The Judge Lewis House

We had a truly fantastic experience at the Judge Hartley Bed and Breakfast. The hosts made sure our stay was wonderful and our accommodations were lovely.

The house is beautiful, quiet and comfortable and the hosts are absolutely incredible! The breakfast was delicious, biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, pancakes, fruit, mimosas, coffee....everything was perfect!

Staying at the Judge Lewis House bed & breakfast in Winterset, Iowa was an unforgettable experience that my wife and I will cherish forever! From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and at home, thanks to the warm hospitality of owners Mark and Kayla Hawkins. They went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable, and we cannot thank them enough for their kindness and generosity. The house itself is a true gem, built in 1867 and full of historic charm and character. It felt like we were staying inside a museum, surrounded by beautiful antiques, artwork, and furnishings that transported us back in time. Every room was immaculately clean and well-appointed, with all the amenities we could need. We stayed in The Hartley room. But the highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the delicious breakfasts that Kayla prepared for us each morning. They were not only scrumptious but also beautifully presented, with fresh ingredients and homemade touches that made each meal feel special. We eagerly anticipated breakfast every morning, and it provided the perfect fuel for our adventures in town, including visits to the area's many attractions, such as the charming downtown area and the iconic covered bridges made famous by the 1995 film 'The Bridges of Madison County'. Winterset is a charming town with a rich history and friendly people. We enjoyed visiting the covered bridges, exploring the downtown area, and meeting locals who were happy to share their stories and recommendations with us. Overall, our stay at Judge Lewis House Bed & Breakfast exceeded all of our expectations, and we left feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and grateful for the wonderful memories we made. We would love to return in the future and relive this unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend this beautiful home to anyone looking for a unique and delightful stay in Winterset, Iowa.

What a great old house that is now a B&B. The hosts were great! It was raining when we pulled up on our motorcycle's and the host had us park under their car port - they didn't have to but it was certainly appreciated! Wonderful breakfast and great information about the house and area. Would recommend.

We stayed at the Judge Lewis House for our 25th anniversary. The room was absolutely beautiful and the hospitality was hands down amazing! We arrived with a small cake in our room wishing us a Happy Anniversary. The attention to detail Kayla did during our stay was above and beyond. I would highly recommend a stay here as a couple or a family. The house is beautiful and the breakfasts and snacks were delightful. The house sits on 7 acres and the animals are friendly. Thank you Kayla for an amazing anniversary during a really trying year!!!

We've stayed at both the cabin and the Queen Anne home and loved them both. At the cabin you feel like you're out in the wilderness as there's no other home visible to you. You're there with just the lake, wildlife and woods. The complete kitchen makes it easy for you to cook your own meals - or order a pizza for delivery from town, just two miles away. Very comfortable large living room with attached patio. Separate Dining room. Great setting for our family get together. Queen Anne home is beautifully decorated with antiques and hardwood floors. Lots of comfortable seating indoors plus on the porch. Very comfortable rooms. Ours had private bathroom. Breakfast was delicious, and hosts Kayla and Mark are warm and friendly. We'll definitely be back.

My husband and I celebrated our anniversary at the Judge Lewis House. Kayla and Mark could not have been nicer or more helpful. The place was clean, comfortable and luxurious. We loved the breakfast and afternoon snacks. It is a great place to stay!

My husband and I just finished a fantastic stay at the Judge Lewis House! This is a beautiful B&B that is immaculately clean, has super comfy beds and great showers. Breakfast was delicious and we enjoyed a lovely conversation with our wonderful hosts, Kayla and Mark. They make you feel right at home and like you're old friends coming for a visit. I can't recommend the Judge Lewis House enough. Consider a stay if you're in the area - you won't be disappointed!

The house is amazing. The hosts are an outstanding couple. The breakfast was on the spot. The ride in the model A was a special treat. We are making plans to stay again.

When this beautiful house and acreage became available, the Hawkins purchased it and were able to quickly sell the White Lions B & B they had owned/run successfully for several years. Upstairs are two spacious bedrooms, each with their own attached private bathroom.

You know you are stayed somewhere extraordinary when you find yourself missing it days later. That was our experience at the White Lions Bed and Breakfast. For our first trip to Iowa, it was incredibly important to us that we have a real Iowa experience...undoubtedly influenced by our West Coast fantasies of Midwestern quaintness and kindness. Rather than staying at a "meh" chain hotel in Des Moines, we chose to set up camp about 40 minutes outside of "the city," in Winterset--the heart of Madison County. We are sooooooo glad we did. Mark and Kayla welcomed us into their lovely home with the EXACT warmth and hospitality that Midwesterners are known for. They felt more like old friends than innkeepers. Upon arrival, Kayla and Mark showed us around the home, pointed out our room, and offered us fresh baked berry crumble and lemonade! OMG!! So delish and so comforting to the weary travelers we were. Truth be told, it became a bit of a game for my husband and I to guess what Kayla would bake each day for us! There was always fresh coffee, lemonade, and baked goodies out to keep guests feeling loved. Our room was incredibly comfortable and well appointed (The Tiffany Room.) Both it and our private bathroom across the hall were spotless and fastidiously clean. If you'd prefer to not have to go across the hall for a bathroom, there are other rooms that have ensuite bathrooms. The internet access was lightening fast and included in the price of the room. In honor of Winterset being the birthplace of John Wayne, we made a point of busting out our laptop streaming The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance on Netflix. Yes, we absolutely did this! I would be doing you a disservice if I did not take a moment to point out that the neighborhood where the inn is situated is truly out of a Midwestern dream. W. Court Street has a beautiful canopy of trees, well kept homes, and manicured lawns. It was positively delightful to stroll through in the evening. The inn is in easy walking distance to the center of town, so if you wanted to have a quick bite at the Northside Cafe (of Bridges of Madison County fame) or go to the John Wayne Museum, you could comfortably do so. Seriously. Say NO to a crappy, run of the mill, chain hotel experience. Say YES to treating yourself to a double scoop of Midwestern loveliness at the White Lions Bed and Breakfast. P.S. If you are lucky, you will meet Mark and Kayla's beagle hound Hank!

What a delightfully and comfortable place to stay. The accommodations were wonderful and Mark & Kayla were great hosts, and Hank the pup was icing on the top! The breakfasts and evening treats were amazing. Winterset is lucky to have such a wonderful B&B. My only regret is that we couldn't stay longer. Thank you for making our first and hopefully not last visit to Winterset so wonderful.

Stayed here with my Mom last night. It was great! The house was very clean and inviting. Kayla was very nice and made us feel right at home. Sitting in the porch drinking a glass (or two ) of wine was the perfect way to finish the night off. Breakfast was delicious too! I would absolutely recommend and will stay again if I'm near.

Thinking of visiting the Bridges of Madison County in Winterset IA? We had the pleasure of staying at this wonderful Bed & Breakfast in Winterset IA on 9/8-9/10/2017. The owners Mark & Kayla, provided our family with first class accommodations. There were three adult couples in our party and we found their service to be impeccable. Plenty of room, the amenities were more than we expected and our hosts even provided Apple Pie, Cake and coffee each respective evening. Their breakfast were so yummy and provided our party the energy we needed to to begin each day. Obviously the Bridge tour and stopping by the John Wayne Museum and House were the highlights of our trip. We would be remiss if we didn't say meeting up with family from three different states was the number one reason for selecting the lovely community. We would highly recommend staying with the the B & B if you're looking to explore this historic community. You won't regret your stay! The owners made us feel as though we were part of their extended family! First Class