Aiken hotel ranked nationally

National Geographic Traveler has named the Carriage House Inn of Aiken as one of its 129 Hotels We Love.

The Carriage House Inn puts Aiken on the map, as it is one of only two in the state and among a handful in the Southeast on the list, bringing national attention to the area.

"The hotels on our Stay List 2009 don't just reflect their surroundings; they help define them. What they all have in common is a transcendent vision that goes beyond traditional hotelkeeping. This mindset is what gives these hotels their special sense of place. ... After your stay, you'll leave with the kind of insight only soulful places can provide," states the article.

"This is a huge honor for us," said Elizabeth Smith. Smith's mother and father, Anne and Bill Thomasson, established the hotel located on the main street in historic downtown Aiken 10 years ago. The Carriage House Inn is a family-owned and operated establishment whose primary focus is on the city of Aiken.

"This is a big thing for Aiken because we wouldn't be the Carriage House Inn without sitting on Laurens Street in Aiken," said Smith. "Our goal is for people to come and love Aiken so much they come back. We are proud of Aiken, we love Aiken and we want to share it."

According to the National Geographic Traveler article, the key criteria for selection to be a part of the elite list included whether the hotel is engaged with the local community, if it subscribes to sustainable practices that respect the region and whether it truly captures the spirit of its setting. After additional research by the team at National Geographic Traveler, hundreds of submissions were narrowed down to the top 129. This is the second Stay List compiled by the magazine.

The Carriage House Inn is steeped in history and has transformed several times over the years. The Thomassons purchased the property in 1987 and operated a retail store from the main building. The building was divided into seven apartments when first acquired by the Thomassons. It was later leased to Disney as production headquarters for the filming of "That Darn Cat," a 1997 remake of the Disney classic, which starred Christina Ricci and was filmed primarily in Aiken and Edgefield. Next, it served as the administrative buildings and contained classrooms for Rose Hill College.

Originally built in 1872, the home contained two rooms upstairs and two downstairs with 1,500 square feet. At the time the home was built, it was considered out in the country with Park Avenue serving as the center of town.

In the 1920s, the property was purchased by Isador Efron, a chauffeur for a Winter Colony family who opened a taxi cab company. The warehouse out back served as home to a taxicab business, and the drivers frequently resided upstairs.

In the '50s, Efron converted his taxicab business into an auto repair shop due to the decline in Winter Colony residents. He expanded the main house, bringing it to 5,400 square feet. Fred Astaire is rumored to have danced at Efron's daughter's seventh birthday party, and Bing Crosby dropped by another party for the young girl.

Today, the inn features six guest rooms in the main house, five in the courtyard and five in the guest house. Each room is uniquely decorated and features a variety of amenities from whirlpools to full kitchens. Each morning, breakfast is served in the dining room, and the family is always close at hand to tend to their guests.

"We offer Southern hospitality," said Smith.

The Carriage House Inn is located at 139 Laurens St. N.W. and may be reached at 644-5888.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.