Hotel Frederick, Booneville
May 2024
Coming full circle, it started as a hotel before being converted to a Greyhound bus depot and then a retirement center. Abandoned and in disrepair, a four-million-dollar restoration brought the property back to life.
Enter current owner hometown girl Holly Bozarth Simpson, who loves all things historic. After she returned to Boonville, she worked as executive director of Friends of Historic Boonville and at Missouri Preservation. She took the job of the hotel’s general manager in 2013 and thrived in hospitality.
“I bought this hotel in 2020 during Covid,” says Simpson, “I actually live on property and often check guests in and enjoy meeting them and catering to their needs.”
Public areas sport original black-and-white tile flooring and are furnished with 19th-century antiques found at estate sales. Guests appreciate the artwork: prints from an antique field notebook, folk art, reproductions of antique maps detailing area trails and early settlements, and black and whites featuring Boonville’s 1940s architecture.
Rooms might be described as artsy and Old World with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and Carrera marble or mosaic tile in the bathrooms. In some of the 30 rooms, Simpson made the bedframes from repurposed barn wood. Other rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass bathroom walls decorated with artsy etched designs for privacy. Come morning, a hearty continental breakfast and coffee/tea bar are complimentary. The hotel also rents single and tandem bikes.
Adjacent to the lobby, the lounge’s arched doors and cozy leather couches invite guests to order draft beer, craft cocktails and wine along with a full menu. The Fred serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The scratch menu changes twice annually incorporating local produce and house-smoked chicken. One floor below, the speakeasy-style Brick Room hosts live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
“During Prohibition, locals would go into a smaller room just off The Brick Room to play cards and drink from their own bottle of liquor which they would store in the rafters for a return visit,” says Simpson.
Given its central location, Hotel Frederick hosts numerous corporate retreats and meetings, offering guests and groups a personal touch as well as in-house catering.
Visit HotelFrederick.com for more information.
Lake Breeze Resort, Camdenton
February 2024
For water-lovers, Lake Breeze is a gem with a floating swim dock, water trampoline, tiny sand beach, barbeque grills and an outdoor fireplace. Mornings, we paddled the stillness with kayaks and paddle boards. Hydro-bikes, pontoon boats, a fishing boat and boat slips are also available for rent.
“This spot reminds me of childhood memories and old-fashioned fun. I spent family vacations at small resorts and California lakes,” says Gena. “While living in Colorado, Bruce and I would bring our boys to the Ozarks for vacation.”
Situated just off the Highway 5 Niangua Bridge, 17 totally remodeled cabins and units host approximately 70 people. Gena, who manages the resort, traveled the world as a software specialist. Bruce still works as a network administrator but spearheads upkeep. Living in Colorado for 20 years, Bruce never wavered on his dream of owning a marina. On a whim, they looked at properties in the Ozarks enroute to Iowa for Thanksgiving.
Although the resort was built in the 1950s and very rundown, the Aldrich’s saw potential. After purchasing Lake Breeze in 2011, they basically gutted each unit and replaced roofs and windows. Several units, such as numbers 11 and 12, lean toward a condo-like interior.
“Each unit is meant to be a bit vintage but cute and fresh,” says Gena. “We spend lots of energy cleaning. I traveled extensively in my former career, so that’s very important to me.”
The pool area contains complimentary floats and children’s life jackets. Ping-pong, games, books, more than 700 DVDs and loaner fishing poles are available. Fishing off the docks yields catfish, croppie and some walleye; guests need to supply bait. Guests can put ice creams or ice on their tab using the honor system.
The venue by the resort’s entrance hosts parties and weddings. Guests can grill out along the lakefront for a rehearsal dinner. Public events include Bikefest in September, a Memorial Day weekend craft fair and a haunted house at Halloween.
“We have 65-75 percent repeat business. Guests can book for the next year, and I’ll hold it until January when they can put down a deposit,” says Gena. “We like to think of ourselves as a home base for our guests and enjoy making them feel welcomed.”
Visit LakeBreezeResort.com for more information.
The Mansion at Elfindale, Springfield
November 2023
“Our guests are always surprised at how quiet it is even though we’re very close to one of the city’s main roads,” says Myra Skiles, Elfindale’s manager. “The mansion’s thick limestone walls act as an insulator to both noise and temperature.”
Built in 1892 by John O’Day, one of the region’s first millionaires, the 27,000-square-foot home offers 13 suites. O’Day’s wife, Alice, chose the name Elf-in-Dale because she imagined elves frolicking on the property in the early morning mist.
Fifty stonemasons from Germany quarried the limestone from the former 400-acre farm. The first-floor ballroom, with its hand-carved mantle from the French Pavilion at the 1904 World’s Fair, once served as the state dining room for Missouri’s governor.
Alice eventually sold the property to a French order of nuns from St. Louis. Until 1964, the nuns operated Saint de Chantal Academy for Girls within its walls. They built a chapel next door and commissioned European artisans for the 14-karat gold leaf mosaic above the marble altar, which guests can view upon request.
Several owners later in 1990, a bed and breakfast concept took shape to offset general upkeep. Central air and heat were added, and closets and hallways were converted to bathrooms. The main oak staircase was extended between the second and third floors; originally, a narrow servant’s staircase connected the upper floors.
