Lamberson Guest House
A historic 1870 hillside retreat above downtown Galena, offering four individually furnished rooms and Galena history within walking distance.
An Historic Hillside Escape in Galena
Lamberson Guest House is a four-room bed and breakfast set inside an 1870 historic home on the hillside above downtown Galena, Illinois. The elevated setting offers views across the city and surrounding hills while keeping the historic downtown within walking distance. We welcome travelers into a home built with genuine nineteenth-century character.
Built in 1870 as a Galena Traditional-style mansion with Italianate influence, the house still carries its original character. Hand-carved entrance doors and leaded glass greet arriving guests, and heart-pine flooring continues throughout the interior alongside an original tiled fireplace and its carved mantel. Bart and Val Gregersen, the eleventh owners, continue that history today.
What Makes Us Unique
The house offers four individually furnished accommodations, the Elizabeth Grand Suite, Jessie, Mary, and Maud, each with a private bathroom. Three rooms have king beds, and Mary features a queen bed. Every room differs in size and layout, combining surviving nineteenth-century details with modern comforts like fireplaces and flat-screen televisions.
Four Beautifully Appointed Rooms
Shared Spaces Throughout the House
Beyond the individual guestrooms, Lamberson Guest House offers several shared spaces where guests can gather, relax, or simply take in the historic surroundings. From the main parlor to the outdoor patio and porch, these areas let guests experience the house as a home rather than a collection of separate rooms.
The Main Parlor
The Living Room
The Dining Room
Outdoor Porch & Patio
The Main Parlor
The Living Room
Breakfast and Afternoon Refreshments
A three-course breakfast is served each morning in the dining room, prepared from scratch and beginning with juice, coffee, or tea alongside a homemade baked item. Each afternoon at 4 PM, guests can enjoy complimentary wine or beer with a charcuterie plate, held in the parlor or on the patio depending on the weather.
Perched Above Galena's Historic Downtown
Lamberson Guest House sits on the hillside above Galena's historic downtown, close enough for an easy walk yet set apart in a quieter residential setting. The surrounding area holds a wide mix of attractions and dining, from Civil War history to locally owned restaurants, giving travelers plenty to explore during a stay.
Galena's attractions span history, outdoor recreation, and local dining, from touring the Ulysses S. Grant Home to hiking the trails above the river valley. Our travel guide covers the full range of things to do nearby, helping guests plan a stay filled with more than just a comfortable room.
Explore Galena's Attractions
For guests who want more than a quick overview, our featured articles explore the property's history in greater depth, tracing the Lamberson family's early years through the house's decades as a private residence and later as an inn. Other articles take a closer look at Galena itself, adding context to the area surrounding your stay.
Dive Deeper with Our Featured Articles
Following the Galena River Trail
If you're looking to get outside during your stay, the Galena River Trail is hard to beat. It follows the former route of the Burlington Railroad, built in 1886, tracing the Galena River for 8.8 miles toward the Mississippi backwaters on a crushed rock path suited to cyclists year round.
Money-Saving Options
Lamberson Guest House offers a few ways to make a stay feel even more special, or a bit more affordable. From optional add-ons for celebrations to a gift certificate toward a future visit, these options let travelers customize their experience beyond a standard room reservation.
Specials and Packages
We offer optional extras to help mark a celebration, along with the option to reserve all four accommodations together for a shared group getaway.
Gift Certificates
A Lamberson Guest House gift certificate makes a memorable gift toward a future stay at our historic Galena property. Perfect for any occasion.
We've gathered answers to the questions prospective guests ask most often about staying at Lamberson Guest House, from room details and breakfast to parking and the property's history. Visit our FAQ page for the full list, or reach out directly if you don't find what you're looking for.
Have Questions? We've Got Answers
See What Our Guests Have to Say
Our guests have shared their own accounts of staying at Lamberson Guest House over the years. We invite prospective travelers to browse those reviews directly to get a fuller picture of what a stay here looks like, from folks who have experienced it firsthand.
Kevin O'Halloran
Amazing hospitality and comfort. We couldn't imagine a more welcoming and friendly host. Even while we were still getting our bags out of the car, Valerie was on the porch greeting us. We loved the afternoon wine and charcuterie social time in the garden. We stayed in Elizabeth which gave us a nice view of the Galena valley.
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Amazing hospitality and comfort. We couldn't imagine a more welcoming and friendly host. Even while we were still getting our bags out of the car, Valerie was on the porch greeting us. We loved the afternoon wine and charcuterie social time in the garden. We stayed in Elizabeth which gave us a nice view of the Galena valley. Bedding was luxurious. We felt very pampered. And the house secret recipe brownies left on our pillows upon arrival? Those brownies were so yummy we'd return just for them!
Breakfasts were 3 course works of art and equally delicious and nutritious. Valerie easily accommodated our dietary requests.
Parking was simple up above so we didn't have to carry luggage up any steps. If you've been to Galena you know it's all about hills and steps. My wife and I enjoyed the 5-10 minute walk down the stairs to the local restaurants, but you could just as easily drive down to Main Street to avoid walking back up the stairs. We came for the relaxation and dining and we were not disappointed! Lamberson was a perfect central base.
We brought our bicycles and loved the Heritage trail starting in nearby Dubuque (we drive their with bikes) which is a level and mostly shaded converted rail bed running along a river. No vehicle traffic and very few crossroads along the 23 mile bike trail. There are bicycling options right around Galena that we have enjoyed on past visits. Also excellent hiking ( Horse Shoe Mound), museums and don't forget the informative Trolley tour.
Galena is amazing! And after this our first of many future stays at Lamberson's we can see why it enjoys a perfect 5 start rating! Thank you Valerie!
Natalie Cook
This B&B exceeded expectations. This beautifully restored historical home was the perfect setting to unwind and decompress from a stressful week. The hosts were so lovely and kind and treated my husband and I like family. Our hosts served us a three course breakfast every morning and there was endless coffee whenever we needed it.
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This B&B exceeded expectations. This beautifully restored historical home was the perfect setting to unwind and decompress from a stressful week. The hosts were so lovely and kind and treated my husband and I like family. Our hosts served us a three course breakfast every morning and there was endless coffee whenever we needed it. Downtown Galena was only a short walk way from the house with so many cute shops and places to eat!
Teresa Marksteiner
This was our 3rd stay at the Lamberson Guest House, our 53rd anniversary. The new owner, Val, was so very accommodating to our requests, even had a beautiful anniversary cake waiting in our room. Breakfast was phenomenal!
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This was our 3rd stay at the Lamberson Guest House, our 53rd anniversary. The new owner, Val, was so very accommodating to our requests, even had a beautiful anniversary cake waiting in our room. Breakfast was phenomenal!
