Ease into "High Cotton" Living at Annie's Inn & Poolside Cottages
"I treat my guests like personal friends and family. Many become friends for life." --Scottie Peck
Just as the wrap-around porch encircles the ante-bellum farm-house, I feel embraced by a
pervasive sense of serenity when sauntering up the flower adorned walkway to Annie's
Inn. Two acres of lovingly manicured grounds promise to provide the breathing space and
respite I'm seeking.
The house was built in the 1830's in the tiny South Carolina hamlet of Montmorenci, 5
miles east of Aiken and 20 miles southeast of Augusta. It originally served as the main
house for a 2,000 acre plantation which grew cotton, asparagus, and peanuts; in its
heyday, the plantation supported 28 families. Cotton fields are still planted here today
and only a short walk from the inn.
When built, the structure consisted of 3 stories with a widow's walk (now located above
the second story). In order to take advantage of the sweeping view, one of Sherman's
officers set up his office on the third floor. Later, during the war, a cannonball destroyed
the top floor; it was never rebuilt. At the turn-of-the-century, the house served as a
country doctor's residence and a hospital.
Scottie Peck, a native of Colorado, converted her home into a bed and breakfast inn four-teen
years ago. A pio-neer in Carolina's inn keeping industry, Annie's Inn has withstood
the test-of-time. In addition to being one of the longest bed and breakfast inns in
continuous operation in South Carolina, it's flourishing and expanding. It remains open
year-round.
The main house, at Annie's Inn, offers four large rooms; each has a private bath, pine
plank floors, and a fireplace. The room assigned to my daughter Celia and me, Room 2,
becomes my favorite guest room. Decorated in rich hues of hunter green and ivory, a
handsome area rug accents the hard wood floor. A large print of a Carolina parrot hangs
behind the pecan queen-sized bed, and a ceiling fan revolves above. For lounging or
reading, a full-sized antique sofa renders an ideal spot for lazing away as many hours as
one dares. The bedroom's color scheme flows into the bathroom, where border-
trimmedpaper complements walnut stained wainscoting below. The bathroom is roomy
and provides a large tub, good lighting, ample storage space.
Breakfasting at Annie's Inn affords one an idea of what it must've been like returning to
"them cotton fields back home." Sitting around the circular, oak kitchen table, guests
enjoy reminiscing next to an old, wood-burning cook stove. A poem, hanging on the
kitchen wall and written by one of Annie's long-time guests, resonates the long-range
memories generated by a visit at this old-fashioned country inn. The meal, pre-pared and
served by Scottie, harmonizes with the refreshing atmosphere. We receive juice, fresh
fruit, a cheese omelet, ham, cinnamon toast. After breakfast, in an attempt to justify eating
every morsel on my plate, I take a walk to view the cotton fields. The plants are just
sprouting, and I envision the scene a hundred and thirty years ago.
Returning to the present and future, I pass new cottages, now under construction,
overlooking Annie's swimming pool. Complete with lounge chairs and umbrella-covered
tables, the pool lies between the main house and the six cottages. Four new cottages will
be ready for occupation by early July 1998 with first-class accommodations for corporate
travelers or others needing long-term rental. Each of the 600 square foot cottages comes
furnished with a full kitchen; those on the second level feature a deck overlooking the pool
and grounds, artistically landscaped and maintained by Dallas Peck, Scottie's husband.
Cottage rental, $900-$1,200/month, includes all utilities and a phone (no extra charge for
local calls). Breakfast is not included.
As Celia and I relax on the front porch's swing our last night, we listen to a chorus of
camouflaged, country critters chirping from their hideaways. We feel like we've also
found a refuge of rejuvenation, if only for a short while, where we can relish the quietness
and insouciance of more peaceful times. We're oblivious to passing cars on the highway.
For now, they represent a more harried, complicated world--one from which everyone
needs a reprieve. We've found ours at Annie's Inn.
NOTE: Reviewed by Maxine Pinson in the Summer 1998 issue of The INNside Scoop.
AT-A-GLANCE INFO
INN: Annie's Inn (near Aiken, SC);
LOCATION: Montmorenci, SC 29839;
TEL: 803-649-6836;
FAX: 803-642-6709;
ACCOMMODATIONS: 5 guestrooms w/private baths & 6 cottages;
BREAKFAST: Full;
RATES: $65-95; $900-$1,200/mo.;
CREDIT CARDS: All major;
RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS:
Mango's Tropical Cafe (643-0620),
No. 10 Downing St. (642-9062);
PUBLICATIONS: Sandlapper, Fodor's,
Aiken County Magazine;
WEB SITE: www.the-innside-scoop.com/annies
E-mail The INNside Scoop with your own comments on your stay at this inn!