I stay here every time I'm in town. There's an awesome coffee shop nearby, also a jewelry store, the local newspaper, and a stroll around the square. Everyone is so friendly! Knowing that Abe spent time in the building is just a bonus. read more

We were there for 2 nights. Check in? No one there. There were 2 pieces of paper on the desk with your name, room number and the code to your door, right there for anyone to see. We had no idea where our room was. My husband looked in the restaurant to the left and saw a girl and asked if she could tell us where our room and the elevator was. She said there is no elevator and said go out back behind the hotel and take the stairs. She was obviously busy with the restaurant. Our room was upstairs and you have to go out the back of the building and climb stairs. It was pouring rain and dark out. We had a cooler, luggage and hanging dress clothes to lug up the stairs. We got in our room and my husband said $191.00 a night for this!!! We couldn't get the A/C or heat to work in the living room. There is a tiny remote and we couldn't figure it out. This must have been an old attic that was turned into rooms using blonde pine. The floors are so tilted and uneven it was hard to walk, it gave you a drunk feeling. There is a sign on your door that you can turn over that said something like clean our room so I turned it to that but no one ever came to provide fresh towels or clean the rooms. We were given 2 rough towels, 2 washcloths and a hand towel. The "closet was just a short bar to hang your clothes on. Luckily we brought some of our clothes on hangers because there was only 1 tiny hanger and it was for pants. The only other places to put clothes were in the one drawer of the nightstand. There is a picture of the inside of the drawers. There is a metal stand to put your luggage on but it was so rickety that it kept leaning so we couldn't use it. When we went to leave we couldn't get the door to lock. We have a Schlage code lock at home but it isn't like this one. I called both numbers on the sheet of paper and both went to voice mail. I texted one number, Brandy, and told her we were having problems getting the door to lock. She said instructions were on the sheet of paper. I still couldn't get it to lock. We had to leave for our function, when we got back the door was still unlocked. I texted her and told her that but never heard back. How can you run a hotel with no one there??? Two other rooms were rented by friends and family. When I asked what they thought of the hotel they just laughed. When we checked out of our room there was no one at the desk. read more

William Watson Hotel - Inside the drawers - Hotels Near Me - Pittsfield, Illinois

So, we've stayed here multiple times before, but always on the second and third floors. It's a historic building so it's a bit different than standard hotels. Brandy was the star of our last stay! She was so kind and helpful and refreshed our towels and bathroom daily! We booked 4 nights and designated a first floor room as the others were booked. The entrance is in the alley way. The key stuck in the door each time we tried to use and it getting in was difficult. The air conditioning is a window unit. There is also an iodizer that was running that sounded like a vacuum cleaner. Bathrooms are older. We didn't have an actual bathroom vanity/sink and used the kitchenette sink. The walls were pretty thin, and we could hear our neighbors often and chatter from the alley and parking lot. The beds were comfy and the room was clean! The restaurant was honestly strange. It's a steakhouse but has a lot of pub seating and tables cannot be moved. Prices were reasonable but food is served in diner style baskets with paper (not a steakhouse vibe). Severs were kind but unorganized. My salad had a lot of wilted lettuce, but baked potato and steak kabob was good. We wouldn't go back. read more

See all

What a pleasant and refreshing surprise. This property was recommended by a family member we were visiting and I can honestly say, was a better stay experience than many of the hotels that I have stayed in for business or pleasure. First and foremost, the location cannot be beat, dead in the heart of the town square and walking distance to most everything. Second, the service was super friendly, almost like family. Third, it was quiet. Perhaps small town factored in, but it was a very peaceful stay. Our room featured a microwave and a mini fridge and ice was available downstairs in the breakfast nook area. The room was cooled by a window unit AC which got the job done for the most part, but interestingly enough did not have thermostats on them, so they ran constantly; and you had to manually adjust between high and normal. They have wall mounted units in place but currently are instructing not to use the wall mounted units so not sure why. The bathroom door in our unit was mounted on the right side and opened to the right, which is also where the toilet was located, so it was a bit awkward to maneuver, i.e. you would have to enter the bathroom, close the door, in order to access the toilet space. The bed was one of the more comfortable beds we have had in a hotel. Forgot your bottle opener? No worries, the breakfast nook area has one you can use. Feeling thirsty? There are multiple water coolers available. Hungry in the AM? There is a good chance the breakfast nook, which is help yourself, has some homemade banana bread, fruit, mini cereals, granola bars for you to grab. Forgot to bring a book to read? No worries, there are many books lying around in multiple rooms for you to choose from. Don't want to just hang out in your room? There is a lovely siting table and chairs on the sidewalk out front, or in the back of the establishment, there is a picnic table, adirondack chairs and a firepit. And the lamps in this place! Someone has great taste in lamps. I can honestly say I have never had the need to take pictures of lamps until I stayed here! If you check in on Yelp mobile, you will receive a 10% discount off your stay, thanks William Watson & Yelp! The owners have to know that they are sitting on a goldmine of potential here. I am not sure, but I think half of the building is still in renovation in regards to future potential. I look forward to seeing how they progress in the years to come, they have done such a lovely job with it so far. And if you are a history buff, you might want to stay in room 202, the same room that old honest Abe stayed in!!! We would definitely stay here again. read more

See all

Beautiful hotel. Lovely location in front of the courthouse. We will be coming back every time we visit Illinois.

