Lodging

Square Beyond Compare

Posted at October 28, 2006 10:54

A STAY AT ST. LOUIS’S HISTORIC LAFAYETTE SQUARE OFFERS A VICTORIAN PARK SURROUNDED BY AMAZING ARCHITECTURE AND FINE DINING

By Ann Vernon

Lafayette Square at St. Louis was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The center point of the revitalized area is Lafayette Park, the oldest municipal park west of the Mississippi River. Lafayette Square offers one of the largest collections of Victorian homes in the country. The neighborhood’s Holiday Parlor Tour takes place December 11 (see page 86), a perfect time to spend a cozy weekend in the Square.

The neighborhood’s oldest bed & breakfast is the Park Avenue Mansion. Built in 1874, the French Second Empire home features four guest rooms — one offering a view of the Gateway Arch — with king- or queen-size beds. Two suites have a fireplace and Jacuzzi. Champagne breakfast is served on old china with sterling silver and hand-painted crystal. Stroll the English garden or read in the library to the sound of classical music. Innkeepers Kathy Marks- Petetit and Michael Petetit renovated the mansion, which has been an inn since 2002. Park Avenue Mansion is located at 2007 Park Avenue. Nightly rates are $89 to $225. For more information, call 866-588-9004 or visit www.parkavenuemansion.com.

Napoleon’s Retreat is an 1880 French Second Empire Victorian with twelve-foot front doors and an elegant sophistication. The house is decorated with antiques and original works of art, many of which are a tribute to Napoleon Bonaparte. There are three guest rooms with queen-size beds in the main house, one of which has a gas fireplace and whirlpool bath. The Cottage is a private renovated carriage house that includes a loft bedroom, kitchen, sitting room, and balcony that overlooks the New Orleans-style courtyard. Innkeepers Jeff Archuleta and Michael Lance have owned the property for eleven years. Napoleon’s Retreat is located at 1815 Lafayette Avenue. Nightly rates are $99 to $175. For more information, call 800-700-9980 or visit www.napoleonsretreat.com.

Lafayette Park Bed & Breakfast is an 1891 English-style Terrace House, a smaller version of a traditional Victorian mansion. The inn offers three guest rooms with queen- or double-size canopy beds. The property includes a large private garden, working fireplaces, and a library complete with kitchenette for coffee, hot chocolate, or a bedtime snack. Larry Bennett has been the host since April. Lafayette Park Bed & Breakfast is located at 1415 Missouri Avenue. Nightly rates are $89 to $119. For more information, call 866-338- 1415 or visit www.lafayetteparkbedandbreakfast.com.

Lehmann House was built in 1893 in Romanesque Revival style. The house was originally owned by lawyer and statesman Frederick Lehmann, who hosted presidents William Howard Taft and Calvin Coolidge. The home has been a guest house since 1993. There are three guest rooms with king- or queen-size beds. Two offer private baths and working fireplaces. Innkeeper Marie Davies has filled the library with parlor games for a restful retreat on wintry days. Lehmann House is located at 10 Benton Place. Nightly rate is $100. For more information, call 314-231-6724.

December 2005

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