The Innkeepers and Staff
Cynzia Sanchez and Edward Toledano envisioned creating a place where guests could slow down, breathe deeply, and truly be in the moment. When they discovered the historic home in Maxeys, Georgia, their dream came to life in what is now The Gillen House Bed & Breakfast — a peaceful retreat in the heart of east Georgia.
Cynzia and Edward warmly welcome you to share in their vision of peace, creativity, and connection. Come experience life in the Slow Lane — even if just for a while.
After years in bustling Atlanta, both were ready for a change. Cynzia co-owned a successful moving company for over 30 years, while Edward enjoyed a 25-year career in marketing and sales. Together, they sought a lifestyle centered on creativity, community, and hospitality — and took the leap to create this country oasis.
Cynzia is an accomplished artist with a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and is also an architect & designer with an Architecture degree from Georgia Tech. Her desire to focus on her art was a driving force behind the opening of the Gillen House Bed & Breakfast. Her studio is located within the inn, and her artwork is featured throughout the home as part of her personal gallery.
In the first two years of operating the Gillen House, Cynzia had the chance to paint more than she had in years. Her work was collected by many of the Bed & Breakfast guests, and she also received future commissions for her work. During the pandemic year of 2020, a fortunate opportunity came her way with a request to design a new hair salon studio for a friend. After that project, she has continued being an architect more than painter and has now completed more than 50 design projects ranging from kitchen redesigns to entire house creations and a few restaurants. Visit her website to see both her artwork and her architectural projects Cynzia Sanchez Studio.
Edward is also a creative spirit, with a passion for art crafted from found objects. His mother was an art teacher, and he spent hours drawing, painting and creating as a child. Model building and creating dioramas were a favorite for many years. Now, he creates his artwork from the inspiration of the parts and pieces he finds in various locations in the area. Searching through old barns & buildings, visiting antiques stores and estate sales, always hunting for another unique item to give another life too. His work can be found throughout the grounds of the property and in certain spots in the house.
Cynzia and Edward’s passions for creating don’t stop with artwork. Their joint passion continues with a love for gardening, landscape design and the outdoors. Edward is the primary caretaker of the gardens and grounds, focusing on making the gardens lush and interesting, and Cynzia supports the effort by nurturing new plants and seedlings. Their efforts of combing new plantings with the mature grounds of the Gillen House Bed & Breakfast to make it an irresistible draw.
They share their home with four beloved cats (who are the true directors of the business, since we work for them) — Ricky Bobby (6 yrs) Customer Service Director, Binx (8 yrs) Social Director, and Monday (5 yrs) Sales Director, and our newest team member Miss “Wild Girl” Friday (4 months) Exuberance Director — who enjoy the property’s wide-open spaces and occasionally offer a friendly visit to guests.
We continue to think of, and miss our beloved CEO, Waffles (19), who passed away just before this 20th birthday in late May 2026. He will forever be the leader in our hearts.
The House and Property
The Gillen House Bed & Breakfast sits on two and a half beautiful acres featuring manicured lawns, vibrant flower gardens, pecan orchard, and a thriving vegetable and herb gardens in season.
The house was constructed in 1920, by Mr. A.J. Gillen, Jr., and is 5600 square feet of architectural charm. A total renovation from August 2018 to April 2019 included a complete rewiring of the entire house, thirty new windows, two new HVAC systems, total plumbing overhaul going from two bathrooms to seven, and a modern kitchen and service area were updated. The entire inside of the house was repainted and furnished with unique furniture and artwork in every room. Guest comfort and enjoyment was the focus of the renovation, both indoors and out.
There are four well sized guestrooms, all of which have a full en-suite bathroom. Each room has privacy and comfort in the design and allows for guests to relax in beauty and quiet. All public areas of the house call you to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Throughout the house Cynzia’s artwork covers the walls and adds to the ambiance of the home.
Out in the back yard is a fully refurbished barn, named Serenity Hall, which was completed in April 2026 and designed for weddings and events. The event space can accommodate up to 130 guests, with two bathrooms, and a catering preparation area. The barn is designed to be easily decorated in the fashion desired and offers a great place for celebrations. The outdoor space allows for vows to be taken under the large magnolia tree or out in the field, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of gardens and forest.
Unwind in one of the many inviting outdoor spaces. There is a golf putting and chipping green, outdoor games, wooded trail walk and gardens to walk through — all designed to encourage relaxation and recreation. Guests can enjoy a peaceful rest on the back patio overlooking the pond and waterfall or wander out back to the magnolia tree and sit a spell or watch the sun set from the upstairs screened porch — some of the favorite spots amongst our guests.
Located in the the Stephens Community, in the City of Maxeys, Georgia, just a short drive Southeast of Athens, the Gillen House Bed & Breakfast offers the perfect blend of small-town tranquility and convenient access to local attractions, outdoor adventures, and regional history.
