Jefferson City's only bed and breakfast, Cliff Manor Inn, will close for the season at the end of November and potentially re-open under new management in the spring. The inn, owned for the past two years by Communique, is being put up for sale by its owner, according to a news release.
An inn for the past 16 years, Cliff Manor has four sleeping rooms, including two suites with Jacuzzi tubs. While the history of the inn often draws visitors to stay there (a protégé of Abraham Lincoln built it), the inn has also benefited from a steady stream of Katy Trail bikers who often check in for an overnight rest while traveling across the state.
Steve Veile, CEO of Communique, noted the inn is a busy place from April through October.
"Quite a business has been built up over the years," Veile said in the news release, "with the Katy Trail being just one of the drawing cards. We also have had a good business from government, the courts and overflow from big events at Mizzou."
Veile said the inn is being sold as a turnkey operation, with furnishings, linen, appliances and decorations to stay.
"The new owners can re-open the inn as soon as they desire. We even have business on the books already for 2015," Veile said. "If you have ever wanted to be an innkeeper, this is your chance."
Cliff Manor Inn is located at 722 Cliff St., just up the hill and behind Paddy Malone's, along the river bluff with off-street parking in the rear of the building along Water Street.
Cliff Manor was built in 1866 by federal judge Arnold Krekel, who was appointed to the bench by President Abraham Lincoln. Krekel lived in the home for 10 years before moving to Kansas City. Krekel was a strident abolitionist and one of the first presidents of Lincoln University. It is believed he built a tunnel under Cliff Manor as an escape route in the event that pro-slavery forces came calling. The tunnel, if it did exist, has long since been filled in.