With the influx of Airbnb and other short term rentals into the marketplace, it may no longer be clear what a true bed and breakfast is and what we offer. Yes, The Ash Street Inn is a traditional bed and breakfast and as we like to say #REALBNB. So what does that mean?  A traditional bed and breakfast (B&B) is a type of lodging establishment that typically offers accommodations in a more intimate and personalized setting than larger hotels.  The key features of a traditional B&B include: Homely Atmosphere: B&Bs are known for their cozy and welcoming atmosphere. They often ..read more

Seven Years!  Seven Years ago today we became Innkeepers. The Inkeepers out for the evening. It is hard to believe that Margit and I have already been “Keepers of the Inn” for seven years. Today is the anniversary of us purchasing the Ash Street Inn and we wanted to thank everyone who has stayed with us during that time and has helped us become better stewards of the “Grande Dame” (as we love to refer to the inn).  Seems like just yesterday that we were handed the keys and a lot has happened since, including weathering a pandemic that effectively shut our doors for over three month ..read more

A Vegan and Gluten-Free  Muffin Recipe from Margit’s Muffin Kitchen GF and Vegan Snacks We truly live in marvelous times that allow people with special dietary needs a worry-free travel. At The Ash Street Inn Bed & Breakfast, we have many guests with dietary restrictions or preferences, so we have Vegan, Gluten-free, Lactose intolerant, and Vegetarian breakfast options always available. Not only do we  have non-dairy yogurt and dairy free soy milk in available,  we also offer various dietary restricted, cooked to order breakfast items as well. (Chef Rob’s Vegan Pancakes ar ..read more

When father winter is getting a bit too long in the tooth for sending us arctic chills and when night frosts are followed by above freezing days, a new kind of winter activity takes place in the woods of New Hampshire. Maple farmers (and we have more than 350 of them!) are starting to tap sugar maples and they are laying lines in order harvest the maple sap.  This is beginning of our March Maple Sugaring Season! In sugar shacks the sap will be boiled down quite drastically to produce a new and oh so yummy batch of golden to amber colored maple syrup. Other mapley delicacies are being prod ..read more

This morning I posted a picture on Social Media about my mis en place. Ready to bake! Does that mean anything to you? Well if you have taken basic French 101 you may know it literally means “to put in place”, but in the cooking world it means “everything in place”. In my opinion, this is one of the most basic, yet perhaps most important tricks of the trade when it comes to being a successful chef. What it actually means in laymen’s terms is to get everything ready before you start cooking. If you have ever watched a cooking show on TV, or a cooking demonstration, you have seen this in action ..read more

The Snow is on the Pumpkin I woke up this morning to snow falling in the neighborhood. This was a vivid reminder that we are almost through October, and November is knocking at the door.  The snow was also on the pumpkins and this too served as a reminder that this is the perfect time to start cooking and eating this versatile vegetable. A little background on the pumpkin, it should be noted that pumpkins originated in the Americas and are now grown on all continents except Antarctica. It is a member of the squash family and the word originated from the Greek word for large melon, “Pep ..read more

New Hampshire does not have an added sales tax, which makes it a shopper’s paradise. There are, of course, the usual suspects like malls or shopping outlets, but If you are looking for something a bit more off the beaten path or a more unique gift, we have a few suggestions worth checking out! Antiques on Elm in Manchester This antiques co-op houses over 90 vendors and offers everything from jewelry, glasses, books to furniture and seasonal items. It is always an adventure to explore the store and you never know what you might find. It can be a walk down memory lane from childhood days, or it ..read more

Prost. I originally posted this blog article in 2010 which was the 200th anniversary of Oktoberfest, but as today is once again the start of Oktoberfest, I thought I’d take poetic license and reuse.  Also  since then, we have become Innkeepers and we try to bring a bit of “Gemütlichkeit” to all of our guests. Not sure what Gemütlichkeit is?  Read on to find out.  But first some more about Oktoberfest. What exactly is Oktoberfest? To begin with, THE original, authentic Oktoberfest it is a 16 day celebration in Munich, Germany that occurs mostly in September and usually en ..read more

Five Fun Ideas for A Winter Getaway to Manchester NH   by Margit Eder-Wezwick The days are getting longer and it’s time for some weekend fun, maybe even with a group of friends? Come to the “big” city (The Queen City of Manchester NH , that is) and explore how you can have a unique weekend experience: 1. Ski right here in town Did you know that Manchester has its very own Ski Area and Tubing Park? The McIntyre Ski Area photo courtesy of McIntyre Ski Area is right in town, with chair lifts, lessons for skiing and snowboarding, snow cannons and night lighting! Given the elevation of ..read more

The buzz in the Bed and Breakfast world lately seems to be whether or not one should consider using a short term rental service for your stay while traveling. While each traveler stay is different,  it’s all a matter of individual preference. I wouldhowever like to suggest some reasons why staying at a “Real BNB” is the better choice. Although every Bed and Breakfast is unique, a RealBNB is usually a family owned and operated small business. It is not a part time job and the Innkeepers are professionals who know the hospitality business and put the customer first. Many Innkeeepers also ha ..read more