Explore Frank Lloyd Wright’s Historic Park Inn Hotel

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Discover the charm of the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa, a must-visit for architecture lovers and travelers alike.

Since my teens, I have been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and leaped to visit Mason City, Iowa. This small metropolis is home to the renowned architect’s final remaining hotel. Initially constructed during the early 1900s, the Historic Park Inn Hotel reflected Wright’s Prairie style of architecture. During the early 2000s, locals spent $20 million renovating and restoring the iconic property.

Those efforts created a springboard for residents to embrace Wright’s influence on structures throughout Mason City. More than a decade ago, Conde Nast named this Iowa destination among the World’s 14 Best Cities for Architecture Lovers. The hotel also appears on the National Register of Historic Places. Stoney Creek Hospitality now manages this one-of-a-kind property in partnership with Wright on the Park, a not-for-profit organization working to preserve and promote Frank Lloyd Wright’s local legacy.

The Historic Park Inn Hotel exudes Prairie-style architecture from the moment it comes into view. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Architectural Beauty at the Historic Park Inn Hotel

I could see signature Prairie-style characteristics from the moment the hotel’s pale brick exterior came into view. The building’s wide roof overhangs complemented multi-colored repetitive designs painted across the upper façade. Decorative brickwork below the upper windows reflected Frank Lloyd Wright’s deep affinity for Asian art and design.

Beyond the spacious hotel lobby, guests can enjoy warm-tone couches and natural wood tables. I loved the ceramic lamps with multi-panel glass shades illuminating this welcoming space. Numerous Wright-inspired wall sconces also lit the room. Thin wood strips set in rectangular patterns decorated the walls. And a woven rug with an intricate pattern topped the tile floor.

Local homeowners donated some of Wright’s original art glass during the hotel’s renovation. It had migrated to their house sometime during the building’s early history. Today, this gorgeous installation decorates an expansive ceiling. A long bank of Prairie-style windows illuminated dining tables and surrounding upholstered chairs in the compact upper public space.

During my visit, warm and natural tones infused this public space with Prairie Style details. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

Prairie-Style Halls and Rooms

Narrow hallways with natural wood doors and stairways led to 27 guestrooms. A geometric carpet pattern also echoed Frank Lloyd Wright’s design aesthetic. When I visited, my accommodations included a small sitting area, a light-flooded bedroom, and a retro-feel bath with plenty of vintage-looking tiles.

I loved the dark wood throughout this space. My headboard featured mounted twin circular orbs that provided warm lamplight. Classic Wright-style window casings flanked much of one wall. Earth tones and neutral-colored furnishings abounded atop wall-to-wall carpeting.

Modern luxury meets historic design in every room of the hotel. Photo courtesy of the Historic Park Inn Hotel

Eat, Drink, and Savor

Guests who book a stay at the Historic Park Inn Hotel receive exclusive deals for dining and drinking establishments inside the Historic Park Inn.

At street-level Leadlight restaurant, Wright-inspired light fixtures and stained glass window accents complemented our comfortable leather chairs and fresh, upscale dishes. We watched chefs in the open kitchen as they prepared Firecracker Shrimp with bowtie pasta and hearty grilled Iowa pork chops, to name a few. Finally, Leadlight’s Dessert Trio plate was a luscious combination of the restaurant’s Tiramisu, crème Brulé, and turtle cheesecake.

We also sampled artisanal cocktails in a cozy downstairs bar space that serves regional brews and wine. A blast from the past, the Historic Old Fashioned cocktail combined bourbon, rye, angostura bitters, demerara sugar, and orange. The light and refreshing Bicicletta incorporated white wine with Campari and club soda. My Paloma was a balanced combination of tequila, fresh lime and grapefruit juices, agave, and soda water. It reflected a Mexican cocktail first served over 70 years ago.

Our table also shared several savory flatbread offerings, a chicken Parmesan sandwich, and a decadent, gorgonzola-topped Bacon Bleu Burger.

The cozy and welcoming lower-level bar offers craft cocktails and more. Photo courtesy of the Historic Park Inn Hotel

Beyond the Historic Park Inn Hotel

If you’re a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs, check out additional local examples of his architectural genius. Multiple Prairie-style projects remain throughout the Rock Crest/Rock Glen residential Historic District. This area remains home to the world’s most extensive collection of Prairie-style architecture in a natural setting. Take a guided tour through the 12-acre area. Or download the Mason City Historic Architectural Tour map and set your own pace.

Tour the striking Stockman House (tours last approximately one hour), where you will see more broad Prairie-style overhangs and plenty of decorative wood accents across the home’s facade. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991, this 1908 home-turned-museum is the quintessential Prairie-style structure. Private, public, or group tours provide beautiful glimpses of a home environment that reflects Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs—from plenty of natural wood, leather chairs, and glass lampshades to built-in bookshelves.

Admirers of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture may also enjoy the adjacent Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center. Check out multiple wooden scale models with removable roofs for a birds-eye view of local Wright building interiors. Then, peruse souvenir coasters, key chains, cozy blankets, art glass, and even handcrafted furniture in the gift shop.

Model buildings at the Stockman House and Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center provide a bird’s eye view of local Prairie-style structures. Photo courtesy of Lisa Waterman Gray

Additional Frank Lloyd Wright Structures

If you would like to see additional Frank Lloyd Wright properties beyond Mason City, here are some suggestions:

Over the years, I have visited the architect’s iconic Fallingwater home in Pennsylvania. It seamlessly merges with the surrounding landscape amid dense woods. I have also explored Frank Lloyd Wright’s sprawling and legendary Taliesen West in Scottsdale, AZ, with a local artist.

Additional Frank Lloyd Wright structures include Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray

In the Midwest, numerous Wright-designed structures lie along Wisconsin’s 200-mile Frank Lloyd Wright Trail. They include his 800-acre Taliesen (Welsh for ‘shining brow’) property. In addition to serving as a family home, many architecture students have learned their craft on this property since 1932. I’ve also explored gorgeous Cedar Rock—a 1945 Wright home in northern Iowa, and the sprawling Allen House in Wichita, Kansas. Kansas City, Missouri, is home to Wright’s striking white Community Christian Church.

Visiting Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa

Visiting the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa, was a dream come true for me as a lifelong Frank Lloyd Wright enthusiast. This captivating gem showcases Wright’s signature Prairie style and tells the story of a bygone era when architecture was both functional and artful. Each corner of the hotel whispers secrets of its rich history, inviting you to immerse yourself in the world of one of America’s greatest architects. For fellow travelers and architecture lovers, this site is a must-see. If you’re inspired to explore more of Wright’s masterpieces or uncover other architectural treasures nationwide, read more on Wander With Wonder about our favorite architectural gems. Your next adventure awaits!

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