Best Bed & Breakfast of St. Louis - The Park Avenue Mansion Bed & Breakfast

Kathy Marks-Petetit and Michael Petetit only got into the bed & breakfast business three years ago, but after just one night in their plush Park Avenue Mansion you'd swear they'd been at it for thirty. Kathy, an artist, proffers gourmet brunches that look and taste lovely, while Michael, an IT consultant, plays a sneaky sommelier, unexpectedly leaving a spot of wine in your mini-fridge. Every amenity, from the hidden courtyard garden to free wi-fi and movies to the Petetits' careful placement of hot tubs and TV/VCRs (you can watch a Cards game under bubbles!), makes it mighty difficult to leave this little palace. Even the pet parrots roaming the property seem to beckon you to stay put, or stay longer. And you can't argue with the price: from $89 to $225. If you feel like wandering, Lafayette Park and the small business district await outside the front door, not to mention the historic neighborhood's stunning residences.

riverfronttimes.com | originally published: September 29, 2005

Best Bed & Breakfast of St. Louis - The Park Avenue Mansion Bed & Breakfast

Unless owners Kathy Marks-Petetit and Michael Petetit hire folks to hang out in the parlor of their bed and breakfast impersonating satisfied customers, their Park Avenue Mansion is the real deal. The Petetits, who moved to Lafayette Square from Clayton a few years ago as empty nesters, rehabbed a stately Victorian to keep themselves busy and bring in some retirement income. The result is a meticulously renovated home with a lovely courtyard framed with flowers and vines and dotted with fountains. Inviting outdoor seating coaxes visitors to grab a bottle of wine from nearby 33 Wine Bar and Shop, or a book from the home's library.

The Petetits' hospitality and the comfort of one of their five guest rooms will run you about $100 per night ($160 for one of the two suites). You can try doing as we did and drop in on the spur of the moment ("Sorry for barging in, but some friends coming in from North Dakota need a place to stay..."), but we suggest you make reservations.

riverfronttimes.com | originally published: September 29, 2004