Hey, y'all! If you're looking for a place to stay in Berea, Kentucky - or are looking for an overnight road trip - look no further than The Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant. Nestled in the midst of an artistic, Appalachian community, the southern hospitality, food, and property are true embodiments of Kentucky culture.
This post is in partnership with Berea Tourism and the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel and Restaurant. Thank you all for supporting those that make JCP Eats possible. All opinions expressed are my own.
This post was updated November 2021.
The History of The Historic Boone Tavern Hotel
I love the history of the property. To quote, "A historic Berea hotel, Boone Tavern was built in 1909 at the suggestion of Nellie Frost, the wife of the College president, William G. Frost. As the reputation of Berea College grew, so did the number of guests that Mrs. Frost received, reaching a total of 300 guests in one summer. Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant– named for Appalachian hero Daniel Boone – has been hosting visitors of Berea, Kentucky, ever since, including the Dalai Lama, Henry Ford, President and Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, and Robert Frost.
Construction of Boone Tavern began in 1909 based on designs by the New York architectural firm of Cady & See at a cost of $20,000. The building, made of bricks manufactured by students in the College's brickyard, was constructed by the College's Woodwork Department. The "Tavern" portion of the name is derived from the historic definition that refers to a public inn for travelers rather than the modern definition related to the sale of alcohol.
Built at a prominent location on the College Square in the heart of Berea where the old Dixie Highway intersected with the campus, Boone Tavern is one of the most famous Kentucky hotels."
The Property
Enjoy reading about The Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant? Read my other blog posts here.
With 63 guest rooms, guests have ample options to stay at a property chock-full of history. Boone Tavern is a member of the Historic Hotels of America; furthermore, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The decor of the hotel is just stunning. Elegant, enduring, and southern to the greatest extent of the word.
When you stay at a property like Boone Tavern, you realize that all details - even the small ones - are thought about. One of my favorite parts of the experience is that you use an actual key to enter your room. However small, I love the thoughtfulness.
My room was gorgeous. Large and comfortable - it felt like home.
The Food
Enjoy reading about The Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant? Read my other blog posts here.
Fried deviled eggs - yes, you read that correctly.
Fried green tomato salad
The highlight of my meal: local tomatoes, sweet peaches, and the most magical, creamy ricotta. Delicious!
Bass -- a Kentucky classic.
A signature of the restaurant: Chicken Flakes In a Bird's Nest.
And, of course, bread pudding!
Y'all come back now, ya hear?
My best,
JC
Love reading about The Historic Boone Tavern Hotel & Restaurant? Check out the rest of my website here.
Keep Up With JCP Eats
Thank you so much for visiting the blog today! I’d love to keep in touch via social media. You can follow my content on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Tik Tok, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I also author a sister website to JCP Eats, Unabashedly Southern, on which I write about southern lifestyle. Read Unabashedly Southern here.
Leave a Reply