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Inn on the Plaza Recently we spent 2 nights in Healdsburg, a charming town in northern Sonoma County.  Don and I first visited Healdsburg nearly a decade ago. We noticed the hotel sitting on the south side of the Plaza.  We finally got to stay, last May! Historic Kruse Building I found this vintage photo that shows the building at the turn of the century.  The building hasn't changed all that much in 126 years. However, the use of the building has. When it opened in 1901, there were 4 businesses on the second floor, each with a bay window. The first floor held a Healdsburg Shoe House, and a few other shops. Fresh and New The lobby looked bright and modern when we arrived on a Tuesday afternoon.  The modern decor was lovely, but I was happy to see some of the original features, like the staircase.
Originally there wasn't a building on the other side of the exposed brick wall. Today there's an ice cream shop sharing that wall. Finding Our Room Our host at the desk was very welcoming and walked us to our room in the Carriage House.
We could opt to walk through the hotel, or use a key to open a gate near the sidewalk. The gate opened to a passage between buildings and I loved peeking at some of the old brick. Evidently much of the exterior brick was damaged in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Upstairs to #12 Our room was upstairs in what had once been the old Carriage House.  We had to climb a few stairs. I caught a glimpse of the rear of the hotel from the top of the stairs.  We stepped onto the balcony before entering. We made good use of that later.  The room with king bed and fireplace was very comfy. Although I did whack my shin on the corner of the bed frame. A month later, my scar is reminding me, that I need to invent a cushy corner cover that I can pack for travels!  We made good use of the fireplace when temps dropped later!  Our balcony view was pretty and private, with lush spring growth.  Our balcony also had a view of the restaurant next door and a parking lot, but no need for pictures of that.
We made good use of our private balcony with coffee in the morning.  Later, we ate deli sandwiches at the table. Hmm? Who took the photos of the relaxing couple on the balcony? Gotta love a camera timer. Sitting Area There was a bonus room, sitting area, between our bedroom and bathroom.  Besides 2 nice comfy chairs, we had a coffeemaker and fridge, a wardrobe and another TV. The bathroom area was divided into 2 rooms. There was lots of counter and shelf space in the room with double sinks.  I always appreciate a good tub for soaking! Exploring the Hotel There are only 12 guest rooms in the hotel, so I didn't expect to find too much when I went exploring. But I always love to peek around.  The trip up the beautiful staircase was a start.  The building became an inn over twenty years ago and I'm not sure how many changes were made. It's possible this staircase was actually moved. A skylight at the top of the stairs offered lots of light.
There was a tiny hall with 2 doors at jaunty angles. I picture a slapstick moment when 2 guests decide to exit their rooms at the same time. Wine and Breakfast Just past the hall with the comical doors, there were a few steps leading to a room filled with skylights, tables and windows. This space was actually right above the neighboring ice cream shop.
The first evening we attended the complimentary wine and cheese hour. Besides sipping and nibbling a bit, we ended up having a great conversation with Mary Anne and Joel who were celebrating an anniversary. What a wonderful hour we spent gabbing about everything from diaries to bagels. In the mornings we returned to the upstairs room and enjoyed the view of The Plaza while we ate a complimentary breakfast.
The food options were a little different on both days.
We met the cook, who did a wonderful job! The Mexican egg dish and potatoes were outstanding. Lobby Chats Both mornings, we headed down the stairs and chatted with our host.  We had lots of questions and she filled us in on a few things, but mostly we pondered the same questions. I noticed a framed photo near the lobby desk that got me wondering.  I could see that the old Kruse Building stood alone in the photo. I wondered about the lovely nearby courthouse, which is no longer in Healdburg. I was told the grand building did not survive the 2006 earthquake. Stepping Out Both mornings were lovely for walking after breakfast.  The trees in front of the ice cream shop sort of hid the 6 windows on the second floor. The building where we'd eaten breakfast was obviously added after 1906. The Plaza The Plaza in front of the hotel had a bandstand and a rather modest fountain.  To me the star features of The Plaza, were the amazing trees. The towering redwoods and palms seemed to be competing for a height prize. Funny how small the trees looked in the vintage photo. Location Being near tree-filled Plaza was a plus, but it was the restaurants and shops around the square that made our location ideal. The restaurants we tried were fabulous. There are actually 5 Michelin recognized restaurants in Healdsburg. And Healdsburg is small! What's Notable? Don and I spend a lot of time jumping from 1 hotel to the next. It was a treat to have 2 days and 2 nights to enjoy our stay at Healdsburg Inn.
