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.
Main Street Inn B&B, Sainte Genevieve
February 2023
Originally built in 1882 as the Meyer Hotel, and considered the finest building in Sainte Genevieve, the Main Street Inn B&B lies in the heart of the historic district and a block from the train station.
Since the 1800s, it has always served as an inn, and for 100 years, a side addition operated as a saloon. Today, that space contains two street level, accessible rooms with private entries. One room is pet-friendly.
The inn’s first floor, constructed one story above street level, serves as an inviting and stately communal space with 12½-foot ceilings. Eight additional rooms are located on upper floors. Original artwork graces the walls, from Thomas Hart Benton-era oils to locally-created plein air paintings. Come evening, a wine reception in the north parlor features local cheese and sausage.
In 2016, physician Patrick Fahey and his wife, Susan Odonnell, a practicing internist in Sainte Genevieve for 30 years, bought the inn. Susan, who is originally from Ireland, spent time training at Loyola University’s medical school in Chicago where Patrick was on the faculty. Years later, they married, and Patrick moved to Sainte Genevieve after retirement.
“For many years, I took care of people medically, and now I care for people through hospitality,” says Patrick.
At the time of purchase, the inn was decorated with knick-knacks, heavy colors and lots of drapes. Patrick and Susan replaced the furniture (except in the dining room), added plantation shutters to the windows and painted 45,000 square feet of walls and ceilings in dove gray. They spent an entire year giving this tired Victoria lady a top-to-bottom restoration.
“It has a cleaner, more modern look while keeping the historic bones of the building,” says Patrick.
Savory breakfast dishes include house-made pastry, egg entrees using eggs from their own chickens and bounty from the large garden. An English cast-iron AGA stove attracts ample attention from guests. It takes two-and-a-half days to heat up its four different ovens, all with different temperatures, and stays on around-the-clock.
“Susan grew up in Dublin where they were very popular,” says Patrick. “It runs all winter until the heat of spring and summer arrive.”
Guests can enjoy four porches and a lovely garden featuring a pergola and 1895 smokehouse that’s now a garden shed. Above the garden waterfall sits a replica of Frank Lloyd Wright’s sprite that he designed for the 1914 Chicago Midway Gardens. Free to friends of the inn, the annual summer garden party features a band and catered fare.
Visit MainStreetInn.com for more information.