I don't like staying at hotel chains, but I make an exception for Drury Inns. This one in St. Louis, is in an historic building, right across from the grand, Union Station.

The Station
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The station has its own fabulous history and hotel. Don and I once stayed there and it is #133, in the blog list. But the YMCA Hotel, (as I prefer to call it) is pretty fine. It has an interesting connection to the old station.

Then and Now 

​The Railroad Y.M.C.A. first opened in 1907, to accommodate traveling railroad workers. Theodore Link designed the building, as well as Union Station, which opened in 1894.

I love the curious YMCA and railroad connection. I also appreciate Charles Drury, who decided to renovate this lovely old building in 1986. Union Station and the YMCA building had both grown weary, as railroad travel declined in the '50's and '60's. The Y closed in 1970 and the Station in 1978. What a treat that both buildings were renovated and reopened in the 1980's

Don and I first stayed here 15 years ago, with our kids and another family. That was long before I started documenting hotel stays, but I do remember loving this wonderful entrance. ​I think we all grinned as we passed by the decorated tiles. We probably even sang a line or 2 of the YMCA song, as we lugged our bags. 

What I didn't know then, was that after the Y's closing in 1970, this building was popular with the gay community. In 1975, the rundown area offered cheap rental options. The Y's building housed a martini bar, saloon, baths, hotel, disco and restaurant. Interesting that the Village People wrote the YMCA song a few years later. 

Again in 2012

I remember staying one cold night in December, 7+ years ago. We were with a large family group, the night before my mother's graveside service. It was a bittersweet trip to the city my mother adored. Again, there wasn't time to admire the old brick work or the renovated interior. 

But I remember gathering in the sitting area, near an old brick fireplace. Our family had come from numerous states and we welcomed the cozy common area (and the free drinks and food) on that chilly night. 

​May 2019
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Just a week ago, the old YMCA became a meet up place, once again. I flew in from Texas and my friend Milissa arrived on Amtrak from Chicago. Sadly the station is a mile away now, so she couldn't just walk over. I checked in early and admired the old lobby desk.

Old Switchboard and Key Boxes

I chatted with the young woman at the desk and she pointed out the old switchboard. The panel of plugs and lights, appeared to block the old key boxes. I was curious about that.

Wood Paneling and Arches
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The view from the elevator door, showed off the dark wood paneling and rounded woodwork. There were vintage railroad images, etched in the glass panels.

​Lobby Lounging
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It was very quiet at 11:30 am. I was able to wander the lobby area and admire the original marble columns and the old photos, without distraction. ​

This area was later packed, with hungry and thirsty guests at 5 pm. The Drury offers complimentary drinks and "dinner" each night.

Back in the Day
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I loved this old photo of the railroad workers, gathered in the very area I was wandering. This main level once held billiard tables and game tables, plus desks for reading and letter writing. The floor below had contained a bowling alley, a barbershop, an indoor pool and baths.

​Trains and a New Pool

I was glad to have a little time to appreciate the wonderful train display. I stepped through the arch to the area that connects the original building to the newer addition. Below the walkway was an indoor pool that we didn't make use of. 

​Going Up
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I was lucky to be able to check in so early. I chose the old elevator over the marble and slate stairway. However, our "6th" floor room, was really only on the 4th, so that doable. Odd that they renamed the floors... to match up with the floor count of the newer building... I guess.

​Corner Room in the Old Building
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I asked for a room in the old building and we got the top floor on a corner. That gave us 5 windows, which was great even with glum weather views.

The beds were comfy and the room and bath were fresh and clean. I liked the railroad focused art. But where was the old? Couldn't they have left the old baseboards or windowpanes?

The View
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I do love a view of any kind. This was fun, looking down at Union Station... and all the renovations. I zoomed my camera in on the old Train Shed, to see the workers working... and eating a little lunch.

​Yay For Milissa!
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After dropping my bags in the room, I headed a mile to pick up Milissa at the Amtrak/Greyhound Station. Later that evening, we walked across the street to Union Station and had drinks. I showed her where her train would have arrived, 41 years ago.

​2 Days at The Y
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Milissa and I spent 2 nights at the hotel and so did a lot of other people. We laughed at the elder crowd that filled the place one night, lining up with their drink tickets. We watched a high school band gather in the morning and luckily they hadn't eaten the entire breakfast buffet.

A Nice Escape
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Milissa and I found a cozy spot for our wine and popcorn, even when the lobby was buzzing with tour bus seniors. And in the morning, we got the best seat in the house, for sipping our coffee. We had the table by the fireplace and stained glass window.  

What's Notable?
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This visit like the others, was more about the company than the hotel. Once again, I felt like there was a cozy convenience with the old YMCA. We could walk to the Arch and the station. We could get a free breakfast and light dinner if we chose. We could pause and imagine the railroad workers, walking to and from the station. 

I wish the room had shown more vintage detail. But there was an old Elvis movie on TCM, one night. Mostly, Milissa and I were too busy gabbing and laughing and catching up. It was a good stay!

Later, we wandered the street and enjoyed some wine at Silver Spur Winery and some popcorn at Hico Popcorn Works. I love a hotel with walkable stuff!

Rebuilt in 1896

Hico was a cotton and cattle town in its earlier years. The original corner hotel opened in 1893, but was destroyed by fire.

The new brick and stone hotel reopened in 1896. By 1907, the town was bustling with cotton sales and 95 businesses. This corner would have been jammed with wagons and horses. But by 1909 a boll weevil infestation ended cotton farming. The Midland Hotel was vacant for nearly 70 years.

I'd seen many photos and I'd read about the recent restoration. But I was even more impressed when we headed into the lobby. 

Chairs
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The beautiful wood floors and limestone walls, were accented by fun art and antiques. I love curious chairs and I spotted 2 right away.

Reclaimed and Repurposed
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Evidently the building had been empty since the 1970's. The interior had to be totally gutted, but much was saved. The walls now reveal stone and brick. Reclaimed wood has created a beautiful ceiling. 

Fixer Upper Style

The open staircase offered a closer look at the ceiling. The lovely lobby below, looked like a setting for a movie... or a TV show. 

Actually, the hotel had a TV connection. Chip and Joanna Gaines (from the Fixer Upper show) were involved with this property. Their Waco home is just an hour away and their real estate company, Magnolia Realty, handled this hotel. 

Don and I have stayed in numerous, historic Texas hotels. There's usually a lot of cowboy and cattle decor... which means lots of taxidermy. I loved seeing a little taste of Old West, in non-aged, art for a change.

