Dreaming of a hygge holiday? Since December calls for all things warm and snuggly, we asked local photographer and writer Erin Austen Abbott to share her favorite places to keep cozy in north Mississippi.
It’s that time of year where I want to be bundled up or sitting in front of a fire place. All day long. Hotels and B&Bs certainly evoke this feeling as well. Whether you are traveling to Oxford, have guests coming to visit, or just need a staycation, I’ve rounded up five places close to Splinter Creek to keep you cozy all winter long.
1. Taylor Inn Bed & Breakfast
Down the road about 8 miles from Splinter Creek is the artsy village of Taylor, Mississippi, with a population of about 400 people and growing. Known for the Taylor Grocery and the perfectly fried catfish they serve; it’s also home to Grit, a farm-to-table restaurant; and the historic Taylor Inn. The farmhouse, built in 1890, features five bedrooms in the main home, and a “chicken house,” a standalone cottage that can sleep four comfortably and has its own kitchen. The cozy factor is high with tin walls, a farmhouse sink, a lofted sleep space, and a clawfoot tub. It’s so quaint and exactly what you’d want from a small-town B&B.
2. Oxford Treehouse Gallery Airbnb
What could be more charming than escaping to the country for a night or two? The Oxford Treehouse Gallery and art gallery apartment sit nestled down a Lafayette County road just outside of Oxford. Located underneath the Treehouse Gallery, which Walter and Vivian Neill built to showcase artists in an unconventional gallery setting, the 1-bedroom art gallery apartment is described as cozy/industrial style with exposed ductwork, eclectic artwork, cotton linens and taxidermy. When you wake up, you might be greeted by the chickens that live on the property or spot a deer in the picturesque yard.
3. The Z
The Z Bed and Breakfast is a little cottage located just a couple of blocks from the Square. Decorated in a classic Southern style – think chandeliers, lots of fluffy pillows, ruffled bedskirts and candles – The Z is warm and romantic, complete with fireplaces. Walk anywhere in town, including Rowan Oak, the university, and or course the Square. Wake up to the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and sit by the backyard fire pit in the evening.
4. The Chancellor's House Hotel
The Chancellor’s House is a new boutique hotel just off the Oxford Square. With a regal atmosphere, it almost has the feeling of being in a modern version of a grand Southern home, with lit fireplaces, marble floors, and just the right mix of colors and patterns. The rooms are classic, with crisp lines in the design.
5. The Graduate Oxford Hotel
I love The Graduate and find it to be extra welcoming in the winter months. From the preppy pink floors and seersucker sofas in the lobby to the roof top terrace bar, The Graduate is full of style and comfort. Their rooms bring out a sense of college nostalgia, mixed with all the modern-day amenities. They take cozy to the next level.
