Their house and the cottage are situated on a quiet, secluded, nearly two-acre estate (view a site plan). Davis Creek meanders through the heavily forested portion of the property adjacent to and below the cottage. Occasionally deer will join the other wildlife that visit. (And, yes, a guest visiting a house by the woods should reasonably expect this animal life to include the occasional mouse or insect.)

Yet despite their beautiful "country" setting, the House and Cottage are only a pleasant ten-minute walk across the Galena river to the heart of Main Street, where they may enjoy the wide array of shops, restaurants and entertainment.

The house and adjoining cottage are private dwellings--not to be mistaken by the unitiated for a commercial hotel, or even an inn or a guest house. Guests are encouraged to feel "at home" in a relaxed atmosphere and to enjoy the company of their hosts and fellow guests, much as they would when visiting friends or family. Take a virtual tour of the property.

The property is licensed by the City of Galena upon successful completion of annual inspection by municipal fire, building and zoning officials and by the county health officer.

The hosts have their living quarters in the main house, as required by city ordinance.

The hosts, who also own two shops downtown, where they are heavily engaged in their daily operations, are the only "staff" the guests are likely to see. Thus there is no 24-hour switchboard, reservation desk, or the like, and guests are expected to schedule their arrivals and departures at reasonable hours. As a consequence, service is friendly and professional, but decidedly less extensive than one would find in a hotel or motel.

Guests in both house and cottage are served a full, formal breakfast in either the dining room or library of the main house. Depending on the season, guests may enjoy relaxing by the fire in the parlor on a winter night, or hearing the sounds of the adjoining woods on the screened porch in summer before retiring to the comfort of their rooms. (Both houses are centrally heated and air-conditioned.)

The De Zoya House is an exceptional Federal period mansion, built circa 1830 by David G. Bates, a steamboat captain from Virginia. He situated the house to face the Galena River, then known as the Fever River and wide enough to permit traffic by large ships. In 1838, Bates suffered an ecomonic reversal and sold the property to John Paul D'Zoya, a Swiss who had served in Napoleon's army. Today, guests arriving by automobile gain access to the house from Third Street, at the rear of the house.

Ample off-street parking is available to guests.