Getaway on the Gulf

Southern Living, Apr 2002 by Porter, Paige

Don't pass by the Inn at the Pass.

Live oaks and Spanish moss aren't the only attractions in sleepy Pass Christian, Mississippi. Cloaked in magnolias and framed by azalea bushes, the stately Inn at the Pass smiles on the Mississippi Sound and gives guests a quiet alternative to the casino lodging in neighboring Biloxi and Gulfport.

A center-hall Victorian cottage built in 1885, the inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its wide front porch hugs the snow-white main house, where four rooms-each with a private bath-are available for stay.

The guestrooms feature more than antiques. They also boast impressive watercolors from the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts.

"The inn certainly has a Victorian feel by the very nature of its structure and the furniture we've chosen," says Anne Larman, the innkeeper. "But we've managed to incorporate some really nice contemporary pieces of art that lend themselves to the style of the house. People fall in love with the artwork here, and many walk away having purchased paintings off the walls."

Fine art isn't the only thing that keeps guests coming back for more. Anne is known for her apricot-- raisin scones; butter-pecan French toast, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries; and the simple corn souffles she prepares each Sunday.

Today she's whipping up an egg-and-sausage strata and, of course, Southern biscuits. "We have a guest from Germany who needs to experience biscuits Southern style," she says. "I'm planning on introducing her to orange marmalade."

Rob and Jum Pyo Browder of Atlanta, enjoying their honeymoon stay at the inn's cottage behind the main house, say they couldn't be happier with the hospitality. "Anne had a bottle of wine and beautiful fresh flowers waiting for us when we arrived," Rob says. "This is a quiet, calm place-- just what we needed to unwind."

It's no surprise that Anne knew how to spoil the newlyweds. A former wedding planner from Napa, California, Anne puts together special packages to fulfill special requests. "My goal is to make people feel at home, whether they are here for a honeymoon, dinner party, or business trip," she says. "And, of course, I want them to fall in love with this sweet small town."

Guests have unlimited access to the sandy beaches, the harbor, and public piers. Croquet is a popular activity on the inn's lawn, and the wicker furniture on the front porch invites a good book or cup of tea. Restaurants, antiques stores, and gift shops lie a short walk away.

Evening snacks, along with hot and cold beverages, are free to guests. Coffee is available each morning at 7:30, with Anne's famous breakfast following an hour later. Be warned, though: If you find room at this inn when she's whipping up her cheese grits, you might not ever leave.

PAIGE PORTER

Inn at the Pass: 125 East Scenic Drive, Pass Christian, MS 39571; (228) 452-0333, 1-800-217-2588, or www.innatthepass.com. Rates: range $85-$120.