# 328 -Stone Chalet B & B in Ann Arbor

Our B & B in Ann Arbor, Michigan 
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In June, Don and I found ourselves at this charming Ann Arbor inn... once again.

I was confused when I started to book a room at the Chalet, months earlier.

​"Stone Chalet" in 2024

The name of the inn didn't ring a bell. 

But website photos began to look familiar. 

"Vitosha Guest Haus" in '05

​I dug out old photos from nearly 20 years ago, long before I was blogging about Notable Nights!

Don and I stayed a couple nights in 2005, when we visited our daughter as a freshman at U of M. There were no leaves then and the name on the sign was different.

October 2005

​How could I have forgotten about our stay in this Swiss style chalet.

The granite stones were more visible then, without leaves.

Built 1917

The home was built over a century ago, for Dean Myers and his family. 

The home's address was 1917 Washtenaw Avenue. Same as the year it was built. Coincidence? In 1946, the Myers sold the home to the Unitarian Church.

Parsonage Added in 1948

After the Unitarian Church purchased the property, a parsonage was built to house the minister and his family.

The family moved out at some point and the building was used as a school and for meeting rooms. (This photo shows a later renovation)

Modern Sanctuary Added in 1950s

Initially church services were held in the living room of the Chalet house.

Architect George Bigham, (who was also a U of M professor and member of the church) was later chosen to design a new sanctuary, next to the stone house.

The mid-century modern structure was completed in 1956. I read somewhere that Frank Lloyd Wright paid it a compliment.

Bed & Breakfast Since 1999

By 1999, there were 3 buildings and a carriage house sitting on the 3-block property. The Church sold to a couple who created a bed & breakfast.

11 rooms were fixed up in the chalet and Parsonage, to house guests. They rented out the sanctuary for events. We stayed in the Parsonage Room (above) in 2005 and  2024.

​First Stay

I found photos from when we visited 19 years ago. ​I remember the bay window and antiques.

New ownership changed things in 2022, so I had a hard time identifying our old room in website photos. Looks like our old room is now called, The Grand Room.

I remember that the canopy bed was so high, it required a little green step stool, for short people. The funny thing had one too many steps, which tempted me to use it like a diving board.

I remember how Don and I cleverly used the stool as a table for our wine and cheese.

We set the timer on the camera and had a toast. We were acting like 18 year old college freshmen, going against the B&B rules.  No Food or Drink in Room.

​Arriving This Past June
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We arrived around 4 pm on a warm Monday. 

We parked on the side street and walked towards the sanctuary.

I had no memory of where we'd checked in before.

I did have a memory (mostly because there's a photo!) of the bright space, with lots of light wood. I do remember the knight near the organ. And the white grand piano.

I also remember a dog named George who lounged in different parts of the inn. I wonder if he was named for the architect, George Bigham?

A Lively Vibe

But instead of finding a lazy doggy inside, this time we stepped into the modern sanctuary and found the space filled with boxes and a jiggling bounce castle! 

I thought maybe there was a summer camp happening on the property! But suddenly Daisy greeted us. 

Our Host

Daisy wasn't a camp counselor, she was mom and aunt, to the 2 kiddos jumping in the inflatable climber. She was also mama of the 8-week-old baby girl, peacefully resting nearby. And she was our host!

Daisy had the energy and the enthusiasm of a new owner. She and her husband purchased the B&B not long after the pandemic started. on the way to our room, she pointed out lots of things she was excited about. Like the amazing flowers that had arrived and would be planted the next day! And a tiny rose bush that she planted about the time baby Sophia was born.

Finding our Room

Once again we stayed in the Parsonage building. We parked conveniently on a side street and rolled our bags to the door.

It would have been fun to have stayed in the stone building where the Myers once lived. But this was easy. Once inside, the entrance to our room was on the right.

The Garden Wizard Room

A handful of the Chalet rooms are themed and we just happened to get one. One step inside and we were surrounded by Harry Potter surprises.

There was a Nimbus 2000 broomstick,  propped up right beside the door. A desk near the bed was covered in Potter-themed props.

There was an owl (or 2) and a uniform and lots of pillows with Potter quotes.

