Clevedale Inn: Plan your stay at this Black-owned bed-and-breakfast in Spartanburg, South Carolina

Guided by a trail of roadside finds and discarded gems, Pontheolla Abernathy made her way toward owning the Clevedale Inn before she was consciously aware she was doing it. Forty years after collecting the first piece of furniture, she and her husband, Paul Roberts Abernathy, took a leap of faith and snapped up the dilapidated dwelling and turned it into the glowing hub of Southern elegance that radiates today.

Rooms are thematically decorated and tastefully appointed with Hawaiian, train car or wren (the South Carolina state bird) themes, giving guests a plethora of options and integrating the hosts’ personal story into their love of hospitality. Wrens represent Abernathy’s college mascot, while the Ohana room is a testament to the couple’s travels.

Guest stays are marked by cozy, stylish rooms; lush, well-attended grounds and mouth-watering Southern breakfast fare. Pontheolla’s favorite dish to serve is herb-and-goat-cheese grits with cajun shrimp, okra, mushrooms and peppers. Other options include crab cakes, quail’s eggs benedict, latkes stuffed with sausage, chicken and waffles and more.

The grounds are landscaped with floating billows of wisteria and wafts of aromatic jasmine. A conservatory on the grounds acts as a shady and spacious wedding venue complete with a fecund fig tree. In addition to weddings, the Inn offers packages to cater to oenophiles, spa-goers, women’s retreats and intimate gatherings. The wine-lover’s package includes a six-hour chauffeured tour to various local wineries, while the spa getaway features a trip to the Spartanburg Salt Cave. With a range of options, experiences and room styles available, visitors to Spartanburg can surely plan their ideal stay at this beautiful bed-and-breakfast.

This story was originally published July 15, 2022 at 9:00 AM.