Elves Manor Guest House

This is the nicest B&B imaginable. After a long drive from Minnesota we melted into the warm cottage. There was food, beverage, and a hot-tub. The towels were plush and the beds plushier. Karen took care of us. Thanks

Cozy, clean, and very comfortable. Relaxing and peaceful in the heart of St. Louis.

A friend and I arrived from different cities on a Friday and stayed through Monday. The property is a delightful house at one end of a garden path that leads to the main house where the Innkeeper and her family lives. The surrounding gardens are beautifully maintained. Karen, the Innkeeper, couldn't have been nicer to us. We found the refrigerator stocked with yogurt, granola, almond milk, bagels, butter, and a delicious home-made cake. We also found apples, banana chips, pistachios, and microwave popcorn waiting for us as well. There is a well-equipped kitchen with microwave, all manner of utensils and pots and pans, a range and an oven, and lots of plates and eating implements. There is a downstairs suite and an upstairs suite, the lower with king-size bed and private bath (with shower) and the upper with queen-size bed, private bath (with bath and shower.) Both floors have living rooms with television and there's a nice stereo on the lower floor and a beautiful desk on the upper floor. The furnishings are practical and very attractive with a whimsical touch. Another feature is the very fine outdoor jacuzzi and deck just outside the front door. There is a very friendly cat named Ulysses who lives in the main house but loves to roam the garden and visit with guests, though he is not permitted in the guest house itself. All in all, this is a lovely place, well-located in St. Louis, within easy reach of the Central West End (with its variety of eclectic stores and restaurants) and convenient to Forest Park as well as all that Downtown St. Louis offers. I loved this place and would recommend it for business or family travel!

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
Thank you so much for your detailed and kind review, Michael! I usually don't respond to reviews, preferring to let my guests have the last word. However, just want to make a slight but probably important correction: The first-floor bedroom has a queen-sized bed, too. All the beds in the house are queen-sized (which makes it a lot easier to do laundry). Thanks again!!

- Karen Karabell (innkeeper)

I had a great visit planned in late September and had never been to St Louis before. I had heard this was a wonderful B&B but never imagined I would be staying in such a fantastic guest house. The furnishings were more than expected: access to a computer, the most comfortable of mattresses, fabulously decorated while keeping the environment in mind at all times. It seemed to be centrally located to almost anything you would want to see in town and is close to mass transit and the train. And the hostess and owner was the friendliest of friendlies. I know where I'm staying my next trip back!!

Outstanding from A-Z. Hosts / Owner provided excellent service and hospitality. Excellent in size, comfort and location. Would recommend to all! We will be back!

If you are perusing the web and are taken by Elves Manor, then definately book. There's a reason that it has so many rave reviews. . . My father and his girlfriend recently visited his hometown of St. Louis on his birthday, and my family surprised him by booking a stay at Elves Manor. We could not have chosen better. In the weeks leading up to his arrival, we decided to add some extras: a few bottles of wine, a handmade card, and some of his favorite smoked almonds. Karen, the innkeeper, was extremely gracious and timely with our every request. She not only took the deliveries, but arranged everything with a beautiful vase of flowers, so that it was the first thing he saw when he walked in the door. She sent me a photograph so that I got to see it, too. . .I think she took as much pleasure in it as we did. My father was delighted and so very surprised. He and his girlfriend arrived late from the airport, but Karen had stocked the kitchen with all kinds of delicious nibbles, so they were able to eat and relax. There was plenty left over the next day for breakfast. They loved the privacy of Elves, and were very pleased with everything. I would absolutely book here again. Karen was so warm and accommodating and enjoys running the place so thoroughly, that I truly cannot say enough good things about her. My aunt, who also spoke with her on the phone, was equally impressed.

My son, grandson and I stayed here for 2 nights because we were in St. Louis for a U2 concert at Bush Stadium. The hosts, cottage, surroundings, etc were all excellent as described in other reviews. We needed three separate beds, so would have had to book a hotel suite or two standard hotel rooms; this was a way better value. The location is quite interesting, but be aware that the nearest metro station is a pretty long walk, as is the Central West End entertainment area. No problem driving, though, and the cottage has a very convenient attached garage with automatic door opener.