1896 Saloon
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Even the saloon had a fun-modern nod towards the Wild West. The rounded bar was shiny and bright, with a beautiful brown and blue horse painting, above. The Texas longhorn on the wall, had no fur.

The Chop House

​The Chop House restaurant was fairly quiet at 4.  I took a peek from below and above. 

Hotels get extra bonus points from me, when they have useable porches! The Midland's second story porch, had lots of sunshine at 4:30. There was also a lounging porch in back. Later there was a pleasant evening glow, but there was too much wind for enjoying. 

14 Rooms

​After checking in, we lugged our bags to the second floor. The stairway was wide and so were the halls. They seemed to go in all directions. 

I was glad they were able to salvage the original doors. Some had clever coverage, for the old glass transoms. The room across from ours, used a woven rug piece, to block out the light. It also had a mailbox! I was jealous.

Hall Seating
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We found numerous little sitting areas, while roaming upstairs. This one was at the top of the stairs.

At the end of hallways, we found more cozy lounging nooks.

Modern West Benches
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I'm not sure if these seats and benches get much use, but they all looked pretty fun.

​Room 201 - Lynch Brothers Room

All 14 rooms are unique and named for historic figures or places in Hico. Our room was named for the Lynch Brothers. The screen door that decorated the wall, framed an image of the hardware store that the Lynch Brothers owned.

Across the Street
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When I opened the blinds, I saw the very building across the street. "C.L.Lynch Hardware" was painted on the brick. The painted ad for Bright and Early Coffee and Tea,  had faded over the years. I love old ads on buildings.

Our Rooms

​We were pleased with both of our rooms. Pat & Susan had a suite over looking the balcony and Pecan street. Exposed brick was framed like art. 

Our room was smaller, but the high ceilings and large mirror made it feel spacious. The shape of the room was odd, but I like a room with more than 4 walls.

Near the door, there was a table holding a Keurig coffee maker. The orange-painted, metal table pleased me and I wasn't sure why. Don recognized the once common typewriter table. I suddenly had memories of the gray metal table that held my family's typewriter. I could picture my mom typing away... sometimes late into the night! Extra points for a hotel that gives me a fun, deja vu moment!  

​Entertainment at 6!
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We made sure to head down to the Saloon around 6, for live entertainment. In a town of less than 1,400, you have to be thrilled if there's anything going on. By 6:15, this cozy bar space was hopping. The middle table was taken over by an extended family. Evidently the family reserves every Thursday, for music and burger special. 

Music, Drinks and Food!

​We grabbed a table not far from where John Young (from Stephenville, TX) was performing on guitar... and ukulele! He was a talented young man, with a smooth voice and a nice repertoire, that leaned mostly towards country. 

We sipped wine and beer and downed some incredible tenderloin sliders, among other yummy appetizers. It was fun to see many locals enjoying the evening. A number of kids came through from the Chop House area, to add to the tip jar. It was a nice evening, that ended at a reasonable hour... for tired travelers.

Good-Bye Hico!
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The next morning, we had to hit the road at 8:30. There wasn't time for lounging on the porch, but we did snap a photo. We headed downstairs with our bags and left the keys on the desk. The hotel has no attendants in the morning. But as we loaded the car, a young man walking down the street, introduced himself. He had been our chef last night and he hoped we'd had a nice stay. That was a good way to end our visit!

It was 1967 and my family had just moved to Tallahassee from Iowa. Eager to jump into our new gulf culture, my parents ushered the 4 kids to the car and drove to the town with the funny name, for a little oyster fun. I was pretty disgusted by all the oyster hoopla. There were competitions for shucking and eating. I grimaced at my parents' enthusiasm. I was intrigued by the eerie mountain of oyster shells, near the shucking table. I was 10 and had no interest in eating the slimy things, but I proudly wore my blue seahorse pin. 

Arriving in January
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Looking Good

The hotel looked pretty well cared for when we pulled up and parked right in front. The business recently had changed hands and renovations were underway.

The renovations had nothing to do with Hurricane Michael, which caused devastation to parts of the town. Luckily the hotel was spared.  

Since 1907

It was about 5, when we arrived and headed through the lobby to check in. I liked the wallpaper and logo, behind the desk. It made me wonder about the wallpaper back n 1907.

It also made me wonder about those Gibson Sisters, who bought the hotel in 1923. They must have felt "mighty grand" back then... which are words my grandmother would have used in 1923. The sisters were 2 women, with enough spunk to buy The Franklin Hotel and change the name to their own. "Pretty bold!" is what I say, in 2019!

​Beams and Pillars
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The lobby was welcoming with its dark polished pillars and ceiling beams. Our girl at the desk wasn't too chatty, so I wasted no time asking questions about the history.

Old Photo
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Instead, I found a photo in the hall that let me glimpse back in time. I could see the same rounded desk and woodwork.

More Lobby Wood
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I love a hotel with a resident cat or dog, since I sometimes I need a pet fix while on the road. The Gibson used to have be a beloved, black cat, but I only saw this spotted cat... too high for patting.  

Hall of History

​The hall beside the stairs was filled with historic photos of the town and hotel. The back hall was dark (without my camera flash) and blocked by chairs, due to renovations. 

The girl at the desk said she had no idea how to turn on the lights, so I studied a few pictures in the front.  

More Antiques
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I glanced around at some of the antiques... a clock here and interesting light holders there. As I wandered, I became aware that most of the people we'd seen coming in and out of the lobby, were men. They weren't looking around like me and they didn't exactly look like tourists.
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Up the Stairs
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A few men wearing reflective vests, headed into the bar. As we carried our bags up the stairs we followed two other men, carrying tools. Luckily our stay did not involve the sounds of saws or hammers!

Second Floor
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Our room was on second floor. Besides the workmen, we never saw another guest.

Old Door Old Room
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We opened the door with its dented, brass knob and discovered a corner room, with windows looking out on the porch. At a glance, the simple rustic decor nearly had a spiffed up Pottery Barn look.  

​Closer Inspection

It actually didn't take a close inspection at all, to see the age of the hotel in the woodwork near the bathroom. There must have been a hundred coats of white and green paint over the wooden walls, ceilings and pipes.

Cozy Bed

The bed looked kind of cozy with the 2 sconces and farmhouse canopy bed. (Actually it looked more comfy than it was.) The corner to the left of the bed, was oddly narrow. I do love a room with an unusual shape!

