Open Gates B&B
301 Franklin St Historic Vernon Square, Darien, GA 31305-9068
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Avg. $171 /night, 1/14 - 1/15
$171
per night
$171
per night
$171
per night
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About
#1 of 1 B&B in Darien
Location
4.8
Rooms
4.7
Value
4.8
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.9
Sleep Quality
4.8
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Open Gates Bed and Breakfast, built in 1876 by a wealthy timber baron, is uniquely situated for nature-lovers, history buffs, birders, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts wanting to experience one of the richest natural ecosystems in the world. We are a family run, nature-based business located in the small coastal village of Darien, Georgia. Located on historic Vernon Square, just one block from the shrimp boats on the Darien waterfront, Open Gates is surrounded by giant live oak and magnolia trees providing a private, relaxed atmosphere for your vacation getaway retreat, business trip or special event
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Free breakfast
Board games / puzzles
Non-smoking hotel
Shared lounge / TV area
Private check-in / check-out
Breakfast available
Special diet menus
Room features
Air conditioning
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Business
Languages Spoken
English
Location
301 Franklin St Historic Vernon Square, Darien, GA 31305-9068
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 66 out of 100
66
Brunswick Golden Isles Airport
7.9 mi•
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Savannah-Hilton Head Airport
54.2 mi•
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Rental Cars
11 Restaurants
within 0.3 miles
Reviews
Traveler rating
- 312
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Detailed Reviews
We travel with our dog a lot and try to stay at B&B's. We chose this one because it's 1/2 way between VA and FT Myers FL AND, being avid boaters, we were intrigued by the owners' culinary experience on yachts.
While our room was very clean, the B&B is still getting "groomed". They are working on it. The thing that doesn't need ANY work is Chef Zak's breakfast! It's everything they advertised PLUS! Each guest can come/go as they please. The chef starts the breakfast with home made apple turnovers and fresh fruit. The fruit is cut and placed on your plate - not simply "dished on your plate." Following with the most incredibly tasting bacon and cheese crepe - all made by Chef Zak, the owner.
Since we came with our dog, we sat outside on the veranda to eat (I'm not sure if we had to sit outside because of our dog, we simply did.). While Chef Zak clearly set the table for all his guests, he pivoted to our outdoor needs with ease.
There is nothing not to like about Open Gates. We will be back!
While our room was very clean, the B&B is still getting "groomed". They are working on it. The thing that doesn't need ANY work is Chef Zak's breakfast! It's everything they advertised PLUS! Each guest can come/go as they please. The chef starts the breakfast with home made apple turnovers and fresh fruit. The fruit is cut and placed on your plate - not simply "dished on your plate." Following with the most incredibly tasting bacon and cheese crepe - all made by Chef Zak, the owner.
Since we came with our dog, we sat outside on the veranda to eat (I'm not sure if we had to sit outside because of our dog, we simply did.). While Chef Zak clearly set the table for all his guests, he pivoted to our outdoor needs with ease.
There is nothing not to like about Open Gates. We will be back!
