The majestic Shakespeare Chateau was built in 1885 by Nathan Ogden when St. Joseph Missouri was known as "The Queen of the River Cities." High atop a bluff looking down across the city toward the Missouri River, 809 Hall Street is one of several mansions in the Hall Street Historic District known locally as "Millionaires' Row." You'll enjoy meeting the friendly innkeeper, Isobel, as she takes you through the palatial interior. You'll marvel at 47 (yes, 47!) Original stained glass windows, carved cherrywood, mahogany, and walnut mantles, and of course, a bust of the Bard himself above the grand fireplace in the front foyer. But most of all, you'll enjoy our comfortable sleeping rooms, each one beautifully appointed with fabulous art and antiques and luxurious linens.
Shakespeare Chateau Inn and Gardens Bed & Breakfast
422 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
An amazing experience, like a step back in time. The house is outfitted with the finest antiques to fit the decor of the period. Isobel is the most gracious and knowledgeable host. The beds were super comfy and the food was excellent. Each room and bedroom was unique in it's own way. It sits an a quiet street and we never experienced a single noise issue, very quiet. I would stay here again without a second thought.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Value
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Service
Room Tip:Ask about the differences of each room, each is unique in it's own way.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isobel McGowan, Owner at Shakespeare Chateau Inn and Gardens Bed & Breakfast
Responded Jan 15, 2022
I'm so pleased that you enjoyed your stay. Looking forward to serving you again in the near future.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
For nearly 10 years now, on many visits to St. Joseph, we have chosen to stay at the Shakespeare Chateau. We have watched the transformation from an already fine home into a magnificent home, under the guidance and hand of Isobel McGowan. Not only have we witnessed the building restoration process, but the accumulation of fine art objects throughout all the rooms.
It is difficult during a one night stay to fully absorb and appreciate the many features of the Chateau. From the very first visit, Isobel made us feel special, making it quite easy to return over and over. A few weeks ago we again stayed for 3 nights and had the privilege of visiting the recently renovated and beautifully decorated basement wine cellar, a new addition available for special occasions and special guests. Once again the breakfasts were superb, each morning a different treat, with one of them being her famous “Hamlet” entree. We especially enjoyed the availability of coffee before breakfast allowing for quiet relaxation on the front porch.
The Shakespeare Chateau is one of the many architectural jewels, a treasure worthy of cherishing, in St. Joseph that can be enjoyed during one’s visit to the city.
It is with gratitude we express appreciation for the opportunity to share such a beautiful home and experience.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isobel McGowan, Owner at Shakespeare Chateau Inn and Gardens Bed & Breakfast
Responded Jan 15, 2022
Thank you, Don. Your friendship and support over the years means the world to me. Can't wait for your next visit!
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We hosted a high tea bridal shower at Shakespeare Chateau and my husband and I stayed overnight.
The bridal shower was lovely. The architecture was beyond compare. The antique furnishings were beautiful. The tea was lovely and Isobel was delightful to work with. She even let me drop off the favors the day before. Everything went off without a hitch. It was elegant and quite affordable for the ambiance and food/drinks. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.
We stayed overnight in the Romeo and Juliet suite. The only negative that I could see was the outside lights were on and they did not have blackout shades so it was a bit difficult for me to fall asleep. It was a quiet street, the room was elegant, the towels were on a warm towel rack. Breakfast was delicious with a expertly prepared souffle, scones fruit and coffee/tea. Isobel used different rooms to seat different parties so you had a lovely degree of privacy for breakfast.
This was a luxury B&B at a mid-range price.
