1888 Historic Rocking Horse Manor

I was a little put off by the website for this B&B, but I must say that the site did not do justice to this place. The manor was a trip by itself and we felt like spending a night at the museum. John is also a great host and cook! The breakfast was amazing and the atmosphere was great. We stayed at the Victorian suite and we really enjoyed the room and the nice bath. Will come back soon. Thank you John& Ricardo

We had two wonderful nights in the Rocking Horse Manor's 3rd floor Patricia's Hideaway room. Hosts John and Ricardo know their property well. When we arrived we got a full tour of the B & B with historical stories about the original home and its restoration. Located on "Millionaire's Row" in Louisville, it is one of many amazing homes in this neighborhood built in the 1800's. Since this was our first time in Louisville, John mapped out plenty of things to see and do in the area. Don't miss the Churchill Downs museum and tour. His restaurant recommendations of Amici's (Italian) and Buck's (Bourbon bar and fine dining) both a short walk from the B & B were terrific. Highly recommended for excellent guest service, delicious gourmet breakfasts, and an ideal location for any visit to Louisville.

Ricardo was an amazing host and was very accommodating. The room was clean and beautiful. The breakfast was delicious. A great way to spend our wedding night!

Top notch rooms and breakfasts. Sitting out back in the garden was an added treat. J&R are great hosts and take extra steps to make you feel at home. The location, at the transition from downtown Louisville to the historic district, is convient to downtown and the track.

Been a long time since we stayed here but was passing through the area, remembered how nice our stay was, and felt it fair to post a review. Very nice B&B, great neighborhood, friendly owners. You won't be disappointed here.

An absolutely wonderful establishment! This historic home in downtown Louisville is so accommodating and the owner has a welcoming heart so we felt truly at home ourselves. You really must give this one a try!

Beautiful home! If you love gorgeous old houses, check this place out. The host was very nice and breakfast was great.

Excellent atmosphere and a wonderful experience! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience. It was also a delicious breakfast!

A recent and much needed getaway lead me to meet Ricardo at the Rocking Horse Manor. The community in which it stands offers a glimpse of what manor life is/was like. Seeing other manors in the renovation process gave me hope of this city's intent to restore more history and beauty. The pictures attached are also posted on social media/travel apps ... I simply want to affirm the beauty and comfort I experienced and that it reflects what is being offered to guests. I enjoyed every moment I spent at the manor and the hospitality was fabulous. It's an experience worth booking! Sending to Ricardo

My husband surprised me with a visit here for my birthday and I was so excited about it. I had never stayed in a B&B before and pulling up it was immediately welcoming. Our gracious host opened the door with a smile and showed us around and told us about the house. The house is beautiful and has so much charm and character. We arrived earlier and it wasn't a problem at all. We went to our room and relaxed before going out for the evening. When we came back the lights were just very inviting. I felt safe, comfortable, and welcomed from the moment we walked in. For breakfast the next day we had yoghurt, muffins, and fruit with OJ, coffee, and water. Then we had French toast, sausage, and fruit. We had mentioned in passing the day before this had been a surprise for my birthday and he put a candle in the muffin and sang happy birthday to me. It was so touching and sweet and made my husband and I so very happy. We enjoyed our breakfast and just felt at home while there. You can tell this place is truly cared for and loved and he really enjoys what he does. We already plan to come back. I was sad to leave and cannot wait to visit again. Thank you so much for the kind hospitality. It will never be forgotten.

Stayed here for a girls getaway with my bestfriend and it was amazing. We both had a great time and highly recommend it. The outside looked like a small castle as we walked in the stained glass and wood working is stunning. Ricardo gave us some history and a tour. We stayed in the Victorian suit is the biggest room with very comfortable king sized bed with lace canopy. Couldn't be more pleased with the b &b the service and location. Ricardo made us feel so welcome and pampered. The breakfast was lovely and like he asked us when we prefer to be served so we could sleep in. The room was lovely and the whole place we immaculately clean .. and gorgeous décor. the backyard is quant .. seating areas. Great place to stay for romantic weekend away ... Was a great time for girls Weekend away. Great place to relax and enjoy. they do have free wifi and the password was in the room .. I really liked that our room has it's own thermostat and ceiling fan... Jacuzzi tub for two and shower for two.