Layers of Paint

Some might have been put off by all those lumpy-layered walls. I liked them. And I liked the worn floor boards, a whole lot better than the worn carpet on the bed-side of the room. The painted wood made me feel like I was a character in a book. Tom Sawyer and Pollyanna, probably had walls like these. 

I had my own, oddly painted walls in my childhood bedroom. As a kid, I loved staring up from my pillow at the drippy textures, searching for the familiar cartoonish faces and figures. My wall images never disappeared, like the moving cloud shapes, that I also adored.

The Parlor Bar

The Parlor Bar was fairly quiet, when we stopped in to grab some drinks at 6.

The cozy bar had been a lot livelier at 5, when I popped in to get some ice. Shawn, the bartender handed me a bag, then requested 5 dollars. A couple men chuckled, nearby. After a little playful teasing about the ice, (which was free) I was able to find out some local scoop about Hurricane Michael. It turns out that all the men I'd been seeing, were temporary residents, still involved in October's storm clean up.

Searching for a Spot

​Every good hotel has a cozy spot for relaxing with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. If there's a porch, Don and I will make use. 

The Gibson had so many choices, with porches on both levels, wrapping all around the hotel. We wandered with our drinks looking for the perfect spot. We even found an area in the center, with a view of the cupola, spotlighted by the evening's sun.

West Side

We chose Adirondack chairs over rockers. It was a hard choice, but those flat arms made good tables.

I had to wrap in my blanket poncho as the temps dropped with the sun. We faced the west, where the sun disappeared fast, behind houses. 

The Franklin

​We were a month too early to dine in The Franklin dining room. It was expected to reopen in February. 

We headed back to the Parlor Bar and had a good chat with more locals about the hurricane recovery. I asked Shawn about the hotel's history and told him that my grandfather had stayed for a period, in the 1930's or '40's. He paused, then spoke. "Maybe you're sleeping in the same room where your grandfather slept." That could have been an eerie thought... but I liked it.

Morning in the Parlor Bar

No, we didn't suddenly wake up at the bar, it just looks that way.

The night before, we left the hotel bar and found some good shrimp and oysters on Main Street. After sleeping well in our cozy room, we came down in the morning, for complimentary breakfast.... back in the Parlor Bar. The atmosphere was odd. Liquor bottles were piled up on the bar and workmen were getting ready to paint. But the coffee smelled good and there were a few breads and yogurts to choose from.

Music in the Morning

​Best of all there was live music. Cadillac Jack was not performing at the bar, he was just a guest who loves the hotel and loves to play his guitar. He was one of those people who can carry on a great conversation, while making some impressive sounds. 

We 3, had the best time visiting and sipping coffee. Jack showed us his guitar skills with some Stevie Ray Vaughan and shared his vocal skills with some George Harrison. C Jack moved to the porch with his banjo, as we were packing up to leave.

​What's Notable?​

I'm so glad we stayed before more improvements. I'd rather have our thickly, painted walls and dented brass knob, than spas and fitness rooms. The cozy bar was welcoming and memorable. The porches were pleasant, even if I shivered a little. And I had the fun of wondering about my Grandpa Carl and his stay, years ago. Next time... we'll allow for more time to explore the town!

Coming up the long, brick drive towards this grand hotel, was pretty impressive.

Island Hotel
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Don and I arrived, as the least elite guests of The Don Cesar. We had booked the cheapest room and we chose self-parking over valet. While Don took the car, I stepped down the stairs and headed to the desk on the right. As I got checked in, I spotted a tray holding some champagne flutes and some kind of pink beverage. But, suddenly the eager bellman was ready to show me to the room.  Rats. We missed out on the welcome cocktail. Or, were we not elite enough? 

The Staff
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Even though we didn't valet park, the valet staff and those who handled our baggage were by far the friendliest in the whole hotel. Our bellman proudly shared that he had been working the job for over 40 years. Another good humored fellow, happily posed for my camera at the top of the stairs.

Arches and Glass

Heading to the elevator I took in the hall decor. I loved the repeating arches and the modern glass light fixture.

This hallway with endless palms and glowing fixtures, made me feel like I was looking into a set of tricky dressing room mirrors... allowing me to see forever!

Blue and White Glass

When an historic hotel goes modern on me, I appreciate it when they at least fill the space with appealing decor. The hotel's refreshingly cool salt blue and sand colors. definitely appealed to me. I especially loved the wall and ceiling lights with their dangling blue and white glass!

Fourth Floor

The elevator took us to the 4th floor. All was quiet, clean and modern. 

The Halls Long Ago
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We ended up with 2 beds and a view of the parking lot. But no complaints. The room was fresh with its sea-green and white decor.

I liked the arched opening to the bath/dressing area. 

She said 2 robes would be delivered. We left the room a while and returned to find a heap of white fabric dropped on the chair. We were perplexed and took a picture. A different woman at the desk, agreed that the delivery seemed odd... even a little passive aggressive. She promised to take care of it. Later, we found wrinkled robes hanging, properly in our closet. I found the whole robe thing creepy. It was easier to tolerate the thought of a hotel poltergeist, than a grumpy or drunk employee.

Enough About Robes!
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Actually, Don and I didn't care a hoot about the robes. We cared about the sunshine and 80 degree temps that called to us from the beach and pool area!

On a weekday in January, there were plenty of chairs around the two pools.   
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Long Ago

​We headed out to the beach, but we didn't get in the water like these fellows. 

It was fun comparing the building in this old photo to the hotel today. Most of the towers and structures looked just the same. Today, there's an added tower on the back, hiding an open air stairwell.

Sunbathers Today

​Too bad Don didn't have a black tank suit, to match the age of the hotel. But we did feel pampered, like elite guests from long ago. 

At check in, we were given passes for chair and umbrella setup. When we stepped on the sand, we were graciously ushered to find a good spot, where chairs and table were arranged and towels were laid out. We were offered an umbrella, but after 2 chilly weeks of traveling, we didn't want anything blocking our sun.
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​Don CeSar Umbrella

The beach staff checked back with us to see if we'd changed our minds about the umbrella. It was tempting, since it had Don's name on it. But we declined. The sun felt wonderful in the late afternoon!

Heading Back

We kept an eye on the time and headed back, before the sun got too low. We were on the Florida gulf, after 2 weeks on the Atlantic. We were excited for sunset on a clear evening!

