Iron Horse Hotel

Hayden Stanes

2024-01

Partner and I stayed here recently, and were very happy with our stay. The customer service was excellent (1 star less for the limited breakfast for non-pork eaters), and the rooms and interior decor were beautifully warm and quaint: A true slice of time, captured. Nichole was incredibly helpful and welcoming. I had been to the small town of Blackwater before, but during the summer; 1 star less on "location" for the very limited stores open on Dec 20th (only the coffee shop and the diner open. All museums/stores were closed for the winter, FYI). Surprisingly pricey for the night stay, but the interior design and the rooms are one-of-a-kind, and the customer service was spot-on, making the price worth it.

Chelsey Buck

2023-09

My family and our neighbors stayed here while visiting the Missouri State Fair last weekend and enjoyed this place so much! It has been beautifully renovated to its former glory and is like taking a step back in time! The breakfast was wonderful too! We will definitely be staying here again and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to stay here!

Avis Eden

2023-05

Best kept secret in a small MO historic town. This little boutique hotel is so sweet. Nichole is such a wonderful friendly host. She runs a fine establishment and exceeds all expectations. Home cooked breakfast with biscuits a real treat. Can’t beat this little charmer! Thank you so much Nicole we will be back! ❤️Room #7 is wonderful and cozy. Everything clean and orderly. Nice small table with two chairs and a lovely queen size bed.

Marian Layman

2024-03

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Alexandra Oldani

2022-05

My entire family stayed at Iron Horse over my wedding weekend earlier this month and it was truly the best experience. Nicole, the owner, worked with me for months prior to the actual wedding to accommodate different needs and come up with options that worked best for us- including an elaborate buffet breakfast for wedding guests to enjoy before they left on Sunday. I live 800 miles away, so knowing I had someone local who was so professional, kind, and communicative was amazing and very reassuring. Not to mention, Iron Horse itself is absolutely stunning. There is such rich history and detail and each guest room is uniquely designed. The bridal party got ready there and I was able to get bridal shots at the hotel because all its beautiful details and decor made for the best backdrops. I will never forget this wonderful weekend and how extra special Nicole and the folks at Iron Horse made it for us.

Rob Weiman

2023-10

Great place to stay if you are going to Arrow Rock to catch a play at the Lyceum.Cute room, comfy bed, yummy breakfast, nice staff. A+

David Dorris

2022-05

We reserved the entire hotel for the weekend for my daughter's wedding in Blackwater and we could not have been happier with how it worked out! Nichole is an incredible owner and host and the most kind, gracious, friendly, accommodating person you will ever meet. The rooms and the entire hotel were historic and fun and awesome, and our family had a blast being able to be there all together for the wedding weekend. As good as the hotel was, the breakfast part of B&B was even better!Nichole even went above and beyond in preparing a meat/cheese/fruit sandwich and cracker tray for us to take to the wedding venue for my daughter and her bridal party to enjoy over the course of the day as they got ready and dressed.Thank you Nichole for being a part of a fantastic wedding weekend that the entire family will always remember!!!

John Slayton

2023-05

My family stayed at this lovely, railroad-themed hotel and enjoyed the warm hospitality of the manager, Nichole. She was accommodating of our pet dog, well versed in the nearby attractions, and offered around-the-clock contact and support as needed. The hotel itself is beautifully preserved and renovated, and is certainly a jewel of Blackwater.

Sherri Bell

2023-06

Very nice hotel. It’s like we stepped back in time. Nicole was a wonderful host. Very clean and pleasant atmosphere. If your looking for a unique experience I highly recommend this beautiful hotel!!

Kim Horgan

2022-05

We stayed a night in the Great Northern room in July. What a beautiful place, so well maintained and clean. It’s decorated with lovely antiques and was just really cozy. I have to add that it was extremely hot outside but our room was super cool. Nichole was wonderful, and the breakfast she served in the morning was fresh and delicious. This is a great place to get away from it all.

