Blog Posts

#219 Hotel Andaluz in Albuquerque

6/2/2019

Conrad Hilton's 4th Hotel

Don and I avoid chain hotels, but not this one! The Hotel Andaluz was Conrad Hilton's 4th hotel, when it opened in 1939. The 10-story, 160-room hotel was considered the first high rise hotel in New Mexico.

Odd Connections

I was excited when we approached this hotel, last May. I knew this could be the nicest stay on our road trip. We'd driven from Silver City that morning, with a stop for lunch in San Antonio, NM. Oddly enough, tiny San Antonio is where Conrad Hilton was born. We'd eaten lunch at a bar that his father had owned. Now we would stay in a hotel where C. Hilton had honeymooned with Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1942.

Our Albuquerque hotel had some similarities to the hotel where we'd stayed the night before, in Silver City. The Murray Hotel (built a year earlier) was sort of a mini version, with its lower building connected to the tower of guest rooms. I'm still learning to appreciate the history of this boring, high rise look. At least the plain, earth-tone stucco on the Andaluz tower, had some decorative brick.

Entry Halls

Both of the Andaluz entrances had original murals from the 1930's. The arches and wood beams and glowing light fixtures added some fun drama.

Reception Room

While Don parked, I tried to figure out how to check in. I walked past the colorful, hoop dance mural and found a small room, with a woman at a desk. I half-wondered if I would be interviewed before I got my key.

While she checked me in, I noticed a lovely wooden display case, opposite the desk. The openings held ornately carved, chess pieces. I inquired and was told that Gary Goodman had created a new function for the hotel's original key slots. "Mr. Goodman loves chess." She added.

"Nice!" I replied, as if I knew that Mr. Goodman was the current owner, who bought the hotel in 2008 and brought it back to its glory days.

Library

My ignorance made me want to know more history. I asked about a brochure, or info sheet... but was reminded that the Andaluz is a green hotel... evidently the most sustainable historic hotel in the U.S. So no paper write ups for me.

Not far from the Reception Room, there was a cozy library with some actual books and a few historic photos. I could have done some old fashioned research, but I was excited about exploring.

Courtyard Lobby

After checking in, I quickly began my exploring mission. I knew the empty lobby would be less quiet, after 5. A huge conference was being held on the second level and it was also a Friday...

The arched openings along the wall, were the most exciting lobby feature. Years ago, small shops were set up in some of them.

Casbahs!

There were 6 curtained casbahs, each begging for a cozy gathering of characters! Each had its own festive decor. One held a framed mosaic of glass tile, with trickling water. Another held carved doors and candles. There was one at the end, that had closed curtains and a sign that tempted me to peek...

Obsessed with the Fountain

Besides those exotic casbahs, my other favorite feature was the fountain.

I kept snapping photos, but none captured the wonderful bird statue in the center. One photo shows the Spanish tile on the side. The other angle shows an orange fish, swimming round and round.

And of course I had to go up to the mezzanine and take a photo, looking down on the fountain. I was tempted to toss a coin. I didn't.

Yummy Stairs

I found a beautiful stairway off the side hall. The rounded railing was so smooth and slick it invited me to take a ride... or a bite. I felt like Gretel, in the witch's candy house. The frosted, marshmallow structure, looked as delicious as the licorice hand rail!

Glass Chiclets!

I found the ornate elevators behind another edible-looking, artistic structure! My camera skills just weren't able to capture the colorful mix of Spanish antique furniture and modern see-through art! It really was lovely.

Going Up

The area near the elevators looked like a museum, where we should not touch. Heading into the classic elevator, I felt like a kid sneaking through a door, when the guards weren't looking. But the elevator was clearly functional and for our use. Inside the ornate doors, there was a colorful tapestry, behind glass.

Seventh Floor

Our room was on the 7th floor and I kept fingers crossed for a good view.

We booked the most reasonable room we could get. It wasn't huge, but it was nicely updated.

Gazing Out the Window

Before I peeked through the blinds, I noticed the couple, in the framed photo next to the window. They seemed to gaze out, along with me. She looked downward, like she was a little disappointed with the view. He seemed to be looking out, insisting the view was fine. "Come on now. There's a mountain, way out there."

