In a fast-paced American society that's full of everything modern and shiny, it's easy to overlook the old-fashioned bed-and-breakfasts scattered across the Western New York region.
???There are 17 of these cozy gems involved with the Western New York Bed and Breakfast Association, stretching from Springville to Niagara Falls and all the way east to Rochester, with each offering its own attractions and scenery.
???A room at one of these bed-and-breakfasts can cost anywhere from $60 to $190, based on double occupancy. This price not only includes an upscale bedroom with a fancy name, but also an unrivaled comfort for college students.
???While bed and breakfasts present an expensive alternative to hotels and motels, it's the coziness and history of the homes that makes them worth a visit.
???Students who are tired of drafty dorm rooms and barren apartments should escape to a warm, homey atmosphere and hibernate for a few days.
???The Oasis, Cameo Inn, Genesee Country Inn, Park Place and Beau Fleuve are among the nicest and most interesting of the homes connected with the Western New York Bed and Breakfast Association.
???The Oasis Bed and Breakfast located in Springville, N.Y. is situated near all the great ski resorts in the Southtowns. Its Victorian-style farmhouse offers exciting themed rooms that set it apart from the run-of-the-mill hotel.
???In the Oasis, there's the Indian, African, German and the Middle East-themed bedrooms. Every room includes a private bathroom and the home itself boasts two outdoor hot tubs.
???If escaping to far-off places in a bedroom seems too exotic, then stay at the Park Place Bed and Breakfast in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
???Park Place offers four guest rooms with private baths, full breakfast, afternoon tea and catered dinners. There is also a fireplace in the living room accompanied by an antique grand piano for guests' use.
???Within a short walking distance of Park Place is the American and Horseshoe Falls, and the sounds of the falling water can even be heard from the Garden Room in Park Place.
???The Genesee Country Inn located in Mumford, N.Y. near Rochester, offers 10 guest rooms that include plenty of New York Amish furniture and antiques. While not all of the rooms have private baths, the Garden Rooms are the prestige of the inn, complete with their own fireplaces.
???Students looking to sightsee will find plenty to keep them interested with museums, the Erie Canal, and Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East, all located near the inn.
???Heading back to the Niagara Falls region, the Cameo Inn, located in Youngstown, N.Y., is the premiere experience for couples looking to escape for a romantic weekend. The Cameo, found along the Seaway Trail, gives visitors plenty to do, including fishing, antiquing, boating, bicycling and cross-country skiing.
???The Cameo offers romantic stay packages in the $300 price range. At this inn, everything from full breakfasts and dinners to massages and even limousine service are available for the taking. Many of the suites are also available with private sunrooms.
???If students want to keep traveling distances at a minimum and are simply looking for a comforting night off campus, the Beau Fleuve Bed and Breakfast Inn is situated right in downtown Buffalo.
???Offering all the amenities of a traditional bed-and-breakfast but with an urban setting, a stay at the Beau Fleuve includes a raved-about full breakfast and the visitors' choice of five guest rooms, the Irish, French, Italian, Polish and German Rooms.
???Each room is decorated and furnished based on the different ethnic groups that make up Buffalo.
???College students strapped for cash might not find a bed and breakfast stay in their budget, but for a few extra dollars these cozy homes are a great way to cure a bout of the winter blues.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
