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Hotel Teatro in LoDo In July, Don and I spent 2 nights at Hotel Teatro, in the heart of Denver.  The renovated landmark building is located in the Lower Downtown District. (LoDo to some) Perfect Name for Our Reunion The hotel's name makes perfect sense. Teatro means Theatre and the hotel is convenient to Denver's Theatre District.  I'd also say the hotel's name was perfect for luring 3 old college buddies for a little reunion. Marla, Martha and I met nearly 5 decades ago, when attending Webster Theatre Conservatory in St. Louis. Built in 1911 Seems ridiculous to talk about the building, when the real focus of our stay was on a special reunion. But I do love to take in my surroundings!  I was so pleased that Marla and Martha (and all our hubbies) were game to gather inside this 113 year old building! The red brick with white terra-cotta exterior, hasn't changed much since 1911. Tramway Building The hotel wasn't always a hotel and it wasn't a theatre either. The 8-story building originally housed the headquarters of Denver's Tramway system. As in streetcars!  A 2-story "car barn" on the left was used for storing and servicing streetcars. I believe the 3-story building (between) held an auditorium, gym and barbershop. Today By the fifties, streetcars had been phased out. In 1956, the tower and car barn were sold to University of Colorado, for classrooms and offices.  In 1991, U-C moved out and the 2-story building was sold to Denver Center for Performing Arts. The tower was vacant for most of the 1990s, until it was eventually gutted and reopened as Hotel Teatro, in 1999. Arriving at 4 Don and I arrived at 4 and parked in a garage across the street, to avoid hefty valet fees. Crossing over to the building I noticed the ornate crown near the top floor.  I could also make out two decorative shields, with the letter "T" in each. I'm guessing that was for Tramway. Hey! It works for Teatro, too! Lobby The carefully restored lobby was fairly quiet, at 4:00 on a Friday.  I believe the lobby today, looks much like it did, when the building housed the Tramway headquarters. To the left of the elevators, we could peek into the hotel's Nickel Restaurant.
The beautiful mailbox was a reminder of the past. Also a good reminder to carry stamped postcards, so I can make use! The stairs in the Lobby's center, looked like an infinite mirror.  If I began to climb, it seemed like I might and never get to the top. To the right was a modern lobby desk, with a very friendly staff. Check in was speedy.
The mirrors across from the desk looked like gears, reflecting the gear mural behind the desk. Was there a gear theme? I love a theme. I later noticed this display on the lowest level of the building.  I meant to find out if these were pieces of equipment, from the Tramway days? I failed to ask. Room #812 After checking in, Don and I zipped up the elevator to our room. We were all due to meet up at 5!
The entrance to our room had a nice bench and mirror and wardrobe.  The King bed was comfy with good pillows and bedside tables and lamps.  The room was narrow, but no complaints. Our corner room, with tall windows made the room brighter.  Don was pleased with the couch, even if it was a tiny one. He knew I'd be deserting him at some point, so he was happy to have any kind of lounging space. Bathroom and View I always have to mention the bathroom even if there's nothing out of the ordinary. I was pleased to have a tub.
I always hope for a fun view, but we were too rushed to request one. Our windows mostly looked out over rooftops, but I could see a steeple and distant mountains. I've seen much worse! Fire Exit Our room was conveniently located at a quiet end of the hall, near a fire door. There was a bit of a terrace that I could step out on and take in the view.  I loved seeing the modern buildings nearby. I wonder how far one could see from this spot, 100 years ago? And I really appreciated being able to step away from the tower building just enough, to see the brick and terra-cotta, close up.  I believe that was our window, on the corner. 5:00 Social Hour Don and I freshened up just a bit and headed down the elevator at 5.  Teatro's Study Lounge was fairly hopping on a Friday evening. (Unlike this photo that I took earlier.) What a great space for a meet up.  At the far end of the lounge, we found a perfect corner for our group of 6. It was right across from the counter that served complimentary coffee in the morning. Complimentary wine and beer, from 5-6! No Photos No one was snapping photos when we 3 giddy gals squealed and gasped and greeted and hugged!  Here we are after we tamed down a bit. The 3 of us haven't been in one room together since 1979. The Hubbies Must thank these 3 guys, who graciously went along with our College Girl Reunion idea. They look somewhat serious sitting at their own little table, but they actually laughed and jabbered just fine... maybe at a lower volume.  While the guys talked about languages and travel... there was a lot of reminiscing and catching up around the other table... in loud and sometimes theatrical voices!  I didn't continue with theatre, but these 2 talented friends did. I can think of no better entertainment than listening to their stories. They have always made me laugh! The energy (and volume) was high! I'm afraid we scared away the folks at a nearby table. Dinner at the Nickel At 5:45 we walked to the other side of the hotel, to The Nickel.  We hardly had to skip a beat, or miss a moment of conversation. Floor to ceiling windows on one side of the restaurant.
