Blue Heron Bed & Breakfast in Mandeville Named Louisiana’s 2019 B&B of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Association

 

MANDEVILLE, La (press release) – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) recognized Sarah and Steven Federer, owners of Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast in Mandeville, as the winners of Louisiana’s Bed and Breakfast of the Year at the LTA annual luncheon in January.

This year, LTA presented 16 “Louey Awards” to honor and showcase individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Louisiana tourism industry.

“We are honoured to be named Bed and Breakfast of the Year by the Louisiana Travel Association,” said Sarah Federer, owner of Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast. “We are passionate about giving our guests an exceptional experience that showcases the welcoming spirit of Louisiana. We look forward to continuing to share our state’s vibrant culture with the rest of the world.”

Blue Heron is not your typical B&B experience. Sarah and Steven Federer incorporate many unexpected amenities into their guest suites, including therapeutic grade essential oils, essential oil massages, organic food and beverage options and more. The couple even created a wellness travel brand called “Inn With The Oils” that they share with other small hospitality business owners.

Privacy is also a top priority at Blue Heron. In-room daily breakfast is provided, and guest suites are accessed by their own private entrances from a large porch that overlooks the property's gardens. Guests can relax on their private porch with rocking chairs, dining table and daybed, and even draw their outdoor curtains for additional privacy.

“We’ve found our niche in wellness travel and romantic getaways,” says Sarah Federer. “Everything is designed to help guests relax, recharge and find peace of mind and body.”

The young innkeepers come with unique skill sets that make them well suited for the tourism industry. Steven is a former restaurateur, third generation, and has spent nearly his whole life in the hospitality industry. Sarah grew up in her parents’ bed and breakfast in Covington, Louisiana, and learned the ins and outs of the business at an early age.

Blue Heron is located on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain, just 30 minutes from New Orleans. It is conveniently located in Old Mandeville within walking distance of all the local hotspots, including Lake Pontchartrain, the Tammany Trace Biking/Walking Trail, Dew Drop Jazz and Social Hall, the Pontchartrain Yacht Club, restaurants, shops, farmers markets and more. 

Other LTA Louey Award winners include: Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget up to $499,999); Cajun Coast Visitors & Convention Bureau, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget from $500,000 to $999,999); Louisiana Northshore, Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist Commission of the Year (budget of $1 million and higher); Cajun Bayou Food Trail  campaign from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, Tourism Campaign/Promotion of the Year; Loyal Blue Weekends from Ruston Lincoln CVB, Festival/Event of the Year; Kent Plantation House, Attraction of the Year; Baton Rouge Marriott, Accommodation of the Year/Full-Service Lodging; Courtyard Lake Charles, Accommodation of the Year/Limited-Service Lodging; Jacques Rodrigue of Blue Dog Café, Restaurateur of the Year; Cajun Palms RV resort, Campground RV/Park of the Year; Senator Sharon Hewitt, Governmental Friend of Tourism;  Representative Cameron Henry, Governmental Friend of Tourism; Wynne Waltman, Victor Profis Travel Media; Morgan Moss with The Myrtles Plantation, Rising Star; Governor Kathleen Blanco, Will Mangham Tourism Lifetime Achievement.

 

 

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