The town of St. Maries in Northern Idaho is nestled along the St. Joe River, which offers some of the state's most fertile trout and bass fishing. Local accommodations primarily consist of privately-owned mom-and-pop motels, inns and bed and breakfasts, with little to no chain hotels in the area. Visitors can expect the town’s boutique properties to offer comfortable down-home accommodations, personalized guest services, and easy access to local recreation spots and points of interest.
The St. Joe Riverfront Bed & Breakfast gets its name from its prize location along the river, giving guests ample opportunity to go swimming, canoeing or kayaking. The property features an expansive lawn for recreational activities, a small sandy beach with a fire pit, and an outdoor deck for sunbathing or stargazing. Guests are treated to a gourmet breakfast each morning, with fresh fruits and vegetables from the inn's garden, while snacks and wine are served in the evening by the lounge fireplace. Each of the four guest rooms is uniquely decorated, offering either a king-size or queen-size bed, and amenities like satellite TV and a ceiling fan. Some rooms also feature vaulted ceilings, Italian tile work, claw-foot bathtubs and private balconies.
The River Front Suites is within walking distance of downtown shops and eateries as well as the local IGA grocery store. River docks and a public boat launch are less than 150 feet from the property, while the St. Maries Golf Course and the Municipal Airport are less than two miles away. The property features five one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units, all completely decorated with rustic country-style furnishings. Suite amenities include 32-inch LCD TVs with 140-channel DirecTV, DVD player, coffee table and double sofa/futon sleeper. Master bedrooms contain ultra-plush queen-sized beds, while second bedrooms feature log bunkbeds and a workbench. Fully-equipped kitchens include a stove, fridge, microwave, utensils, cookware and a table for six. Dogs are welcome.
Fort Hemenway Manor, built between 1910 and 1913, is a 5,000-square-foot bed and breakfast perched on a hill above the town of St. Maries. The interior features a grand staircase and hardwood floors made of fir, custom English chandeliers and handmade bay windows with beveled glass. Guests can make use of a formal living room lounge with upright grand piano or enjoy the entertainment room, with a TV, VCR and DVD player. Gourmet breakfasts such as French toast and tabouli scramble are served each morning in the dining room, while the wraparound porch's wicker furniture is available for sipping afternoon tea. Each of the four guest rooms are distinctly decorated and offer one king-size, one queen-size or two twin-size beds, while some also feature antique armoires and fireplaces.
The locally-owned, 28-room Pines Motel is situated on Main Street in downtown, providing easy access to various shops and restaurants. Additionally, motel staff can help guests coordinate activities ranging from hiking, biking and boating in the summer to skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, with free shuttle rides to the river available by appointment. Points of interest like the Emerald Creek Garnet Mine, St. Joe National Forest and Trail of the Coeur d' Alene are just a short drive. Property amenities include free outdoor car and truck parking, ice machines, community microwaves, and free coffee and hot chocolate in the lobby. Guest rooms feature cable TV, individual climate controls, mini-fridges and high-speed wireless Internet access.