Elves Manor was the the perfect place for a perfect family time. We stayed here while in St Louis (from San Antonio) to move my daughter back to St Louis University. Her dorm was less than a mile away & the Manor was a wonderful space to rest, relax & take breaks from sightseeing, working & preparing Rube's for her second year at SLU. the rate seems high but when one considers we had 4 adults & Karen provided plenty of food that we really only had the expense of dinner each day AND with all the priceless comforts, it was well worth the price. i hope we can go back someday.

We really enjoyed our stay at Elves Manor. It's a remarkable property that we will visit many more times.

I wondered by the location it appears to be in the middle of tall brick buildings, where could it be? It looked a little odd, out of place. I saw the pictures, it had the accomodations I was looking for. I talked with the landlord, and she was very pleasant. I paid the fee, and headed out the next day for this most georgeous home ever. It sat behind some older homes that were in theirselves, quaint, and beautiful. This home sat behind it all. This home is onlly 10 years old and beautifully decorated and surrounded by gardens. It was like a vacation in a home without going anywhere. All the food provided is very healthy. So get ready for a healthy experience, and learn what you should be eating!!! I highly recommend this home, it was the best ever I have ever been in. You can't go wrong on this one. Clean, decorated, 2 bathrooms, wifi,tv,hot tub, 3 queen beds, clean sheets, washer/dryer. You name it, this house had it! It's also close to everything....go for it..you will be glad you did.

Our group of 4 (two couples) descended on St. Louis as a half-way point for a shared vacation over the July 4th weekend. As none of us had ever been to St. Louis, we sought out a rental that was in a good location to area attractions with the comforts of home. We had high expectations based on information we gleaned from online sources...and those expectations were met and exceeded! Karen and her husband were gracious, thoughtful hosts who also provided great recommendations for St. Louis newbies (you have to go to the City Museum!). Delicious breakfast and snack items were available and we couldn't even finish them all! The hot tub was lovely...once the hot summer temps cooled off! All in all, a fantastic lodging option and we unanimously recommend Elves Manor!

My fiance and I stayed at Elves Manor briefly at the beginning of May and enjoyed ourselves completely! Karen is very welcoming and accommodating. The food was fantastic!!!!! The Inn was so comfortable and homey! We wanted to stay forever! Hoping to go back very very soon! :) Highly Recommended!!!

Karen is a wonderful host, and the Elves Manor guest house is definitely a gem in the city. Elves Manor is beautifully decorated, close to everything, and the perfect place to spend a weekend (or weeks!) The beds are very comfy and there's lots of tasty treats provided for you to eat. There's a top of the line hot tub, and the host provides you with all of the information you'll need about St. Louis, including menus of all the nearby restaurants. My husband and I would definitely stay here again!

Five of us were staying at Elves Manor and we were in town for the marathon. The Guest House was roomy enough for all of us. Karen was very friendly and left a nice array of vegetarian food for us including a delicious fruit salad and quiche. The hot tub is a nice touch, especially after a race! The house was very clean and we appreciated the home-like atmosphere of being in a B&B while also having privacy (you get the whole house to yourself!). We would definitely stay here again!

What a lovely place to stay! My husband and I decided a quick Spring Break getaway would be nice with our 3 teenagers. At their ages, sometimes the right place is hard to find, but this was right on the mark. The food and ample room for a family was such a delight. Karen was welcoming and eager to know about our family and plans, and her calm and respectful personality made us feel very welcome. We even found that, aside from all the city has to offer, the kids were more eager to come back to Elves Manor each late afternoon and hang out in the jacuzzi rather than squeeze in one more activity! Thanks Karen! I have passed your information on to many friends! Laura Wriedt

A spiritual cleansing, clean, fresh, and inspiring. I highly recommend Elves Manor whether for short or long term stays.

Karen was a lovely host and made our stay at the Elves Manor very relaxing and enjoyable. She has a great eye for detail and takes pleasure in making her guests feel at home. Premium location nestled in the heart of great restaurants, parks, and museums. A true delight

As a single mom I am on the lookout for an experience for my kids that will be a lasting memory. Imagine our delight to find the magic of Elves Manor!! We were enchanted the moment we arrived and found every detail taken care of from our gracious host Karen. The girls found much to excite them as there is something to please the eye and imagination at every turn. We had everything at our fingertips from games to movies, hot tub, computer, and very yummy healthy food. Our excursion plans were not needed as they both wanted to stay and play. We wished we could have extended our visit and look forward to returning some day soon. We girls recommend this slice of heaven whole heartedly!!

