Explore The Rooms

A white multi-story historic hotel building with a large porch overlooking a body of water, surrounded by trees and a manicured lawn.
A vintage pink velvet armchair with dark wooden legs and carved frame, positioned near a small wooden table with a lace tablecloth, a decorative lamp with floral design, and a glass perfume bottle on top. The room has floral wallpaper and white windo
White door with glass panels at the top, set in a white brick wall, with a black mail slot and door handle. The door has the number 1 on it and a black sign beneath with text that isn't legible. There is a dark doormat in front of the door, and sunli
A view from a porch or deck overlooking a large body of water with a tree-covered landmass in the distance. The porch has white chairs, a wooden floor, and white railings, with the sun shining brightly overhead.
A view from a porch overlooking a body of water with a sunset in the distance. The porch has white columns and a wooden floor, with a grassy area beside it.
View from a porch overlooking a river at sunset, with the sun near the horizon and colorful sky, supported by white wooden pillars, with stairs visible on the left.
A rocky cliff with a small white pavilion and flagpole on top, overlooking a body of water, trees, and a clear blue sky.
A white gazebo with a metal roof and a tall spire with spherical ornaments, situated on a rocky shoreline next to a body of water, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A two-story house with a brown shingle roof, white exterior, and a large front porch with white railings and stairs. There are two rocking chairs on the porch, and the house has multiple windows and a chimney. The house is surrounded by green grass a
A cozy corner with two vintage pink velvet armchairs and a small wooden table between them. The table has a lace tablecloth, a decorative table lamp with floral design, and a tray. They are in front of a wall covered with floral wallpaper, and a wind
A living room with vintage furniture, a brick fireplace, large windows with curtains, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A cozy bedroom with a wooden bed, brick fireplace, vintage armchair, dresser, and sofa, with natural light from a window.
A vintage bedroom with a four-poster bed, striped wallpaper, patterned rug, a small table with a lamp, and two armchairs near a window.
Vintage bedroom with four-poster bed, striped wallpaper, area rug, wooden furniture, and wall-mounted lamp.
Bedroom with a wooden bed, brick fireplace, armchair, small table, and patterned sofa in a vintage style.
Vintage bedroom with floral wallpaper, a brick fireplace, a wooden bed with white bedding, a green armchair, a lamp on bedside table, and framed artwork on the wall.
Bedroom with floral wallpaper, four-poster bed, wooden dresser, nightstand with lamp, and door leading to another room.
A bedroom with a four-poster bed, white bedding, and decorative pillows, flanked by two nightstands with lamps, a brick accent wall, and floral wallpaper.
View through a sliding glass door showing a wooden deck with a white rocking chair, overlooking a body of water with trees in the distance and a partly cloudy sky.

A Bed & Breakfast with river front views in Southern Illinois

A charming historic hotel with river views, cozy rooms, and simple self check-in—perfect for a peaceful getaway near Shawnee National Forest.

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Explore Rooms

Top Reasons Guests Book The Historic ‘Rose Hotel

Guests book the Historic Rose Hotel for its unique blend of history, charm, and peaceful river-town atmosphere. Many love the experience of staying in one of the oldest hotels in Illinois while still enjoying comfortable accommodations and modern conveniences like self check-in and breakfast for two. Its location near the Ohio River and close proximity to the Shawnee National Forest make it a favorite for couples, weekend travelers, micro-weddings, and guests looking for a quiet, memorable getaway full of character and small-town charm.

Who loves The Historic Rose Hotel

Loved by couples, history lovers, weekend travelers, and guests looking for a peaceful stay with character and charm. It’s perfect for those who enjoy slower mornings, scenic river-town settings, unique historic spaces, and cozy accommodations that feel more personal than a traditional hotel. Guests who appreciate small-town charm, romantic getaways, nearby outdoor adventures, and memorable experiences near the Shawnee National Forest often find themselves falling in love with the atmosphere and story of the Rose Hotel.

What You Will Love About Your Stay

You’ll love the charm, history, and relaxing atmosphere of staying at the Historic Rose Hotel. From peaceful mornings with breakfast for two to quiet evenings overlooking the nearby Ohio River, the hotel offers a cozy and memorable experience unlike a typical stay. Guests enjoy the character of the historic building, comfortable accommodations, self check-in convenience, and the small-town charm of Elizabethtown while being just a short drive from the beauty of the Shawnee National Forest.

About the Property

The Historic Rose Hotel was built in 1812 by James McFarland and operated as a tavern and inn serving Ohio River travelers. It was owned by only two families - The McFarlands and the Roses - before being acquired by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency in 1989. The hotel is currently managed by the Higginson Family as a bed-and-breakfast, as of August of 2024. It is the oldest operating hotel in the state of Illinois.

