I’ve been fortunate to stay in my share of luxury Inns. It got me thinking about what does luxury mean? The dictionary defines luxury as; great comfort, ease and wealth, expensive, welcome and not usually or always available, privilege, exclusivity, enjoyed by the elite. A new approach to luxury is a shift from acquiring things to acquiring experiences, like enjoying the moments of incredible beauty outside of our home sphere. Could be appreciating craftsmanship, something inspiring or a fantastic experience like riding horseback on the beach. A pleasure outside of the ordinary allowed to oneself. It means different things to different people. Ultimately it’s the experience of feeling pampered, no matter the environment that feels luxurious.
For some it’s visiting an 8,000 square foot 1885 Italianate Villa Mansion like Fairbanks House, now a bed and breakfast on Amelia Island, Florida. For others, it’s spending the day on a yacht with your best friends, no kids, drinking margaritas and swimming in the delightful water. When I was a young mother, my idea of luxury was reading a good book while swinging in a hammock on a quiet afternoon. It was a real luxury to have that time to myself. Many feel pampered when they can soak in a hot bubble bath with a nice
glass of wine. Simple things can bring on the luxurious feeling of being pampered. Our moods and desires drive the experience in the moment.
Recently I revisited the Fairbanks House while considering this article and I appreciated the detail of the 1800’s architecture, the well appointed guest rooms and the special tiles surrounding the fireplaces depicting both Shakespearean characters and Aesop’s Fables that were personally selected by George Fairbanks so that he could tell stories to the grandchildren. Luxury is being pampered, sleeping on soft sheets, along with WiFi throughout the property and docking stations in the rooms, a perfect blend of today’s comforts and yesterday’s beauty.
The architectural details and millwork of the house are fascinating beyond words. And this boutique Italianate-style villa is the perfect base from which to take it all in. The historic building displays all manner of extravagant details: dormers, bay windows, massive chimneys, balustrade balconies, and a 15-foot tower.
Fairbanks House
By Patricia Detwiller