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 on dropped on the chair. We were perplexed and took a picture. The 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.

The sight of this building was indeed grand, when we arrived on December 22. It was especially impressive to have a blue sky background, since we'd driven through some rain to get there.

​Once a Masonic Rest Home

Don and I parked and walked towards the rambling structure, built as a Masonic Rest Home in 1922. In 2000, the complex reopened as one of the many, creative hotel properties, owned by the McMenamin brothers in the Pacific Northwest.

The Grounds

Before reaching the main building, we spotted the Children's Cottage. It opened in 1926 and housed about 30 orphans. That sounds like a good plan to me, but evidently the elderly lodge residents had a "less than harmonious" relationship with the children. The orphanage closed, a year later.

Lots of Green!

After driving through farmland and vineyards to reach the lodge, it was fun seeing the soaring pines, on the grounds. The Christmas greenery that decorated the buildings, was welcoming. The gardens and pathways looked a little wintery, but I could imagine them in summer, with flowers and leaves.

Inside

We headed towards the main building with its formal, Ionic columns. The strict exterior gave way to a warm and cozy interior. The sweet little sitting room off to the left, smelled like Christmas! We don't often smell live Christmas trees and wood-burning fireplaces in Texas!
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Lobby

Just past the check-in counter, we spotted a cozy bar and another decorated tree.  

The Ironwork Grill

Just past the tree, we peeked in the hotel's main restaurant.

The colorful Ironwork Grill was quiet at 4pm, but lively by the time we dined at 7:30. It was fun to know guests could eat in the very same dining room, where lodge residents ate meals for over 70 years.

"The Aged and Infirm Masons"

The original residents belonged to the fraternal Masonic Lodge organization. I know little about Masons, but they definitely provided for their own. Even the orphans, wives and widows of Masons were cared for.

Here is a photo we spotted in one of the halls. It shows some of the aged gentlemen who ate their daily meals in what is now the Grill. It was fun to spot some familiar details, from windows, to pillar decor.

Exploring
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After checking in, we did a little exploring on the way to our room. Each wing, had its own sunrooms and sitting areas, with comfy chairs and library tables. But where were the old wicker rockers?

​Compass Room Theatre

Just off the lobby, Don and I followed a long, 2-part ramp to the second floor. I'm guessing it was original, for folks in wheelchairs. I wish I'd gotten a better photo of the amazing mosaic wall, at the landing. 

As we traveled further up, I smelled popcorn! The Compass Room was getting ready for its afternoon movie showing. I was tempted to follow two grinning little girls as they headed in with parents, to watch the recently released, Mary Poppins movie!   

The dimly lit hall, had the feel (and a bit of the smell) of the old institution. Luckily Don and I are fine with that sort of thing. I loved the blending of old and new. Original pipes, light fixtures and woodwork, along with decorated walls and colorful artwork.  

The Gerry Hysmith Room

It was a little eerie having Gerry's face gazing down at us, while I read the words on the wall. I learned that Gerry was one of the residents in later years. She liked to write, so I imagine she could tell good stories. I wish I could have asked her to tell me some secrets about life at the lodge. I'm guessing there weren't many women living at a Mason's Home, so she probably had some strong opinions about that. I asked her. But she didn't answer.  

Little Has Changed
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I don't think too much has changed in the accommodations, since Gerry lived at the lodge. We had a radiator by the window and pipes above the bed. There was a nice little nook with sink. Just like the elders long ago, Don and I had to go down the hall to find the restrooms.

Window Views!
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Once we opened the thick drapes, the room felt much brighter! First of all, we could actually open the windows and that was refreshing. I loved the holly bush, just within reach!

And what incredible trees! The lowering sun added a little drama to the scenery. I'm guessing we were looking at some of the pines that survived the Columbus Day Storm in 1962, that uprooted 20 trees on the property.

My Marble Bathroom
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Most of the 90 guest rooms at the lodge, now have private baths. But sometimes, Don and I are up for a bargain room, with the shared common bath experience. Lucky for me, the Ladies Room was just steps from our room and robes were provided. Even better luck, I had the whole marble bathroom to myself every single time. The showers were huge! Maybe, they were made to accommodate wheelchairs?

​No Porch Time
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Since our room was at the end of the hall, we had easy access to the porch. I love porches, but it was a little chilly. I also love curious porch additions. Was that a playful slide, or a fire escape for wheelchairs?  
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Pat's Place
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Around 4:00, Heidi and Jamie arrived from Portland, to enjoy some McMenamins fun. We started our fun at the cute little cottage style building, just across the lawn. It was named in honor of the McMenamin brothers' mom. 

By the Fire
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We passed a roaring fire pit on the patio and took a seat inside, by the fireplace. 4:00 was the beginning of Happy Hour, so we went for it.

Menu Time
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Beneath the ceiling covered in old album covers, we settled in to make drink decisions. Jingle Juice? Christmas Vacation? Mason's Cocoa? They all had good names.