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The property has a wonderful charm about it and terrific layout and is very close to everything. The owners were very friendly and helpful and stocked the pantry and refrigerator with the best of the best local, delicious foods we could prepare on our own according to our schedule. There was a surprise snow during our stay which made our hot tub time all the more exciting! We loved the double-sided fireplace and tons of great books and movies to relax with. We highly recommend a stay here if you are ever in St. Louis.

We stayed for 9 days in march and Karen couldn't have made us feel more at home. The place was quiet, peaceful, warm and it was the little touches that really took it over the top ... Welcoming basket of food, band aids, bath beads... All in all an incredible place that we will certainly be returning to next time we're in the st louis area Also very close to some great restaurants

We had a great time at Elves Manor! Karen immediately made us feel at home and we were delighted by all of the small details that she had thought of to make our stay pleasant. There are at least two WONDERFUL restaurants within a short walk and a grocery store just around the corner. This was the perfect weekend getaway and we will recommend it to friends.

I had such a nice time at Elves Manor. Karen is so friendly, the fridge had all sorts of food for us, and you get an entire house! There's even a hot tub.

The Elves Manor was absolutely wonderful. My fiancee and I will never forget our stay in St. Louis. The accomodations were outstanding and the food was delicious. You won't find a better place to relax and explore the central west end than at this guest house. Thanks to Karen. She was a delight and a pleasure to meet.

The first thing we noticed when we walked in was the interesting decorations. It felt very comfortable! Both bedrooms were so great, we couldn't decide what room to choose! We were pleasantly surprised by the delicous food provided. We cooked on the first night and were happy that the kitchen was fully stocked with bowls, pots, utensils, spices, etc. We really appreciated the book of surrounding restaurants (with menus) and attractions. What we loved the most was relaxing by the fire place and watching TV. Overall, this B&B exceeded our expectations.

The moment we arrived at Elves Manor, one word jumped quickly into my head - JACKPOT! The place was beyond amazing. It had a very cozy feel, which, on a very cold December day, was much appreciated. Karen had lots of yummy snacks ready for us, including homemade brownies and bread. Everything we needed could easily be found in the house. Forgot q-tips? Blow-drier? Need a pair of scissors to cut a dangling string from your clothes? All there, and more. We went to St. Louis to explore the city, but Elves Manor was so lovely that we hardly left the comfort of its walls. Not only do I recommend staying here if you are visiting St. Louis, but I strongly encourage it over any other place. I would come back to St. Louis just to stay at this house one more time. It's not only worth every penny, it's worth millions more. Really, it's priceless.

We were welcomed with a gift of hot, freshly baked bread and a warm friendly greeting! Our privacy was respected even while we were treated like friends, rather than "guests". The accomodations are extraordinary! The Innkeeper, Karen sought to meet our every need, including our special coffee choice! The "goodies" and "yummies" abounded in the fridge and cupboards to no end! Karen has by far, set "The Gold Standard". We look forward to our next stay at Elves Manor! Can't be soon enough, as it is difficult to leave such a serene place among "The Elves"!!!

Elves Manor is amazing, beautiful, stupendous, fantastic, neat, out-of-this-world, gorgeous, comfortable, wholesome, and just perfect! Karen was so genuinely welcoming we felt like guests and not customers. (Cliché doesn’t mean false.) There can’t be a lot of bed and breakfasts where you have the entire house to yourself; that fact alone made the experience worthwhile. When we arrived, Karen showed us around and gave us some restaurant suggestions. After recovering from our shock over how stunning the place was, we assessed the food situation and decided to stay in and eat the provided food. There was a loaf of freshly baked bread: perhaps if we normally baked our own bread this wouldn’t have been the treat it was (doubtful) but as it was, the taste floored us. In the refrigerator, there were beers, rootbeers, fruit, oj, syrup, etc.; all with nice little labels informing the hungry traveler of their identity. And the best for last – vegan gooey butter cake. As soon as you put it in your mouth, you wanted the next piece. I am not exaggerating. Typing this, I want a piece now. Before our feast, we made use of the hot tub. The night was slightly cool and perfect for soaking in the hot water. There aren’t too many streetlights around Elves Manor, and thus was very pleasant. The owners have a cat named Ulysses and I was keeping my eyes out for him but was unfortunately never rewarded for my surveillance. We had our choice of two bedrooms and went with the downstairs. It was a very handsome room with a comfortable bed. Had the night been cooler, we could have enjoyed the gas fireplace that goes through the living room into that bedroom. In the morning, we made a pot of organic coffee, toasted our vegan pecan waffles, and ate outside on the porch. Karen was working in the garden and we felt at home and did not want to leave. But that was not our fate and we went off to explore the Botanical Gardens. I want to go back someday and I hope it is sooner than later.

