Reviews, Awards & Accolades

“OUR 30 FAVORITE B&Bs Think you know B&bs? We did, too—until we stayed in some that took the concept and elevated it to pure bliss. . . . Beall Mansion ALTON, ILLINOIS. A concierge e-mail when you book, a glass of champagne or sparkling cider when you arrive, a 24-hour chocolate buffet when a late-night craving kicks in? We could get used to this kind of service (and to the bathrooms with whirlpools and showers)”.
—Midwest Living May/June 2011

Voted “Best Illinois Bed and Breakfast”
—Illinois Magazine Readers Poll

“Best Bed & Breakfast - The BEALL MANSION. Host Jim Belote greets guests in a tux and tails when they pull up to the portico of the Beall Mansion, nestled in Alton's Millionaire's Row. He'll give you a history lesson, if you'd like. (It's a sordid history, really, best told by Belote.) And the Beall offers more than breakfast. "Bed and Graze" is a better term. The dining room features a 24-hour chocolate and hot-beverage buffet. An antique wooden buffet holds crystal tiers and dishes filled with everything from dark-chocolate-drenched fruit to Hershey's Kisses. The hot beverages include the inn's own line of fair-trade, organic teas and sometimes treats like warm chocolate-chip cookies or cake appear on the dining-room table for guests—perhaps the work of Alton's infamous spirit world, or perhaps that of hostess Sandy Belote. Whether you've been out exploring the Mississippi or snuggled into one of the mansion's many nooks, balconies or porches, finish the day with a complimentary Cognac nightcap, served in the reading room from cut crystal glasses, which can make even river rats feel like the Victorian upper crust.”
—RFT RIVERFRONT TIMES BEST OF AWARD 2010

“If you book a room at the opulent Beall Mansion be prepared for an experience like no other. Even five-star hotels in the best cities can't compete with the exact attention to your every comfort in the non-obtrusive manner in the way owners Jim and Sandy Belote do.”
—The Daily Journal

“ . . . you will feel as though you have stepped into a turn-of-the-century palace and you are the king and queen.”
—Edwardsville Intelligencer

“I would compare the service and style to the Plaza Hotel in New York City, in fact, but without the discomfort of that hotel's overbearing high-browed staff that seem to be everywhere.”
—The Daily Journal

“[a] Destination for Desire. Whether you're intent on bonding with a new love or renewing your passion with your long-time mate, here are 25 top romantic spots for yo to share an intimate interlude with your loved one.”
—BBW Magazine

“The Belote's will pamper you with champagne (or a sparkling non-alcoholic beverage) upon arrival, gourmet breakfast in bed, or if you choose, join other guests in the [formal] dining room.”
—AAA Midwest Motorist

"All you can eat chocolate—who could ask for more?”
—“Get Out Section” St. Louis Post Dispatch

“Attention to history, a touch of elegance and a dash of romance . . .”
—The Telegraph

“ . . . a decadent, elegant bed and breakfast experience.”
—Edwardsville Intelligencer

“. . . to feel like real royalty, ask for the Senator Edmond Beall Room. This extra-large room features romantic French provincial decor, king-size bed, fireplace, a whirlpool for two and separate shower.”
—AAA Midwest Motorist

“The toughest decision you'll need to make is whether to have breakfast in bed or in the dining room.”
—Quick Escapes St. Louis, The Globe Pequot Press

“Although the property is amazing, it's the pampered experience that really blows guests away. All guests are welcome to enjoy the 24-hour hot beverage service and all-you-can-cat chocolates available on the sideboard. In addition, guests can upgrade to several romantic plans.”
—St Louis Bride Magazine

“One of the leading homes in a city of elegant residences . . .”
—Alton Illinois Illustrated

“Alton and Grafton are two nearby towns situated along the southwestern edge of Illinois, near the border of Missouri. Both are home to their own collection of first-rate architecture, including—in Alton—the event-friendly Beall Mansion. Constructed in 1902 by famed architect Lucas Pfeiffenberger, it once served as the residence of Senator Edmond Beall and has since been turned into a sought-after B&B.

“These towns also benefit from an idyllic locale at the point where the mighty Mississippi and Illinois rivers converge, a proximity that makes them the perfect destination for water adventure.”

—smartmeetings.com

Also seen in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis Magazine, The Philadelphia Sunday Sun, NorthShore Magazine, 417 Magazine, DeForest Times and other major travel , lodging, and wedding publications nationwide.

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