The Bee's Knees: excellent - the very best
Step back in time onto the historical Locust Street District of Downtown Washington, Missouri to our exclusive collection of Missouri Haus vacation rental homes.
👉 Heated pool is open for the 2026 season and will close the end of September
The Bee's Knees is two of our neighboring homes together -- the Mill Haus and the Beekeeper's Cottage -- giving you the exclusive use of the private heated swimming pool, hot tub, backyard, and large game room in addition to both houses.
Bring your whole family, your besties also, for a wine country or golf getaway, ride the Katy Trail, or celebrate a wedding at one of the nearby wedding venues. The Bee's Knees properties are in the heart of WashMo and Missouri wine country and less than an hour from St. Louis.
On the National Register of Historic Places as a part of the Locust Street Historical District, the renovated early 1900 historical homes are fully updated with modern amenities. With a total of 7 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and 3 half bathrooms, the Bee's Knees sleeps a total of 20 people.
(See below on how the bedrooms and bathrooms are located in the two homes next to each other.)
Over a century old, the fireplaces (nonworking), doors, woodwork, and hardwood floors have all been refurbished, adding a beautiful charm to the brick homes.
The Bee's Knees homes are dog friendly for pre-approved dogs only.
MAIN LEVEL: BEEKEEPER'S COTTAGE
The living area on the main level is an open floor plan showcasing the fireplace centerpiece and hardwood floors. The great room also has a sofa sleeper.
From the living room and through the double sliding pocket doors is the dining area with a gorgeous hardwood dining table and seating for 6 people.
The beautifully detailed full kitchen has everything you need to make your own meals, including place settings, pots and pans, wine glasses, and a regular coffee maker.
MAIN LEVEL: MILL HAUS
The living area on the main level is an open floor plan stretching the entire side of the house, showcasing the old fireplace and hardwood floors.
Across the hall is the formal dining room that seats 8 and has a nonworking fireplace.
The second dining area seats 6 people, with additional seating in the kitchen and on the screened back porch.
The beautifully detailed full kitchen has everything you need to make your own meals, including modern appliances, place settings, pots and pans, wine glasses, and a regular coffee maker.
Bonus quirk is a hall turned into a pantry/bar area with an ice machine. Then a half bath located between the kitchen and the parlor room.
SECOND LEVEL: BEEKEEPER'S COTTAGE
Up a flight of 100 year old steep stairs, the upper level has all three bedrooms and both of the full bathrooms.
Bedroom 1 has a queen size bed with crisp white linens, a nonworking fireplace accent, and an en suite bathroom with walk-in shower.
Bedroom 2 has two queen size beds, and Bedroom 3 has a queen size bed. These bedrooms share the second full bathroom. This bathroom has a clawfoot tub.
SECOND LEVEL: MILL HAUS
Up a flight of century old stairs (take either the grand front staircase or the kitchen staircase), the second level has three bedrooms and both of the full bathrooms.
Bedroom 1 has a king size bed with crisp white linens, a nonworking fireplace accent, and an en suite bathroom with an amazing dressing room with delicious natural light.
Bedroom 2 has a king size bed with en suite full bathroom, and Bedroom 3 has a queen size bed.
THIRD LEVEL: MILL HAUS
Take another flight of narrow steps to the top floor for the finished third level and Bedroom 4. This bedroom has two (2) queen beds.
LAUNDRY and HALF BATH
The set of front loading washer and dryer is located between the bedrooms on the second level at Mill Haus. Another set is on the main level at the Beekeeper's Cottage. A half bath is located on the main level near the kitchen at each house, and a third half bath is in the garage for when you are enjoying the swimming pool.
BACKYARD, SWIMMING POOL, HOT TUB
The fenced backyard is a treat with the PRIVATE HEATED swimming pool and hot tub. Note that the fence encloses the backyard for both the Beekeeper's Cottage and the Mill Haus, and there is no fence separating the yards nor an additional inside fence around the swimming pool.
Pool is open mid May through mid September weather permitting.
Hot tub is open year round!
Dogs are welcome in the yard, but not in the swimming pool or hot tub.
Bee's Knees also has access to a gas grill, a charcoal grill (charcoal not provided), patio table, and fire pit (firewood not provided).
