Hotel Frederick

Hotel Frederick is now my go-to when I visit my son at M-I-Z-Z-O-U. If you're a Mizzou parent trying to find reasonably priced lodging in Columbia on a football weekend, consider The Fred in nearby Boonville. I stayed for Dad’s Weekend recently and was very pleased. The rooms have their own 1920s style, with thoughtful modern updates. Don't expect the luxury of the Waldorf Astoria or the Broadmoor, but there's a lot of character here. The main floor has a restaurant and bar, there's a weekend speakeasy with live music, an antique store inside the hotel, a classic diner next door, and some of the friendliest staff around. My son joined us for dinner at the excellent hotel restaurant on our first night, then we drove back to Columbia for the evening activities. When we returned, I checked out the basement speakeasy. The cozy atmosphere and live music made it a highlight. The next morning, my wife and I walked along Main Street and enjoyed the locally owned shops. We also met Holly, the owner of Hotel Frederick. She'd managed the hotel for years before buying it to run as a family business, and her passion for the place shows in the details.

We LOVE Hotel Frederick, especially for the dining. The food is 10/10 and the drinks are phenomenal. We're partial to the place for several reasons, but our collaboration on the 1105 Riley Garlic Butter Burger is at the top of the list. Check them out when you're in Boonville for an unforgettable experience!

The vintage keys and atmosphere are lovely, and the place is charming and well priced. I would have given it five stars even without a microwave in the room, but I paid extra for a room with a jetted spa tub and couldn't use it. The hot water turned cold before the tub was even a quarter full, nowhere near the jets. We first tried in the evening and thought perhaps other guests were using the hot water. The next day we tried again, filling it in 30-minute intervals to see if it could heat back up between fills, but still had no luck. These rooms need their own hot water heaters, or the existing ones need a serious upgrade.

After waiting an hour, we were served a badly overcooked steak and completely raw salmon at the same table. I believe this restaurant needs a new chef and definitely new management. The manager's first offer was one free cocktail. That's the compensation for food poisoning a guest? I spent hours over the toilet that night because of their incompetence. I'd already left the establishment, so my family had to stay and pay the bill. After arguing with them, they finally took the salmon off the ticket. Maybe the lighting is so dim so you can't see what you're eating. Given management's judgment, that seems plausible. I'm extremely disappointed with how they handled such a major screw-up, one that could have had serious medical consequences. Own your mistakes, make things right, and don't insult your guests. Do better.