Frank Lloyd Wright overnight rental - The Elam House
Bed and Breakfast in Minnesota
5 guests · 1 bedroom · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more
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About this bed and breakfast
Ever wonder what it would be like to stay overnight and tour one of the largest Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian Homes? Now, you can find out! Experience the wonder and fascination of Frank Lloyd Wright in this beautiful home which features 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 3 floor to ceiling fireplaces, two living rooms with soaring ceilings, cantilevered balcony, terrazzo and slate flooring, slate patio outside the guest entrance, over 100 windows, over 100 light fixtures all set in the ceiling, rare white cypress wood, massive limestone piers and stonework comparable to that of Taliesin East, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright.
The 820 square foot Guest House suite has one bedroom and sleeps two comfortably. The guest bedroom has a queen sized bed, in-suite bath room including separate shower and bath tub and walk-in closet. The guest quarters also include a living room and kitchen. The living room has a private entrance, dining area and Smart TV. Free Wi-Fi access is available. The kitchen includes microwave, toaster, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee maker, pots, pans, china and flatware. There is also a futon and/or an air mattress available which can be set up in the guest bedroom or the living room for 3 additional guests. Please know that we are not renting out a second bedroom at this time. Enjoy relaxing in the privacy and quiet of the Elam House guest quarters.
Videos and magazines on the life of Frank Lloyd Wright and his designs will be available for our guest perusal. Surf the Internet while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee near the fireplace. Play a board game or watch a movie on TV or from our collection of classic video or DVD movies. Some of the original plans for the Elam House are on display in the gallery for our guest's viewing pleasure. A pocket door in the middle of the 60 foot long gallery/hallway separates the guest rental area from the residence and will be closed and locked before and after the tour of the entire house to ensure the privacy of our guests.
Tours of the entire house are available only to our rental guests between the hours of 5 - 7 pm. There may be some variability on weekends, so please confirm with Peter Plunkett when your tour will take place. Guests are free to walk around the grounds of the entire lot and through the entire guest area at any time during their stay.
You might enjoy examining the Webster Electric 'Teletalk' intercom system that is hardwired throughout the entire house. There are 3 base stations, one at the head of the stairs, one in the master bedroom and one in the guest living room. All of the bedrooms and the garage have an intercom as well. Although not operational at this time, we plan to renovate the system in the future.
The house was designed only for floor heat, however, that was not acceptable to Mr. Elam who demanded that a forced air heating system be added as well. The large 'Kewanee' boilers (there are two of them) and the huge air circulation system are really something to see. The original Hammond organ installed by Elam still remains in the main living room and will be restored as well. Of course, we are sure you will be 'Wowed' by the three floor to ceiling fireplaces that are in the house. Frank Lloyd Wright always liked a good fireplace that the family could relax and unwind by. As much as possible, we are striving to restore our beautiful home to its original splendor. We hope you enjoy staying in it as much as we enjoy living in it!
The 820 square foot Guest House suite has one bedroom and sleeps two comfortably. The guest bedroom has a queen sized bed, in-suite bath room including separate shower and bath tub and walk-in closet. The guest quarters also include a living room and kitchen. The living room has a private entrance, dining area and Smart TV. Free Wi-Fi access is available. The kitchen includes microwave, toaster, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee maker, pots, pans, china and flatware. There is also a futon and/or an air mattress available which can be set up in the guest bedroom or the living room for 3 additional guests. Please know that we are not renting out a second bedroom at this time. Enjoy relaxing in the privacy and quiet of the Elam House guest quarters.
Videos and magazines on the life of Frank Lloyd Wright and his designs will be available for our guest perusal. Surf the Internet while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee near the fireplace. Play a board game or watch a movie on TV or from our collection of classic video or DVD movies. Some of the original plans for the Elam House are on display in the gallery for our guest's viewing pleasure. A pocket door in the middle of the 60 foot long gallery/hallway separates the guest rental area from the residence and will be closed and locked before and after the tour of the entire house to ensure the privacy of our guests.
Tours of the entire house are available only to our rental guests between the hours of 5 - 7 pm. There may be some variability on weekends, so please confirm with Peter Plunkett when your tour will take place. Guests are free to walk around the grounds of the entire lot and through the entire guest area at any time during their stay.
