Archive for the ‘Williams House Happenings’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Williams House Owners Attend Innkeeping Conference

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

We recently attended an International Innkeeping conference to catch up on latest trends and ideas for improving guests experiences.  The three day conference utilizes both Innkeepers sharing ideas that work and experts in different fields to inform  and understand guest profiles and needs.  We always return with many ideas to add more enjoyment and improve guest experiences and we look forward to trying out our ideas during 2011!

2011 begins with PAII innkeeping conference

Innkeepers surround Deneen Pottery, our mug supplier

Vendor booths at PAII

Deneen pottery shows off variety

Tags:
Posted in Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Christmas at the Williams House

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Christmas at the Williams House is always a fun and exciting time as we get to enjoy three night stays with our guests and share carriage rides, extended wine hour and a Christmas day buffet.  This year we also added a light dinner to tide guests over into Christmas night.  The weather cooperated well with resonable temperatures and no rain for Christmas eve carriage rides and wine hour.  The same on Christmas day although a little on the cool side. 

Christmas eve wine hour included meatballs, various cookies, cheeses,cheese biscuits, wine and soft drinks.  Christmas buffet included ham, unforgettable chicken caserole, brocoli salad, sweet potato casserole, rolls, hashbrown casserole, squash casserole, lemon cake, pecan pie, cherry pie and wines, soft drinks and tea.  It was delicious and guests seemed to enjoy.  Later in the evening Deborah served turkey chilli for those who didn’t quite get enough in the buffet.  It was a fun and relaxing time for guests and a chance for them to meet some new people as well as Deborah and Byron.

Christmas eve wine hour

Christmas eve treats

Jazz the carriage horse greets guests

Guests enjoy Christmas eve ride

Guests enjoy wine hour

More carriage riders

wine hour fun

Christmas day buffet

Guests enjoy buffet

Desserts await guests

Guests enjoy buffet

Tags: , ,
Posted in Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Williams House Tea Party

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Williams House Tea

It’s been a busy couple of months at the Williams House with Thanksgiving and Christmas events so I’m going to be catching up on some of the blogging over this period.  We’ll start with a  tea for about 20 ladies to celebrate the season.  It was a combined group from two garden clubs that came to enjoy Deborah’s high tea with several varieties of tea, tasty finger sandwiches, scones, cookies and creme filled strawberries.  Deborah definitely enjoys these events and creating the tempting items that go together with a variety of teas.  Of course, Byron is the chief sampler and food taster and  must give his best tasting efforts to insure quality.  In this case…excellent!  It was a fun event with the excitement of the holiday season nearing .

Ladies enjoy tea in the parlor

Tea party goodies

More goodies

More ladies in parlor

Tags: ,
Posted in Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Amelia Island Williams House Weddings

Sunday, January 9th, 2011

  

Bride and groom on Williams House stairs

Byron marrying couple in parlor

Bride and groom pose in parlor

Byron marries another couple in parlor

Newly weds pose in parlor

Bride and groom with daughter

Champagne and wedding cake in WH dining room

Bride and groom cutting cake

We have had several weddings during the holidays and found it  enjoyable to marry couples so near to this season and see them begin life as newly weds.  It is a highly decorated time at the Williams House so no additional flowers are needed, except for the bride and groom themselves. Most of the weddings are  in the parlor this time of year, particularly with some of our unseasonably cool temps in early December.  We also have had our first wedding of the year on 1/1/11.  Easy to remember and a great way to kick off the new year!

Tags: ,
Posted in Amelia Island Weddings, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Parading Around Amelia Island

Saturday, January 1st, 2011

Honor guard leads homecoming parade

November yielded two parades recently, one for homecoming at Fernandina Beach High School and the other for Veterans Day.  They both had patriotic starts and lots of local residents, businesses and associations represented.  It’s always enjoyable to see so many local residents line the streets with children to enjoy the sights, greet other people they know, receive some free candy or beads and just generally enjoy the nice fall weather with temps in the 70′s.  The local high school mascot name is the “pirates” which is fitting for an island that had pirates during much of its early history.  Of course we have pirate clubs here and they usually join the parade including their pirate ship on wheels that fires cannon and  pistols just to create some excitement and energy for the observers. Fire engines, police cars, local elected officials and of course the pageant or homecoming queen also get to participate.  It was great to see our men in uniform honored at both the homecoming parade and the veteran’s parade. As I often tell guests, Amelia Island is small town America at its best and we do enjoy the frequent parades that remind us all of community and the special group or occasion being honored.

Hot rods join the parade

Uncle Sam inflates for the parade

Ahoy matey!

More pirates join the parade

Patriotic vehicles adorn parade

Posted in Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Amelia Island Christmas at the Williams House

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Williams House entry hall beckons

I spent some time taking pictures of this years Christmas decorations at the Williams House as they do change from year to year.  Deborah is a stickler for detail and it shows in the common area decorations as well as all the individual rooms.  Byron concentrates on the outside and again we keep adjusting since doing it the same every year seems a little boring.  We are looking forward to our three day Christmas special with horse-drawn carriage rides and heavy hors d’oeuvres on christmas eve and chef Deborah’s buffet dinner on Christmas day.  I’ve attached a few recent pictures to provide a flavor of how the Williams House will appear to arriving guests.  We enjoy the warmth and atmosphere this 1856 home provides and try to imagine what it was like to celebrate Christmas here in the 1800′s. I’m not sure those early owners would have decorated to this extent, but certainly the charm and feel of this home and historic town are an enjoyable experience for today.  We still have two rooms left for Christmas…so come on down and join us!