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Date of stay: August 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Words and even photographs of this gorgeous home cannot do it justice. From the moment we walked into the foyer, we were gobsmacked! The cherry wood and bronze reliefs were simply stunning, crowned with a large bronze relief of the Bard himself. Owner and innkeeper, Isobel, gave us an amazing tour, pointing out some of the most unique and spectacular details of her home. We stayed in the Romeo and Juliet Suite, which was roomy and very comfortable, and we loved that it had a king size bed. The most breathtaking feature of this mansion is the 47 stained glass windows, especially the large windows in the smaller dining area and at the landing of the staircase. Isobel shared her experiences in doing various restorations which gave us an even greater appreciation of her stewardship of this property. The delicious hot breakfast she served was even better than expected, and included fresh fruit, a ham and egg dish she called a "Hamlet" (LOL) as well as homemade scones served with lemon curd. We look forward to a return visit!
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Date of stay: April 2022
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:All of the rooms are exquisite. Most require going up a flight of stairs. The executive suite is...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in Romeo & Juliet Room on Sunday night. The tour of history and antiques was great. The hostess Isobell is the force preserving and presenting this great house. It was a trip back in time. The woodwork and furnishings were extravagant in a way that is impossible to achieve today. It transports you back to the 1880's and allows you to sample the life of the wealthy family of that time. The woodwork is overwhelming in its quality and detail. The room was warm and the jacuzzi tub while watching the Chiefs win their playoff game was perfect. Breakfast provided by Isobel was an experience. Felt like you were taking part in helping here preserve this amazing house. Highly recommend this experience for anyone wanting an experience beyond the normal,
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Date of stay: January 2022
Value
Location
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Room Tip:The Jacuzzi room was priced similar to other hotels with those facilities. Priceless experience.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Isobel McGowan, Owner at Shakespeare Chateau Inn and Gardens Bed & Breakfast
Responded Jan 23, 2022
Thank you so much for staying at the Shakespeare Chateau, and for posting your review on TripAdvisor. I am delighted that you enjoyed your stay, the tour, and the breakfast. I hope you'll be back soon!
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Beautiful and peaceful place to rest and unwind. This house has so much interesting history and Isobel was a generous and knowledgeable host, not to mention a wonderful cook! The beds and rooms are super comfortable and quiet. The location is on a quiet street that is walking distance from the river walk and coffee shop. We will be back!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The home is beautiful. We are in the process of relocating to the area and chose this place because a friend had posted about it on Facebook during his stay. I am so glad we stayed. The beauty of this home is unsurpassed. The care that has been taken to decorate and keep beautiful if beyond belief. The bed was soft and as an added perk, there was a towel warmer so the warmth of the shower could continue after exiting. A+++ I am happy to be moving to a community with such a great place for family to stay in the future.
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This is a beautiful, well-run, clean place to stay. The breakfast is delicious with homemade treats and good coffee. The gardens are well-kept and there are places to sit outdoors on the property. There is an amenities room available to guests which includes a refrigerator, coffeemaker, ice, toaster oven, microwave, and laundry. It has a friendly and relaxing vibe. I highly recommend.
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am an avid traveler that only stay at 4+ star facilities. When inquiring about where to staying Saint Joseph from a knowledgeable long time resident the very first place he recommended was the Shakespeare Chateau. Upon my arrival I was greeted with a warm welcome and reception. The owner was also very sensitive knowledgeable and accommodating to my dietary needs and prepared a very delicious egg frittata. I found my stay to be very quiet and comfortable and reasonably priced. Bottom line I would stay here again.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We were gifted a night at the Shakespeare Chateau by some very special friends of ours. We had not heard of or ever seen this property. We were overwhelmed with the beauty of the mansion and could not been more pleased. The antiques, the intricate details of the woodwork in every room, and the historical significance of the period are all to be marveled at. We were celebrating our 25th anniversary and could not have picked a better place to do so. Isobel is truly the ultimate hostess and the breakfast was amazing. We will be back. We have paid it forward to another couple to experience the same wonder we did! Thanks so much for a wonderful evening.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
i agree with the answer from the shakespeare chateau, about 10-15 minutes away. the chateau is in downtown St. Joe and the training camp is on the eastern edge of town
There are more places to choose from in the Saint Joseph area.
LOCATION
United StatesMissouriSaint Joseph
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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