The King’s Daughter Inn began its existence as a retirement home. It is hard to fathom that when you pull up to this gorgeous boutique bed and breakfast. Located in the Trinity Park neighborhood of Durham, just a stone’s throw from Duke University, the King’s Daughter Inn offers guests a glimpse of the luxury of a bygone era.
When the inn came up for sale in 2006, Deanna and Colin Crossman saw it as a challenge that they wanted to tackle. They have managed to maintain all the charm that the building had while adding all the modern amenities that any discerning guest could possibly want. Many of the improvement that they made were eco-friendly and they believe in being environmentally responsible. The Inn opened for business in 2009.
The inn has a grand staircase that is designed to impress, you can’t help but notice it as soon as you enter. For those guest who would rather not do stairs, there is an elevator and a handicap accessible side entrance. Many of the original features of the 1925 home have been preserved including the magnificent doors and transoms.
Every room is unique and different from every other one and it makes perfect sense to spend time on their website deciding which one fits your particular taste, some are modern and others contemporary. They have suites as well as more standard rooms. They are all drop dead gorgeous so you can’t make a bad decision.
The staff is very obliging and afternoon coffee or tea will be provided in the public areas or in your room if you request it. Truffles and Port arrive in your room in the evening which is also a great selling point.
We had the Watts Room. It was spacious and included a small sofa, chairs, desk and armoire. The bed was extremely comfortable with a firm but plush mattress and loads of pillows. A flat screen TV was attached to the wall in front of the bed. The bathroom is ultra-modern with a green glass bowl sink and great shower and tub. Even the toilet is unique as it uses recycled water from the inn's laundry. The amenities are made by local people and the shampoo was so phenomenal that this writer bought a bottle at the front desk to take home. The entire building is Wi-Fi and accessing the Internet is simple.
If you are looking for assistance choosing a restaurant for lunch or dinner, the front desk has an extensive collection of menus from local restaurants some of which deliver.
Breakfast during the week is simple. Deanna told this writer she had to adjust to her guest's tastes and often during the week guests are visiting professors etc. at Duke and they wanted simple eggs, not elaborate breakfasts. You can help yourself to cereal, yogurt, fruit and juice in addition to the daily cooked breakfast. The food is simple but satisfying. Coffee is available quite early.
The inn captures rain water in a cistern that it uses to maintain the exterior areas of the building. It is all part of their green philosophy.
This is a gorgeous inn with a friendly staff and committed owners. Colin and Deanna have moved on to a new project so are not onsite as much as previously but have not abandoned this inn. I can confidently recommend The King’s Daughter Inn to anyone who is traveling to Durham. You will receive a warm welcome and genuine Southern hospitality. The location is also excellent for visiting everything that the Durham area has to offer especially Duke University.
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