Comfy bar stools on the other. (photos taken earlier) Allie Our server Allie, clicked with our group right away. She couldn't believe it, when Dave said where he was from in Minnesota. So was she! We were off to a fun start.  We ordered drinks and began to wonder about a vibration coming from our oval table. The close up of Don's drink, doesn't show the jiggling liquid.  We inquired and Allie apologized and offered to move us. She said it was some kind of old equipment located in the basement. We were mostly amused by the oddity. It ceased after a while.  Cheers! We made sure to toast to our gathering. We didn't make a toast to the pandemic, but we could have. It was during those isolate months when Marla and Martha and I began Zooming together... which led to talk of getting together in person! Whoops! I have no photo of me fumbling my wine glass and causing a spill. It had nothing to do with table vibrations. Marla was gracious she assured me I didn't ruin her clothes.  Allie was a gracious server and without saying a word, brought me a new glass of wine. I'm not sure I deserved that.  Allie also offered to take a photo of our happy bunch. She seemed to know exactly how to navigate our group. She chimed in now and then and shared a bit about herself when we asked. She always appeared just when we needed her. A+ for our enthusiastic server! Posing in the Study After dinner (and a little dessert sharing) Allie followed us right back into the Study, so we could pose for a photo in front of the fireplace.  We couldn't thank her enough for putting up with us. Allie told us more than once, how much she enjoyed serving us. For some reason her words seemed a lot more sincere than the typical "It was a pleasure serving you..." Nighttime at the Teatro It was around 9, when the hubbies were sent off to fend for themselves. The girls headed up to Martha's room and I was excited to peek out from her tiny 8th floor balcony. We spotted an almost-full moon.
I loved seeing some of the ornate decor up close, after observing it from the terrace earlier. I wonder what this skinny balcony was designed for, when it was the Tramway Building in 1911. Morning at Teatro The next morning, I was eager for coffee in the Study Lounge. We 3, had gabbed like slumber party girls until late the night before.
Once again, our gang met up and enjoyed the spacious Study, with coffee instead of wine.  Like the night before, we eventually migrated from The Study to The Nickel.  Beside a wall of stacked wood, we talked with about the same energy as the evening before. Good-Bye Webster Friends It was hard saying good-bye to our group after such a short visit, but I think we all felt equally grateful.  It's been 45 years since we 3 girls were last together at our Webster College Graduation. It could have been an odd or awkward get-together, especially with husbands who don't share college memories. But it all went incredibly well! Near Teatro Don and I are usually on the go after one night, but we added another night to our stay. We spent the afternoon wandering the LoDo district. It was nice to leave our car in the garage and explore on foot! It was a beautiful Saturday! Saturday Evening By 5:30 Don and I were back at The Study. We laughed at the young man who carded us when we ordered wine. He looked at both our birthdates and told us we were born on Tuesdays. He was right. We're still scratching our heads.
While some guests in the lobby played chess and Scrabble, we flipped through books (some odd ones!) from the shelf. We were waiting for our nephew to arrive. Yep! We had one more reunion. Andy Visit Andy arrived around 7! What a fun treat to see our nephew for a quick visit.  We were enjoying the exact same corner, getting caught up for a while, when who should surprise us at the table? It was Allie, calling us by name and offering us a complimentary Charcuterie Board! What?!? Another Dinner at The Nickel! We had a nice visit with Andy before his girlfriend Jess arrived, after a busy workday. It was a matter of minutes before we felt like we'd known Jess forever. We'd planned on heading off for dinner, but suddenly the Denver skies let loose. We avoided the storms and headed once again for dinner at The Nickel!  While rain gushed outside those enormous windows, we enjoyed a relaxed meal, once again served by Allie. I enjoyed my amazing grilled eggplant, with whipped goat cheese mousse, while thunder rumbled and conversation flowed. We lingered until 10:30 and Allie once again raved about serving us... the warm connection she felt. From any other server I would have thought that was just extreme. But she was an absolute delight and the feeling was totally mutual. Best server ever! Study Photo We said good night to Allie and moved towards the lobby door. I asked Andy and Jess if I could get a photo of the 2 of them.  Jess surprised me and walked up to a young woman near the fireplace. "Would you mind taking a family photo of us?" I couldn't have been happier to jump in there with Jess and Andy, for a Family Pic! What a great end to the evening. What's Notable? Hotel Teatro turned out to be so much more about the people, than the building. Often that's not the case.  We met up with some very special people at this hotel and we also were welcomed by a very gracious staff. That's a good combination! Also, the set up of the hotel's lounge and restaurant helped everything fall into place. Couldn't have been more pleased to spend 2 nights at Hotel Teatro! Cheers to the people who made our stay so memorable!
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Mansion for a Night This grand mansion is where Don and I spent a night, in July.  2 flags greeted us when we arrived, but no sign. Which made it feel more like a home than a hotel. Which is what it was, when it was built in 1889. Arrival I'd like to blame our sloppy arrival, on the fact there was no sign. But mostly, I was a sloppy navigator.  As we headed down Orman Street I searched to recognize the mansion I'd seen in website photos. But suddenly I spotted two similar red sandstone homes. I scrambled to look for an address, while telling my hubby, Don to pull over. The car idled as I studied GPS. Then my cellphone rang.  I recognized the voice of our host, Don. He'd called a few times earlier to double check our arrival time. "Are you in the gray Subaru?" Host-Don asked. It felt like the Wizard of OZ was watching us from behind a curtain.  Host-Don instructed me where to pull in, but I was confused. I wanted to say. "Which house? The big one, or the REALLY big one?" But I just told Hubby-Don to keep going while I looked for a street number. Then I instructed, "Oops, make a U-turn." Hubby-Don was a little impatient with me. Parking in Back I wasn't sure where Host-Don was stationed, with his phone. I just knew he was watching us. We pulled in the drive and parked in back, by the adorable carriage house.
We walked up the tidy brick drive, around toward the front.  So the Orman House actually was the REALLY big one! It was grander than I expected! Meet Up on the Porch Host-Don was rocking on the porch when we walked up. When he stood to greet us, he suddenly looked more like Chef-Don, in his uniform. He introduced himself and mentioned that he worked for the Konciljas Family (owners) and he was also their chef. I will call him Chef, now
After our up and down travels through the mountains, my clogged ears were being most unhelpful. Chef took us on a quick tour and told us lots of history. But I missed quite a bit. I stopped asking him to repeat after a while. Two Governors The important thing to know, was that the Orman Mansion was named for the 12th governor of Colorado. James Orman had the home built before he became governor in 1901.
