When you walk into the front door of the Daniel Rust House, there is a sign that reads: “Enter As Strangers Leave As Friends.” After spending a night in the beautiful bed and breakfast, that statement could not be truer.

Over the weekend, Ian and I took a one-night trip to the Daniel Rust House in Coventry, Connecticut. We received this overnight stay as a wedding present, and we were looking forward to celebrating my birthday weekend by taking a step back into history and relaxing for an evening.

The Daniel Rust House was built in 1731 and served as a tavern called the “Bird in Hand” from 1800 to 1832. The purpose was, and remains to this day, to be a cozy place to get away from life’s troubles and rewind.

There is so much charm in this place—a fire glowing in every hearth, beautiful antiques and paintings, and not to mention so much history! The owners, Germaine and Cathy, are so knowledgeable about the home’s history and did not hesitate in giving us a tour when we arrived. They helped us feel comfortable and were aware of my love for history and historical homes the minute we walked in. We learned that the house was a safe house on the Underground Railroad. Each room had its own story—it was incredible!

The house has a few common rooms including the cooking hearth, the Stone Room where you can read a book in front of the cozy fire, the dining room, a garden and patio, and gorgeous grounds to explore. We stayed in the Anna White Room—the mistress’s room adorned with a gorgeous canopy queen bed, comfy chairs for reading, a fireplace, and a giant bathroom equipped with a jacuzzi tub. We were ready to relax! After a delicious dinner at Nu Nu’s Bistro in Colchester (go!), we made our way back to the bed and breakfast, enjoyed some drinks, and fell asleep to the calming wood cracking in the fire.

The next morning we headed downstairs to breakfast cooked by Germaine and Cathy. It was absolutely delicious! They are extremely attentive hosts and we thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the dining room; it was like stepping back in time. We felt so comfortable and at home!

After breakfast, we went for a short walk and toured the grounds. It was a chilly morning, but it was a great way to explore and look at the apple orchards and around the property. When we were checking out, we hugged Cathy and Germaine goodbye. This is something that one would not expect when leaving a hotel or any other type of inn, but it was welcomed by us without any question. Even though we knew them for one night, we felt like guests in their home (which is true; they live in the house). We truly entered as strangers but parted as friends!

If you are in the area or traveling through Connecticut, I highly recommend the Daniel Rust House.