FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Accommodations
1. How big are your rooms?
Our rooms range in size from two twin beds to a single king bed and two queen beds. Room 9 is the only single accomodation that can sleep up to 4 people, with two queen beds and its own kitchenette. There are two sets of rooms that can be booked together, with a joining door in the interior of the rooms. Room 10 (one queen bed) and 11 (one king bed) can be combined to accommodate up to 4 guests and includes a private bathroom. Room 3 (1 queen bed) and 4 (two twin beds) can be combined to accommodate up to 4 guests. If you need to accommodate a larger group/party, please contact us via email at info@beardandladyinn.com or give us a call at 479-997-5469 so that we can provide you with the different options available.
2. What’s included in our stay?
Each room offers both heat and air, luxury linens, access to shower, complementary soap and hair care from our Apothecary Shop, and access to our coffee bar, outdoor deck and seating, and grill. You can see all of our amenities here.
3. Has the hotel been restored?
Over a century of floods, fires, and general wear and tear left the hotel (originally called The Chester House Inn) in need of repair. Lance and Lacey Hendrix bought the hotel in 2020 from its previous owners, renovated all of its 10,000 square feet, and renamed it, The Beard and Lady Inn. The main structure is still in its original form, and all décor respects the hotel’s historic roots.
4. Is the hotel kid-friendly?
While children aged 12+ may enjoy the atmosphere and activities of the hotel, our bed and breakfast isn’t designed for young children.
5. Can I bring my cat/poodle/bearded dragon?
Unfortunately, we do not allow pets in our historic hotel. However, Chester’s local pet boarder (https://www.chesterchoiceboarding.com) is both affordable and two minutes away from the Inn.
6. What’s there to do in the area?
Our hotel is planted in the heart of the Ozarks, where guests can step right back into the past. Whether you’re one for nature, history, or mountain town charm, The Beard and Lady Inn will not disappoint. Click here to see our guests-only events and our recommendations for exploring the area. Things to Do
Booking & Guest Services
1. Do you book guests through your site or through a third party?
We offer Direct Booking through our website. You can Click Here to see our room availability. We also have three alternative ways to book (Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia).
2. What if I have to cancel my booking?
On each listing, you can see our full cancellation policy, but generally you must cancel 48 hours in advance of the day, for last minute cancelations we are willing to reschedule the stay with no penalty. Event cancellation must be done a month in advance for a full refund. All bookings will have a $50 hold for accidentals. For large bookings there is a $500 refundable deposit.
3. I’m a guest, and I need some assistance. Who should I call?
You can email us at info@beardandladyinn.com, message us on Facebook, or call us at 479-997-5469.
4. What time is checkout/check-in?
Guests are invited to check-in between 3 PM to 9 PM CST, and must check out by 11 AM CST, unless a late checkout has been previously arranged.
5. How do I purchase a train ticket?
We invite all of our guests to take in the glory of the Ozarks by train. You can purchase a train ticket on the A&M railroad here.
6. What other guest experiences do you offer?
Look on our website and the inn's foyer for the latest guest experiences. You can peruse the Apothecary Shop Wednesday - Saturday, 10am-4pm. The Apothecary Shop can be opened outside of these times upon special request ahead of time. Guests can participate in the postcard project, or pose for an antique tintype portrait during their stay.
Events
1. What kinds of events do you host?
We’re happy to host any event, from live music and open mic nights to murder mystery parties, baby showers, and small weddings. For more information, click here.
2. Do you host weddings?
Yes! Our dining hall seats 75 inside plus has an outdoor eating area. Our convention hall seats 75 and has a stage. We are a lovely location for intimate betrothals and receptions plus we can host weddings of 125 outdoors. You can schedule a tour of our venue by emailing us at info@beardandlady.com or feel free to call us at 479-997-5469
3. Do you require a deposit to reserve your venue?
Once you decide that the Beard and Lady Inn is the perfect venue for your unique event, we may secure your contract with a deposit.
General
1. Where are you located?
Our address is 411 E. Front Ave., Chester, Arkansas 272934
2. What’s the best way to contact you?
Upon the booking, each guest will receive contact information for urgent guest needs. All other inquiries can be submitted through our email address info@beardandladyinn.com, or by calling 479-997-5469 .
3. Is the hotel handicap accessible?
The downstairs area is handicap accessible, but the upstairs is not. It is a building built in the 1880s, so the stairs are narrow and somewhat steep to get to the second floor.
4. Is the hotel smoke-free?
Our hotel is 100% smoke-free.
5. I’ve heard that I can only access the hotel by train. Is that true?
While that may have been true a century ago, you can now access the hotel by historic train or in the comfort of your own modern vehicle.
6. Is The Inn really haunted?
Over the last 130+ years, our hotel has withstood fires and floods, hosted a famous WWII brothel, and been the location of repeated ghost sightings. Because of its supernatural activity, rich past, beautiful aesthetic, The Beard and Lady Inn has been the setting of Hollywood films. You can read our spooky history here.
"Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And Lo, no one was there." This quote was carved into a mantle of another historic Inn. I first read it the night that my husband proposed to me. I have learned and lived by this. When fear creeps up and knocks I muster all my courage, sometimes I am still really scared. However, I have found that when I simply open the door by faith, darkness, and fear are dispelled. This has taught me so many lessons, but one big one is that we are haunted by many things. We are terrified of what someone may say about us on the internet, the opinions of our neighbors, befriending a stranger, we worry about our children or even having children as well as growing old.
These fears are not a physical monster on on the other side of the wall or walking down the hall, but they are ideas that we let hide in our minds that we allow to keep us scared. Here at the Beard and Lady Inn we have decorated our rooms inspired by fears we have faced or are overcoming. We ask each guest to join us bravely. One of the ways I have faced my own fear is simply by saying it out loud, writing it down or even confessing to a friend. While you stay we ask that depending on your room you would dive into the full experience with us. Each room will have a writing prompt. Please be prepared for our ask of sending a letter or post card. Sounds scary right? Are you ready to be totally freaked out?....... Leave your phone at the door and face your inner fears.
7. How do I get to The Inn?
From Fort Smith, take Hwy 40 E to Hwy 49 N and take exit 34 and go north into Chester. From Bentonville/Rogers/Fayetteville, take Hwy 49 S and take exit 34 and go north into Chester. From Little Rock, take Hwy 40 W to Hwy 49 N and take exit 34 and go north into Chester.