Two-day escapes

Southern Living, Aug 2003 by Austin, Farrah, McKenzie, Jennifer L, Murphy, Morgan

Room rates begin at $150 for a cozy retreat decorated in period furniture and top out at $375 for either a two-bedroom suite or superior room. The latter may be one of the most gorgeous rentals in the South-an enormous fireplace and a marble bathtub complement a huge bed and stone walls. Of the 28 rooms on the property, none share the same floor plan or furniture.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Montchanin take place in the old blacksmith's shop, now dubbed Krazy Kats. The hilarious portraits of dogs and cats that grace the main dining room are outdone only by the superior food, wine list, and service. Kats is pricey for dinner-a three-course meal costs about $50 per person. But the superb menu features such delights as pan-seared foie gras in a port wine reduction ($14) and a bread pudding dessert topped with ice cream that, in the words of one waiter, "will make you want to jump up and slap somebody!" One last tip: Absolutely don't miss the French toast on the weekends-it's a treat that will make you want to stay another week.