Absolutely lovely place for a weekend stay (or longer). Beautifully restored turn of the century mansion. The host, Ricardo, is delightful - so warm and welcoming. Rooms are very comfortable. Outdoor patio is great on a spring evening.

Stayed here with a guy I was seeing, for my Birthday. Wonderful bed and breakfast.. Very friendly informative staff, beautiful architecture, restored Victorian mansion, lovely romantic suite, pink hottub!!, beautiful city.... A bit pricey -more than a hotel, but definitely worth it. Highly recommend if you're staying in Louisville for a night.

This magnificent piece of history was part of my unforgettable 30th birthday weekend!! I'll never forget it! I booked it on a whim, and it was a good whim! Had this B&B not lived up to its name, I would have been hugely disappointed. Good thing that wasn't the case!! Ricardo greeted us when we arrived and was warm and welcoming. He gave us a quick and also very informative tour on the manor! He also made sure we knew where to find further information on the building's rich history. I'm glad he did, so we could spend more time looking at all the crazy renovations! My BF just eats this stuff up! So I really knew it was a win before booking ;) The stay was quiet and relaxing. I was super sad right when we saw our room that we were only staying for 1 night! Although I do find it super convenient that Rocking Horse allows 1 night reservations. We booked Patricia's Hideaway. It was cozy with a private bath (including a claw foot!-who doesn't love a good claw foot!). There was also a quaint little sitting area with refreshments on the third floor outside our room, which was nice to sit in and recharge after breakfast. (Segway to breakfast).... Ooooh! Breakfast! It was yummy and Ricardo made us feel special. He does truly take care of the place and you can tell he puts all his effort towards making each guest feel welcomed and comfortable. I was sad to leave, but will return. No question about it!

I wish I could have stayed here all week. My husband and I arrived exhausted, coming from Pittsburgh. The owners made us feel at home immediately and gave us a tour of the house, pointing out historical facts, and the location of complimentary cookies. The house is full of interesting decorations and beautiful stained glass, with little touches like a bottle of port and dozens of rocking horses. There is a lovely library that was once a gentlemen's smoking room, and a charming formal dining room. There is a courtyard in the back with a porch and plenty of greenery where I could have imagined sitting with a typewriter all afternoon a hundred years ago. On the top floor, there is a more informal, laid back sitting room with free waters and soda, as well as board games and movies. I spent about a half hour wandering around with my camera with plenty of interesting things to shoot. We stayed in the Irish Rose room, a small but comfortable room with a full-size bed. It had stained glass and a private balcony over the front of the house. The shower was high pressure, and everything was very clean. Where the Rocking Horse most excelled was in the details. Good-quality liquid soap in the shower, a corkscrew on the chest of drawers, a scale in the wardrobe. All the little things that you have at home but not on the road that, when present while traveling, make life a lot easier. We had breakfast in the morning in the dining room, and it was to-die-for. There was a choice of quiche or french toast, and we both ordered the quiche. The first course was yogurt with granola and what I believe was a sweet cheese strudel type bread. The second course was the quiche, which was crispy on the outside and fluffy inside. It was served with sauteed potatoes, finely diced, which were equally flavorful. The owners went out of their way to make sure I had decaf coffee, and everything was served with coffee and/or tea, orange juice and water. Owners Jon and Ricardo gave us advice on where to eat and what to do and see. Jon recommended Shakespeare in the Park and a visit to St. James Square to see the gas lamps and fountain among dozens of beautiful Victorian houses--just a 10-15 minute walk from the Rocking Horse. Definitely one of the most luxurious places I have stayed, and for a wonderful price.

I don't know where to start. If you have any plans on staying in Louisville check here for reservations FIRST. This is one amazing place. Each room is full of charm and enchantment. The high ceilings, aged base boards, regal doorways, hand crafted banisters, beautiful stained glass windows, even the stairs have a warm "creak" as you ascend and descend and I could go on and on. Ricardo is just an amazing host. We could feel the pride in his voice as he gave us the guided tour. And his breakfasts....in a word, "WOW", just delicious. Every moment we spent in the manor was just wonderful, an experience we will never forget. I will echo previous reviews, "this is the best Bed and Breakfast ever".

We have a group of 10 who have traveled together for a long weekend every year for 39 years. This year we chose Louisville and in particular The Rocking Horse B&B. Ricardo was our host/chef. The temp was in the upper 80s and 90s all three days but the rooms and the mansion has very effective A/C. We are about .80 miles south of the River snd about 1.5 miles from Churchill Downs. U of Louisville is about a mile away. The breakfasts have been wonderfull.

