“Oxford, Mississippi has a way of sucking you in,” says Margaret King. Margaret and her twin sister, Katherine, have lived in this university town since 1949 and run a bed and breakfast, or “bed without breakfast” as they like to say, because truthfully, Kings Quarters is not a bed & breakfast. “To us there has been some sense of belonging to this intoxicating town that is compelling, as we have remained closely linked to it all our lives.”
Our son recently graduated from the University of Mississippi, affectionately known as Ole Miss. I met the King Twins when I stumbled upon King’s Quarters during an Airbnb search for vacation home rentals in Oxford, Mississippi. As hotels in Oxford can run up to $900 per night during peak demand, and I needed two rooms, I thought this option was an economical lodging alternative. To use a popular baseball phrase, I scored a home run when I booked the upstairs apartment of King’s Quarters.
There are so many things to see and do in Oxford, Mississippi, but our son would highly recommend watching an Ole Miss football game at The Grove or experiencing a University of Mississippi baseball game at Swayze Field.
Graduation, move in time at the college dorms and game days at the university are all popular times for parents and family members to stay in Oxford, Mississippi. As the King sisters grew up here, they are fortunate to be surrounded by family members. When they rent out their entire house, they stay close by at a sibling’s house, otherwise they remain on property. As the name implies, King’s Quarters is divided into four quarters. A huge, gourmet kitchen and expansive great room separate the living quarters. The stately brick house sleeps eight people. Guests may rent different parts of the air-conditioned house, or the entire house, as often happens during Ole Miss graduation time.
We stayed in the king bedroom upstairs, while our daughter slept in the queen upstairs bedroom. Our self-contained apartment included a kitchenette with full size refrigerator, sink, microwave oven, hot plate, toaster, coffee maker and bathroom with shower. In addition to having our kitchen stocked with fruit bars, chocolates and coffee, the downstairs kitchen was loaded with fresh baked goods, chocolate and bottled water for everyone staying at the house.
Most guests are repeat visitors and I can see why. If only we’d known about this place four years ago. But I’m happy to share this treasure with you. While the property does not accept young children or pets, the backyard with patio and lawn is ideal for celebrating special occasions. Guests are able to walk to nearby Avent Park, but Oxford Square is a healthy distance to trek. For an additional fee the sisters will drive you to the University or the square.
The twins call their house “a bed and breakfast without the breakfast.” As we stayed five nights at King’s Quarters bed without breakfast, they offered to make our family homemade biscuits with fresh blueberry jam, made with blueberries picked from their garden. With true Southern hospitality, Kat made biscuits on our last morning and has graciously shared her recipe with us.
Kat King’s Southern Biscuit Recipe
1 pint heavy cream
2 cups Bisquick
Heat oven to 450 degrees. Pour heavy cream into 2 cups Bisquick mix. Stir until blended; mixture will be wet. Turn dough onto surface dusted with flour. Roll dough 1/2 inch thick, fold dough in half. Cut with 2 1/2-inch cutter. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 20-21 biscuits.
Need to know:
King’s Quarters Airbnb vacation rental rates start at $135 per night, not including cleaning fee and Airbnb service fee, $71 on my visit. Use my discount code to get $40 off your first Airbnb stay.
Insider Tip: I always try to fit in a trip to a day spa when I’m on vacation. I enjoyed a full body massage at the Oxford YMCA, 703 North Lamar Blvd. My massage therapist was Veda Wrenn. Veda is a licensed massage therapist and may be reached at (662) 832-2144. For additional insider tips follow luxury travel writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter or Instagram @Nancydbrown.
If You Go:
King’s Quarters (662) 832-7546
403 Thomas Street
Oxford, Mississippi 38655
King’s Quarters Airbnb bed without breakfast review and all photography by travel writer Nancy D. Brown. This was not a hosted media stay. All opinions regarding this bed without breakfast review are my own. Your bed & breakfast experience may be different.