While the Obama family will soon take up residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you don’t have to be a famous celebrity, well-known politician or a deep-pockets donor to sleep in the White House.
“If you’ve always dreamed of staying overnight in the White House, here’s your chance,” says Sandy Soule, VP of Marketing for BedandBreakfast.com, the largest online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide. “You can park in the First Lady’s parking spot, dine in the Reagan Dining Room and even sleep in the West Wing at these B&Bs, all featuring a White House theme or connection,” says Soule.
Enjoy Presidential trivia, breakfast cooked by a former White House chef and White House architecture, while basking in guest room fit for a President at these B&Bs. Washington may be sold out for the Presidential inauguration, but these white houses have rooms fit for a President with rates starting at $125 per night.
White House Inn and Spa, Napa, CA: While the inn is white, its theme is green. Describing itself as Napa’s “first hip green hotel”, this white-columned inn offers 17 newly appointed rooms. The Presidential Suite is fit for the nation’s leader or the most discriminating traveler; this 1,300- square-foot cottage offers two floors, two baths and a double spa tub. Within easy walking distance of downtown Napa, you’ll find trendy chic surroundings for Napa’s newest generation of eco-travelers.
The White House, Nantucket, MA: This historic property, ideally located in the core district of Nantucket and adjacent to the Jared Coffin garden, is named after its exterior color more than the Presidential theme. The first floor is home to one of the island’s fine whaling antique shops where a resident scrimshander can be found carving actual whale bone. Guest rooms above feature Ralph Lauren bedding, private baths and views of the town. Guests are given vouchers to enjoy breakfast at a nearby restaurant.
1 Church Street, The White House B&B, Belfast, ME: Built by James P. White, this home has long been considered one of the most dramatic in Maine, like its namesake in DC. Designed with graceful symmetry, a columned facade and an eight-sided cupola, it is one of the most photographed homes on Maine’s coast. The home’s interior is as stunning as the exterior, with ornate plaster ceiling medallions, marble fireplaces and intricate moldings. A park-like triangle of grounds and gardens surround Maine’s White House.
Portland’s White House B&B, Portland, OR: A dead ringer for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, this circa 1911 B&B comes complete with 14 pillars and fountain in front. Restored to its original splendor with sparkling European chandeliers, a formal dining room, sweeping staircase and a grand ballroom, this B&B offers extensive collections of European and Continental porcelains and 18th and 19th century oil paintings. Five guest rooms in the main house and three guest rooms in the Carriage House are elegantly appointed with antiques, paintings and porcelains. King or queen feather beds, feather pillows and rich linens guarantee that unlike the President, guests can enjoy a relaxing and carefree night’s sleep.
The White House Inn, Blacksburg, SC: The majestic columns topped with Corinthian capitals frame the entrance to this inn, which resembles a smaller version of the Presidential White House, although its name comes from former owner Mr. Jim White, a local architectural visionary. Guests can choose to stay in the White House Suite, complete with private bath, kitchenette and dining, living and sleeping areas or choose the Rose Garden Room overlooking a view of the Rose of Sharon trees.
The Texas White House, Fort Worth, TX: A stay here comes with a guarantee that it’ll be the most accommodating B&B in Texas. Guest rooms feature private baths and sitting areas. Some are complete with double whirlpool tubs or private saunas. On-site massages mean that whether you’re President of the country or your own fan club, you can relax knowing you’re close to Fort Worth’s attractions and downtown offices.
The Little White House B&B, Fredericksburg, VA: Built in 1740, this B&B is part of the oldest house in historic Fredericksburg. Charles Dick, a commissioner of the Revolutionary War gunnery, built the house on a bluff above the Rappahannock River, across from the boyhood home of his close friend George Washington. Presidents Adams, Coolidge, and Cleveland have also visited the smaller namesake of their presidential home. Use this family-friendly B&B as a base to explore all the history of nearby Fredericksburg.
A Williamsburg White House, Williamsburg, VA: A passion for presidential politics led the owners to open a B&B to show off all their Presidential photos and White House collections. Arrive and choose to park in the Chief of Staff or First Lady’s reserved parking spot. You’ll dine in the Reagan Dining Room and relax in the Kennedy Library, filled with photos and reminders of President Kennedy’s time in the White House. Choose to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom suite, complete with Ford’s Theater sitting room, or stay in the newer West Wing with FDR’s Suite complete with photos of his time in office. True to its theme, down to the sign on the inside of the front door which reads “Homeland Security asks that you please close the door,” this B&B is ideal for political junkies and those looking for a positively presidential respite within walking distance of Colonial Williamsburg.
White House Inn, Wilmington, VT: Built as a summer home in 1915 for lumber baron Martin Brown, this inn has 14 fireplaces, finely crafted French doors and two-story terraces supported by soaring pillars. Three intimate dining rooms mean guests can enjoy a cocktail and dinner while watching a magnificent sunset through the large windows. The inn has 16 guest rooms, each equipped with private bath and furnished with period pieces. Thanks to the inn’s majestic hilltop location, there is a view fit for a king – or a President – from every room.
To learn more about more White House B&Bs and nearly 7,000 other perfect choices for your next B&B getaway, visit BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. For the perfect gift, purchase The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcomed at nearly 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, including most of the white house inns mentioned above. A variety of search functions and extensive maps enable inngoers to find the perfect B&B. Travelers can make reservations online, read up-to-date trip reports on The BedandBreakfast.com Blog, read and write independent reviews, and post questions on expert-hosted message boards.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
