The premier bed and breakfast inn in Richmond’s historic Fan District is enthusiastically supporting the B&Bs Kick Gas program, marketed by the “Better Way To Stay” program of the Professional Association of Innkeepers International.

Are you seeing this at the gas pump?

Gas prices have us all in a spin.  A trip to the gas pump seems to require a trip to the bank or ATM.  Pretty soon a trip to the gas pump will be just as big a dent in our budgets as rent or mortgage payment.

But there’s no need to postpone that getaway!  We’re offering three different gas-related specials to our guests who book a new reservation between April 15 and June 30, 2011.

CARPOOL! Save gas and carpool with your friends: 2 couples stay 2 consecutive nights in 2 rooms and arrive in 1 car, we’ll deduct $25 per room to use for gas.

HYBRID! Drive a hybrid and you’ll get $35 for gas when you stay 3 consecutive nights.

WEEKDAY REBATE! Relax in one of our guest rooms for two consecutive weekday nights (Monday through Thursday) and we’ll apply 20-cents per mile for your return trip home or to your next day’s stop (up to 125 miles) as a rebate on your bill.

Choose whichever option suits your needs, but only one per reservation, please! Once you get here, you’ll be in the heart of the historic Fan District of Richmond Virginia, within walking distance of museums, attractions, restaurants and neighborhood eateries, shopping, the Landmark Theater, and Virginia Commonwealth University – so you’ll save even more gas! See our website for a full description of the special and of its restrictions.

While you’re here, we’ll treat you to a hearty gourmet breakfast every morning (the kind that sticks to your ribs) to fuel your day’s walking.  And, our guest rooms provide all the comfort and luxury you’ve come to expect. Downtown, in the Fan District is definitely a “Better Way To Stay.”  So, make your reservation now and take advantage of this exceptional opportunity!

The Garden Club of Virginia has organized the 78th Annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia from April 16th through April 23rd, presenting house and garden tours all across the state of Virginia.

Virginians from north, south, in the mountains, and by the sea are opening their doors and gates to welcome visitors to their unforgettable gardens and delightful homes dressed for Spring with fabulous flower arrangements provided by local garden clubs.  Most of the properties welcoming visitors on specific days are privately owned, but the proceeds from this tour support the preservation and restoration of the grounds of more than three dozen of Virginia’s historic landmarks.

Richmond is proud to host tours on Tuesday April 19th, Wednesday April 20th, and Thursday April 21st. Schedule.

78th Annual Historic Garden Week in Virginia Special in Richmond April 18 - 20. Book today!

Tuesday’s tour features homes and gardens in Richmond’s Hampton Gardens/Cary Street Road area. Built in the 20′s and 30′s, these homes range from Georgian Revival to English Tudor to Colonial. Each is filled with furnishings and art that reflect the personalities of its owners.  Gardens range from dramatic slopes with multiple stone terraces highlighted with banks of roses to a private backyard with a low maintenance garden of river birch, hydrangea, hosta, and Virginia’s famed azaleas.

Wednesday’s tour highlights the grandeur of Monument Avenue, the first street in America to be named a National Historic Landmark.  Homes open for the tour reflect a variety of sophisticated American and European architectural styles popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Grand entrances, soaring spaces, period architectural details, and manicured gardens and courtyards provide a feast for your eyes and wonderful ideas to take home with you.  Make prior arrangements and have lunch at the Branch House, the largest single family home built on Monument Avenue, now the Virginia Center for Architecture at 2501 Monument Avenue. Homes on Monument Avenue are not often open to the public – this is an opportunity not to be missed!

Thursday’s tour takes place in the Windsor Farms area of Richmond and includes the Windsor House built in 1945 on the site of the Windsor Farm. Located in a park-like setting, originally designed by Charles Gillette, noted landscape architect, the original brick structure and its seamless additions are an oasis in the city.  Even a later home, a Dutch Colonial built in 1970, opens its doors and gardens to the public on this Wednesday. Enjoy a prearranged lunch under a tent at Agecroft Hall and enjoy the grounds and gardens of Agecroft as an added bonus.

