For many of us, life is full of twists and turns — just like the road to Snug Hollow Bed and Breakfast, nestled in a holler that is a ‘dead end off a dead end’ in Estill County, Kentucky. To get to this magical place, you veer this way and that, down rural roads past open fields, forested hills, and historic barns. You slow down for the dog that’s trotting from neighbor to neighbor for scratches and scraps. You grip the steering wheel a little tighter as your car pitches back and forth over the pits of a winding gravel drive. And finally, the road ends at a cozy farmhouse where, at nearly any time of day, you’re greeted by the smell of home cookin’ and a friendly face to welcome you.
If only all roads in life could end at a place like this. For Will Dawson and Ryan Joseph Allen, the new owners of Snug Hollow, they are lucky enough to have had their paths lead them here, but not without much perseverance.
The Origin of Snug Hollow
Snug Hollow first came to be about 25 years ago when longtime owner Barbara Napier began an organic farm on part of the nearly 300 acres, living in a cabin built there in the 1800s. As she farmed, she began to build what would become the farmhouse inn building in 1998. Then, as the internet came on, she began inviting people out for a cozy getaway and delicious farm-to-table meals. Over the years, she continued to add cabins while maintaining the charm. With her hard work and hospitality, it gained such accolades as “50 Best Girlfriend Getaways of North America” by National Geographic Traveler, “One of the 5 Most Romantic Places in the South” by Southern Living, and “One of the Top 10 BnBs in Kentucky” by Trip Advisor.
As Barbara got older, she realized she was ready to retire, but only if she could find the right buyer who could keep with the heart of this community staple and icon in Kentucky tourism.
Finding ‘Snug’
Meanwhile, Will and Ryan were living their lives in Northern Kentucky, but seeking something new. They had finished their degrees – Will with his Master’s in clinical counseling and Ryan with his MBA and a Doctorate in Leadership. They meditated on their future, and both began to see themselves opening a healing center that provided people with a way to connect to nature and themselves.
They began to explore properties they could purchase, even traveling to Canada to visit a place they said they just couldn’t see themselves in as much as they wanted to. Disappointed, they were chatting with a friend about their dream and the friend said, “it sounds like you’re describing Snug Hollow.”
After looking at pictures of the place late into the night and reading about its history, they reached out to Barbara. When they spoke and began to get to know each other’s histories, Barbara told them, “This place was meant for you boys.”
“As soon as we crested the driveway for the first time, we both looked at each other and got goosebumps. We knew this was very special land. You can feel it,” Will said.
“It was the same feeling as when I first fell in love with Will,” Ryan added, smiling.
After all parties were in agreement that this was the right path, the negotiations began. With substantial acreage, infrastructure and reputation, Snug Hollow came with a hefty sticker price. Traditional banks turned Will and Ryan away, citing the need for substantial down payments and more substantial financial projections. Will and Ryan, in their words, had nothing but a little condo and student loan debt.
They turned to non-traditional lenders, finding Invest Appalachia who connected them with our team at the Mountain Association. Over the course of 18 months, our team worked intensively with Will and Ryan on their financials, and brought in other funding like from the Appalachian Impact Fund based at the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky. As the saying goes, ‘team work makes the dream work’ and in the summer of 2024, the loan closed.
The First Season of Ownership
Reflecting on their journey as we sat in Snug Hollow’s library about four months later, Ryan said, “We were so in the numbers and in the projections for so long. Now we’re getting to enjoy what we worked towards and just connect with people.”
After all, their dream was not just about numbers and the business side, but about creating a space that fosters genuine human connection.
“We have the best guests that come here,” Ryan shared, as he pointed out gifts guests have left them that decorate the farmhouse. He shared that one guest recently pointed out that each window is like a unique painting, and as a regular, she said it is like that through all the seasons.
“Even though people pay to stay here and eat here, it helps them in some way.”
Food is a vital part of the Appalachian experience at Snug Hollow. Guests come together around shared meals (though you‘re welcome to eat in your cabin if you like). The meals are gourmet, and the vegetarian menu celebrates locally grown and foraged flavors. With Will’s background in restaurant management and Ryan’s experience in both serving and leadership, they’ve meshed right in with the longtime staff, cooking and serving meals to a constant rotation of guests.
The Long-time Staff
Moving into the innkeeper’s quarters at Snug Hollow, Will and Ryan say they were immediately welcomed in by the team of employees – Brittney, Liv, Crystal, Ms. Brenda, and Jason – who have taught them so much. One of their first priorities was to increase wages, restructure tips according to feedback from the staff, give everyone a day off (working toward two), and to give title updates.
“Everyone helps make it work,” Ryan said. “We wanted to reflect that in their pay and empower them in their roles.”
New and Continued Offerings
As they expand their offerings, Will and Ryan have made thoughtful additions to enhance the experience for families, such as a new kids’ library. Their belief that “build it and they will come” was proven right when seven children visited shortly after the library’s opening. After just four months, they have already hosted guests from as far away as Hawaii, Australia, India, and Belize, to the regulars who come 4-6 times a year from Kentucky and surrounding states.
They are also currently building a new cabin to house more guests, and attract more group retreats. They have put together “do nothing” wedding and retreat packages where they will book and organize everything a group needs to have a stress-free stay.
With every guest that walks through their doors, Will and Ryan are not only continuing Barbara’s legacy but also writing their own. “This place pulls out connection to yourself, to others, to something transcendent,” Ryan reflects.
We hope you’ll venture out to Snug Hollow this holiday season or consider giving a loved one a gift card (they say it’s best to stay 4-5 nights if you can, so you can fully relax, but any amount of time is also lovely). We are currently supporting Will and Ryan on building out an enhanced website, but you can still find everything you need here: https://snughollow.com/
“The memories of the effort/struggle at times as buildings, food, gardens, guests, the “table” came together for what has been to so many an off-the-beaten-path retreat from daily lives, a place of renewal, great food and new friendships. It was more than a business, it was my dream, to share with you. No matter where I may wander, my heart will always be in the Holler.”
-Barbara Napier shared in her announcement of the transition