My new wife and I were looking for a cozy place to stay for the night on our wedding day and she found this one on the ol' Google machine. It was nice and felt very fancy in a "the year 1888" kind of way! The breakfast the next morning was also quite delicious. B&B's have a weird charm to them and I love having a great meal just a few steps away from my room. Had to book the room via e-mail, which didn't feel too secure...but that's the price you pay for charm. Hopefully I also don't have to pay the price of identity theft (joke). Highly recommended!

This is without a doubt the BEST bed and breakfast EVER! When we arrived, Ricardo, one of the owners, gave us the amazing grand tour of this beautiful house. He was extremely helpful and assisted us in how to begin our Louisville journey. The historic background and the restoration of this home will definitely pique your interest. The common area on the third floor has a refrigerator for guests to use. There are also complementary drinks in it for your enjoyment. The first floor had complementary chips, cookies, and fruit if you need a snack while you are here. We stayed in Chelsea's Garden room and it was clean and comfortable. The claw foot tub was very cool and the shower pressure was great. The thing I loved the most about this place is the courtyard. There is so much to see in Louisville but you have to have some relaxation time. There is nothing better than this courtyard for relaxing with a glass of wine. John, the other owner, has worked very hard on creating this "garden of eden" so the guests can enjoy their visit. I brought plastic cups for my wine and he insisted on bringing me a wine glass. Everyone knows wine tastes better in glass, but some people frown upon glass as it breaks occasionally and causes a mess. Breakfast choices were between egg dishes or pancakes. The first morning we chose souffle. It was a two course breakfast. There was yogurt with fruit and granola and a banana muffin for the first course. The second course was an egg and cheese souffle with ham and hash browns. The food was fantastic. Not only are they amazing host but they can cook. Ricardo and John are incredible and will do everything to make sure your stay is incredible.

LOVED staying here!!! Came in to town not knowing too much about Louisville, other than the fact it's the derby capital of the world. Jon and Ricardo gave us a gorgeous room to stay in. Very private. We pretty much had the place to ourselves while vacationing there, and the owners were always around to help us out if need be. Except once, but they warned us they were going away for a few hours... A very scary tornado came through Louisville during our stay at the Rocking Horse, and Jon and Ricardo happened to be out then. Being dumb Californians (inexperienced in tornado happenings), we battered down in fear and excitement (with bed comforters and wine) under the centuries old staircase in the "lobby". Those sirens outside were terrifying! The electricity went out. Guests were saying it was passing right through us. Ahhhhhh!!! Well, the storm passed, without any harm. We felt like idiots, making a reeeeeeally big deal of the situation, but Jon and Ricardo made us feel ok about it. Fantastic breakfasts, comfy night's rest, and in a great location to see all the fun Louisville sights!

I had a wonderful weekend stay here over Valentine's Day. The owners Jon and Ricardo were extremely friendly and offered lots of suggestions for things to see in the area, as well as map and directions. We had two choices for breakfast each morning: one sweet (pancakes or waffles) and one savory (quiche). All the choices were delicious. They served breakfast in an adorable dining room with formal china and glasses. The rooms were really cute and extremely spacious. They were also very well-priced. Because of its name, the inn is decorated with rocking horses scattered around (I counted at least 9 in the public rooms). For some reason, they also decorated with old-fashioned shoes, which was pretty funny. If I were ever in Louisville again, I would definitely stay here.

Great home super cool inside. Lots of original detailing. The owner was super nice and helpful in guiding us where to go. The breakfasts were good nothing fancy or special basic eggs and ham. The room we stayed in was tiny the Irish rose however it was cozy.

I spent 3 wonderful days at The Rocking Horse Manor. It is a gorgeous authentic Victorian manor. Ricardo is a gracious host who is a good cook and is very personable. He is easy to talk to and is able to provide guidance in planning your days exploring Louisville. I would be more than happy to stay again should I find myself in Louisville. My only complaint is the mosquitoes!! They absolutely interrupted my peaceful time relaxing on the patio. Oh well, I have never been able to avoid them..... darn

We love this place and we're locals! Spent Valentines, New Years Eve and other occasions when we don't feel like traveling far. They make the best breakfast, and we have been able to try different rooms.We also like the upstairs reading room. Last time we were there I realized the next day that I left my cell phone charger. And sure enough they found it, and I didn't have to wait at all when I went to retrieve it. They are gracious hosts who truly understand hospitality. It is a beautiful, memorable place in a charming part of Louisville. Look no further -- this is where you want to be!