Sheila Myers

2022-05

This is a hidden gem. We stayed here after we saw Our Town at the Arrow Rock Lyceum. Blackwater is an easy 20 minute drive from Arrow Rock. The downtown is two blocks long and the hotel is next to the train station, so you do hear the train pass by day and night. The hotel is 100+ years old and impeccably maintained. I expect a building this age to creak and smell of mildew, but not Iron Horse. It’s so solid. We stayed in the Southern Belle and had the entire building to ourselves, as Nicole, the manager, leaves at night. All rooms have a private bathroom and access to outside spaces. No showers. Claw-footed bathtubs with shower sprays. Bed was comfortable. The upstairs lounge is a great place for coffee, reading and conversation. The hotel dining room was closed, but it’s perfect to eat your own food if you bring some in. The town does have a cute cafe across the street and other restaurants are just 20-30 minutes away in Boonville. We plan to go back in the summer or fall to explore the surrounding area, which has many historic landmarks. Highly recommend Iron Horse Hotel.

Anthony Fontana

2021-05

We spent three days there and had a great time. It is in such a beautiful old building, which I think was built as a hotel over 100 years ago. We really enjoyed driving around the Blackwater and Boonslick area seeing the sights and just visiting with the locals, but we also enjoyed just hanging out around the hotel, having some drinks and soaking in the laid back slow pace of life in the nice town of Blackwater. Especially when the trains go by and honk their horn. It just felt so nostalgic. BTW we enjoyed the local little cafe across the street for a lunch with the locals, and then went to some of the more sophisticated restaurants in Arrow Rock , Glasgow, and Roachport at night. All of which were an easy and really pleasant drive from the hotel. After being cooped up from the virus, it was so nice to get out to the country and enjoy the atmosphere, and lack of crowds. Nichole was super helpful with advice and anything else we needed, and her breakfast each morning was fantastic. Such a nice way to start each day.I would highly recommend the Iron Horse and in fact we are already making plans to go back soon.

Marie Noel

2020-05

Oh My Goodness!!! This quaint lil town is lovely! The hotel was something quite special! We were only there for a day but enjoyed every second of it! I drove from SW Oklahoma for my Best Friend's Daughter's Wedding and we decided to book a room at the Iron Horse. I am so glad we did! The room was clean and comfy. I enjoyed soaking in the visuals if this old building of times past. The breakfast the next morning was tasty and the blueberry scones were marvelous! The bit of history lesson we had was very interesting. I loved our visit and will definitely tell everyone about it as well as make it back there again someday. Thankful for the stress free weekend away from the "norm"!

Ken Truax

2019-05

The Iron Horse Hotel was great. Our room was very comfortable, the staff pleasant & personable. And, the restored hotel is done in an outstanding manner. Overall, our stay was just what we were looking for: a quiet weekend get-away. We were there during their "off season", so the restaurant was closed. But, we still were served a fantastic breakfast each morning prepared by the hotel's partner & chef, Tracy. We highly recommend this hotel to everyone.

Emily Kurtz

2021-05

Iron Horse is such a cute quaint hotel. The staff was very kind, breakfast fantastic, and we loved the rooftop access from our room! We stayed for 2 nights while attending a wedding and it was fantastic to be able to just walk across the street from the reception location if you are considering staying here after a wedding at Wildcliff!

Chelsea Ford

2023-07

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Wendy Strohman-Allison

2019-05

Looking for a wedding backdrop? Weekend getaway? Here's your spot!Great food, wonderful staff, beautiful views.We attempt to stay where cell signal is limited. Goal, achieved! Quaint, charming, quiet, (with exception of passing trains but we were ok with that.)Exceptional food,and wonderful attentive staff. The stories of the hotel and town added bonus!We highly recommend a weekend getaway to rejuvenate.

Bob Anthony

2020-05

If you have an opportunity to dine in an elegant home on a gourmet meal prepared by an Italian trained chef you should do so! Blackwater Missouri is easy to find not far off I70 and that's where we found Tracy and the Iron Horse hotel and restaurant. Technically the off season Tracy opens up the restaurant for Valentine's day dinner. The meal was well worth the drive about two Hours from Kansas city. From the lobster ravioli to the chocolate cherry mousse served with a chocolate spoon and everything in between the whole meal was delicious. My sincere Thanks to everyone at the Iron Horse for a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Kim Coke

2015-05

Wow, what a treasure! Just spent the weekend celebrating more than two decades of friendship with 20 of my closest friends. The Iron Horse Hotel and Restaurant were AMAZING! The owners were kind, the food amazing and the space inviting. We had such a marvelous time. Will definitely do it again! I highly recommend the Iron Horse for dinner and accommodations!

