Covington Inn B&B, St Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota

Location

Perfectly situated within the reflection of downtown St Paul’s towering skyline, all the attractions of the city are within easy reach. The Capitol, museums, theatres, shopping and fine dining lie just across the bridge. The impressive Mall of America is 20 minutes away while the boutiques of Grand Avenue and antiques shops of West Seventh St are closer, just 5 minutes’ walk away. Connections from MSP airport take around 20-25 minutes.

Accommodation

The Covington Inn offers four staterooms, bedecked with nautical antiques and salvaged fixtures providing aesthetic reminders of the river. All rooms benefit from private bathroom, fireplace for heat in the colder months, air-conditioning for hotter weather, plus access to the deck. The Master’s Quarters is one of the most spacious and light rooms, with windows on three sides plus two doors opening onto the 70-foot second deck. The crowning glory is the 2-story Pilot House Suite, with a private third deck and its own secluded sitting room housed in the glass-sided wheel house that still has the original brass controls.

Dining

The boat’s host Liz serves up delicious hot breakfasts each morning, lovingly prepared in the boat’s galley and designed to fuel you for a day’s exploring. As someone born-and-bred in St Paul, she is also able to make informed suggestions for all types of cuisine and appetite. Nearby recommendations include fine dining W.A. Frost for turn-of-the-century charm and seasonally changing menus, modern AXELS River Grill for steak, fish and cocktails, and La Grolla for authentic Italian fare in a relaxed, hip environment.

Facilities

The set-up at the Covington enables you to make your stay as private or as sociable as you like. Beyond the solitude of the sleeping quarters, the convivial salon area provides a comfortable gathering place. Breakfasts are taken here at window-front tables, and comfortable couches are lined up along the fireplace. Select a historic shipping or river book from Covington library to read by the fire or take to one of the outdoor seating areas on the deck and watch the world go by from your floating idyll in the city.