It was a crisp December evening when I pulled into the Lake View Cottage Bed and Breakfast. I was late, due to a wrong turn somewhere around Keene, but Jim was right there to help me with my bags.

I was so glad to walk into the warm and welcoming front room of the inn. Owners Becky and Jim had graciously waited up for me – even though they had a busy weekend ahead – and I had arrived well after their bedtime.

Becky thoughtfully had hot water ready for coffee or hot chocolate. The main room, which is a combination dining room, sitting room and library, was decorated for Christmas. In the corner there was a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. In the center of the room, there was a Gingerbread house. The Lake View was prepared for not only Christmas, but the annual White Mountains Inn to Inn Cookie Tour.

Despite the hour, Becky and Jim stayed up and talked to me while I warmed up with a cup of hot chocolate. Afterward, I gratefully climbed the stairs to my bedroom.

I stayed in the Grandpa Earle room. I couldn’t see it at night, but in the morning I got a wonderful surprise – the room looks out over the lake. I later found out that all of the five rooms have lake views.

In the Grandpa Earle room, there’s a sitting room and a private bath with a Jacuzzi tub. In the bedroom, there are handmade quilts, a queen-sized bed and lace curtains.

The next morning, I enjoyed a breakfast of homemade muffins, scrambled eggs with smoked cheddar cheese and freshly-squeezed orange juice.

Becky is warm and welcoming, and an incredibly caring person. I heard that from many other people as well. Jim is friendly and knowledgeable, a flannel shirt kind of guy. The owners, as much as the accommodations, really made my stay enjoyable.

The Lake View Cottage Bed & Breakfast is located on in the village of Silver Lake, NH. For more information, visit their website or call 800-982-0418.