The Rooms at Grayfield

The Rooms at Grayfield is a small luxury inn (bed & breakfast) situated in a beautifully restored late-19th century railroad depot. Located in historic Jonesville, Michigan, Grayfield is a very special destination for discriminating travelers, having earned one of the area’s few five star ratings, overall, on the highly regarded web site Trip Advisor.

Whether your reason for staying is to enjoy a romantic getaway, to attend an event at nearby Hillsdale College, or to take a short vacation from a stressful work week, Grayfield is a welcome and relaxing retreat.

 

Contemporary Style in a Unique Historic Setting

As an old railroad station, Grayfield projects a certain “architectural masculinity” that is not typically associated with a Bed and Breakfast. If your mental image of a B&B is “feminine and fussy”, Grayfield will definitely surprise you. Neither lacey nor obligingly historic or thematic, Grayfield appeals to men and women, alike, who appreciate contemporary comfort and casual elegance. As one guest commented, “Even my husband loves Grayfield.  And he usually hates B&Bs.”

Modern Comforts

The five guestrooms are spacious, contemporary, tastefully appointed, quiet, and supremely comfortable. All rooms have large, modern bathrooms and premium toiletries. All feature flat-screened televisions, DVD players,  i-pod- or MP3-ready music systems, and free wireless access to the internet. All have sitting areas, beckoning beds and luxurious linens.  Most enjoy relaxing garden views. And all are set well apart from the owners’ personal living quarters.


Breakfast As You Like It

Coffee, tea, and pastries are available by 7:00 a.m. and a full, made-to-order breakfast is served at 9 o’clock (or at your convenience by arrangement with the cook). There are no standard menus and no serve-yourself buffets. You may join other guests, or not – there are lots of private nooks and cozy corners to enjoy your privacy, indoors and out.

Cozy Common Spaces

Grayfield’s common spaces are as uncommon as the guestrooms. Enjoy the company of other guests, or find a quiet corner to unwind. Share a drink and conversation by the fire, or read a book in the sunroom. Walk along the tracks and through the woods, or relax in the garden cottage or alongside the koi pond.  You’re sure to find rest and comfort wherever you may go.

And Grayfield’s unique setting, beautiful gardens, and classically trained chef make it a favored venue for private dining, small weddings, reunions, and other special occasions.

So, if you are expecting to visit the area, if you are planning a special event, or if you simply wish to get away for a pleasant change of pace, let Grayfield make your stay a most memorable one.

The grounds of Grayfield – once a busy and grimy rail yard of side-lined trains, repair sheds, freight buildings, and stockyards – today encompass eight serene and beautifully landscaped acres of gardens, clipped lawns, and stands of old trees. The property is laid out as several outdoor rooms, some appropriate for group events such as weddings and parties, others more secluded where guests may relax, read, nap, or dine. One corner of the garden features a small koi pond and the soothing sound of a water fall.

A Special Setting for Catered Occasions

Grayfield is a beautiful venue, indoors or in our extensive gardens, for private dinners, weddings, receptions, cocktail parties, and special events of all kinds.  And co-owner and hostess, Dee Hasted, is an outstanding French-trained chef who routinely shops the local farms and markets for the best in-season, organic ingredients.

All dining at Grayfield is private – we are not a public restaurant. Dining service is by reservation only and generally for groups of ten or more (although with ample planning and a little coaxing, Dee has been known to cook a very special dinner for couples or small groups on important occasions).

The Rural Midwest At Its Best

Grayfield sits precisely at the intersection of two historically significant “Old Roads” – the Old Sauk Trail (now US-12, also known as “The Chicago Pike” and “Michigan’s Heritage Highway”) and the Old Main Line of the New York Central railroad, both of which played important roles in the westward expansion of early-to-mid-19th century America. Innumerable pioneer settlements grew up along these routes which, even today, when seen from the air at night, resemble long strands of tiny twinkle lights.

Norman Rockwell didn’t live here, but the area will remind you of the people and places he so appealingly captured on his canvases. This is the rural Midwest at is best – small towns and farming communities, rolling hills and winding roads, scenic lakes and rivers, a slower pace. You’ll still find traditional old hardware stores and diners in the towns. Amish farms, produce stands, and antique shops dot the local countryside. The County Fair in late September is still a highlight of the annual social scene.

Jonesville
Things haven’t changed much over the years in the old Village of Jonesville (c.1830, pop, 2,200). From Grayfield, it’s a short walk across the St. Joseph River and into town where guests will find a couple of good restaurants, a small bakery, a cozy coffee shop, an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, and one or two other inviting shops. A challenging little golf course is also within walking distance. And the surrounding countryside is perfect for long strolls, biking, and relaxing drives.

Allen
The tiny village of Allen,  just five miles west of Jonesville on US-12, purports to be “The Antique Capitol of Michigan.” The town attracts treasure hunters from throughout the Midwest, and many a Grayfield guest has enjoyed a rummage through Allen’s renowned shops.

Hillsdale
The town of Hillsdale (pop. 8,500), home to nationally acclaimed Hillsdale College, is just five miles south. Throughout the year, the College hosts highly competitive NCAA Division II athletic contests, stages entertaining concerts and plays, and hosts important and thought-provoking seminars and renowned speakers – all of which are open to the public. The town also boasts the Hillsdale Golf and Country Club, a charming and historic central business district, beautiful Lake Baw Beese (with public parks, boat launches, and beaches), cinemas, restaurants, and more.

Further Afield
If you can linger a little longer and are willing to venture out a bit further, you can plan day trips to Ann Arbor, Dearborn (home of the renowned Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum), tourist towns along Lake Michigan, or to Lansing, our State capitol.