Dr. Teri R

"Dr. Fred and I had a wonderful time at the Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens this past weekend. The Inn itself is exquisite. Pontheolla and Paul are warm and welcoming. They spent several hours sitting with us, sharing their valuable time and experiences with us. It was nice to meet David and Lynne and the piano music was delightful. Thank you David for the music. Breakfast was a treat. Homemade and served with with love! Thank you Pontheolla and Paul for hosting us for the weekend. It was unforgettable and we will be back!".

Michael B

"Beautiful haven; perfect stop-off on our travels. The hosts could not have been more friendly or accommodating, right from the help we got from Paul in carrying our baggage to our beautiful room. The breakfast was home made and absolutely gorgeous. Allergy checks were made at check-in. Access from the main road was a little dicey; Willis Road poorly signposted and it’s easy to drive past the entrance to the Inn too.".

Alex T.

"Terrific. Couldn't ask for more. We had a wonderful experience in this terrific, unique house. It's an astoundingly beautiful space staffed by some of the kindest people I've met.".

Jackey W.

"Clevedale Inn is a beautiful, warm and welcoming place to stay. We were blown away by the beauty and hospitality of Clevedale Historic Inn. We were impressed by our very engaging hosts who have seen to every detail of the house, grounds and to our comfort. Our breakfast was delicious and we enjoyed spending a social hour with our hosts and another wonderful couple. We can't wait to go back. This would be a lovely place for a wedding or other event. There was not one negative thing to say. It was fantastic.".

Debbie B

"I had the pleasure of touring this gorgeous property today and I was amazed at the beauty. The crepe myrtle drive takes you back in time and the rooms upstairs are so inviting and warm. Thank you Mrs. Abernathy for allowing Debbie and I into your home and for your kind hospitality today.".

Kimberly W.

"My daughter's wedding on July 9, 2017 was perfect. Everything was beautiful and in order. Thank you Paul and Pontheolla for making my daughters wedding a dream come true!".

Jez R.

"I have a love/hate relationship with Clevedale: I love visiting and hate leaving. The only place I will stay when travelling in South Carolina - perfection quite literally personified by the beautiful, comfortable, welcoming and genial house and hosts. And, oh! The food!".

Experiences

Weddings

A wedding at Spartanburg’s Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens is sure to be a celebration of elegance. The four acre property has seven distinctly unique indoor and outdoor settings from which to choose. So, tell us your vision and let the designing begin with referrals for top notch wedding planners/coordinators, caterers, photographers, florists, and musicians. In consultation with you, we can tailor a package to fit your dream wedding and reception within your budget. Call to schedule a venue tour and initial consultation, (864) 345-2394. We look forward to hosting you, your fiancé, and respective families or email us

Corporate

Looking for a unique venue to host an event for your staff? There is no better way to increase employee satisfaction, foster stronger teams and boost morale than by rewarding all their hard work with a day or evening of food, drink and FUN at Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens. Clevedale has been the host venue for corporate happy hours, holiday parties, team-building days, and board meetings. There’s nothing like a change of scenery to relax the mind and get the creative juices flowing. Give us a call to plan your next corporate event that your employees will appreciate and remember for a long time to come.

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Parties

We invite you to host your next party at Clevedale, a venue which combines Southern elegance and urban versatility. Put a band on the Portico and dance the night away on the brick patio or in the English Courtyard decked out with crystal chandeliers. Celebrate your anniversary, birthday, graduation, or retirement with a plated dinner and lawn games in the Pecan Grove. Throw a cocktail party while streaming the Kentucky Derby with friends of your sorority or fraternity. Or organize a tailgate gathering with a big screen to watch your favorite sports team. The party ideas are endless. Give us a call to talk about how we can help you plan your next party (864) 345-2394. or email us

For foodies!

When it comes to Southern hospitality, food is at the center. Clevedale uses fresh local produce, meats, and grains when available in the preparation of our daily breakfasts. We partner with local chefs and wine purveyors to provide private dinners as well as celebrity chefs across the US to offer themed and specialty dinners. If you would like to know more about our upcoming food and wine events, share your email and we will be sure to drop you an invite.

