Plum Panache Bed and Breakfast

We spent a day there last year. It was outstanding. Soft bed. Lovely garden. Very nice hosts. House was warm and fuzzy. We will be staying 3 days in the end of May into June. Can't wait to get back there. My name is Janis Boehmer from Omaha, NE.

This is a beautiful place! Highly recommended! Elizabeth has thought of every detail and makes you feel as cherished guests! Her decorations, bedroom layout, and food are well thought out. The ambiance of her home is peaceful and serene. Her cooking is simply delicious.

We stayed at Plum Panache for our wedding anniversary on the 13th of October. We always stay at B&B inns when we travel and love the ambiance of the homes. This one however really stood out from the rest. It truly offers an elegant but very comfortable environment. We sat by the fireplace outside and played games, sat by the fireplace in the living room and watched a movie with our dessert, and then we laid in bed and enjoyed another fireplace before we went to sleep in our very lovely room. David and Elizabeth have put a lot of thought into the simple basic comfort items that you would have to pay extra for at a hotel. The food was hearty and delicious, and there was the perfect balance of privacy and yet great conversations with our hosts. After we saw pictures of their Christmas decor, we are planning to bring friends back to enjoy a couple of days just hanging out together in this wonderful home! Thanks again for the amazing hospitality!

I wholeheartedly echo every single word in the ten reviews before mine. From the moment I placed a telephone call to inquire about vacancy at the Plum Panache to the moment I left, I was thoroughly convinced that Liz and David truly love what they do and it shows in every aspect of their hospitality. I was in Ottumwa for a meeting the following day - not enough time to enjoy the splendor of Plum Panache. The next morning, I learned that my car battery was dead. Without a moment of hesitation, Liz said, "Deb, it will be okay; I have jumper cables and we'll make this work. If it doesn't, then you can just take my car." I was so touched by her enormous generosity and trusting spirit; she reminds me of all that is good about Iowa. In the end, Liz started my car and I was on my way in plenty of time for my meeting. I will never forget this incredible experience. Thank you, Liz and David!

Dear Liz and David: There should be room for 10 stars because that is what you deserve and then some. Staying at the Plum Panache is like staying in a magical place where everything is perfect, all the time. We cannot thank you enough for the wonderful experience. We have never tasted such delicious meals or been pampered so much. The Inn is so lovely and your decorating took my breath away. We love Gabriel and Dickens so much and already miss them and we've only been home an hour! Thank you for helping us with our house hunting in Ottumwa. Wouldn't that be something if we ended up being neighbors? The Plum Panache is magical place and your service, kindess and attention to us exceeds anything anyone can imagine. We can't wait to come back. John and Cathy Krebs

I stayed at Plum Panache on the 17th of July, this was my second visit to this beautiful bed and breakfast. My first stay was at Christmas time last year where I was overwhelmed by the amazing Christmas decor in every room of this truly warm and elegant home. My room was spacious and comfy, no detail in amenities was overlooked, and I left feeling like I was part of the family. Beautiful gardens greeted me on my last visit where I was able to accomplish some of my work while sitting outside enjoying strawberry lemonade and freshly baked cookies. David and Elizabeth are so easy going and wonderful hosts. Their breakfasts are beautifully presented by candlelight (even when there is just one of you), and you will never leave hungry as the food is plentiful. Plum Panache will be my choice of stay when I am traveling through southern Iowa, it is by far the best B&B experience I have ever had! Thank you Klanderman's!!

Three sisters and our 90 year old Mother just returned from our most pleasant B & B stay, to date. We like to take 4day trips and stay at B & B homes. I'm not sure we can top this one. David and Elizabeth are exceptional hosts, and you leave wanting to return soon. You might not be going to Ottumwa, but if you are any where near there, give them a call, you will definitely enjoy.

I have another "P" to add to the Plum Panache and that is PERFECT!!!! We drove up from south of St. Louis to meet our best friends who drove in from Omaha to celebrate my milestone 50th birthday and to participate in the Bridgeview Eagle Walk and stayed from Janury 13th to 15th. Our last B&B exeperience, near the Amana Colonies, made us all a little leary, but needless to say we were all 'wowed' beyond words! The home is beautiful with no detail left to chance. But, let me say, even though the home abounds in beauty and elegance it is still warm and comfortable making one feel welcome and at home. David and Elizabeth were the perfect hosts. Our conversations were all interesting and insightful. Even their two soft and cuddly Bischons, Gabriel and Dickens, make one feel welcome and at ease. The breakfasts were simply delicious! Wine and cheese along with a dessert were offered up every evening. If one leaves here unhappy for any reason it is their own fault. I think we will have a hard time finding another B&B to compare to this one. It is truly one that other B&Bs should be measured against and should strive to emulate. David and Elizabeth: Your Plum Panache is perfect in every way and thank you for a wonderful January weekend for four friends to remember!

Hi Elizabeth and David, Thanks a bunch. I can’t say enough good about your Plum Panache B & B. The hospitality was as wonderful as the name is great. From beginning to end, the décor was perfect – something unexpected and beautiful at every turn. The food was plentiful and scrumptious. Beds and other accommodations were immaculate and comfy. The sun room’s large table allowed plenty of space to spread out our genealogy materials to work and visit. Plentiful windows overlooking primarily hosta and rose gardens, invited sunshine in - the ambience was spirit lifting. The evening in the large pavilion, chatting by the roaring fire in the huge stone fireplace, enjoying cookies and drinks, refreshed us after a long day of searching and researching. We were pampered. No longer having family in Ottumwa, we found a new home (Plum Panache), new family (the 3 cousins and spouses) and new friends (David and Elizabeth). It is difficult waiting until our next return in mid September, 2012. Bless you, jan

Hi Elizabeth and David, many thanks for everything you did to make our stay with you so exceptional. You are Super-Hosts! Your decor is so inviting and comfortable; thank you so much for making us feel like VIPs while we stayed in your beautiful home. Best wishes for a successful Christmas tour (just love the Dicken's Village!) If all goes well, we cousins look forward to staying with you again for our 2012 reunion!

We stayed at Plum Panache this past weekend, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Scrumptious breakfasts, clean and comfortable rooms, and great host/hostess. If you need to be in Ottumwa, stay here. Lower price than the hotel chains, and way more fun. Matt Taylor

Dear David and Elizabeth, A quick note to thank you both for introducing us to the uniqueness of a B&B. We could not be more satisfied with the time we spent in your beautiful home. We immediately felt welcome !! Bravo to you for your lovely gardens, home decor and the fabulous dining you presented to us. Rick and I are so excited about visiting you again. We both agree that the experience at your home was one of the best evenings we have spent while travelling. I highly recommend the experience to anyone that visits the Ottumwa area. Hope to see you soon and let me know about any future plans for events at your B&B...count us in !!! Sincerely, A Huge Plum Panache Fan !!! (a/k/a Coleen) p.s. The home-made strawberry shortcake was divine !!!

This place is incredible and comes with very gracious hospitality. Every room is delightfully decorated with a breathtaking surprise around every corner.

We were just delighted with our recent stay at your beautiful B&B. You were recommened to us by some friends, and we were not disappointed. We flew to Iowa from our home in North Carolina because of my father's illness. Your hospitality was warm and inviting and we felt very relaxed in your lovely decorated home. Our room was clean and the food was delicious. Many thanks to the chef! Larry and Marie, Sanford, NC