Up in the Tower

Before heading to the room, we climbed up in the tower to check out the view. We could see the garden area below and the Spa in the building across.
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We found another good spot that no one seemed to be using. The nice little terrace had a vacant seat, just made for watching the sunset.

We looked out past the pool and sand and saw the sun sinking lower. We rushed back to the room to change clothes.

A Visit with The Dolphin

Dressed and ready, we headed out towards the beach. I paused to admire the smiling dolphin with his painted designs... all aglow with evening light.
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​The Rowe Bar

The Rowe Bar was raised just enough to offer a good view of the water and lowering sun. 

Don's was better. I snapped a one-handed shot with my Nikon, because I was talking to our daughter on the phone. That makes me sound like the kind of tourist I hate. But, we answer when our grown kids call, wherever we are. They are busy and we travel a lot. Some of our best memories from trips, involve an answered call, in an odd place... learning fun or special news that ends up flavoring our trip. We have never traveled to get away from our kids!  

Dinner?

The air got chillier and we took our drinks into the Lobby Bar. We chatted with a fabulous bartender and a somewhat interesting couple. We thought about the 2 lovely hotel restaurants, but ended up taking a guest's suggestion. We ordered the hotel's pizza for the room. This decision was as much about laziness, as saving money. It was a good plan. The pizza was good!

A Quick Peek

Before heading up to the room, I took a quick dash outside to view the hotel's grand entrance, lit up at night. I don't rate our Notable Nights, but I do take note of how hotels look after the sun goes down. This one would get an A+.

​What's Notable?
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Besides the robe mystery, all was good! I felt like I was getting my cake and eating it too. A curious and grand historic hotel, along with a heavenly, pampering beach!

Don and I learned about Cabana Bay, when searching the internet for hotels between St. Augustine and St. Petersburg. When I saw pictures of the whimsically mod hotel, I got pretty excited. When I saw it on the map, I said, "Perfect!" When I saw it with my eyes from the exit off 1-4, I squealed. You would have thought I was a kid, spotting Cinderella's Castle!
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​Colorful Hotel on a Colorful Day

We arrived before noon, just as the clouds were breaking up. The blue sky and green palms fit in perfectly with the bright-tropical style... waiting just inside.

The Jetsons!

We entered the lobby and I felt as if I'd walked into my childhood television set. Of course the future-istic, world that I loved in The Jetsons, was all black and white. We didn't have color TV until I'd outgrown cartoons. 

The crazy-mod lobby looked totally out of this world! When I used to watch episodes of The Jetsons, I assumed this is how my life would look when I grew up!

Check In

Don and I stepped up to the counter, just past the stack of vintage suitcases. A young man in a yellow, "bowling" shirt greeted us. His color fit in nicely, with the 2-story, mosaic wall. He seemed a little surprised that we were staying only one night and that we had no plans to visit Universal's theme parks. "We're just excited about the hotel!" We told him.

Grumpy Families

​Under the lobby's skylight, tall palms happily thrived. Sprawled out on couches surrounding the oasis, there seemed to be numerous families who were not happily thriving. 

I spotted piles of luggage, snoozing teens, bickering sibs and one very fussy baby. I was glad to not be a part of that "Last day of Theme Park Vacay with Kids" Club! I was also glad it was not family travel season, or we would have seen a lot more this kind of scene.

​Swizzle Lounge

I didn't spot any parents sneaking over to the nearby lounge for a bit of liquid relief. Did George Jetson ever stop for a martini on his way home from work? I guess not, but I could picture him lounging beneath that starburst chandelier.

The Americana

Our room was located in the Americana, one of 4 large hotel buildings. The retro colors and geometric shapes were a soothing throwback to the dreamy motels I adored as a kid. Of course we never stayed at anything so large, but I saw them in movies... mostly Elvis or Las Vegas focused movies.

​Hall Decor

Even the halls were a hoot. Our elevator opened up to carpeting and light fixtures that delighted me. Who needs a theme park? I could have just played on the elevator all day and checked out all the different retro posters.

Circle Windows

Each elevator, on each floor had a circular window, that lured me over for a look. I didn't check out every one, but I liked this window on the pool side. The view of the nearby Volcano Bay Waterpark, was a fun surprise. Guest rooms that overlooked the volcano, paid for that perk. 

​Room 6519

The hallway seemed to go on forever, but we didn't have to walk far. 

We opened the door to our room and grinned at the nostalgic decor! We didn't fork out extra bucks for a pool view room, but our floor was high enough to avoid staring at the parking lot. In fact, the view of distant hotels and parks was pretty interesting.

What Year Is It?

Cabana Bay's moderate rates and kid friendly atmosphere, appeals to families. But I felt like they had created this hotel specifically for me... and my  Boomer peers, who grew up in the '60's and '70's. Oh how I loved sliding into those smooth plastic chairs when I was a kid! 

​Gotta Love the Bathroom

For most of my growing up years, my family of 6 shared one bath. It never looked as clean as this one! No one had wall-mounted hairdryers back then, but many of us had Zest and VO5 Shampoo! 

Bayliner Diner

After finding our room, we headed for the Bayliner Diner, with its classic-curvy entrance. The bus stop sign actually had a purpose... for shuttle buses. The purpose of the retro cars, was to confuse us about what year we were living in.

I was able to get a photo without people. If I'd taken this picture in busy March or June, my photo would have included 2019 tourists, snapping cellphone pics. 

Retro Diner on Steroids

This was the main dining area for the hotel. Looking down at the huge space, made me think of the Tokyo Airport at 6 am... huge, modern and empty. If the dining area had been filled with summer crowds, it would have looked just like I remember the 1964 New York World's Fair. The fair seemed overwhelmingly large, modern and crowded, when I was 6.

Cartoons and Lunch

​Don and I grabbed lunch in a gigantic food court and carried our trays to the entertaining dining room. 

The food court setup was obviously designed for crowds, but I would have loved a good old cafeteria better. I didn't get to slide my plastic tray past displays of jello and fruit salad and pieces of pie... but I carried my tray into a magical room where I could stare at cartoon tourists on the wall, or giant projection screens.

Table Choices

The dining room was practically empty at 1:00. I think every guest was at the theme park. We chose a cozy round booth and sat on one side, so we could watch old TV commercials and sitcom clips on the big screen!

Food?

Don's Cuban sandwich and pasta salad was not a bit retro, but his palm tree covered shirt, fit the scene.

Galaxy Bowl​

After lunch we explored the second level, connecting the diner and lobby areas. The colorful bowling alley was calling to us with its neon.