You might enjoy examining the Webster Electric 'Teletalk' intercom system that is hardwired throughout the entire house. There are 3 base stations, one at the head of the stairs, one in the master bedroom and one in the guest living room. All of the bedrooms and the garage have an intercom as well. Although not operational at this time, we plan to renovate the system in the future.
The house was designed only for floor heat, however, that was not acceptable to Mr. Elam who demanded that a forced air heating system be added as well. The large 'Kewanee' boilers (there are two of them) and the huge air circulation system are really something to see. The original Hammond organ installed by Elam still remains in the main living room and will be restored as well. Of course, we are sure you will be 'Wowed' by the three floor to ceiling fireplaces that are in the house. Frank Lloyd Wright always liked a good fireplace that the family could relax and unwind by. As much as possible, we are striving to restore our beautiful home to its original splendor. We hope you enjoy staying in it as much as we enjoy living in it!
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
Hot tub or spa
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Minnesota
$$$$
Ratings and reviews
Summary of reviews
Great experience staying in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home. Excellent example of FLW's talent and vision. Peter's hospitality is exceptional. Highly recommended!
10.0 / 10.0
We (my wife and I) are Frank Lloyd Wright groupies and, excited as we were by the chance to stay overnight in a home he designed, our expectations were exceeded. The house is even more stunning in person than in photos, with all of the classic FLW design features on prominent display, and we very much appreciated the on-site owner Pete's tour of the whole house, not just the guest quarters. And the living room in the guest quarters was among the most magical spaces we'd ever experienced. Pete was an extremely attentive and responsive owner, and was right there to let us back into the house when we inadvertently locked ourselves out while having breakfast on the lovely outdoor patio. Sleeping quarters were quiet and comfortable, and all amenities were as advertised. Highly recommended!
10.0 / 10.0
This was a terrific experience for us, an amazing home in a beautiful setting. Be aware that you're staying in a portion of the home, the Host stays in the main part - but guides you in a tour when you arrive. Host is gracious, quick to respond to our requests. The city is filled with welcoming folks, plenty of food choices. We recommend this VRBO, was worth the trip.
10.0 / 10.0
This was a dream come true for us to stay at a Frank Floyd Wright house. Peter was a warm and affable host. He made us feel right at home and we could have listened to him all evening with his stories of living with the house for so many years.
10.0 / 10.0
This was a fantastic stay for Wright fans. We weren’t sure how private the space would be, but it was perfect. We had our own living area, kitchenette, and bedroom and bathroom. Did not feel like we were encroaching on the family at any point.
10.0 / 10.0
It was wonderful. The house is very beautiful and the host gave us an in depth tour and was very accommodating.
10.0 / 10.0
Peter is a lovely host and he has gone to great effort to provide for those people who want to know the Frank Lloyd Wright minutiae! The property is a delight to stay in.
10.0 / 10.0
Great Experience to be able to stay in a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home. Highly recommend!
10.0 / 10.0
The Elam House is an excellent example of Frank Lloyd Wright's talent and vision. Comfortable, well-appointed. Peter's hospitality was exceptional. His commitment to the property is admirable and appreciated.
Highly recommended.
10.0 / 10.0
My first time to stay in a FLW home and it did not disappoint. Home, neighborhood and grounds were beautiful.
I did not realize by the description that what you are renting is the back portion of the home, separated by a divider in the hallway, from the rest of the home and family who lives there. It turned out fine but just something to be aware of. You access the unit by walking through the yard from the driveway. Not sure how well that would work in the winter months.
The patio area needs some maintenance, typical of a home this age. The bathroom shower head was a bit funky and probably needs to be replaced.
Overall, very happy with our stay.
10.0 / 10.0
Peter was a wonder host, and the home was lovely. It was such a joy to stay in a FLW house!
10.0 / 10.0
Staying at the Elam House was such a delight. Being huge admirers of Frank Lloyd Wright, it was so wonderful to stay in such a beautiful place. The sense of calm one feels in this home and the ability to enjoy Beauty & Nature inside and out is so very special. This was the best birthday present I could have asked for. Thank you, Pete, for sharing your lovely home with us!
