By Kyle Smelter

When you visit the Twin Cities, we want your stay to be as comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. Sure, you can stay at one of the many luxurious hotels dotting Minneapolis and St. Paul’s skylines, but if you are looking for a more homey feel with a personal touch, these bed and breakfasts won’t disappoint.

LeBlanc House

Built in 1896, this Victorian-styled home provides a glimpse into the Twin Cities of yesteryear. The home isn’t just a pretty face either, when visitors walk through the front door they immediately become aware that the inside is just as elegant as the facade. Quarter sawn red oak, stained glass windows, original stick and ball trim and ornate carvings help the home stay true to its Victorian roots. Visitors can choose from any of three rooms—Zofi, Amelia or Marissa.

Zofi

Guests in this room are able to treat themselves to a king-sized bed, antique furniture (including a high back rocker), their own personal bathroom, complete with shower and toiletries basket, and large bay windows showcasing views of downtown Minneapolis serve as the cherry on top.

Amelia

A queen-sized bed, en suite bathroom featuring an elegant Victorian vanity, and bay windows overlooking the home’s beautiful flower garden and Minneapolis’ iconic skyline are what can be found in this charming abode.

Marissa

Staying in this suite gives you access to three rooms: bedroom, TV room and office—all of which feature whimsical porthole windows. The suite is also complemented with a queen-sized, brass bed, Victorian desk and private bathroom complete with tub.

Full breakfasts are served during the week, but on the weekends visitors are treated to a candlelit breakfast and the owner’s specialty Swedish pancakes with lingonberries, or a three cheese spinach frittata and sides of fresh fruit, organic bacon and pastries.

A handful of the amenities throughout the home include:

• Central air and ceiling fans in all guest rooms
• Special dietary accommodations with advanced notice
• Wi-Fi
• Fresh cookies upon arrival, and tea/coffee/hot chocolate available whenever you desire
• Small refrigerator in kitchen for guest use

Como Lake Bed & Breakfast exterior. Image courtesy of Como Lake Bed & Breakfast

Como Lake Bed & Breakfast

Nestled on the shores of Como Lake and built in 1915, this Craftsman-style home is a model of elegance—hardwood floors and oak trim are an integral part of the design, and a dining room accented with quarter-sawn oak built-ins and a parlor housing a baby grand Knabe piano further add to the charm. Guests have the luxury of choosing from any of four rooms (all of which include a hearty breakfast): Ericsson Suite, Aerie Suite, Lakeview Room and Yellow Room.

Ericcson Suite. Image courtesy of Como Lake Bed and Breakfast

Ericsson Suite

Guests in this master bedroom are pampered with a king-sized, four poster bed, private bathroom and heated sleeping porch, complete with daybed, couch and a small balcony. A refrigerator and coffee machine is also included for any late night snacks and caffeine cravings.

Aerie Suite. Image courtesy of Como Lake Bed and Breakfast

Aerie Suite

The penthouse of Como Lake Bed & Breakfast, the Aerie Suite is the definition of luxury. Taking up the entirety of the third floor (850-square feet), amenities in this room include: 10 skylights, double jacuzzi, kitchenette, king-sized bed and fireplace. The suite also features a beautiful view of Como Lake. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better.

Lakeview Room. Image courtesy of Como Lake Bed and Breakfast

Lakeview Room

An antique double/full-sized antique bed, dresser, desk and views of Lake Como are what await guests staying the night in this room. An en suite bathroom is not included, but guests do have a private bathroom just across the hall.

Yellow Room

An add-on to the other rooms, the Yellow Room is furnished with a 3/4 antique bed, dresser and chairs, and also treats guests to a view of Lake Como.

The pampering doesn’t stop at the rooms, either. Breakfasts at Como Lake Bed & Breakfast are sure to dazzle your taste buds. Beginning at 9 a.m., a course of fruit and yogurt is served before a main course, which includes Belgian waffles with berries and whipped cream; potato pancakes with sour cream and applesauce; wild rice pancakes; a laundry list of frittatas, quiches and omelets; huevos rancheros; and the house specialty, Caprese Eggs.

Cathedral Hill Bed & Breakfast

Like peanut butter and jelly, St. Paul and Victorian architecture go hand-in-hand. All throughout the home, guests will find decor that pays homage to the elegant era. The public spaces, which include the living and dining rooms, parlor, and front hall showcase Victorian decor with ornately carved wood and lighting. All together, this bed and breakfast fits perfectly into the legendary neighborhood in which it resides. Guests can choose from any of three rooms: Iminijaska Suite, Mississippi Room and Dakota Room.

Iminijaska Suite

The second floor suite is furnished with king-sized bed, a sitting room complete with a queen-sized sofa bed behind a set of beautiful French doors, and a private en suite bathroom.

Mississippi Room

This charming room is highlighted by a bed that can function either as a king-sized bed or two twin-sized beds, a sitting area for two where guests can relax, and a private bathroom accented with an elegant, large claw-foot tub.

Dakota Room

Overlooking a leafy patio, the Dakota room treats its guests to a queen-sized bed and an en suite bathroom with bath and shower.

A list of amenities in each room includes:

• Private bathroom
• Wi-Fi
• Air conditioner
• Refrigerator stocked with water
• Satellite television, and more

To accommodate every lifestyle, Cathedral Hill Bed & Breakfast serves up two styles of breakfasts for its guests. A self-serve breakfast (homemade granola, Greek yogurt, fruit juice, milk, coffee and tea) is available for everyone from 6-10 a.m., and a more traditional served breakfast at 8:30 a.m. in the dining room, which includes chef’s choice of entree, meat, toast or English muffins, fruit, juice and coffee.

Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast. Image courtesy of Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast

Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast

Ahoy! Breaking away from the traditional, the Covington Inn brings guests aboard one of the few floating bed and breakfasts in the country for a night—or nights—on the Mississippi River. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown St. Paul, this nautical getaway treats guests to four different rooms and the city’s impressive skyline.

Mate’s Quarters

This intimate room is furnished with a full-sized bed, two wood-paned windows that allow occupants to gaze out onto the river and backdrop of the downtown St. Paul skyline, private double-shower and bath, and access to the head deck through a set of French doors.

Riverview Suite

A rank ahead of the Mate’s Quarters, the Riverview Suite is a below-deck treasure made up of three warm and inviting nooks. Visitors staying in this room have access to a full-sized bed, fireplace, a sitting room furnished with a built-in couch, two window seats and a private double-shower bath.

Master’s Quarters

Further moving up in rank, the Master’s Quarters is one of the largest rooms aboard the towboat. This spacious getaway features a brass, queen-sized bed, tiled fireplace, windows on three sides for a sweeping view, wicker chairs, coffee table and doors that open to the expansive 70-foot second deck.

Image courtesy of Covington Inn Bed & Breakfast

Pilot House Suite

You might’ve guessed this was coming. The grandaddy of all rooms, the two-story Pilot House Suite is the epitome of luxury at the Covington Inn. Fit for a captain, amenities include a queen-sized bed and private bath, a private stairway to the window-surrounded wheelhouse, exclusive third deck complete with pull-out couch, and, perhaps the best part, access to the vessel’s original brass controls.

While each room is certainly unique, a list of common amenities include:

• Private bath
• Deck access
• Fireplace and air conditioning

300 Clifton

Luxury in its purest form, 300 Clifton is here for those who are looking to take their nightly or weekend getaway to the next level. Added to the National Register of Historic Places, the stately mansion features beautifully preserved architecture, including oak paneled hallways, a three-story arts and crafts-styled staircase, Tiffany fixtures and more, all while meeting the needs of every traveler that walks through their doors. When staying here, guests have six rooms at their fingertips to choose from: Something Special, Gilded Age, Mansion in the Clouds, World’s Most Wonderful, Crystal Mansion and Mansion Penthouse.

Something Special

An absolute charmer, this whimsical room’s amenities include a queen-sized bed, writing desk, an airy bathroom complemented by a floating glass shower and antique vanity sink, and awe-inspiring views of downtown Minneapolis.

Gilded Age

A blast from the past, this room’s decor pays homage to the Arts and Crafts style, and is heavily inspired by the late designer John Scott Bradstreet. A queen-sized poster bed takes center stage and is accompanied by a plush sofa, writing desk, Tiffany lamps and private bath.

Mansion in the Clouds

Queen-sized bed? Check. Desk and closet? Check and check. Room with a view? Look no further. This retreat offers guests majestic views of the ground’s gardens and their historic neighbor, the Bell Mansion.

World’s Most Wonderful

With a name such as this, guests can expect nothing short of the best, and they won’t be disappointed. One of the largest guest rooms available, this nightly hideaway is furnished with a queen-sized bed, writing desk, lounge area and private bathroom with steam shower and clawfoot tub.

Crystal Mansion

Treat yourself to a queen-sized poster bed, en suite private bath, large windows and as much crystal decor as anyone could ask for.

Mansion Penthouse

The cream of the crop can be found residing on the third floor of the mansion. Complete with a queen-sized bed, desk, couch, closet and views of the gardens and neighboring Bell Mansion, the Mansion Penthouse is the perfect escape for Grade A relaxation.