I love the experience of staying in an inn or B & B. Some have that wonderful cozy feel like you are staying with old friends. Others offer a chance to sleep in a historic setting while still others offer luxury and relaxation. I am especially enamoured of the inns and B & B’s that dot the countryside and small towns of New England and Maine. I have this crazy goal to stay in as many of them as possible.

I found the James Place Inn on the Internet when researching our first trip to Maine. I was looking for something different in the town of Freeport other than a generic room in a chain hotel. This B & B is located off Route 1 on a quiet residential street (11 Holbrook Street) in a beautifully restored Victorian style home that was built in 1890. Each of the 7 quest rooms (all with ensuite bath) is a different decor and color, but all possess that homey cozy feel.

Unfortunately I had waited too long to make a reservation and the only room available was the Yellow Room. Located on the top floor, this light filled room, courtesy of a skylight and windows, has a queen bed and a hot tub, good to enjoy a long soak after a day of shopping. The tiny bathroom with it’s tiny shower stall was the only downside to this room. (I peeked into a couple of other rooms on the same floor and noted more spacious bathrooms.)

The James Place Inn is a favorite with many visitors who are regular guests, so booking far in advance if you desire a specific room is highly recommended and/or there is an event in Freeport during your stay. My favorite is the Pine Room with knotty pine paneled walls and a cozy fireplace that give it a true Maine flavor and romantic ambiance.

Tori and Robin Baron are delightful innkeepers and live on-site in their house behind the inn. Robin was more than wonderful helping schlep my heavy suitcase up the stairs to our room. (I really must learn to pack lighter.) He was gracious, coming to my aid when I clogged the toilet.

The breakfast is the crowning feature of this inn. Everything is homemade, some from family recipes. Upon arrival, I was lucky enough to snag a Pumpkin Scone from that morning’s breakfast which made for a nice afternoon snack. Since we were there on a Sunday, the great tradition of Maine Blueberry pancakes was served, along with a slice of delicious quiche. I also had a hefty chunk of the coffee cake which was incredibly moist and tasted like a sugar cookie. When we came back from shopping prior to checking out, I was invited into the inn’s beautiful kitchen and allowed to have another piece of this yummy coffee cake for the road. It’s little touches like this that make this inn like a good friend’s home, only better.