The Torrey Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast Inn is a historical property located in Torrey, Utah. The business consists of a three-story building with ten units available for reservation. One of the units, located on the first floor, is ADA-compliant. Located nearby, visitors can spend time at a park, which has a soccer field and a playground. Ty, the owner of the bed and breakfast, explains that she would like her guests to feel “cozy and relaxed” during their time at the inn. Pets and children under the age of 12 cannot be accommodated at the schoolhouse, and smoking is prohibited both inside and on the grounds. The building was used as a school, starting in 1916, for many years, and it was not until 2001 that the current owner purchased and renovated the structure to become a bed and breakfast.
The Torrey Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast Inn has ten rooms that can be reserved. Each room is uniquely decorated with a mix of Edwardian and Pioneer Western themes, with several of them offering views of the surrounding landscape. Other amenities that are typically found in the suites are a private bathroom with a full bath, a massage chair, and flat-screen televisions. One inconsistency with the rooms is that some of them have king-sized beds while others have a queen-sized bed, depending on which unit is reserved. One noteworthy suite is found on the first floor and is ADA-compliant, allowing guests to use a wheelchair to enter the unit as well as the shower in the bathroom. According to the owner, Ty, the rooms that tend to be most often reserved are Reading Room, Moenkopi Room, and Fremont Room.
Regardless of which room a visitor decides to reserve, everyone that is staying at the inn is invited to attend breakfast the following morning. Breakfast is typically served at 8:30 a.m. in the grand room. The business is capable of making accommodations for guests with dietary restrictions or food allergies, including those requiring gluten-free or keto diets. Many of the ingredients that are used for breakfast are organic, and some of the ingredients are grown on the property, including the fruit, which comes from the fruit trees located on the grounds.
There are several common rooms that are available for all patrons to use during their stay, including a grand room, which is located on the first floor. The grand room serves as a dining area, but when it isn’t being used for a meal, visitors are allowed to use it to relax. Inside, one can find a pellet stove, bookcases with various books, and a seating area. On the outside of the property, people can find a fountain with a garden, fountain, pergola, and gazebo. Among these amenities, there is also a Tibetan Buddha statue. The outdoor space is open for people to do recreational activities, such as throwing a Frisbee or playing catch. A gate on the fence can lead guests to a park, where there is equipment, including a playground, soccer field, and volleyball posts for sports and other activities.
Beyond Torrey Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast Inn, one can find the rest of Torrey, Utah, as well as a variety of attractions in the vicinity. There are several national and state parks, such as Capitol Reef National Park and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, that visitors can spend time at during their stay. Ty also likes to recommend a few of the restaurants in Torrey to those who are looking for a place to eat. Several that she mentions by name include Hunter and Gatherer Times, Rimrock Restaurant, and Broken Spur Restaurant.
The owner of Torrey Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast Inn, Ty, would like her guests to feel relaxed when they visit. Ty explains that “It’s a great place to come, relax, and get away from everything, and we’re lucky to have it here in this area because it’s just so quiet and peaceful.” The owner enjoys chatting with occupants and sharing stories, but she tries not to impose on patrons and will leave them alone if that is what they prefer.
Torrey Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast Inn has a few policies in place that visitors are expected to abide by while they are staying at the property. Ty explains that the inn cannot accommodate children under the age of 12 or pets. Additionally, smoking is prohibited on the grounds and in the building. Quiet time typically begins at 10:30 a.m. until about 3:00 p.m., which is when the cleaning team is typically cleaning the rooms. Ty mentions that most guests leave by that time to explore the area, so it tends to be naturally quiet throughout the afternoon.
There have been various travelers that have spent time at the bed and breakfast, and some of them also left reviews of their experience at Torrey Schoolhouse Bed and Breakfast Inn. One person wrote, “This is a quaint spot for your trip to Torrey or the Capitol Reef area. The schoolhouse has been intentionally renovated to reflect the history of the building. An organic breakfast is provided each morning with the chance to mingle with other travelers.” The establishment is open from April to October, with the peak season of operation tending to be from Early April to the Fourth of July Weekend. The owner notes that while June tends to drop off, July and August are surprisingly slower months. The typical demographic of visitors tends to be retired folk and people who enjoy hiking and other outdoor recreational activities.
The Torrey Schoolhouse as a building was originally erected in 1914 and began its use as a pioneer schoolhouse in 1916. According to the owner, Ty, the establishment was constructed with 5,000 stones, each weighing between 350 to 400 pounds. It wasn’t until 2001 that the building went from being a schoolhouse to a bed and breakfast when the current owner purchased it. Ty explains that she tried to preserve as much of the history as she could while renovating the property to become a bed and breakfast. Ty also reports that Butch Cassidy and his gang frequented the area, especially during the Prohibition period, because it was one of the only places for them to get alcohol.
Ty has owned and operated the bed and breakfast since she purchased it in 2001, having spent much of her time repairing the property and adding all of the amenities that were required for her to have a bed and breakfast. She mentions that the owner of the building previously had partially gutted the interior of the schoolhouse. Ty redecorated the interior, trying to keep the historical aspects of the establishment while also adding updated equipment and refurbishing the rooms. There are several plans in the future to add amenities and upgrade existing facilities in an effort to provide visitors with a more positive experience.
150 N. Center Street
Torrey, Utah 84775
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Ty Markham