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Date of stay: September 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â They gave us the garage apartment with direct outside access with stairs. It was perfect with a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I no longer wished to do the straight thru drive from Florida to NC and sought a Bed & Breakfast near the midpoint to make our drive less stressful. We decided that Savannah and Charleston, while near to the mid point, were going to be to pricey and it was challenging to find a place willing to do one night stays. I saw Darien GA on the map and googled B&Bs in Darien and up popped the Open Gates. It looked the part - we like older properties - and they allowed for one night stays. The owner, Zach, also was a Private Chef so we figured that Breakfast would be good as well...oh, and it was very good. We booked the Island Room on the ground floor with private bath and it was perfect and very roomy. We booked one night up to NC and one night back to Florida and it really was worth the extra costs to be able to cut down on the time on the road and the stress that comes with it. Zach was a great host and he catered to our Keto Diet as well. We really enjoyed the Open Gates and we will definitely be making more visits here.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â The Island Room is large, has a private bathroom and is on the ground floor with more than one...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My husband and I were traveling back to Darien to visit family and friends from when we lived there. We did not want to stay at a hotel and looked for alternative options when we came across Open Gates B&B. What a wonderful experience Zach and Carrie made this for us! The room was incredible perfect shabby chic that matched the old southern charm you would envision staying at a place like this. We stayed in the garden room which was private with its own bathroom, much like a studio apt. Breakfast was wonderful with a refreshing fruit salad each morning beautifully plated waiting for us. Then the main dish which was different each morning! First, crepes with mascarpone and cream cheese filling with fresh berries soaked in lemon and sugar with oven roasted bacon, next morning we requested a dish we had seen on the website, shrimp cakes with a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce with andouille sausage grits. The last morning we had an incredible made to order omelet with oven roasted bacon and sausage. We had the most interesting conversation at the table with other guests and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies at 3pm everyday! I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking a relaxing weekend to Darien, Ga enjoy the natural beauty, interesting history, and AMAZING place to stay!
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Date of stay: August 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Garden room is great!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Believe it or not, this was our first time staying in a bed and breakfast. What a delightful experience! Communication before our arrival and during the visit was great. We happened to stay in the Garden Room which was very private, comfortable and quiet. The bed was fantastic. Breakfasts by Chef Zach were simply delicious and he was very accommodating one morning by preparing breakfast a bit early for us so we could arrive timely for the ferry to Sapelo Island. The location of Open Gates is so convenient to the Darien waterfront that walking the area is a breeze. We heartily recommend and would like to visit again in the future!
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Had a great stay at Open Gates B&B. The historic house was more than we had hoped for. We were met by the owner upon arrival. The house was ready for us, including fresh baked cookies. We are already planning to rent the house for a family reunion next year. The 5++ breakfast was world class, chef prepared and served at the grand dining table. The house is located a short block from the center of the small town. Everything in town (restuarants and the waterfront) were well within walking distance (maybe 800ft). If you are looking for a quaint, quiet getaway, Open Gates B&B in Darien, Georgia is the place to visit.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All the rooms are well decorated and very comfortable - I know, I toured all of them
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We have stayed at Open Gates many times, and while it has been about four years since we were last here, I'm happy to report that it was just as gracious and beautiful as we remembered. Our room was tasteful and charming, and we love being able to walk to dinner and enjoy the downtown area. Zach really went out of his way to accommodate our needs, and the whole experience was so relaxing that we absolutely cannot wait to return! A special place in a special town. :)
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Date of stay: August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enjoyed our stay at OpenGates. It had all the conveniences of a modern hotel with the charm that only an historic B&B can give you. It was located in walking distance of restaurants and shops. A sweet shop was across the road and they had the best chocolates. Breakfast was made to order or you could have breakfast of the day. We chose the of the day and it was delicious. We were afraid to stay in a motel due to the pandemic and this was a great alternative. Everything in our room and bathroom was clean and inviting. The host was very helpful and informative about the area, places to see things to do. A nice destination stop or stopover for the night while traveling.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Main floor room was large with a nice bath. Others to choose also.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Open Gates Bed & Breakfast's host Zach Rath's business card describes him as the "ambassador of hospitality." He proved that to be true every day my cousin and I stayed with him. He went out of his way to make us feel at home, even helping us with a rental car problem we encountered while staying with him. A trained chef, Zach jumpstarted our days with gourmet breakfasts. Our room was clean and comfortable.
Darien was the perfect location for our day trips to nearby islands and historic sites. Other guests told us it was their chosen spot for stopovers to or from Florida. I hopr to find my way back to Open Gates B&B!
Darien was the perfect location for our day trips to nearby islands and historic sites. Other guests told us it was their chosen spot for stopovers to or from Florida. I hopr to find my way back to Open Gates B&B!