There were numerous Harry Potter books and puzzles and playing cards.

Along with all the themed stuff, there was a gas fireplace and some comfortable chairs and a king sized bed. 

We had a few windows, including a bay window that looked out on the garden.

There were Harry Potter glasses to wear and Harry Potter glasses to drink out of...

​Even the bathroom was themed.

I'm not even sure about these characters, sitting on their toilets. That was probably more than I needed.

Trying to Embrace

​I do love a theme, but it's hard to embrace a theme when you know little about it. This room was created for Harry Potter fans who would recognize every tiny detail. 

I was mostly overwhelmed by all the Wizard-y stuff! But, I made a quick attempt to have some fun with the available props. Then it was time to move outside!

​Exploring the Property

My main goal was to find a place to sit and enjoy the lovely June weather.

I needed to find the perfect spot to enjoy the evening on our one night at the Chalet.

There was lots of lawn facing Washtenaw Avenue, but no seating.

There were gardens in back and 2 seats near the pond.

There was garden table on the west end of the property.

The Gazebo!

But the very best spot was right next to the Stone Chalet. 

Beneath the roof of the gazebo there were cushioned seats and a ceiling fan! I grabbed the empty gazebo and texted my friend Lorie and told her where to find us!

My High School Buddy

Some people have lots of high school friends, but I only have one from the school where I graduated. I was 16 when I moved to Ann Arbor and met Lorie. She made me laugh then and she still does 50 years later!

I'll never forget our evening on that June night. Don made drinks and we ordered food delivery. One evening only made me crave more Lorie-time!

As the sky dimmed, the birds seemed to get louder. We finished up dinner around 8 and Daisy wandered down the path, tending to a few garden plants, while baby Sophia slept in the stroller. 

Good Night

Lorie left before 9. Work night! And I wandered to see the building lit up at night.

I wondered about the 2 families that have lived under this roof. Daisy's family lived here, when they first purchased the property. 

And I wondered about the Myers family, when the moved inside, in 1917. How many children? Were there any grandchildren by the time the family moved out, almost 3 decades later?

Morning

In the morning, I wondered about the families some more, when we arrived for breakfast. We didn't come around to the red door on the porch. It was pouring rain.

We came through a door that took us right through the kitchen. Daisy was back at work, 12 hours after I'd last seen her. She looked rested and happy as she buzzed around prepping food with 2 other woman. I noticed the child's toy sink and smiled.

The Myers' Home

​I peeked down past the front door, to the stairway and the living area.

I wondered if the room past the stairs was where the church services were held, before the Sanctuary was built.

I peeked at some of the books and decorations on display.

There seemed to be a corner dedicated to strong women! 

On the west side, I found the sunroom where we ate breakfast 19 years ago. I remember talking to other U of M parents who were also staying and visiting kids!

Dining Room

This time we ate in the dining room for breakfast.

There were 2 tables set up for guests. 

I didn't intrude with my camera in the morning, but there were guests seated in the middle of the room.

Our places were set and waiting for us, near the windows and cuckoo clock. We had placed our order online the night before. Certainly didn't do that in 2005!

Don was pleased with his bagel and lox, with capers.

I ordered a basic bacon and eggs breakfast.  Just right, with a nice hearty toast. Sadly, our table-mates were late arriving and we never got to meet them. But Daisy and the women helping in the kitchen were all pleasant, morning people. A nice end to our stay!

What's Notable?

A real Harry Potter fan would remember the details of their themed-room. But I'll likely remember the intriguing history of the property even more. We got to stay in a Parsonage... again!  

Mostly I'll remember enjoying the property in the evening. Sitting in the gazebo with Lorie, surrounded by flowers and birds sounds, with a fan cooling us from above, until the temps dropped. I could almost imagine it was 1917 or 1940... Don and I were Mr.and Mrs. Myers and we had invited our guest Lorie, over for the evening!

I'll remember  meeting Daisy, with all her enthusiasm. And I'll remember the cozy dark and rainy morning in the Harry Potter Room... wandering through the kitchen to be fed a delicious breakfast. 

Glad we got to experience the Stone Chalet/Vitosha Guest Haus, twice!