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Shadetree InnA Magical Escape
Not Just for Lovers. Not Just for Weekends. Famous for its romantic allure, Shadetree is often booked solid on Fridays and Saturdays. But it is also a great place for nature lovers and people who just want a weekday getaway retreat. Weekday rates from Sunday through Thursday start at just $95. (Friday and Saturday rates are $175-195.)
Drawn to the Felicianas' rolling hills and diverse flora and fauna back in 1973, Kenyon transformed a stunning raw landscape into a five-star bed & breakfast treasure The Times Picayune lauded as the area's "best weekend getaway." Shadetree's four-acre hilltop bird sanctuary and sprawling valley are gorgeous, and its restored pre-Civil War Cottage has been an irresistible escape for lovers and adventurers for over a decade. There are other charming B&B's, to be sure, but Shadetree's character and natural endowments lift visitors into the stratosphere of enchantment. And, located in the heart of St. Francisville's historic district, Shadetree Inn is just a few blocks away from the best restaurants, shops, antebellum homes, gardens and other attractions this quaint town has to offer.
Enjoy relaxing on the porch, take a snooze on the hammock a few steps away, or take flight on Shadetree's famous rope swing. Go for a ride on one of the two well-maintained mountain bikes on the premises. Be sure to say hello to the two friendly cats, Queenie and Casper, who prowl the property.
"People come here for privacy and romance," says K.W. "But they also come here for the wildlife and birds."
Each suite has a king-sized bed with crisp cotton sheets, votive candles, a CD player, cable TV, private telephone, wet-bar with fridge, a microwave, toaster, and coffeemaker; and an outdoor area, complete with hibachi. Cocktails, an incredibly delicious appetizer, and a deluxe continental breakfast are included in the privacy of your suite.
Shadetree's Loft hovers at treetop level, and has impressive 10-foot ceilings and walls made from Louisana red heart cypress. Honeymooners are drawn to the Loft's Adirondack-style charm, the skylights above the bed and classic "old-fashioned" tub. The Loft's balcony overlooks an outdoor campfire and the dale leading to the Mississippi River. Then there is Shadetree's Sun Porch, with its famous glass-enclosed porch overlooking the Historic District. A shaded treetop deck affords views of the lush hillside. And there is the Sun Porch's fairy tale bath with Jacuzzi for two, and its romantic bedroom complete with canopy bed and a sensuous, hand-carved Austrian chandelier. Though noted for romantic weekends, Shadetree is also a perfect getaway on weekdays. Having the good fortune to stay here twice between Sunday and Thursday in preparation for this article, this writer had the Shadetree experience all to himself on each occasion. It was awesome. I read. I wrote. I took walks to the valley and beyond, took a bicycle for rides to the Historic District and on paths through the woods. I fed the cats a saucer of milk from the fridge. I lounged on the hammock. And I had plenty of time to explore the town of St. Francisville. The legendary rejuvenating qualities of Shadetree made parting easier than might otherwise have been. I returned to Baton Rouge feeling refreshed and ready to kick some butt. Of course, I look forward to coming back to this wonderful place called Shadetree.
K.W. invites you to give him a call at (225) 635-6116. Visit his web site www.shadetreeinn.com.
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"Every day I count my lucky stars," says K. W. Kennon, the amiable proprietor and caretaker of renowned Shadetree Inn in scenic St. Francisville. "I know I have something very special here."
Newcomers realize they are on hallowed ground when they step foot on Shadetree's vast hilltop with its soaring lush trees that provide the legendary shade and name of this place. Guests often see deer on the hill and members of a family of red fox. These are the legendary Tunica Hills which Audubon dubbed "My sweet wood." The diversity of habitat and wildlife is without parallel in the region and yours to enjoy in its full splendor at Shadetree.
The hilltop descends into a valley repeatedly called magical by visitors. Here at the base you will find deer, chipmunks, squirrels, and an amazing selection of birds. Look out for the giant yellow banana spiders, some over four inches long, which weave their webs in the trees. Beyond the valley, delighting hikers, is a charming footpath alongside an ancient cypress swamp basin.
When you've had your fill of Nature, check out Shadetree's three distinct and lovely living quarters: The Loft, the Gardener's Cottage, and the Sun Porch. Pick one; you can't go wrong.
The beautiful Gardener's Cottage has 12 stained glassed windows, a solarium with an intimate bedroom and a sumptuous bath with an "oasis-like" Jacuzzi for two, plus a front porch for bird watching and a private outdoor campfire area.