Gov Orman ended up selling the property to another governor, Alva Adams, in 1918. Pretty wild that 2 governors lived in this home. Stairs! There was an elevator in the home. I'm not sure how old, but it wasn't functional. If you have to climb stairs, let them be beautiful ones, like these! 
I fell in love with the pair of Griffins at the bottom of the stairs! Did the governors have kids? If I'd been a kid, I would have climbed on these! Chef took us up the stairs and I looked back at the view!  So many different places to sit. We were invited to use any of the common areas. Upstairs Parlor Upstairs we also had a cozy sitting area, with a grand fireplace and comfy couches.
Looking from the other direction, you can see the stairs leading up to the third floor rooms. Those were all booked by one family, so I didn't explore.  We followed Chef through and arched walkway, that took us to our guest room door. Executive King Suite If our room had a specific name, I didn't learn what it was. I just knew we'd booked an Executive King Suite for $184.  The price was very reasonable for an updated and spacious room in a mansion.  The furniture was a bit of a mix. Some colonial style reproductions... ... and a couple of white modern chairs. Don likes a good chair for relaxing. This mod style didn't quite work for him.  The kid in me was kind of delighted by the marshmallow chairs and the rounded space in the turret. The kid in me was also sort of pleased with a TV, even though we didn't really need it.  The complimentary snacks were much appreciated. I wanted to eat or take them all, but the adult in me just enjoyed a couple. Vault in the Room Chef let us know we had a bonus space in the back of our room. He had to do some tugging at a the jammed vault door.
He finally popped it open to reveal a room with painted drawers... some for files?  I'm unclear what this vault was used for in the past, but it had a few hangers if we wanted to unpack... a steamer trunk full of clothes! The space was large! The Governor's Offices Chef went on to explain that our room had once been Governor Adam's office. Wonder what he kept in the vault!  He let us know that Governor Orman's office was downstairs, below us. (Orman's office is pictured above) Chef let us know that was where his room/apartment was located. I figured I'd avoid doing jumping jacks and other noisy activities with our host below. Reading Options There were books on both night stands. I was curious about the Woman's Almanac!
I took the book to our little turret space and enjoyed some quiet time gazing out the windows and reading.  Actually that book was pretty fun. Facts about women in 1940! Best Bathroom! There was only one bathroom in the house when Mr. Orman built the home. All guest rooms have bathrooms now and ours was the absolute best part about the Adams Suite (which is what I'll call it now)  The red velvet drapes and chaise lounge felt very Victorian. The rest of the elegant bathroom felt like 2024. Always happy for that! A+ for the bathroom! The Property The 10,000 sq-ft home sits on an acre of property, on the corner of Orman and Colorado Avenues. The elegant entrance faces Orman, but the side facing Colorado looks just as impressive.  I had fun wandering around the giant sandcastle, trying to spot our windows in the upper turret on the left. Our room's other 2 windows were right above the Chef's living area,( in Gov Orman's old office). The arched opening with screen porch, must be part of that living space. Faces Our 2 windows (to the right of turret) revealed a fun surprise when I looked carefully.  Two faces carved into the Colorado red sandstone, right above our windows! Were they puffing wind from their mouths? Or were they biting down on some kind of vine? Out Back The back of the property had a large patio, with a fountain and tables. Chef said we were welcome to enjoy the space.  We opened an umbrella and did just that. We pulled some deli sandwiches from our cooler and had a little picnic.  We greeted Chef when he made a trip from the big house to the carriage house, with his little dog, Lola. He had lots to do, with a wedding booked for the next day. Chef made numerous trips, so we stopped greeting awkwardly. I felt like a teen kid hanging out in the yard, not offering to help Dad with chores. More Wandering After sitting a bit, I wandered more. What was the red bike doing, outside the fence? A bit of bike art?
Around the southwest side of the house I found plump peaches weighting down numerous tree branches! I love sweet surprises. Exploring Inside The weather was too nice for sitting inside, but I had to do some interior exploring. It's amazing to think this home was out of use, just a few years ago. It hasn't been a private residence since the 1950s. Before the 4 Konciljas brothers purchased the building in 2019 it had spent time as a school district building and then a home to a doctor's practice. The young brothers quite a job renovating and decorating, with bright colors! Happy Hour Don and I planned on taking Chef's suggestion and walking to dinner in the Historic Pueblo District. But first we wanted to enjoy a porch Happy Hour. A guest room near ours had its own rounded porch. I snuck a peek.
