Chamberlin Inn

A historic boutique hotel in downtown Cody featuring a lush courtyard garden, a refined spirits bar, and the suite where Ernest Hemingway stayed.

The Chamberlin Inn stands on 12th Street in downtown Cody, Wyoming, as a beautifully restored boutique property with deep roots in the town's founding era. Its story began in 1900 when Agnes "Aggie" Chamberlin arrived from Kansas to work for Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody at the newly established Cody Enterprise newspaper. In 1903, Chamberlin opened a modest boarding house on a sagebrush-covered vacant lot directly across the street from her office. Over the next fourteen years, she and her husband, Mark, expanded the property, combining several adjacent buildings to form the Chamberlin Hotel. The property eventually grew to include the original 1901 Cody Circuit Judge Court House, which remains one of the oldest standing structures in Cody. After decades of operating under different names, including a long stint as the Pawnee Hotel, the property was purchased in 2005 by local residents Ev and Susan Diehl, who meticulously restored the buildings and returned the inn to its original name. In 2019, new owners acquired the property, continuing its legacy of historic luxury and preservation.

Today, the inn comprises twenty-one individually designed units, ranging from classic guest rooms to garden cottages, spacious suites, and the historic Court House Residence itself. During the 2005 restoration, contractors stripped away layers of plaster to reveal the original interior brick walls, which now serve as handsome focal points in many of the guest quarters. Rooms are appointed with a mix of period antiques, clawfoot soaking tubs, organic linens, and fresh flowers. The most famous accommodation is the Hemingway King Suite, where Ernest Hemingway stayed in 1932. It was during this stay that Hemingway completed his bullfighting manuscript, Death in the Afternoon, and mailed it to his publisher. The suite is thoughtfully styled to honor his legacy, featuring a 1930s Royal typewriter, a vintage rotary telephone, and historical photographs. Guests can view a copy of the original 1932 guest register in the hotel, which proudly displays Hemingway's signature alongside those of other notable early guests like tycoon Marshall Field.

Beyond the guest rooms, the Chamberlin Inn centers around a private, manicured courtyard enclosed by a brick and wrought iron fence. This quiet green space acts as the social heart of the property, where guests gather on comfortable patio furniture under mature trees. Adjacent to the courtyard, the conservatory offers an elegant, sunlit indoor space for reading or small gatherings. The Chamberlin Spirits Bar and Lounge serves as a refined local watering hole, offering craft cocktails, fine wines, and premium spirits in an intimate, upscale setting. Whether sipping a drink in the garden or exploring the historic library stocked with local lore, visitors find a quiet, sophisticated sanctuary that feels entirely removed from the bustling streets of downtown Cody, yet sits just steps from its premier shops and galleries.

Where to Stay — Curated accommodations hand-picked by Basecamp West. Glamping, boutique hotels, historic lodges, and unique stays across the American West.