Stay Where the Vampire Diaries was Filmed

Now you can stay where the Vampire Diaries was filmed! I heard about The Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast in passing conversation. Two things struck me; that it was where the Vampire Diaries Executive Producer Julie Plec stays, and it’s also a film location for scenes from the show. Still, there was something about the name that was ringing in my head like an old bell.

Twelve Oaks! The infamous plantation home of the Wilkes family from Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind! I was officially intrigued. I had to explore this place. I’m a super huge fan of TVD, so this was right up my street.

The Vampire Diaries Scenes

As you can see, Stefan and Katherine are dancing in this flashback scene of the Lockwood Mansion. Well take a look at the next photo.

My Fangirl Trip to the Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast

I knew by the way the Covington Convention and Visitor’s Bureau spoke about the Twelve Oaks Bead & Breakfast that it was something remarkable. Yet no amount of conversation would have prepared me for that first moment of seeing it. I can see why the producers chose this place. And to think, I was about to stay where the Vampire Diaries was filmed!

It was about 5 pm when we first rolled up to the crescent driveway, a New Year’s Eve chill blasted me as I flew open the car door. But it wasn’t the chill in the air that froze my jaw to the ground, it was the towering, white-pillared mansion set just up a slight hill with its black shuttered windows and giant wrap around porch which left me in a trance staring at this place.

My son and I nearly tripped over one another running up the steps!

When we opened the door it was like something from a movie! Crystal chandeliers lit every room. Beautiful hard wood floors with pristine antiques and a classic design fit for a first family (or a movie director, actor and anyone else you can think of who merits nothing less than perfection).

I. Was. Simply. Stunned.

Now if you know me and my hotel reviews, I’m not one to rant and rave. I tell you like it is, I leave nothing to surprise.

Here are all the epic highlights of my Twelve Oaks Bed & Breakfast stay:

• Nicole (my newest life hero and single mom owner) is beyond sweet and very accommodating
• Pristine and flawless design throughout in a luxurious classic setting true to its period
• Details in every turn like something from the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC
• A 5 O’clock wine and cheese hour in the formal sitting room
• Guest suites named after movies and TV shows
• On-site film locations 
• A personal favourite, there’s Vervaine in the in-suite amenities to ward off vampires in town
• The beds, bedding and pillows are UH-MAY-ZING! I never wanted to leave my bed.
• There are fireplaces in every room, all gas lit
• There a huge sitting area on the second floor as well as a stunning balcony overlooking the front lawn (in case you want to feel like a king or emperor)
• On the third floor, there’s a beautiful common area as well with light refreshments and entertainment
• The staff is attentive and friendly making you feel right at home
• The breakfast is fresh and homemade
• the grounds are manicured and pretty with parking in the back and a nice tucked away pool
• The wrap around porch make it impossible to not relax
• The place is haunted! So my jam! (Don’t freak, it’s a nice ghost and her son, they don’t bother anyone but they do like to open windows).

What some other special guests had to say:

We stayed in the Salvatore Brothers’ Suite and Katherine’s Mirror Image Suite. Both were incredible. Here are some pics from our stay:

This is what it’s like to stay where the Vampire Diaries was filmed:

The Twelve Oaks of Gone with the Wind

While this bed & breakfast is NOT the actual location of the Twelve Oaks from the classic novel turned film, the house was in fact the inspiration for the set!

Where Margaret Mitchell made her notes about using what is now the Twelve oaks Bed & Breakfast as the model for the film.

In his book Antebellum Homes of Georgia, David King Gleason writes,

Margaret Mitchell saw a photograph of the house in the Atlanta Journal in February, 1939. She sent the clipping to Wilbur Kurtz, an Atlanta historian and Civil War authority who was in Hollywood consulting with the set designers of Gone With the Wind, saying, “I like this for Ashley’s home,” referring to Twelve Oaks.”

A Little About Covington AKA Mystic Falls

Apart from the obvious epic level of awesomeness that you can stay where The Vampire Diaries was filmed, this is the perfect place for anyone looking for luxury in Covington. It’s also the perfect place for the fan.

You can walk right to the Square to Walker Stalkers and get on one of The Vampire Diaries or The Originals tours, have dinner at the Mystic Grill (which is fabulous), enjoy a treat at Scoops or just stroll through the historic streets and take in all the pretty houses.

Covington is such a charming little town to visit and so close to the Antebellum trail. There’s no shortage of exploring to do when staying at Twelve Oaks. 

What’s your favourite scene from The Vampire Diaries? Tell me in the comments below!

This guide is presented by American Tourister. Our travel philosophy is to pack more fun into every moment and every bag, like our Star Wars, Disney and Marvel luggage collections. Keep up with us by keeping an eye on #PackMoreFun!