The Grand Bayou Noir is a bed and breakfast in Houma, Louisiana. Since opening as a lodging venue in 2001, it has remained under the constant operation of Tim and Debbie Ellender. The property contains three bedrooms with private bathrooms. In addition to serving as a bed and breakfast, the property can also host certain events like weddings and corporate gatherings. Standard reservations are shut down to the public during the months of July and August to allow for time to renovate and focus on large events like weddings, though these events can be held at all other times of the year as well.
There are three distinct guest rooms at the Grand Bayou Noir: the Garçonnière Suite, La Salle Jaune (The Yellow Room), and La Salle de Grand-Mère (The Cream Room). Of the three rooms, the Garçonnière Suite is the largest—acting as a honeymoon suite, yet also accommodating up to four people. The room comes equipped with a private hot tub and views of the surrounding area. The remaining two rooms are somewhat smaller and are located in the house proper.
The property as a whole is a two-story traditional house. The owner, Tim Ellender, explains that it is almost a "Victorian style." Ultimately, however, he thinks that the word is a little too formal, instead preferring to think of it as "the style of the old south." Grand Bayou Noir sits on six acres of grassy lands and includes century-old oak trees, a large gazebo used for weddings, outdoor bathrooms, and two circus-type tents with heating. Amenities for each room within the home include televisions, WiFi, private bathrooms, and refrigerators. There is also a hot tub on the ground floor, which can be used by any of the patrons, as well as free beer and soft drinks throughout the home.
Breakfast at Grand Bayou Noir typically consists of dishes such as Pompidou (french toast) and beignets, which are small fried pieces of dough dipped in powdered sugar. Tim makes all of the breakfasts himself, and he also makes orange juice from oranges grown on the property. He purchases bacon from a woman in Kentucky, investing much of his resources in the breakfasts because he considers it to be a high priority. Grand Bayou Noir is also known for being a wedding/event venue. In recent years, around 90% of the property's revenue has come from various weddings and other activities that have been sponsored at the bed and breakfast.
Grand Bayou Noir is located in Houma, Louisiana, about half a block away from the Bayou Black that runs through town. The bed and breakfast is open most of the year, though it closes for standard reservations in July and August. During those two months, the inn focuses exclusively on weddings and other events, only allowing for patrons of those activities to stay overnight in the house. Grand Bayou Noir's busiest season is typically from November to February because the climate in Louisiana is the most moderate during that time.
Tim Ellender, one of the owners of Grand Bayou Noir, considers the culture of Grand Bayou Noir to be a direct reflection of the "southern charm" known to Louisiana. Another way that Tim describes his property is "old southern elegance." Tim himself also adopts the unique charm of the south, having been born and raised in the area. He incorporates that style into his breakfasts and his hospitality, and many guests have commented that the southern culture is part of what they enjoyed most about their stay. One guest said, "Grand Bayou Noir is an amazing bed and breakfast and exemplifies Southern hospitality. Our room was clean and luxurious, the house and gardens were incredible to experience, breakfast was delicious, and the free beers and good conversation made our stay unique and memorable!"
One thing to note about the Grand Bayou Noir is that it is a "lived-in bed and breakfast," acting as the personal residence for Tim and his wife. However, Tim considers one of his best hospitality skills to be the ability to determine when guests want to socialize, and when they simply want to be left to themselves. His personal goals are to provide genuine friendliness and hospitality.
The wedding venues held at Grand Bayou Noir are another large aspect of the property's culture and general vibe. Before his retirement, Tim was a judge, meaning that he is able to officiate for the weddings at the bed and breakfast if so desired. The maximum quantity of guests possible during events is 300. The equipment available for such venues includes a professional sound system, overhead LED lighting, an outdoor bar area with beer pirogue, custom seating, and outdoor bathrooms. Tim explains a time in which he attended an innkeepers' conference and they made the following comment: "If your bed and breakfast doesn't already have a ghost...get one!" Tim was amused by the comment, but he ultimately explains that the Grand Bayou Noir is ghost-free.
The typical demographic of guests to visit the property is elderly couples (usually somewhere in the 60s). The visitors are mostly tourists, and generally speaking, they only stay during the weekends. Guests have arrived from places as far as France and Canada.
Grand Bayou Noir is owned by Tim and Debbie Ellender. Tim explains that he was "born and raised on the property," though at first, the building wasn't a bed and breakfast. Initially, the property was owned by famous American pioneer Jim Bowie, who was an essential factor in the development of the Texas Revolution. He ultimately died at the Battle of the Alamo. For a period of an unknown amount of time, the property was part of the Crescent Plantation. Grand Bayou Noir has been under the ownership of the Ellender family for over three generations, though it wasn't until 2001 that Tim decided to convert the property into a bed and breakfast. He did so because "there was a mortgage to pay," and he enjoys meeting new people.
One change that has been made in recent years is a slight policy change to prohibit reservations from outside visitors during the same nights that Grand Bayou Noir is booked out for a wedding or other event. Guests who were independent of such activities expressed frustrations, so the owners listened to the comments and made the change.
1143 Bayou Black
Houma, Louisiana 70361
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Tim & Debbie Ellender
Jim Bowie