Here’s an inn-side tip: plan to attend all three tours in Richmond, and book your three-night stay at Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast right in the middle of it all in the heart of Richmond’s historic Fan District. Book your stay for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights – April 18, 19, 20, reference OPEN HOUSE, and get 35% off Wednesday’s room rate.  In addition, you’ll get a hearty gourmet breakfast every morning that will stick to your ribs for the day’s walking tour. Come back to the inn, enjoy our complimentary evening wine and cheese in the inn’s private gardens.  You’ll get free off-street parking, private en-suite bathrooms, and even free Wi-Fi to keep up with your e-mail – if you must.

The tours are walking tours, so please wear comfortable walking shoes for your own safety and as a courtesy to the homeowners who have generously opened their residences for the tour. Each ticket will have a map of the houses open on the tour.  Organizers of the tours request no interior photography or sketching and no use of cell phones within the tour houses.  Tickets will be available on tour day at any of the properties open for touring. Advance tickets for the tour are available on-line, as are guidebooks with all the details about each property and tours across the state.  Luncheons must be prearranged as well! Make your plans now!

Make 2011 a special Valentines Day to getaway from everyday cares, to reconnect with  your loved one, to celebrate a special occasion, or – perhaps – to propose in a very romantic way!

Capture a special weekend at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast

Book one of our rooms for the Friday and Saturday before Valentines Day (Feb 11 and 12) and we’ll supply a bottle of Barboursville Vineyards Sparkling Brut, two flutes to take home with you, and a box of Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates! Just mention “Lover’s Deal” when you make your reservation on line or by phone at (804) 254-2928.

Changes in our plans yield an exceptional opportunity for Valentine’s Day weekend for you!  We had hoped to spend our tenth wedding anniversary in Paris this Valentine’s Day – but our plans have changed – which opens the door for you to spend this most special weekend at our romantic bed and breakfast inn.

Our urban bed and breakfast in Richmond Virginia’s historic Fan District presents the perfect surroundings for a premier stay: high end pillowtop mattresses and high quality linens, private en-suite bathrooms with both tub (one even has a whirlpool tub) and separate tiled showers, wi-fi (just in case you are forced to check e-mail), a lovely parlor with gas coal fireplace, a hearty gourmet breakfast for two served on individual platters, off street parking, a garden/library room with complimentary evening beverage service and snacks from 5 PM to 7 PM, off street parking for your vehicle, and within walking distance of fine neighborhood dining.

Looking for nightlife? The To The Bottom and Back “free” bus runs to Shockoe Bottom’s night spots for music and dancing on the Cary/main loop just one block away. Or, if you’d rather a more intimate mode of transportation – BioTaxi, in their Mercedes sedan running on biodiesel, will be happy to drive you to and from your destination – in as “green” a way as possible.

This winter has been hard with intense cold and lots of snow – treat yourself and your someone special to a weekend to remember!  Make your arrangements at Richmond’s premier bed and breakfast inn now!

That’s right! The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ special exhibition titled “Tiffany: Color and Light” has closed. But, did you know that many of the lamps and other decorative arts pieces are part of the permanent collections of the VMFA. Many of the lamps, and many others not part of the special exhibition, are part of the Sydney and Frances Lewis collections and are on permanent display here at VMFA in Richmond, Virginia. The sculpture garden at VMFA is currently featuring the huge ceramic works of Jun Kaneko, including a 9 1/2 foot tall bright blue face. Were you aware that the VMFA has one of the top 3 collections of Himalayan and Tibetan art? That collection was featured in a blog post here in early Spring. The VMFA collection of Indian art is ranked in the top 5. And, of course, there is the fabulous collection of Faberge. So in addition to first class permanent collections, the museum has scheduled special exhibitions into 2011. Just because Tiffany has closed – that’s no reason to scratch the Virginia Museum of FIne Arts off your to-do list; there’s plenty more to see and experience.

