Cole Porter Inn — Hotel in Peru

If you like history and a nice, clean place to stay you certainly should consider this. If you want modern amenities (like a shower, big screen t.v., handicap accessibility, elevators, or faultless wifi) take a pass and stay at a motel on the outskirts of Peru. If you're interested, read on.||||My two brother, sister and I 'sold out' the three rooms (really suites) in the Cole Porter for a weekend family reunion in our Mom's home town. This inn, saved from dereliction by a devoted bunch of locals, was the birthplace (the room my sister was in) and boyhood home of the great songwriter, Cole Porter. The place has been lovingly recreated as it might have looked (and been furnished) at the time of Porter's birth - 1891. And, with a few exceptions (like overhead lighting and a small refrigerator and microwave) the furnishings really are (or appear to be) period pieces. So, in our suite at least, no shower - just a claw-footed tub (with wand 'shower' and no curtain). ||||My sister and I shared a two bedroom suite that turned out to be six separate rooms, if you count the small kitchenette, bathroom, sitting room, two bedrooms and sun alcove. Our brother's room across the hall (a one bedroom) actually had seven rooms. Same thing downstairs in another two bedroom suite. And the furnishings really were wonderful. Huge velvet curtains with swags and swoops and layers and fabric florettes. Couches and rockers and pillows and old valises and beaded or fringed lamps and peacock feathers. Next to my bed was a mirror with some Gibson-girl type cards strewn around the bottom. I turned them over and they were penny postcards with messages from 1910. With 11 foot ceilings. If I make it sound like it is over the top - it isn't. It's just beautifully (to our modern sensibilities) over-decorated a la 1891.||||It was all spotlessly clean and well-cared for. And the necessities (sinks toilets, lights) were modern and all worked perfectly. And my bed was comfortable with good pillows and linens.||||We had arranged our arrival in advance so when we arrived the keys were left for us at the arranged time in the unlocked inn (this is, after all, Peru, Indiana). We never saw the innkeeper (although available by phone at any time) and we didn't need to. ||||A couple of things of which to be aware. This is NOT a B&B (good breakfasts at Gabriels a couple blocks away), although there is a small fridge, microwave and coffee maker in each unit. There is a bit of peeling paint on both the outside and (much more limited) on the inside. I was told it's an issue with the painter. And there is a long stairway to get to the two upstairs suites. On first arriving, a bit of a musty smell in the stairwell (not in any of the rooms, that I recall). Finally, the wifi was spotty. There are small, flat-screen t.v.s on the edge of each of the three sitting rooms if you need to kill the 1890s ambiance. i didn't turn ours on, but a brother said it was fine.||||All this history and comfort in a really unique, clean setting two blocks from bustling downtown Peru - FOR $99.00 A NIGHT! We were so happy we stayed and entertained at the Cole Porter Inn. A place worth supporting. We all said we wouldn't have missed it...

We had a most enjoyable 2 night stay at the Cole Porter Inn in Peru. We wanted to bike the Nickel Plate Trail and canoe the Wabash while there. The inn is very centrally located within walking distance of dining options and even two wine, beer, and cider tasting rooms. Our suite, the “Kiss Me Kate” suite, was very clean and extremely comfortable. It had a large sitting/living area, a very nice corner eating nook and the bedroom part could not have been nicer. The furnishing seemed to be mostly of a 1920s era which gave it a very romantic and relaxed feel. The bathroom is updated and was very clean. If you are looking for a “sterile” modern hotel environment, then this will not fit your bill, but as a fascinating step back in time, accommodations that offer plenty of room, and a luxurious, romantic, bygone feeling, this is the place. We love to travel and stay at bed and breakfasts, small inns, and restored old hotels as each one has a different feel. The Cole Porter Inn was one of the most enjoyable stays we have had. The room was nicely stocked with coffee, tea, and a few other essentials, and as an added bonus, several books on Cole Porter, who grew up in the converted house. Fascinating place to stay. Because you check in via text and the key is in the room, there is really no contact with staff, unless you need it. The staff was very responsive via text with...

My partner and I didn't know much about Cole Porter but this place came up on an internet search as we looked for a place to stay and we decided to take a chance. So glad we did - the place is probably a bit rustic by some people's standards but we really loved it. The manager/owner was really nice and talked to us enthusiastically about the history of the place and made us feel very welcome. He didn't overwhelm us or lay it on too thick, just seemed like a great guy who's really interested in sharing information and making people happy. We spent the evening curled up in bed in the Night and Day suite doing our own research about Cole Porter and listening to tons of his songs on Spotify. Through this we also discovered an amazing artist named Patricia Barber who did a whole album of Cole Porter songs in 2008. (Hopefully we will get a chance to check her out live soon!) Overall it seems like a very rare type of inn - one that has a "bed & breakfast" feel without the overbearing cutesiness, as well as a dose of genuine character and history, but would probably also be charming if you were just looking for any old place to hang your hat for an evening. Also, it's located right in the center of town so you can walk to a lot of interesting places, or (as we did) walk around aimlessly and blissfully before coming back to the inn and...