When seeking out a quintessentially old fashioned B&B, one might not always be successful in finding it. But when visiting Mena, Arkansas you will find it at Janssen Park Place B&B.
The Owners & The Stay
Typically speaking, B&Bs are known to accommodate people and give them that cozier feeling of being at grandma’s place. But not here. At Janssen Park Place B&B it’s more like being in a friend’s home for a weekend stay rather than being at just another business.
Married couple John and Jo, have had long lives both together and in respective careers, made their big move from a lifetime in Fort Worth, Texas to Mena Arkansas several years back. Their children who had all married and had their own children, found themselves living in Mena, as more a matter of happenstance, and the eager grandparents wanting to be near their extended family, joined soon after.
Not sure where to live and what to do with themselves as retierees, they came upon an inn which needed some renovations and a little TLC. With some foundation money and a creative touch here and there, they made the place not only their own home, but a guesthouse for visitors coming to Mena from near and far.
Their love for the B&B is made clear through the use of hand selected furniture, decorative items and of course the homey feel of how they welcome their guests.
What I loved most about being here, was that while the couple were very friendly, they also let me keep to myself. There were no other guests while I was there, and so I had full run of the upstairs. I could use the common area in the evenings to watch the TV and put on whatever I wanted (they had Netflix which was great), and I could eat my dinner by myself and feel at home –without really being at home.
The upstairs living room has a microwave, a coffee machine, a fridge and mugs for your morning beverages. Not that I used the coffee machine at all, since each morning when I came down for breakfast they had some of the best homemade coffee I’d had in 3 weeks.
Jo was very clear about pointing out that when you stay at a bed and breakfast, it should be all about the “bed” and the “breakfast”; and the couple did not fail on either point.
The bed was one of the most deliciously comfortable mattresses I’ve ever slept on. It was like a drug, and I did not want to get out of bed ever. I joked with them that I was going to steal the mattress and take it home with me.
The breakfast, also was 5 stars. Especially the first morning when John prepared something I’d never even heard of, which was a Dutch Baby. Basically it was a pancake, but baked in the oven. It was incredible, and I’d like to go back and stay there if for no other reason to have that again. His presentation each morning with both breakfasts was also outstanding and pleasantly unexpected.
The house was older, but comfortable. And though you have all the current modern comforts that one would want when staying at any accommodation, you also felt like you’d stepped back in time in some way from the architecture of the house.
John mentioned that the reason, for example, the foyer was so large, was because back when the home was originally built salesmen would often come to the door, and this is where the housewife would greet and spend time talking to said salesman. An interesting visual to imagine while staying here.
The tub in my guestroom was also nothing to disregard. An antique type in style, it was luxurious and one of the best bathtubs I’ve ever used. And I’m kind of a tub snob. And a coffee snob. They hit a home run on both for me.
All in all, my time spent at the B&B was extremely relaxing and enjoyable and John and Jo were lovely hosts. The next time you’re in Mena, or even just passing through you should definitely take a night or two and stay at the Janssen Park Place B&B. Just make sure that when you do, you let them know that Lisa sent you!
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