An Oasis for Dog, Beer, and Mountain Lovers
Photos Courtesy of Xiaoqi Li Photography & THE INDIGO HOUSE
A right turn off of the famed Nelson 151 and a quick cruise up a hill on Blundell Hollow Road will give you the first glimpse of The Indigo House—a white and stone 3,600-square-foot house just peeking through the gold- and carnelian-hued trees. Positioned in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountain, The Indigo House isn’t just one lucky person’s mountain oasis. It’s a four-bedroom bed and breakfast that’s been meticulously designed to cater to the next generation of B&Bers.
Owners Kyle and Stephanie Thomas bought the five-acre plot of land in 2018 after traveling the country for a year with their tear-drop camper and dog Marietta in tow.
“We stumbled into the area and quickly fell in love,” Stephanie remembered.
For several years the Thomases simply camped on the land, relishing the easy access to Rockfish Gap, the Appalachian Trail, and the growing number of breweries and wineries along the 151 corridor. With the flexibility of their remote tech jobs, the Thomases would end their 9 to 5s with woodland hikes, post-work beers, and exploring the food and beverage scene of nearby Charlottesville, with Marietta happily trailing alongside them. As they explored the area, an old idea crept to the surface: Why aren’t there more places for people like us? People who want to bring their dog on vacation and explore the area together?
Guest rooms overlook the sunrise, while the sunset can be enjoyed via the left side of the house, fully immersing The Indigo House in nature from sun up to sun down. At just 3,600-square-feet, The Indigo House is small yet mighty with each room a unique representation of the Thomases’ travels to some of the country’s most stunning National Parks.
That idea had been rumbling around in their minds and popping up in idle conversations for the past few years and, with the new land practically begging for a project, they knew it was time to explore that idea further.
Construction on the bed and breakfast ended earlier this year and The Indigo House immediately opened up for guests and their furry friends to come and stay.
“We are a unique crossfire between a B&B and a boutique hotel,” Stephanie said. “There are four guest rooms, each with their own bathroom, and three community spaces. The dining room has three tables and serving stations for produce-heavy, farm-to-table breakfasts. We aim to provide guests with wholesome meals that they won’t feel guilty about. As we like to say, ‘Fuel your fun.’”
The kitchen comes equipped for basic necessities for guests to enjoy a gourmet lunch on the go—whether it be for a roadside picnic between brewery stops or a mid-hike power up. The Indigo House also serves afternoon tea with sweets for cozier afternoons when guests are relaxing indoors.
Every amenity is aimed at helping guests feel as comfortable as possible, while still giving
them complete autonomy to go about their day and schedules.
“We offer guided reception from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. if guests want us to show them the ropes, or self-check-in after 7 p.m.,” Stephanie explained.
The Indigo House is designed for creature comforts—both for the two-legged and four-legged guests. Each guest room is uniquely designed and styled. There’s the Shenandoah room, named after the Shenandoah National Park, which borders the 151, the only room on the ground floor, featuring a spacious king bed, zero entry shower and calming blue hues. There’s the Glacier room, named after Glacier National Park in Montana, ideally positioned closest to the snack bar and lounge, featuring a charming green wainscoting and rugged, cozy decor. The Rocky Mountain
room, named after its counterpart in Colorado, is equipped with a shower/tub combo and is the only room with a sitting area. Its decor boasts rich blue walls and matching headboard and a gallery wall of art curated from the Thomases’ travels. Finally, there’s the Zion room. A Utahan desert meets mid-century modern design, the room is a stunning blend of textures and earth tones.
“Our color story is modeled after a bed and beverage we stayed in in Nashville and we also love the simplicity of the California aesthetic,” Stephanie said. “We’ve mixed a bunch of styles and have an eclectic focus, but everything is pulled together with the colors of nature. We like bringing the outside in.”
Each room also includes a designated nook and custom dog beds for the canine traveler. When they get hungry or just need a reminder that they’re a good boy, custom dog treats can be found in the kitchen and a dog run sits just outside so they can safely get out some energy.
When guests aren’t hitting the 151 brewery trail or hiking a nearby mountain, they can cozy up inside with board games—the Thomases’ own collection can be found on the second floor right next to the honor bar where guests can enjoy a complimentary bottle of Gabriele Rausse Winery wine.
“We’ve really tried to prioritize evening entertainment,” Stephanie explained. “We’ll have themed nights like classic movies with classic cocktails and in October we’ll have a haunted weekend. We like to think of The Indigo House as a grown-up summer camp, where you can really find all of the activities you need just inside and outside of our doors.”
Whether you think of The Indigo House as a grown-up summer camp, a mountain oasis, a place to rest your head after a day on the trail, or perhaps a little of everything, one thing is certain: It’ll be a stay full of intention, comfort, and adventure.
