A seemingly normal house sits on the corner of West Hill and North Elm streets, but as guests walk up a brick-lined walkway toward the sun-weathered porch, the Champaign Garden Inn warmly welcomes them.
The Victorian-inspired inn is a family-owned bed-and-breakfast that offers an incomparable experience in Champaign-Urbana.
Innkeeper Kevin Allen has built a career in the hospitality industry, starting at the University Inn — now known as The Tower at Third — and eventually moving to San Francisco to continue his work. He said he had always contemplated opening a B&B but never found the right place.
While working in San Francisco, he worked near the University of California, Berkeley. It reminded him of C-U, being another university town bursting with liveliness.
“Very simply, there’s more reason for people to come to the town, and there’s more conferences, there’s kids visiting the University — there’s just more opportunity,” Allen said. “I think if we had this same place in a town that didn’t have a college, we would not be nearly as busy.”
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
When he discovered the house in C-U, an older home with five bedrooms and private bathrooms, he said, “This is the one.” Allen also had previous hotel experience in a similar setting.
Relocating was one step; establishing the business was another. The C-U area has over 4,500 available hotel rooms, but the Champaign Garden Inn provides what other locations can’t: homeliness.
“It’s quiet, and it’s comfortable,” Allen said. “And not that hotels aren’t comfortable, but when it’s a home, it just feels different.”
Allen works alongside his husband, Daniel Menzies, and mother-in-law, Kathy Menzies. Daniel Menzies works full-time at the University and runs things in the background for the inn, while Kathy Menzies is the resident hostess.
Kathy Menzies noted that quietude is the most common form of positive feedback she receives from guests. She cares for her guests with unmatched energy and passion.
“I like talking to (the guests),” Kathy Menzies said. “I like to hear their stories … It’s an interesting story, how they travel to and from.”
Kathy Menzies lives on the property, and Allen spends most of his time at the inn. The pair strives to ensure all guests have privacy and feel respected.
“People often think it’s going to be — and I used to think this — when you stay in a bed-and-breakfast, that the people that run it are going to be very into your business,” Allen said. “And we’re not that kind of place … We want people to feel comfortable, kind of like it’s their own place. You know, you come and go as you please. You do what you want.”
The inn’s dark wood, dramatic wallpaper and antique furniture transport visitors to the Victorian era. The wallpaper and wood were present when they purchased the residence, but Allen and Kathy Menzies added to the distinctly Victorian look through years of furniture sourcing.
After 10 years of operation, the inn has built a collection of antique furniture that contributes to its unique character.
“It’s a little bit over the top,” Allen said. “It’s fun. It’s something that people don’t see all the time … A lot of people see a lot of modern things and all this kind of stuff. We hear people walk in, and they’re just stunned because it’s different and unusual and over the top, big, big.”
Each room in the inn has a distinct ambiance. As a testament to his life’s journey, Allen named each room after a city where he once resided.
While hauling furniture up the winding staircase to the third story with his friend, inspiration struck Allen. The stairs evoked memories of the hills of San Francisco, leading him to name the third floor’s rooms after California cities.
Allen and Kathy Menzies mentioned that many guests gather on the porch or dining area to connect. The dining area provides a continental breakfast, coffee, tea and snacks throughout the day.
“They love our snacks — that’s what they tell me,” Kathy Menzies said.
While the decor and management certainly enhance the appeal of the B&B, the true essence of the inn’s spirit lies with its guests. Allen and Kathy Menzies appreciate the travelers who stop by their inn, cherishing the opportunity to hear their stories.
Recently, a group of friends chose the Champaign Garden Inn to host their decades-long tradition.
“(A group of ladies) get together every year for a birthday, and they pick a different place, and they’ve been doing it since nursing school,” Allen said. “And they were 80; they were so fun.”
Through its antiquity, amenities and ambiance, the inn has plenty to offer its guests. More than just a typical B&B, the Champaign Garden Inn provides an unparalleled experience for all who pass through — it’s a home away from home.
