Historic Boone Tavern Hotel hosts meetings, executive retreats, conferences, fundraisers and weddings for groups of 6 to 200 people. Its eight event rooms total more than 7,000 square feet, and 63 bedrooms let a whole group stay under one roof. The hotel stands at 100 Main Street in downtown Berea, Kentucky, directly across from Berea College.
Seminars and company events
The Boone Tavern Event Center is the main room for larger company programs. It covers 2,834 square feet and seats 150 at banquet tables or 200 in theater rows. It has its own restrooms, LED lighting, large windows, portable staging and built-in audiovisual equipment with projection and flat screens. Smaller groups use the meeting rooms in the main building, each with in-house audiovisual equipment. WiFi is included, and parking is free for event guests. The sales team also books blocks of bedrooms for corporate groups.
Weddings and receptions
The hotel takes one wedding per day, so the events team works on a single celebration at a time. Receptions are held for up to 150 guests. Ceremonies can take place in the garden, under the covered portico or in one of the indoor rooms. The garden holds 50 guests for a ceremony or 32 for a seated meal. Wedding packages are offered, and the team follows the couple from planning to the day itself.
Rooms and capacities
The Skylight Room (851 sq. ft.) has original skylights with blinds and seats 40 for a banquet or 64 in theater style. The Coyle Room (1,520 sq. ft.) takes 64 for a banquet or 75 in theater style and splits into two breakout rooms with a sliding wall. The Robinson Room (270 sq. ft.) has a gas fireplace and a boardroom table for 12. The Dunseth Parlor (483 sq. ft.) has a fixed conference table for 6 and connects to two guest rooms on the second floor. The Lincoln Lounge (380 sq. ft.), with a fireplace and French doors to the porch, serves for registration, breaks, exhibitors and receptions. The Crafted Private Dining Room (384 sq. ft.) seats 20, with furniture and artwork made by Berea College students.
Accommodation
The hotel has 63 rooms and suites, from Queen, King and Double rooms to the Junior Suite and the Executive Suite. A separate rental unit offers three queen bedrooms, a kitchen, a den and two bathrooms. Rooms have high ceilings, crown molding and furniture made by Berea College Woodcraft. ADA rooms exist in several categories. Guests must be 21 to check in, there is no gym or pool on site, and WiFi is free.
Catering
All catering is done on site, with vegetarian and kosher menus available. Many ingredients are Kentucky Proud, and some come from the Berea College Farm. Breaks include house-made snacks and Boone Tavern coffee, and dinners include the house spoonbread. Crafted, the hotel restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar service.
History and setting
Boone Tavern opened in 1909 and is closely tied to Berea College, which sits across the street. It is a member of Historic Hotels of America and holds Gold LEED certification. Interiors use crafts from Berea College workshops, and the town is known for its artisan studios and the Pinnacles trails nearby.
Getting there
The hotel is on College Square in downtown Berea, Kentucky. Guests park in a private hotel lot with a pass from the front desk.
