Tricia Young: Providing hospitality and comfort at Atherton Inn

Atherton native Tricia Young was at the county offices one day in need of  a permit for some work on her home. A brochure caught her eye — How to Open and Operate a Bed and Breakfast in San Mateo County.

“It was one of those light bulb moments,” she said in the well-appointed kitchen of the Atherton Inn, which just celebrated its seventh anniversary. “I’d grown up staying at B&Bs and realized there were very few in this area. I have a degree in business but I’m a people person.”

Her son built the chateau-style, five bedroom B&B on West Selby. “We offer an alternative to the very high-end hotels and the motels along El Camino,” said the innkeeper.  “About 50% of our guests are corporate. Others are family members of people who are having surgery at Stanford or Sequoia hospitals. Plus, we’re a favorite for wedding parties to reserve. Tourists find us, too.”

Rooms at the Atherton Inn, four of which have fireplaces, range in price from $139 to $229. A full breakfast is included, as are snacks.

Tricia said the Inn is not suitable for children under 12, and there’s a no-pet policy. However, pet ambiance is provided by Bailey, a rescue parrot, which she described as “just a whistler even though he should talk.”

Tricia exudes hospitality and it’s clear she’s found her niche as an innkeeper: “The beauty of bed and breakfasts is that you get people from all over the world. And you never know who will be staying with you!”

Photo by Scott R. Kline