Dining at the Alley

We could have eaten lunch at the bowling alley for a different kind of meal experience! There was bar and restaurant service, plus a choice of mod table options.  

It was tempting to make use of the quiet lanes, with their neon bowling pins. But it wasn't free and there was so much more to explore.

If we'd had more than one day, we could have come back for bowling and then hung out with a deck of cards in one of the lounging areas... or ordered some kind of retro cocktail at the Galaxy Bar. Next time!
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Jack La Lanne Phusical Fitness Stuido!

I'm one of those people who actually uses hotel fitness rooms, so I was blown away by the size and quality of this space!

Me and My Buddy

​I wasn't dressed for a workout, but I posed next to the fine Fitness Legend, Jack LaLanne. 

The next morning, I came for a work out and noticed only a few thirtysomethings, working out with the equipment. I was tempted to ask, "Do you have any idea who Jack La Lanne is?"

Godfather of Modern Fitness!

​A lot of gym space was devoted to the TV star, who once motivated housewives to grab chairs and exercise with him. 

Oh how my siblings and I groaned, when cartoons went off and Jack La Lanne came on. But many a time we were bored enough, to roll our eyes and playfully follow his instructions. I spent some time looking over the little museum, which spotlighted Jack's fitness history. I'm no longer laughing at this guy and his 70+ year, fitness & nutrition career.

The Grounds

The weather was breezy and cool, but far too nice to stay inside. We took some time exploring both sides of the resort.

Thunderbird and Starlight

There are over 2,200 rooms and suites at Cabana Bay, in 4 colorful buildings. Thunderbird and Starlight buildings surrounded the larger pool area.  

At first I was fooled by the faux diving platforms. Really, the intimidating tower was just the finale of a water slide. 

Lazy River

​Over by our building, a few guests made use of the heated pool. The meandering, lazy river only had one guest, who floated by in an inner tube. 

You could tell the temps were cool, by looking at the quiet pools... or the overdressed lifeguards. At first I thought the pacing lifeguards were trying to keep warm. Eventually it seemed clear that the always moving guards, must have been following some kind of strict guidelines. Nobody was going to drown at Cabana Bay, where every swimmer had at least one rescue-tube-hugging lifeguard, staring at them. That was enough to keep me out of the pool.
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We grabbed jackets and left our hotel, following the lovely pathways that connect Universal hotel properties. It felt like we were sneaking away from summer camp, when we left our moderately priced, family hotel and ended up at Universal's upper end Royal Pacific Hotel. It was exciting to escape the cartoons and sparkles of CB for a bit and sip drinks in a classy lounge with quiet adults. Then happily headed back to our friendly hotel.

What's Notable?

On our first visit, we took in a lot of the fun, retro flavor of the beach city. I was delighted when I spotted the curious Art Deco hotel. But its paint was peeling and we heard its reputation was a bit tarnished. Three years later, we noticed some renovation going on!

Then and Now

The black and white, mid-century photo, shows the sleek 4-story hotel when it had a few more signs and less landscaping. The white and green image from our visit, shows little structural change... thank goodness!

Our Boat-like Hotel

The Art Deco, Admiral (along with its powder rooms and big band ballrooms) started cruising the Mississippi in 1940. That was the same year the Streamline opened! The poor Admiral was eventually used for scrap metal, but the Streamline dodged the wrecking ball and made a strong comeback, in 2017. 

The lobby desk was as shiny as the old Admiral riverboat! The marble (or marble-like?) floor and columns were so clean and slick, they looked as wet as the Mississippi. 

The huge race car image on the wall was there to remind me, we weren't all about boats and rivers. The decor and the welcoming woman at the desk greeted us with much enthusiasm. I'm afraid I can't remember her name, but she was very cheery. "The bars aren't open yet, but I can make you drinks anytime!" We said we were fine for the moment and took some time looking around.

The curvy ceilings were glowing, along with the triple ring light fixture, in the sitting area. I don't know all the decorator terms to describe the lobby space, but Modern and Fun are the words come to mind!

Olivier's Bar

Dividing the lobby and the bar, was a giant fish tank with pristine glass and graceful fish. Our host pointed out her favorite swimming friends. I was tempted to have her make us  some tropical drinks and pull 2 bar stools up to the glass.
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NASCAR Theme

On the north side of the building, the original, garage-door-style-windows were cleverly renovated, to look as if we were looking down towards the stock car races. A large TV on the east wall, played historic film footage of interviews and racing clips.

Going Up
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After a little lobby time, we took our key and bags to the elevator.

The hotel's original elevator was decorated with old photos and news clippings. While we traveled to the 4th floor, I learned that our hotel was the first fire proof building in the city. It was used as an air raid shelter in WWII. 

Corner Room
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We asked for a room with a view and got a nice corner room, facing the ocean. Some of the buildings across the street were not too lovely, but I just looked further out towards the Atlantic. We could see the rollercoaster and a few of the boardwalk's more recent additions. I was glad we were in the area, without spring break crowds.

The room was a bit cramped with 2 beds, dresser and chair. But we pretty much had the whole hotel to ourselves and we were a block from the beach... and the newly renovated hotel was clean and classy... and the price was right!

Spotless!

But, before that, The Streamline  also spent time as a Youth Hostel and a Retirement Home. It was even owned by an evangelist, who claimed he ministered to Elvis. ​Hmmm?
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At 5:00, the rooftop bar opened, so we made a trip.  It was too chilly for lounging on the deck, but the staff went ahead and made the space inviting, with seat cushions and pillows.
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Our young bartender Nathan, couldn't have been more welcoming. He shared every bit of hotel history he knew.

The Birth of NASCAR

Nathan showed us the photo of Bill France Sr. and all the men who gathered on the hotel's rooftop bar in 1947... called Ebony Bar, then. I wonder how windy it was on that December day, when the men created the association, that united all stock car racing under one set of rules.

Nathan told us a few more bits about Streamline's earlier years. Evidently there was a little bootlegging going on and a tunnel was discovered, that went from the hotel to the beach. I wasn't clear about what the big black safe was for. "Al Capone" was written on the door. Funny, how just about every historic hotel claims to have a connection to Al Capone. ??

Sunset on Deck

I had to step out a couple times to catch the evening colors.

It would have been so pleasant on a warm, tropical evening. 

Three years ago, Don and I spotted this immaculate, Spanish style hotel, on the corner of Cordova and King Streets. The hotel was so large, I couldn't get it all in one picture.

