Ashley-Drake Historic Inn and Gardens — Hotel in Franklin

The Ashley-Drake is a very comfortable old-fashioned place with accommodating owners and a breakfast to make your cardiologist wince. No, actually she'll cry while she's chowing down and eating every bite. But you can help redeem her confidence by taking her for a few nice walks around the area.

The location is on Jefferson, the main east-west drag through Franklin. That's fine because their is little traffic during sleeping hours. The front, back and sideyards of this house and the adjoining home to the east, where the innkeepers live, are landscaped with a wrap around garden. There is a patio around the back where you can eat a picnic lunch. The patio is secluded from an adjacent city park with a small playground, tennis courts and basketball court.

We confronted minor confusion when told that parking is a 6-block drive, over a river and across a bridge. Actually, it's right around back, but you still have to make that drive and then walk from the parking lot into the home's backyard, all without having to swim or ford a stream.

The rooms are elaborately florally decorated, the beds are fine and things are kept clean and neat. It is the kind of place that your maiden great aunts would have loved, much like the set of Arsenic and Old Lace. I did not check the basement, and I don't want to know. (There may be none since the area is subject to flooding, so figure the body is in the attic, another place I didn't check out).

Franklin is a pretty town and seems to serve as an outer fringe bedroom community for Indianapolis, while retaining the historic character of a stand alone town of the early 1900's. Shopkeepers, restaurant help and everyone in town was polite and helpful. It is one of the most polite areas in America.

The innkeepers sell more delicious calories in a very nice candy shop a few blocks away. Perhaps your walk with the cardiologist should take the other side of the street, and then you can sneak back to the candy shop yourself while the M.D. takes a jog in the park. There are a few decent places to eat within a few blocks' walk but don't expect four star cuisine.

The innkeepers attune to the particular interests of the guests; sightseeing recommendations for us differed from those given others. Though transplants to the area themselves, they are familiar with the area, its history and culture. Ask a question and you can be assured of a good, interesting answer.

We were told not to be intimidated by the bailbond ghetto on the west side of Franklin, but as an out-of-towner, it might be a good idea to...

While traveling on business, I found myself in Franklin and needed lodging. The Ashley-Drake Inn was one of Googles suggestions. It was in fact the best suggestion.||||The Ashely-Drake Inn has a comfortable charm that is rare. I could not have enjoyed my time there more. The Inn is situated in the absolute best location for enjoying the town - everything is in easy walking distance, there are walking paths at the college across the street and a park behind the Inn. The owner, is as charming as the Inn - Kim Smith is a delightful soul with a kind face, an infectious laugh and a generous nature. As a geologist, I am used to spartan digs and solitude. So being greeted by a relentless smile and indulged with friendly conversation was a wonderful shock. Although I was the only guest that night, she insisted on baking me cookies. I was touched.||||One of the things that really added to my enjoyment of the Inn was that Kim tracked down the photos of all the previous owners along with their photographs and their stories. Their photos hang on the wall along the stairs. Knowing the names and stories of those who have called the house their home since 1897, added a special dimension to the experience.||||The only regret that I had about my stay, is that I did not bring my wife. She would have loved it.||||I not only recommend the Ashely-Drake Inn, but also its owner and operator - Kim Smith. She is an absolutely delightful soul with...

Everything here seemed like it was from the late Victorian period. Even the salt and pepper shakers. It made for a very authentic feeling. Perhaps the only downside is that in the hostess's eagerness to display all the cool things she had, she left very little drawer top space in the bedroom for items. The hostess was very friendly and helpful in terms of directions and places to visit. The breakfast was most filling and satisfying. Snacks left out for between meals were also fun. We were visiting Bloomington for a graduation, so it was nice to have a place where our family could comfortably gather away from the maddening crowd. We enjoyed a day trip to Columbus, IN for the fascinating architecture. Access to Indianapolis was less than an hour away. In the early spring in the midst of a rainy, flooding period, the gardens were a bit out of shape, but I could tell they...