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The Richards House

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  • A room with a private bath. These large rooms are furnished with period antiques and have fireplaces, a sitting area, stained glass windows, and an antique half-canopied bed. A rollaway will fit in these rooms.

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Description Rooms & Rates Packages Meals Location Reviews 37

  • Inn Details

    Surround yourself with elegance and craftsmanship at their best in this High Victorian home. Constructed in 1883 by manufacturer and financier B.B. Richards, this 4-story Stick style mansion with Eastlake effects is one of the finest and most original Victorian homes in Dubuque. The Richards House features a dazzling display of nearly 90 stained glass windows, eight ornate fireplaces, seven varieties of varnished woodwork, 15 patterns of embossed wall-coverings, original chandeliers, hand-painted and embossed tile, elaborate built-ins and more. Our large rooms are furnished with period antiques. Most have concealed TV's, VCR's and DVD players, working fireplaces and private baths featuring original fixtures. Queen sized beds are standard. Rates include a full breakfast for two served in the formal Dining room. Beverages and snacks are always available. Note: Exterior restoration is in progress. Please don't let it deter you from seeing the fabulous interior.

    Innkeeper Information

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English


    Number of Cats: 1

    Features

    Type:

    • Bed and Breakfast

    • Urban Inn

    • Historic Inn

    Property Noted For:

    • Antiques/decor

    • Business travel

    • Christian Travel

    • Economical rates

    • Family Travel

    • Gourmet food

    • Honeymoons

    • Luxury

    • Romantic escape

    • Weddings

    Amenities

    Guest Room:

    • Air conditioning

    • Alarm clock

    • Bath robes

    • DVD Player

    • Desk

    • Fireplace

    • Radio

    • Satellite/Cable TV

    • TV

    • Telephone

    • VCR

    • Videos

    • Wi-Fi

    On Site:

    • BBQ grill

    • Board games

    • CD player

    • Computer

    • Fax Machine

    • Internet Service

    • Library

    • Piano

    • Washer/dryer

    • Wedding Facilities

    Other Amenities:

    • Working fireplaces in rooms

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  • Library Suite

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $65/$115

    Private and quiet first floor suite with 12 stained glass windows, 12 foot high ceilings, varnished cherry woodwork, 2 working fireplaces, sitting area, antique half-canopied queen bed, 5 and a half foot clawfoot tub in front of a working fireplace (we furnish bubble bath), antique lights and furnighings.

    Rooms with private baths

    Suite maximum capacity: 4

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Bathtub

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $55/$105

    Period furnished room with antique half-canopied queen bed, stained glass windows, antique lighting, varnished woodwork, sitting area, fireplace, and private bath with period fixtures. Phone, TV, DVD, VCR and tapes/disks.

    Shared bath (Queen)

    Suite maximum capacity: 3

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $45/$65

    Simpler rooms with antique queen bed. TV, DVD, VCR and tapes/DVDs.

    Shared bath (Full)

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Double

    • Bathroom

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $40/$50

    Smaller and simpler room with antique full bed.

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    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check in: Flexible    Check out: 11:00 am

    • Deposit amount required: Credit/Debit card guarantee required.

    • Cancellations: 72 hour notification

    • Open all year round: N

    General Policies

    • Smoking allowed: Limited

    • Guest pets allowed: Limited

    • Drinking allowed: Yes

    • Drinking description: Complimantary wine

    • Drinks available: L

    • Suitable for children: Yes

    • Childcare provided: No

    Discount type

    • Corporate - Sun thru Thurs - non-holiday
      Percent off: 40%

    • Government - Sun thru Thurs - non-holiday
      Percent off: 40%

  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Time Served: Guests select time

    • Serving location: Dining Room, Guest room

    Complimentary Perks

    • Dessert

    • Fruit

    • Non-alcoholic Beverages

    • Wine/Cheese Plate

    Special meal options

    • Low fat

    • Restrictive

    • Vegetarian

    Additional food services

    • Snacks & beverages are always available

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  • Location Type

    • City

    • Downtown

    City

    • Directions to property:
      Locust Street is the north-south street at the foot of the US 20 bridge into/from Illinois. Go north on Locust Street(turn right off Highway 20 if coming from Illinois) and go through Dubuque's downtown and past the Civic Center. We are in a residential historic district on the corner of 15th and Locust Streets.

    Airport

    • Dubuque, IA (DBQ) 3 miles

    • Directions to property:
      Go north on US 61. Take the Downtown/Locust Street exit. (First exit after the Grandview Street exit.) Go through downtown, past the Civic Center, to 15th and Locust Streets.