GAME ROOM ABOVE GARAGE
The game room above the garage is INCLUDED. More family fun with the pool table, darts, shuffleboard, and big screen TV.
EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE POOL, HOT TUB, GAME ROOM, and BACKYARD
Your group has exclusive use of the swimming pool, hot tub, game room, and backyard since you are booking both the Beekeeper's Cottage and the Mill Haus together -- the Bee's Knees.
LOCATION
Sitting on a classic tree-lined downtown residential street, the Bee's Knees is only a few blocks from the riverfront and all the best cafes, restaurants, local pubs, and boutique shops in downtown Washington as well as the festival zone.
The Missouri River, the Amtrak Station, and the Riverfront Park, are an easy stroll or bike ride from the house.
Downtown Washington is a destination on its own, but if you want to explore further out, you don't have far to go:
- Mercy Hospital @ 5 minutes
- Katy Trail (Dutzow Trailhead) @ 9 minutes
- Augusta (Wineries and Shops) @ 17 minutes
- New Haven (Wineries, Distilleries, Glass Shop) @ 18 minutes
- Purina Farms and Event Center @ 23 minutes
- Six Flags Theme Park @ 30 minutes
- Hermann (Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries) @ 35 minutes
- St. Louis @ 55 minutes
- Huzzah Valley Floating @ 75 minutes
GETTING AROUND
You can bike or walk anywhere in Downtown Washington or drive your car. You'll need transportation of some type with you (car, bike, or your feet) as there are very few Uber drivers available in the area.
Winery shuttles are available to the local wineries as well.
WEDDING and OTHER CELEBRATIONS
We welcome bridal groups for wedding preparation as well as bachelor and bachelorette groups. The light is beautiful in the house and will make for stunning wedding prep photos for both the bride and the groom.
Only the maximum of 20 guests are allowed on the properties together at any time. No day guests or additional overnight guests without prior approval.
NOTES
When planning your stay and celebrations, please keep in mind the following:
- NO EXTRA GUESTS - maximum of 20 guests only
- All groups must adhere to city quiet hours beginning at 10:00pm
- NO glitter or sticky decorations
- NO SMOKING inside the house or garage, and any outdoor smoking must have trash disposed of properly and responsibly
- Vomit cleaning fee of $150 per room
ADDITIONAL INFO
- Game room is included
- Local tax and cleaning are additional
- Quiet hours begin at 10pm. We use a Minut device that monitors the level of sound in the house. If you are louder than 80db (a regular dinner conversation level) after 10pm, we will be notified. Parties and excessive noise are not allowed and will result in your group having to leave without a refund.
ADDITIONAL INFO
🐶 Pre-approved dogs only, dog rate is $25 per night per dog plus taxes.
- If competing at Purina Farms, please inquire about the Purina Farms dog rate
- The dog rate applies to ALL dogs on property, even those you choose not to bring inside the home
💳 Credit card must be on file in case of damages. We will send you an email to authorize a $1 hold after your booking is confirmed. This hold begins 3 days before your arrival and is released 3 days after departure if there is no damage, no excessive cleaning needed, and no house rules are broken.
🚗 Drivers license will be required with our signed guest agreement after you book, along with a selfie holding your photo ID
🆔 We will perform a Guest ID verification securely through our payment processor after you book. The main purpose is to make sure no one has stolen your credit card and used it without your permission.
We would love to have you and your family or your group. Don't hesitate to read our reviews from our other Missouri Haus vacation homes.
Tyann and Nat
Missouri Haus
Member of
- WashMo Chamber of Commerce
- Marthasville Chamber of Commerce (serving on Board)
- Missouri Vacation Home Alliance (serving as President)
- MOVHA Advocacy Partner
- Vacation Rental Manager’s Association (serving on Board of Directors)
- Certified Stay Inn the Heartland
TRAVEL INSURANCE
You can purchase travel insurance for your reservation! The standard policy covers quite a few reasons for cancellation and applies to your whole traveling group.
Note that all new reservations have the option of purchasing a Cancel For Any Reason insurance policy besides the standard travel insurance policy. You can purchase this when you make your reservation with us, and the insurance is automatically connected to your stay.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel before 30 days of arrival, you receive a full refund of your deposit, less a cancellation fee. If you cancel within 30 days of arrival, there is no refund.