Our stay involved an historic building. The Kruse building was beautifully refurbished and decorated and that wasn't really a surprise. We were staying in the heart of the wine country, an area that lures finicky travelers. The room wasn't cheap. But we were sort of surprised to find ourselves so comfortable with the host and other guests. Our stay felt homey and classy at the same time. We much enjoyed the comp wine and breakfast! The inn's location was beyond ideal and our isolated room was a treat, with its lovely balcony. Next time I might go for a room in the old building. One of the 4 rooms, with a bay window facing The Plaza. That would be perfect!
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First Time This was our first visit to the City of Palms. Sadly we had less than 24 hours to enjoy.  Our reason for the Fort Myers stop, was to see family. Our welcoming stay at Hibiscus House, ended up making me extra eager to return. Palms I lived in Tallahassee as a kid, but never made it to the City of Palms.  Actually I didn't even know about that nickname when we drove into the city, on McGregor Blvd. The historic boulevard was lined with Royal Palms. Evidently 1,800 of them! Hibiscus B&B on the Boulevard Our cozy House-Turned-B&B-Oasis was waiting for us, right on McGregor.  The Florida pine house looked quaint and homey, under those towering palms. Over a Century Old We learned later that the house was built in 1912... or 1923 depending on what you read. The home however was not built at this Mc Gregor Blvd location, (south side of the Caloosahatchee River) A framed article inside the inn, explained!  The house was built by W.H.Dowling, on north side of the river. After Dowling (the owner of the successful lumber company) died in 1944, his widow Hallie had the house moved across the river. Split in Half... then Worse This 2009 article explains how the house was sawed in half and carried on barges... until both "sank in the river"!  Luckily the tide rose and freed the structures. Wow! Coffee Corner Today the white house on the corner is a B&B, with 5 guest rooms and a coffee shop.
The entrance to the Hibiscus House is on the north side. We were intrigued to see steps on the side facing Clifford Street. There were no doors at the top of the stairs, like in the old photos. 4:00 We arrived around 4. Our host had texted a few helpful tips before we parked in a tidy parking lot behind the inn.  We found a walkway to the right that took us to the east side of the house. There were 2 sets of stairs leading to second floor rooms.
Our door was tucked in beside the second set. I love second story rooms, but my lazy side on that day was happy to have only 3 steps. Flamingo Room Of course I booked the pink and turquoise room filled with flamingos! I love a colorful theme!  I counted over 20 flamingos in our room.  The comfy room had Old Florida charm, with its pine walls and ceiling, painted white.  Our room felt fresh and clean, despite the fact it was over 100 years old. I appreciated having a fridge and 2 soft chairs with a table.
... a dressing mirror and a bookcase. Even a handy door draft stopper, which could also be used for blocking light or sounds from the hall. Snazzy Bathroom I started to add another flamingo when I saw the stained glass in the bathroom. That's actually a heron, but it was a colorful & tropical addition!
There was ample space for holding "stuff". And the deep bath with jets was another added treat for me. Stepping Outside It was nice having a door to the hall, plus another door to slip out of easily, for a walk, or a trip to the car.
There was a sitting space just steps from our room. I explored and noticed that all the rooms had some kind of outside sitting area. That's always a plus.
This sitting space on the opposite side, was very close to a lovely hibiscus plant. I was glad to find some on the property! Interior When we opened our other door, we found a hall with more painted pine and a staircase. We learned later, that the narrow carpet covers a slight lump, where the 2 house haves came back together after their river journey.
Right beside our door was a welcoming surprise. Words on a blue sign invited us to borrow towels or sunscreen products, if we were going off for a beach day. Even a "Boogie Board" was available. What a generous gesture from our hosts! Reunion Time At 6:30 Don and I slipped off to meet my Uncle Dave and my cousin and her son.  We drove just a few miles south on McGregor and suddenly found ourselves at a table with this sweet trio. Dinner at Christoph's. This is what the whole roadtrip detour to Ft Myers was all about. It couldn't have worked out better. Peaceful Night Once we were back at the Hibiscus House, I regretted having only one night.
