Overview

The Mandolin Inn was built in 1908 as the family home of Nicholas J. Schrup, Dubuque's leading financier. Schrup founded the American Trust and Savings Bank, served two terms as state senator and was knighted by the king of Belgium during World War I. The Inn gets its name from the unusual leaded and painted glass window on the first landing of the grand oak staircase. The window pictures Saint Cecelia, patron saint of musicians, holding a mandolin. From the glazed tile roof of the turret to the mosaic floor of the veranda, every aspect is richly detailed and beautifully crafted. Begin your day with a gourmet breakfast as sumptuous as the room in which it is served. The dining room of the Mandolin Inn is thought by many to be the most magnificent in Dubuque. An artist has painted a fantasy forest above the oak paneling. The beveled glass china cabinet stretches from floor to ceiling on one wall. The superb fireplace, detailed with Italian tiles, rests in the corner. Pampered visitors relax at day's end in the parlor or music room. In fair weather you may enjoy refreshments on the veranda. Our guest rooms are meticulously decorated and a perfect place to kindle (or rekindle) romance. Each room is uniquely furnished and decorated with beautiful period antiques. Within walking distance of the Mandolin Inn are three colleges and numerous cultural attractions, shops and restaurants. During your stay you are within easy driving distance of a myriad of sites and activities which are sure to be of interest. Some of these are: the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; indoor waterpark; Crystal Lake Cave; the fabulous National Mississippi River Museum; Mississippi River Cruises; Riverboat gambling; Greyhound racing; The Dubuque Museum of Art; Horse Drawn carriage tours of historic Dubuque; Fenelon Place Elevator - the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway for magnificent views of the Tri-State area; Tabor House Vineyards and Winery; the Dyersville Antique Toy Museum; the Field of Dreams movie site; and historic Galena and its multitude of antique shops and art galleries. Golf, downhill and cross country skiing are available, along with the Heritage Bike and Hiking Trails and the Shenadoah Horseback Riding Center. Amy Boynton, your innkeeper, chose to settle at the Mandolin Inn after a successful career in corporate America. More than twenty years of business and personal travel took her to inns and hotels around the world and it is from these experiences that she defines her standards of style and service. Whether it be business or pleasure which brings you to Dubuque, Amy hopes your stay in her Edwardian mansion will be enchanting enough to bring you back time and again.