7 Unique Iowa Hotels: Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah

HOTEL WINNESHIEK

This is considered the premier hotel in Decorah, Home of the Nordic Fest which salutes its Scandinavian heritage.   Right on Main Street with lots to do.  Once you step inside this hotel, you feel like you've been transported to the 19th century.

It was completely restored in 2000 and the rooms are stunning.  And, they have a really nice bar.

Constructed 1904-1905.  There have been many hotels at the site over the prior years to this one's construction.

We also stayed at this place when we were in Decorah to see the famed eagles.

--RoadDog

Why Restauration?

The name of the restaurant in Decorak, Iowa's Hotel Winneshieg is Restauration.  That is kind of a strange name for a restaurant, but there are three reasons why it is named that:

1.  Restauration is an archaic French word for restoration (which certainly has been done at the hotel).

2.  Restauration was the name of the sloop which carried the first Norwegian immigrants across the Atlantic to America in 1823.  Many went on to settle in Decorah.  A replica of this sloop is in the Vesterheim Museum, right down the street from the hotel.  Decorah is extremely proud of its Norwegian heritage.

3.  The name is a tribute to Helen Busler who spearheaded the massive restoration project which was completed in 2000.

--Good Reasons.  --RoadDog

The Blue Plate Special at the Hotel Winneshiek's Restauration in Decorah, Iowa

JANUARY 23, 2015, Friday:  We woke up today at the fabulous old 1905 Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah, Iowa, and went downstairs to the hotel's restaurant, called Restauration.

Last night we had met Bob Anderson, Mr. Decorah Eagles, at Your Place Bar and talked eagles and he had strongly recommended the hotel's Blue Plate Special for breakfast.  He said it was a big meal and very reasonably priced, especially for a fancy hotel like we were at for the night.

He was right on the mark.  The price was $5.50 and included two eggs, hash browns, toast and your choice of housemade Italian sausage or Polashenk's bacon.

I, however, was much tempted to order the French toast made with lingonberries topped with lingonberry butter.  Maybe next time.  I'd never heard of lingonberries before.

Good Eating Right by the huge window fronting Main Street across from a downtown J.C. Penney's store, something you don't see much any more.

If You're Ever in the Area.  --RoadDog