Our little reunion had been far too short. And I could have happily enjoyed this pleasant peaceful house for a few more nights. Hibiscus Latin Cafe Early the next morning, I could smell coffee brewing. The little coffee shop in front, was open for business.  What had once been a sunroom, had recently become a coffee shop with Cuban-inspired flavors. The evening before I snapped a photo after it closed.  Don and I headed out of our room at 8:00 and there were a few locals placing orders. Complimentary Breakfast Don and I found a table in the breakfast room next to the coffee shop.  We had the place to ourselves and felt pretty delighted to have quite a few options with our breakfast. Chatting with Lisette After we helped ourselves to coffee and juice and an assortment of breads, yogurts, meats and cheeses, we met our host, Lisette.  Lisette let us know that as guests we were welcome to place a complimentary order from the coffee shop as well. I so wish we hadn't already filled up. The smells of coffee and Cuban pastries and sandwiches were tempting. But we'd already satisfied breakfast craving. We chatted instead.  It was nice to get some of the inside scoop about our hotel from Lisette. She purchased the hotel with her husband and daughter in 2023. They've done an amazing job of restoring the property. Less Than an Hour We had less than an hour before we needed to hit the road. After hearing from Lisette about the Historic River District surrounding H House. I had to give myself a quick tour.  I threw on my running shoes and crossed Clifford Street and headed down McGregor to catch a glimpse of the historic winter estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford! On my way back to H House, I detoured a couple blocks to see the Caloosahatchee River! So much to see within a couple miles of our inn. What's Notable? This historic little house was absolutely perfect for our needs. Charming, clean, quiet and comfy along with great history and a convenient location.  I'm so glad we got to meet Lisette, who made us even more appreciative of this little gem, in such a great little city! We need to come back and enjoy a longer visit next time!
Beachside Hotel in Sarasota Last April, Don and I made a detour on a trip, so I could spend time in Sarasota and stay at this unique beachside hotel.  Planning beachside anything is always a win. But I was plain eager to just spend the night in Sarasota. I have fond memories of childhood summers spent in this fabulous Circus Town! The Cirque & Circus Decor In 2025 I heard about the freshly renovated hotel, with the long name. I was drawn to the French word for circus! I love a good circus theme anytime, anywhere. But the idea that this hotel's decor was inspired by Sarasota's connection to Ringling Bros. Circus, made it all extra intriguing. The town became the winter home to the Ringlings and their circus, in the 1920s.  I read about the hotel's sophisticated circus-themed design. "Art Deco Meets the Big Top." They did it well! Nothing kitschy. No creepy clown figures or sawdust. Guests don't need to be big circus fans (like me) to relax in the lobby, restaurant or guest room. Location The hotel's location was a huge plus. It was just a short walk from the upscale shops and restaurants at St. Armands Circle. The St. Armands district was actually developed by circus magnate John Ringling, in the 1920s.  Location to Lido Beach was even closer! Holiday Inn Postcard The 7-story hotel first opened as a Holiday Inn, in 1970. In this image you can see the pool beside the parking lot and an entrance facing the wide sandy beach.  The exterior doesn't look over-the-top fancy, but I would have loved it if my family had been able to stay here when we visited in the '60s and '70s. Most of our memories involve worn out motels near Sarasota Bay. Changes When Don and I arrived at the hotel last April, the building looked pretty similar to the image on this postcard. However, they no longer have a 7th floor restaurant.  There is no drive-up area facing the beach. And there's certainly no iconic neon Holiday Inn sign. Finding Cirque In fact we never found a sign at all. (coming later maybe) But GPS guided us through a beautiful neighborhood, directly to a parking lot facing away from the gulf.  We walked up the ramp through some pleasant landscaping. The building looked fresh and attractive. I could see the top floor restaurant had been turned into guest rooms. Greeters! There were no doormen or valets, but we saw some other greeters wearing formal bowties.  This pair of green lions gave us a little hint that we might be stepping into a hotel filled with fun surprises.  I should have asked if these lions were given names. Lobby Once inside we were greeted by welcoming desk staff and fabulous decor.  