Escape at the Hotel Bothwell in Sedalia, Missouri

While we were hosted by the Hotel Bothwell during our visit to Sedalia.  All thoughts and opinions are our own and 100% truthful. For more details, please see the Disclosure Tab.  

T and I have driven through Northern Missouri several times on our way to Branson without ever thinking to stop. Then, we got the opportunity to visit Sedalia, MO and escape to the Hotel Bothwell and now, we love us some Northern Missouri!

The History of the Hotel Bothwell

The Hotel Bothwell opened in June of 1927 and was built by John Bothwell and cost $500,000, which is the equivalent to 3.4 million dollars today! At it’s beginning it was home to 109 rooms. However, it’s not always been a hotel. In 1988 it was sold and was converted into an assisted living facility as well as sitting empty from 1993 until 1999. In 1999, it was purchased and renovated and then reopened.

At the time of restoration, the developers were able to salvage several of the original features such as the floors, marble staircase, the service elevator, chandelier, and the mail chute! The mail chute is still in operation today! Drop your postcard in on any floor and it lands in the lobby where the USPS picks it up at about 10AM each week day!

Several politicians and celebrities have stayed at the Hotel Bothwell including Aunt Jamima, Clint Eastwood, Faith Hill, Foreigner, and more! (I’m sure they will be adding the Flints to that list now! 😉 ) A conference room in the basement is aptly named the Truman Room as Harry S Truman was in that very room where he made his announcement to run for senate in 1934.

The Hotel Bothwell is equipped to hold meetings and weddings of all sizes. They have a variety of meeting rooms including their gorgeous ballroom! Wonder what T would think about a destination vow renewal at the Hotel Bothwell!?!

The entire property is stunning, but the lobby certainly holds a feeling of grandeur! T and I both commented that we would love to see it in the 20’s with the flappers milling around!

The Accommodations

The greatest thing about the Hotel Bothwell is the combination of modern finishes and historic pieces and aspects. When the hotel was built, it held 109 rooms, which are quite a bit smaller than what we are used to in today’s travel world. While on our tour, we were shown one of the 5 remaining rooms and they are COZY at best! Actually, both T and I commented that if you were traveling alone, it would be sufficient!

Other rooms have been combined to create larger ones like the room that got to escape in during our stay! Two rooms put together create a lovely space that holds a king size bed, love seat, desk, and dresser with TV. When we arrived we were greeted by a couple creative towel sculptures and were amazed by the finishes of the room. High quality linens and cozy touches make this hotel stand out from others. Of course, any hotel that provides high quality robes for use, gets high marks from me! Great towels and samples complete the excellent accommodations at the Hotel Bothwell.

Food, History, & Spa Treatments

Not only does the Hotel Bothwell offer amazing accommodations, but their options for food, rest, and relaxation are plentiful! After checking into your room, head to The Spa and enjoy a massage, manicure, or pedicure! Then, take a nap on your cozy bed or head to the Fitness Center!

For dinner, head down to the Ivory Grille or go out on the town! But, whatever you do, make sure to finish your night with dessert in the Oak Room. This cozy lounge not only can provide you with a glass of your favorite wine, but also one of the Ivory Grille’s amazing desserts! The chef prepares these especially for the Hotel Bothwell and they are worth every bite! T chose the Peanut Butter Pie while I opted for the Butter Cake with Cinnamon Ice Cream!

When you’re ready to explore, check out the Katy Trail State Park & Bike Trail, the Historic Katy Depot, and the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art. Sedalia is also home to the Missouri State Fair, and the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival.

The Ivory Grille

For breakfast during your stay at the Hotel Bothwell, we recommend heading to the Ivory Grille. This historic and sophisticated feature of the hotel is a great place to start your day! Their menu is full of elegant and simple delicious options! Choose from classic breakfast options or go for lighter options like Greek yogurt and granola. Of course, feel free to build your breakfast from their a la carte menu.

Breakfast

For our breakfast, T choose a classic breakfast of 2 eggs cooked to his liking, bacon, homemade hashbrowns, and toast. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the bacon delicious, and the hash browns were crispy and soft all at the same time. I chose a frittata with asparagus, ham, and cheese. I also asked for a side of fresh fruit. This option was not on the menu, but they were happy to oblige me! And what a fruit cup it was! My frittata was light and fluffy and perfectly balanced with ingredients! Delicious!

Escaping at the Hotel Bothwell

It was easy to escape from the world around us while enjoying a stay at the Hotel Bothwell! The elegance and history combined with modern touches make for the perfect getaway! The service provided by the staff at the Hotel Bothwell is top notch as well and makes everyone feel as though they are the most special! A stay here will make you feel like you’ve escaped too!

Wondering what to do while you visit Sedalia?! Here’s our 3 Reasons for visiting!

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For more historic hotel goodness, check out our visit to the Hotel Julien Dubuque. The Hotel Julien Dubuque: Making You Feel Special