Dr. Hertich House

Built in 1850 as both residence and medical clinic for Dr. Charles Hertich, one of Ste. Genevieve’s first full-time physicians, this French Chateau-style building with distinctive mansard roof now serves as a heritage hotel blending historic elegance with modern luxury. Located at 99 North Main Street in the heart of downtown, Dr. Hertich House offers four three-room suites with king beds, gas fireplaces, and two-person jacuzzi tubs—plus Der Bierkeller, a unique basement apartment nestled within original 1801 stone foundation walls. Under new ownership by Dr. Sandra Hoffmann (herself a practicing physician at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital), the property continues the medical legacy while delivering what guests call “the ultimate in comfort.” As one anniversary couple raved: “My wife and I stayed in the Memories Suite and it was perfect. Extremely comfortable king bed, easy-to-use gas fireplace at the foot of the bed, and an awesome two-person jetted tub with complimentary bath salts. We had the stuffed french toast delivered to our suite the following morning—5 star service!”

1850 French Chateau Meets Heritage Hotel

Dr. Charles Hertich purchased the property in 1850 for $1,800, when only the northern portion existed. The southern section came later. For decades, the building functioned simultaneously as family home and physician’s office—Ste. Genevieve community members entered through the door bearing an etched “H” (now the property’s logo, though the door itself no longer functions).

The exterior preserves its 1850s appearance: French Chateau styling, mansard roof, historic placard displaying “Charles Hertich 1850.” A wooden gate at the northeast corner opens to the entry where Dr. Hertich’s patients once arrived. The long covered front porch delivers prime Main Street viewing—watch downtown activity unfold while enjoying one of Ste. Genevieve’s best porch perspectives. Across the street sits the elegant Inn St. Gemme Beauvais, creating a historic streetscape that transports visitors to mid-19th century Missouri.

Inside, the original mahogany banister and turned spindles grace the staircase. Exquisite wall coverings, hardwood floors, and carpeting create ambiance enhanced by ceiling fans and light classical music. The 1999 renovation preserved architectural character while updating for contemporary comfort. Dr. Hoffmann’s recent improvements add modern amenities without compromising historic charm.

Four Luxury Suites: Three-Room Comfort

Each suite spans three rooms with consistent luxury appointments:

Bedroom: King bed, gas-burning fireplace positioned for viewing from bed, carefully curated décor reflecting suite themes
Sitting Room: Couch, coffee table, desk area; mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker creating quasi-apartment functionality
Private Bathroom: Spacious layout featuring two-person jacuzzi tub (some guests note showering requires handheld attachment), complimentary bath salts, soft bathrobes, ample space

Suites feature individual themes and color schemes:

Memories Suite: Turn-of-the-century Ste. Genevieve photographs honoring Missouri’s oldest settlement
Ste. Genevieve Suite: Sage and dark cream palette celebrating hometown and Louisiana Purchase history
Heritage Suite: Berry, sage, and pink tones with ancestral photographs dating to early 1800s
Dr. Hertich Suite: Blue color scheme with antique medical supplies honoring the property’s physician history

Modern amenities thread through historic aesthetics: 13-inch cable TVs (tastefully positioned), WiFi connectivity, climate control, premium linens. Rooms balance museum-quality atmosphere with actual livability—you’re encouraged to relax rather than tiptoe around fragile antiques.

Der Bierkeller: Subterranean German Heritage

The basement apartment honors Ste. Genevieve’s German heritage with a nod to traditional bierkeller (beer cellar) culture. In Germany, breweries established beer gardens atop lagering cellars where beer fermented and conditioned—spaces for celebrating and sharing beverages with family and friends.

Der Bierkeller occupies the original 1801 stone foundation—walls predating the 1850 house construction by nearly 50 years. These aren’t decorative stone accent walls; they’re load-bearing historical architecture supporting the entire structure above. Despite basement location, windows provide natural light and ventilation. Full amenities include:

Full kitchen for meal preparation
Private custom bar
Living area with comfortable seating
Sleeping accommodations for 2
Half-bathroom
Full outdoor patio with gas grill (perfect for brats and lagers)
Beautiful garden space accommodating up to 30 people

Guests appreciate the unique experience: “The foundation/rock walls date back to 1801 so it is pretty cool…We made steaks and had a great evening together listening to the live music across the street—front row sitting—Not bad!!” The apartment delivers historic immersion (1801 stone walls) combined with modern convenience (full kitchen, custom bar) and outdoor living (patio, garden, grill).

Breakfast, Gallery, and Hospitality

Breakfast comes included—delivered to your suite at your chosen time. Guests praise stuffed French toast, generous portions, and the luxury of enjoying breakfast in bathrobes without leaving your room. The coffee bar in the common area provides additional self-serve options.

The property features a gallery showcasing regional Missouri artists: Gary Lucy, Bryan Haynes, George Caleb Bingham, Thomas Hart Benton. Works illustrate Missouri history from original Osage tribes through settler arrival and Lewis & Clark’s voyage. The Mississippi and Missouri rivers’ role in settlement and trade receives artistic treatment. This isn’t incidental decoration—it’s curated historical education through regional art.

Staff knowledge extends beyond hospitality basics. Innkeepers provide walking tour recommendations, restaurant suggestions, festival schedules, and insights that maximize your Ste. Genevieve experience. They remember guests’ names, offer personalized Main Street navigation, and create welcoming rather than transactional atmospheres.

