AMERICUS — What do you get when you combine Southern charm and elegance with delectable baked sweets and a little bit of history?

Why, the Americus Garden Inn, of course.

Located on Reese Street in Rees Park, the bed and breakfast has just been named one of Trip Advisor’s Top 10 Inns & B&Bs; in the U.S. Co-owner Kim Egleseer said he and wife Susan were “flabbergasted. We never thought we’d be in the U.S. Top 10.”

“It was really a shocker,” Kim Egleseer added.

“To receive it for two years ... is phenomenal,” Susan Egleseer added.

Kim Egleseer gave the newspaper a little bit of background on Trip Advisor.

“This Website allows travelers to post online reviews for properties they have stayed at,” Kim Egleseer said.

He said this is opposed to inspections by organizations such as AAA, who have objective standards for judging every facility. He added that the subjective-ness of Trip Advisor may indicate negative; however, he added the reviews are “more meaningful and valid.”

“It’s not just once a year, but it’s consistent,” Kim Egleseer said. “It allows travelers to give their impressions ... It’s experiential versus inspection.”

Susan Egleseer explained that whether certain accommodations are appropriate depends on the purpose of the traveler’s visit.

“If you’re looking to hit a bed, then the Days Inn might be just fine,” she said.

“Our accommodations are not for everyone,” Kim Egleseer said.

“There is niche of people looking for something different, and of course, the whole historic nature is appealing,” Susan Egleseer added.

The house which contains the Americus Garden Inn was built around 1850.

Kim Egleseer explained that the bulk of travelers to his bed and breakfast are “leisure travelers. They’re looking to get away.”

He said these travelers fall into four subgroups of tourists, couples wanting couple time, special occasions and women’s groups. Actually, Susan Egleseer added this group, but her husband said he tries to probe the male guests to see if they are comfortable, and he said “by and large,” they are.

“We try to make it comfortable for everyone,” Kim Egleseer said. “We try to make it comfortably elegant.” In other words, the furniture is nice, but not so elegant guests can’t sit on it.

“A bed and breakfast is more personal,” Kim Egleseer said. “It’s different from a hotel, in that ... we are located in a residential neighborhood, and in the historic district.”

Also, in a bed and breakfast, the innkeepers live at the facility, and there are limits on the number of guests who can stay. Also, there are no strangers wandering the halls.

For any traveler looking for a good breakfast, the breakfasts at the Americus Garden Inn may be just what they are looking for. Susan Egleseer is an avid baker, who makes everything from chocolate biscotti to Molten Cake with silky white chocolate orange cream. She also does pies, because she placed last November in one of the recipe contests held at the Georgia Pecan Festival.

Guests going to the Trip Advisor Website have even commented on Susan Egleseer’ baked goodies. One anonymous guest wrote, “The accommodations are so inviting and comfortable and the breakfasts are out of this world. We actually booked the room for just one night, but ended up staying a second night because we liked it so much.

“Susan’s breakfasts are thoughtfully prepared and absolutely delicious!”

While the inn has been in existence for almost 10 years, the bed and breakfast has only been around for five years, Egleseer said.