The James Lee House
About a decade ago, this National Historic Landmark was beautifully restored and turned into a five-room B&B. Owners José Velázquez and his wife, Jennifer, fell in love with Memphis during a 1998 trip where they had afternoon tea at the Woodruff-Fontaine House, so when this two-story farmhouse dating back to 1848 came on the market, they jumped. Named for the tycoon who acquired the house in 1890, the rooms at the James Lee House have been restored to how they might have looked in 1872, with original mirrors and flooring, as well as pieces inherited by Jennifer’s family such as an 1898 Steinway piano. Ornate chandeliers dangle from the ceiling, coal-burning fireplaces giving the spaces a warm glow, and big wooden poster beds grace guestrooms. Bathrooms have a mix of trough and claw-foot tubs, and rainfall and steam showers; some have both a tub and a stall, but like the rest of the rooms, each is unique. The amenities, on the other hand, are brand new, with a sparkling kitchen and rooms outfitted with Tempur-Pedic mattresses and Keurig coffee machines. With some suites that run nearly $500 on weekends, the house is a splurge to be sure, but it is one of those places that can not only make your trip comfortable but also really make your trip.
About a decade ago, this National Historic Landmark was beautifully restored and turned into a five-room B&B. Owners José Velázquez and his wife, Jennifer, fell in love with Memphis during a 1998 trip where they had afternoon tea at the Woodruff-Fontaine House, so when this two-story farmhouse dating back to 1848 came on the market, they jumped. Named for the tycoon who acquired the house in 1890, the rooms at the James Lee House have been restored to how they might have looked in 1872, with original mirrors and flooring, as well as pieces inherited by Jennifer’s family such as an 1898 Steinway piano. Ornate chandeliers dangle from the ceiling, coal-burning fireplaces giving the spaces a warm glow, and big wooden poster beds grace guestrooms. Bathrooms have a mix of trough and claw-foot tubs, and rainfall and steam showers; some have both a tub and a stall, but like the rest of the rooms, each is unique. The amenities, on the other hand, are brand new, with a sparkling kitchen and rooms outfitted with Tempur-Pedic mattresses and Keurig coffee machines. With some suites that run nearly $500 on weekends, the house is a splurge to be sure, but it is one of those places that can not only make your trip comfortable but also really make your trip.
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