Hotel Cordova

131 years ago, Casa Monica opened on that same busy corner. Just 4 months later, Henry Flagler bought the grand structure and named it Hotel Cordova.

Flagler's Hotels

Flagler hardly needed another hotel. Across Cordova Street, he already owned Hotel Alcazar, which now holds the courthouse,  a restaurant and museum. Adjacent to Casa Monica, Flagler was finishing up the Hotel Ponce de Leon, which is now Flagler College. How could the city possibly need 3 grand hotels on one corner, in 1888?

Arriving

On January 20, were took advantage of a good rate. It was still a splurge for us. We moaned for a moment when we found no street parking options. But, if you're going to fork out for valet parking, you need to enjoy it. We did. We pulled the car in through the doors, past a statue and stopped in front of the staircase. Even the door handles were pretty ritzy.

​Street Parking

Actually someone did find street parking. This car was parked on Cordova Street, right at the entrance to CM's, Costa Brava Restaurant. It would have been more fun for us, if we'd been driving this little beauty when we pulled up to the valet guys! 

Checking In

When we checked in, the lobby was actually much more crowded than my photo. Our room wasn't ready, so we joined lots of others guests who were killing time... with complimentary glasses of champagne. 

There was lots to take in, while we stood at the counter. A glowing red lamp with fringe, was hanging just above Don's head.
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A curious nearby chair attracted quite a few guests, who posed for photos while seated between the lion heads. I thought about asking Don to pose, but I didn't want to waste one of my photo requests, just yet.

Queen's Chair

I'm pretty sure this cushioned seat was not around during the hotel's first run, from 1888 to 1932. But it might have been in the lobby in 2001, when the Kind and Queen of Spain were guests.
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The painted beams, ornate chandeliers, tapestries and fountain, made me feel like I'd stepped back in time. While waiting on our room, I did a little wandering and researching.
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The hotel's exterior today, still reflects the Moorish Revival and Spanish Baroque Revival style, from when it was built. However the original construction material was poured concrete.

Today

Today you can still see all the details from iron balconies to the twisted, corner pillar. There are still shopping options on the corner. But instead of carts and stands on the sidewalk, there are lovely shops like Grand Bohemian Gallery... and Starbucks. I should have cropped that logo out of the photo!

Now Stucco

In the 1960's the natural look of the concrete, was covered by stucco. The hotel that had been empty since its closing in 1932, reopened as a courthouse in 1968. 

Classy Pool

​I'm not sure how long the hotel has had this ritzy, second floor, courtyard & pool area. It was empty on a chilly January day, but I had fun looking around. 

I read that at one time, Henry Flagler decided to build a bridge between Casa Monica and Hotel Alcazar. It was later torn down and I could find no hints of it.

Finally!

After waiting on our room for over an hour, I went to the desk and told them we no longer cared to wait for a 5th floor room to be cleaned. Our hall on the third floor was lit by sconces and decorated with lovely beams.

Artwork

All the halls had interesting artwork, related to some of St. Augustine's most interesting people.

Room 316

I had to chuckle a bit at the style of our room. The red-cushy headboard looked like something from a Dean Martin movie. 

The Spanish style dresser and wardrobes (with "antiqued" mirrors) felt a little '70's to me... for a hotel that reopened in 1999. But the TV was up with the times. Football isn't usually a part of our hotel adventuring, but we caught the end of the Saints and Rams game... and it wasn't pretty.

Bath and View

The room had decent space, with a couch, desk, and an extra sink and coffee area. The bathroom was not photo worthy. I had hoped for a fancy tub, but probably wouldn't have used it, since there was an odd smell in the room. I should have complained, but I chose to ignore.

Our view of King Street would have been better had we waited for the 5th floor. St. Augustine was still lit with lots of holiday lights in January and a higher floor would have offered a festive view.

Cobalt Lounge

The hotel's website mentioned classical music and Flamenco guitar, in the lounge beside the lobby. However, the bar TVs had been tuned into football on that Sunday afternoon. By the time we arrived, the crowds were just leaving.

Cheers

To lift the gloom over the Saint's loss, Don ordered a Sazerac... the drink of New Orleans. My choice was less unusual, but I enjoyed my Cosmo. I made use of our kind bartender and asked the question that Don dreads. "Would you mind taking our photo?" Don doesn't look annoyed, because our bartender was very good humored. He  snapped from a few angles and laughed about how staff training included tips for taking guest photos.
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​Admiring the Details

We enjoyed our drinks before bundling up and heading off to enjoy more of St. Augustine on foot. It was a 3-day weekend, so there was a festive feel in the historic city. We returned later and ordered a pretty scrumptious sandwich dinner in the quieter part of the lounge. Perfect.

Surprise at the Pool

Before we turned in, I made one more quick exploring dash around the hotel. I came back and reported to Don that there was a small gathering at the pool courtyard, with all eyes looking upward to catch a glimpse of the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse! I could see just a small bite, out of the moon when I zoomed in. Don attempted to catch it later, but the clouds had moved in.

Martin Luther King Junior's Birthday

The hotel was quiet early the next morning, on MLK Day. I took some time to look at the lobby space and imagine it in the summer of 1964, when the vacant hotel played a dark role.  

I learned a few things when I woke earlier and searched the internet for info about MLK Day happenings in St. Augustine. I was surprised to learn of MLK's connection to the historic city. There is a disturbing history that ended up leading to the signing of the Civil Rights Act. In 1964, the hotel's empty lobby was used to house police dogs, which were used against peaceful demonstrators. 

Silent March

I learned that the city would be honoring Dr. King with their 34th annual Silent March, that day. We decided to join in.

The hotel offered to keep our bags after we checked out. We joined others near St. John's AME Church, where we lined up in rows of 5. The route followed the same one that Dr. King and other peaceful protesters marched, over 50 years ago. The march ended at noon in Plaza de la Constitucion, while the church bells rang. Just before reaching the pavilion, we had followed the Andrew Young Pathway, with bronze footprints and the words Justice, Peace, Equality and Freedom.  After a program with music, prayers and speakers we returned for our bags and headed off on the road with a headful of memories.

What's Notable?

I will always remember the magical night we spent, surrounded with Moorish columns and Moroccan frescoes... and a lunar eclipse to top it off. But mostly I'll remember the morning, with all the discoveries and the honor of being able to join in the Silent March. 