Luckily the front porch was free and we could grab the 2 rockers for a little wine & snack time.  The sky grew dark and we got to enjoy a quick rainstorm from the porch, before setting off. Walk to Dinner Around 7, we headed directly down Colorado Avenue. In less than a mile we crossed over the Arkansas River and ended up in the historic downtown district.  The destination was wonderful. The historic buildings are pretty and we dined in a lively spot. We do however wish we'd been warned that walk might be a little sketchy. We tried to Uber back since it was dark, but there were none running. Safely Back We made it back to the glowing property without any uneasy encounters. We'd seen quite a few worrisome characters, staggering and sleeping and fretting and lurking, coming and going.  We were happy that the Orman Mansion was tucked safely behind a fence. As we approached the illuminated castle, I snapped a photo and glanced to check the image. For a moment I startled to see a face staring at me in the photo. Yep, Chef was back on the porch again, watching us like a parent waiting for kids to return before curfew.  I greeted as we climbed the steps. I told Chef we'd had a great dinner at "Fuel & Iron". I also told him, we found the walk a little worrisome. We let him know he might also warn guests that there seemed to be no Uber or Lyft options by 9 pm. Morning at the Manson Don and I were in no hurry in the morning. We helped ourselves at the coffee station outside our room.  We enjoyed a book featuring photographs of the mansion. Library We decided to finish our coffee on the porch, but found Chef and Lola sitting out there. So we took a seat at a table, near the curved windows.  I browsed the nearby bookshelf and found 2 books I wanted to read!  Ship of Fools and Father of the Bride. Both great movies! I needed a few more days at the mansion. I'm not a fast reader! Porch Time Before Breakfast Pretty soon Chef was on his way to work. We told him we were excited to use the breakfast Voucher he'd given us, for "B Street Cafe".  Don and I enjoyed the pretty morning for a while, on the porch. I posed on the step like one of the vintage photos I'd seen inside. I forgot to snap a photo of it. Morning in Pueblo Don and I lingered as long as we could at the quiet mansion. Then we left our key and drove a mile to "B Street" and enjoyed the historic buildings we'd seen the evening before. Our Voucher for breakfast (or lunch) was put to good use. We enjoyed the little cafe, across from the Train Depot, which happens to also be owned by the Koncilja Family. Roaming around town, was a nice end to our stay in Pueblo. What's Notable? We stayed in a mansion that reminded me of a sandcastle on the outside and a colorful fairytale house on the inside. The whole place appealed to the kid side of me. The hide-n-seek-slide-down-the-banister kid in me. A magical house!  I wish we'd met the K. brothers. Joe, Teddy, Bobby and George. (You'd almost think they were Kennedys!) I'd like to thank them for rescuing this property so others can enjoy it. I'm glad we used the porch and had some yard time and a little couch time, in a parlor or 2. Next time I'll have to ask Chef if it's okay to play the grand piano. I was tempted, but the lid was down over the keys. I'll try it next time... unless this place gets too popular and prices shoot sky high! Glad we visited when we did!
The Graduate Chain Chain hotels rarely get written up in the Notable Nights blog. But our stay at Ann Arbor's Graduate Hotel, was indeed notable!  There are over 30 Graduate hotels, found in university towns just like Ann Arbor. Each is unique and reflects the flavor of the location. Don and I happen to love this location. Nostalgia Our 2-night visit was a curious mix of enjoying the present and recalling the past. The hotel's atmosphere was enjoyable for any traveler. But for me it triggered some fun memories as well. This will be a rambling write-up for sure. I moved to Ann Arbor in 1973...
Don came to Ann Arbor the same year. We both lived in the college town for only 2 years. I was in high school and Don was at U-M. We have fond memories, but they're different ones. That's because we met a few years later, in St. Louis. Began as "Campus Inn" The 14-story hotel has always looked impressive. The Campus Inn (as it was called for 45 years) was built a couple years before we moved to town. It was the the tallest building in Ann Arbor, in 1970.  I remember the exterior, with flags blowing in front. I have a few more memories that involve the inside. Oh how classy that lobby felt to a 16-year old! Nothing like the Holiday Inn motels from family trips! Old Photo I have one photo of the Campus Inn, from way back when. I took it with my brother's Nikomat, for my photography class in 1974.
I snapped a similar photo with my cellphone last June, after we arrived in Ann Arbor. The beautiful Harris Hall still stands next door. I love the contrast of the old and new building. Even if the new one, is no longer new. Chairs and Fountain I was excited to see what memories would surface. I took a quick peek out front, before we checked in. I'm not sure I remember that fountain, but I was happy to see it. I love a fountain!  I'm quite sure there were no rockers facing Huron Street, in the seventies. Rocking chairs belong on porches and in lodges, not modern high-rise hotels. That's okay, because I love rocking chairs! Check In As soon as we stepped into the lobby, we were hit by the cozy collegiate theme.
The front desk was surrounded by walls covered in yardsticks. Actually I'm pretty sure I never used a yardstick in college, or high school.  The lobby counter looked a bit like something from an old campus library. The plaid fabric gave the place a clubby feel. Sitting Areas There were lots of cozy nooks for reading or gathering.  And a few chalkboards, to work out some math problems.
I loved the original Eames Lounge Chair, with its new, outdoorsy fabric.  There were some nods to U-M athletics, in the artwork. Mostly related to football. But I spotted this great vintage diving image. One Long Table Near the front windows, a 50-ft library table filled the whole length of the lobby.  I never spotted anyone with a book or pencil. Maybe a laptop, once.  I loved this view from above. Dramatic drapes framed the 2-story, floor to ceiling windows. The ceiling appeared to be wallpapered with a book print of some kind.  Four enormous chandeliers hung from that decorated ceiling. Lobby in 1970 & 2024 The b&w image shows how Campus Inn's lobby looked when it first opened. Imported German crystal chandeliers decorated the ceiling.
I have vivid memories of that dramatic stairway, rising up in the corner. It was totally wrapped in carpet then. Which could have softened a fall, if you took a tumble over the rail-free side! Speaking of Stairs I dug through old photos, hoping to find anything from Campus Inn, back in the day. I was excited to find a photo of Mom & Dad, with Inge Morath (wife of Arthur Miller) at an opening night celebration. Lobby stairs behind them?
Nope! Wrong stairs and wrong lobby. The photo was actually taken at The Power Center for Performing Arts, just a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Power Center (where dad spent much of his working hours) was built just a year after Campus Inn. Soaring glass walls and swirling stairs, were pretty popular in early '70s! Stair Memory Heading up the stairs is now a little safer. Handrails have been added! Today's colorful carpet design is made up of a patchwork of Persian rug pieces!
