The Historic Anderson House Hotel — Hotel in Wabasha

I had a certificate to use for a discounted stay at Anderson House so, since I had President's Day off and needed to be in Wabasha for work the next day anyway, I thought it was a great time to stay there. Making the reservation was a little confusing since someone was supposed to email me codes to get in the front door and to my actual room door, but I didn't get that email, so I called that same reservation phone number earlier on the day of my stay and the woman I talked to was very nice in giving me that code. I DID find out that no staff would be there during my stay and that is why I needed the code ahead of time. I had previously lived in Wabasha and had been in the hotel when they used to serve homemade Dutch food and a really great bread tray, so I was interested to see how much it had changed through time. It mostly looked the same except the dining room was now a lounge/game area on the first floor. I opened my room, room 2, and found the bedding on the floor so I called the same woman who gave me the code and she was very nice and accommodating and gave me a different room, room 15 on the 2nd floor, which was decorated really nicely. I didn't see anyone else in the hotel so I asked if there were other people who would be staying and she said no, so I was in that big hotel by myself, which was fine with me. Shortly after I got there, I went online to see if the hotel was haunted due to it being so old and it said that it was but while I was there, nothing ghostly happened to me except for clunking noises in the night, which I attributed to radiator functioning and the pipes in such an old establishment. When I got up to leave, the desk in the hallway across from my room had a little notebook where people could write about their experiences and most were very positive and I did see a few where they thought they had a ghostly experience but what they described was pretty minor. I heard the main door of the building open and someone came up the steps and it was the housekeeper, Connie, and we had a delightful chat. She said over the weekend, almost all of the rooms were full and she thought she had made the bed in my original room but must have missed that one. I was able to look into most of the rooms there since the doors were open and it was really wonderful to see how different they all were and how nicely and individually they all were decorated. I actually love the creaky hallway floors because you know, then, that they are original to the building even though there is carpeting over the top of them. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this hotel to anyone for a really unique stay. I DO miss the cats in the cat room, though, and see that they made that room into a sauna room, but I think a lot of people would be delighted with that amenity even though I didn't use it. Good luck on all who decide to go there for their own wonderful stay. I think you...

Some of these reviews made me nervous but they do not describe our experience at all. Sure, the place will have some quirks--it's 169 years old! If you are somewhat self sufficient, love history and architecture, definitely give it a try. We stayed in Room 7. It was huge and looked exactly like the photos online. It was very clean and the bed was super comfy. Even though it was mid-August, the room stayed completely cool. We loved all of the original woodwork and antique furniture. Our room had some beautiful stained glass. We enjoyed thinking about all the people who have slept here and everything this hotel has "seen." It was already around during the Civil War! Mark Twain may have passed by. Laura Ingalls Wilder was born right across the river. We stayed during the week and pretty much had the whole beautiful building to ourselves. No ghosts! (We are the kind of people who would have thought anything supernatural was fun, but alas.) At night all the lights were on--definitely not creepy at all. We had everything we needed. Stopped in town for some snacks and drinks that we were able to keep in the sizable mini-fridge in our room. Coffee in the lounge was great. We did not try the sauna but hope to next time. Downstairs is a big TV and game room so we challenged each other to some game. Found a hand-cut puzzle from the '50s and decided to put it together to see if all pieces were there--they were! The hotel is in walking distance of most of the town so we were able to keep our car parked much of the time. We enjoyed several restaurants, shops, and a sweet little art gallery. We did spend one day across the river to visit a museum in Pepin and their Italy-inspired winery.||So yes, a spirit of adventure and love of new things will enhance your stay here. And no--it is not like a chain hotel (which, for us, is a huge plus). We applaud everyone who is working to keep this historic building up and running! Each room is different so we look forward to another stay and another...

If you are one who loves history and/or just wants a one-of-a-kind, unique lodging experience that the cookie cutter chain hotels just can't offer, then the Anderson Hotel is for you!!!! ||This hotel if very old (167 years as of 2023) so you aren't going to get the most up-to-date amenities and furnishings. And it should be noted that there isn't an elevator, so you will need to walk up a somewhat steep staircase(s) to your room. Hense the property probably isn't the best fit for elderly, small children or if you travel with a ton of suitcases. But in return, you get to experience a living time capsule firsthand!!! It was a thrill to roam around the hotel and check everything out at our leisure. ||The hotel is downtown, about 1 block from the Mississippi river. Parking is not an issue (free and plenty in front of the hotel) and you can easily walk to the shops, restaurants, bars and riverfront. The night we stayed (Friday) happened to be the hotel's re-opening night for the Flying Dutchman Speakeasy, located downstairs. The bar staff was quick and attentive and there was a guitar and keyboard player to entertain the crowd.||The property is run similar to an Airbnb meaning that there isn't a front desk agent on sight. Instead, the hotel will email you two codes once you made your reservation: one for the front door and one your room. You just let yourself in. Free parking is abundant on the street. I had an email problem on my end and didn't get my codes. But when I called the hotel, the owner answered on the first ring and resolved my problem immediately. And when I called later to inquire on a fan, she knocked herself out to assist us with that. ||All in all, what a thrill to stay at the historic...