Fun Art

I was obviously in a playful mood, when I took in all the details of this beautiful hotel. The artwork above the bed, fit my mood! It took me a moment to realize the art was created with pencils. I wonder how many people have slept here and not noticed?

Details

I loved the tricky archway. Was that a Spanish detail? The tiny reading lamps were handy.

There's probably a name for the "shoe protector" thing at the foot of the bed. Whatever the name, it was an unusual one, with weighted bars at both ends.

Large TV & Small Bath

The room was narrow, but the wall TV was nice and large. The bathroom was small, with a retro sink that held no bath products. I'm starting to get used to green hotels that use refillable containers. But this is the first hotel that has given us complimentary, reusable water bottles. Nice touch.

Evening

By 6, Don and I were ready to check out Ibiza, the rooftop lounge.

The roof-top lounge was actually on the roof of the lower building, not the tower. But the open air options were wonderful. We could sit out by the wall and watch the people below, or lounge inside, with a breeze coming in open doors.

Dinner?

The hotel's restaurant, Mas Tapas y Vino, looked out of a movie set. If we'd dined, I would have asked for a table next to the rabbit... who looked like he had some boxing skills! The food reviews were excellent, but the prices were high. We headed off to explore the area.

Exploring!

We made good use of the hotel's location and did a little exploring on Central Avenue. The colorful street was once Route 66, so there was much to see.

At one point, we wandered a little out of the comfort zone, searching for a Speakeasy we'd heard about. After a couple wrong turns, the secret bar was found. We ended the evening with some great JC's NYPD pizza, right next door to the hotel.

Morning

In the morning we grabbed some complimentary coffee in the lobby bar. It was hard to decide where to enjoy our morning brew. Don settled into a chair, near some beautiful beaded artwork.

I headed into the casbah that had been curtained off the night before. Evidently the exotic plants in this special space, are on a very specific schedule with their greenhouse lamps! I felt honored to spend a few moments enjoying the colorful wall-garden!

What's Notable?

I will remember this beautifully restored hotel because of all the wonderful surprises. We needed much more than a night to discover them all! This little pair of donkeys was one of the many tiny surprises I found. They were part of one of the hall murals.

I feel like we just scratched the surface of what this hotel is all about. I feel the same way about the city of Albuquerque. Both the city and hotel made me curious. I hope to come back and learn a little more!

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#218 - Murray Hotel in Silver City, NM

6/1/2019

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Art Deco Hotel in Historic Downtown

Don found us a Victorian hotel, for our overnight in Silver City. I'm always up for a nice little historic hotel.

However, when I looked up his choice online, I also discovered The Murray, which was practically next door. Such a dilemma! Victorian, built in the 1880's or Streamline Moderne, built in 1938?

We've stayed in a lot of Victorian hotels. We switched!

A Fine Entrance

It was blustery and cool, when we arrived, late May. Luckily we could park in front on Broadway, just past the mint green curb.

I absolutely loved the Art Deco entrance, with its rounded sign and glass block. The long, one-story, corner building seemed much more intriguing than the 5-story "tower" that held the guest rooms. However the tower is what gave The Murray a spotlight, back in 1938. It was and still is, the tallest building in town.

The Entrance

The renovated building reopened in 2012. The nearly 80-year-old hotel looked fresh, with some bright colors and art. I liked the porthole windows with stained glass, on both sides of the door.

The Lobby

The main lobby area was up a few steps. The space was lit by a large skylight, which was part of the original hotel design. Above one couch was a portrait of W.D. Murray, the man behind the hotel.

Horse in the Lobby

The lobby walls were decorated with lots of impressive local art, but the framed photos caught my attention the most. I loved this image of Mr. Murray's granddaughter (and horse) in the hotel lobby, before it opened in 1938.

Check In

We checked in at the corner "office" with our very welcoming host. What a bonus to be to be greeted by someone who actually cared about the history of the place. Mr. Cave seemed pleased that we had questions. He took us around the hotel, pointing out original details to the old structure... like the rounded steps, leading to the stairwell.