As I climbed to take a photo, I thought back to the last time I headed up those stairs. It was May of 1975 and I was attending my Senior Prom, wearing a floor length halter dress, made by Mom. Upstairs After climbing the stairs, I explored in search for the 2 ballrooms that I vaguely remember. The room with windows was most familiar.
1975 in Ann Arbor was not a year (or place) for taking proms super seriously. But I was happy to have the high school prom experience, especially since it was held at Campus Inn. Too bad I didn't get "asked to Prom" until a week before. Ouch! But Mom was fast with the sewing machine! Prom Gang This is the only photo from that evening. No endless selfies or videos to preserve memories. I wish I had snapshots of the 2 ballrooms and my classmates doing The Hustle and dancing to Kung Fu Fighting.  I wish I had a video of me teaching my date to waltz (to disco music) just minutes before the Midnight Waltz... which was not a serious thing. Mostly I remember having a great time with my friend Lorie. (R) Such a special friend, to this day Up We Go After being swept back in time, I was excited to see how the guest rooms and hallways had changed over the years.
Floor 5 had dark walls and fun floors and humorous framed artwork here and there. Wall Art The locally inspired cartoons were filled with inside jokes, that no out-of-towner would ever get. I only lived a short while in Ann Arbor, but I absorbed enough in 2 years, to be totally amused!  I wasn't in college during those years, but Dad taught at the university. Later my 3 sibs became U-M grads. My hubby Don and our daughter attended U-M. I kept being reminded as I explored, how strongly I feel connected to this college town. Room #515 Our room was only 5 floors up and we had no campus view. But the room was more entertaining than what I remember from my last stay.  There was a felt pennant to hang on the door, if we didn't want to be disturbed. And the room keycards looked like old student I.D.s. I was amused and displayed them on the desk pad. Whimsical Decor I'm guessing all 207 rooms are pretty similar, with dark walls and vintage-style furniture. I did appreciate the wall decor! Outdoorsy woman with marshmallows, behind the blue chair!
... framed sheet music and a nude and a car! And how about a library card catalog, holding the flatscreen TV.
I appreciate a light bathroom, but this one had dim lighting and dark walls. But the framed art was bright and made me want to sing, "Hail to the Victors"! Sleep The bed was comfy, with a fresh white duvet. I half expected a dated plaid bedspread, like Don might have had in his U-M college dorm in 1974.  I love almost anything retro, but I prefer white linens!  We didn't have the best view, but the big picture window let in lots of light. 2006! I stayed one other time at the Campus Inn, years ago. Not Prom. Kids didn't do that in 1975.  I have fond memories of staying in the hotel (and watching American Idol) with daughter Heidi. She was moving from the dorm, after freshman year. This 18-year-old photo is baffling. How is that even possible, that my daughter has doubled her age? 2006 View In 2006, our room had flowered comforters and we actually had a view of the campus.  In this photo you can see the Frieze building on the left. I have memories of rehearsing a scene in one of the classrooms. My sister was directing it for a theatre class. Similar View In 2024, I took this photo from a room on the 14th floor. The view is similar. You can see the Burton Tower in the distance... but sadly the Frieze building is gone. Demolished in 2007, to make way for some fresher buildings.  And how was I able to peek out of a 14th floor room, that wasn't mine? Chris and Karen! My brother Chris and his wife Karen were also staying at The Graduate! On the 14th floor!  There is nothing more fun than sharing a Notable Night (or two) with family! We 4 met up in the hotel's Allen Rumsey Cocktail Lounge. Cheers to these two! Catching Up! The cozy cocktail lounge was hopping when we met up just after 6. Our bartender, Alante (sp?) couldn't have been nicer. He gave us Happy Hour prices even though we'd arrived a smidge late.  I told Alante we were visiting from Idaho and Texas. I laughed about my Prom in 1975. Alante chuckled at that and wanted to know, "Which school?" I told him I was a Huron River Rat and he shook his head with pity. "Just like my mom!" He said they gave his mom a hard time. She was the only family member that didn't graduate from Pioneer. Wolverines The majority of the photos displayed in the lounge focused on the Wolverines. I heard that the team at one time used to stay at Campus Inn the night before home games.  The photo of Coach Bo Schembechler (far left) suddenly reminded me of his son Geoff... in my 11th grade theatre class at Huron. Nice guy. Famous People A lot of notables (unrelated to football) have stayed at the hotel over the years. Gerald Ford stayed many times. Playwright Arthur Miller also stayed when he was premiering a new play in 1974. Another memory here...  I remember sitting in the lounge when I was 16, at a table in the center of this room. I recently verified the memory, in an old diary. Dad and Arthur My dad was involved with the premier production of Miller's "Up From Paradise" that year. I went to watch one of the rehearsals at The Power Center. Afterwards we went back to the hotel where Miller and his wife Inge were staying. We gathered around a table in the lounge, for drinks. A Coke for me.  In my diary I mention talking to Inge at the rehearsal and being fairly giddy that she invited me to come visit them in Connecticut sometime. (never did) I wrote about how fascinating it was to sit in the bar at Campus Inn and hear the post rehearsal discussions... about changing some dialogue... adding a new song... And then I wrote about the excruciating embarrassment, when I realized the table leg that I was thumping with my foot, was actually Arthur Miller's shoe! Years later, I laughed about the evening I played footsie with Arthur Miller. Outside at The Graduate The hotel's lounge was a fun place to catch up and reminisce. But it was the rocking chairs, that I'll remember most fondly.  Late one evening, we pulled some rockers together and enjoyed some wine. Sitting 4 in a row, with a surprisingly loud fountain, meant that I talked just with Karen. Don talked with Chris. I will always remember how pleasant it was, rocking and talking with my sister in law, comparing our own college memories. (neither at U-M) Funny how the college theme worked itself into our conversation!  At midnight the fountain suddenly turned off and the lights went out. It felt like we were being reminded of curfew.  When we stepped back in the lobby, I spotted a cluster of guests at the long table, putting away a board game. A young man sat at a grand piano (tucked beneath the stairs) playing some soft little tune. It felt a little dorm-like, in a fun way. Morning In the morning, we took our 20-dollar voucher (from Expedia or the hotel?) to the lobby's coffee shop.  I had fun chatting with the barista about the portraits on the back wall. She seemed as amused as I was, about all the painted characters. These were portraits of real people, once displayed over fireplaces and couches! How did they end up here?  "Do you have a favorite?" I asked. She did. Her fave was a portrait of a red-headed woman, but it was hidden behind the coffee machine that couldn't be moved. Allen Rumsey Supper Club I regret that we didn't get to sample a dinner at the hotel's "Supper Club". I love that term, especially when it's written in glowing red letters above our heads!  Don and I ended up sitting a spell in those comfy green chairs, with Chris and Karen. They were finishing up breakfast.
