Shakespeare Chateau, St. Joseph
February 2021
Just as it did more than 135 years ago, the Shakespeare Chateau Inn dazzles guests and visitors. Built in 1885, the 9,000-square-foot Victorian mansion immediately became a showplace on Saint Joseph’s “Millionaires’ Row.” Fast forward to 2018, Showtime chose the mansion to film their full-length movie, “Christmas at the Chateau.”
The palatial interior qualifies as a treasure trove with 47 original stained-glass windows; ornate cherry, mahogany, pecan and walnut woodwork; and the front parlor’s restored Zuber wallpaper. Hand-blocked in France, this panoramic wallpaper was created using 210 colors and 1,554 separate wood blocks.
Innkeeper and owner, Isobel McGowan, happened across Hall Street’s grand dames in 2012 while on a business trip from Denver, where she worked as a water resource engineer. Due to neglect, the mansion had drastically deteriorated. Isobel purchased the home and began non-stop restoration, which has led to numerous preservation awards. In 2015, she garnered the Preserve Missouri Award for outstanding historic preservation.
“It’s all about the transformation, and it’s incredibly gratifying to see this place come back to life,” says Isobel. “The mansion is truly unique because it has more original stained-glass windows than any other Gilded Age home in North America.”
The permanent fine art collection, quite unusual for a bed and breakfast, belongs to an independent collector. My husband and I chose the Romeo and Juliet suite, one of four on the second floor. Two additional suites on the third floor have kitchenettes for longer stays. An additional guest amenity room features a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and washer/dryer. Definitely a plus right now, each suite has its own air-conditioning and furnace system.
“I often have 24 hours or more between guests, and I require masks in the common areas, other than at breakfast,” says Isobel. “We’ve implemented extra daily cleaning and sanitizing, plus hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes and extra masks are always available.”
Breakfast featured a baked egg casserole made with Irish cheddar cheese and broccoli that Isobel called “The Hamlet.” Cranberry scones were accompanied by homemade lemon curd and fresh fruit. We requested a vegetarian breakfast, but she usually serves sausage, ham or bacon.
Private tours can be arranged for $10 per non-overnight guest; enhanced tours include tea and scones. Indoor weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions and teas have been extremely popular. Prior to Covid, events accommodated up to 60 people.
Visit ShakespeareChateau.com for more information.