In Progress

In the lobby, he pointed to a blocked off door, behind the bookcase. "That was once the entrance to the hotel coffee shop."

Out on the sidewalk later, we found the other entrance, with faded lettering, above a colorful door.

Branding Iron Saloon

Mr. C. took us into an area that had once been the Copper Lounge. In 1960, the hotel's bar changed from a mining theme to a western one. A fabulous mural still remained, despite issues with vandalism, after the hotel closed down. The cattle branding designs represented all the ranches in the county. Evidently, the saloon and dining room got lots of use on weekends, when ranch families came to town.

Ballroom

The Ballroom was added in 1948 along with an expansion to the tower. The space looked pretty quiet when we peeked in, but there are stories of dance bands and balls. The area was even used for a scene in a movie. The floor looked nice, but I'm guessing it wasn't the original dance floor "on springs" that I read about.

Bright Ceiling

I believe this area between the ballroom and lobby, was nicknamed The Martha Room, for Mr. Murray's sister. Breakfast was served under the shiny ceiling, in the morning.

In the evening, we grabbed some complimentary coffee and spotted a few locals taking a dance class, in the ballroom.

Then and Now

On every floor, we found historic photos of The Murray and Silver City. I had some fun studying the vintage photo and comparing it with my own image. You can see there are more rooms on the back of the tower, now.

Room 426

Even though Don and I booked the cheapest room, we got a decent sized corner room with 3 closets, 3 comfy chairs and 3 windows, with marble windowsills.

There was a fridge and desk, with a retro phone. The giant porthole mirror went along with the moderne style. The big, fat Sony TV went along with a different era. It actually worked well, though.

Love the Bath

The bathroom was just plain fun. The floor to ceiling, glass block, let in lots of light. The yellowish tile and earthy, mosaic floor tile was pretty darn sweet. The sink didn't offer up any storage space, but it looked the part!

Photo Op

Don and I made use of the fine, round mirror before we stepped out on the town. The cell quality does not properly show off my cowboy print shirt or Don's cacti fabric.

The thick TV showed up very well!

Silver City

One of the perks of our hotel, was walking out the door and wandering town. We hit a good antique store, a brewery and a Mexican restaurant in the evening. In the morning we enjoyed walking the path along the Big Ditch, which was once the town's Main Street... before it was washed away in 1895. That's some amazing history there!

What's Notable?

Easy, Comfortable and Reasonably Priced... Historic Hotel! That's my takeaway.

For less than 90 dollars, we stayed in a in a comfy hotel that allowed me to imagine living in the 1930's.

I'm not sure where the hotel is headed in the future. We need more people to support hotels like this, so The Murray can continue the renovation process!

I hope to come back someday and have a beer at the Branding Iron. I'd also like to walk through that sea-green door and enjoy a mug of coffee... along with my newspaper!

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#217 - The Drury YMCA Hotel in St. Louis

5/12/2019

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Railroad YMCA in St. Louis

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

The Station

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

Then and Now

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

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

Such an Entrance

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

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

Again in 2012

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

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

May 2019

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

Old Switchboard and Key Boxes

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

Wood Paneling and Arches

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

Lobby Lounging

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

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

Back in the Day

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

Trains and a New Pool

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

Going Up

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

Corner Room in the Old Building

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

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

The View

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

Yay For Milissa!

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

2 Days at The Y

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

A Nice Escape

Actually the place felt comfortable and homey, when it was full and when it was empty.

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

What's Notable?

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

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

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#216 - The Midland Hotel in Hico, TX

4/22/2019

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Newly Renovated, in Hico

Don and I recently enjoyed a Texas road trip with friends. First, we introduced Susan and Pat to a couple of hotels that we've enjoyed before.

For the last night, we booked rooms at the beautifully renovated Midland Hotel, in Hico.

Yay, for exploring a new town and hotel, with new traveling friends!

The afternoon sun was shining brightly on the corner entrance when we arrived. The wood column was impressive.

Across the Street

The hotel faced Pecan Street and its welcoming red sign. We had to help out, to create the missing letter.

