Stuart Avenue Inn Bed & Breakfast

Had an excellent stay at the Stuart Avenue Inn. The house is located near downtown Kalamazoo but is on a quiet residential neighborhood street. The house is very large and comfortable with a beautiful period correct interior decoration. My wife and I stayed in the Bartlett room which is refreshingly decorated as a man’s room instead of flowers and girly things as is often the case in a B&B. Our room was quiet at night and the bed was very comfortable. Breakfast was exceptionally good and the coffee was hot and plentiful. The very friendly owners made an excellent recommendation for a local pub for dinner and were always very helpful. I would recommend this place to any of my friends without hesitation.

We have stayed at Stuart Ave Inn twice now while visiting K College. It is a large Victorian house on a very pretty quiet street one block from the campus. The downstairs common area, with several sitting rooms and dining, is decorated consistent with the period and beautiful. We first stayed in one of the second floor rooms — large, quiet, pretty and comfortable. It is one of three B & Bs near the campus — very similar to Hall House in quality and far better than Henderson (and it goes without saying, light years better than the nearby Comfort Inn). On our last visit with some kids in tow we stayed in the top for suite. It’s large and has a separate sleeping area (with two queens) but has a smallish bath. It’s not as nice as the second floor rooms but pleasant and a great choice for a family looking for the B & B experience. Owners are great, friendly and helpful. The breakfast was top notch. The Inn is a great choice for visiting Kalamazoo, especially K College (if not visiting the college and looking to stay downtown-​about ½ mile away Kalamazoo House is also excellent although not as laid back or quiet as the Inn).

We were on the last two days of our honeymoon and decided to spend them in Kalamazoo at the Stuart Avenue B&B in the Gardener’s room. The room was the perfect size and separate from the main house. The innkeepers, Dana and Chris, were great and very friendly, easy to talk to and happy to give local recommendations of stuff to do, and ultimately why I like to go out of my way to stay at independently owned B&Bs. They built (and are still building on) a neat place with lots of character and make a rockin’ breakfast and some fantastic pastries and cookies!

I have stayed at the Stuart Avenue Inn seven times and have come to think of it as a home away from home when I visit my daughter at Kalamazoo College. Innkeepers Dana and Chris have been unfailingly friendly in my experience. When I saw the «don’t stay in Room #5» warning from another reviewer, I wondered if it was the room I’ve stayed in twice. Yup. Well, I am extremely sensitive to noise and have slept very comfortably in that room.

My boyfriend and I had a really great time here; we thought that the room we stayed in (the Gardener’s Suite… or something like that) was spacious, clean and nicely appointed.
The owners, Chris and Dana, were both very friendly and accommodating; they were ready to give suggestions for activities and restaurants and just seemed like bright, interesting people.
Chris remembered on check-​in that we were vegetarian, they made a delicious breakfast (with amazing Greek yogurt and honey as a side dish) and Dana was happy to give us the history of the house and grounds.
They have a beautiful and incredibly sweet dog named Belvedere, but I get the impression they only introduce him if you make it clear that you’re okay with dogs.
I just think this place is great, and I would choose to stay here when in Kalamazoo.

I would give this place 0 stars if I could. They don’t deserve 1 star.
We stayed there one night, and it was way overpriced for the quality of the building, the room, and the neighborhood. Our room wasn’t particularly comfortable or attractive, the floor and ceiling were dusty, and they had dozens of pumpkins outside along the windows left over from Halloween more than one month earlier. Again, a month after Halloween: those pumpkins were rotten by then. Dozens of them. Not the nicest view.
The house was run-​down and creepy. Very squeaky, noisy bed. The female innkeeper was very unfriendly, only greeting my husband and turning around when I offered a hand shake.
Worst of all, though, the day after we left they emailed us accusing us of $ 150 in damages to the HANDLE of their in-​room mini-​fridge. $ 150 for a scratched handle. We didn’t damage the fridge, but they would not return our phone calls or emails to discuss the matter. Instead they just went ahead and charged our card and we never heard back. They are not trustworthy people.
Even aside from that bad experience, I would not recommend staying here because it is by no means worth the price. Combine that with unscrupulous «business» practices, and this would have to be the most regrettable place I have ever had the displeasure of visiting.

DON’T STAY IN ROOM NUMBER 5!
I attended K College and was excited to stay at the inn located right across the street from the dorm I stayed in for a couple of years. The main floor is lovely — beautiful features in the old Victorian home. The room we stayed in was just okay. I’ve stayed in inns with much nicer rooms and beds. The room did however have a cute little kitchenette and reading nook. That being said, don’t stay in that room. Please. I’m begging and warning you. A good night’s sleep it does not provide. It is right above the kitchen. The owners, Dana and Chris, wake up before the crack of dawn to prepare a wonderful breakfast — two delicious crisps even — for all of their guests. The problem is that all the banging and talking from the kitchen below echoes throughout the room above — room #5. I am a very sound sleeper, but between the uncomfortable bed and hearing every word and noise from the kitchen below… well, I was up when they got up. Not what a was hoping for.
So only stay in room #5 if you are a very, very early riser.

Chris and Dana (owners) couldn’t have been more inviting (or accomodating). Two nights became three when all was said and done.
Prior to goodbye they had accepted a package before my arrival and had it waiting as I stepped in the door, got me into a room (any room) after flying all night and arriving well before my room would become available, insisted on dropping me at the reception I was in town to attend and served 3 amazing breakfasts (ricotta eggs; delicious cinnamon french toast; fresh blueberries and peaches with yogurt and walnuts; roast beef hash and on)
The public spaces were immaculate and the attitude of the place was relaxed and convivial, due in no small part to Chris and Dana. I noticed them tending to the massive lawnscape/​garden that serves as the view from the breakfast room or the surroundings if you chose to take breakfast outside on the patio.
Always welcoming. Never intrusive. The best antithesis of Hotel I’ve ever been to. Truly a pleasure to stay with them.