Next visit, I need to try out one of those plaid booths. Each had its own display of vintage prints! Someday I want a full story about who had the fun job of shopping estate sales and thrift shops, for all the portraits and prints that decorate The Graduate. What's Notable? In this blog I've jabbered endlessly about memories that surfaced during our stay. But we had 2 notable nights to collect new memories!  We stayed off season at a college-themed high-rise hotel, just steps away from University of Michigan campus! I'm glad to have experienced all the nooks and crannies... the bold decor and clever details... the lounge and lobby, the rockers and our comfy room. All good. It might be fun to visit during a football weekend, with lots of life and good people watching. But I enjoyed it at a quieter time, sharing the nostalgia with Don and Chris and Karen. I loved being able to sit (in numerous places) and share observations and stories. I loved being able to walk to downtown and campus and absorb all that's new... and rejoice in the things that haven't changed.
Our B & B in Ann Arbor, Michigan In June, Don and I found ourselves at this charming Ann Arbor inn... once again.  I was confused when I started to book a room at the Chalet, months earlier. "Stone Chalet" in 2024 The name of the inn didn't ring a bell.  But website photos began to look familiar. "Vitosha Guest Haus" in '05 I dug out old photos from nearly 20 years ago, long before I was blogging about Notable Nights!  Don and I stayed a couple nights in 2005, when we visited our daughter as a freshman at U of M. There were no leaves then and the name on the sign was different. October 2005 How could I have forgotten about our stay in this Swiss style chalet.  The granite stones were more visible then, without leaves. Built 1917 The home was built over a century ago, for Dean Myers and his family.  The home's address was 1917 Washtenaw Avenue. Same as the year it was built. Coincidence? In 1946, the Myers sold the home to the Unitarian Church. Parsonage Added in 1948 After the Unitarian Church purchased the property, a parsonage was built to house the minister and his family.  The family moved out at some point and the building was used as a school and for meeting rooms. (This photo shows a later renovation) Modern Sanctuary Added in 1950s Initially church services were held in the living room of the Chalet house.  Architect George Bigham, (who was also a U of M professor and member of the church) was later chosen to design a new sanctuary, next to the stone house.  The mid-century modern structure was completed in 1956. I read somewhere that Frank Lloyd Wright paid it a compliment. Bed & Breakfast Since 1999 By 1999, there were 3 buildings and a carriage house sitting on the 3-block property. The Church sold to a couple who created a bed & breakfast.  11 rooms were fixed up in the chalet and Parsonage, to house guests. They rented out the sanctuary for events. We stayed in the Parsonage Room (above) in 2005 and 2024. First Stay I found photos from when we visited 19 years ago. I remember the bay window and antiques.  New ownership changed things in 2022, so I had a hard time identifying our old room in website photos. Looks like our old room is now called, The Grand Room.  I remember that the canopy bed was so high, it required a little green step stool, for short people. The funny thing had one too many steps, which tempted me to use it like a diving board.  I remember how Don and I cleverly used the stool as a table for our wine and cheese.  We set the timer on the camera and had a toast. We were acting like 18 year old college freshmen, going against the B&B rules. No Food or Drink in Room. Arriving This Past June We arrived around 4 pm on a warm Monday.  We parked on the side street and walked towards the sanctuary.  I had no memory of where we'd checked in before.  I did have a memory (mostly because there's a photo!) of the bright space, with lots of light wood. I do remember the knight near the organ. And the white grand piano.  I also remember a dog named George who lounged in different parts of the inn. I wonder if he was named for the architect, George Bigham? A Lively Vibe But instead of finding a lazy doggy inside, this time we stepped into the modern sanctuary and found the space filled with boxes and a jiggling bounce castle!  I thought maybe there was a summer camp happening on the property! But suddenly Daisy greeted us. Our Host Daisy wasn't a camp counselor, she was mom and aunt, to the 2 kiddos jumping in the inflatable climber. She was also mama of the 8-week-old baby girl, peacefully resting nearby. And she was our host!  Daisy had the energy and the enthusiasm of a new owner. She and her husband purchased the B&B not long after the pandemic started. on the way to our room, she pointed out lots of things she was excited about. Like the amazing flowers that had arrived and would be planted the next day! And a tiny rose bush that she planted about the time baby Sophia was born. Finding our Room Once again we stayed in the Parsonage building. We parked conveniently on a side street and rolled our bags to the door.
