The Cottle House Bed & Breakfast — Hotel in Opp

Way overpriced. We stayed in the Honeymoon Suite. Cockroaches, heater that won't turn off and makes loud clicks all night, toilet "phantom flushes" and it's close to the highway so you hear traffic all night. You’ll need to bring earplugs to be able to sleep. There's no privacy to use the toilet as the bed, bath and toilet are all in one open area, the bathtub had handles missing, the commode has cardboard pieces under it to keep it from wobbling, dust and cobwebs cover the walls, ceiling, and ceiling fan. The room has a musty smell, and you can't lock the door because there is no key. We went to the beach after breakfast and while we were away someone thought the Cottle House was a museum and just walked into the main house. Luckily, some guests were there. The person then tried to look in the Honeymoon Suite but the guests staying at the main house let them know that we weren’t there and nicely let them know that the Cottle House and the Honeymoon Suite are not museums and that it’s a person’s room for lodging. So, if you do rent the Honeymoon Suite, leave all your stuff in your vehicle. The cost per night is $225 and a two-night stay is required so total cost is $450. The only redeeming factor is meeting Ms. Gantt. She cooks an amazing breakfast, signs cookbooks, gives patrons a hand drawn map and details all the shops, eateries and things to do in Andalusia, AL. After this, Ms. Gantt takes pictures with her guests. You're really paying to meet Ms. Gantt, because staying in a tent would be just as nice lodging. Very disappointed because it seems, as in most cases, money corrupts people to charge more for something than what it's actually worth. But that's the American/Oligarch dream, money first. The irony is Jesus' teachings are preached but seem to be ignored when it comes to His followers as it pertains to financial gain. It's like paying for a seat to go to church to hear some celebrity preacher. Really??? People, for whatever reason, turn others into celebrities, then into idols, and will follow and do whatever they say and hand over huge amounts of money which is the "mammon" Jesus preached against. It's the Golden Calf of our times. I cleaned the ceiling fan, used a pencil to get the clogged dust out of the heater's vent, cleaned the mirrors, cleaned the dust off a painted picture of church over the toilet and wiped off dust and cobwebs from other things in an attempt to help out because of my deep respect and admiration of Ms. Gantt and to leave a place better than I found it. I know this review may sound scathing, mean or rude, but it is not meant to be, it's meant to give an honest review of my experience. I'm not going to be a sellout just because I admire, respect, and even view Ms. Gantt as a grandmother. I’m giving an honest review so others know what to expect if they are pondering a vacation at the Cottle House. The truth hurts sometimes and I try my best to live by that even when it's not what I want to hear or say. I deeply regret having to give this review but believe this may help others decide if they want to spend $450 for the experience I detailed above and I hope Ms. Gantt considers a solution to the areas of need I have detailed. But this is my review/opinion and as they say...

Hello, my wife and daughter and I spent two nights at the Cottle House in the purple room. There was still some snow on the ground. Brenda came over Friday afternoon and gave us a list of what to do. She wanted us to make sure we left all the Spicket‘s running Because of the cold weather. Brenda is a clever lady and the Coddle House is put together well. It’s very quiet there. It definitely a place to relax. We had breakfast with her on Saturday morning. I was a little disappointed in the quantity of the breakfast, but the breakfast was very good. The town of Andalusia is nice. People were nice. It’s close by the beach my family and I spent. A day on the beach. We had seafood and saw Snowmen on the beach That We’re still together the cold wind kept them preserved I think. That was a one and life time event. The Coddle house was clean plenty of towels for bathing. The heat was very efficient. The house has efficient lighting at night. The house even looks better with the lights on everything just seem alive at night in the house. I would give the breakfast at 3.5 that should’ve been more. My family and I don’t her cookbooks. She did do a signing of that. She signed something for my daughter and we took pictures with her. We left her a note thanking her for all the good things that she does. Our total cost for the purple room was $750 with breakfast. Our fourth person got sick and could not go with us and Brenda took $25 off our bill. We stayed two nights yes additional $25 per person for four people and the purple room to...

The atmosphere of the Cottle House is great! It is a self-service experience. There is no one to greet you upon arrival, but written instructions are provided. We let ourselves in and locked the door to the house at night before turning in. The one meal, a breakfast prepared by Brenda Gantt, is great and the short visit she has with her guests is very nice. She will autograph your cookbook and welcomes taking pictures with guests. You are on your own to explore the quaint community of Andalusia, Alabama. It is a nice place to visit, but WAY off the interstate. The reservation process is handled via text, and deposits are mailed via check to secure reservations. There is a minimum of a two night stay. The Red Room is where we stayed. It was nice, but the accompanying bathroom was down the hall at the other end of the house. Only the Green Room provides an en suite. The wrap around porch is lovely, and we enjoyed getting to know other house guests. The porch has many places to sit. It provides a fun place to watch the deer in the front yard in the evenings. If you are accustomed to a more attentive experience, you may be somewhat underwhelmed. But if you need a short escape from the hustle and bustle of life, this provides a...