The Casa Maria was our second stop on our southeastern road trip. Don and I were excited when we pulled up to the Spanish Mediterranean hotel from 1925. The awning and palms, stucco and tile, looked inviting.

​Little Lobby

Once inside, the hotel had a homey feel. There was no grand lobby, just a corner office for checking in. I wonder what the interior looked like in 1925, when Florida was in the height of its land boom and this hotel was bustling.

Hall of Photos

I could get a little bit of an idea about the hotel's past by studying all the old photos in the halls. Jacksonville Beach must have been quite the place with boardwalk and  carnival rides. 

In Back

Just off the lobby there were doors to the patio area. I could see strings of lights and a wooden walkway leading to the beach.

Palms and Stucco

The courtyard on the ocean side, looked fairly impressive with some outdoor seating. The wind was pretty fierce on that January afternoon, so the buildings did a good job of blocking the wind.

To the Beach

The afternoon light was glowing on the surf. I took a quick walk out toward the beach.

Pool Anyone?

I didn't see a pool, but evidently there was one in the past. I liked this old postcard image of the colorful umbrellas. There were probably a few swim caps in that pool.

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Don and I asked for a room with a view, but turned down the $40.00 upgrade. Our check in host said she could give us a partial view, so we headed up the stairs, happy.

Corner Room - 208

It's hard to get too much of a view, with a 2-story building, but at least we had more than one window. Corner rooms are always a perk. The side window even had a side view of the beach. However, the aged window screen was so loose and wavy, that I had a hard time seeing the view! Amusing.

Curious Set Up

The bed with unusual frame, was squeezed in next to one bedside table. There was some extra space outside of the bathroom, with a sink built into a dresser. I liked that. But there was no chair and the TV was on an awkwardly low table, beside a dusty bible.

Making Do

So we helped ourselves to one of the chairs in the hall and brought it into our room. Then I made a luggage rack out of a wobbly ironing board. The bathroom at least had good light from a window.

​Exploring

The north end of the building showed the entrance to the restaurant.

Event Space

Once inside, we discovered a nice dining area with wood beams and white tablecloths. Unfortunately, there was no dining for us. The area is now an event space, so just took the stairs on up a few levels, where food was available.

The Penthouse Lounge

From a distance you can see the covered stairs, leading up to the Penthouse Lounge. The third floor was added in later years and in recent years has become a popular gathering place for locals.

Too Cold on Deck!

The outdoor deck had a great view of the beach and pier. The photo doesn't reveal how fiercely that wind was whipping.  We opted to stay in the indoor bar and enjoyed drinks and appetizers, where we still had a decent view.

Tempted by the View

I kept looking out at the view and finally could not sit any longer. I just grabbed the camera and headed down the staircase, from the outdoor terrace.

Bridge to the Beach

I headed down the wooden walkway, away from hotel.

Haunted?

The further away I got, the more the hotel looked its age. It made me think more about the famous people who stayed in the early years, from Al Capone to Charlie Chaplin. 

The Colorful Days

I wanted to see all the people who romped in the waves over the years... in all the various styles from the modest 1920's to the bikini days.

But instead, I saw this lovely old hotel, with the sun sinking behind. 

There were no sunbathers on a cold January day, but I did spot some brave souls with surfboards. What a a lovely spot this hotel has held, for over 90 years.

​Morning 

In the morning I finished studying the last of the old photos in the hallways. Then, we headed towards the lobby bar, where a complimentary breakfast awaited. Determined to make use of our little beach hotel's location, we moved outside with our coffee and rolls.

What's Notable?

A Night at the Depot

I sort of moaned and chuckled, when I took this photo of the L & N Depot, built in 1912. There was no way to get a picture without that ridiculous wall of windows behind.

 Don and I have stayed at a few train station hotels. We love the history and we also like the train sounds, that often come with a stay. We decided to go for a night at the Pensacola Grand Hotel, even though we knew we wouldn't be staying in the historic station itself.
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Grand Hotel

We spotted the modern building, as we approached the heart of the old city. The depot was squeezed in, between the towering hotel and a tangle of raised highway. I laughed.

Nearly a Century Ago

The setting for the station was very different, a century ago. The Louisville & Nashville passenger depot was a hopping place, with a lovely park nearby. The park is gone, but at least the ocean hasn't moved.

An Odd Connection

When we arrived on a Thursday afternoon, the brick and stucco station looked lovely. The connected hotel (once a Crown Plaza Hotel) looked less charming, but the price was cheaper than the Holiday Inn Express. 

​Approaching
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We parked on the street for free and headed towards the entrance. I studied the  green doors, imagining the people who passed through, until the depot's closing in 1979.

​Depot Lobby

Once inside, I was relieved to see glimpses of the past.

Details

​The original floors were covered with wood and numerous tile designs. I loved the snowflake design best. ​

I spotted marble baseboards and white marble, framing a sweet pair of stained glass windows.

Green!

To check in, we had to pass out of the old station and into the modern hotel lobby. I looked back towards the doorway and realized that is where passengers once stepped outside, towards the tracks.

The threshold tile was a reminder of the past depot. The antique clock above the doors, was brought in during the renovation years.

Room 1115

At check in I asked if we could have a room with a view. The very serious check in woman insisted, "Oh you're going to like your room." 

I knew from reviews that rooms were dated, so I didn't expect luxury. However the size of the room, plus our view, kept us happy.

​Highways, RR Tracks and Ocean

We didn't fret over the old Mr. Coffee maker and the "vintage" TV. We had a ball with our corner room, which was basically all floor to ceiling windows! I was totally entertained looking towards the ocean. I was like a little kid watching cars and trucks and trains, below.

Exploring Old

Luckily our 15-story hotel had an elevator, but I loved the stairs in the 2-story station best. I found more marble and dark wood.   

​New Stuff

I shouldn't be a hotel snob, but I did sort of roll my eyes when I saw the fountain and library, at the north end of the new building. 

I love a hotel library, but this one did not lure me to sit a spell. I had no desire to sit on one of those parlor chairs and read any of their encyclopedia sets! Library of Rejected Books?

Dine & Drink

The Lobby Bar looked curious, but it was closed.

Restaurant 1912 and Cavu Club

It was early when Don and I started thinking about dinner.  We had 2 options in the train station. The restaurant looked too quiet and formal, when the doors opened at 5. The bar looked more welcoming.

Navy Focus

As we entered, the beautiful stained glass over the bar caught my eye. I hate bar TVs, so I was happy to realize the blue and white glow, was really an illuminated Navy symbol of some kind. In corner filled with Navy Aviation photography, a jeweled ceiling dome  glowed. 