We stay here every time we visit Pittsfield. It's absolutely packed with history (a must stop for Lincoln fans), clean, convenient, and locally owned and operated. Our rooms are always ready on time and always feature great views of the impressive Pittsfield Courthouse. There are a few pretty good restaurants easily walkable around the square. read more

See all

If you look at my review history, you'll see that I tend to stay at the big chain hotels when I've away. While completely devoid of charm, at least you know more-or-less what you're going to get. The William Watson Hotel was a gamble that paid off. It is brimming with charm and character and is positioned in the center of a quiet little town (the name of which, for the life of me, I cannot remember). You can walk around or pop over to the convenient store or cafe, which you usually can't when staying at an interstate exit hotel. There are a few downsides that you should be aware of: there's no elevator, the breakfast was severely lacking (Keurig, fruit, and some breakfast bars), and it is a bit of a ways off the interstate. But at a very reasonable price, it was worth it. read more

William Watson Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Pittsfield, Illinois

See all

Wonderful place, and great service. While grandpa was on the phone with them he asked if the beds were stiff. The lady went up and checked and told him. When we got there, our room had a great view of the beautiful courthouse and the beds were great. For breakfast the next morning we had honey buns, fruit bars, and orange juice. Overall, definitely a place I would want to stay again! read more

William Watson Hotel - The hotel sign. - Hotels Near Me - Pittsfield, Illinois

This is a must stop for me when I am in the Midwest. There is something really special about it. Right in the heart of the square or downtown Pittsfield, this little gem has a full on view of the courthouse where history says Abraham Lincoln himself frequented. The decor inside the hotel are reminiscent of that time period. They have a coffee shop and bakery next door that is decadent! It's the perfect place to lose yourself in a book or a board game with a friend. There are lots of little bars and restaurants within walking distance. Lindsey's has the best pizza I have ever had in the region, and their toasted tab rivals the hill in St. Louis! When I lose myself in the total throwback feel of this hotel, I am always surprised at how totally modern and hip the owner is. She is around and so helpful and gracious. She is hands on in both the coffee and pastry shop, as well as the hotel, but she will take time to share some stories with you over coffee, or a beer. I want to comment further that it feels 100% safe here. This is a small town where the crime is not a problem anyway, but the hotel and rooms are safe and warm and cozy. Some rooms have an amazing view, too! I've stayed here several times and am always excited to come back again. It begins to feel like home read more

I realized I never wrote my review of this place. Last October I took a road trip to Kansas City with my dog. I planned the trip in early July. When I called they mentioned I might like this newly created room on the first floor that had a kitchenette, room 103. I told them I had a large German shepherd so this large room would be perfect. I mentioned that the website did not have photos of room 103. From July to October they kept promising they would update their website, they never did and instead they text me some photos. As my trip got closer, my gut told me not to stay there, so I canceled my reservation. Today, the website still does not have any photos of room 103. Be cautious, read the other reviews. read more

I had a work assignment in the area and was a little worried about the limited hotel options nearby. However, I am very impressed by this hotel! While there was no staff member on site to check me in (a key was left on the front desk), I had no trouble finding my room. The room itself is clean and spacious with fun local decor, and includes a large minifridge, microwave, and counter space. Wi-Fi is excellent despite the rural location. Hotel environment is very relaxed and quiet. Would recommend this hotel! read more

William Watson Hotel - Hotels Near Me - Pittsfield, Illinois

Love it! Very clean, very nice. Tempur-pedic mattress was great. Atmosphere is lovely, like staying at a good friends house. Attention to detail, the bathroom had cotton balls, quips and even individually packaged makeup remover wipes. We will definitely be back. read more

First off - it's not a bed & breakfast. A box of cereal, bag of oatmeal & jug of milk in the refrigerator is all there is. Wouldn't have made a difference anyway because of everything else. We had booked a room for Saturday & Sunday. We arrived, the lady at check in was very pleasant & showed us to our room. We went in & out a bit - there was some guy hanging around outside. I thought he was homeless but my husband thought he was a drug dealer. So later that night we find out the lady leaves at 9pm & the front doors stay unlocked. All the doors to the other rooms are wide open. I guess anyone can come in & spend the night. The doors to the room have a door knob with a key & chain. Not being very comfortable with the situation we decide to make the best of it & watch a movie but the dvd player didn't work. Couldn't tell anyone because no one was there. I emailed the owner about 10:30pm but did not get a response. We got up the next morning & left. Didn't have to check out - no one was there. There was a note on the desk to call but we just left the keys & the reason why we were leaving early. I did get a response on Monday saying that her brother in law is the sheriff - I'm not sure exactly why I needed that info unless he was staying in the hotel. Also they still charged me for the night we didn't stay there. read more

