Old Library Inn- Olean, NY

Boutique hotels and charming inns can be incredibly hard to find if they are not your destination. Sometimes, your journey only takes you past chain hotels or decrepit motels, that really aren’t an option. A bed and breakfast is an alternative, but one that often comes with a lack of amenities, such as a lounge or restaurant. Fortunately, just when I was about to admit defeat on my chosen route to Toronto from DC, I found the Old Library Inn- a beautiful property, located in a charming small town.

Constructed in 1895 for a local oil tycoon, the quaint Victorian structure at 120 South Union managed to survive over a century with many of its original features untouched. Despite being used as a doctor’s office in the past, the house still boasts original ornate woodwork (oak, blistered maple and mahogany) as well as stunning stained glass. It also has a fabulous mid-century kitchen, that while stylistically incongruous to the rest of the house, is delightful.

Converted to a bed and breakfast in 1988, the property features 9 rooms that incorporate the original architecture, with some mid-century upgrades. The Signature Suite, frequently booked for weddings, offers extra space, and a bathroom straight out of your grandmother’s house. If your grandmother is very old. Again, it is a charming incongruity.

For those that enjoy amenities, the Inn has an associated restaurant and lounge immediately next door, in the old Carnegie Library. It is also located steps from the town square, and various other shops and restaurants. For a stopover, it offers ample opportunities to explore, and far more character than a roadside hotel.