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

Rebuilt in 1896

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

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

Renovation and Restoration

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

Chairs

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

Reclaimed and Repurposed

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

Fixer Upper Style

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

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

Playful Old West

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

1896 Saloon

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

The Chop House

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

The second floor had a sitting area, with an opening to the restaurant.

Thick, velvety curtains were pulled at night, so the sound stayed below.

The Porch

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

14 Rooms

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

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

Hall Seating

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

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

Modern West Benches

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

Room 201 - Lynch Brothers Room

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

Across the Street

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

Our Rooms

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

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

An old painted dresser held the TV. Our vintage "wardrobe" reminded me of a vintage refrigerator. The bathroom wasn't huge, but I liked the window light and nice bath products.

Coffee Corner

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

Entertainment at 6!

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

Music, Drinks and Food!

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

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

Good-Bye Hico!

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

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#215 -The Gibson Inn in Apalachicola

1/30/2019

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Old Hotel in a Florida Oyster Town!

This curious old hotel, sits in an equally curious Florida fishing town.

I've wanted to be a guest, for many years.

Lots of Porch

I'm drawn to all historic hotels, so that's nothing new. I'm also drawn to porches, so of course The Gibson would attract me.

But I was extra curious about this hotel, because of what my mom once told me. Mom said that long ago, her daddy stayed at The Gibson while doing some kind of work. My grandfather worked for the Public Transport Authority of St. Louis, so I can't imagine why he spent time at this Florida hotel, back before WWII.

I love staying at hotels with a personal twist.

Seafood Festival in the 1960's

This is how the inn looked in the late 1960's, which is about the time I remember visiting Apalachicola, with my family. By the sixties, the hotel had been vacant for decades, but we had come for the day, to experience the Seafood Festival.

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

This past January, Don and I spent the last night of a 2+ week road trip in the little town known as, The Oyster Capital of Florida.

We drove on Gorrie Bridge, over the Apalachicola Bay and suddenly, there it was!

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

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

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

Besides oysters, Apalachicola had an important history as a cotton and timber port. The hotel itself was built with local cypress and heart pine, which was also shipped down the Apalachicola River.

Cats at the Hotel

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

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.

Up the Stairs

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

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

Old Door Old Room

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?

The Gibson is still here. That is pretty notable, since the town has weathered some hurricanes and worrisome troubles, related to disappearing oysters. I'm just grateful that the community and recent owners have worked hard to keep it!

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!

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#214 - Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach

1/30/2019

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The Pink Palace of Florida

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

Island Hotel

It was also impressive seeing this green and pink image, when we crossed the bridge to the island. It made me wonder about all the travelers who were drawn to the hotel when it first opened, in the height of the Jazz Age.

I'm guessing, those high society guests came by boat and probably brought trunks of dressy clothes. Ahhh, the life!

Since 1928

Thomas Rowe's glamorous hotel, with its blend of Moorish and Mediterranean styles, has changed little since the Roaring Twenties. The arches and red clay roofs, the balconies, pink stucco and towers, were all there when guests like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Clarence Darrow came to mingle with the elite.

The Not So Elite Guests Arrive

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

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

Our hall was wide and well lit. It was pretty hard to tell that we were inside a 91-year-old hotel. That's not a bad thin, but I love being able to visualize the past.

I wish there had been photos of the hotel in its prime, or when it became a military hospital during WWII, or a Convalescent Center after the war. I would even like to have seen photos when it was abandoned and covered in graffiti.

Our Beach-y Room

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.

There are worse views. We were able to look over the parking lot and see the bridge over the bay. We could also see the palace-pink stucco and spy into another room, if we were so inclined. Best of all, we saved about 50 bucks by not needing an ocean view.

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

The framed vintage photos gave us a few glimpses to the past. There showed guests on shuffleboard courts and others enjoying some lawn bowling entertainment. No Cornhole games, back then, but we saw some on the beach, later.

Mystery Robes

Before our bellman left, he showed us around the room. He seemed concerned that we had no robes. He said we should call the desk, so I did. The woman seemed terribly surprised. Were we sure? Had we checked the closet? She seemed a bit skeptical, but I assured her that the bellman had noticed... just in case she thought we (budget travelers that we are) were stashing some robes to take home.

