From the moment I stepped in the door, I had exited the real world and stepped into the pages of a fairy tale. Never would I have imagined such a gem in such a place as Savanna, IL. Each room that we toured was more unique and extravagant than the other. And what's even more amazing is that everything was created as a labor of love by the St. Georges themselves. I've never seen such amazing paintings, sculptures and artwork outside of a museum before.... And to think, we were walking through someone's HOME! I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to walk the halls of the castle and hear the stories that go along with it. Havencrest is an absolute MUST see and is worth the trip. Photographs simply don't do it justice- it must be seen in person. Michael, our tour guide, was very entertaining and kept us laughing along the way. I can't wait to have the opportunity to go back and share the experience with my loved ones.
When you want to experience how the rich & famous from Medieval times lived, tour this Castle. It is a one-in-a-million time for you. We toured as a group from Stockton. Step back into time to experience this story of a devoted couple.
Wonderful tour. 2 1/2 hours for $20. The rooms, the paintings, the antiques were unreal. We have been to castles in Europe and this is right up there. Michael, the curator was very friendly and informative. Highly recommend!
This property is a real work of art to say the least!i have a thing about touring homes and always try to tour different ones when we travel.Little did I know that one of the most beautiful and interesting places to visit would be an hour from home. The attention to detail and the time an effort the the St. John's put into building there fantasy is remarkable.You cannot go wrong visiting this Magnificent castle.
Susan,We are so sorry to hear that you left a little disappointed. I would like to clear up a few things for you. The reason your high tea price was higher is because your group didn't meet the minimum amount of people for the tea. The only reason we still provided it was as a special favor to your group organizer, Jane. Obviously, with a smaller group we had to raise the price, which your organizer agreed to. Also, the tips collected are split amongst all the tour guides that lead you through the tour, as well as the butler who served you. As far as the menu is concerned, I'm sorry you were underwhelmed. We try to incorporate food items that all of our guests could enjoy (chicken salad, finger sandwiches, etc.), paired with more exotic foods (Russian imported caviar, French pastries, etc.). The food served during our Victorian High Tea is not meant to be a full meal, it is to compliment the large variety of tea offered. Again, we sincerely apologize, and hope you allow us the opportunity to win your favor in the future! Thank You for your feedback.
As someone who has always been fascinated with unique Victorian-era places, Havencrest was beyond my wildest dreams. My visit to Havencrest spoiled me. This castle is exquisite. Not only is each room beautifully and thoughtfully decorated, but each room has a memorable story attached to it. Havencrest is a testament to two people's love for each other manifested in an architectural work of art. Mr. St. George is one of the most generous and lovely gentleman I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and I know he will ensure that your visit to Havencrest is magical.
Havencrest is without a doubt one of the most unique experiences I've had. It is the fantasy land of my 10 year old self. Prior to my visit I had heard it described, and I had seen photos; But I wasn't really ready for the sensory overload. It is much like my first visit to Niagara Falls. I was expecting a big waterfall, and what I saw was this majestic masterpiece. Havencrest is that same sort of majestic masterpiece. The difference here is that one has the opportunity to learn every detail about the who, what, why and how of its creation; often from its creator. This is akin to chatting with da Vinci and learning if Mona Lisa is smiling or not. The art of Havencrest is astounding, and even moreso because every inch conveys a story. An incredible love story. A visit to Havencrest is an excellent cultural, educational and spiritually uplifting experience for learned men and dreamers alike.
A very thorough tour. Very interesting and guide extremely knowledgeable. So much to look at and enjoy. Very fascinating history. We were fortunate to have the guide play the piano and sing a song chosen by a tourist. A must see.A hidden gem that should be explored.Go before the winter as it closes for the winter season.
As soon as I entered the door, I felt as if I were transported into my own imagination with a collection of all my favorite childhood fairy tales recreated in every room with a more sophisticated and elegant execution. To be in the castle for even an hour would be an incredible visual delight and well worth the travel and small cost. I suggest taking as long as possible or making several rounds while there because every inch is filled with amazing creations that the owners spent years making, you see something new and magical every time. This place is a masterpiece that is always growing with more one of a kind art and love.
Thank you for taking the time to tell us you enjoyed your visit, and we are happy to report that Havencrest Castle now accepts all major credit cards. We hope you'll come and experience us again. We look forward to seeing you!