Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is a three-room bed and breakfast in the Central Park Historic District of Hannibal, Missouri. The house has two foyers, a porch that overlooks a garden, and a dining room for breakfast. Pets are allowed in the North Room, though guests are asked to inform the owner about the pets they intend to bring. The house is about three blocks from the Mississippi River and relatively close to Millionaire's Row. The owner, Chris Bobek, reports that Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is the only Victorian house in Hannibal. The house is also near several local attractions, such as restaurants, the trolley, museums, collectibles stores, and riverboat cruises on the Mississippi.
Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is located in Hannibal, Missouri, about three blocks from the Mississippi River. Three guestrooms are available, two of them queens and one king. Chris Bobek, the property owner, says that the rooms mainly incorporate a Victorian décor style, each with its own distinct colors. Every unit offers a feather bed, bottled water, and chocolates. Two bathrooms are shared between the three rooms, and Chris mentions that the sharing depends on occupancy; two occupied bedrooms can privately access each bathroom, but full occupancy would require the bathrooms to be shared between three.
Other spaces throughout Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast include two foyers and a porch overlooking the gardens. Similar to the bedrooms, Chris says the interior and exterior of the bed and breakfast exhibit Victorian styles, though some parts also incorporate an atmosphere from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The house's exterior is white with grey roofing and light blue panels to offset the white. Flowerbeds and shrubs are planted along the edges of the home. Chris also has fiber internet at the house and "lots of reading material" concerning both the property and the surrounding area.
According to Chris, breakfast options change daily. On some occasions, he prepares a vegetarian dish. Typically, breakfast beings at 8:00 a.m. Chris affirms that he can accommodate visitors' food allergies or dietary restrictions, asking them to advise him accordingly upon making a reservation.
Christ states that Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is located in Hannibal's Central Park Historic District. As such, he notes that visitors can travel to different parts of the city or watch the Mississippi River traffic from the riverfront. Guests can also ride the trolly through town, take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi, and visit museums, collectibles stores, and restaurants. Other places commemorate Mark Twain, as Chris explains that Hannibal is known as Twain's hometown. Additionally, Chris' most recommended restaurant is LaBinnah Bistro, which is "Hannibal" spelled backward. The restaurant is a block away from Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast.
Chris, the owner of Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast, wants his guests to relax while staying at his house. While they have opportunities to socialize with him or other visitors at the bed and breakfast, he says they generally aim to explore Hannibal on their own time. He can provide information about places that may interest other people so that they are informed about what to do in the area.
Chris believes that the most unique thing about Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is "the property itself." He further explains that it is the only Victorian building in Hannibal, and he says its location in the historic district makes it stand out. Previous guests have pointed out other aspects of the establishment; one visitor said, "Chris contacted us in the a.m. and asked when we planned to arrive. He was there when we got there. The rooms are very nice and cozy. The house was within walking distance of everything we wanted."
Visitors are asked to follow specific Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast policies. First, pets are allowed in the North Room, but pet owners are expected to call Chris to give him details about the pet. With the exception of toddlers, "well-behaved children" are permitted as well, according to the website. Chris also notes that he does not enforce a quiet time but has observed that guests tend to wind down at around 9:00 p.m. Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is open year-round. The bed and breakfast's busy season typically lasts from April to October; Chris believes this is because it is "easier to travel than in the winter."
Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast was built in 1895 and, according to the owner, Chris, it remains the only Victorian home in Hannibal. The house was constructed by Albert Wells Pettibone, a millionaire and owner of Hannibal Saw Mill Co. and Hannibal Sash and Co. Chris explains that Wilson built the house following his son's return from Yale, and he lived there with his wife and two boys. Charles H. Trowbridge took over the property in 1905. Trowbridge worked for Duffy-Trowbridge Stove Manufacturing Co. at the time. His son, Charles Albert, later inherited the establishment from him and lived in it until the 1920s. The home was passed down many more times to aristocrats and businesspeople in Hannibal throughout the following years. According to the Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast website, portraits of many of these people still hang on the house's walls.
Chris converted the house into a bed and breakfast circa 2003, after his first year of ownership, when a fellow hospitality business owner recommended he do so. During the process of restoring Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast, Chris redid the plumbing and electrical work and added a third bathroom upstairs. He explained that it was necessary to "[bring] the house to certain codes." Currently, he feels that the property is how he wants it to be, with no major changes planned for the future.
Chris' favorite part of operating Hannibal Garden House Bed and Breakfast is meeting travelers from around the world, particularly those interested in learning more about Mark Twain. Chris says he enjoys socializing with other people and sharing information about his property and Hannibal.
301 N. Fifth Street
Hannibal, Missouri 63401
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Chris Bobek
