The Mansion is Missouri's largest Bed Breakfast Inn and is listed as an historic site. Provided here is a preview of each of our 13 luxurious suites. Included are descriptions and photos of each of the suites, each of which have their own decore and comfortable feel. Rates are for single or double occupancy, and include a full breakfast. Advanced reservations are recommended.; Check in 3:00 to 10:00 p.m. Check out is 11:00 a.m.; Breakfast served 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. daily.; Continental breakfast served weekdays from 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. upon request.; Weekday corporate rates apply Sunday thru Thursday, with some variance on breakfast time. Monday thru Friday rates are also available.; Alcoholic beverages are not served or permitted in the facility, nor is smoking.; With advance notice and an additional fee room service is available for breakfast (Restrictions Apply). Art Deco Suite - $120.00. Decorated in coral and jade colors to reflect a 'roaring twenties' look. King size bed, and also includes day bed. Located on the third floor. Guest capacity 5, not included in room rate. Alice O'Day Suite - $120.00. This designer decorated suite features a brass queen size bed. Color focus for this suite is rose and green tones. Located on the second floor. Chapel Suite - $149.00. This very large room features two queen size beds, boasts lovely lace covered windows. Located on the second floor, guest capacity 5, not included in room rate. Evangeline Suite - $120.00. A moss green, lavender and purple color motif enhances this suite. With a bath that will delight the ladies every whim. Queen size brass bed. Located on the third floor. Flora Jane Suite - $120.00. A lovely suite featuring a beautiful designer canopy bed. With a sitting area overlooking trees in a wooded area. Located on the second floor. Gibson Suite - $120.00. A very bright, cheery suite beautifully decorated with a Victorian flourish. King size iron bed, topped off with colors of Wedgewood blues, teal and rose. Located on the second floor. Guest capacity 3, not included in room rate. Governor's Suite - $120.00. A step-up queen size sleigh bed, plate rails, and rose/ ecru motif. The homes original breakfast room. Located on the first floor, guest capacity 3, not included in room rate. Hunt Suite - $120.00. Decorated in greens and cranberry with a marvelous queen size step-up four poster bed. A favorite among the men. Located on the third floor. John O'Day Suite - $179.00. Decorated in ivory black and shades of gold. King size iron bed. An unforgettable bath, with the original 6' claw-footed tub. Located on the second floor. Guest capacity 3, not included in room rate. Rose Suite - $120.00. Decorated with white wicker furnishings including the queen size bed. A choice room with a harpsichord is included in the furnishings. Third floor, guest capacity 3, not included in room rate. St.d'Chantel Suite - $120.00. This most restful corner suite is done in tones of peach and cool greens. Located on the second floor. Guest capacity 3, not included in room rate. Veranda Suite - $149.00. Enjoy your own private veranda in this suite, decorated very Victorian. Located on the second floor. A king size bed. Tower Suite - $179.00. This suite is the 'signet' of the Mansion. the bedroom is done in cool greens and has a king size bed, then step into a charming sitting room with lots of lace. don't miss going up the spiral staircase into the observatory, where you have the best view in the house! This suite is housed on the third floor (in the top two floors of the Tower). There is also a television and VCR in the tower where you may relax and enjoy a movie. Applicable taxes will be added. Rates subject to change without notice.We require a 50% deposit at time of booking. Reservations made by phone must be held by credit card. We prefer a 2 day notice and reserve the right to a $25.00 cancellation fee if booking is cancelled less than 48 hours in advance.