10.0 / 10.0
Peter was a wonderful host and their home is beautiful! It was clean and beautifully decorated to show off the splendor of this FLW home. We were promptly greeted upon our arrival and given a tour of the mansion, as promised. Peter was easy to communicate with and very prompt with his replies. Thank you for sharing this Austin gem with us! Kevin, Christine & Emily
10.0 / 10.0
What a treat to spend the weekend in a FLW house. The space is beautiful and comfortable. Peter is an excellent host and gave us an interesting tour of the entire house. The rental is clean and well appointed. Highly recommended.
10.0 / 10.0
It was such a treat to stay at the Elam House! We would do it again if we are traveling through the area.
We were welcomed as if we were family, and toured through the entire house as if we were family. I'm not joking...I saw more of the ins and outs of this house than those of my family members! Peter was extremely generous with his time, knowledge, and personal experiences with the Elam House and it's clear he is a mindful steward of this historical gem.
For the FLW enthusiast (or casual fan): it's one thing to study him and his work, another to tour his works, but to have an embodied lived experience of his design principles (the manifestation of his genius, vision, and raison d'être) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since each structure is unique to its environment, no two FLW stays are the same! If you are considering staying here, do yourself a favor and book the Elam House.
For logistics: Outlets are two prongs (for the most part), and given the era of the house, can be more sparse than what we are used to, so bring adapters and/or extension cords (CPAP machines and other medical devices). Also, there are no ceiling fans in the bedroom, so if you need a little air circulation, it might be best to bring a small travel fan with you. Shower water pressure is excellent.
Thanks again, Peter!
10.0 / 10.0
This property is like a museum….original perfection!
8.0 / 10.0
The guest suite is the size of a one bedroom apartment and, as described by others, a very well maintained FLW home. The tour was very good. There are not many electric outlets so I was glad I had an extension cord for my CPAP. The only other issue is the walk from the street to the guest suite which goes over grass and a patio area that has loose and missing slate.
10.0 / 10.0
We stayed the weekend in the guesthouse and thorouggly enjoyed immersing ourselves in a FLW Usonian. Included in our stay was a tour of the main home where you get to see how todays family has embraced Frank's vision. So much has remained, timeless. Peter is a wonderful and accommodating host. The place was clean, largely intact and welcoming space. Great memories.
10.0 / 10.0
Loved staying in this FLW house. The owner spent the time giving us the history of the build, showed us the uniqueness of the construction and had interesting stories of the interactions between the Elams and Frank as the plans were developed.
10.0 / 10.0
Owner was clear to communicate details of the location/booking. Guest house had amazing FLW details and research to enjoy. Main bed was comfy and there was plenty of seating in the living area.
10.0 / 10.0
Great place to stay. Huge living room and large bedroom. Great history and library of FLW references.
10.0 / 10.0
The house was a stunning example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture. Beautiful soaring windows and furniture to match the architectural style. Peter, the host, was very accommodating and gave us an added tour of the entire home. A very restful home to stay in.
10.0 / 10.0
My wife and I stayed here on our "Frank Lloyd Wright pilgrimage." It was a marvelous experience. The guest room area is practically the size of a Usonian house on its own! One touch I particularly loved: the house is set into the hillside so that when you're seated, and look out the window, the ground is almost at eye level. As a result, when the fireflies start in the evening, they're directly in front of your eyes.
Very lovely neighborhood, too--very good for an evening or morning walk. Very highly recommended!
10.0 / 10.0
It was a nice, relaxing visit. The tour was full of wonderful information and we were able to tour the entire house and property. The guest area, especially the entrance way, could use some maintenance. There was no access to cable/dish or wifi. Overall, we enjoyed our stay very much.
10.0 / 10.0
The house is well kept and maintained in period. We really enjoyed the history lesson and the complete tour. Austin is a nice town with plenty to explore, but we found ourselves not wanting to leave the patio on the lovely June day! Thanks for the nice stay!
10.0 / 10.0
Great rental experience in lovely quiet Austin residential neighborhood. The owner had an awesome collection of FLW books, DVD'S and puzzles. ALL felt spacious & gracious. LOVED noon checkout time.
10.0 / 10.0
Great property with a lot of history!
10.0 / 10.0
We absolutely loved our stay in this house. We have travelled across the United States to tour Frank Lloyd Wright properties. It was an experience of a lifetime to stay in one. The host, Peter, gave an excellent tour and made us feel at home. The local community of Austin is also very cute and had some fun attractions. Highly recommended!
