To kick off the long weekend (well, at least for those in the USA), I figured I’d write about a particularly boutique stay experience in Galena, Illinois.

I honestly felt like this one deserved its own post and designation from the previous post, because it’s just that: a beautiful and a comfortable experience.

As comfortable (*and free) as my parents finished basement is, H and I had never experienced Galena like so many people do, as tourists there for a weekend. While the town has a decently small (but not too small) population, it serves as a haven for those seeking a quiet, yet petite boutique town full of history, shops, wineries, and nature views galore.

So ultimately to celebrate an anniversary and well, being back in the USA, we chose to book a two night stay at a little inn of sorts in the downtown Main Street area.

It did not disappoint.

Now, in all honesty, we did not stay there on the weekend. It was a 2 night minimum, and there was availability on a Tuesday/Wednesday. It was quiet, as Galena can be during the week since during the summer primarily it survives on weekend tourism, however it was very private and exactly what we needed.

We stayed in a studio, and it was the perfect size for both of us. But I’ll admit that if we were staying longer than two nights, it may have been better to have a slightly bigger room.

When you enter from the main entrance, you walk into a curated lobby, directly across from the U.S. Grant History Museum. If you have the time, it’s a cool little museum (as one could be for being in a super small town) but boasts a significant image in US history, the painting of the surrender at Appomattox. Basically, if you’re not American, the US engaged itself in a civil war in the 1860’s. Ultimately, General Lee from the Confederacy ended up surrendering to General Grant from the Union, and when we all learn about the civil war, we see a tiny image of a painting of the occasion.

That painting in real life is not at all small. IT IS TOWERING. A WHOLE WALL. Until the AMSCO book in AP US History, I always felt like my social studies and history books were lacking, well, a lot of things, primarily truth, but this was just a phenomenal sight to see this huge, original, important painting or image right there, and you feel so dwarfed.

I am only 5 feet tall, so I already feel that way sometimes, but nonetheless, it’s a spot to see if you’re interested in Civil War/Galena History, or just need an escape from the heat before a table opens up at a restaurant on Main St.

Here’s the Lobby:

Everything just so handy and curated to perfection.

Upon heading to our suite, we opened the door and it was like a breath of fresh air. Now mind you, I consider myself a curated minimalist (whatever that means). So intentional spaces and clean designs are crucial. I prefer a more warm to neutral palette, but the darker finishes with brass detailing in the room is so beautiful, so much so that while I’ve had only *one* dark wall in any space I’ve lived in…it has me considering a future bathroom or study with deep rich colors or wall paper. *SWOONING*

All in all, the details matter. This space was well thought out design wise, but also detail to quality, comfort, and care, went above and beyond.

Unfortunately H and I have the habit of doing solo dates in Galena on the hottest days of the year. And this visit was no exception, and we happily went and grabbed lunch, came back to the room and watched Harry Potter and Ozark until dinner. We were that comfortable in the space.

Highly recommend if it falls into your needs category and budget.

Oh, and just because I loved my one dark wall so much, here’s an ode to my accent wall in Mimirswell.

It’s Night Watch by PPG, 2019 color of the year. I still love this color, but it was an absolute pain to cover up before renting the house. Oh well…..

Enjoy your weekend, wherever you may be.

Always,

Carrie