Bed and Breakfast Opening Soon on Historic Rochester Property

You know what I love about this town?

Just when a person thinks they know all the nooks, crannies and corners of Rochester, something new pops up.

Well, in this case, not new exactly, since it's been around since 1849. But it's new to me and, I suspect, it will be news to you. 

The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast, Rochester's first bed and breakfast, will be opening for business this month.

Located at 147 North Lane, off of Rochester Road, just south of Tienken, the property was originally the servant quarters and carriage house to the Woodward mansion.

And although horse artwork hangs in the living room — originally the carriage house, with an in-ground swimming pool, hot tub, massage and tanning spa, gym and game room, the servants of yesteryears wouldn't recognize the place.

First, the beds

Owner Donald Jagoda did not set out to open Rochester's first bed-and-breakfast.

"I was in a home I was happy with and then I found this. I knew this was something special so I left that house and came here," Jagoda said.

He's been hard at work since March.

"The bricks around the swimming pool are original from the 1950's but they had gotten very overgrown and uneven. People said to rip them out and replace it with stamped concrete. But I couldn't," Jagoda said.

Instead he and a buddy did all the work, by hand, to take out the dirt, rearrange the bricks and level them, allowing the pool to keep its original brickwork.

He also spent days on his hands and knees weeding the walkways.

But he's also been busy with a more relaxing kind of work.

"Since March I've been playing with beds," Jagoda said. 

He must have found the perfect type.

"A friend spent the night because of a power outage at his house and asked to buy the bed the next day! He said it was the best sleep he's ever had."

Jagoda's brother, Paul did most of the interior decorating. "It wouldn't be possible without him," Jagoda said. The Carriage House will have five guest rooms. 

• The only room named so far is the Tiffany Suite, named after Jagoda's daughter. The second floor room has a wraparound balcony that overlooks the pool and has a private outdoor staircase. It also has a large, private bathroom.
• The second and third bedrooms are also on the second floor and part of the original house. They are decorated with old-world charm and share a bathroom.
• The fourth bedroom Jagoda calls the "detox suite." Along with a large French-themed bedroom that will open up to the garden, its bathroom has a dry sauna, steam room and jacuzzi.
• The fifth bedroom has a private entrance to the garden, a sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Then, the breakfast

Breakfast at The Carriage House will be served in a large sunroom overlooking the garden. Its marble table comfortably seats 13. And the cooking will be done by Jagoda.

The kitchen, an add-on to the original building, is state-of-the-art, but the real talent likes with the chef.

"Everything will be organic, nothing processed," Jagoda said. 

The signature item on the menu will be Jagoda's power pancakes.

"They are gluten-free with 10 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber. I'm proud of those pancakes!"

A hearty breakfast will be important as Jagoda plans to offer bike rental to his guests.

"We're surrounded by 70 miles of beautiful trails," Jagoda said. "Why wouldn't we offer bike rental?"

Speaking of beauty ...

The Carriage House sits on an acre of land that — in addition to the pool and hot tub — includes an herb garden, day beds, a pond with waterfall (and a nice family of frogs, according to Jagoda) and beautifully landscaped grounds.

"The previous owner (Gail Duncan) planted everything to bloom in waves of color," Jagoda said. 

Another unique aspect of the grounds is the Party/Game Room. With rough cedar walls, brick flooring and chandeliers, the room offers guests a fun place to play or entertain.  

The property also includes:

• A pool house built of stones originally used to wall the entire property.
• A massage and tanning room for guests.
• A library.
• A mirrored gym/yoga studio.
• A house history lesson in the foyer with framed photos.

"We've done a lot in a short period of time," Jagoda said. "And it's all coming together."