10.0 / 10.0
Checked off a "place to stay" from my bucket list. Interesting to find the property owner had lived in the house all his life and the house was much as it was built in 1953. The guest house is actually a mother-in-law wing, separated from the main house with a pocket door. We could hear the family and assumed they also could hear us in the evening. Set among large trees in a quiet neighborhood, it was lovely to awake to autumn peering out from the Frank Lloyd Wright windows. All in all a lovely and unique experience.
5.0 / 10.0
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10.0 / 10.0
This is a wonderful experience for any enthusiast of FLW
10.0 / 10.0
We recently stayed at the Elam House, a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Austin, Minnesota. It was a great experience! Our kids gifted it to us for our 50th, and as huge fans of Frank Lloyd Wright, it was an amazing opportunity- the town was lovely, too.
As we drove up, you see the house come into view through the trees, it is a real “Wow!’ moment.
The beauty of the materials, the design of the house, the setting into the curves of the land are all Wright specialties, it was so amazing to experience them in person.
The attached guest quarters where we stayed have the same design and effective use of space of the main part of the house.
Peter is a wonderful host who toured us through the entire house and told us stories of growing up there. There were books and magazines about Wright and lots of personal memorabilia. He was very communicative prior to our reservation as well.
The guest quarters were clean, everything that we needed was provided , and we felt comfortable, relaxed and welcomed.
Such a special weekend, couldn't recommend more highly!
10.0 / 10.0
Comfortable and cozy. Close to town and in a very nice neighborhood. Everything worked and original to the house built in 1950s. Kitchen is small but It was nice to be able to cook. Comfortable bed with nice linen, (I am a sheet snob). Enjoyed the intimate patio, played a board game that was in the house. Would recommend to anyone who appreciates unique architecture. Thanks Peter for sharing this one of a kind home.
10.0 / 10.0
This was our second stay at the Elam House and was equally memorable to our first stay several years ago. Peter is a warm and welcoming host and the ambiance of the home is wonderful. We feel comfortable and relaxed after another wonderful visit to this area.
10.0 / 10.0
If you are a FLW fan, this is a great chance to stay at one of his creations. You get a bedroom with closet, a private ensuite bath, a full-size living area with dining table, and a kitchen. The owner, Peter, will give you the complete tour and then you are left to enjoy your FLW experience! Definitely worth it.
10.0 / 10.0
The home was beautiful, with all things you could need, including a tour of the main home, given with love and admiration from, Pete. He was gracious and helpful.
10.0 / 10.0
Peter was an amazing host. Gave a great tour of the property and answered all our questions. Staying in a Frank Lloyd Wright house is a truly special experience. Highly recommend. The town is adorable. There are parks, the Spam Museum, and ice cream at the local bookstore.
10.0 / 10.0
Amazing experience!!!
Peter and his family are so welcoming and as wonderful as the property itself! This was a fabulous stay and I look forward to a next visit. I highly recommend!!!
10.0 / 10.0
Fantastic, one of a kind opportunity to sleep in a Frank Lloyd Wright home.
10.0 / 10.0
What a great way to experience Frank Lloyd Wright firsthand!
Peter was a wonderful host. Upon check-in, he gave a really compelling tour of his family's longtime property, putting Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian homes into perspective in a way you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the Midwest. Highly recommended!
10.0 / 10.0
Wonderful stay!
The Elam House is spectacular and Peter is an excellent host. It was such a treat to stay with friends for two nights in a Frank Lloyd Wright home. The guest area is cozy, inviting and filled with interesting reading material about the house and FLW. Peter’s tour of the whole home and all the architectural details were incredible, as well. Our group left feeling refreshed and relaxed. It was a wonderful stay—highly recommended!
FAQs
How much does this bed and breakfast cost compared to others in Minnesota?
The average price for a rental in Minnesota is $190 per night. This rental is $21 above the average.
Is parking included with this bed and breakfast?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Frank Lloyd Wright overnight rental - The Elam House. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this bed and breakfast?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Frank Lloyd Wright overnight rental - The Elam House. Enjoy the water!
Is Frank Lloyd Wright overnight rental - The Elam House pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this bed and breakfast is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Frank Lloyd Wright overnight rental - The Elam House?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.
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