OAC – Oak Ridge Inn: Truly, a place to call home

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • July 30, 2011
  • 374
                        
Those who take just a very short jaunt in Walnut Creek off of State Route 39, the main roadway through Ohio’s Amish Country, will be delighted to discover the serenity and hospitality of Oak Ridge Inn. A quiet road turns slightly, and there, rising on the top of a gentle hillside, rests this lovely brick inn on five acres, its stately white columns a welcome sight to travelers who love to stay here. “I wanted to do something special when I built this place. I had traveled a lot, and had never really found a room that was comfortable in every way,” says owner Joe Miller, who opened the Inn in 1996. “I wanted to make it like Holmes County is.” Judging from the glowing comments in the Inn’s guest books, he has obviously succeeded. “Some of these people have become my personal friends,” he added. “I would estimate that 95 percent of our guests are repeat guests,” notes Karen Burden, who has been providing hospitality at the inn for thirteen of its fourteen years. “They love that each of our eight rooms comes with its own unique personality.” Although the Inn’s lobby is beautifully decorated, it is when the door s of each room open that guests catch their breath in awe. “The rooms are twice as big as hotel rooms are. These days we all work hard, and have a lot of stress, and we all need someplace like this that is comfortable and where we can be left alone,” Miller emphasized. A huge window overlooks gorgeous rolling farm country in a patchwork of greens and browns in the Miller Farm Suite, named because of the land upon which the Inn is built, and is the most sought after accommodation at the Inn. The main room is huge, and is graced by a large gas fireplace, a comfortable couch and chairs, elegantly crafted dining room table and accompanying kitchenette, all impeccably arranged and color coordinated. The adjoining bedroom with its king sized bed glows with warmth, and a roomy full bath sits off to the side. The suite includes a soothing two person Jacuzzi for the ultimate in relaxation. Burden is quick to also point out the French doors that lead onto a secluded patio. “All of Oak Ridge Inn’s rooms have French doors opening onto private patios or decks,” she explains. “There’s no road noise, and it is very quiet. Our rooms, which are all centrally air conditioned, have well insulated walls for privacy. You get the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere, but you’re not.” The other suites on the premises are the Shaker Suite and the Schrock Suite. The Schrock, named after the renowned local wood craftsman whose company created all of the magnificent woodwork throughout the Inn, features two queen sized beds, while the Shaker has a king sized bed and also a sofa bed. Each suite is elaborately decorated in its own distinct style. Five other rooms await those in search of a very special accommodation, and each showcases a particular type of wood gleaned from local trees. The Cherry, Maple, Hickory, and Walnut rooms all boast their own two person Jacuzzis as well as a gas log fireplace set beneath a mantle of the wood featured in the room. The Oak room is also a favorite. “The fantastic rooms are one of the main reasons we come here,” says Doug Hall of Canada, who, with his wife Karen, has been visiting the Inn for more than thirteen years. The couple note that they stay at the Oak Ridge Inn at least three times a year, for periods ranging from two to three weeks at a time. “We book two years in advance to get the room and the dates we want,” stated Karen Hall. “We come back because of the Christian atmosphere. This place is a world removed from everywhere else.” Guests also chose the Oak Ridge Inn for the legendary hospitality of its warm and welcoming staff, many whom have been with the Inn for years. “We enjoy getting to know the people, and doing whatever we can to make them comfortable,” states Naomi Beachy, who has been with the Inn for almost a decade. “We’ve had guests that have come here for years and years. They become like our family.” Miller has one main goal for his guests. “This is a place where we want people to feel at home.” Oak Ridge Inn is located at 4845 Milo Drive, Twp. Rd. 403, in Walnut Creek, Ohio, and welcomes guests to call 1-800-723-6300 for reservations. Visit them online at www.oakridgeinn-walnutcreek.com, or stop by for a personal tour so you can choose the perfect accommodation for a perfect stay in Ohio’s Amish Country.


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