A Piece of Alabama Beach History: Inside The Original Romar House B&B Inn
Why The Original Romar House Is a Classic Orange Beach Escape
On Alabama's Gulf Coast, The Original Romar House B&B Inn offers guests something beyond a traditional beach stay: a chance to experience a nearly century-old property that has been carefully brought back to life.
For innkeeper Lilia Bard, the appeal was evident from the beginning. When she first encountered the property, it was run down and not well maintained, but she could see its potential. The house was almost 100 years old, and she wanted to preserve it with the hope that it would last another century.
That desire to restore the property and return it to its former glory ultimately motivated her to accept the job.
Restoring a Nearly Century-Old Beach House
The Original Romar House wasn't a property that needed a simple refresh.
When Lilia first saw it, the house was in need of attention. Yet underneath its condition was something worth preserving: a home approaching its 100th birthday with the potential to continue its story for generations.
For Lilia, that potential was the deciding factor.
Rather than simply seeing an aging property, she saw an opportunity to help protect a piece of the area's history. Her goal was to bring the house back to its glory while preserving the character that made it worth saving in the first place.
There is, however, one seasonal reality that keeps the job interesting.
Every winter, Lilia says, you feel a little bit in trouble because travel to the beach is minimal.
It's a reminder that running a coastal inn isn't simply about the idyllic image of beach life. There are seasons, challenges and plenty of work behind the scenes.
Image Credit: The Original Romar House B&B Inn
The Room With the Inn's Original Story
If there is one room that tells an especially important part of The Original Romar House's story, it is the Romar Suite.
The room originally belonged to Spurgeon Roche, the home's builder and original owner. When Jerry Gilbreath later purchased the property, it became his room as well—until he opened the home as a bed-and-breakfast.
Today, the Romar Suite has another distinction.
It is the only room in the Inn with an ocean view.
That combination of history and location makes the suite particularly meaningful within the property.
Guests staying there aren't simply booking an ocean-view room. They're staying in a space connected directly to the people who shaped the home's earliest chapters.
Image Credit: The Original Romar House B&B Inn
The Innkeeper's Hands-On Approach
There is one administrative responsibility Lilia would gladly hand off: bookkeeping and bills.
Breakfast is another matter.
Although she has handed over the cooking a couple of times during her years at the Inn, Lilia doesn't particularly like giving up that part of the guest experience.
That makes sense when you hear how closely breakfast is tied to the history of the Inn's menu.
The Guests Who Helped Shape Breakfast
Among the many guests Lilia remembers, the first two hold a particularly special place.
They arrived early in her time at the Inn and had a lasting influence on the breakfast menu she still serves today, five years later.
One was a woman in a senior couple who offered Lilia a piece of distinctly Southern culinary advice:
If you're going to cook in the South, she told her, you need to cook some grits.
She followed that advice with a cookbook, and a popular grits recipe at the Inn is derived from it.
Another guest stayed for 10 days, tasting everything Lilia prepared and helping her develop the menu.
It's a wonderful example of how guests can become part of an inn's evolution.
What began as breakfast for visitors became a menu shaped, in part, by the people who sat around the table.
Image Credit: The Original Romar House B&B Inn
What Running a B&B Really Requires
From the outside, operating a bed-and-breakfast can sound deceptively simple.
Lilia says many people assume that because she cooks and cleans at home, running a B&B should be easy.
The reality is very different.
In her experience, a B&B is like running five to seven businesses at once. The work can mean seven days a week and roughly 10- to 14-hour days, with the feeling that there is always something left to accomplish.
The Inn's limited number of rooms also means there isn't a large staffing budget. Lilia estimates that the budget can most likely support only two people.
That makes versatility essential.
Cooking, cleaning, administration and the many other responsibilities that come with running a small property all become part of the job.
For guests, however, much of that work remains invisible—which is exactly the point.
A Bar That Became Part of the Experience
One of the Inn's more unusual features began with a decision made by a previous owner.
Jerry Gilbreath installed a bar at the property. Because of short staffing, it eventually became an honor bar.
It's a small detail, but one that reflects the evolving personality of a historic, independently operated property.
Over time, the Inn has adapted to the realities of operating a small B&B while retaining features and traditions that contribute to its distinctive character.
Image Credit: The Original Romar House B&B Inn
The Lesson Lilia Learned About Running the Inn
One thing Lilia says she got wrong early on was not fully embracing delivery services.
In particular, she learned the value of using delivery for just about everything—including groceries.
For an innkeeper balancing the many responsibilities of a small property, that kind of efficiency can make a meaningful difference.
It's a practical lesson that comes from experience: when you're responsible for so many aspects of the guest experience, finding ways to save time can be just as important as the work itself.
A Little Local Secret: Free Bikes at Gulf State Park
For guests looking to explore beyond the Inn and the beach, Lilia has a particularly useful recommendation.
The free bikes available to use at Gulf State Park are one of the nearby experiences she points guests toward.
It's an easy way to experience more of the area and adds another dimension to a stay at The Original Romar House.
Rather than simply telling visitors where to go, an innkeeper's local knowledge can help them discover practical opportunities they might otherwise miss.
Image Credit: The Original Romar House B&B Inn
The Perfect Goodbye
After everything that goes into restoring and operating a historic beach inn, Lilia has a simple measure of whether a guest's stay has been successful.
She hopes they leave saying:
“That was the most relaxing and best time I've ever had. I cannot wait to come back.”
It's an especially fitting sentiment for a property whose purpose is ultimately about giving guests a chance to slow down.
The Original Romar House B&B Inn has its own story—one that began nearly a century ago, continued through different owners and eventually found a new chapter with Lilia Bard.
Her goal isn't simply to operate an inn.
It's to preserve a house she believes deserves another 100 years, while giving today's guests a relaxing Alabama Gulf Coast experience along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Original Romar House B&B Inn
Where is The Original Romar House B&B Inn?
The Original Romar House B&B Inn is located in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Who is the innkeeper at The Original Romar House B&B Inn?
Lilia Bard is the innkeeper at The Original Romar House B&B Inn.
How old is The Original Romar House?
The house was almost 100 years old when Lilia first saw it. Her goal was to preserve the property with the hope that it would last another 100 years.
What is special about the Romar Suite?
The Romar Suite was originally the room of Spurgeon Roche, the home's builder and original owner. It later became Jerry Gilbreath's room before he opened the property as a bed-and-breakfast. It is also the only room at the Inn with an ocean view.
What makes the breakfast at The Original Romar House special?
Lilia's breakfast menu was influenced by some of her earliest guests. One guest gave her a cookbook containing the source for her popular grits recipe, while another stayed for 10 days, tasted her cooking and helped her develop the menu.
What is an honor bar?
The bar at The Original Romar House was installed by previous owner Jerry Gilbreath and became an honor bar because of short staffing.
What can guests do near The Original Romar House?
Lilia recommends the free bikes available to use at Gulf State Park as one nearby way for guests to explore the area.
What does Lilia hope guests say after their stay?
She hopes guests say, “That was the most relaxing and best time I've ever had. I cannot wait to come back.”
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