Small town luxury

The Weekend ReTweaters were excited for an invitation to stay at The Inn at Versailles located west of Columbus in Darke County.  We were looking forward to discovering a new get away and our first ReTweat in western Ohio.

Versailles is an All-American town with streets lined with patriotic flags and well maintained homes with perfectly manicured lawns.  Founded by French immigrants, Versailles seems to be a step back in time and small town America at it’s best.  Arriving on the first sunny day in months, families were enjoying the weather outside by working in their yards, taking walks and playing ball with their children.  This warm atmosphere seemed so welcoming and safe.  

A friendly staff welcomes guests to the Inn at Versailles upon arrival. Located in the heart of the downtown, the Inn has the feel of a Bed and Breakfast with uniquely decorated rooms and luxurious bathrooms.  We felt like royalty in our beautiful rooms and a meeting room we were generously given access to.  Friday night the delicious aromas from Michael Anthony’s filled the Inn as we settled in, which made us anxious for our reservation on Saturday night.  

Roy Brown, the general manager of the Inn at Versailles and his staff welcomed us, offering suggestions for our weekend stay.  Saturday morning our agenda included a driving tour of Versailles with Mr. Brown, including visiting the River Watch Conference Center, Sycamore Bridge Farms, The Sculptural Village, the Stillwater Valley Golf Club and MidMark manufacturing campus.  MidMark, a local manufacturing company of medical equipment, is the owner of the Inn at Versailles and a benevolent force in the village.  We were impressed by MidMark’s innovative investments in the community.  

Saturday afternoon we ventured off to see more of Darke County.  First stop was the Winery at Versailles.  They were expecting a large crowd for an event, so we continued on to Greenville.  We had a refreshing lunch at Montage Cafe, where we had an assortment of salads and bought a bottle of wine for later.   It was a perfect day to meander through the downtown shops of Greenville, which included the Kitchen Aide store and museum.  Before we hit the road again we stopped in Sweet One O One for a coffee, a little treat and a chance to check into our social networks.  Our final stop of the day was at the Bear’s Mill, a “working” mill that serves as a general store and a cultural center exhibiting local artists.  

Returning to the Inn at Versailles, we recuperated from a full day of sightseeing by soaking in our luxurious baths and relaxing in our comfy meeting room.  We were all looking forward to our meal at Michael Anthony’s.  

Dinner was a culinary treat!  Michael Anthony’s is known for using only the freshest ingredients and food grown on their Sycamore Bridge Farm.  Harp guitarist, Eric Loy provided ambiance as we shared a meal with Roy Brown and his lovely wife Elaine.  We sampled four appetizers, chose Merlot from Washington State, savored entrees that could easily be served in a world class restaurant and finished the meal with decadent deserts.  Unanimously we agreed that a Michael Anthony’s is a perfect choice for special occasions and will soon declare one so that we can return!  

Hanging out in our comfy meeting room Saturday night, we discussed how fun it is to explore small towns.  We enjoyed our weekend of luxury at the Inn at Versailles and visiting the various shopping experiences within Darke County.  It was fun to discover a new get away in western Ohio.  We weren’t able to see all the points of interests in Darke County and there is enough to do that we could easily return to finish sightseeing.  

What are your favorite spots in Darke County?  Please share your experiences and favorites of Darke County in our comments!