Today we’d like to introduce you to John & Connie Lancaster.
Hi John & Connie , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We both came from executive level positions in corporate America. Our entire careers we always knew that a European Culinary Inn was in our future! We were bed and breakfast customers for decades and always knew this was our passion. We wanted to bring the hospitality and food of Europe to Texas. We looked for the perfect property for nearly 20 years (burned through 3 realtors) but none were “the One”. Until one night scrolling on Facebook we found it! It was listed in Denton County Buy and Sell!
She’s 140 years old, built in 1886. We are the oldest standing residential structure in Gainesville, Texas. 8800 sq. ft, 5 bedrooms, 5 baths, swimming pool, hot tub, deck, privacy fencing, it had it all!
Unbelievably, we are only the 5th owners in 140 years. It was never an Inn, so we had much work to do. We bought it in February of 2019 and opened that June.
We are both now full time old fashioned, full service, white glove, European Innkeepers! John is the breakfast chef and Connie does Luncheons and Private Dining.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Our business has really taken off and we have developed wonderful relationships and many friendships with our guests. Many return several times a year. So that part of it has been very smooth and SO FUN!
Our main challenge is maintaining this 140 year old mansion. Thankfully, Mr. John is very handy and can figure just about anything out. But it really never ends! There is always something broken, leaking, leaning, falling apart or just plain worn out. Thank you YouTube!
We proudly offer our guests a memorable romantic experience and having everything in tip top shape is our priority.
We often quote Tom Hanks from “The Money Pit”! We live it every day!
We’ve been impressed with The Lancaster Manor Bed & Breakfast, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Lancaster Manor Bed & Breakfast is an old fashioned, full service, white glove European Culinary Inn. We provide a truly unique European experience. From the moment you walk through the 140 year old front door you are transported back to a simpler time. A time when real ingredients mattered. A time when kindness mattered.
Everything we serve is organic, made from scratch and made to order. We use locally sourced ingredients and grow many of our own herbs and vegetables right here in the garden.
When you arrive Miss Connie gives you a tour of the property. The gardens, the bocce court, fire pit, cold plunge, pool and hot tub. If you’re lucky you might meet Mama Kitty, our CRO (Chief Rodent Officer)! Mama Kitty wandered onto the grounds a couple of years ago and takes her role very seriously! She keeps the grounds critter free and might even let you give her a pet… maybe!
Then you sit in the magnificent chef’s kitchen to enjoy a glass of wine or champagne while you decide what you’d like to have for breakfast the next morning.
Next you see that beautiful suite you booked! Your warm homemade snack is waiting on your dresser!
All of our suites are unique and spectacular! We offer 2 huge King Suites with ensuite private baths. Imagine soaking in a 140 year old clawfoot tub big enough for 2! The Rose Suite is our Honeymoon suite and oh so girlie! The Cowboy Suite is everything Texas! More masculine in decor with a western flair.
For the more budget conscious we also have 2 Queen Suites that share a hallway bath. The French Room is reminiscent of a night in Paris while the Bluebonnet Room is beautifully decorated with lace and, of course, bluebonnets!
All of our rooms have the same amenities. World class linens, pillows, bedding, robes, slippers, high end towels and toiletries, hair dryer, high speed fiber internet…the list goes on and on.
Chef John’s breakfast menu has everthing! Local farm fresh organic eggs made to order, Omlettes, Eggs Benedict with single batch homemade hollandaise sauce, Scratch made waffles, pancakes and his famous Buttermilk Grand Marnier French Toast!
We start with freshly ground, organic, sustainably sourced Peruvian coffee, a fresh fruit and yogurt parfait, homemade buttermilk biscuits with freshly whipped butter and homemade Jam. Then move to your entree with your choice of country ham, thick slab bacon or sausage. We have one rule: No one leaves hungry!
We are different than most modern B&Bs in that we allow our guests to determine what time they would like to eat and they actually get to choose their own meals! That way you can sleep in if you like and eat exactly what you want! No Chef’s choice here!
All of this is included in your room rate!
We also offer a Private Dining experience for an additional charge. You will dine in the old butler’s pantry under an original 1880’s chandelier! 5 Star 4 course meals such as 1 lb. Waygu Ribeye, 1/2 lb. Tenderloin Filet, 1/2 lb Boneless Lamb Steak all soaked for an entire week in Chef Connie’s homemade cajun bourbon butter sauce! Oh so good! Organic Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon served with a New Hampshire Maple glaze over herbed quinoa. Dinner is four courses and includes a bottle of wine.
Many of our Google reviews compare this experience to that of a Michelin Restaurant. That makes our hearts happy because our main joy is to provide food that is so far above anything you’ve ever had that you come back again and again.
We also offer fun add ons like gourmet cooking classes, Jam Sessions where your and a few friends learn how to make homemade jam! Victorian Tea Parties, Ladies Luncheons, Showers, Birthday Celebrations, Anniversary Parties, you name it!
We have our own Licensed Massage Therapist who is Amazing! You have your massage right in the privacy of your guest suite.
To sum it up, we offer everything to our guests that we want when we get away. We travel extensively world wide and have brought all of our favorite things to this amazing little town of Gainesville Texas!
We are only one hour straight up I35 from Dallas. Gainesville has wonderful boutiques, thrifting, antiques, wineries, live music, restaurants and the Win Star World Casino is only 12 minutes away. Come visit us and our amazing little town!
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Something that our Google Reviews mention over and over again is that the guests feel comfortable and “at home”. Many of our guests have never been to a bed and breakfast before and some are a little nervous, now knowing what to expect. It’s wonderful to see their eyes light up when they see the house and hear their comments later about how wonderful the place was and how it made them feel. That is so special to us!
This is our home, we live here. So no matter what our guests may need we are here to serve them. We allow everyone to have their privacy but we are just a text or call away if a need or question arises.
Our heart is to provide a truly uniqe and memorable experience!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thelancastermanor.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelancastermanorbb
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lancaster-manor-gainesville?osq=the+lancaster+manor