We stayed at the William Watson Hotel over Memorial Day weekend while we were in town to ride ATV's at the Hearland Lodge in Nebo about 20 min away. Reservation process was very easy. I left a message and got a call back within a day. Everything about the Hotel was cute as a button!! So much character and charm- someone has paid attention to every detail. It was very clean and we loved our stay! The back patio was wonderful and we spoke to the owner as he was coming and going....very friendly and personable. We can't wait to come back!! read more

Historic hotel in a small town. Best hotel in town. Rooms are nice. Continental breakfast is sparse, but a good coffe house next door. All rooms require a stair climb. Good overall experience read more

My husband and I have been frequent visitors of the William Watson for three years. We have stayed many places around the world and the feeling of warmth I get when I visit this beautiful timeless hotel can not be compared. I feel like I am in a movie in a quaint establishment surround by fine people. If you are looking for somewhere you will remember through out your life bring an open mind and a kind heart to this wonderful place. The hotel is always accommodating and welcoming. The rooms are enchanting and always make me smile. I feel like we have walked into Mayberry! read more

William Watson Hotel - The beautiful kitchen in our room. - Hotels Near Me - Pittsfield, Illinois

See all

I really enjoyed my night at the Watson hotel. It's a very nice and clean hotel. The decor and laid back atmosphere are warm and welcoming. If you want someone attending to you 24/7 this might not be for you. I arrived and there was no one at the desk but they were a phone call and 10 minutes away. Joseph helped carry my luggage to the room and made sure I understood how the hotel worked e.g. what time they lock the exterior doors, contact numbers in case I needed something, door code etc. Personally, I liked the laid back atmosphere and not being bothered. It fits the small town vibe. read more

We were driving through to Columbia Missouri but decided to stop in Pittsfield once it got dark for the night. We stayed at a motel down the road off of Rt 54 (which was very nice and clean but that'll be a different review). We walked through town to find something to eat and while we waited for our delicious calzones to be done from Gianni's Pizza, we noticed a sign for the Watson Hotel. We stopped in and were greeted by a very friendly young lady, Beth, who walked us around the hotel and told us about its history. The next day we were heading back home to Chicago and decided to stay at The Watson for the night. We were given a great price for the Lincoln Room which was just charming! The hotel has a comfortable country home feel to it, with friendly staff and a quaint coffee shop connected to it which fills the hotel lobby with the scent of warm coffee. The rooms are spacious and beautifully decorated, conserving its original historic features. There's a large kitchen with tables where they serve cold breakfast until NOON! We are very much looking forward to staying here again in a couple months when we drive through again. We are absolutely in love with this place! read more

See all

Well cant say anything other than no one answers the phone...any number. I tried to reserve a room for my wife who was travelling in Illinois and sent her, Friday evening(7:30 PM), to the Hotel. No one either answered the phone, returned calls or answered the door when she arrived. I don't think this is a real business... maybe a pastime...or hobby. Either way just bypass the Hotel. It has a place... in history. read more

I stayed at The William Watson Hotel last weekend. The historic hotel oozes charm. My room was immaculate, and I slept like a baby. Jane Petty was a wonderful host. If you're ever driving through Pittsfield, it is the best place to stay! It is right across from the beautiful courthouse and within walking distance to several restaurants and antique stores. read more

Love this hotel and the coffee shop next door. Both run by a very nice couple. Rooms are charmingly decorated and comfortable. Both times I have stayed here I have had the pleasure of getting one of the rooms in front overlooking the town square and courthouse across the street. read more

Not sure what wrong with the last 2 reviews, but the stay for my partner and I for our anniversary was truly perfect. Calling ahead of time to make preparations was smooth and easy, upon arrival we were greeted and helped to our room. We even where able to fix a day-late payment, just to show how flexible this place is. The Lincoln suite was fantastic, a fine combination of old authentic with modern style compliments. The bathroom/shower was also refreshing and nicely decorated, and on the second floor with two windows with a great view of the town square. The cafe, Free Press is also located just downstairs past a doorway, I was able to walk there in just some house slippers just to show how accessible it was. The rest of the hotel (more like an Inn) had a VERY quaint, cozy feel to it, utilizing many warm colors and old decor throughout the whole building and cafe. And to top it all off, we stayed there from Thursday to Sunday in a suite and barely paid $320. Truly, if you're looking for a get away from the fast, busy life with the family, group, or someone special, The William Watson hotel should surely be on your list of places to go, small town, welcoming atmosphere all over, best anniversary destination we picked. (Lastly, not involving the hotel, but if you have sprint, then services are very thin to none around this area... so make preparations for that, or use William Watson's Wifi.) read more