Inns Magazine Issue 1 Vol. 19 Spring Romance 2015 | Page 25

ammy and Jim Holloway found each other later in life through eHarmony and got married. Tammy modestly shares, “We were even named

eHarmony’s Virginia Couple of the year in 2006” so you could say these two know romance. Jim says, “We call ourselves escapees from Washington DC.” He is retired from the Air Force and now works for the Coast Guard. Tammy worked as vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce as the national convention and education planner. Tammy adds, “This was a great quality-of-life change for us. We never felt a sense of belonging in DC.” Cape Charles is a small historic town nestled on the Chesapeake Bay and the inn is located in the center of town a short walk to the beach and stunning sunsets. This quaint town is like living in Mayberry, people here care about one another and it felt like home right away.” Jim shares, “We got lucky because we didn’t even research the bed and breakfast industry before making this major life change. We went to one aspiring innkeeper conference however we had already bought the inn. It was so unlike us to make such a risky life change and are so blessed it has worked out for us. We love the industry and the opportunity to meet unique people, you never know who might be at your breakfast table.”

The four-guestroom bed and breakfast was built in 1906 as a wedding present, the same family remained in it till 1960. A historic architect bought it 1994 and took out the closets and turned them all into bathrooms and it ran it as a B&B for 10 years. Tammy is a master gardener and she and Jim redesigned the entire landscape and wrap around porch, giving the inn it’s welcoming curb appeal. The inn has all sorts of romantic touches including the very popular front porch, guests love to sit on the porch swing, drink wine and talk for hours. Tammy decorated the inn and discovered a hidden talent she never knew she had. The four beautifully appointed guestrooms are all bright and spacious and all have private baths. 2015 marks the start to the B&B’s third year in business. They both love to cook, breakfast is always a decadent experience, Jim is the baker and Tammy is the ‘creative’ chef’. “We do a sunset celebration package, a basket with dinner and wine and they can take it down to the beach and enjoy the beautiful sunset. We have a variety of guests from dating couples to those celebrating 50 years of marriage, all looking for that romantic escape”. This couple will be around for a very long time, offering a piece of romance to every guest they have!

Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles

403 Tazewell Ave, Cape Charles, Virginia

757-331-2838

www.bayhaveninnbnb.com

How the love of

two turned into

B&B owners

Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles

By Mary Hughes

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