It would have been fun to have stayed in the stone building where the Myers once lived. But this was easy. Once inside, the entrance to our room was on the right. The Garden Wizard Room A handful of the Chalet rooms are themed and we just happened to get one. One step inside and we were surrounded by Harry Potter surprises.
There was a Nimbus 2000 broomstick, propped up right beside the door. A desk near the bed was covered in Potter-themed props.
There was an owl (or 2) and a uniform and lots of pillows with Potter quotes.
There were numerous Harry Potter books and puzzles and playing cards.  Along with all the themed stuff, there was a gas fireplace and some comfortable chairs and a king sized bed. We had a few windows, including a bay window that looked out on the garden.
There were Harry Potter glasses to wear and Harry Potter glasses to drink out of... Even the bathroom was themed.
I'm not even sure about these characters, sitting on their toilets. That was probably more than I needed. Trying to Embrace I do love a theme, but it's hard to embrace a theme when you know little about it. This room was created for Harry Potter fans who would recognize every tiny detail.
I was mostly overwhelmed by all the Wizard-y stuff! But, I made a quick attempt to have some fun with the available props. Then it was time to move outside! Exploring the Property My main goal was to find a place to sit and enjoy the lovely June weather.  I needed to find the perfect spot to enjoy the evening on our one night at the Chalet.  There was lots of lawn facing Washtenaw Avenue, but no seating.  There were gardens in back and 2 seats near the pond.  There was garden table on the west end of the property. The Gazebo! But the very best spot was right next to the Stone Chalet.
Beneath the roof of the gazebo there were cushioned seats and a ceiling fan! I grabbed the empty gazebo and texted my friend Lorie and told her where to find us! My High School Buddy Some people have lots of high school friends, but I only have one from the school where I graduated. I was 16 when I moved to Ann Arbor and met Lorie. She made me laugh then and she still does 50 years later!
I'll never forget our evening on that June night. Don made drinks and we ordered food delivery. One evening only made me crave more Lorie-time!  As the sky dimmed, the birds seemed to get louder. We finished up dinner around 8 and Daisy wandered down the path, tending to a few garden plants, while baby Sophia slept in the stroller. Good Night Lorie left before 9. Work night! And I wandered to see the building lit up at night.  I wondered about the 2 families that have lived under this roof. Daisy's family lived here, when they first purchased the property.  And I wondered about the Myers family, when the moved inside, in 1917. How many children? Were there any grandchildren by the time the family moved out, almost 3 decades later? Morning In the morning, I wondered about the families some more, when we arrived for breakfast. We didn't come around to the red door on the porch. It was pouring rain.
We came through a door that took us right through the kitchen. Daisy was back at work, 12 hours after I'd last seen her. She looked rested and happy as she buzzed around prepping food with 2 other woman. I noticed the child's toy sink and smiled. The Myers' Home I peeked down past the front door, to the stairway and the living area.  I wondered if the room past the stairs was where the church services were held, before the Sanctuary was built.  I peeked at some of the books and decorations on display.  There seemed to be a corner dedicated to strong women!  On the west side, I found the sunroom where we ate breakfast 19 years ago. I remember talking to other U of M parents who were also staying and visiting kids! Dining Room This time we ate in the dining room for breakfast.  There were 2 tables set up for guests.  I didn't intrude with my camera in the morning, but there were guests seated in the middle of the room.  Our places were set and waiting for us, near the windows and cuckoo clock. We had placed our order online the night before. Certainly didn't do that in 2005! Don was pleased with his bagel and lox, with capers.  I ordered a basic bacon and eggs breakfast. Just right, with a nice hearty toast. Sadly, our table-mates were late arriving and we never got to meet them. But Daisy and the women helping in the kitchen were all pleasant, morning people. A nice end to our stay! What's Notable? A real Harry Potter fan would remember the details of their themed-room. But I'll likely remember the intriguing history of the property even more. We got to stay in a Parsonage... again!  Mostly I'll remember enjoying the property in the evening. Sitting in the gazebo with Lorie, surrounded by flowers and birds sounds, with a fan cooling us from above, until the temps dropped. I could almost imagine it was 1917 or 1940... Don and I were Mr.and Mrs. Myers and we had invited our guest Lorie, over for the evening!
I'll remember meeting Daisy, with all her enthusiasm. And I'll remember the cozy dark and rainy morning in the Harry Potter Room... wandering through the kitchen to be fed a delicious breakfast. Glad we got to experience the Stone Chalet/Vitosha Guest Haus, twice! One Night in Detroit I was a teenager when I last visited Detroit, 50 years ago. When recently planning a visit, I felt clueless. Where are the best and safest areas, today?  Detroit was intimidating in the 1970's. (I have stories) Even though I knew Detroit had changed, I avoided booking a downtown hotel. On the internet, I found a B&B located in an old mansion, tucked into a historic neighborhood, 3 miles from the city's center. Welcoming The inn's website photos looked welcoming, but you never know. I was relieved when we pulled up to the recently renovated, 122-year-old house.  We found the inn's entrance facing Parker Street. The landscaping was fresh and healthy, on an unusually hot June day. Facing Jefferson Avenue The view of the Tudor mansion looked lovely from the corner.  This side of the house faced Jefferson Avenue, which had a fair amount of traffic. But the lot was large. The house and drive were set back away from the street, with lots of trees and green space. 1902 Image This old photo shows the house after it was built in 1902.  Our room was located on the top floor facing Jefferson. You can see the row of 6 windows. The Home's First Owner I was eager to spend a night in the mansion, built by Frederick K. Stearns, so many years ago.
