Have you ever wanted to stay in an Egyptian palace? How about a French country home? Do you dream about relaxing in a tropical paradise in colorful, vibrant surroundings? If so, you don’t have to travel halfway across the world, just as far as Berthoud, Colorado where the Berthoud Bed and Breakfast offers all this and more with their themed rooms concept.

Owner Mark Chaffee took over operation of the property in May 2001 after spending 32 years in the Denver restaurant business. He previously owned and operated the Moondance Piano Bar as well as the Broken Spoke Café. “I just wanted a lifestyle change,” he says, adding, “After a while, I got tired of the late nights, long hours and the intense competition.” When he saw the chance to purchase the new business, he jumped at the opportunity knowing that this would allow him to use the skills he developed as a cook and restaurateur and be able to operate his B & B the way he wanted.

As you enter the property, two 90 foot towering blue spruce trees—the largest in Berthoud-- grace the entrance of this Victorian home which sits on 1 ¼ acres. Old style ornamental fencing borders a colorful garden leading to a wrap-around porch. The main doors lead to a comfortable parlor with overstuffed period furniture and the beginning of your adventure for the evening.

The original stone house out back was built prior to the 1890’s with the main house coming several years later. The former owners refurbished the house and installed private baths for each room as well as gave each one a distinctive theme identity. As anyone who has ever undertaken a major renovation can attest, this was no easy task, but they seem to have pulled it off flawlessly as the upstairs and downstairs accommodations are each a work of art.

There are seven rooms in all, each with a different theme, including the Egyptian room complete with a faux stone finish, Egyptian artwork and furniture, hieroglyphics, and even a Jacuzzi. The next most popular is the French room that doubles as a bridal suite located in the upper turret of the house. This room has a large round bed and 11 windows and is decorated in shades of purple and lavender with matching wallpaper and bedspreads in a beautiful lilac flower design.

Other rooms are equally impressive and just as artfully adorned. The Oriental room, for instance, incorporates a distinctive blend of Chinese, Japanese and Korean furniture in shades of red and black. Western tastes prompted the need for a more traditional mode of sleeping and a Beauty Rest mattress was a concession that travelers seem to love.

Among the other surprises are the Frontier room decked out in a western motif with period artwork and even a red claw foot bathtub. The Tropical features Caribbean-style colors and furniture with a large beach mural, giving one the feeling of being in a little cottage in Barbados, St. Lucia or other island paradise. The Art Deco has Tiffany lamps, Louis Icart paintings and glass block room dividers while the Country is tastefully accented with light shades of blue and white with matching décor.

Considering the ambience, the prices are surprisingly very affordable and range from $79-135 per night. There are even special rates for midweek business travelers and each room has high-speed Internet access and free long distance. The property is also close to an award winning French restaurant—The Savoy, as well as Rocky Mountain National Park, golf courses and the Carter Lake Recreational Area.

Much of the business at the Berthoud B & B is from repeat customers and next to the special rooms, the breakfasts are a major draw. These are not your typical roll, juice and coffee affairs but full meals that show off the skill of the innkeeper.

“We do things like stratas, salmon, pork tenderloin, and steak and eggs,” said Chaffee. “This morning I served sweet potato pancakes. I got a standing ‘O’ for that one,” he laughs. Additionally, guests get to enjoy their feast surrounded by historical artifacts like the 1880 Italian hutch and dining table.

While nobody can deny that owning a B & B is a lot of work, Chaffee seems to thrive on it and he is busy year round. During the spring and summer months, the facility is occupied with weddings, graduations, reunions, luncheons, and special events. “We can handle 200 guests outside and 50 inside,” says Chaffee. There is even a bandstand and dance floor in the large yard.

Not content with the quality of outside catering for his guests, Chaffee decided to do it himself. Drawing on his restaurant skills, he created Berthoud Bed and Breakfast Catering, which he also offers to the local area residents and businesses for their events.

During the fall, the B & B pays host to murder mystery weekends for up to six couples. Every guest comes in costume to add to the intrigue and each one is assigned a particular profile. One may be the detective, another, a houseguest, and still another plays the covert role of the villain. It is up to the participants to solve the mystery and figure out who committed the crime.

A cocktail reception precedes dinner that is served between acts and includes entrees like salmon with pineapple and papaya salsa, chicken with artichokes and mushrooms, and stuffed beef tenderloin. The all-inclusive price of $175 includes a night’s stay and, of course, a full breakfast.

Being located between Denver and Ft. Collins draws many who are looking for a unique alternative to the usual stale hotel room experience that doesn’t offer much by way of personality. Chaffee says, “People come here for the quiet ambiance” and what he describes as the “casual elegance of this house.”

Indeed, this little respite has hosted visitors from all over the world including Luxembourg, England, Sweden, and Canada. One traveler perhaps summarized it best when he wrote, “The accommodations were wonderful, the food exceptional, and the host was even better.”