Dickens House Bed and Breakfast

Having read the previous reviews, I can only agree about Ed's welcoming nature, wonderful cookink skills and flair for decorating. We stayed two nights in the Cottage room and wish we could have spent more time enjoying it, but lovely St.Pete's beckoned, within walking distance. Would love to go back! Pierre and Annik, Quebec

I actually live in Tampa and was looking for a little getaway for my birthday weekend in August. I called Ed and reserved a room. What a nice surprise!! The Inn is absolutely spotless and very cozy. As mentioned in the other reviews, everything is within walking distance and you can ride the trolley for 25 cents to anywhere in the downtown area. Plenty of outstanding restaurants, art museums and galleries, bars, shopping...everything is very close. Ed was a wonderful host. Always gave fabulous recommendations and spent time talking about the history of the house and neighborhood. My last morning he made me coddled eggs and I've tried and tried to cook them myself to no avail. Ed took me in the kitchen and gave me a lesson! I absolutely loved this place and you will too!

Dickens House B&B is a wonderful place for a quick getaway in the heart of St Petersburg. Walking distance from great restaurants, Dali Museum and the Pier. Ed's hospitality was exceptional, the rooms were picture perfect and attention to details is impacable... from the time we set foot at the front door the smell of cookies being baked transported us to a relaxing weekend getaway. Highly recommend this B&B!! and breakfast was delicious!!

Yes, the house is designed beautifully. Yes, our room (the Cottage Suite) was adorable with VERY comfortable beds (my back issues usually prevent me from ever feeling comfortable).. Yes, the breakfasts were delicious. But what struck me more than any of this was Ed's caring nature. My sister has had severe chronic pain for 16 years, and had gone sharply downhill the past year. We needed to find more aggressive treatment, and came to St. Pete to consult with a well-known doctor. This included a very thorough battery of tests, lasting all day. Ed was so kind, insisted on carrying her suitcase up the stairs, packing us to-go breakfasts (for our crack of dawn appointment), even having my sister slowly eat breakfast up in her room when she wasn't feeling well enough to join us down at the table.. and above all, he listened to my sister go on in depth about her health issues. She was at a point where that was all she talked about. It can get tiresome and lengthy to hear as a family member, let alone someone who had just met her. But he sensed that she just wanted her story to be heard, and lent a compassionate ear. He shared his own chronic pain issues and commiserated with her. Even though I know his schedule was busy, he took time out for her to help her feel comfortable. He also gave us a medical discount. I whole-heartedly recommend Dickens house. Note that the Cottage suite is not really divided by a door: there is a queen bed in the main room with a TV, and a twin bed with a desk in the sunroom (which is divided from the main room by a curtain). The bathroom is huge and spacious. There is also a mini-fridge. I loved sleeping in the sunroom. The neighborhood is a pretty one, only about 4 blocks to the start of downtown.

My husband and I stayed here in March and would highly recommend it. It is an historic house which has been beautifully restored and decorated (in an Craftsman/Stickley style) by Ed Caldwell, the owner. The house is in an historic district full of lovely and interesting old homes (great to walk around in) and is within walking distance of the harbor and lots of restaurants. We stayed in the Orange Blossom room; it’s the smallest room in the house but was lovely and cozy and suited our needs since we were just there at the beginning and end of our trip (close to the Tampa airport). If we go back for a longer stay, we will upgrade to a larger room—that is the only thing I would change. Ed was very friendly, the breakfasts were great (plus homemade cookies and wine in the evenings) and the other guests were fun to talk to. I looked at a lot of places on-line before our trip and we ended up driving or walking by some of them when we were there, and I definitely made the right call by choosing Dickens House.

Ed was very hospitable and extremely accommodating. We had an early flight to catch the following morning and he set the coffeemaker and made us a bagged breakfast to go. Above and beyond customer service and a pleasurable experience. We will definitely be returning. Breakfast was noteworthy and unique while the themed rooms were fun and cozy. A fantastic find!

Ed is a great host! wonderful breakfasts! lovely, comfortable home.

Everything about Dickens House is fabulous. Ed is a great innkeeper--meticulous in every way. One of our best stays ever! Great location, home, breakfast, beds, bathrooms, etc.

My husband and I stayed at the Dickens House for three days in November. We loved the house, the hospitality - including great restaurant and cultural highlight recommendations and the lovely breakfasts. We were able to walk to many stores and restaurants in the downtown area. The room was very clean and comfortable. Our stay here was a highlight of our week in Florida.

My husband and I came down for a quick getaway while our son stayed with his grandparents. Ed was wonderfully accomodating, and so interesting to talk with! We loved everything about our stay--our spacious suite, the lovely house (including the homemade cookies for the late night "cookie monsters") , the other folks in the house, the meals that we had in town and culminating with the scrumptious breakfast laid out for us in the morning. From start to finish everything was great-- warm, inviting and enjoyable.

The personal service and incredible gourmet breakfast that innkeeper, Ed Caldwell, offers is not to be missed! I bring my camera to breakfast the meal is so beautiful and delicious! It's down home comfort and southern hospitality with an upscale edge.

My husband and I arrived at Dickens House on Thanksgiving Day; since the owner was going to be away that day, he gave us the key code. When we entered, the house itself seemed to welcome us. The living room had groups of comfortable chairs around a fire place with tables and books and magazines. The wide stairs led to our room. It was the smallest in the house, but it provided everything we needed or wanted with shelves, lights, storage in the most convenient places. Everything was immaculate and beautiful. Windows were equpped with gauzy curtains, shades and Roman blinds so that you could adjust it to your taste or need. The bed was extremely comfortable. The house was so quiet that we were surprised to find other guests at breakfast the next morning. Ed, the host, cooked delicious breakfasts. My husband and I are lactose-intolerant and often find that B&Bs can't provide us with a good breakfast without dairy products, but Ed had no problem making luscious meals we could enjoy. Dickens House is in the historic district, but very close to all the places you come to St. Petersburg to see. YOu can walk to most of the town. Ed provides excellent off-street parking, but there is ample curbside parking, too. If you need advice or directions, Ed is quick to help you. His friendship made our stay memorable. Dickens House is offering wedding packages now and I only wish we could have had ours there. It would have been terrific! As it is, we'll have to settle for going back as often as possible for romance and fun.