When my husband and I planned our anniversary trip to Louisville, KY, our focus was on the PGA Championship at Valhalla. We imagined days on the course, evenings exploring the city, and a cozy spot to crash in between. What we didn’t expect was for our lodging to outshine the championship itself. From the moment we saw the Inn at Woodhaven, tucked behind a canopy of trees, its Gothic details reaching gracefully toward the Kentucky sky, we knew this place was special.
The inn is the kind of historic home that makes you slow your step just to take it in. Built in 1853 by prominent farmer Theodore Brown, the Main House and Carriage House are masterpieces of American Gothic Revival architecture, complete with floor-to-ceiling diamond-paned windows, arched doors, and intricate plasterwork.
Today, both houses are on the National Register of Historic Places. They are lovingly cared for by current owners Mark and Jeremy, who have infused the property with their own brand of warmth and whimsy.
It didn’t take long for us to feel that warmth. After check-in, a handcrafted cocktail appeared at our door — a thoughtful gesture setting the tone for our stay.
That evening, as we sank into the deep comfort of our Theodore Brown Suite, I noticed how the light spilled through tall windows onto the room’s 19th-century color palette and American Gothic furniture. The room’s details told a story, each piece a nod to the inn’s history, yet the comforts were distinctly modern: a plush king bed, a sitting room with a convertible sofa, and a bathroom anchored by a 10-foot steam shower tiled in moody Gothic patterns.
Our time in Louisville was short and busy, but the moments we spent at the inn felt like their own little vacation. On our last morning, rain tapped softly against the porch roof as we sat in rocking chairs, steaming mugs in hand, the world quiet except for the gentle percussion of the weather. We didn’t rush. We didn’t talk much. We just sat, soaking in the kind of peace you can’t schedule on an itinerary.
The Inn at Woodhaven isn’t only about its beauty; it’s about how it makes you feel. Guests are invited to linger over complimentary liqueurs and desserts in the parlor, savor organic breakfasts served on fine china, and wander gardens that hum with the soft sounds of nature. The bourbon collection, with more than 60 varieties, nods to Louisville’s spirit-soaked heritage, and the inn’s location makes it easy to hop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail or explore nearby parks and boutiques.
When we left, we promised ourselves we’d return — not for another whirlwind weekend, but for the sole purpose of staying put. To curl up in a sunlit window with a book. To stroll to Brown Park. To sip another cocktail on the porch. The PGA Championship may have brought us to Louisville, but the Inn at Woodhaven is what will bring us back.
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