The Franklin House — Hotel in Cowan

My husband and I have stayed at this inn 5 times in the past few years. Jarod (the innkeeper) never lets us down. We like it so much that we once bought out all the rooms for Valentine's Day and invited several couples to join us. That night Jared catered a private dinner just for our group. I have been in every room. Each is individually decorated and has its own merits. There is always a gift basket waiting in the room for guests. Often it is filled with region gifts. Soap made locally or candles from a local artist. The breakfast if HUGE and served quit elegantly. I am a breakfast person and I eat a large breakfast every day but I have never been able to finish all the delicious food the inn provides. There are four public living spaces (one upstairs and three down) and an outdoor patio that is lit with small white lights in the trees. Charming. There are always books, magazines and board games available and in the winter Jarod keeps the fireplace on in one of the public areas. Very cozy. The town of Cowan is tiny but we always find fun things to do. Most within walking distance. There is a train museum, used book store, art gallery, a couple of antique shops and a handful or restaurants. Nearby are parks with great hiking trails. Jarod is very knowledgeable about the area is can help you to find...

This is a beautiful boutique inn run with loving care. However, a vistor's expectations should be consistent with the the physical and economic limitations of the facility. Our stay was just one night and we arrived late due to other commitments in the area. My wife arrived and checked in first. I arrived a bit later and never saw a living person at the desk or elsewhere when I arrived or when I departed at about 6:30 a.m.. We stayed in the Dianne Lasater room (203) which is very nice but is not quite comparable with with rooms in B&B's or hotels in larger suburban or urban locations. Our room was very comfortable and the bed was particularly plush. The room was nicely decorated but lacked some of the "extras" routinely provided by similar inns. My wife thought the breakfast was very good and the hosts very friendly. (I had to leave before breakfast to make a meeting several miles away.) The inn was an excellent value and we would probably return again if in the area. This B&B is appropriately promoted as a "railroad hotel" so if one is a light sleeper, I would suggest bringing ear plugs to avoid being awakened by train traffic during the night within a few yards...

Franklin Pearson is a place that reminds me that it's worth the extra couple of miles to stay in a lovely place, rather than a noisy, overly populated chain. The F-P is such a cool old place with a long, interesting history still in its walls and throughout its elegantly appointed lobby and rooms. It hails back to a very different time than ours, a time when elegance and civility were the norm. Franklin Pearson was very affordable and worth every cent. The building manager of the place, though a young man, is an amazing historian - he knew about every single inch of the B&B, the many travelers and families who have passed thru the doors - and all about the local history of the southern Tennessee town of Cowan. It sits on the Main Street of the town, and being an old railroad hotel, the sound of the night trains still passing thru was pleasant. Our room was lovely and every detail was cared for. We really were treated like guests in a fine old home and I can't say enough about this family owned and operated B&B. No fake plastic trees. Real, genuine charm and value, real hospitality. If you are ever in the area, don't...