When we booked the entire property(mansion, barn and grounds) 2+ years in advance we were elated. The tour of the mansion and the property were beautiful. We had also been to a few events at the property before touring it. 9 days before our event(wedding), the owners tried to cancel. 5 days before our event, the owner asked if a man we did not know could share space in the mansion with our wedding crew. The day we check in at the property the barn was not ready. It was dirty and we had to clean it. We also had to place all the tables and chairs that the owners said they would set up per the contract. Every single chair was covered in filth. The owners did not properly clear the snow either. The day of our event the owner kept inserting themselves into our guests and networking. They were also seen taking photos during the ceremony. The guests were facing the owner when they took the photos. The electric service in the barn is not capable of running 3 roasters. We asked about this before planning to use them for the meal; we were told it'll work just fine. It did not. After the lights went out(during reception) my husband, an electrician, looked the service over and said there was no way the roasters could stay on. Due to the owners not clearing the snow properly we had 5 guests get stuck while trying to leave. Going back to when we checked in; Rhonda told us to call her if we needed anything. We dialed her several times and she never answered. I had to go physically find her. There was also a trailer parked right where everyone would walk past to get to the barn. It was loaded up with dead appliances, a used mattress and cardboard boxes. An absolute eyesore. There were also two vehicles parked out there to die as well. Two dead lawn mowers in the tree line too. None of these issues were present when we booked. Everything was pristine and stunning. Inside the mansion the bathrooms were not clean. Toilets had murky water and mold growing in the bowls. There were also dead insects everywhere. As long as Rhonda and Bryan are in charge of the property, I do not recommend Historic Bell Hill. It is such a shame for such a grand property to be ill managed. read more

Historic Bell Hill Bed and Breakfast - The trailer of junk and truck that greeted every guest. - Bed & Breakfast Near Me - Cobden, Illinois

We attended a wedding a week ago for my brother and his wife. The grounds were beautiful, but the venue was not equipped for an indoor reception and did not provide day of wedding coordination or hospitality. The barn was not equipped for cold temperatures and the venue did nothing to rectify this. The previous reviews were from the former owners. I cannot recommend this venue based on our experience and the lack of service, especially if you are planning a wedding in late autumn through early spring. The venue is not at all prepared for cold temperatures. read more

We don't go to a lot of bed and breakasts, but it kit's something you think you might enjoy, this place is just ideal. The house was built in 1850 and sits way up on a hill with an unbelievable view of the beautiful Southern Illinois countryside, including the Bald Knob cross when the weather is clear. There is a big porch out the top floof whith some chairs to enjoy the view, but you can also see it out many of the windows. Julia is a fantastic hostess. She has done an exceptional job decorating each room, everything meticulously matched and very clean. The grounds are also very nice - we walked up toward a shed out back and racoon stuck his head out the door to see who was coming. Breakfast was excellent - bacon, eggs toast and coffee cake and fresh fruit. I've have fancier dishes at B&B's, but they didn't taste any better. If you are hitting the wineries, it's definitely a plus that this B&B is right in the middle of the trail and pretty close to the Cobden "business district" which features the Yellow Moon cafe and Fuzzy's dive bar. Besides the wineries, other things to do nearby include Giant City State Park, Little Grand Canyon, Pomona Natural Bridge, Cedar Lake, some Shawnee Forest hiking trails. Carbondale and Murphysboro are nearby towns. Rooms were $150-160 per night, which is a good deal for accomodations like these. . read more

I stayed at Bell Hill over Memorial Day Weekend 2010. I choose it off of the Shawnee Wine Trail website without any prior experience. The weekend was a celebration for my boyfriend's birthday and I wanted it to be perfect - Wow, did I get lucky! Bell Hill is a truly lovely experience. The Inn itself is a picturesque historic home situated on the top of a hill overlooking beautiful fields. There's a shared rooftop deck that sports amazing sunset views. The land surrounding the Inn is beautifully landscaped and while we were there the magnolia blossoms were just breathtaking. The Innkeeper Julia is a doll. She was incredibly helpful from start (me calling with 30 questions prior to booking our reservation) to finish (pulling me aside discretely to chat about the bill which she knew was a gift for my paramour) and really makes this B&B the unique experience it is. The room we stayed in was gorgeous (Grant's Room) with beautiful time period appropriate decor (but VERY elegant and not "country" like so many other B&Bs) and an enormous bathroom. Apparently servants quarters were renovated and turned into a spacious private bath making with particular suite quite luxurious - complete with a deep soaker tub and private balcony for coffee in the mornings. Breakfast was a fun experience as we were able to chat with the other Inn goers and get a feel for the mix of people visiting. The food was delicious! Julia is a fantastic chef and has the group breakfast down to a science. Overall, the Inn was fantastic. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone looking to stay in the area. It's convenient to wineries, horseback riding, rock climbing, and everything else the area has to offer. And tell Julia I said hi!! read more

I have had quite a few customers who have stayed at Bell Hill Mansion and can't wait to go back. We are on the Wine Trail so many people that come by are staying at nearby B & Bs or cabins. The feedback I get is that they love the setting -high on a hill with a view that goes for miles - and the rooms. I have also heard raves about the owner Julia and her wonderful food. I have gone there on a tour and have been really impressed by the decor and overall ambiance. I have also had breakfast there and can also speak firsthand about both the food and the view from the Breakfast Room - both were first class. read more

We had no idea there was a "wine trail" in Southern Illinois - and we live just over 100 miles from there. Friends recommended this BnB, and we were so very impressed. Julia is amazingly friendly, and talking with her my long-repressed Southern accent came back full-force. The house is immaculately clean, and so perfectly decorated. We stayed in the Metiney Room, and had the best night's sleep we'd had in ages. The bed is so comfortable we're planning to shop for one identical to it ASAP. Breakfast in the dining room was awesome! Fresh fruit with yogurt, French toast, pumpkin bread, and a sausage gravy casserole... Yum! Wish we could have stayed longer, and next time we will! read more

This is THE B&B to stay at in Southern IL, or, like us, have your wedding! You will not find truer Southern Hospitality than what Miss Julie provides. Her home is exquisitely decorated and her cooking is divine. I personally love her broccoli casserole. Once you stay at this charming mansion, it will become that special place you just can't get out of your brain. read more