A Little Venue with a Lot of Heart

Host your micro-wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, or small event in a space that feels both timeless and intimate—where every detail adds to the experience.

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Guest Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Historic Rose Hotel was absolutely stunning. Our visit was amazing! So peaceful being right on the river and the breakfast was delicious!! We couldn’t have asked for a better anniversary getaway!! Thanks to all the people that contributed to our visit!! They were amazing!! We will definitely be back!! 💕

-Dee

Great sport if your visiting the area or passing through. Such a cool, historic stay with the best breakfast by the inn keeper! Thanks for a great stay!

-Garett

We had a great stay in the McFarland Suite at the Historic Rose Hotel. We were in the area to visit Garden of the Gods and Cave-In-Rock State Park and couldn't have picked a better place to stay. The location and the place itself were both great, along with the hosts. Any additional items we needed (towels, blankets, etc.) were provided immediately and any questions we had were answered quickly. The breakfasts were also fantastic and very much appreciated. Would definitely recommend and look forward to returning in the future.

-Amanda

A digital review badge with a black laurel wreath on each side, a score of 5.0 in the center, and the label 'Guest favorite' beneath it, indicating a highly recommended home based on reviews and ratings.
A white multi-story historic hotel building with a large porch overlooking a body of water, surrounded by trees and a manicured lawn.
A vintage pink velvet armchair with dark wooden legs and carved frame, positioned near a small wooden table with a lace tablecloth, a decorative lamp with floral design, and a glass perfume bottle on top. The room has floral wallpaper and white windo
White door with glass panels at the top, set in a white brick wall, with a black mail slot and door handle. The door has the number 1 on it and a black sign beneath with text that isn't legible. There is a dark doormat in front of the door, and sunli
A view from a porch or deck overlooking a large body of water with a tree-covered landmass in the distance. The porch has white chairs, a wooden floor, and white railings, with the sun shining brightly overhead.
A view from a porch overlooking a body of water with a sunset in the distance. The porch has white columns and a wooden floor, with a grassy area beside it.
View from a porch overlooking a river at sunset, with the sun near the horizon and colorful sky, supported by white wooden pillars, with stairs visible on the left.
A rocky cliff with a small white pavilion and flagpole on top, overlooking a body of water, trees, and a clear blue sky.
A white gazebo with a metal roof and a tall spire with spherical ornaments, situated on a rocky shoreline next to a body of water, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A two-story house with a brown shingle roof, white exterior, and a large front porch with white railings and stairs. There are two rocking chairs on the porch, and the house has multiple windows and a chimney. The house is surrounded by green grass a
A cozy corner with two vintage pink velvet armchairs and a small wooden table between them. The table has a lace tablecloth, a decorative table lamp with floral design, and a tray. They are in front of a wall covered with floral wallpaper, and a wind
A living room with vintage furniture, a brick fireplace, large windows with curtains, and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A cozy bedroom with a wooden bed, brick fireplace, vintage armchair, dresser, and sofa, with natural light from a window.
A vintage bedroom with a four-poster bed, striped wallpaper, patterned rug, a small table with a lamp, and two armchairs near a window.
Vintage bedroom with four-poster bed, striped wallpaper, area rug, wooden furniture, and wall-mounted lamp.
Bedroom with a wooden bed, brick fireplace, armchair, small table, and patterned sofa in a vintage style.
Vintage bedroom with floral wallpaper, a brick fireplace, a wooden bed with white bedding, a green armchair, a lamp on bedside table, and framed artwork on the wall.
Bedroom with floral wallpaper, four-poster bed, wooden dresser, nightstand with lamp, and door leading to another room.
A bedroom with a four-poster bed, white bedding, and decorative pillows, flanked by two nightstands with lamps, a brick accent wall, and floral wallpaper.
View through a sliding glass door showing a wooden deck with a white rocking chair, overlooking a body of water with trees in the distance and a partly cloudy sky.

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View fullsize Views like this never get old. 🌊✨ Historic charm, river breezes, and the kind of peaceful you’ll want to come back to. Book now at www.historicrose.com #thehistoricrosehotel #elizabethtownil #shawneenationalforest #ohioriver #caveinrockilli
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View fullsize History in the walls, river views just steps away, and a front porch made for slowing down. 🌹✨ The Rose is looking extra timeless lately. Book now through www.stayshawnee.com #thehistoricrosehotel #elizabethtownil #shawneenationalforest #OhioRive
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View fullsize Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at The Historic Rose Hotel 🌹💐 Today we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, bonus moms, and every woman whose love makes life a little softer and a little sweeter. We hope your day is filled with rest, love
View fullsize Which do you love more, sunrise or sunset at The Rose Hotel? 🌅✨ Mornings here feel like a quiet reset… golden light spilling across the river, coffee in hand, everything still and new. Evenings are pure magic… soft skies, slow moment