NORTHFIELD — Just in time for spring, Joan and Steve Stoia’s Centennial House Bed and Breakfast has been named one of 25 perfect romantic spring getaways in Massachusetts.
The new accreditation is one of four the Stoias received in late February for excellence in the hospitality industry from three different online travel agencies.
In addition to VacationIdea.com’s ranking of Centennial House on its list of 25 perfect romantic spring getaways in Massachusetts, due to its close proximity to Vermont, it was also placed on the list of 25 best romantic getaways in Vermont. Two other awards from Yelp and Booking.com are based on positive customer reviews.
“These were just surprises,” Joan Stoia said of the four awards. “We get a lot of good reviews (online), but you don’t know if anyone’s watching.”
The certificate from Yelp, signed by CEO Jeremy Stoppelman, reads “People love us on Yelp.” Booking.com gave Centennial House a guest review award for earning a 9.6 rating out of 10.
“Your outstanding average score is the outcome of consistently glowing reviews, each one reflecting another great guest experience you created,” reads the cover letter accompanying the Booking.com award.
A notification from VacationIdea.com topped off the Stoias’ list of praises.
“We were in this group of really prestigious places all over the North Shore,” Joan Stoia exclaimed of the Massachusetts list.
The Stoias say they don’t generally ask guests for reviews, preferring to read their comments in journals provided in each guest room.
“The psychic income is all in here,” Joan Stoia said, holding a tan notebook covered with gold and baby blue flowers and butterflies.
Guests commended Centennial House for its comfortable and relaxing atmosphere, charming and elegant aesthetics, and warm welcomes from the Stoias. One of the greatest pleasures, Joan Stoia said, is to see guests arrive on Fridays after a long, stressful week, and leave rejuvenated on Sundays.
“It’s so fun to see, you do that for people,” she said.
Plus, having good food doesn’t hurt, Steve Stoia noted.
“The breakfasts are always praised as legendary,” he said.
A big part of owning a bed and breakfast, Steve Stoia said, is being able to advise guests on local attractions they may want to take in.
“The big part of the B&B experience is the hosting and being able to direct people to what they want, what they’re interested in,” he said. “We know where to go to eat, where to see something fun, where to hike and bike.”
Steve Stoia feels the historic house itself, unique local architecture and outdoor recreation opportunities in Northfield help to attract guests.
“There’s a spirit in the house that makes it work,” he said.
The Stoias said they’ve owned Centennial House since 2003, transforming it from a failing bed and breakfast into one with several hospitality and tourism accreditations. Other awards Centennial House has received in recent years include a Howdy Award from the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2009, a Best of New England award from Yankee Magazine in 2011, and Certificate of Excellence awards from TripAdvisor in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
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