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Foodcation

Relaxing Gardens

Take a stroll around Clevedale’s four acres filled with a variety of plants, native and adapted trees, shrubs, wildflowers, perennials, and colorful annuals. In 2013, Clevedale reportedly had the largest variety of Magnolias on any one property in the Carolinas. Start your stroll in Conrad’s English Knot Garden featuring English Boxwoods in a labyrinthine pattern filled with bearded irises, swamp lilies, and other perennials. A natural shade canopy of old Crepe Myrtles in the English Courtyard is the perfect summer spot for checking out several hybrid orchids nestled into tree trunks. The Ivy and Jasmine Arbor and Friendship Garden may cast a spell on you with its fragrant Confederate Jasmine, Banana Magnolias, and Tea Olives. Hollies, Japanese Maples and Deodar Cedars create a tropical paradise at Clevedale’s Roman Bath. And round out your garden tour by darting into the Greenhouse with Creeping Fig and many tropical flora for an indoor display with the feel of the outdoors. With each visit, you will discover something new

Rooms

The MackRail Cabin Car

"All Aboard, The MackRail Cabin Car!" This vintage 1947 Southern Rail X654 Caboose formally at Cleveland Park has been transformed into a queen bedroom suite adjacent to Clevedale's English Knot Garden and Courtyard. The steel cabin car is placed on authentic train tracks with all wood interior which has been whitewashed to create a sense of openness. The custom bed is nestled in the bay window with 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and when traveling as a family the two custom bunks are just as comfortable. And just like train cars of old, there are curtains for privacy. A sitting area with two swivel chairs are perfect for reading or watching a movie. And the soothing smell of cedar in the luxury conductor's bathroom transports you when taking a hot shower. The Mack Rail Cabin Car also features a private deck and private landscaped back garden. Consider yourself walking back in time as if in an old movie. CHOO, CHOO!

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The Westmoreland Bridal Suite

The Westmoreland Bridal Suite is named for General William Westmoreland, a friend and schoolmate of Conrad Jr. The suite is decorated in soft shades of white, gold, blue, and green and features an opulent luxurious king size bed, ensuite bath with an air jet tub, sitting area, and flat screen television.

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Elizabeth’s Studio

Conrad’s niece, Elisabeth, who became the caretaker of the property following his death, utilized this trunk room for storing all of her art supplies for painting. Look through the eyes of Elisabeth in the watercolor displayed. Although quaint, this suite is perfect for a young person traveling with parents or a girlfriend weekend. This is the only room without an ensuite bath but makes a bold statement in its muted blue tones, opulent three quarter bed, and sitting area with flat screen television.

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Ohana Suite

Ohana in Hawaiian culture means family and family means “no one is left behind or forgotten.” This queen suite is a reminder of a favorite vacation spot as well as the philosophy by which the Abernathy's are guided. Bold colors, views of the rear tropical garden from the roof top porch, a gas fireplace, and ensuite bath set this suite apart from the others.

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The Wren

The Wren is big on style and versatile as it features twin accommodations which quickly can be converted into a king suite. Named for the official bird of South Carolina, the Wren also has special significance as it is the name of the architect Sir Christopher Wren, of the chapel on the campus of the innkeeper’s alma mater, Westminster College in Fulton Missouri. It features an ensuite bath, gas fireplace, and roof top porch access overlooking the side gardens.

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Clevedale

In The Press

We're winners of 2020 Minority Business Of The Year: see this video by the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce - WATCH

Clevedale is often featured in local and world press outlets:

Forbes: Bubbles, Tree Houses, And Cranes: 25 Surprising Places To Sleep Around The World

Forbes: 7 Black-Owned Hotels Across The U.S. To Visit On Your Next Road Trip

Discover South Carolina: Southern Hospitality at South Carolina's Bed and Breakfasts

Travel Noire: Meet The Couple Behind This Black-Owned Luxury Bed & Breakfast

COVID

SAFE PRACTICES FOR COVID-19

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Experiencing cabin fever? Then come to a safe haven and watch movies, play board games, walk the gardens, have a picnic in the arbor, drink cocktails….enjoy some time away here with us.

Of course life isn’t what it used to be. Here are a few extra precautions we are taking in response to COVID-19 to ensure your safety.

Although we have the skills and tools to keep our inn pristine and clean and our food fresh and safe, we also have partnered with a local cleaning company.

All rooms and suites will be sanitized thoroughly and then remain unoccupied for 24 hours prior to and after all reservations to insure safety.