Behind the classy looking counter, I spied lots of circus related accents. There were no funky circus collectables from flea markets. We've seen a lot of that when visiting a few overdone circus-themed hotels and restaurants. Fun at Check-In I had fun reading this sign while we checked in. I learned that my Circus Name is "Binzo The Thrilling Baton Twirler!" Silliness! I love it!  The best thing about check-in was finding out that we'd been upgraded to an ocean view! After a little more chatting at check-in, I learned that what I'd written in the comment section, (while booking online) had gotten some attention. I'd totally forgotten that I'd written anything, but then recalled my little ramble. I'd mentioned that I was excited to be staying in Sarasota for the first time since childhood... and that I was delighted about the classy circus themed decor... Jillian at the desk added, "Oh yes, we really do read and appreciate these comments!" Circus Inspired I'd seen photos on the internet, but I was blown away by the bright and creative design! The ostrich feather chandelier reminded me of costumes in the Roaring Twenties. That was when John Ringling first fell in love with Sarasota and thought of making the town the winter headquarters for the circus.  Geometric patterns on the carpets and floor, felt lively and whimsical!  The fabrics were full of circus fun! Pillows with animals... smooth velvet, reminding me of luxurious show curtains! The ceiling even felt a bit like a circus tent.
The cage-like chairs had me imagining lions! Elevator After a brief look around the lobby, we headed up in one of the 2 elevators.  If we'd gotten stuck in either elevator, I would have been thoroughly entertained with the vintage photo art! Lights & Stripes! The elevator doors opened and I stepped out grinning ! Showtime! Gotta love some bright lights!  We followed the striped carpet and paused at the Hydration Station!
There was a water dispenser, a drawer holding bags of ice, plus a bowl of oranges on the counter. All in a nicely designed little nook, off the hall! Stepping In I stepped into the room and paused again. The entryway offered a dramatic walkway towards the ocean-view balcony!
But before stepping into the room I had to admire the dressing space, holding robes and a padded bench, over a set of drawers. And more circus art of course! Calm Colors The view was enough to relax any traveler. But the soft gray and sandy brown tones in the room felt heavenly. The muted tones made the ocean blue color pop!  I appreciated all the handy "stuff" from the cushioned bench at the foot of the bed...
...to the coffee maker and refillable water containers. I of course loved the framed circus photos and the small sculpted performer. These classy tidbits kept my favorite theme alive, without overwhelming! Comfy The bed and linens were comfy and the built-in headboard was just the right amount of soft.  Besides 2 cushioned desk chairs, there was super cozy corner chair, with light. The bathroom was lovely. Bright white towels and classy black & white tile designs.
And those vintage photographs kept right on entertaining. 12 Hours Apart The balcony was the icing on the cake. The gulf-view rooms were a bit pricey, so we hadn't booked one. Yet suddenly we were looking across the road towards sand and sea.
The first photo was taken around 7:30 in the evening. The other was taken 12 hours later. Very quiet times in April! The Midway After checking out our room, Don and I headed back down and grabbed a window table at the Midway Lobby Bar.  4:00 was a little early to start Happy Hour, but we were offered complimentary cocktails with our check-in. Each champaign cocktail came with a playful surprise! An orange Popsicle!  Don gifted me his, so I had a double Popsicle beverage... which I don't recommend. After a bit of messy fumbling, my drink turned into a Mimosa. Which I guess is nothing to complain about. Games We hardly needed more entertainment, but if we got bored there were games. I spotted a wooden ring game, on top of the striped table.
A very serious looking chessboard was tempting guests to come sit and play for a couple hours. Planning Place Across the room I spotted 2 chairs facing a desk and an enormous mural of elephants. I believe this was the concierge desk where we could sit and inquire about visiting the Ringling Museums or other Sarasota attractions.
But without the conceirge, I was happy to just sit a moment and study the nearby shelves, filled with bright and tidy circus knickknacks of course. Mostly I stared at the elephants. I've spent many an hour pondering the worries of circus animals in history. But on this day I only sat and admired the incredible beasts. Post Happy Hour It was just after 6:30 when Don and I returned to the Midway. The bar's Happy Hour had ended but there was a lively crowd lingering.  I ordered the "Levitate" cocktail which included some tropical flavors... rum, coconut, banana syrup... Tasty, but I did not levitate. Don ordered a martini with his choice of olive stuffings. He went for the gherkin stuffed olives. Which maybe was an odd choice.
