When two sisters want to take a third to the perfect Afternoon Tea for her birthday, it can take lots of research and discussion. There’s price, dates that work for all of us, sharing allowed or not, dietary restrictions, location near or far. It’s not easy. 🙂

The Inn

Luckily, we had to cancel our original plans due to the recent WNC ice storm. I say “luckily” because in the meantime we stumbled upon a little known Afternoon Tea (experience) at Bed & Breakfast on Tiffany Hill in Mills River!

Owners Karen and Craig Verm are pretty darn amazing.  Karen is a pianist and Craig is an opera singer. As second owners they’ve been at the Inn’s helm for about two years. Impressively, on one day’s notice Craig recently stood in for a singer with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra. This is just one of the reasons a performance comes with Breakfast for overnight guests or Afternoon Tea.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking anything at the B&B is “stodgy”! Both Karen and Craig are so genuinely jovial.  The building was thoughtfully designed and built to be an Inn. Design is classic beauty, aka light, airy as well as cozy, and gorgeous.

Suites are spacious, beautifully layed out and decorated with attention to detail. They’re all en suite, also. You can browse them all here.

Afternoon Tea

Pricing for Afternoon Tea is per person and extremely reasonable. I’m not mentioning specific price in case it changes. I can’t say enough about the extent Karen went to in accomodating dietary restrictions! Well above and beyond, she tried new products and adjusted recipes. Everything was absolutely delicious!

When weather’s not cooperating, tea and meals are at a large communal table just off the kitchen and front hall. In nicer weather there’s seating at multiple tables on the back patio.

After your Tea or Breakfast, you’ll be served  what they call the “Fourth Course” – entertainment in the form of a short concert by the Verms. Loved it!

For more information on the Inn and it’s wonderful keepers, check out this WLOS article published 9 months ago: “Musical bed and breakfast continues community support 8 months after Helene“.

I came away full and happy, but even more importantly, feeling like I’d met two exceptionally good humans.