Finding a place to stay in Rome, Georgia, usually means choosing between the standard chain hotels near the tennis center or a cozy historic B&B downtown. But for a long time, people kept asking about The Beeches Inn Rome. It’s one of those spots that pops up in old travel forums or deep in the search results when you're looking for a quiet getaway.
Honestly, if you're looking for it today, you're going to run into some confusion.
The reality is that "The Beeches" in Rome isn't exactly the bustling inn it might have been in decades past. You've probably seen the name linked to the historic estate located at 688 Riverside Parkway. It’s a stunning piece of architecture. It’s got that classic Southern charm—white columns, sweeping lawns, and a sense of history that you just don't get at a Holiday Inn.
But here is the catch.
The Identity Crisis of The Beeches Inn Rome
Most locals know the property as a private residence or a former event space rather than a nightly hotel. If you search for The Beeches Inn Rome expecting a front desk and a continental breakfast, you’re likely going to be disappointed. The property has transitioned through several phases of life. At one point, it was a centerpiece for high-society weddings in Floyd County. People loved the Greek Revival style. It felt like stepping back into a different era of Georgia history.
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The house itself dates back to the mid-19th century. Specifically, it was built around 1850. Think about that for a second. This house stood while the Civil War raged around it. It saw the rise of the cotton industry and the eventual industrialization of the Coosa River valley.
It’s old.
While it did function as a bed and breakfast and an event venue for a stretch of time, the "Inn" part of the name is more of a legacy title now. The property has seen various owners. Some tried to keep the hospitality dream alive. Others preferred the privacy of a grand estate.
Why People Keep Looking for It
You might wonder why it still shows up in travel searches.
Google has a long memory. Old TripAdvisor listings and archived wedding blogs keep the name The Beeches Inn Rome alive in the digital ether. Couples who got married there in the 90s or early 2000s still talk about the "magical" atmosphere. They remember the massive beech trees—hence the name—and the way the light hit the veranda in the evening.
Travelers are tired of sterile rooms. They want character. The Beeches has character in spades. It represents a specific type of Southern hospitality that feels increasingly rare. Even if you can't book a room there tonight, the fascination with the property tells us a lot about what people are actually looking for when they visit North Georgia. They want a connection to the land and the past.
What Actually Happened to the Property?
In recent years, the estate has mostly been a private residence. There were periods where it sat on the market, looking for a buyer who had the deep pockets required to maintain a massive, historic wooden structure. Keeping up a house built in 1850 isn't just a hobby; it’s a full-time job and a money pit.
You have to deal with:
- Aging foundations that shift with the Georgia red clay.
- Original windows that are beautiful but about as energy-efficient as an open door.
- Specialized roofing needs.
- Strict historical preservation guidelines.
The Beeches Inn Rome essentially became too much of a "project" for a standard B&B operation to sustain in a world where Airbnb has squeezed the margins of traditional inns. Most people today prefer a keypad code and a tiny house in the woods over a formal breakfast with strangers in a grand dining room. It’s a shift in culture.
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Exploring Alternatives in Rome
If you were dead set on The Beeches Inn Rome because you wanted that historic vibe, don't worry. Rome actually has some solid alternatives that are very much open for business.
The Claremont House used to be the go-to comparison. It was another massive historic home turned B&B. However, like many historic properties, its status changes frequently. You’re better off looking at the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham downtown. Wait—don't roll your eyes at the "Wyndham" part. This specific hotel is located in a refurbished 1890s warehouse. It has the high ceilings, the original brick walls, and the "old Rome" feel that you’re likely chasing.
Another spot is the Courtyard by Marriott Rome Riverwalk. It’s not "historic" in the sense of 1850s architecture, but it puts you right on the water.
The Architecture You Missed
Let's talk about the house itself. The Beeches is a prime example of the Greek Revival style that dominated the South before the war.
It features a massive portico. The columns are towering. It was designed to show status. In the mid-1800s, building a house like that in the foothills of the Appalachians was a massive statement of wealth. It survived the Union occupation of Rome, which is a feat in itself. Many of the surrounding structures weren't so lucky.
When people search for The Beeches Inn Rome, they are often looking for that specific visual. It’s the "Gone with the Wind" aesthetic. It’s a romanticized version of the past that still holds a lot of pull for travelers from the North or even from Atlanta looking to escape the glass and steel of the city.
Real Advice for Rome Visitors
Since you can't stay at The Beeches, what should you do?
Rome is a weirdly cool city. It’s built on seven hills, just like its namesake in Italy. It has three rivers that meet right in the middle of town: the Etowah, the Oostanaula, and the Coosa.
- Walk Broad Street. It’s one of the widest main streets in the country. It’s packed with local shops and actual, non-chain restaurants.
- Visit Berry College. If you wanted the architecture of The Beeches Inn Rome, Berry will blow your mind. It’s the largest contiguous campus in the world. The Ford Buildings look like they belong in Oxford or a Harry Potter movie.
- Check the Historical Society. If you’re a history nerd who was drawn to The Beeches because of its age, the Rome Area History Center on Broad Street is a goldmine. They have the actual records and photos of the estate in its prime.
The Bottom Line on The Beeches
It’s a ghost.
Not a literal one (though who knows with a house that old?), but a digital ghost. The The Beeches Inn Rome exists in the memories of wedding guests and in the metadata of travel sites, but it is no longer a functioning hotel you can book on Expedia.
Sometimes, the places we find online are just echoes.
If you drive past 688 Riverside Parkway, you can still see the grandeur. You can see the trees. You can imagine the horse-drawn carriages or the 1920s cars pulling up the drive. But then you’ll have to keep driving to find a place to sleep.
Practical Next Steps for Your Trip
- Verify your bookings: If you see a random site claiming to offer rooms at The Beeches, it’s a scam or an extremely outdated landing page. Don't put your credit card info there.
- Search for "Historic District Stays": Use Airbnb or VRBO and filter for the "Between the Rivers" historic district. You’ll find carriage houses and restored apartments that give you the same feeling The Beeches once did.
- Call the Rome Welcome Center: If you’re confused about a specific historic property, call the local folks at 706-291-1100. They know exactly which houses are open to the public and which are strictly private.
- Pivot your itinerary: Focus on the "Seven Hills" tour if you want to see the other grand homes that are still standing, like those in the Between the Rivers neighborhood.
Rome is worth the visit, even without a stay at its most famous missing inn. Just be ready for the red clay and the slow pace of life. And maybe bring some bug spray—the gnats near those three rivers don't care about your interest in 19th-century architecture.