    Area Attractions

    • Antique Shopping

    • Aquarium

    • Art Galleries

    • Casino

    • Concert venue

    • Gourmet/Fine Dining

    • Historical interests

    • Live Music

    • Movie Theater

    • Museum

    • National/State parks

    • Nature area

    • Univerisity of Dubuque

    • Loras College

    • Clarke College

    • Greyhound Park & Casino

    • National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

    • Fenlen Place Elevator

    • Performing Theater

    • Picnic area

    • Religious Services

    • River

    • Ski area

    • Vineyard

    • Winery

    • Bicycle riding trails

    • Bird watching

    • Boating

    • Canoeing

    • Cross-country ski trails

    • Downhill Skiing

    • Fishing

    • Golfing

    • Hiking trails

    • Horseback riding

    • Hunting

    • Mountain Bike trails

    • Mississippi River walk

    • River rides

    • Outdoor concerts

    • Trolley rides/tour

    • Eagle watching

    • Horse-drawn carriage tour

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Ski rentals

    • Swimming

    • Swimming pool

    • Tennis courts

    • Video Arcade

    • Water sports

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    • Overall 
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    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

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    Christmas Getaway

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
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    This year I didn't have plans for Christmas, so I decided to go to Iowa to do some scouting for the Ron Paul campaign ahead of the Caucus. When I saw Richard's House on line, I knew it was the place I wanted to stay, plus the Library Suite was available. I almost couldn't breathe when I walked into the house because of all the stained glass. I love historic homes and stained glass. Usually I only get to see such things in museums and did not ever dream I could "live" in such a place for a few days. I stayed for three days over Christmas holiday and loved every minute. The hosts, Dave and Michelle, are most gracious and great conversationalists. My suite featured two fireplaces in two giant rooms with Victorian furnishings and stained glass windows. A great way to start your day is to take a bath in an clawfoot bath tub in front of the fireplace. New fire logs were delivered to my suite each day. There was also sitting cove with two chairs and plenty of light for reading in the suite. Michelle's breakfast every morning was stellar and offered no less than five choices including `the best eggs I've ever tasted, belgian waffles, crepes, cakes, pumpkin roll, hickory smoked bacon, poached fruits, assorted syrups, quiche, orange cake, and coffee. Breakfast is served by the fire at a long dining room table on real china with crystal glassware. Having never stayed in a B&B before, I can attest for all breakfasts, but Michelle's food is some of the best I've had anywhere in America. I understand that the rates vary throughout the year, but my three night stay including hotel tax was under $300. It was an exceptional value, especially considering the home is furnished like the Biltmore Estate. If you like history, old homes, and stained glass, you will think you've died and gone to heaven if you book the Richard's Inn. I am plannning to return with friends and might go there again next Christmas.

    Beautiful and spacious accomodotions

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • Frequently stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    We had a relaxing stay at this beautiful bed and breakfast. I couldn’t have been more pleased. Beautifully decorated in antiques and stain glass. Breakfast was delicious and plenty of it. Michelle gets a blue ribbon for her cakes. Tried her lemon, blueberry and cinnamon coffee cakes and so delicious. We stayed in the Library Suite and has "turn of LAST century charm". And you can't beat the prices. I would recommend The Richards House highly. Diane & Bill, Nevada

    A real find

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • Stays at B&Bs twice a year

    • Typically stays in premium lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    The outside is undergoing very costly renovations, but the roof is done, and the interior is beautiful, fully restored with amazing stained glass, carved wood and more. Extensive video library, comfy beds, and a hearty and tasty breakfast awaited us. We will always stay here when we stay in Dubuque

    Why haven't we done bed and breakfasts before?

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    My wife and I were given a B&B gift certificate, and were newbies to B&B’s. We stayed at The Richards House during a brief get away vacation to Dubuque 4/27 – 4/30/11. What an outstanding stay, from the clean and elegantly furnished period rooms, to the incredible several course breakfasts, to Michelle S' wonderful hospitality and complete commitment to our comfort. We doubt that all B&B’s provide this much, but this experience was wonderful, and will prompt us to look into B&B’s as a first preference in future travels. DM from Sussex, WI

    A warm welcome! A wonderful stay!

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • Frequently stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for an event

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
    • Cleanliness 
    • Dining 

    What a wonderful stay my husband and I had in the Library Suite at The Richards’ House! This 1883 Victorian home has among the best original interior architectural details that we have seen. We loved the embossed wall coverings and the many examples of beautiful stained glass, as well as all of the other details in the home. The wood burning fireplaces were a definite plus. They are in the process of finishing the exterior, and it was very informative to get a look at some of the work in progress, which is something one does not always get to do. The owners, David and Michelle, shared a lot of their knowledge about the house, as well as other historic homes in the area.They were warm and welcoming and provided suggestions of things to do and see in the area, even going so far as to print out a map for us to find our way. The breakfasts were fabulous, all made fresh and delicious, and the variety and amount of food was outstanding. There are treats available, and a refrigerator with drinks, if you wish. It was very cold outside the days we were in Dubuque, but David and Michelle’s welcome was warm indeed. We will definitely be back to visit again, at various times of the year, as we had a very enjoyable visit.

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