We stayed here for our Anniversary. Everything was going perfect that day. We had dinner in town and bought baklava pastry to enjoy by the fireplace, with our 'help yourself' hot tea. It was very quiet, no one around, we had not seen the innkeepers, and there was a log, newspapers, and box of matches sitting in the sitting room by the fireplace. Assuming we were to help ourselves, as all signs indicated, my husband started the log on fire. Apparently the flew was not open and smoke started to come into the room, we frantically tried to open the flew, and opened the front door to let out the smoke. THEN, the innkeeper (a man we had not met) showed up out of nowhere, and proceeds to yell at us, insulting us with rude remarks, as if WE had done something wrong. I tried to tell him we had opened the flew, but it was plugged or something was wrong, because smoke kept coming in no matter how we adjusted it. He just left in a huff, and had ruined our evening, being so rude. If they didn't want guests using the fireplace, they should have had a sign in sight indicating that, and they should not have logs, paper and a box of matches there. If it were not for that, I would stay there again and recommend it to my friends. But that was so awkward, I don't want to be around those kind of people, it is not relaxing. They served a good homemade breakfast in the morning, and the room was very nice and quaint. We had a clawfoot tub. When we talk about the incident now, we laugh, because we felt like it was an adventure, and it made us feel like we were getting chewed out by our parents or something. But that guy needs some lessons in PR, if you know what I mean. That's not how you treat your customers.

I stayed at the Jailhouse Inn after reading the reviews on this website and I am so glad I did. My colleagues and I each booked rooms in August 2009 for three days while on a business trip. The innkeepers were the highlight of the trip and extremely accomodating. We needed a work room and were concerned about our late hours and loud voices so the innkeepers gave us free reign of the lower level wine cellar. This made for some productive, if not a little tipsy, meetings. The food was the second highlight. The innkeepers cooked the most incredible breakfasts each morning, and even accomodated our early morning start times. Last, but certainly not least, were the cozy rooms. Each room was comfortable and inviting. I even got to spend a night in the Cell Block and it was neat. The Jailhouse Inn is a must if you are in the Fillmore County area.

We have just returned from our 7th stay at the Jailhouse Inn in Preston Mn.
This is the origional 1669 Fillmore County jail that was completly rebuilt inside and out as an Inn. It has 12 rooms including the original cell block which is great for familys with kids.
The other rooms are furnished with period furniture, excellent beds and increadible service and value.. The hosts had previous experience in the hospitality industry and are the perfect fit to operate this inn. They also live on site which is very nice for the service you need.
The gourmet breakfast is excellent and they always have coffee and tea available and home made cookies every evening.
WiFi is available, bring your own laptop.
Preston Mn is in the scenic Root River Valley of southeastern Mn, about an hour south of Rochester and the Mayo Clinic. There are miles of paved bycycle trails through the scenic valleys and woodlands of the area. Also this area has some of the best trout fishing and Wild Turkey hunting in the Midwest.
Nearby Lanesboro is a senic river town with many shops, restaurants and the new Commonweal live Theater.
There is also a winery with excellent local wines, you can visit Amish farms with their many crafts for sale, canoeing on the Root River or book a float trip.
The fall colors are absolutely outstanding in this area and a little known secret is there are hardly any mosquitos in the summer due to the lack of standing water.
Visit two caves and Forestville state park with it's interpretive history center.
Prices are very reasonable in this area. A wonderful place to visit.
This is also a wonderful place for a small wedding or family reunion.