The Richards House B & B, Dubuque

$100 rate for weekend not listed. We did not book because of these rates not listed on the web site

The website has all kinds of great pictures including pictures of the outside of the house which is not what it looks like. When you get there the place looks like a hole in the ground. There are so many beautiful houses around and the Richards House is not one of them. The entire outside is under construction with scaffolding. The grounds are not appealing. The roof is missing. The outside looked so horrible that we didn't even give the inside a chance. Maybe we missed out and the inside is wonderful but the outside is not inviting and we did not want to disappoint ourselves further. Stay there and you will see what I mean as you drive by, your heart drops into your pants and you drive right by and turn around and say, "Think we should go look inside." Well we didn't. The web page says that it is in need of a paint job. That is an understatement. They should say you are walking into a full restoration and the early stages of one. When you are expecting "elegance and craftsmanship at it's finest" which is what the website claims you do not expect to see what the Richards House looks like.

My husband and I wanted a couple of days away from work and chose to go to the Galena area. For the price, this Dubuque location was a super value. Don't let the exterior scaffolding deter you from this wonderful B&B. The interior of the home is beautiful with every room authentically detailed. The inkeeper, Michelle, was welcoming and friendly in an unobtrusive way. The breakfast was beautifully presented and very tasty. There were also homebaked goodies available to guests for snacks. I recommend spending time on the upper porch for relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine. It's also a great spot to watch a lightning storm. I would love to return to this location to follow the external transformation of the historical house.

I picked the Richards House over all the others because of the price! I love B&Bs so for me this was an amazing deal. I had 3 girlfriends come along and the innkeepers were more than warm and welcoming. The house was beautiful and clean! Walking through the double doors into the lounge was like taking a step back in time. It was the best B&B I have ever been to!

We spent our 38th anniversary at the Richards House. It was a very special time there. We enjoyed the quiet, restful atomsphere. We also enjoyed the beauty of the house and its furnishing. The host and hostess are wonderful poeple and the food is tremendous. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

My wife and I decided to forego the usual motel route and try something different during our recent stay in Dubuque. Had the incredibly good fortune to discover the Richards House. Great location (historic downtown area), beautiful rooms, congenial hosts, reasonable rates and food that defies description both in quantity and quality. What we had anticipated to be a harried and stressful weekend ended up being one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences either one of us could remember. Way to go Michelle!! Don't be put off by the outside construction--inside is palatial. We'll definitely be back!!!