Proudly connecting both the historic Fan District and Richmond’s Museum District, the VMFA has just been newly expanded and renovated. Even the architecture is a sight to see! So, while our Tiffany Glass special has expired, we invite you to book a stay at our Fan District Bed and Breakfast, called by a recent guest “the Tiffany of Inns” on TripAdvisor, enjoy southern hospitality at its finest and indulge in our hearty gourmet breakfasts. As for on-going specials, we do offer a military discount special and a discount for a two-night stay on weekdays in our posh Regency Room with its private en-suite bathroom and whirlpool tub. Start planning now!

Bed and breakfasts and inns across the United States are offering free rooms on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 in observance of Veteran’s Day (November 11th) to honor servicemen and women.  This program was started by the West Virginia B&B Association in 2009 and has expanded in 2010 to include 35 states, a Canadian province, and more than 200 inns. PARTICIPATING PROPERTIES.  Requirements for each bed and breakfast and inn vary so contact the owner/manager directly via e-mail or telephone to verify availability and to reserve your room!  The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast in Richmond, Virginia’s historic Fan District is proud to participate in this program.  In fact, we have already been in contact with an active-duty serviceman who has already reserved our rooms!  But, don’t despair – we offer a standard military discount of 10% to active-duty and retired military servicemen and women every day of the year! Simply reserve your room, click on Specials, and select Military Discount.  To be eligible, we’ll ask to see your military ID when you check in!

You’ll be treated to the same luxurious amenities as our other guests: private en-suite bathroom, high-end pillowtop mattresses with high thread-count linens, thick fluffy towels, a welcome tray with Gearhart’s fine chocolates, ice, and Perrier, a selection of snacks, a complimentary wine hour – and, best of all, our hearty gourmet breakfast for two!  Breakfast here at our bed and breakfast is a big deal including custom-blended coffee or tea, juice, a fruit course, and breakfast entree – either savory or sweet.  If you have dietary restrictions, let us know and we’ll adjust the menu accordingly.  So, if you’re eligible, take advantage of this offer and make your reservation today!

And, if you’re interested in the Veteran’s Day free night check the website for other participating bed and breakfasts! We want to show you how much you are appreciated!

Tiffany: Color and Light’s closing is imminent – just 3 weeks away on August 15th!  Have you seen the glass master’s exhibit at Richmond’s Virginia Museum of Fine Arts? Better make your plans now.

Don't Miss the wonder of Tiffany's Glass

The Richmond VMFA is the only museum in the US to feature this exhibition and, once it closes, the items will be dispersed back to their owners: museums from around the world. Drawing on the finest collections in Europe, North America, and Russia, the exhibition presents Tiffany as an artist of international stature and significance. Curated by the world’s leading scholars, the exhibition focuses on his primary achievements – the innovative techniques and artistry he developed to achieve original and spectacular effects in glass. Among the exhibition’s more than 180 objects are examples of the leaded-glass windows and lamps for which he is best known as well as blown-glass vessels and decorative objects such as mosaics, jewelry, bronzes, paintings, watercolors, architectural elements, and silver. Eight newly restored windows from the Erskine and American United Church in Montreal – considered one of his most spectacular commissions – have never before been shown in the United States and will form a dazzling and memorable centerpiece to the presentation.  And, save your ticket stubs for the exhibition to take advantage of our special: stay at our inn for two nights Monday through Thursday, present your used ticket stubs, and we will refund your admission fees by applying a credit to your invoice! Subject to Conditions.

To round out your Tiffany-focused trip, don’t forget to check out the Tiffany Driving Tour.  Focusing on glass works, make time to explore Hans Godo Frabel’s Glassworks in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. Richmond is rich in its art – don’t miss it!

Can a restaurant be a work of art? Take time to check out Amuse, the restaurant in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts that overlooks the the sculpture garden. A recent review by Dana Craig was very positive and limited hours make reservations hard to get. The secret: Plan ahead!

Book your reservation for the Tiffany: Color and Light Exhibit at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts by phone at 804-340-1405 or on-line at TICKETS and expect to be dazzled by this only US appearance of Tiffany’s varied and spectacular works.  Then make a reservation for two-nights at the William Miller House Bed and Breakfast in either the Regency or Touch of France room. Show us your used ticket stub and we’ll deduct the cost of your tickets (maximum 2 per room) from the invoice for your two-night stay.

