My husband wanted a special place for us to spend our wedding night in Stillwater, something more intimate than a room in a chain hotel, so we looked at two B & B?s close to our reception location (Stillwater Country Club). The William Sauntry was gorgeous, but the rooms at the Aurora Staples Inn were prettier & looked more old-fashioned. Wanting to spend the last night apart before we were wed & needing a place to get ready the day of the wedding, I booked the Carriage House, a separate building/room at the Aurora. My husband booked two nights in the Giverny Room at the Aurora so he could also stay nearby & dress for the wedding. At check-in I was offered a glass of wine & delicious hors d?oevures by Cathy Helmberger - she was a fantastic hostess & very accommodating to our needs, also bringing orange juice and heart-shaped muffins to my room the morning of the wedding. Seeing the Carriage House in person I was floored - the room was huge & stunningly beautiful with many luxuries ? a king-sized bed, large hot tub, a fireplace & a separate bathroom with a shower. The night before the wedding my sisters slept on rollaway beds & the next day we prepared for the wedding with our mother, the other bridesmaids, the flowergirl & the ringbearer. There was more than enough space in the room for our photographers, hair stylists & our wedding bouquets/flowers in a cooler ? I was impressed. The morning of the wedding, my husband got to experience breakfast in the dining room & prepared for the wedding in his room with his best man. It was so convenient having everyone at the same place ? our photographers were able to get spectacular pictures/video of the entire preparation. I must say I was highly impressed with our stay at the Aurora Staples, our first B & B stay, & if I had it to do all over again Id do it all the same. Thank you Cathy & Jerry ? be proud of the wonderful service & beautiful home you share with the world! My husband & I will definitely be staying again!
Pros: Off-street parking; beautiful rooms made for spectacular wedding photos and a memorable experience; delicious food; innkeepers were caring and helpful; we barely heard the other guests.
Cons: None really ? I would say ?spendy? but few B & B?s are cheap. The Carriage House is the most expensive room at the Aurora (esp. on weekends) because of its size and amenities.
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