Laura Barnhart

2019-05

We had an early dinner here. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. We had apple-sage pork chops, salmon and sausage and rice and peaches Russell for dessert. The waiter was very nice and helpful. Can't wait to go back.

Verna Treasure

2018-05

I booked the Iron House Hotel in Backwater, Missouri in early February for the eclipse. I arrived to find the remainder of the hotel had later been booked for a wedding. Nice event but it consumed the entire place. We could not get to our room due to the wedding in process. We waited outside in the August heat. Later the wedding party and guest enjoyed a nice meal and continued to over flow the entire hotel and staff. I finally was able to connect with the owner/head chef and request a reversal of my charge, I was cancelling and choose not to stay. He looked me in the eye and with a smile asked "Is there a problem".We left and drove the 260 miles back home.I appreciate the special event of the wedding and understand the owner's economic choice but I had been looking forward to my husband and I staying at the hotel for over six months. I think the least the owner should have done was to contact me to let me know the change in circumstances. I could have then made my decision as to whether I chose to keep my reservation or make other arrangements. At the very least I would have been prepared for the Total inconvience of not having the hotel available to us until late that night.At the every least I was unfairly treated and at the most disrespectfully neglected.

Amanda Einig

2018-05

We booked this hotel as a last resort. I skeptical rolling up to it at midnight, but was delightfully surprised! Such rich history to the hotel with great service and atmosphere. The home cooked breakfast included was so tasty! Would recommend everyone to this hotel when passing through I-70!

Laure Montaubric

2016-05

An amazing place ! Perfect little gem, you will get to sleep in a genuine old west hotel on the Louis and Clark trail. The owner is as nice as it gets, he opened the hotel for just the two of us on sunday night and gave us the grand tour of the place and told us everything about its history. Our only regret is that we couldn't taste the restaurant... Bottom Line : if you are around, you HAVE to go there !

Jimmy Smythe

2023-05

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arthur montgomery

2019-05

Lovely room. Nice quaint little town. No food service in the evenings in town was only drawback. Hotel is beautiful old building. Lots of charm. Great breakfast is included. Very friendly people.

Nikita Wright

2021-05

This place is gorgeous. So much detail everywhere you look. The manager is fantastic, very professional. Her breakfast looks like it belongs on Instagram. Would definitely recommend. With historic Arrow Rock near by. The Blackwater River within walking distance and a casino near by in Boonville there is plenty to do and see. Other food options right on the main drag of Blackwater. Weddings on site with another wedding venue nearby! Must see!

michelle forsen

2021-05

We decided to stay in Blackwater because it is about halfway between Kansas City and Jefferson City, Missouri. My family and I booked a tour of the capital building, but didn’t want to drive for hours and then do the tour all in one day. Then, I found this amazing hotel. Whatever reason you might be headed towards Blackwater, Missouri, I highly recommend the Iron Horse hotel. It is perfect for anyone who wants to stay in a very quaint historic small town. The service was exceptional, as well as the room and entire hotel itself! I travel with my own sheets and I didn’t even feel the need to get them out!Blackwater, Missouri is a fun little place to explore and you should definitely eat at Kimberly’s.Bonus: Arrowhead Rock being close by. We had an awesome experience going out exploring during the days and then coming home to the cozy hotel room at night.

Jamie Moon

2021-05

Is a beautiful hotel. Has all the old charm. Beautiful rooms. Very nice owner. Didnt give 5 stars because the bed was terrible. Did not sleep good at all. The sheets kept falling off and the you rolled to middle, lumpy. Also the room we had had a little window above door. So all night light shined in from hall. Also no TV But I can see why because the walls are so very thin you hear almost everything. And are probaly tring to keep the old charm. Needs a new mattress badly. But if they get new matress and curtian it would be very nice. Claw foot tub was awesome. I want to buy one now lol. Over all was a great experience.

Jennifer Lynn

2020-05

The owner was very nice. You can tell he loves his job. He told us all about the history of the hotel while we ate our delicious breakfast.

E. Scott Martin

2020-05

Fantastic fully restored 1885 hotel. It is living history with comfort and elegance. We were served gourmet meals that were excellent by the hotel chef. It was a great experience.