The history of The Mansion at Elfindale is almost as old as the history of Springfield itself. The land title abstract indicates that the original purchase of the property occurred in September of 1848, at a price of $1.25 per acre. John O'Day, one of Greene County's first millionaires, bought the 400 acres of land in 1888. Mr. O'Day was attorney and vice president for the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. Only 200 acres were developed, beginning with construction of The Mansion in 1890. Stone for the building was quarried on-site; fifty stonemasons from Germany were hired to do the work, which took three years to complete. The finished structure had thirty-five rooms, seven baths, and 27,000 square feet. Sadly, the O'Days were divorced shortly after the Mansion was completed. Clymena Alice O'Day received the property, then known as Park Place, in the divorce settlement. Mrs. O'Day began with the naturally magnificent grounds, softened and beautified them with the aid of man's art into blended landscapes, and gave the estate a refined, harmonious environment. There was a stream running through the area where the stone was quarried. An island was fashioned, complete with an iron and stone pagoda. A lake was created by building a dam in the stream. There was a boat house for canoes, a summerhouse, and a greenhouse. Flowers, lily pads, and peacocks were everywhere. Mrs. O'Day brought in trees from all over the United States and Europe. There are some 20 different species still here. It was at this time Mrs. O'Day changed the name from Park Place to Elfindale. According to reliable sources, this change came about after she observed that in the early morning, the mist rising from the lake looked as though tiny elves were playing in the dale, hence the name Elf-in-Dale. Rooms on the first floor included the library, music room, parlor, dining room and breakfast room. Also on the first floor was the ballroom with its own separate entrance. Before the divorce the ballroom was a state dining room, where the Governor of Missouri was present on various occasions. The O'Day family sleeping quarters and guest rooms were on the second floor. The south staircase was used by the family and rose from the first to the second floor only. This staircase has now been extended to the third floor for the convenience of our guests by eliminating one of the original rooms. The north staircase rises from the basement to the third floor. The third floor was formerly used as sleeping and living quarters for the servants. The kitchen and laundry were, and still are, located in the basement. In six years' time Mrs. O'Day had depleted her funds and decided to sell the property in the early 1900's. She felt that the property had been ordained by God for use by Him. Although she had received offers ranging from $180,000 to $259,000 for the house and surrounding grounds, she decided to sell the property to a Catholic order of nuns from St. Louis, the Sisters of the Visitation. The sale was completed for $30,000, and the sisters arrived here in May of 1906. At that time Springfield had a population of 2,000. In September of 1906 The Mansion became the St. d'Chantel Academy for girls, which operated from 1906 until 1964. The Sisters built the adjacent chapel (now used extensively as an elegant wedding chapel ) and the three-story classroom building (now used as general offices and Christian education classrooms by Cornerstone Church ). The property was sold once again in 1977 to a group of Iranian business men for a price of $1,540,000. It was intended to be used as a safe house for the Shah of Iran. Cornerstone Church acquired The Mansion and thirteen acres of the original property in September of 1979. Construction of the present sanctuary facing Elfindale Street began in the fall of 1985, and was completed in 1986. Full restoration and renovation of The Mansion began in the fall of 1989, with the present inn opening on June 1, 1990.

On June 1, 1990 restorations were completed and the Mansion at Elfindale began operating as Missouri's largest bed and breakfast. Comparable in style to a European hotel, it boosts thirteen private bedroom suites and four public rooms including the Parlor. The dining Room, Dolphin Room, and Fireside Room are all available for meetings, banquets, luncheons, weddings, and receptions. The adjacent Chapel is also used extensively for weddings. During the restoration challenging opportunities arose with the addition of the grand staircase. To meet public building codes, both front and back staircases were required. The back staircase, originally used by servants, extended from the basement to the third floor. The grand staircase, used by the family, ran only between the first and second floors. To extend this grand staircase, a room was sacrificed on the third floor. A master craftsman was engaged to resolve the difficult problem of matching the original woodwork, fashioned 100 years earlier. His skill and labor resulted in such a prefect match that it is almost impossible to distinguish between the old and new. To stay at the Mansion anytime is to experience a touch of the unhurried, quiet days of a time long past. Turning west into the entrance, you travel down a secluded, tree covered lane as the European style castle raises in the fore ground, and the history and peaceful aura of the past begin to envelop you. Whether you enter by the front door for tea or the carriage entrance for an overnight stay, a warm welcome awaits you.

For those who travel as a part of their job, home sometimes feels millions of miles away. At The Mansion, we pride ourselves in bringing the comforts of home to those traveling for business. Our inviting suites provide a welcome break from the sterile feeling of the hotel environment while still offering similar amenities. Some of the advantages of staying with us during your business travels include:; NEW - Highspeed Wireless Internet in all Rooms; Competitive rates, Less costly than hotels; Privacy; Breakfast included in the price, afternoon or evening snacks, (special dietary requirements easy to accommodate).; Safe locations especially for single travelers and female travelers; A comfortable sleeping environment leads to more productive workday; The Mansion is great for small space management or departmental group retreats; Getaway locations eliminate distractions - lets you focus on the tasks at hand; Smaller property insures a higher level of privacy and security; A relaxed atmosphere fosters creative thinking; Encourages team building - Our location is close to area attractions or activities designed for groups.

 Guest rooms have air conditioning
 Conference and meeting room
 Credit cards accepted
 Disabled guests are welcome
 Facsimile services
 Access to internet
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Phone at reception
 Phones in rooms
 TV sets in rooms
 Patio, summer terrace
 Common room with a TV set