There were drinks with cocoa and candy canes, Schnapps and spiced rum. I was pretty darn happy to see 4 different Wee Drink options, for $4. each. Yay for my tiny little mason jar with ginger syrup and rum!

Off to Wander

​After warming up with drinks and fire, we were off to explore the hotel basement.

Earlier, Don and I had explored the space when it was eerily quiet. The mosaic columns and painted pipes revealed many surprise faces and images.

At the base of the stairs we found a water fountain and lots of small tables and chairs that made me think of an elementary school. Later on, a musician livened up the area with his guitar. 
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Art and Doors
​

Before 4:00, all the doors were closed, but there was lots of art on the walls to study.

What is Behind the Doors?

The Women's Room was obvious, but the Doctor's Office made me wonder. Later when we wandered with Heidi and Jamie, the office door was open and we found a bar with a pool table and other games. Years ago, this room had been a dentist's office for the residents.

Coming to Life
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All the doors were open when we wandered at 5. We wandered a bit and stepped inside Bob's Bar, named for the McMenamin brothers' dad. From there, we traveled through small rooms, connected by arched openings. The cozy spaces were fun, with their original porcelain sinks and tables tucked into corners. But we were ready for something less claustrophobic.

Soaking Pool?

If only we all had swimsuits, we could have skipped the bar scene and spent some time visiting in the saltwater soaking pool.

We did at least find the somewhat hidden pool, after spotting a sign painted on cinderblock, in the basement.  

​Billy Scott Bar

I developed a love/hate relationship with this sweet bar, named for a rest home resident who had been a poet. It was just down the hall from our room, on the 2nd floor.

The lovely little space was a delightful sitting room with large windows and a toasty fireplace. In the morning I grabbed some complimentary coffee from the closet-like bar in the corner. At night, we 4 let the bartender serve us some cocktails to take with us, while we did more hotel exploring. At bedtime, I liked the bar less, when sounds of roaring laughter, traveled down the hall, into our room!

Off to the Attic!

With our drinks in hand, we set off to explore the attic. Wandering with drinks, is something the staff actually encourages. "It's like adult Disney World!" We were told. So with our drinks in hand, we set off in search of the attic.

There were doors to the attic at each end of the hall. The old gentleman and woman painted on the doors, seemed to be standing guard.

​Blue!

The stairway, with blue walls and tiny stars was just the beginning. When we reached the hallway, with its slanted ceiling, it became even more fun.

​Art, Crazy Lights, Window Nooks...

It was like a little fantasy world up there in that attic! We wandered down a couple of halls, admiring the Dr. Seuss-ish lighting and framed art. There were comfy little reading chairs, in alcoves... all too dim for my weary eyes. 

Searching for Secret Rooms!

The real goal was to find the two secret rooms that we had heard about. That was extra tricky because there were actual hotel rooms up on the attic floor and not all guests probably wanted us testing their door. But Heidi felt confident when she found a curious panel with a fierce-looking tiger. She pressed on the wall and suddenly we were inside a dark room with glowing mushrooms.

Hidden Staircase

The second room was found and we found ourselves wandering through some kind of cave, with glowing stalactites and stalagmites.

We made it through the cave to some stairs, that were cleverly lit with glowing strips. We found ourselves coming out a door on the second floor, that was locked from the hall.  What fun!!

Nighttime

After our oddball "bar-hopping" and wandering, we 4 had dinner in the Ironwork Grill. "The Kids" set off for Portland and Don and I grabbed the couch for a while before heading to our Gerry Hysmith room. That was when we discovered the sound issues and found ourselves tucked into our tiny room with no TV to drown out the party sounds down the hall. Luckily the bar closed at 11 and the sound stopped promptly.

Other McMenamin hotels are in renovated, historic buildings. Kalama Lodge was built just a year ago, but its location is what makes it unique. Where else can  see  ships in one direction and trains in the other?  Where else can you walk over a bridge and visit the small Northwestern town, with a name that sounds Hawaiian?

Lelooska Totem Pole

I knew the history of Kalama, WA was linked to the Columbia River and the Northern Pacific Railway. But it wasn't until we saw the nearby totem poles that I was reminded about the Pacific Northwest Native American culture in the area.

These totem poles were carved in the early 1960's by Chief Don Lelooska who lived in town, just across the tracks. Recently, the 140-foot pole was lowered due to safety concerns. It still is the tallest totem pole in the world, carved from a 700 year old Western Red Cedar.

Heading Inside

Christmas and Beer
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In the lobby we saw a few things that had no tropical flavor at all.

Just to our left in the lobby, I could see the brewery through the glass. (It wouldn't be a McMenamins property, without beer) I was happy to see there was a little Christmas happening at the lodge. The tree was festive and the Grinch (looking through the window) was humorous.

