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Mason House Inn of Bentonsport
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Description Rooms & Rates Packages Meals Location Reviews 9

  • Inn Details

    Bentonsport's Mason House Inn Bed and Breakfast was built in 1846, to serve travelers on steamboats going from St. Louis to Des Moines. It was constructed by Mormon craftsmen, who stayed in the area about three years, before continuing their journey to Utah. During the Civil War, the building was a hospital and a station on the Underground Railroad. It's cozy Federal style provides a warm welcome for big-city visitors who want to experience a quiet and restful stay. Many of the rooms appear much as they did in the early days. Rooms are furnished with original antiques. Some guests have reported being visited by friendly spirits during the night. Until 1958, there was no plumbing or electricity in the house. There's still a chamber pot under every bed, and a full cookie jar in every room, plus free wireless internet access. The Caboose Cottage can be rented by the night, week, or month. It is fully self-contained and open year-round.

    Innkeeper Information

    The innkeepers speak:

    • English


    Features

    Type:

    • Bed and Breakfast

    Property Noted For:

    • Ghost Hunting

    • History

    • Underground Railroad history

    • Antiques/decor

    • Christian Travel

    • Economical rates

    • Group events

    • Nature

    • Peaceful getaway

    Amenities

    Guest Room:

    • Air conditioning

    • Alarm clock

    • Ceiling fans

    • In-room internet

    • Internet Service

    • Private entrance

    On Site:

    • Board games

    • CD player

    • Conference Rooms

    • Copier

    • DVD Player

    • Fax Machine

    • Fireplace

    • Piano

    • Satellite/Cable TV

    • TV

    • Telephone

    • VCR

    • Videos

    • Washer/dryer

    Other Amenities:

    • wireless internet access

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  • Deluxe Room

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $79/$79

    Caboose Cottage

    Suite maximum capacity: 2

    • Beds

      1 Queen

    • Bathroom

      Private Bath

      Shower

    • Nightly Rate

      (high/low season) $100/$125

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    Policy

    Reservation Policy

    • Check in: 3:00pm    Check out: 11:00am

    • Deposit amount required: First night's stay must be reserved with credit or debit card

    • Cancellations: Within 7 days or a $25 cancellation fee will be charged.

    • Open all year round: Y

    General Policies

    • Smoking allowed: No

    • Guest pets allowed: No

    • Drinking allowed: Limited

    • Drinking description: Bring your own, drink responsibly

    • Drinks available: N

    • Suitable for children: No

    • Childcare provided: No

  • Breakfast

    • Type: Full

    • Serving location: Dining Room

    Special meal options

    • Low fat

    • Restrictive

    • Vegetarian

    • Diet

    Additional food services

    • Cookie jar in every room

    Recipes

    Breakfast-Brunch

    Egg Pie
    Serves: 8
    Prep time: 10 minutes

    Baked French Toast
    Serves: 8
    Prep time: 10 minutes

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  • Location Type

    • By Des Moines River

    • Countryside

    • Village

    City

    • Keosauqua

    • Distance to city: 6 miles

    • Directions to property:
      On county road J40 between Keosauqua and Bonaparte in Van Buren County, Iowa.

    Airport

    • Burlington, IA (BRL) 60 miles

    • Directions to property:
      From Burlington, take Highway 34 to Mount Pleasant. Go south on Highway 218 and then west on J40. Go through Bonaparte and into Bentonsport. Turn left on Sanford Street. We are on the corner of Sanford and Hawk Drive.

    Area Attractions

    • Antique Shopping

    • Casino

    • Historical interests

    • Lake

    • National/State parks

    • Nauvoo, Illinois

    • Picnic area

    • River

    • Winery

    • Bicycle riding trails

    • Bird watching

    • Boating

    • Canoeing

    • Fishing

    • Golfing

    • Hiking trails

    • Horseback riding

    • Hunting

    • Kayaking

    • Shopping

    • Sight-seeing

    • Swimming

    • Swimming pool

    • Tennis courts

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

    Write a review

    Fantastic two days

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

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    My wife and I enjoyed a couple of days by ourselves at the Mason House Inn and we were very impressed with the accomodations and the service. Joy and Chuck were great hosts and the temper-pedic bed we slept on was so nice that I woke up early and ready for the day without being sore or tired. Their knowledge of the history of the Inn and the town kept us captivated for a long time and we really enjoyed hearing the stories about the underground railroad and tunnels behind the house. This is a great place to stop in and stay a while and we will definitely be back. Thanks Chuck and Joy for great food and a great retreat.

    Relaxing girls night

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
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    • Value 
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    My small group stayed at the Mason house.. It was very nice feeling as if I had went back in time. Breakfast was really good and the conversation with the Innkeeper Chuck was wonderful and imformative, His wife Joy seemed to be a little withdrawn at first and since none of us had never been to a B&B before we really did not know what to expect... she is a wonderful cook and by morning she was talking and very cheerful..a smile goes a very long way! I would certainly go back the expierence was very pleasant and veiw of the Des moines river was absolutly beautiful Fall was a wonderful time to choose to go.. I would love to see the Rose garden in the late spring! I'm looking forward to a Murder mystery weekend at the Mason Inn! This B&B would be the most wonderful stay for a couple looking to get away from the kids for a weekend or honeymooners....a nice walk by the river and across the bridge would be so romantic!

    Innkeeper Response
    I'm sorry I was not my usual 'joyful' self that day. I was having a three-day migrane headache episode. Anybody who has had one of those knows that all you want to do is sleep and pack your head in ice! Generally though, I am on the shy side. Chuck is the talker, I'm more of a listener. But if you need something done....I'm the one to come to. :)

    - Joy Hanson (innkeeper)

    Best Bed Ever

    About the reviewer

    • 55+ years old

    • First time staying at a B&B

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling on vacation

    • Overall 
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    We've just returned from spending two nights at the Mason House Inn. We enjoyed this experience so much that we are already talking about when we can go back. The challenge will be having to decide between staying in the unique caboose or returning to the great Temper-pedic bed in the Bentonsport Room. It lived up to the advertising claims for comfort. In addition, I could raise the head and foot to make a great "nest" for my night time reading. This was our first visit to a Bed and Breakfast and we lucked out. Our hosts contributed greatly to the good experience.

    Excellent Hospitality and Restful

    About the reviewer

    • Between 36-45 years old

    • Frequently stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in moderate lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

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

    Chuck and Joy were wonderful hosts. Breakfast was delightful, and the scenery to die for. Speaking of that, the 'unseen' lodgers were more than cordial, also, and will leave you alone, if you request it. A more than 'safe' place, if you wish to flirt with the paranormal. Will be back!

    Loved the place!

    About the reviewer

    • Between 45-55 years old

    • Almost never stays at B&Bs

    • Typically stays in budget lodging

    • Was travelling for a weekend getaway

    • Overall 
    • Guest room 
    • Services 
    • Value 
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    • Dining 

    My husband and I received a BedandBreakfast.com gift card for our anniversary. After reviewing the B&Bs on the web site, we chose the Mason House Inn, mostly because it was fairly local and also because it is historic and we like that kind of thing. The room we had was very cozy and clean. Because we chose the first floor room, we did get some noise from the other guests coming and going out the front door. Next time we will choose a room on the second floor where there is not as much traffic. It would be a good room for someone who can't do stairs. The breakfast was great and the conversation with the other guests was fun. The owners were very pleasant and informative about the history of the place. We will definately be back.

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