That same year, the Springfield Symphony designated Elfindale as its designer showcase home. Decorators adopted each room, and their flair still pervades the mansion. On the upper floors (no elevator exists) suites contain clawfoot tubs with showers, Keurigs and mini-refrigerators. The turret room incorporates a curving staircase while other rooms showcase original stained glass.
The inn is family friendly and welcomes kids. A handicap-accessible suite is available on the first floor. The inn hosts various, including weddings which are held next door at the chapel.
My husband and I stayed in the second-floor Saint de Chantal room incorporated into the turret with a half-moon, curved wall that cocoons the king bed. Breakfast included biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage and fruit. Nearby, we explored Wonders of Wildlife, Relics—the largest antique mall in Missouri—and the Route 66 Car Museum.
Visit MansionAtElfindale.com for more information.
The Bradford, Branson
August 2023
Reimagined by millennials Taryn and Trevor Flota, The Bradford’s renovation has modernized this Branson property perched on a hilltop outside the town.
Immediately after buying the inn, which had not been updated since its construction in 1992, the Flota’s began a top-to-bottom makeover. Occupying two buildings with 33 units, guests can now choose from two, three-bedroom guest houses and two studio lofts.
“To start, we updated the exterior to a black and white look from the ‘90s forest green colors and planted new landscaping,” says Taryn. “Next, flooring and furnishings were changed out in all but six rooms, which we preserved for previous guests who like the more traditional look.”
Originally living in St. Louis, the Flota’s met at the University of Illinois in Springfield while on the golf team. They relocated to Branson and bought The Bradford in February 2022. Taryn quit her medical assistant job to manage the property. Trevor works remotely as a financial advisor. Currently, they live just down the road. Trevor’s parents live on-site, and his dad, a retired electrical supply manager, works as the maintenance manager.
Décor ranges from the red and black Paris Room, where my husband and I stayed, to family-oriented Hibernation Staycation with bunks in the second sleeping area, to golf and speakeasy-themed rooms. All have been thoughtfully decorated by Taryn and her mother-in-law. Seasonal plantings and décor grace the exterior, and rooms are decorated for Christmas.
“We’ve moved to a self-check-in using door access codes,” says Taryn. “Guests receive an email 24 hours in advance with instructions followed by a text message, but I’m also in the office from about 2 to 6 p.m. daily to help when they arrive.”
Taryn explains that they want to be affordable to all, including families vacationing on a budget. They have added a game room, fire pit and coffee bar with hot chocolate and teas.
“One little boy ran out of the Farmhouse room and said, ‘Have you seen our room? It’s awesome!’ We’re thrilled that kids are excited to be here!” says Taryn.
As part of The Bradford, Steamy Joe Café lies between the buildings. Guests receive 20 percent off breakfast and lunch. Two baristas whip up sustainably sourced specialty coffees using Foxen Coffee of Joplin. Often there’s a line out the door.
“It’s been very rewarding to welcome new guests, and some have already stayed here three times,” adds Taryn. “It’s fun and fulfilling owning the inn. We always want to honor God and put him first in everything we do.”
Visit TheBradford.net for more information.
Boone's Colonial Inn, St. Charles
May 2023
Williamsburg, Virginia isn’t the only place to dip into Colonial America. Hugging the Missouri River, St. Charles served as Missouri’s first state capital in the early 1800s. Here, Daniel Boone strolled its brick streets, Lewis and Clark launched their renowned journey and the drama of the Louisiana Purchase played out. Reflecting this notable era is the luxurious Boone’s Colonial Inn.
Purchased in 2006 by proprietors Venetia McEntire and her husband, Stephen Powell, the buildings were in substantial disrepair. In late 2008, after $650,000 in expenditures and more than 400 hours of sweat equity, the inn opened its doors. Historic preservation was of utmost importance. The couple retained the horse hair plaster walls and, when possible, mortise joints, hand-hewed log joists and other details were left exposed to showcase the original construction.
“Our goal is to preserve and share our history and our community in the best possible way,” says Stephen. “When guests come to stay at our inn, they’re immersed in history. And that’s very important to us.”
My husband and I checked into the Thomas Jefferson Suite, whose cozy porch entrance overlooked Frontier Park and the river. Original wide-plank floors, a Williamsburg color palette, high four-poster king bed and Colonial touches made us feel like 1800s-time travelers. That said, we still enjoyed 20th-century amenities—a jetted shower and tub, mini fridge, flat screen TV and Wi-Fi.
“We traveled extensively to Williamsburg and Jamestown for inspiration,” says Venetia. “Our rooms are themed around the Spanish and French governments of Saint Charles in the 18th and 19th centuries as well as the Louisiana Purchase. We’ve even had historian Ken Burns and author Stephen Ambrose as guests.”
In the morning, we walked Frontier Park’s section of the Katy Trail. The front door opens onto the National Historic District. Numerous restaurants, boutiques and museums, including the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum, lay just steps away. Across the street, the Missouri Artist’s Guild showcases the creativity of local and regional artists. I bought several items for one-of-a-kind gifts.
Dedication to Saint Charles history spans the generations. Venetia’s family ran Boone’s Lick Trail Inn for 35 years, and she started working there in the late 90s. Today, Stephen and Venetia operate this sister property just down the block.
“We were one of the first anchors in the historic district,” says Venetia. “We’ve been involved with historic preservation and active in the community for many years. It’s our passion.”
Visit BoonesColonialInn.com for more information.