Imagine awakening to the gentle lap of the Mississippi River against a historic towboat hull, the St. Paul skyline shimmering in the distance like a living watercolor, while mahogany-paneled staterooms glow with warm brass accents and soft morning light streaming through porthole windows. The Covington Inn is not merely a lodging—it is a floating sanctuary of nautical romance and serene drama, permanently moored yet alive with the river’s ever-changing moods. Its visual awe is immediate and cinematic: the vessel’s sturdy yet graceful lines, tiered decks offering 360-degree vistas of water, bridges, and urban elegance, and interiors trimmed stem to stern in rich woods, salvaged fixtures, and historic river artifacts that tell tales of bygone voyages.

This rare gem began life in 1946 as a 300-ton prototype towboat, pushing petroleum barges along the Ohio and Mississippi for decades before visionary partners of the River Valley Preservation Company rescued it from a Louisiana scrapyard. Hauled upstream and painstakingly gutted and reborn in 1995 as the Covington Inn, it became one of America’s few floating bed-and-breakfasts. Innkeeper Liz Miller, who first fell in love with the boat as a waitress at its onboard café in the late 1990s, took the helm as innkeeper in 2002 and purchased it in 2004, devoting nearly two decades to its care before passing the torch in late 2022 to the passionate Calah DeLaurentis. Calah’s stewardship continues the legacy with the same devotion to preserving its historic charm while offering modern comforts—four private staterooms with ingenious built-in cabinetry, plush furnishings, and a sunlit salon perfect for fireside conversations or gourmet breakfasts prepared in the original galley.

The experience is one of intimate luxury: privacy in your stateroom paired with optional sociability in the communal spaces, all just a short walk from downtown St. Paul’s cultural treasures. Guests rave about the personalized attention from the innkeeper and crew, who anticipate every need with warm professionalism, creating an atmosphere of effortless refinement.

Pros and Graceful Considerations: The Covington Inn excels in its extraordinary visual drama and riverfront serenity, delivering impeccable upkeep, thoughtful amenities (from fireside lounging to library browsing), and service that feels bespoke rather than scripted—ideal for couples or professionals craving a one-of-a-kind escape. Gracefully, its intimate scale and floating nature foster unparalleled privacy and tranquility, though those desiring expansive resort facilities or accommodations for large groups may find its boutique size a thoughtful reminder to embrace seclusion over sprawl.

Citywide Spotlight has named the Covington Inn a Rest Diamond Destination because its unmatched visual awe—born from a visionary restoration of a working river vessel into a floating masterpiece—combined with flawless presentation, attentive service, and profound uniqueness sets the gold standard for romantic, adult-oriented luxury in the region.

~May, 2026.