The Island House of Wanchese, a member of the Professional Association of Independent Innkeepers (PAII), is a cozy, elegantly casual bed and breakfast located away from the hustle and bustle of the beach crowds.

Built in 1912, the house has survived fire, hurricane, and, like the quaint village of Wanchese, the even more deadly threat of development that has destroyed so many fine old homes. Your hosts, Roy and Jeanne, have painstakingly restored and renovated the structure and are sure you will enjoy their gracious and inviting bed and breakfast environment. See guest accommodations and photos.

The Greens are avid collectors, and the Island House is a veritable monument to their obsessions. Jeanne's bottle and seashell collections are seemingly endless, a stark contrast to Roy's carefully selected samplings of Coca-Cola memorabilia and fossils. Stained glass panels adorn selected walls, and you'll find quilts and Oriental rugs throughout the home. The spacious living room at Island House is equipped with television, VCR, and a stereo. Books are available for your reading pleasure; perhaps a morning read on the screened porch will suit your fancy.

Antique furniture, including decorative gas stoves, is found throughout the house. Each room is individually decorated and lovingly detailed with personal touches. Gracious accommodations are blended with extra amenities, such as a color television in the privacy of your room. For your convenience, each guest room includes a private bath, ceiling fans and Island House of Wanchese is fully heated and air-conditioned.

Days begin at Island House of Wanchese with an appetizing buffet breakfast. After that, the choice is yours. The area's many attractions may capture your fancy, but lounging around the house is not without its own appeal. Those who wish to venture out, however, will have no problem finding ways to pass the time!

The Atlantic provides all kinds of water sports, relaxing on the beach, and even some enjoyable beachcombing. Always a favorite past time, inlet fishing promises a great catch, regardless of season.

Golfers will love the opportunity to play a few holes at the local courses. Nature lovers will want to hike through some of the scenic surroundings, and bird watchers will want to keep their eyes open for unique sightings in the area. History buffs will want to visit the lighthouses and make a special trip to the Wright Brothers Memorial Park as well as The Lost Colony, site of the first English settlement in the New World, and the Elizabeth II, a replica of the ship which brought the colonists over the Atlantic.

Stay with the Greens at Island House of Wanchese. Join Roy and Jeanne in the spring, when the magnolias are flowering and the fish are migrating north. Or come in the summer and enjoy the clean beaches. The off-season brings the fish back, and thousands of migratory birds fill the marshes and fields. Whatever season you choose, you'll find Island House of Wanchese inviting, comfortable, and intriguing.