Some ISU students will grab their significant others and travel to exotic locations for romantic getaways this Spring Break. However, for many students, the high costs of airplane tickets and gas will make them stay closer to home for their romantic getaways. 

Luckily for them, there are many bed and breakfast locations in Iowa that will help couples experience romance while also saving on travel expenses.  

1. Mont Rest Inn

Adventurous couples don’t have to travel out of Iowa to get their adrenaline flowing. All they have to do is drive to Mont Rest Inn, located in Bellevue, Iowa on the Mississippi River, to investigate a murder mystery.

Mont Rest Inn, which was built in 1893, offers couples the chance to become a character in a Agatha-Christie-type murder mystery. The murder mystery package includes dinner, breakfast, a room and, of course, a murder.

The inn offers 13 different rooms, ranging from $149 to $249 per night. There are private cabins available as well.

The murder mystery package costs $65 per person plus the cost of a room, with a 12 percent sales and room tax.

In addition to the murder mystery package, Mont Rest Inn also offers several other packages, like the riverboat excursion package, all grown up ladies pajama party, wedding and honeymoon packages, winter ski package and many more. 

2. Designer Inn and Suites

Couples who enjoy going to themed parties will likely enjoy staying in a themed fantasy suite at Designer Inn and Suites, located in Toledo, Iowa.

Designer Inn and Suites offers guests seven different fantasy suites: aces wild, heart’s delight, Roman retreat, rainforest, crystal cave, northern nights and Arabian nights. These rooms range from $99 to $139 per night.

Each fantasy suite was uniquely designed to fit the suite’s theme. For instance, the rainforest suite has trees, tiki torches and other jungle decor. Guests will also hear the sound of a cascading waterfall in the rainforest suite.

Most of the suites feature round beds — aces wild and Roman retreat have king-sized beds and heart’s delight has a heart-shaped bed. Each fantasy suite also contains a television, whirlpool bath and bar.

3. MonteBello Bed and Breakfast Inn

For couples who desire to go on romantic Mexican getaways yet still stay close to Iowa State — as in within Ames’ borders — they should check out and in to MonteBello Bed and Breakfast Inn.

Located two miles south of Iowa State, MonteBello Bed and Breakfast Inn was created to look and feel like a hacienda. 

With its colorful flowers, walls and decor, MonteBello helps transport its guests from Ames to Mexico after only having stepped through the inn’s doors.

MonteBello offers five guest rooms: Tabasco, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Veracruz and Yucatan. Each room was designed to represent the region for which the room was named.

Each guest room has a king-sized bed, ceiling fan, private bathroom with a shower and television. The rooms range from $105 to $125 per night.

In addition to guest rooms, MonteBello also has an entryway, sitting room, living room, dining room, kitchen, and patio and terraza.