DOUGLAS -- Guests at the Kirby House in Douglas begin each day by descending a grand stairway before proceeding into the candle light dining room, outfitted with crisp white linen tablecloths, crystal, fine china and fresh flowers.

They sit down to gourmet feasts prepared by co-owner and chef Ray Riker that might include baked peach and cream cheese French toast, quiche Lorraine, country biscuits or crepes ratatouille.

Riker and his partner Jim Gowran, are dedicated to making sure their guests have a memorable experience. Riker has 25 years experience in the restaurant/hospitality business, including at the Ritz Carlton, the Money Tree and the Lark in Detroit. He also owned his own catering business.

Gowran was in banking, mostly in customer service, organizational development and training. Together they bring a wide range of experiences to running the inn.

In the house built in the late 1880s as a single-family home, the romantic Victorian ambiance is kept alive with quarter-sawn oak woodwork, floral wall papers, five fireplaces, grand piano, grandfather clock, beveled glass windows, soft jazz or classical music and the careful attention of the innkeepers.

"We can take care of pretty much anything a guest wants," Gowran said. "We get requests for a special wine and gift baskets, appointments for massages at the local spa, dinner reservations or recommendations for what to do while in the area."

If you want a romantic winter getaway weekend, this is a perfect spot.

The Kirby House has an outdoor Jacuzzi, several parlor type rooms with fireplaces for groups to gather in, a kitchen area for the guests' use complete with European coffee maker, hot teas, microwave and so on.

Gowran is proud of the many authentic Victorian details, such as the blue ceiling paint on the porches.

"We learned this was done because you can look out the window on a gloomy day and have the feeling of blue sky as you look through the porch," he says. "On a sunny day, we love the way the sunlight shining through the beveled glass creates rainbows on the floor and walls."

Ah, can you get more romantic than perpetual blue sky, rainbows and gourmet breakfasts?

The Queen Anne manor house has an interesting history, documented with an extensive photo and clippings album available to guests. The land was purchased by Sarah and Frank Kirby in December of 1887 for $100. They built the substantial home in the traditional style of the time. Frank died in 1896 but Sarah lived there, raising their children until 1932 when, at age 70, she moved to California to be near grandchildren.

From 1932 until 1960, the house served as the Saugatuck Community Hospital. Then it was used as an antique and junk store, then a real estate office before it was abandoned and thought to be haunted.

In 1983 Loren and Marsha Kontio purchased it and converted it to a bed and breakfast. Ray Riker and Jim Gowran purchased it and reopened the home to guests in 1998.

Many of their guests are repeats who to feel like they are stepping back in time while they slow down and do nothing.

"We can recommend lots of activities in the area but we find many couples just like to get away from the phone, the family, work and all the demands of every day life. We try to make it really special and relaxing," Gowran says.

Guests also come for the many theme weekends organized by Gowran and Rikker. These include Murder Mystery Weekend, Dickens Christmas Dinner, New Year's at the Kirby, Cooking Class and Last Dinner Aboard the Titanic. They schedule the Titanic dinner for the weekend closest to the April 15 anniversary of the day that the glamorous ship went down.

Each of the eight rooms differs in size, amenities and decor. Pictures and descriptions of the rooms, each named for a famous woman, can be found on the Kirby House Web site (www.kirbyhouse.com) along with availability and rates.

The Web page also has little tidbits about each room. For example, in room 7, named Lady Diana, the fireplace front came from the Gerber family home which was located one-quarter of a mile east. According to the description, "Mrs. Kirby and Mrs. Gerber were close friends. When the Gerber home burned down in 1984, the fireplace mantel was saved and moved to a different home. Later it was purchased and brought to the Kirby House. A perfect home to mark the friendship of these two ladies."

The Web page also includes an extensive "What's to do?" page, including items that only locals or repeat visitors might know about. "I've actually had guests print it and use it as a check list during their stay," Gowran says.

Kirby House Filled With Antiques - Romance