lovely representation of 19th Century England, The Raines Victorian Inn is a quiet and sophisticated get-away spot.  Located just minutes from Historic Main Street in the City of Saint Charles, the Bed & Breakfast has been open to local travelers from the St. Charles region and surrounding areas looking to get away from distractions, as well as travelers from all over the world.  The owner, Ruth (Raines) Williams, has had guests travel from as far as Australia to enjoy the comforts of her inn.  Guests and visitors of the inn walk up to a quaint home with an inviting wrap-around veranda and step into a beautifully preserved 20th century home. Built in 1904, the home retains the original woodwork.
Its elegance, charm, and Victorian feel is enhanced by the fabulous antiques that make-up the majority of the décor, which are for sale with the inn.  The owner acquired some of the antique pieces around Florida.  However, Williams purchased the most extravagant pieces along with the residence in November of 2006. At that time, the home was also in use as a bed & breakfast.

Though The Raines Inn would make a wonderful family home, Williams hopes the next owner will consider carrying on the legacy of the home as a Bed & Breakfast, as it has been a place of rest and comfort to its guests for over 20 years, with a history that extends far beyond the year the home was built.On the first floor, the living room and parlor branch off from the stunning foyer with an antique chandelier and hardwood floors.  The living room has a fireplace and bay window, which has been the site of lovely weddings hosted by the bed and breakfast.  The tranquil and beautiful space is the home of a pair of antique chairs made in 1855, and a turn of the century sofa from the late 1800s.  A gorgeous armoire can be found across the foyer in the enchanting parlor.  It is unusual to see a piece like it today, and it fits perfectly with the rare, Victorian atmosphere of this home.  Down the hall is a library where guests can relax, visit, and play cards.  The library was also used as a scene in a movie filmed by a local.In the scene, an older man sits at the antique secretary in the library and attempts to retell his experiences during the Civil War to his grandson.

The kitchen in the inn has been remodeled as a modern kitchen,complete with modern appliances.  Williams serves breakfast to her guests in the beautiful dining room, separated from the kitchen by the home’s original wood door.  Around the breakfast table, Williams has entertained many guests over the years, each adding their own piece of
history to the bed and breakfast.  There are four rooms in the inn, each named after the first gene ration of Raines to immigrate to the United States from England.  The Lady Edith Room is located on the first floor, and the Sir James, Lady Annie, and Lady Emily Suites are located a quick walk up the lovely central staircase. Each room has a sitting area and personal bathroom, and each has a BainUltra therapeutic, air jet bathtub.  The deluxe baths are so popular, Williams has entertained guests in the inn who were only interested in trying out the luxury tubs.  She even had a woman offer to pay her $50 dollars to take a test-run of the bathtub before she bought one for herself! Apart from those features, the rooms are elegant and spacious, each with a completely different setup and feel.  There are no cookie-cutter,plain, square rooms in this home.

They all take on their very own charming, Victorian personalities.The inn has a living quarters in the basement that is very spacious with two bedrooms, a full bathroom, an office space, and a living area.  The backyard of the home is delightful and serene.  There are separate seating areas spread throughout the yard for couples to have a bit of peace and quiet.  The yard has been the site of a number of weddings, as many couples find the presence of the 190-year-old, one of the oldest Elm Trees on the National Registry in the state of Missouri, incredibly romantic.  All in all, The Raines Victorian Inn is a wonderful bed & breakfast that would also make the perfect family home.  It is truly a historic, St. Charles gem.  Call Tracy Ellis at 636-299-3702 for a private showing today.