Victorian Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast is located in Algonquin, Illinois. Three rooms with private baths are available for guests; one room with a king bed, one with a queen bed, and one room with a queen bed and a daybed. On occasion, a 4th room may be available. The innkeeper’s desire is that guests are able to rest, relax, and connect with each other. A 27-year history includes guests coming for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, business, “getaways”, and visiting family. Victorian Rose Garden is open year-round with the busy season being May through October. The bed and breakfast’s location is near 7 restaurants, a bike trail, and the Fox River. Downtown Chicago is 45 miles and O’Hare Airport is a one-hour drive.
Located in historic downtown Algonquin, the Victorian Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast is an 1886 folk Victorian home. It is considered a “painted lady” because it has 5 colors, with 2 shades of gray, burgundy, blue, and mauve. The main porch is a wraparound and is a “wonderful place to sit and enjoy the flowers in season,” according to Sherry, the owner. There is porch seating for multiple guests and tables and chairs for outdoor dining. There is also a 2nd porch and a brick patio which guests are welcome to enjoy. Hostas and rose bushes accentuate the property, hence the name Victorian Rose Garden. Should guests exit through the iron gate at the rear of the property, they will find themselves on a road that leads to Crystal Creek and Towne Park.
The main floor is open for guests to read, relax, play the grand piano, play games, watch TV, or sit and visit with a cup of coffee. A unique area of the house is the “Barbershop” corner, which has an antique barber chair, barber pole, shelving, and antique mugs from a retired Chicago barbershop. There is also a collection of Barber signs and antique shaving paraphernalia. Guests are welcome to sit in this area and have some fun pictures taken.
The bedrooms are located on the second floor of the bed and breakfast. Each room has a private bathroom, ceiling fan, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and comfortable upholstered chairs. The Presidential Chamber is decorated in a burgundy and cream combination with a Victorian-style wallpaper and burgundy drapes. The room features a king-size bed, dressing table, armoire, nightstands, 2 upholstered chairs with a footstool, a small refrigerator with complimentary bottled water and pop, and Apple TV. The unique bathroom has 3 compartments: double sinks, toilet & bidet, and the 3rd area has an old-fashioned claw foot tub and a separate cultured marble shower.
Miss Alicia’s Room is described by Sherry as being “light and airy and feels like the garden has come indoors.” It is decorated in soft pastels, with white wicker furniture and a touch of ivy. This room includes a queen-size bed and a daybed and can accommodate 3 people. The room also includes a wicker armoire, nightstands, a dressing table, and an upholstered chair. The private bathroom is decorated with hand-painted ivy, green and white floor tiles, and includes a pedestal sink and cultured marble shower.
Lady Teresa’s Room is decorated with a small floral wallpaper with room colors of cream and blue, with a touch of pink. This room has a desk and chair, an armoire, nightstands, a chaise lounge, and a comfortable chair. The bathroom has a cultured marble shower and a pedestal sink.
Each morning breakfast is served at the Victorian Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast, usually around 8:30, unless requested earlier. Breakfast is served in the formal dining room, with china, crystal, and linen napkins. Coffee/tea and a muffin are available in the kitchen for early risers and can be enjoyed on the porch or taken to the bedroom. Previous to arrival, the innkeeper inquires whether the guests have any dietary restrictions, and tries to accommodate those needs, if possible. The full breakfast begins with a variety of fresh fruit with a sweet breakfast bread or scone, then a hot dish of the day, which may be an egg dish, or a sweet offering such as french toast, or possibly oatmeal with add-ons. Meat is normally served at each breakfast, unless not preferred. Juice, coffee, and tea are served as desired. Sherry’s hope is that no one goes away hungry. She also hopes that breakfast time will be a time to get to know her guests, and for the guests to get to know others at the table.
The Village of Algonquin is located in Northern Illinois, 45 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The village began in approximately 1835 along the Fox River and used the river for commercial purposes. By the end of the 1800’s it had become a resort town, and tourists from Chicago took the train out to Algonquin for a relaxing weekend. Many came to enjoy Towne Park, which sits directly behind the bed and breakfast. Today boaters come in from the north to enjoy dining and spending the night. The railway has become the McHenry County Prairie Trail/Fox River Trail, continuous for bicycling from Aurora almost all the way to Wisconsin. The bike trail can be seen from the front door of the Victorian Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast. On the property is a garage large enough to park guests’ bicycles overnight. Hiking and walking trails are a short distance from the inn. And if shopping is an interest, about 3 miles away starts a miles-long stretch of big box stores, small stores, and dining venues.
Within walking of the bed and breakfast are small shops, two resale shops, wineries, bars, and 7 restaurants. These are the Texan Barbecue, Port Edward’s(on the river), Cucina Bella, Black Bear Bistro, Bold American Fare, Cattleman’s Burger & Brew, and Short Stack’s for breakfast and lunch.
There are a few policies that Sherry, the owner of the Victorian Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast, asks that guests follow during their stay. One of the most important policies include the building being smoke-free. Smoking is allowed outside on the porch and on the grounds. Pets are not invited to accompany their owners. The innkeeper asks for a phone call in advance concerning bringing children. Some additional “rules” to help everyone stay well are to wash hands in the mudroom when entering the house and to leave shoes there.
Sherry hopes that a getaway at Victorian Rose Garden will be more than just an “average overnight” experience. She loves to help guests celebrate special occasions, and will call before arrival to see if it is a birthday or anniversary, or some other celebration. She also hopes that guests will take time to relax, talk with their special person, and especially sleep well. It is an extreme compliment for her to hear her guests say, “I haven’t slept this well in a long time”. Many reviews that have been left focus on the hospitality, the breakfasts, and the cleanliness. “This has been my go-to... getaway... with Sherry for 6 years. She is so welcoming and she makes a superb breakfast. The house is peaceful, safe, clean, warm, spacious, and quiet.”
The building that today houses the Victorian Rose Garden Bed and Breakfast was built in 1886 by James Philp Esquire for his son and bride as a wedding gift, sold for $10 and “love and affection.” In 1916, the house was sold to the Dammyer family who lived there for 54 years. The third family lived in the house for only 3 years.
The Brewers purchased this Victorian home in 1974 to live in and raise their three children. In 1982, a 3 story historically sensitive addition was added to the back of the house. As the children grew up and left home the Brewers decided to approach the village for permission to open a bed and breakfast, which was approved and opened in 1995. Three of the bedrooms took on the name of the child living in that room, and have kept those names to this day. In 1994, the house was given a plaque by the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission, and later by the Algonquin Historic Commission.
314 Washington Street
Algonquin, Illinois 60102
United States
Victorian
Don and Sherry Brewer