If you have tried B&B's after having practically lived on road and staying in a multitude of hotels you probably understand the allure of a good B&B. Rocking Horse Manor is a great one. A comfortable, conveniently located oasis in Louisville. John and Ricardo are gracious hosts and provide nice touches for an enjoyable stay. Historical elegance with a nod to modern conveniences, i.e., glass enclosed walk-in shower with two shower heads, dual sink vanity, jacuzzi-style tub, and even a bidet in Grand Victorian Suite bathroom! Stay here and you'll want to come back when staying in Louisville.

The owners Jon and Ricardo could not have made the stay any better. They gave us a free room upgrade, breakfast was delicious. When we asked for a dinner recommendation, they sent us to a neighborhood in louisville that was exactly what we were looking for. To top it off, the actual house is a wonder by itself. Next time I find myself in Louisville, I know where I will be staying. The service, atmosphere, and price beat out all the hotels we looked into.

What a wonderful place to stay. Beautiful, comfortable accommodations with a breakfast to die for. The hosts are friendly and very knowledgeable tour guides; of their own property and Old Louisville. This is a must-stay place.

We have been to a LOT of B&B's but NONE compare...We first stayed here 7 years ago and fell in love with Old Towne Louisville and the Rocking Horse Manor. John & Ricardo actually allowed us to get married in their parlor! We have returned every year since. The accommodations are beautiful, the hospitality incomparable. John and Ricardo treats their guest just like family!

Easily the best B & B we've stayed in. It has it all--great location, comfortable room, good food and hosts, in John and Ricardo, who are inviting and helpful. We were lucky to find them a few years ago, and our return visit confirms our good opinion of them. We will be back.

This review is long overdue. I spent time at the Rocking Horse Manor back in October 2012. It was by far the best bed and breakfast I have ever had a chance to stay in. The owners Jon and Ricardo were very welcoming and the tour was magnificent. They adeptly walked the fine line of being very attentive but in no way intrusive. The breakfast was delicious and the breakfast guest were engaging. My only complaint is that I was only there one night. If you have the opportunity treat yourself to a wonderful experience at the Rocking Horse Manor

My girlfriend made me research B&B reviews and prices for 2 hours. Just save yourself the time and pick this one. It is the best B&B we have ever seen. The mansion is amazingly restored and decorated with attention to details. Our room was clean, quiet, and cozy. The breakfast was delicious and we are both people that enjoy fine foods. Their website needs work, but then again you're not staying at a website. The location is close to down town Louisville. We walked the area and saw some great homes and architecture. Again... just save yourself the time and go with the Rocking Horse Manor. It's the best.

A perfect place to stay if you're interested in comfort, convenience, excellent service, elegant surroundings, and a totally wonderful experience! My sister and I stayed at Rocking Horse Manor for one night while on a business trip. We live in two different suburbs of Atlanta and were unused to "city living" so we were a little skeptical when we arrived to a locked front door. We had to call on a cell phone to get into the Manor. But when Ricardo and Jon welcomed us at the door as old friends coming for a visit, and when we saw the absolutely beautiful and elegant surroundings, we were convinced that we had made the right decision to stay here. Jon gave us a grand tour of the home and urged us to make ourselves at home and to ask them for anything we needed. He also had an amazing knowledge of Louisville and the places to see and good restaurants to visit. We stayed in Louisa's Country Cottage, a room with all the charm of the Victorian era and all the comforts of 2012. We took a walk (a self-guided walking tour) through their historic neighborhood and couldn't believe the beautiful homes and churches we saw. We ate dinner in a casual Italian restaurant (Amici's) that Jon had told us about.Our breakfast the next morning, prepared and served by Jon and Ricardo with beautiful china, silver, and crystal, was second to none: yogurt parfait, egg and cheese souffle, sliced ham, and hash browns, plus all the coffee and juice we could drink. It was a wonderful, memorable experience from start to finish. We will definitely stay here again when we're in Louisville. In fact, it will be a destination!