Located in Chatfield, Minnesota, the Oakenwald Terrace has six rooms that guests can stay in throughout the year. Each room has a private bathroom, as well as a bed that is queen size or larger. Breakfast is provided each morning as a complimentary service for patrons, and features a four-course meal. Typical courses include items such as fresh fruit, waffles or pancakes, an egg dish, and a dessert. The building was formerly a family home, and multiple rooms at the bed and breakfast are named in honor of original family members of the house. Over the years the home has served as an assisted living facility, a family home, and the bed and breakfast that it is today.
The Oakenwald Terrace, situated in Chatfield, Minnesota, is open year-round for patrons. The grounds of the property feature the home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is backed up onto a wooded area. The building itself is painted green with white trim around the window frames as well as the railings of the porch area. Sitting on "just over an acre" of land, according to owner Ruth Ann, the grounds of the bed and breakfast have space for weddings and other events, providing guests with the opportunity to see the leaves change color in the fall. The business is in the city of Chatfield but, as stated by Ruth Ann, they are "just on the edge of town," allowing for the back of the property to be among wooded areas while still being located in close proximity to more urban parts of town.
Inside of the Oakenwald Terrace, guests can choose between six rooms for their stay. Each of the rooms are decorated differently, and some of the names have ties to the original owner of the home. Anna's Room is named after the daughter of the first owners, who was married on the grounds of the establishment. Mrs. Lovell's Room was named in honor of Ellen Lovell, Anna's mother, the woman who built the home. Frink's Room, named for the only son of Ellen, has similar historical ties. The Sky Parlor room, located in the attic of the home, is decorated in red, with drapes, wallpaper, and antique furniture in various shades throughout the room. The two most popular rooms, according to the owner, are the Terrace Room and Anna's Room. The Terrace Room is decorated in white and purple, and one of the main features of the room is a private deck that guests can utilize. Anna's Room is the largest of the accommodations at Oakenwald Terrace. One aspect of Anna's Room that is unique from the other rentals is that it contains a fireplace.
Common areas at the business include two parlors, the main dining area, an "old kitchen," and a furnished basement. Exterior areas include the porch which has a porch swing and an area on the side of the home that has tables and chairs. Each morning, breakfast is served in the dining area around 9 AM. There are four courses provided complimentary to the patron's stay each morning. The first course generally features fresh fruit, followed by a dish such as waffles or pancakes. The third course is an egg dish like a soufflé or quiche, with a final dessert course each morning. Breakfast is different each morning, and Ruth Ann says that they rotate through dishes. If guests notify the establishment, accommodations for food sensitivities and allergies can be made. Occasionally, upon request, dinner is served at the bed and breakfast as well. If a group requests dinner, the owners may ask the other guests if they would like to join.
While staying at the Oakenwald Terrace, the owners hope that guests can "feel like family." In an effort to provide this atmosphere to patrons, upon arrival Ruth Ann and Bob offer a tour of the home to visitors. They also strive to get to know guests throughout their stay and tell stories both about the home and their lives. Those who have stayed previously at the bed and breakfast comment on the décor of the home and the hospitality of the innkeepers. One visitor said, "Not only is this a neat little B&B, but the owners know so much of the history and have wonderful stories to share. The meals were amazing. Breakfast left me happy and satisfied each morning." Another patron said that the home's décor was fitting of the history, saying "The home is filled with many period antiques. The hostess was kind, and our room was comfortable. Breakfast - fresh peaches and cream, pancake with banana and pecans, ham omelet, English muffin, fresh grapes - was delicious."
While visiting the Oakenwald Terrace, there are multiple policies in place that guests are expected to act in accordance with. Ruth Ann says that the most important policy is to be respectful. She says that, in general, "we just have such good guests we never have a problem," with regards to respect. Additionally, there is no smoking at the Oakenwald Terrace, no pets, and no children under 12 years of age. "It is really a place for people to get away," Ruth Ann says. There are multiple pet boarding facilities in the area that the innkeepers can recommend to those looking to stay at the inn who are traveling with pets.
Nearby there are multiple eateries that the owners of Oakenwald Terrace recommend to their guests. Within walking distance is Jac's Bar and Grill which serves burgers and pizza as well as multiple alcoholic beverages. Also close to the lodging establishment is the PawPrint Brewery and Shari's Sports Saloon & Lanes, which serves food and has a bowling alley. A bit further away from the premises is the Branding Iron Restaurant, as well as Four Daughters Winery. Many who come to stay at the inn are visiting the area due to the festivals that are held throughout the year. According to Ruth Ann, each of the smaller towns in the area throws a festival each year, and many guests in the past have visited such events. Near the inn is also an area where outdoor concerts are performed, which typically draws a number of visitors.
The Oakenwald Terrace was built by Ellen Lovell and her family who lived on the property with her. Her daughter Anna was married on the grounds while it was still the family's home. After being used as a private home for years, the building was converted into an assisted living facility. The business operated as a rest home for approximately 50 years. During the time that it was operating as an assisted living facility, Shelby and Marion Lund purchased the property with the hopes of someday converting the building into a bed and breakfast. Shelby and Marion's son Bob, along with his wife Ruth Ann, came to help with the family business and eventually converted the rest home into a bed and breakfast in 2003.
Recently, the couple has put a firepit in the backyard for their patrons to utilize during their stay. When they first converted the historic building into a bed and breakfast, there were some renovations done; however, they strived to preserve the history of the home as much as possible. Ruth Ann says that the business is "kind of a living museum," due to the history of the home and the antiques that they have added to the home.
218 Winona Street
Chatfield, Minnesota 55923
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Bob and Ruth Ann Lund
