Early this year, I started looking for a place where I could take a long weekend treat and get away from my work at home life. Luckily, I found 1847 Quilt Retreat Center that is housed in the Hotel Millersburg, Millersburg Ohio. Millersburg is within 3 hrs of my house and I love central Ohio so I thought why not? Still, retreats are for groups right? And I'm only ONE!! But I thought I would call the coordinator and see what she thought. Leslie was super accommodating and didn't think it would be a problem at all. She had several groups of quilters coming in the spring and she picked one that she thought I would like. (But really they do retreats for one or two if you want since they have bedrooms that are big enough for that). After picking one of the 33 rooms to stay in, I was all set!
Leslie was right. The group, Pieceable Quilters from Zanesville, Ohio are an amazing group of ladies. Not only did they adopt us (my friend Rhonda from work joined me as well!) as one of their own but they made sure to include us in all the fun they had planned for the weekend. We were so lucky to get to know them!
So onto the Review:
Pros
- Retreats can be customized to your needs and can accommodate 1-50 crafters.
- The actual crafting facilities are adequate. 5 ft tables, cutting tables with mats, iron stations, padded chairs (complete with kabooti cushions), 24 - hr secure access, restrooms clean and nearby
- Soft drinks provided through out retreat
- Unique bedrooms with many different options to choose from
- Large - YUMMY - breakfast included
- Affordable made from scratch restaurant on site. The food was AMAZING.
My Room - Hotel staff was super friendly and approachable.
- The whole place had a very relaxed atomsphere where you didn't have to do your hair or make up all weekend if you didn't want to. (Which I did not - LOL)
- The hotel is all VERY ADA accessible with large bathrooms and a nice elevator.
- Small town environment with many interesting main street businesses, restaurants and quilt shops near by. It all feels very safe and Mayberry.
- Nick - yes they have a Nick who helps you move in and out, makes sure you have everything you need, will show you how to fix your heating in the room, and will sit and chat if you want to know some local flavor. Whatever they are paying him is NOT enough.
- A Truly well priced Great Value!
Let me just say that none of these really affected my stay ... but still want to include them.
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| Playing a Fat Quarter Game |
- The traffic in town is crazy. Their main street sits on state road and literally 18 wheelers are constantly going by.
- Parking for the hotel,while free, is hard to come by in the busy public lots
- Unpacking your car happens on this busy main street
- Communication between staff could have been better and more organized.
- The service in the restaurant was hit or miss and they definitely for now were understaffed (I expect this will change since between the quilt retreats getting popular and tourist season starting in May they will need even more help)
So how was my stay personally??? Just the best retreat I've ever taken! I loved that Nick helped move us in. There was plenty of time to sew and I worked on my Craftsy Block of the Month quilt and my hand pieced Pinwheel quilt. We ate mostly in the Hotel and both of us loved the food. I mean - really loved it! They literally have the best Rubens EVER! Leslie chose an interior bedroom for me with a large king size bed. At first I thought I wouldn't like it since it didn't really have an exterior window but I didn't realize how safe I would feel in the room and how quiet it would be. Plus it was super close to our working space that I could hop back and forth with no problem. The whole hotel was VERY clean and well kept up. There were quilts everywhere - if there was a wall - there was a quilt on it.
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| Our Soft Drink Station |
I did make a quick run to a near by quilt shop - Somewhere Sewing - where they had exactly what I needed. I didn't make it to Zincks or Miller's Drygoods but I will next time. In my quiet huge bed I slept great, got a ton done and felt rested when I got home. The whole time totally recharged me. I loved the atmosphere that I can tell that will be my new go-to place to get away. I love low maintenance vaca's that don't cost an arm and a leg....especially where their is sewing and food involved.
Obviously I can hardily recommend!!!
So What Have Been Up to Creatively?
I lived in Dover, about 45 minutes east of Millersburg, for 22 years and I had no idea there was a retreat place in Millersburg! You think the main street was busy, just wait until tourist season gets going! Berlin, where Zinks is located, is nuts in the summer! You could easily spend four or five days in this area going to the different quilt shops and stores. Oh, and don't forget the bakeries and cheese places that are scattered throughout the area. I now live 75 miles from Charm where Miller's Dry Goods is located. I miss not being able to jump in the car on a whim and head out to Holmes county for some fabric shopping. Now there is more planning involved with the distance.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a charming place. I wish there was a quilt retreat nearby where I live. Me time sure sounds wonderful, I too work from home. Thank you for the linky party and sharing your experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the links. Looks like a lovely place:)
ReplyDeleteI have never been in retreat, and yours sounds like an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing your pros and cons
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a perfect place and with your positive spin on things your surely had a ball. Thanks for sharing and thanks for keeping on with Off the Wall Friday.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post. It would be wonderful if more people would write reviews like yours. I'm in California. Alas this retreat house is a bit far for me. It sounds like you had a wonderful time. You're very good at giving a review. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Everyone!! I do want to mention that people come from all over to the Millersburg for retreats because central Ohio in the summer is gorgeous. Not only is it in the heart of Amish country but it has this nice relaxed old fashion summer feel that sometimes is missing in our world today. No matter if you are near or far, it would make a really nice AFFORDABLE vacation. There is a ton of sewing and fabric stores in the area and plenty for a bored husband to find interesting too. (And no nobody paid me - LOL- I just like quiet relaxing vacations)
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like a great place. Thanks for the review. Would love to do that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and cool place. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for hosting and I hope that you have a wondeful week.
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