Downtown Heart, Walking Distance to Everything

Location at 99 North Main Street positions you perfectly:

Common Grounds Coffee and Pat’s Bakery steps away for morning caffeine
Bolduc House Museum and Felix Vallé House State Historic Site within easy walk
Main Street shops, galleries, restaurants immediately accessible
Inn St. Gemme Beauvais directly across the street (sister property offering dinner service)
Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church, Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center, downtown attractions all walkable

Wine country sits 20-30 minutes away (Crown Valley, Charleville, Chaumette). State parks (Hawn, Pickle Springs) require similar drives. But downtown immersion happens on foot—French Colonial architecture, boutique shopping, historic sites, restaurant hopping, all accomplished without moving your car.

Perfect for Honeymooners, Anniversaries, Special Occasions

Multiple guests specifically mention honeymoons and anniversaries. The combination creates ideal romantic retreat conditions:

Two-person jacuzzi tubs (with complimentary bath salts and soft bathrobes)
Gas fireplaces viewable from bed
Breakfast delivered to suite (no need to dress or leave room)
Historic ambiance without sacrificing luxury
Downtown walkability for evening strolls
Wine and craft beer within minutes

The property markets itself explicitly for these occasions—and delivers. Spacious suites prevent cramped feelings. Privacy via separate suites (not shared B&B common areas) enables genuine retreat. Historic setting provides romance and distinction lacking in chain hotels.

Practical Information

Location: 99 North Main Street, downtown Ste. Genevieve, Missouri 63670
Building History: Built 1850; served as Dr. Charles Hertich’s residence and medical clinic; French Chateau style with mansard roof
Current Owner: Dr. Sandra Hoffmann, practicing physician at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital
Accommodations: Four three-room suites (bedroom, sitting room, private bathroom); Der Bierkeller basement apartment
Suite Features: King beds, gas-burning fireplaces, two-person jacuzzi tubs, mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, cable TV, WiFi, bathrobes, bath salts
Bierkeller Features: 1801 original stone foundation walls, full kitchen, custom bar, outdoor patio with gas grill, garden space for up to 30 people
Breakfast: Included; delivered to suite at guest’s chosen time
Gallery: Regional Missouri artists (Gary Lucy, Bryan Haynes, George Caleb Bingham, Thomas Hart Benton) depicting Osage tribes through Lewis & Clark
Check-in: Self check-in; remote operation for privacy and flexibility
Sister Property: Inn St. Gemme Beauvais across the street (dinner service available)
Booking: Available via Airbnb (individual suite listings) and direct booking
Phone: (800) 818-5744
Walking Distance: All downtown historic sites, restaurants, shops, galleries
Parking: Free on-site parking
Special Events: Property participates in annual Chocolate Walk and downtown festivals
Price Range: Approximately $106-$192/night depending on suite and season

Perfect For:

Honeymooners seeking romantic historic setting
Anniversary celebrations requiring special ambiance
Couples wanting luxury B&B experience with privacy
History enthusiasts appreciating authentic 1850s architecture
Wine country explorers needing downtown base
Visitors prioritizing walkable downtown location
Those seeking jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces
Heritage hotel collectors
Anyone wanting breakfast-in-bed luxury

Not Ideal For:

Large groups (suites accommodate 2; Bierkeller accommodates 2 plus garden events)
Families with young children (romantic adult atmosphere)
Budget travelers (luxury heritage hotel pricing)
Those uncomfortable with historic building quirks
Guests requiring full enclosed shower (jacuzzi tubs use handheld attachments)
Anyone seeking modern chain hotel predictability

Dr. Hertich House proves that physician-owned lodging maintains high standards across centuries. Dr. Charles Hertich purchased the property in 1850 to practice medicine and house his family. Dr. Sandra Hoffmann purchased it 175 years later to honor that legacy while creating luxury heritage hotel experiences. Both understood that care—whether for patients or guests—requires attention to detail, commitment to quality, and understanding that environment shapes experience.

The building itself carries medical history in every detail: the etched “H” on the physician’s entrance, the mahogany banister patients climbed seeking treatment, the 1801 stone foundation supporting generations of healing work. When you stay in the Memories Suite with its gas fireplace and jacuzzi tub, you’re sleeping where Ste. Genevieve’s sick once sought Dr. Hertich’s expertise. When you enjoy breakfast delivered to your suite, you’re experiencing hospitality in spaces that witnessed 19th-century medical practice.

Der Bierkeller adds German heritage celebration to French Colonial context—appropriate for a town founded by French colonists but shaped by waves of German immigration. Those 1801 stone walls remind visitors that Ste. Genevieve’s history layers deeper than any single building, any single ethnic group, any single narrative. The beer cellar apartment invites you to literally descend into that foundation, to touch stones laid when Thomas Jefferson was president, to grill brats on a patio while live music drifts across Main Street from venues that didn’t exist when those walls were raised.

This is heritage hotel done right: preservation without stuffiness, history without sacrifice of comfort, education through beauty rather than didactic plaques. Dr. Hertich would recognize his building’s exterior. He’d be utterly confused by jacuzzi tubs and gas fireplaces. But he’d understand the mission—providing care, creating healing environments, attending to details that transform ordinary stays into restorative experiences.