long-term plan for the inn. While he strives for more AAA diamonds, he continues to add guest services, train staff and improve amenities. He is also forging partnerships with local businesses to improve the quality of everything from the merchandise in his gift shop to the food served at his tables. And he plans to draw from his past life in the arts to bring a series of lectures to the inn. Upcoming programs for guests include Calligraphy for the Holidays, November 8-9; Trim the Tree for the Birds, December 4; Williamsburg Christmas, December 12-January 4; and Victorian Dinner with David Lorah as Charles Dickens, December 19. Early next year, Jenkins has scheduled symposiums on gardening, the Amish, and Italian music and art. It's the end of a long day of managing the inn, but Jenkins is preparing to leave for a dinner meeting in Cleveland. He thinks he has a real find -- a photographer who roasts his own coffee beans -- possibly another Ohio treasure to add to the trove of delights to be found at the Inn at Honey Run.
Inn at Honey Run |
A new owner puts his personal stamp on the Inn at Honey Run, while preserving its best traditions.