Note: This article has been updated on October 31, 2005. At this time, we are unable to reach this business (or homeowner) after Hurricane Katrina. Please contact us if you have any information regarding its status.

Breeze Into the Bay
A huge sun melts into the horizon, drenching the massive live oak in the front yard of the Bay Town Inn with pink and gold. That's the view from the front porch of this eight-room, waterside bed-and-breakfast in Bay St. Louis, a charming little town 60 miles east of New Orleans on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

An overwhelming array of 118 hotels clamors for attention along busy U.S. 90, the highway connecting Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, and other towns along the coast. But the Bay Town Inn, just a half mile off of U.S. 90, sets itself apart as one of the few with an unobstructed view of the water. A quiet two-lane road, North Beach Boulevard, separates travelers from the sea--but just barely.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bay Town Inn is a turn-of-the-century planter's house with high ceilings, huge cypress front doors, crystal chandeliers, and an eclectic mix of antiques. The guestrooms are plain, solid, and simple. They're comfortable, not cushy, without telephones and televisions. Guests who want to get away from it all have come to the right place.

What makes this B&B special is the location. A right turn just past owner Nikki Nicholson's white picket fence leads you to the center of town. All kinds of neat shops, boutiques, and restaurants line the street.

above, left: Once a turn-of-the-century planter's home, the Bay Town Inn now invites visitors to spend the night in a historic setting.

Guests amble into town for a leisurely dinner at intimate restaurants such as The Sycamore House on Main Street. Chef/co-owner Michael J.

Eastham conjures up treats with the catch of the day. He served redfish when we visited, lightly breaded and sautéed with wild mushrooms, artichoke hearts, and white wine ($17.95).

Then it's back to the inn's front porch, where bay breezes enhance a casual state of mind. Deep, relaxed sighs and long-distance gazes complete the unspoken thought: This is why guests come here.

This article is from the January 2004 issue of Southern Living. Because prices, dates, and other specifics are subject to change, please check all information to make sure it's still current before making your travel plans.