​Finding Our Room

The staff at check-in was friendly and enthused about the new hotel. We were told we'd love our room.  We headed to the third floor and found room #306. All rooms are named and ours was called, Pioneer Room. The knotty pine walls made me think of a pioneer log cabin. 

The Old Hickory furniture and lumberjack fabrics, felt cozy and lodge-ish. We opened the door to the balcony and felt a blast of cold. No worries. There were 4 cozy lap blankets, right beside the door.

Pioneer Inn

Our room's name really had little to do with pioneers and cabins. It was named for an actual hotel in Maui.

When the McMenamin brothers were young, they stayed with their family at the Pioneer Inn, in Lahaina. They must have had good memories, because the old hotel inspired the design of the Kalama Harbor Lodge. The colorful hotel painting (over the couch) made me long for a trip to Hawaii!

Good to Have

It was a treat having a couch, as well as a table with chairs. It was an even bigger treat having our own bathroom. Some of the McMenamins hotels have shared, European baths... down the hall.

​Cozy at Night

I loved the mix of styles. The thick curtains and pine walls, felt like a cozy cabin in the Northwest. The tropical feel of the painted headboard, made me feel like I was tucked into a boat or hut. I of course loved the little red bird... as did Don.

The View!

The corner porch had two sets of comfy chairs. There were dividers for privacy, but I don't think anyone else was sitting out watching the boats go by. I made use of a blanket.

Besides the river, there were other things to look down on. The riverside pathway and fire-pit were pretty quiet, on a chilly weekday afternoon. But at night, the fire was lit!  

Early Next Morning

A light rain stung my face, but I couldn't complain. I was running by a totem pole...

And... I got to see trains moving down the railroad tracks. I got to see the little Alhes Point Cabin, which houses a cozy bar for the lodge.

Breakfast in Harbor Lounge

When I finished my brief run, we headed down to the Harbor Lounge and served ourselves some coffee. We took a seat on the couch, beneath a giant outrigger canoe. Soft classical and jazz music filled the homey space. We ordered an omelet and shared it right on the couch, kind of like we were having breakfast in bed!

Music at Night

That night the same lounge was transformed into a relaxed music venue. A couple, sharing one guitar, sang in the corner by the wood burning stove. Locals and hotel guests took over the couches and comfy chairs, sipping cocktails and coffee.  

Exploring

With a 2-night stay, Don and I had time to explore. The 40-room lodge wasn't huge, but there were a few stairwells and floors to wander. We found surprises when we took the stairs... chandeliers, painted stars, artwork and creepy pipes with faces!

Secret Rooms

We suddenly found ourselves inside room lit by a black light. (I never knew the laces on my tennis shoes glowed in the dark!) Sounds of Grateful Dead filled the tiny room. I attempted a photo of Don with Jerry Garcia. I posed with Pavarotti, when the music changed to opera!

Room # 2

​The grooves in the walls made it hard to spot the second hidden door. There was no blue light to signal us. Don finally found the moving wall and gave a push. 

We were not alone in this room. Zach the Brewer, had set up a special beer sample station. The newly created brew was named, "Hidden Unicorn Glitter Beer". Zach used a light to shine into the cup so we could see the swirling sparkles... barely.

What???

Luckily Zach gave us a hint that there was yet another secret room, off of the room we were in. In the swirling artwork, we found an image that looked like a button. When we pushed the button, we found ourselves in a room filled with eerie images and glowing lamps. What a total hoot!

The Cloud Lounge

On the top floor, (not far from the secret glitter beer room) we enjoyed a drink in the Cloud Lounge. There were plenty of clouds outside the window, but also a great view of the river. No one was outside enjoying the deck, but I imagine it gets a lot of use in warm summer months.

Dining

On our second night we had dinner in The Pub. It was dark, so we didn't care that all the tables and booths near windows were taken. It was so crowded, that we were actually thrilled to find 2 stools at the wonderful bamboo bar. We shared a gigantic Kalama burger and a house salad. The menus are similar in all properties so there were no surprises, but the food was hot and tasty.

Alhes Cabin

One of the coziest places on the property, is the little cabin just a quarter mile down the walkway. It was fun walking the lamp-lit path for a drink on our first night. The place was tiny, but we lucked out with 2 seats at the bar. We had a memorable chat with a Portland baker and our wonderfully chatty bartender, Amanda.

Real Fires!
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Coming from Texas, we're thrilled to find wood burning fireplaces. It's also added entertainment watching the staff deal with the fires. Some were more skilled than others!

The inside fireplace kept us extra toasty on a cold night. I loved the whimsical mask. I checked out the deck fireplace, the next morning and had to chuckle at the angry mask, wearing a wreath.

What's Notable?

New hotels don't usually impress me. They usually have a lot of kinks to work out and they also lack history and charm. I was glad we ended up absorbing some of the local history, after all. And it was a nice change to sleep in a freshly created space, with new linens and paint and furniture... that looked old and cozy. We liked our hotel oasis! We'll have to try it during a sunny season, next time!