BY CAIN MADDEN

For their seventh wedding anniversary, the Sowells of Brandon knew they wanted to celebrate Natchez style on the weekend of Feb. 6. After all, they had wanted to stay at the Oak Hill Inn on their sixth anniversary.

Unfortunately, plans were cut short when Kramer Sowell was involved in a wreck that required rehab just before the trip.

“I had come with my mother-in-law two years ago,” said Jenny Sowell, who had stayed at the bed and breakfast on Rankin Street at the time.

“I absolutely loved it and wanted to bring him, but because of the accident we had to delay it a year.”

Jenny said the group had found the inn on TripAdvisor. Oak Hill Inn was recently named No. 15 in the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Top 25 B&Bs and Inns in the United States. TripAdvisor is a travel website that helps its viewers plan and book trips.

“Kramer had never stayed at a bed and breakfast before, and I thought this one really encompassed what a B&B is all about,” Jenny said. “Plus, I had gotten a glimpse at the downstairs room we are staying in this time. It looked really nice.”

Kramer said he had been looking forward to the weekend.

“There is a whole lot more of a home feeling to it,” he said. “It’s more relaxing and doesn’t have the pressure of a big chain hotel.”

One of the reasons Kramer wanted to come to Natchez was because of his love for history and architecture, which he has developed as an agriculture teacher.

“You get to see all of that history here,” he said of Oak Hill Inn. “It’s like sleeping in one of the antebellum houses.”

As the couple sat down for breakfast, owners Doug Mauro and Donald McGlynn brought out eggs Benedict and banana’s foster French toast, along with a cup of fresh strawberries, muffins. Coffee, orange juice and water were also served.

“Everything was great,” Kramer said, adding with a laugh, “it’s hard to not say that the breakfast was the best part.”

As they ate, Mauro stuck around and made small talk about the home, and they set up a time to give the grand tour of the historic property that Sunday.

Admitting that she was a veterinarian, Jenny was quick to talk about the property’s cats including Rocko, who was welcomed in and sought attention from host and guests alike.

“I once worked for an office in Texas that took nothing but cats,” she said. “I’m a huge cat fan.”

The host also effortlessly went into their plans for the day, and recommended some of his favorite homes and sites to visit.

As the topic of dinner came up, Mauro even made reservations for the couple at Monmouth.

“It’s the attention to detail,” Jenny said. “They care about you and want you to enjoy your visit. It was the same last time.”

When the couple arrived Friday evening, they were greeted with a mint julep, which they were able to enjoy on the front porch with a breeze coming in from the river. Guests are also welcomed into the study, where they can borrow book. The books are mostly about Natchez and its history.

“The history and all of the pieces in the home — that makes staying here even neater,” Jenny said. “The hospitality and the knowledge the hosts have of the area, and you can just tell they love this home.

“They take a lot of pride in it, and that makes a big difference in how you enjoy your stay.”

Mauro said stories like this are why people vote on TripAdvisor for the inn he and McGlynn have owned since 2004, and it’s also why they get so many repeat customers. In 2014, the inn had been No. 1 on that world-wide list.

“We just like to provide a great experience, from the time they arrive to the time they leave,” he said. “Everything is fresh, and we are able to switch out our breakfasts every day.”

Sometimes, Mauro said, they have people stay the whole week during the spring pilgrimage, so they offer 12 different breakfasts.

They both learned to cook from their mothers and grandmothers, but when McGlynn went to school at Tulane University, he had worked at Brennan’s.

“When people are here, they go see these mansions,” Mauro said. “Here, they can eat off of similar plates and drink orange juice from Waterford Crystal.

“They don’t get that kind of experience at home.”

When the flowers are in bloom, the courtyard is also a feature. Mauro had talked with the Sowells about some of the plants, and finding they were interested, even offered to let them take some seeds home to plant.

“In the spring, people enjoy a cocktail in the back courtyard,” he said. “The azaleas are beautiful around that time.”

The TripAdvisor award was given based on votes by its users.

“Guests do reviews, and at the end of the year they tally it up,” Mauro said.

The distinction also helps other Natchez B&Bs, as with only three rooms, Mauro is often recommending other properties.

“We never say we are full and then hang up,” he said. “We have a great community of B&Bs here in Natchez.”

Mauro said he is honored to have this distinction.

“We are so grateful to all the wonderful guests who have made our home theirs these last 10 years,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who has visited us and shared their experience on TripAdvisor.”