All I had read about him, was that he was a successful businessman and patron of the arts. I was eager to learn more. Foyer I pressed the buzzer and we were met by our host, Rachel Mitchell. She let us into the charming foyer.  The first thing that caught my eye was the fireplace, to the left of the door. The words engraved on the mantle read, "Old Wood to Burn Old Friends to Greet"
Around to my right was a cozy little nook with painted glass windows and built in bench. There was a medieval feel to the room. Current Owner Rachel graciously welcomed us, even though we'd arrived a couple hours early. She checked us in and gave us a tour.  Rachel and her husband Eric purchased the property in 2018. She had numerous stories about the 4 years they've spent renovating. Rachel was passionate about the endeavor and totally game for a selfie! Ballroom/ Music Room As we followed Rachel through the inn, I could hear the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera, eerily playing in the distance. The dramatic music grew louder...  and filled the 3-story room that had once been the Stearns family's Music Room. At one time there had been a balcony just below the beams. (gone after a fire) Dancing! The chandelier high above, made me picture formal attire... skirts swirling over the Ballroom floor. Rachel asked if we knew how to waltz. Don was quick to point to me, as if that would get him off the hook. Suddenly Rachel began to search for a waltz on her playlist. Was she getting ready to teach us? She mentioned the room being used for lessons.  But Rachel didn't end up teaching us. She had errands to do and told us to make ourselves at home. When she was gone, I took one look at the wall mirrors and piano and got excited. Dance Studio The room reminded me of ballet lessons, back in my younger years. I remember a piano player who must have been 99. Love those memories! How I would have adored having a music & dance room as a kid!  So I told Don I had to make use of that music room while the "house" was empty. First I played a quick tune on the piano. (It clashed with the symphony that already filled the room) Then I noticed a vintage book (ballroom dance instruction) resting on top of the piano. I grabbed it and instead of reading, I used it as my dance partner... since Don was not interested. Sometimes you have to make use of a mansion, when you have it all to yourselves! House Tour After the music room, Don and I toured around a little more on our own.  I adored the cheery sunroom with pink flowers and bright green walls. The library felt warm and cozy.  There were indeed shelves of books in the library, I just failed to photograph them. Dining Room The dining room was impressive in both directions. Looking towards the foyer, we could see the lovely tile work.
The blue Moravian tile surrounding the fireplace, was like something from a fairytale... think Hansel and Gretel! Looking the other direction, you can see some fun geometry. Circles above and arches over the projected bay windows. Are those projected bays? I need to learn my terms.  There were some nice surprises within the leaded glass. Rachel pointed out the intricate designs on a circular piece of painted glass. From the 1500s!
Near the door to the sunporch, I found a wonderful cabinet that showed off the same woodwork that surrounded the room. Going Up An elevator (added in later years) helped us get bags up to our room on the third floor.  The rest of the time I scrambled up and down the red carpeted stairs whenever I needed a little something. A water glass... coffee... a question answered.
I didn't mind a bit. The view from above was fun! The light fixture was quite a piece!  I could have stopped halfway up and had a rest, on the window seat cushions. But I didn't. I just paused to admire more lovely glasswork. The Zinnia Room Our room was on the third floor, at the end of the hall.
Since Rachel has a background with garden design, she named the 10 guest rooms after flowers. Ours was named for a flower, that's a favorite of mine. Slanted Ceilings I loved our spacious room, tucked beneath the tricky roofline. It reminded me of the room I slept in at my grandmother's.
The pale green walls and Oriental rug also reminded me of the kids' room at Daw's house. The antiques and flower prints also remind me of Daw's. Daw was a classy decorator so I'm not talking about some Ole Grannie's old-timey stuff!  The bathroom did not remind me of my grandmother's house. Her bathroom was not cool.  I had to take 3 photos to capture the long and luxurious space! (windows at both ends) I'm furious that I ran out of time and didn't make use of the jetted tub! The King bed was comfy and cozy/  And I was happy to see 2 comfy chairs at the foot of the bed. So often we only get one chair in a small historic hotel room.  At the far end of the room was a white brick gas fireplace. The weather was too warm to make use of the remote control feature! Enjoying the Garden Weather was warm when we arrived, but still much cooler than Texas!  Don and I had time before our dinner reservations, so we enjoyed a little wine in a garden area between the Stearns House and the Parker House, next door. Today there is a passage between the two. Chatting with Eric As we enjoyed our wine, we met Rachel's husband, Eric. He had been doing yard work. We chatted quite a while about Frederick Stearns and his house. I was intrigued to hear that FK Stearns had huge collection of instruments, which he later donated to the University of Michigan.
We called for an Uber and waited in the drive beside the house. When the driver picked us up, he asked a question that made it clear he thought we were the owners of the mansion. A nice thought. Morning In the morning we made coffee with a somewhat complicated machine.  For a fee, we could have made arrangements for an in-house breakfast. That would have been lovely, but we enjoyed our granola bars in the sunroom.  Over coffee we decided how to use our time in Ann Arbor, before checking into our next hotel. Stearns Collection of Musical Instruments A quick internet search led us to the U of M building that housed Mr. Stearns' instrument collection. Donated in 1899!
Today there are more than 2,500 instruments. We got to see just a tiny portion, as we wandered the halls... listening to music coming from practice rooms! What's Notable? The historic inn is beautiful, clean, safe and reasonably priced. $258. is steeper than many of our hotel stays, but it's a very decent price for Detroit. Especially since we didn't pay for parking!  It was a treat to meet the people behind this huge renovation. Over 16,000 square feet! How wonderful that Rachel and Eric had the energy and vision! And how fun that our conversations led to a little more exploring in Ann Arbor. That was the icing on the cake!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
July 2024
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