In order to support optimum “physical distancing” and “best practices” protection, we greet you with a mask and Namaste, the Hindu greeting meaning "I bow to the divine in you." Please be advised that temperature checks take place prior to entering the homestead for check in.

We are close by when needed as we reside on the property and always are available via cell phone.

We encourage everyone to respect “social distancing” and resist unnecessary interpersonal interactions. Smiles are always appreciated.

Extra hand sanitizer is available all around the homestead and we encourage you to bring and use your own. Extraordinary sanitizing of public areas is our priority too.

To further maximize protections, we follow the Governor's mandate to wear masks and gloves when serving breakfast. Our a la carte menu is available to all guests every day at before 10:00AM. At Check-in, you are asked your breakfast time so to stagger guests. We have eliminated all self service areas for your safety.

We have loosened our rule that restricted "bringing in food." You are welcome to bring meals back to the inn and enjoy clean open space on our two porticos or in the garden picnic areas. All tables and chairs are set at a safe 6' distance apart. Please do not dine in guest rooms and kindly dispose of all dining refuse in the outdoor bins located in each picnic areas. Please support our local restaurants by ordering ahead for pick up. Or with reservations, you can choose one of our picnic meals. This helps you avoid lines, crowds or other physical interface in town.

We encourage you to clean your hands before and after using books, movies, board games and anything in the shared areas.

For the safety of staff, guest rooms are not entered during your stay and are cleaned 24 hours after check out. If you need extra towels or personal amenities, you need only to text and we will deliver to the door of your room. If you have an unusual accident (spill something, etc) that requires cleaning, of course contact us.

Thank you for entrusting us with your time away.

Be well and stay safe,

P&P

History

Clevedale, once a thriving 440 acre farm, was first named in the latter 19th century by Jesse Franklin Cleveland. He was a descendant of the Cleveland family that traces its roots to a tract of land in North Riding of Yorkshire, England which produced such notables as Moses Cleaveland, the founder of Cleveland, Ohio, and Steven Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. The original dwelling, facing South, was built in the 1790s. Shortly before World War I in 1913, the current structure was razed as a wedding gift for Conrad Cleveland, Sr. and his wife, Louise. As the story goes, Louise disliked country living so much that a home in downtown Spartanburg was built and Clevedale became their vacation property. Louise and Conrad had two children, Conrad Jr. and Elisabeth.

The current homestead, of colonial design, is accented by stately pillars on the front portico. The outbuildings, especially the greenhouses, reflect the interest of Conrad Cleveland, Jr., who, among a variety of artistic avocational pursuits, was an avid horticulturist. Conrad, Jr., claimed Clevedale as his home from the mid-1940s until his death in 1985, after which the property was sold to the developer of Hawk Creek and later businessman Hugh Brown took ownership.

In January 2012, Clevedale was purchased by Pontheolla Mack Abernathy and Paul Roberts Abernathy. Pontheolla, a native of South Carolina, had a desire to own and operate a bed and breakfast since her collegiate days at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. That dream, shared by her husband, Paul, who hails from St. Louis, Missouri, has come to fulfillment in Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens. "The property had good bones thus renovating this Southern lady would be my pleasure," stated Pontheolla. The renovations took a year and half. Upon wrapping up renovations, the Abernathys got a visit from Elisabeth Cleveland Welch. "I wanted to come see my birthplace. On the night I was born, the train nearby broke down and my dad walked to the train to invite passengers into this house for tea," she recounted. Elisabeth died shortly thereafter, however the story told was filed in the back of Pontheolla's mind. Seven years after owning Clevedale, Pontheolla and Paul added a 1947 Southern Railway caboose to the property in keeping with Elisabeth's story and Spartanburg's Hub City history.

Clevedale is situated a half mile from Warren H. Abernathy Boulevard, named for the state director for the late James Strom Thurmond, the long-serving United States Senator for South Carolina. Though bearing no relation, Pontheolla and Paul feel this fortuitous coincidence harbors an especial blessing on their venture.

Events & Stays - we've got you covered

Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens

Wedding Ceremonies | Receptions | Events | Bed & Breakfast

Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens

Wedding Ceremonies | Receptions | Events | Bed & Breakfast

Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens

The Clevedale Experience

The Clevedale Experience

Dr. Teri R

Michael B

Alex T.

Jackey W.

Debbie B

Kimberly W.