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â If you're a light sleeper, go for a second floor room.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
First, the hosts are outstanding in what they have created in this beautiful house. Zach was more than willing to make every effort to make our stay delightful. We took a wrong turn, had to arrive late, but Zach stayed on the phone with us and was so welcoming.
Our bedroom was beautifully appointed from the four-poster's linens to the thick towels in the bathroom. We had a view of the inviting backyard.
And then there were the gourmet breakfasts; my mouth is still watering.
I got to relax my favorite way with a good book on their front porch in a nice rocker. And the high point for my husband was catching a big, 6 lb, red snapper.
Skipper's Fish Camp does fried oysters right and has outdoor seating for those mild evenings. Full menu is good.
There was absolutely nothing lacking at Open Gates. It is one of the best B and Bs in my experience. We expect to come back and enjoy Darien again.
Our bedroom was beautifully appointed from the four-poster's linens to the thick towels in the bathroom. We had a view of the inviting backyard.
And then there were the gourmet breakfasts; my mouth is still watering.
I got to relax my favorite way with a good book on their front porch in a nice rocker. And the high point for my husband was catching a big, 6 lb, red snapper.
Skipper's Fish Camp does fried oysters right and has outdoor seating for those mild evenings. Full menu is good.
There was absolutely nothing lacking at Open Gates. It is one of the best B and Bs in my experience. We expect to come back and enjoy Darien again.
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â Use your GPS to get there
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zachariah Rath, Owner at Open Gates B&B
Responded Nov 7, 2023
So great to have you stay with us! Thank you for your wonderful review. We’ll have your husband get a couple more fish next time and ll make us a nice dinner! We look forward to your return. See you soon! zach
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a great visit at the b&b! Zach was very hospitable and did a great job accommodating covid safety. We had a room with a private entrance and we were able to eat in a private room. The food was delicious! Would recommend.
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm sorry but I've missed this inquiry. We no longer have a pool as we had damage from last year's hurricane.
Again I apologize for the delay.
All the best,
Zach
Hello Dick, we have one room that we allow small pets in. This is our Garden room, however we do not allow animals in the main house. This is a cozy comfortable room with a king size bed, tv, private bathroom, and private entrance. Please feel free to call us anytime to make a reservation, or please do so at your leisure through our webpage. See you soon! Zach Rath 912.437.6985
"Rooms on the house frontage face east and naturally see the sun early. There is no traffic to concern yourself with "Read full review
"Avoid the stress of the I95. Take a cruise down the 17. Stop off in Darien and stay at Open Gates. You won’t regret it."Read full review
"Travelers looking for Scottish heritage sights need to put Darien, Georgia and Open Gates Bed & Breakfast Inn at top-of-list!"Read full review
"Loved the hanging moss in the little park nearby and the fact that this old inn had a lot of history. "Read full review
"Bring your walking shoes. So much to do and everything is just a lovely walk from the bed and breakfast "Read full review
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PRICE RANGE
$197 - $215 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesGeorgiaGeorgia CoastDarien
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Open Gates B&B
Which popular attractions are close to Open Gates B&B?
Nearby attractions include Sugar Marsh Cottage (0.03 miles), Waterfront Park (0.2 miles), and Old Jail Art Center & Museum (0.1 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Open Gates B&B?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Open Gates B&B?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to Open Gates B&B?
Conveniently located restaurants include Skipper's Fish Camp, Waterfront Wine and Gourmet, and Blue Bay Mexican Grill.
Is Open Gates B&B located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.4 miles away from the center of Darien.
Are there any historical sites close to Open Gates B&B?
Many travelers enjoy visiting Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation (4.7 miles), Fort King George State Historic Site (1.0 miles), and Ashantilly Center (1.2 miles).
Is Open Gates B&B accessible?
Yes, it offers reduced mobility rooms. For specific inquiries, we recommend calling ahead to confirm.