It became apparent that most of the Happy Hour folks around us, were locals who knew each other. They all seemed to be enjoying gourmet popcorn in cute cups. I jumped up to investigate and found a retro popcorn cart had rolled into the lobby. I was pretty excited to get a couple complimentary cups for our table! More Exploring After a while we headed for a door past the bar, to check out the pool area. I paused to admire the mini carousel inspired jars, holding drink garnishes.  The Ringmaster Poolside Bar offered a shady outdoor area.  There were quite a few guests enjoying the deck chairs.  I returned early in the morning to take photos, without intruding on lounging guests. I loved the playful yellow striped umbrellas. The cushioned lounge chairs actually looked comfortable.  The pool shape was changed during renovation. Instead of a dull rectangle, the design looks a little like 3 connected circles. Just like a 3-ring circus! I also found additional chaise lounges, down a few steps.  A nice space for guests who don't like beach sand or pool splashes. Dramatic Dinner at Ringside Long before our 7:30 dinner reservation, I stopped by to chat with Amanda, who was standing at the podium outside the restaurant.
I've never seen such velvety drama at the entrance to a dining room! Amanda was delightful. She was as enthused about the hotel's themed decor as I was. She let me have a peek behind the curtains before the Ringside Restaurant opened.  Amanda encouraged me to take a look at the table options. It was hard to pass up a cozy table nook with curtains. But I asked to book a table near a window instead. View The view would have been a little better if we'd been up a few floors. But around 8:00, I could spot the sun setting, just behind Don.  We took our time studying the menu.  Before discovering the tasty options inside, I had to admire the menu design itself. Classy and magical on the cover...  Inspiring words on the inside! "A place that forbids you to take anything seriously."  Don and I enjoyed the view along with a shared Caesar salad. Our trapeze artist friend seemed to be joining us from above. Design The decor that surrounded us made the meal extra memorable. Such an intriguing mix of vintage circus decor and luxurious furnishings.  As I absorbed flavors, I absorbed the fine decor. Circus murals and velvet and zebra fabric, stripes above and geometric shapes below!  It seems fitting that we should dine in style, since the Ringling Brothers made sure their circus staff ate on china and tablecloths in the dining tents! Onion Skillet Bread This appetizer was as over-the-top-fun as the decor was over-the-top snazzy!  Parmesan, honey whipped butter, warm asiago fondue! Don was even applauding and he doesn't love bread. I ordered Crispy Skin-on Scottish Salmon! Pan-seared, sweet potato & hazelnut hash, crispy kale, blood orange reduction!  Much more appetizing than my photo. The flavors were pretty amazing! Don's pan-seared diver scallops were mouthwatering. The festive dining room was quiet and empty by the time we finished.  We left happy! Nighttime Peek I took a quick step outside to peek at the pool before heading up to our luxurious room.  The air felt perfect. I could have slept on one of those lounge chairs. Morning In the morning I let myself explore just a little more.  I should have grabbed some coffee to enjoy the chairs and games on the west side of the building. A pedestrian walkway has replaced the old drive up entrance, so it's pleasant and quiet. Just a few steps across the street and I was on the beach. So calm!  If we'd had one more day, we would have had time to take advantage of the hotel's sister property. Just steps away, Gulf at Lido Beach Resort had lots more beach and dining options to enjoy. But it was time to head back across that white sand and pack up. What's Notable? I had my cake and ate it too, at The Cirque! I love a whimsical theme, but usually I have to give up luxury for that. Most themed hotels are weird or worn or uncomfortable. I'm almost always happy to give up luxury to enjoy a unique stay, but didn't have to here.  I loved the decor! Luxurious, tasteful decorating with playful circus woven in. Even though colors and murals and designs were bold, it was never overwhelming. The gracious staff, top notch food, the beach location and the clever decor... all in perfect balance! Like the best circus act!
Next time we will book more than one night! |
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
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