A home away from home

ARCADIA — A bed and breakfast in the heart of Arcadia mixes southern hospitality with historical charm, and it’s all thanks to the Keiser family.

The 101-year-old home fits in with the downtown feel of Arcadia while also preserving original antique items in the home.

General Manager Raven Keiser makes it her mission to make guests feel at home and comfortable.

Whether guests are visitors from Holland or France or are traveling from northern states, Keiser has a unique interest in learning their stories while providing a comfortable space for them to relax.

“My sister-in-law purchased the property in late August, but we really got in here sometime in September,” Keiser said. “I started working on it to at least get it to where it is today.”

The house was built sometime in the 1920s, but much of the history surrounding the building was lost.

“The Historical Society tells us there was a fire, so the records were lost,” she said. “We think the house was finished in 1925.”

Keiser moved from Miami to Arcadia after her husband found work in the area. Her sister-in-law, Kerry Keiser, needed a place to stay when she visited her family, so, naturally, she bought the property.

“Once we all started working on it and cleaning it, she’s like ‘Oh my god, let’s make it a bed and breakfast,’” Keiser said. “It’s funny because when she comes to visit, there’s no rooms available for her at the bed and breakfast sometimes.”

There’s a wooden wardrobe-and-chest piece original to the home. Both items have intricate designs carved into them.

“It takes a long time to clean the house,” she said. “I always tell Kerry that if I do a whole clean, it will take two days for me.”

When Kerry went to get licensing from Arcadia, they told her the home was a bed and breakfast previously

“We had no idea,” Keiser said. “It was really coincidental.”

Keiser wondered if the house was haunted, since it’s so big and has been around for over a century.

“I love scary stuff, but nothing’s ever happened here,” she said, laughing. “That’s probably a good thing because I would definitely freak out.”

Keiser takes care of the home by herself for the most part while her son handles the bookings and website. She’s always working on a small project around the property.

“I’m working on the backyard, and making it a really nice outdoor space for guests,” she said. “I’ve been trying to do a lot of gardening.”

She’s also met people from all over the world.

“We just had a couple from Holland,” she said. “They explore all the little towns in Florida.”

A group from France rented out the whole house to attend a wedding in town.

“I’m lucky that I get to meet so many different people with my job,” she said. “It’s sad when they leave, because we really connect, and we spend days just talking.”

The Arcadia Bed and Breakfast is one of the only bed and breakfasts around Southwest Florida, especially in Arcadia.

“We don’t have a lot of other places to stay,” she said. “There’s motels and the Oak Park Inn.”

Arcadia is a small town, but there’s still quite a bit of activity going on, such as antique markets, rodeos and a variety of outdoor adventures.

“I actually know what’s going on around town because of the people that stay here,” Keiser said, laughing. “The rodeo and Peace River bring a lot of people to Arcadia.”

When Keiser came to Arcadia, she said it felt like the “Twilight Zone.”

“Everyone is so nice and kind around here,” she said. “They always say ‘Hi’ and ‘Good morning.’”

That connectivity and friendliness intersect with local businesses. Keiser often works with Arcadia’s Dutch Amish community’s Martin’s Country Market.

“They’re all natural, and they make everything themselves,” Keiser said. “I cater from them often.”

Speaking of food, a bed and breakfast isn’t much without the breakfast bit. Keiser makes sure that the breakfast is ready when guests get up. That can include fruits, pastries and cereal as well as menu items that can be prepared when requested.

“People really love avocado toast, but I can also do eggs,” she said. “I always have snacks like cookies available all day, and I tell guests that they can have whatever they like — anytime of the day.”

Whether someone is looking for a small-town getaway, a place to explore antiques or a place to have outdoor adventure, the Arcadia Bed and Breakfast certainly seems to be a home away from home.

“It’s exciting because people come from all over, and everybody has a different story, but they’re here for a reason,” Keiser said. “I get to experience all of that.”