So far, we've talked about preference and personality when it comes to small inns, about having breakfast in bed (Zeigler House) and the flair that an innkeeper can bring to the dining room table (Azalea Inn). Now we move on to another properly placed alliteration that makes bed and breakfasts special: The passion of the proprietor.

The reason Green Palm Innkeeper Diane McCray opened her doors in Savannah was simple: She wanted to work with people in good moods, folks on vacation. Once the employee of a moving company, she grew tired of money being the only reward that she reaped. We were in the kitchen when she told me the story, and I immediately felt a connection with her, understanding fully what she spoke. I mean, can you think of any business where the clientele is more stressed out than a moving company?

Traveling has revealed to me that while many people are unhappy with what they do for a living, very few are willing to make a significant change to correct the situation. Many apply a band-aid and switch firms, others simply complain at happy hour. However some people, like Diane, are able to draw up an audible and find a new path. I have a great respect for this quality, mostly because I understand how difficult it can be to recognize that risks are worth taking.

For me, there is a funny push-and-pull that takes place when it comes to the location of my accommodations. The Green Palm Inn is very inviting, however its proximity to restaurants, bars, the squares, and the waterfront makes it difficult to lounge around the house. Step out the front door and turn right and you're treated to a beautiful walk (few blocks) through Green, Columbia, and Olgethorpe Squares on your way to the center of Savannah. One block north of the Green Palm is Broughton Street, the main east-west drag in the historic district(littered with shops and restaurants).

Feeling like a house guest (as opposed to a customer) is essentially guaranteed at the Green Palm Inn given that it has only four bedrooms. They're large and comfortable, my room was far from small - I had a day bed in addition to the queen (see photos). While I've seen the breakfast crowd spill over to two tables in other inns, meeting and conversing with fellow patrons was a manageable task. After I had my coffee the floodgates opened, and we shared recommendations over Diane's egg quiche, sausage, and cream-cheese danishes.

Moving on from a career doesn't mean you don't take something with you, and Diane has done a wonderful job of combining her corporate organizational skills and efficiency with her desire to become a part of her guests' good memories. When you meet her you can definitely feel it, the pride she takes in her work and, mostly, you can see that she loves what she does. Running a bed and breakfast is no easy task - I'd be willing to bet she puts in more energy now than she did for her corporate job - but effort is all relative when it no longer seems like work.

Photos of the Green Palm Inn:

I mentioned that I really enjoyed the change of pace the Zeigler House B&B in Savannah offered - the ability to have breakfast in bed instead of going down to the dining room - but I want to make sure you understand that the comment wasn't a knock on the traditional style of a hot house breakfast - not in the least.

The idea of having an in-room breakfast is great for romantic getaways, as you can have your cake and eat it too: The character of a B&B without the pressure to be present for breakfast. Most innkeepers who offer a house meal are understanding, however I hate to even give the impression that I'm being rude, considering they've most likely been prepping in the kitchen since the early morning. You might want to stay in bed with your significant other all morning, yet etiquette would suggest getting your tail downstairs on time.

It's a concept that really hit home for me on this trip, definitely something to think about when planning your stay. I was excited about this new discovery after leaving the Zeigler House, thinking I had stumbled upon some sort of secret. The second stop on my swing was the more traditional Azalea Inn and Gardens, and it, of course, quickly revealed the other side of the coin, one of the other huge draws of small inns: Personality.

While you typically meet the innkeeper upon check in, breakfast is where the personal touch and connections go down. Breakfast in bed has its perks, but they don't have anything to do with anyone else (which some may prefer). To really get a feel for the vibe of an inn, you have to mingle with both the host and the other guests. Think of it as a crossroads, groups of travelers gathering around a single table to share their adventures.

Azalea Innkeeper Teresa Jacobson is a firecracker - very open and honest and down to earth in her personality. It's one of the things B&Bs boast that most larger hotels have to sacrifice - that one-on-one non-corporate interaction. It's nice to have that give and take with someone who is not only your host, but a real live local (as compared to only a smile from a shirt and tie behind a counter who may or may not give a hoot about their job).

It's not just me pumping up Teresa and her inn - many others have taken notice as well. The announcement was made today that Azalea was voted the #3 bed and breakfast in Savannah, according to the Readers' Choice Awards (there are 38 inns total in Savannah). A few months ago, Azalea was recognized as a "distinguished inn" and accepted into Select Registry - a collection of nearly 400 of the "finest country inns, B&Bs, and unique small hotels."

Teresa and I talked about the perception that young people (the millennials) have of bed and breakfasts, specifically that they might view them as accommodations for retirees. I get it, and I've experienced it: I'm always the youngest guest.

But we can change it - I don't see any reason why young professionals shouldn't be enticed by the idea of a unique room in an environment that's always changing. No two rooms are identical, and the vibe depends largely on your fellow house guests.

Look at hostels - young people like hostels - but is it only about price? Don't we love that social interaction? Feel free to write me or leave comments with your thoughts.

Since Teresa and I settled on the fact that price probably plays a large part, we have teamed up to offer a few gift certificates for the Azalea Inn and Gardens - a little motivation to get down to Savannah this spring.

I'll be serving them up via Facebook through a variety of contests over the next few weeks -be sure to like us and follow along.

Photos of the Azalea Inn and Gardens: