HISTORIC BOONE TAVERN HOTEL, BEREA, KY

Bad weather and much needed rain began moving into the area where we were staying.  We had planned to return to Berea, about 20 miles from Renfro Valley and visit the Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant of Berea College.  The college actually owns and operates the hotel - somewhat similar to the College of the Ozarks Keeter Center in Hollister, Missouri.  The schools are similar in many ways.  Students attending Berea are required to work a minimum 10 hours a week (for books and tuition), while students at the College of the Ozarks (University of Hard Work) in Hollister, MO, work 20 hours per week.  

We had been told that if the opportunity presented itself, to be sure to try the famous spoonbread.  The Boone Tavern Restaurant serves traditional favorites and new Southern Cuisine.  Every dish is the freshest and healthiest foods from the Berea College Farm, and locally grown Kentucky products.   

We were told about the recent multi-million dollar renovation of the 100 year old Boone Tavern Hotel and that the hotel has earned the distinction of being the first LEED-certified hotel in Kentucky, as recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  This seemed like quite an important designation to us, considering the size of the facility.  They recycle paper, plastic, aluminum, all in partnership with Berea College.  Restaurant waste is composted at the Berea College Farm.  Bicycles are provided for guests.  Guest amenities are free of petrol-derived ingredients and have low weight packaging to reduce waste.  "Green" cleaning products are used throughout the hotel.  Smoking is not allowed within fifty feet of the hotel.  The list goes on and on; however, when you talk to the student personnel working throughout the hotel they confirm this. 

Although it rained most of the day, we enjoyed the Boone Tavern Hotel  as well as the shops in the area.  Before leaving Berea, we went through Old Town.  While I was enjoying talking to some of the craftsmen, RV had a haircut (isn't that where you can always learn about what is really going on in every community).