Don and I had a nice chat with our very friendly bartender, while we split a mighty good club sandwich. It was a cozy atmosphere, but the antiques weren't original to the station and the Navy focus was more about airplanes than trains. I wanted more train focus!

Morning at the Station
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What's Notable?

Honestly, my expectations had been low. I knew we weren't going to have the "old hotel" experience that we love, while staying at modern hotel with dated decor. But Don and I enjoyed the station and our sprawling room with the views. I finally got to see my vintage train depot photos to help me imagine the past. It was a great stay for $116. 

The 10-story, concrete and brick hotel was built in 1927, as the New Heathman Hotel. There was much fanfare at the grand opening. The modern hotel was expected to be even more high end than the first Heathman, built just a year before, about a block away. 
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Our doorman was able to give us a little scoop about the bronze statue near the entrance. Zelda the bulldog, was wearing her own little beefeaters costume. Her job was to remind folks that Heathman's is a pet friendly hotel... and to offer water from her bowl to passing pooches. The real celebrity dog, of Zelda Wisdom was born in Portland and evidently visited the hotel on occasion. 

Bowler Hats and Beer

After we passed through the revolving door, we headed through the lobby towards the curious map mural. The Double H, check-in desks were quite fun, with little hat stands, holding black bowlers.

 "Funnest" Desk

One check-in stand was more fun than the others. It held a metal tub of iced beers. We were invited to grab one, or come back later.

​Festive Decor

While the 6 of us gathered and got checked in, I took a quick peek at the holiday decor. The lobby's tree sparkled, right between two glowing pillars. The stairway heading from the mezzanine down to the library, was filled with greenery and lights.
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The view from the stairs was pretty snazzy. It was a Saturday afternoon and Heathman's traditional Russian Tea was finishing up. There were silver tea services, tiered trays of pastries and lots of people decked out for the holidays. (Decked out for Portland, not New York)

Headwater Grill  

Heathman's Headwater Grill was empty at 4:00, but it was full a couple hours later. The chef is one of Portland's best.  

Aloha Room

We're used to a lot of double letter stuff, coming from Texas. Seems like every ranch you pass is a Double R or Double D, with a branded looking image on the sign. I spotted plenty of double H images in Heathman Hotel, from fireplace screen to door handles. I should have had my daughter pose with a few. Heidi's initials went from HZ to HH, when she married.

Extra Perks at the Gym

Don and I made sure to have a look at the gym, since we'd heard there was a speed bag. That's something Don is actually quite good at. Unfortunately, the bag was a little deflated so he wasn't inspired. I however gave the climbing wall a try... since the music playing in the gym encouraged me, with Girls just want to have fun...
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We were given 3 rooms on the 10th floor, none of which was 1003, which is evidently the most haunted. (Something about a suicide!?)  The elevator doors opened to a nice piece of art. The hallway was filled with more art. Nothing looked a bit haunted.  
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Our room was not huge, but it was freshly remodeled with a giant TV and comfy bed. The window offered a view of Broadway, with Christmas lights, here and there. Portland Theatre's neon sign, festively reflected off the glass building across the street. I wish I'd taken a  pic.

Champagne Surprise

There were lots of Heathman packages with food and champagne that we could have purchased.  However, we didn't see any packages for "Celebrate your son's recent passing of the California Bar!" So we iced down our own champagne and had a little surprise toast with "the kids" a couple hours later.  

Odd and Small

I had to get a photo of the artwork in the corner, near the window. I would love to hear the stories, behind each of those curious faces.

There was art in the bathroom also, but it was hidden behind the door. In fact the bathroom was so small there was no room to brush your teeth, unless you closed the door. Clean, lovely and new, but very small for such a nice hotel.

At 5:00 we gathered in the lobby, for complimentary cocktail time. I can't even remember what the special holiday beverage of the day was, but we  had a fun time clinking glasses and catching up. We were excited to spend the first night of our  Christmas holiday, at the festive hotel.

Moving into the Library

At one point, I peeked in at The Library and realized the tea crowd was gone. 

With no guests, I could get a better look at the place and imagine the 2-story room, back when it was called the Tea Court Lounge. Back then, there were no books, but it looks like there was a mighty fine organ.

View From Mezzanine

The mezzanine was part of the hotel long before any renovations. Now the upper walls are covered with art. But the view from above was extra fun, with chandelier, more art and holiday decor.

Sitting in the Library

​Our small group moved into the library and found a perfect spot by the bookcases.

I grew up when people whispered in libraries and certainly no one drank cocktails. So we broke a couple of my childhood library rules. However, there was something so peaceful and relaxing about the space, we weren't tempted to misbehave. I was too busy looking around to act up.

Teapot Stairs

Behind me, I noticed a collection of lovely teapots displayed on the steps.

There was a real library table, with lamps for reading.

Across the room was the wall of windows and art.

The sun had already set outside, but the glowing (fake) windows warmed the room. I didn't learn about these 3 stunning pieces of art, but I did read that there are at least 250 original pieces of art in the hotel.
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Books!

The library collection began over 30 years ago. Today there are about 3,000 books, all signed by the author.  I had a little fun with the sliding ladder. I behaved.  Chali checked the shelves until she found a book she recognized. "My dad has this one!" 

What we didn't find on the shelf was the erotic romance novel, 50 Shades of Grey.   None of us had that book on our radar, so we weren't exactly looking for it. However, it probably was there somewhere, since I learned later that the book mentions the Heathman Hotel about 18 times. I guess a few scenes from the movie, were filmed in the hotel, also. Hmm? Maybe it's time to read that fine piece of literature.

Wandering

One of the best parts about the hotel was the location. Even though the weather was cold and damp, we wandered down Broadway and enjoyed posing with the 75-ft Douglass Fir, in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

A Good Night in Downtown Portland 

We ended up walking to Portland City Grill and having an appetizer dinner on the 30th floor. I wish we had experienced the hotel's restaurant, but we might have missed this beautiful view. The drizzle just added to the scene. I pretended it was snow. 

What's Notable?

The Heathman gave our family a perfect start to our 4 days of celebrating. The decorated downtown location, got us in the holiday mood. The rooms were cozy and comfy. The doormen and library gave us just enough formality and class, to make our stay feel special. Most of all there were hints of Portland that welcomed us... from quirky art to welcome beers, to beret wearing guests with dressed up doggies! 

​A good visit.