So you say you’re not the B&B type. We say talk to us after a night at the German Village Guest House. Tucked along the brick-paved streets of one of Ohio’s hippest historic neighborhoods, the posh digs here are a better fit for the latest Pottery Barn catalogue than a spread in Country Living.
Owner John Pribble and his wife, Darci Congrove, completely renovated the house in 2005, adding modern fixtures and furniture as well as a few glass showers the size of a small studio apartment, while preserving the home’s historic architectural details such as exposed brick walls, crown moldings and hardwood floors. Not surprisingly, word of the trendy accommodations — and John’s killer banana bread (so good it’s been a topic on local food blogs) — spread quickly, attracting travelers ready for the long-overdue alternative to the city’s downtown hotel chains.
Guests share the roomy kitchen, living room and dining room spaces, as well as the backyard formal boxwood hedge garden and its outdoor fireplace. The Pribbles keep a stack of kindling and s’more staples on hand for couples who want to cozy up in front of a crackling fire, although John admits the indoor gas fireplace in the living room gets more use this time of year.
Even the approach to hosting is modern here; the couple is always available by phone, text or e-mail, but since both maintain full-time jobs, unless you want to, you probably won’t see them during your stay. For that reason, breakfast is a serve-yourself spread of freshly baked breads, cereal, yogurt and fruit.
After breakfast, bundle up and explore the sights and shops of surrounding German Village — a walkable neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus. Wander the cobblestone avenues arm-in-arm and you’ll discover a collection of independently owned shops that add to the neighborhood’s charm. Browse the literary jackpot at the Book Loft (
www.bookloft.com), then stop in at the incredible Pistacia Vera (
www.pistachiosweets.com) and share a decadent sweet. For lunch, grab a table at the ultimate neighborhood joint, The Old Mohawk (
www.theoldmohawk.com), which has been operating as a restaurant in German Village since 1933. For dinner, try Lindey’s (
www.lindeys.com) for white tablecloths, candlelight and a center-cut filet, Barcelona (
www.barcelonacolumbus.com) for a lively crowd and paella or G. Michael’s Bistro & Bar (
www.gmichaelsbistro.com) for casual dining and crispy duck with foie gras butter.
If you’re looking for more privacy than the Guest House can offer, consider booking your stay at the Pribbles’ other German Village property, Whittier Suites. Just down the road from the Guest House, the home has been converted into two fully furnished 800-square-foot private apartments, where you’ll have all the same amenities plus a full kitchen, minus the company.