Review: Abigail’s Bed & Breakfast Inn—Ashland, OR

My long day on the BMW R 18 began near Seattle and culminated in Ashland, OR. In this small town, renowned for hosting the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival, I arrived at Abigail’s Bed & Breakfast Inn.

Against the blushing evening sky, the sight of the charming Victorian-styled Abigail’s removed all of the doubts you sometimes have when blind-booking accommodations online. Abigail’s delivered above and beyond my expectations.

The bed-and-breakfast is charming, warm, colorful, and many other things that promise comfort and hospitality. The owners—originally from South Africa— greeted me warmly and directed me into the private parking area.

I then climbed the stairs to my cozy, well-appointed room for the night. Abigail’s has only five rooms and I got a second-story one with an eastern view of the distant Cascade Range.

The owners have done a stellar job refurbishing the establishment to its original glory, creating a beautiful retreat for the wayward. The rooms exude classy Victorian charm, with nice fixtures and plenty of wood and brass accents—not to mention the plush beds.

I took a long, hot shower to loosen up my road-weary muscles and found complimentary fluffy towels to get fully rejuvenated.

After my shower, I came downstairs to get the owners’ expert guidance on where to eat. Being just a mile from downtown, I left the bike in its parking space and made the pleasant walk into the village.

Ashland has a wide assortment of restaurants, catering all palates from the casual to the most worldly. The Shakespeare Festival was in full tilt and excitement stirred the air with evening performances of the Bard’s plays underway.

After debating between Thai, Indian, and Greek, I settled on Macaroni’s Ristorante for pasta and a glass of red wine. After dinner, I went to O’Ryan’s Irish Pub for a Guinness and to listen to traditional Irish music.

Ashland is an art town, with galleries sprinkled throughout the downtown area. They’re augmented by a friendly local disposition, welcoming out-of-towners.

A leisurely stroll back to Abigail’s and that wonderful bed brought me the kind of sleep that only a long ride can deliver. The TV remained unused—no time wasted on channel surfing.

In the morning, I came downstairs to find the grand dining room table set with an incredible choice of homemade breakfast options and freshly baked goods, with orange juice and plenty of rich, strong coffee. The other guests, all strangers, gathered to talk about where they were from and where they were headed. After all, we were travelers, kindred spirits.

Abigail’s Bed & Breakfast Inn is a great base for several days of riding and exploring this area of Oregon by motorcycle. Having a set place to return to each night is very convenient.

For now, it was just one night. Abigail’s is one of those establishments that is hard to say goodbye to. I will be back.

Facts & Info

Amenities

• Peaceful setting
• Comfortable sitting room with books to read
• Private parking area just out back with easy access to your room
• Great breakfast
• In-room coffee maker with a selection of coffees and teas
• Easy-to-find location right on Main Street.
• Quiet rooms with no noises through the walls
• Rooms are big enough to spread out gear and maps

Nearby Attractions

• Downtown Ashland is an attraction in itself, with shopping, galleries, restaurants, and outing options
• Oregon Shakespeare Festival

Nearby Roads

The roads in this part of Oregon range from I-5 (which surprisingly has some sweeping aspects and lovely scenery) to SR 199 and especially SR 96, which lazily twists its way southwest some 190 miles to the California coast. From there, you can pick up US 101 back into Oregon.

Price

Prices range from $240 to $290 per night, depending on the room. The price includes breakfast, which will not be outdone in town.

Location

451 N Main Street, Ashland, OR, (541) 482-4563