williams House parlor

williams house parlor tree

 

williams house dining room

 

dining room snow village

 

flamingo tree in princess amelia room

 

williams house top porch tree

 

blue tree - egmont indigo room

 

williams house Christmas front view

 

hearthstone cottage Christmas view

Tags: , ,
Posted in Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Cookie Tour of Historic B&B's Next Weekend

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Deborah puts finishing touches on front door Christmas decorations

 

Yes…we know its only the 13th of November but here we are already decorated and decked out for Christmas.  We have to start early (usually Nov. 1) to be ready for the annual historic B&B cookie tour taking place next Saturday (Nov. 19) from 1-5 pm.  All of the B&B’s will be decorated by then for ticket holders to tour and receive free samples of our chosen cookie along with the actual recipe.  It’s a great way to get early ideas for Christmas decorating, get into the Holiday spirit and enjoy Christmas before Thanksgiving.  We open both  the common areas and guest rooms where again Christmas has already arrived with at least one tree in every guest room.   Deborah changes her decorating every year since it just doesn’t feel right to do it the same way twice.  Hope you can come and join the fun and tour these wonderful old victorian homes decorated in the Holdiay spirit!  Call us at 904-277-2328 for tickets.

Dining room mantel ready for Christmas

 

Williams House entry hall

 

Parlor tree and mantel decorated

 

Decorated Williams House

Tags: ,
Posted in Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Parading Around Amelia Island

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Honor guard leads homecoming parade

 

November yielded two parades recently, one for homecoming at Fernandina Beach High School and the other for Veterans Day.  They both had patriotic starts and lots of local residents, businesses and associations represented.  It’s always enjoyable to see so many local residents line the streets with children to enjoy the sights, greet other people they know, receive some free candy or beads and just generally enjoy the nice fall weather with temps in the 70′s.  The local high school mascot name is the “pirates” which is fitting for an island that had pirates during much of its early history.  Of course we have pirate clubs here and they usually join the parade including their pirate ship on wheels that fires cannon and  pistols just to create some excitement and energy for the observers. Fire engines, police cars, local elected officials and of course the pageant or homecoming queen also get to participate.  It was great to see our men in uniform honored at both the homecoming parade and the veteran’s parade. As I often tell guests, Amelia Island is small town America at its best and we do enjoy the frequent parades that remind us all of community and the special group or occasion being honored.

Hot rods join the parade

 

Uncle Sam inflates for the parade

 

Ahoy matey!

 

More pirates join the parade

 

Patriotic vehicles adorn parade

Tags: ,
Posted in Amelia Island Events, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

10/10/10 Is Perfect Williams House Wedding

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Boomer and carriage with bride Jaime

October has as usual been a fantastic weather month on Amelia Island with virtually no rain and temps in the 80′s and limited humidity.  A perfect setting for weddings at the Williams House.  Jeremy and Jaime, a local couple were married on 10/10/10, a special numerical date and we understand it was a busy wedding date throughout the world.  Family and friends joined Jeremy and Jaime from across the U.S. to celebrate this special day in their lives and had a great time participating.  The bride was brought in by Boomer the carriage horse all decorated for a wedding.  The groom waited patiently on the front porch of the Williams House where the couple eschanged vows.   The reception was in the courtyard where guests enjoyed some of Deborah’s fine cooking while music played in the background. The wedding cake chosen was “whimsical”  and different according to local bakery Chez Lezan (also quite tasty!).  This special day was worth waiting for and everyone  enjoyed their special time with Jeremy and Jaime on Amelia Island.

Bride and groom recite vows with Byron

Jeremy and Jaime enjoy carriage ride after exhanging vows

Williams House courtyard awaits reception guests

Name tag fans await guests

Jeremy and Jaime enter reception

Jeremy and Jaime cut their wedding cake

Tags: ,
Posted in Amelia Island Weddings, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

Putt-Putt for Hospitality on Amelia Island

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Ocean view putt-putt on Amelia Island

Our former state house representative who now is the owner of a local putt-putt right on the ocean on Amelia Island recently staged the “Hospitality Open”.  Teams from all varieties of local businesses including hotels, B&B’s, and restaurants gathered for friendly competition, with wine, beer and snacks to aid the competition.  The competition was challenging among the 10 or so teams, but everyone won something at the end.  Along with our tourism and development guru we all enjoyed friendly competition in the name of connecting the key service providers on Amelia Island.  We are all pleased with the great variety of guest experiences available on the Island including a variety of price points, many quisine options and great hospitality of the “Southern Style”.  Most of the attendees are usually busy with guests, so it was fun to take a break and enjoy telling stories and sharing experiences of providing hospitality on layed back and beautiful Amelia Island.  In the B&B category it was Williams House and Fairbanks House teamed against Elizabeth Pointe Lodge.  As the three Select Registry properties on the Island it was a battle of the “best” and Elizabeth Pointe came out ahead by one single stroke.  So they got local movie tickets and we recived premium ice cream gift cards.  Did I mention we also had a wonderful strawberry/vanilla soft ice cream blend as a reward for all the hard work and concentration of putting and competing.  There aren’t many Islands that have a putt-putt course with ocean views, but it is one of the fun and unique features of this beautiful Island.  Come and join us for a trip to paradise!

Atlantic views behind Deborah at putt-putt

Competitors in action at putt-putt

 

Beer and wine at the putt-putt

 

View of the putt-putt course

Tags: , ,
Posted in Amelia Island Activities, Williams House Happenings | Comments Off

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »
«
» google-plus rss
Pin It