Discover 13 Unique Places to Stay on Kentucky's Bourbon Trail
Memory-making accommodations in Covington, Frankfort & Bardstown, Kentucky.
There’s no reason to feel like sleep means missing out on fun during your Come Find Bourbon vacation. One-of-a-kind accommodations with a rich sense of place abound on Kentucky’s authentic bourbon road trip. From rustic to luxurious, historic to new, cozy to spacious, there’s something for everyone, however you define “unique.” Here are just a few suggestions of where you might rest your head—and later find yourself daydreaming about return visits.
Covington
EarthJoy Village is home to the “Skoolie Love Bus,” a school bus converted to offer running water, an incinerator toilet, refrigerator, and other conveniences. Or take your pick among three super-cool treehouses equipped with slides, zip-lines, and other amusements. While on the Germantown property, explore 200 acres of hiking and mountain biking trails, go on a scavenger hunt, swing in a hammock, and try a tree climbing adventure or guided canopy tour.
North by Hotel Covington offers 53 apartment-style rooms in a historic building with a modern interior. Elegance is the vibe with lavish colors, modern art, and amazing views of downtown Covington. Spacious floor plans offer lots of elbow room. Luxury here comes with wow factors: Each unit has its own eye-popping elements like rope headboards, floor-to-ceiling windows, spiral staircases, private terraces, and even a two-bedroom/two-bathroom suite with a turret.
The Pickle Factory by Neat Suites in historic downtown Covington is a boutique hotel inside a building that was a pickle factory in the late 1800s. With eight bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and six kitchenettes, it’s possible to rent the entire 5,000-square-feet space to sleep up to 16 people or rent individual apartments from two-bedroom suites to lofts and studios to accommodate smaller numbers of guests. Pickle-themed art and pops of green nod to the building’s past while free parking, TVs, and WiFi are among its modern amenities.
Weller Haus Bed, Breakfast & Event Center in Bellevue occupies two historic homes (circa 1885) updated for warm luxury. Pick among five individually decorated guestrooms: three suites with whirlpool spa tubs big enough for two, one mini-suite with a single whirlpool tub, and one standard room. Enjoy pampering service, complimentary breakfast, and thoughtful touches like Turkish towel waffle weave robes, high thread-count triple sheets, and heated mattress pads.
Frankfort
The Bourbon Library on West Main Street in downtown Frankfort offers two luxury VRBO spaces in the historic Mason & Hoge building. “The Bourbon Trail Luxury Loft” is a five bedroom, five bathroom space with themed décor including Hollywood lights, a ropes room, palms room, and several eye-popping surprises. The “Penthouse Overlooking Downtown Frankfort” is a six-bedroom, five-bathroom penthouse designed to impress with a bunk room, wallpapered lips room, snake room, monochromatic room, balcony room, and more.
The St. Clair is a boutique short-term rental concept hotel inside a former furniture store. Its 15 suites range from studio to two bedrooms, with keyless entry and no formal lobby. All suites include a kitchen (some with a stove) and a free parking spot in the garage across the street. Exposed brick and ducts give the space an industrial look. It’s adjacent to Howser Tavern, a Prohibition-era speakeasy with 75+ top-shelf bourbons.
Stillmeadow Farm is a spacious Georgian-style home on 135 acres. Lovingly renovated with an elegant vibe, the décor includes family heirlooms and antiques plus works by local artisans. With five bedrooms, two and a half baths, a full kitchen, formal dining room, bar/study, family room, and sunroom, the house can accommodate up to 15 guests for a minimum of three nights.
Van Winkle’s Secret/Speakeasy is a home for rent via Airbnb that can accommodate up to eight guests. It has three king beds plus a pullout couch, two full- and two half-baths, a patio, outdoor fire pit, and large private fenced yard. There’s even a hidden speakeasy if you look hard enough. Amenities include free on-site parking.
bardstown
Bardstown Motor Lodge is a boutique hotel with a Mid-Century vibe. The refreshing lounge pool, dubbed ‘Bardstown Swim Club’ by the hotel, offers sunny seating areas, a tanning deck, cabanas, and a poolside bar. You’ll also find fire pits and a retro-style rec room. All 30 guestrooms and five suites offer cozy comfort.
Jailer’s Inn Bed & Breakfast offers the chance to sleep in a former jail cell—the Old Nelson County Jail property housed prisoners from 1797 until 1987, making it the oldest operating jail complex in Kentucky. But you won’t feel like a prisoner. Located in historic downtown Bardstown, its nine rooms all have private baths (two with double whirlpool tubs), cable TV, off-street parking, free WiFi, and full breakfast. Stay more than one night for a discounted rate.
Log Still Distillery boasts 14 luxurious options. You might choose a cozy guestroom in a farmhouse overlooking the lake at The Homestead; a lakefront suite at the Poplar Cottage with wraparound porch; or an elegant room in the crystal-lit Georgian-style Mansion. All are within walking distance of the distillery’s tasting room.
Talbott Tavern has provided shelter, food and drink since 1779! The world’s oldest bourbon bar has six rooms available for overnight guests, each of which is named after someone famous or infamous who visited the Tavern. All guestrooms are furnished with period antiques yet include modern private baths, cable TV, and available WiFi. The neighboring Talbott Inn, in a renovated 1913 building, offers 15 guestrooms with a more updated vibe though historic elements remain: one room has a vault.