Stay at Richmond’s gourmet bed and breakfast and see the Tiffany exhibit on us!

This special is valid until the exhibit closes on August 15th and may not be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount.  The William Miller House Bed and Breakfast cannot guarantee or offer tickets to the Tiffany exhibit which are obtained through the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Congratulations and best wishes are sent to our Richmond inn‘s guests this weekend.

Bright white blooms dress camellias in the gardens at Richmond Bed and Breakfast

C. and M. from Reston, Virginia actually became engaged during their weekend getaway here in Richmond, Virginia.

The weekend’s weather was beautiful for exploring public spaces and gardens and this lovely couple took advantage of Spring and its promise of renewal and rebirth to decide to marry Spring 2011.  And, just for the occasion, the camellia in the east garden decided to put on a show.

We love to be a part, even a small part, of our guests’ special experiences in Richmond.  And, when our Richmond bed and breakfast becomes a backdrop for some of life’s major milestones, we are elated to participate.  Let us know if we can help plan an engagement, an anniversary, a birthday, or even a special getaway – just for two.  We can even add a bottle of bubbly and an 8 or 16 piece box of Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates along with special William Miller House glasses for you to take as a momento – just check our specials.

Our Richmond Virginia inn has switched chocolatiers!  Our welcome tray will now include  a two-piece box of Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates to further our commitment to locally-owned purveyors.  The mouth-watering chocolates we selected for our two-piece box are Criolla, an extra bittersweet Chocolate ganache with natural cacao nibs, dipped in dark chocolate, and Mint Julep, a creamy milk chocolate ganache infused with fresh mint, spiked with aged Kentucky bourbon, and dipped in milk chocolate.  Chocolate connoisseurs will delight in their richness and flavor!

Chocolatier Tim Gearhart puts the finishing touches on a tray of his superb confections

These chocolates come from their boutique at Libbie and Grove, here in Richmond, but are crafted by Tim Gearhart in his kitchen in Charlottesville.  Tim’s uncompromising focus on quality has secured him a spot as one of Chocolatier Magazine’s “Top 20 Artisan Chocolatiers!”  Best of all, Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates, here in Richmond, is open Tuesday through Saturday so you can take some home for friends and family.

We’ll also be changing our bed and breakfast‘s Bubbles and Berries “little something extra” to a Bubbles and Chocolates special to add to your reservation so you can indulge in some of Virginia’s finest.  The Bubbles is Barboursville Winery’s Barboursville Brut (remember Champagne only comes from Champagne, France) – Virginia’s own classic blend of bubbly.  And, you’ll get to take the William Miller House champagne flutes home as a memento. For the chocolate dipped berries, we will be substituting a 8-piece box of assorted Gearhart’s Fine Chocolates – all for $39.  And, for the chocolate lovers out there, we’ll upgrade the 8-piece assortment to a 16-piece assortment  for only $10 more!

Our Historic Fan District inn is minutes away from all there is to do and see!  And, we’ll share our “innsider’s” scoop and local knowledge of best-kept secrets with you – the best dining options, the best shopping, the best antiquing, the best galleries, the best museums, the best of everything to make your next getaway the best ever!

Our Fan District bed and breakfast has been THE spot for couples to celebrate many anniversaries, just plain ole regular anniversaries as well as milestone ones like Silver and Gold. Guests have traveled from as far as Germany or from as near as Richmond and its surrounding area to celebrate that special occasion.

The privacy of an en-suite bathroom and the luxury of a whirlpool tub make this a perfect choice for an anniversary celebration, 1st or 50th or anything in-between

Generally, they choose our Regency Room with its brass king bed, en-suite private bathroom as their luxurious escape. Perhaps it is just the whirlpool tub that  beckons or the chance to get away from everyday routines to reconnect with their someone special. Bubbles and Berries, a little something extra added onto a reservation, complete the picture.  This week we have been fortunate to be selected by two couples celebrating anniversaries – one of them is our 25th couple celebrating their 25th anniversary!  Just like in the Olympics, that makes it two silvers!

Celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday, anniversary or any of life’s milestones, or just need to get away from it all?  Check into our Richmond Virginia inn for the ultimate in creature comforts.