Hilty Inn, Versailles
August 2018
The Victorian-style Hilty Inn sits at the edge of Versailles’ town square. Gingerbread detail on the front porch and a two-story screened veranda in back give this bed and breakfast a homey appeal.
My husband and I were warmly greeted by energetic Doris Hilty who grew up in this Ozark town. After living in California and Kansas City for 30 years, she returned to be nearer to family. Her sister took piano lessons at the home and, when it went up for sale, her sister wanted to see it again. Doris came with her.
“As I was walking through the house, I knew that it would make a wonderful bed and breakfast,” says Doris. “After I moved in, I decorated with French country flair and used a lot of blue and white, my favorite color combination.”
Built in 1877, ornate, white woodwork and original wide pine floors grace most of the house. Flanking the front hall, the cozy parlor and dining room are available as common areas for guests. The second floor Thornleigh room, named for Thornleigh Lumpee of the inn’s first family, has a king-size bed and private bathroom across the hall. Three additional guest rooms include private baths and direct access to the upstairs veranda. An upstairs sitting room can be rented as a suite with the adjacent Alice or June rooms.
Doris enjoys whipping up savory or sweet breakfasts from recipes that she’s collected over the years. Guests who prefer sweet dishes enjoy baked French toast with sausage in the blue and white dining room. Her repertoire of savory dishes includes omelets, quiches or frittatas with fried potatoes and bacon. For honeymooners, she can deliver breakfast to the room.
Guests can walk to the Bee’s Knees Ale House (Summer 2018) where unique craft brews and casual food are popular. On C Highway, and in nearby Tipton, Mennonite markets sell bulk food and plants. Nearby Jacob’s Cave offers year-round tours, and Lake of the Ozarks lies ten minutes south on Highway 5.
Doris welcomes guests who stay for a getaway weekend as well as business travelers. She enjoys cooking and hosting lunches, business meetings, showers, small weddings, rehearsal or wedding dinners and family reunions. The inn accommodates seating for 25 in the parlor and dining room and 45 people in the outside courtyard. Several couples have held their wedding ceremony next door in tiny Memorial Park’s gazebo followed by a reception at the inn.
Visit HiltyInnBedandBreakfast.com for more information.