The Mandolin Inn was built in 1908 as the family home of Nicholas J. Schrup, Dubuque's leading financier. Schrup founded the American Trust and Savings Bank, served two terms as state senator and was knighted by the king of Belgium during World War I.

The Inn gets its name from the unusual leaded and painted glass window on the first landing of the grand oak staircase. The window pictures Saint Cecelia, patron saint of musicians, holding a mandolin.

From the glazed tile roof of the turret to the mosaic floor of the veranda, every aspect is richly detailed and beautifully crafted.

Begin your day with a gourmet breakfast as sumptuous as the room in which it is served. The dining room of the Mandolin Inn is thought by many to be the most magnificent in Dubuque. An artist has painted a fantasy forest above the oak paneling. The beveled glass china cabinet stretches from floor to ceiling on one wall. The superb fireplace, detailed with Italian tiles, rests in the corner.

Pampered visitors relax at day's end in the parlor or music room. In fair weather you may enjoy refreshments on the veranda.

Our guest rooms are meticulously decorated and a perfect place to kindle (or rekindle) romance. Each room is uniquely furnished and decorated with beautiful period antiques.

For year-round comfort, all rooms are provided with queen sized beds (one room with a king size bed), down comforters and central air conditioning.

Telephone, wireless internet access, cable television, VCR, radio, books and stereo are accessible to all guests. Within walking distance of the Mandolin Inn are three colleges and numerous cultural attractions, shops and restaurants.

During your stay you are within easy driving distance of a myriad of sites and activities which are sure to be of interest. Some of these are: the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; indoor waterpark; Crystal Lake Cave; the fabulous National Mississippi River Museum; Mississippi River Cruises; Riverboat gambling; Greyhound racing; The Dubuque Museum of Art; Horse Drawn carriage tours of historic Dubuque; Fenelon Place Elevator - the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway for magnificent views of the Tri-State area; Tabor House Vineyards and Winery; the Dyersville Antique Toy Museum; the Field of Dreams movie site; and historic Galena and its multitude of antique shops and art galleries. Golf, downhill and cross country skiing are available, along with the Heritage Bike and Hiking Trails and the Shenadoah Horseback Riding Center.

Amy Boynton, your innkeeper, chose to settle at the Mandolin Inn after a successful career in corporate America. More than twenty years of business and personal travel took her to inns and hotels around the world and it is from these experiences that she defines her standards of style and service.

Whether it be business or pleasure which brings you to Dubuque, Amy hopes your stay in her Edwardian mansion will be enchanting enough to bring you back time and again.

The Mandolin Inn Bed and Breakfast invites you to return to a gentler era whenever you are in Dubuque, Iowa. Tarry a while in this charming Edwardian Mansion. Surround yourself with fabulous architecture and antiques. Relish considerate personal service.

Particulars:

• Full gourmet breakfast and afternoon beverages are included in the room rates.
• Guest Parking is available on Main Street or at the Behr Funeral Home, one block north of the Inn. While checking in and out and handling luggage, guests may use the parking lot on the west side of the Inn.
• Check-in is from 4 to 6 PM and Check-out by 11 a.m., but other arrangements may be made with the Innkeeper.
• The magnificent dining room can be used to host meetings or gatherings for up to 20 people.
• You may entertain your guests with a catered dinner at the Inn.
• Use of the Mandolin Inn for weddings, anniversaries, receptions and family reunions can be arranged.

Rooms:

Amanda:

Queen size bed. Burled oak furniture and a lovely non-working fireplace. Bay window with parlor chairs, a chaise lounge and TV. Private bathroom with shower is 5 steps from room. Teal walls/ moss green carpet. Faces south.

English Country Garden:

Queen size bed. Walnut furniture. English rose wallpaper. This is a cozy room with TV and comfortable reading chairs. Private bathroom with shower. Faces north.

Grand Tour:

Queen size bed. Tall oak bed and mission oak bureau with parlor furniture. Sink and TV in room. Shares original master bath with Sunrise Room. (Note - this is one of Goldie's favorite rooms - Goldie is the head housecat.)

Holly Marie:

King size bed. Wedding/Anniversary room. Matched rosewood furniture, including bed, dresser, armoire, vanity and TV/VCR. Turn-of-the-century wedding photos displayed on the walls. Private bathroom with shower. Faces east and south.

Pond's Edge:

Queen size bed. This First Floor room is handicapped (wheelchair) accessible. Sleigh bed and a working direct vented gas fireplace. This is a lovely room with a TV/VCR and comfortable easy chairs. Private bathroom has roll-in shower. (Note - this is Cinde the newest housecat's current favorite room.)

Solarium:

Queen size bed. White wrought iron bed and wicker furniture with ivy accents and wallpaper. Private bathroom has small antique claw-foot tub with shower. Original sun room. Has TV/VCR. Room is airy and bright. Private deck with view of the bluff. Faces south and west.

Sunrise:

Queen size bed. Lovely brass and white wrought iron bed and a bay window, TV and 2 comfortable wing chairs. Rose motif. Shares original master bath with Grand Tour Room.

Sunset Suite:

Queen size bed. 3rd floor privacy. Bright yellow and blue bedroom with brass bed, oak bureau, chaise lounge and comfortable reading chairs. Private porch with a great view of the bluffs off sitting room. Private bathroom has tub/shower. Sunny rooms with great views. Has TV/VCR. For a 3rd person: A wrought iron day bed (trundle) in sitting room can be used for sleeping an additional charge.

Directions:

From Indiana Through Chicago:

Take Highway 90 to Rockford, Illinois; take highway 20 from Rockford, IL to Dubuque, IA. Cross Mississippi River; take immediate Right, follow downtown / Locust Street signs. You will be on Locust Street -- go 14 blocks to Loras Blvd. (14th St). Turn Right - go one block (house is on Left), turn Left at Main, parking is on street in front of Inn.

From Indiana: - if not going through Chicago:

From Indianapolis Highway 74 to Highway 80 at Quad Cities to Highway 61 North to Dubuque. Exit Locust Street/Downtown follow Downtown signs. You will be on Locust Street; go to Loras Blvd (14th Street), turn Right, go one block, house is on Left, turn Left on Main Street, parking is on Street in front of Inn.

From Wisconsin:

From Madison take Highway 151 to Dubuque; cross Mississippi River. Exit at first exit - Kerper Blvd. You will be on 16th Street. Take 16th Street West to Central Avenue. Turn left onto Central and go South on Central Avenue to 14th Street (same as Loras Blvd). Turn Right onto 14th, go two blocks to Main - House is on the far right (NW corner), turn Right, park on street in front of Inn.

From Minnesota:

From North arrive on Highway 52. In Dubuque Highway 52 is Central Avenue, go South on Central Avenue to 14th Street (same as Loras Blvd), turn Right, go two blocks to Main - House is on the far right (NW corner), turn Right, park on street in front of Inn.

From Kansas and Iowa (Des Moines):

West to Highway 80 to Iowa City. North on Highway 1 to Highway 151 to Dubuque, Exit on sign Locust Street - Downtown. Cross Rt. 20. You will be at First & Locust, go to 14th Street (Loras Blvd), turn Right, go one block, turn Left on Main, house is on Left. Park on street in front of Inn.