JENNINGSTON W.Va. (WVDN) – It may be unfamiliar to many, but nestled in the heart of West Virginia–Jenningston to be exact– is a bed and breakfast so perfect, you will literally need to see it to believe it.
The Laurel River Club B&B sits on 250 acres of farmland and offers guests numerous things to do whether they want to sit back and enjoy the views or participate in the numerous activities and learning classes.
Open to guests–and in some cases, the public–there are four different businesses run at the location and include the Bed and Breakfast, The WV School of Traditional Skills– a 501-C3 nonprofit– The Educational Farm-Laurel Fork Farm, and a Master Class Falconer.
The property, intersected by Tucker and Randolph County, is owned by the Waybright family and when this all came to fruition a handful of years ago, Marsha Waybright and the rest of her crew, couldn’t have imagined anything like it has grown into.
“Not in a million years did we imagine this journey,” Marsha said.
“In just five years, we’ve had the joy of hosting guests from 69 countries and all but two U.S. states–come on, North and South Dakota, we’re still waiting on you! — We consider ourselves incredibly blessed. The only training I’ve ever had in hospitality came from my grandmother, Louise Louk, who was the most loving and kind person I’ve ever known. She had a gift for taking care of others, and I hope I’ve passed those same values on to our children.”
Guests would be sure to enjoy themselves with a stay at the farm mainly because the Waybright’s don’t look at their work as a job, but another blessed day to get up and get to work.
“We are truly blessed,” Marsha said.
“If we looked at this like a traditional job, I’d definitely be overworked and underpaid, but we don’t see it that way. For us, this is a lifestyle, and one we truly enjoy. Do I go to bed exhausted most nights? Absolutely. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. As a family, we’ve chosen to live a life we don’t need a vacation from. Of course, everyone needs a break now and then, but we genuinely look forward to our daily lives and we’re not constantly longing to escape them,” she continued.
According to Marsha, there is just one slow point of the year, but the work the family does at the farm to get ready for the next round of guests keeps them just as busy.
“We really only have about two months out of the year that we consider “slow” for guests: Mid-March through mid-May, but that’s when things are in full swing on the farm. It’s planting season and time to prepare for the upcoming harvest. This period marks the end of winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing, and with snowmelt and spring rains, outdoor activities like hiking and biking can be a bit tricky. The rivers run high, and nature slowly begins to awaken buds on the trees, the first signs of green. By mid-May, the landscape transforms as everything soaks up the spring water and the forests burst back to life. That’s when our busy season begins, carrying us through summer, into the vibrant colors of fall, and eventually back into the beauty of winter,” she explained.
The Bed and Breakfast has been so successful over the years, but it almost came to fruition by accident. The Waybright family never really had any plans of going down the B&B path or any experience for that matter, but it’s a path they have crossed and are thankful they did.
“Although we’re considered a traditional bed and breakfast, none of us had ever actually stayed in one before opening ours,” said Marsha.
“Running a B&B wasn’t a lifelong dream. We simply recognized an opportunity, stepped through the door as a family, and never looked back. What guests experience here is 100% genuine West Virginia hospitality. It’s all we know. We treat people like family, and I believe that warm, comfortable feeling is what keeps them coming back. We’ve been described as “cutting-edge agritourism,” and if that means inviting people to step into our daily lives, experience a real working farm, and learn alongside us then we’re proud to wear that label.
If you want to find out more about Laurel River Club Bed & Breakfast, please visit their website at LRCBNB.com. They also have social media accounts as well.
Marsha listed the family staff and their specialties are below:
