Home > Iowa B&Bs > Bentonsport Bed and Breakfast Inns > Mason House Inn & Caboose Cottage

21982 Hawk Dr, Bentonsport, IA 52565, USA    
(800) 592-3133, (319) 592-3133
 
 

Photos

  1. The Mason House Inn by Ken West...
  2. The Mason House Inn B&B...
  3. The Caboose Cottage...
  4. Room 5, The Mason Suite - Extra long Full size bed...
  5. Room 7, The Wild Rose Room - Queen size bed...
  6. Room 5, The Mason Suite, by Ken West...
  7. The sitting parlor, by Ken West...
  8. A springtime evening...
  9. Autumn rainbow...
  10. Room 2 - The Wash House Room - King bed...
  11. Room 3 - The General Store Room - King size bed...
  12. Room 6 - The Des Moines Room - Queen size bed...

$74
- $84


Book a Room $74 - $84

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5 based on 4 reviews
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Innkeeper/s:

Chuck Hanson, Joy Hanson

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Description

Circa 1846. This is the oldest operating pre-Civil War steamboat inn in Iowa and guests can imagine the days when steamboats made their way up and down the Des Moines River, while taking in the scenery. It was built by Mormon craftsmen who stayed in Bentonsport for three years on their trek to Utah. More than half of the furniture is original to the home, including a nine-foot walnut headboard and a nine-foot mirror. The Caboose Cottage, a self-contained apartment within a real railroad caboose, is the newest lodging addition. It features a kitchen, dining area and Queen bed. A full breakfast is served in the main house dining room, but if guests crave a mid-day snack, each room is equipped with its own stocked cookie jar.

For more information visit the website.

Rates

$74 to $84

Off Season: $84 to $105

Payment Types Accepted Include Master Card, Discover, Visa, Personal Checks and Cash.

Amenities

This property has 9 total guest accommodations with private bath, 1 two-bedroom suite and 1 cottage. The types of beds available include King, Queen, Twin and Double.

  • Air Conditioning
  • Free parking on premise
  • Heating
  • Wireless Internet Access

Business Traveler Amenities

Iron and board can be brought to your room upon request.
  • Wireless Internet Access
  • Internet Access
  • Flexible Check in/out Times
  • FAX On-site
  • Desk
  • Iron
  • Board Can Be Brought To Your Room Upon Request

Events Hosted

    • Family Reunions
    • Honeymoons
    • Meetings
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Seminars
    • Church Retreats
    • Book Clubs
    • Quilt Clubs
    • Scrapbooking Groups

Parking

free

Inns Of Interest

    • Civil War
    • Oldest Continuously Operated Inns
    • Stagecoach Stops
    • Train Stations & Renovated Rail Cars
    • Underground Railroad
    • Unusual Sleeping Places
    • National Historic Register

Pet Restrictions

We have one room in which we allow service animals.
  • Innkeepers pets on premises
  • We Have One Room In Which We Allow Service Animals

Romantic Interest

Our Inn is haunted by a few friendly spirits. Guests find this fascinating and they spend the night sheltering each other in their arms. It is not frightening, just very interesting.

What's Green About Your Inn

Guests have a choice of getting fresh towels each day, or they can help us be water conscious and reuse their towels. We have our own chickens, so fresh eggs for breakfast are organic.

Describe Garden and Grounds

We have chickens in our backyard and would prefer people not go back there. There is a lovely Rose Garden a block away from here that is fun to investigate.

Reservation/Cancellation Policies:

Minimum Stay Requirements

During certain festivals we require a minimum of 2 nights, but the rest of the year there are no minimums.

Children Restrictions

Parents must be confortable with their children around irreplaceable antiques.

Cancellation

72 hours

Check-in/Check-out

3pm to 8pm / by 11am

Smoking

Outside Only.


Other Activities

    • Wineries
    • Shopping (Local Crafts)
    • Parks
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hiking
    • Golf
    • Fishing
    • Canoeing/Kayaking
    • Bicycling
    • Antiquing
    • Rose Garden
    • Historic Church
    • Native American Artifact Museum

Historic Interest

Built in 1846 by Mormons from Nauvoo, the Inn was built as a hotel for the riverboat travelers on the Des Moines River. It is the oldest original steamboat hotel along the Des Moines that is still in operation. During the Civil War, it was used a hospital and a station on the Underground Railroad.

Historic Awards:

  • National Register (Granted)

Historic Memberships:

  • National Trust
  • Local Historical Society

Historic sites nearby:

Civil War Battlefield in Croton, Iowa (12 miles), Historic Nauvoo, Illinois (50 miles)

Nearby College/University

Indian Hills in Ottumwa, Southeastern in Burlington and Keokuk, Kirksville in Missouri (Each about 45 minutes away).


Write a review

fascinating

The attention to detail was fantastic, food was wonderful and the setting was fascinating.
Anonymous
10/21/2008

My ratings for this property      
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Fascinating

The attention to detail was fantastic, food was wonderful, and the setting was fascinating.
Parker L
10/21/2008

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

It really is haunted!

We stayed one night in room 5 (I think). The food was great and the room was impeccable, but the reason it was so memorable was because it was haunted and we had an "experience" with a ghost. I was awakened to find a large man to my left who was very agitated and speaking fast although I couldn't understand him. I suddenly felt pressure on my chest and then he was on the right of the bed. He continued yelling at me and then was suddenly gone. Eventually I went to sleep again and was woken by someone touching the bottom of my right foot. I never felt like I was in danger, it was just interesting.
Tamra Hamblin
West Haven, UT

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

Wonderful Experience

My husband and I stayed in the caboose cottage for our 43rd anniversary. We loved our stay in the caboose - too cute! Also the breakfast served in the Mason House was delicious and the fellowship with the owner and other guests was wonderful.
Cinda Snyder

My ratings for this property      
     Location
     Comfort
     Condition
     Cleanliness
     Service
BOTTOM LINE: I would stay here again.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes (0 votes)
This review is the subjective opinion of an iLoveInns.com user and not of iLoveInns.com or American Historic Inns, Inc.

At A Glance

4 Review(s)
100% would stay again
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Other Ratings: "2 AAA Diamonds, "iLoveInns Guests

Publicity and Press Reviews

Des Moines Register, Decatur Herald & Review, AAA Home & Away, Country Magazine, Veteran's View, Iowa Public Television, Today Show, KWWL Halloween Special 2010, KYOU Community Spotlight July 2011, Coast to Coast AM with George Noory.


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