Very pleased with our accommodations at Elves Manor. Karen is great and very attentive to your needs. Location was perfect for us and oh so much better then staying in a hotel. Felt extremely comfortable. Extremely happy to have found you.

From the hot tub on the multi-level deck (more of an outdoor lounge) to the spacious garage beneath, every nook of this charming mid-town retreat reflects the thoughtful attention of innkeeper Karen Karabell to guest comfort. Located in the midst of all that makes St. Louis special, but with the feel of an isolated English garden cottage.

Two of my sisters, my husband, a brother-n-law, a cousin, and I met together in St. Louis for a visit and to attend a Cards-Cubs ballgame. We arrived from Arkansas, Iowa, and Illinois and were thrilled to find that Elves Manor was every bit as nice as advertised and even more so. Karen, the hostess, was delightful, helpful, and considerate of everything. The rooms were great, the games in the drawers were perfect for us, the kitchen well supplied, breakfast and snack food was plentiful and delicious. The unexpected extras like warm terry cloth robes for use after soaking in the hot tub and drinks in the frig were just the right things to make a great stay even nicer. We loved being able to eat our family meals around the table as we laughed over the old days and shared challenges from the current days. This is the third vacation rental I have stayed in with other family members and by far the most outstanding.

Our second stay at Elves Manor was just as wonderful as the first. Karen Karabell has thought of everything--including an abundance of delicious breakfast treats. It's roomy, comfortable, and relaxing. We'll be back!

5 star accommodations, delicious breakfast, private and relaxing getaway. Wish there were more getaways like this one.

This was a wonderful place to stay. Food was perfect and just what we wanted. Karen became a friend.

Elves Manor exceeded our expectations in every way. From the beautiful home and gardens to the list of where everything was located, Karen had every detail covered. We will be back!!

This was such a quaint, comfortable and clean place to stay. It was very private and the hot tub and fireplace were wonderful.

This was my second stay and it was even better than the first! The innkeeper was very gracious; the cottage is well appointed and conveniently located.

Elves Manor is a beautiful and very comfrotable stay! Both the house and the innkeeper herself make you feel very much at home! We'll be coming back for sure!

We stayed at a beautiful guest house. Very well-kept. Great service, courteous. Respectful. A+

There are numerous reasons why I and my family will stay at Elves Manor again. We could provide a litany of praise with comfort and cleanliness being at the top of the list. The stay was very pleasant.

Convenience, comfort, charm. Elves Manor has all 3, and we enjoyed our stay immensely. It was the perfect prep and down-time site for my daughter's wedding. :)

The best home away from home....you want for nothing...wish there were more places like this to stay at.....................Karen and her husband were so helpful in suggesting restaurants, sites, etc................they were our built in travel guides.Fantastic place !!!!!

This was a wonderful location for our family while visiting our St. Louis. Elves Manor feels like home. The innkeepers are great, too!

The Elves Manor Guest House is a hidden treasure! Situated in a big city, you would never know. Surrounded by all the comforts of home, it is truly a wonderful retreat!

We had everything we needed and more! Karen was very helpful and friendly!

A streak of blue A wandering white Passing off day for night. The perilous play Of distant stars Looking out the doors of cars. I sat on the deck I soaked in the tub Two kids and me Rub-a-dub-dub She poured me some coffee I read her sweet face We agree on this point It's amazing, this place!

The appointments at Elves Manor are first class. The beds have handmade mattresses and the hot tub soak is perfect before slipping into these dreamy beds. I will return!

Elves Manor is a beautiful house nested in St. Louis. Close to restaurants and shopping, has every amenity you need for a perfect getaway

Outstanding!