Please don’t ring—just come in” reads the sign above the doorbell of the Cape Charles House. Savoring the considerable curb appeal of the handsome 1912 Colonial Revival, we cross the wraparound porch and obey. Inside, we find a rosy parlor, and antique furnishings of the make-yourself-at-home variety. Leather wing chairs and an overstuffed sofa beckon in the adjacent living room. In the modern kitchen (guests welcome), silver serving trays wait with wine glasses, crackers, and cheese.

Genial host Bruce Evans makes our welcome complete with a cordial greeting, an introduction to the supersized, fluffy white cat, Mr. Kitty, and an invitation to make ourselves at home. Relaxing with our cabernet sauvignon, we do.

Innkeepers Bruce and his wife, Carol Evans, run their B&B with five-star enthusiasm, even after 17 years in operation. “Special attention is what we’re all about,” says Bruce, beaming at the partner he calls “that gorgeous redhead.” The couple is happy to make dinner reservations, swap gardening stories, or discuss the attractions of their adopted hometown. Carol lends her artistry to breakfasts and décor, which includes a
10-foot Christmas tree and glossy magnolia-and-lemon swags for the holidays.

Rooms Our king-sized Julia Wilkins Suite, named for the daughter of the original owner, is resplendent in blue and white, its bay windows shaded by magnificent trees—and the bath sports its own mini-balcony. During renovations, Bruce and Carol discovered cards and keepsakes belonging to the family that had slipped behind a mantel. Their finds, commemorated in an episode of HGTV’s “If Walls Could Talk,” are displayed in a glass-topped shadowbox. Century-old accessories furnish this and the four other guest rooms, all christened for local notables. 

Special touches/diversions Cape Charles’ wide, walkable beach is just five blocks away—a fine destination for a sunset stroll or, on a mild day, a ride on the inn’s guest bikes. Follow the sandy sidewalks south and enjoy the laid-back vibe on Mason Avenue, which offers antiques and gift shops, and comfortable dining spots. (Two restored Pullman cars on waterside tracks recall the days when trains and rail ferries connected Cape Charles to the world.) The nearby Bay Marina Resort offers more restaurants and shops and boasts two golf courses for warmer days. On Dec. 3, you can join Cape Charles’ annual Holiday Sampler and Progressive Dinner Tour, featuring live music, luminaria, and local wines and food. Later that month, sing along with residents and visitors at the bayside New Year’s Eve bonfire.

What’s for breakfast Sweet or savory, Carol’s multicourse morning meals qualify as feasts. Fresh fruit and muffins with homemade fresh fig preserves—direct from the Evanses’ own tree—precede her salsa-topped scrambled eggs, herbed red potatoes, and sausage. The following morning, a “banana wrinkle”—a warm, custardy pastry puff—has us mopping up every syrupy crumb.

Romance Factor Small-town delights, starry nights, and a cozy nest—the rest is up to you.

Cost $140 to $200.

Cape Charles House
Bed and Breakfast
645 Tazewell Ave.
Cape Charles, Va.
757-331-4920
http://www.capecharleshouse.com