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

Enough About Robes!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Rowe Bar

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

Claiming a Spot

The higher deck area had cozy cushioned seats, with small fire pits. The winds were picking up, so that would have been nice.

The 2 unoccupied upper deck areas both had reserved signs, so we sat behind on the patio.

As we guessed, by the time the sun set, no one had come to claim those special spots. But we didn't care.

Lovely

We sat back and enjoyed our cozy couch and toasted, with our sunset martinis. Just before the sun sunk into the gulf, we stood and snapped a photo or two.

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?

We finally stayed at the Don CeSar! I will remember the pastel hotel and how it stood almost arrogantly high, looking down on the beach and bay.

We stayed in a hotel where movies were filmed and presidents and stars have stayed. For 3 years, the NY Yankees actually lived here, during their spring training.

The history was fun, but the warm, sugary sand was really what I was craving on that January day.

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!

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#213 - Cabana Bay Beach Resort

1/30/2019

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One Night at a Universal Orlando Hotel

On January 22, Don and I spent a night at one of Universal Orlando's, 8 resort/hotels.

We didn't have children with us and we weren't interested in the theme parks.

But we were childishly giddy about staying in the Mid-Century Modern Hotel!

There it is!

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!

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?

I loved the colorful plates and the squiggly design on the table.The hot dog was a hot dog, but at least it was something I would have chosen to eat in the 1960's.

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!

Jack La Lanne Phusical Fitness Stuido!

Instead of bowling, we headed next door to the fitness center with the neon sign!

Jack LaLanne! I know him!

Best Hotel Fitness Room!

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.

Tropical Posing Time

Sometimes our Notable Nights are worthy of a costume. I made sure to pack my 11-dollar parrot and palm dress, for the trip. I also wore my cat-eye sunglasses for a little extra retro fun.

Don wore his palm tree shirt and we ordered drinks at the Hideaway bar, next to the pool. But after the photo op, I threw on my sweater and the sunglasses came off. The breeze picked up and the temps dropped some more...

Royal Pacific Hotel

Don and I took our tropical outfits & drinks, into the warmer lobby. We ended up chatting with a woman who encouraged us to explore the other nearby properties.

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?

We managed to squeeze a theme park's worth of fun, out of our one night stay at Cabana Bay. It helped that we stayed on a weekday in winter. It helped that Don and I happen to love a little retro throwback time. It helped that the weather was pretty and we were able to check in early.

We loved our little escape to the adult world at Royal Pacific. That was an added treat. But our 1-night stay was still just the right amount of time. In the morning we saw buses and school groups... it was time to leave! Perfect timing.

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#212 - The Streamline Hotel in Daytona

1/30/2019

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A Florida Hotel With a Past

This dreamy, Art Deco, mint green hotel, has been sitting right on State Road A1A since 1940.

Don and I finally got to spend a night, in January!

Off Season Daytona

Daytona Beach has never been my dream destination. But Don and I have visited a few times, when there were no beach crowds or motorcycle rallies or NASCAR happenings.

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

When we arrived, we had a great view from the large parking lot. The rounded corners and the rooftop railings made me think of a boat. There were even porthole windows on the north side.

A Riverboat Tangent...

Later, I figured out which boat the hotel reminded me of... my favorite riverboat in St. Louis!

I have fond memories from the 1970's, dancing on the deck of The Admiral, an old steamer, turned excursion boat.

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.

White and Mint Green

The parking lot was empty when we parked and headed towards the white and green stucco hotel. The pool area was empty too, but that was probably because it was January and chilly.

Heading In

The flashy entrance was pretty fun, even for those of us who don't have much interest in the history of stock car racing. How could I walk towards that sparkling, glass tile entrance and not want to learn why our hotel was The Birthplace of NASCAR?

Snazzy Lobby

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.

NASCAR Theme

Again, I'm not a big fan of cars and racing, but I loved everything about the hotel and its spotlight on the theme.

I just love a theme, when it's done well.

Cars on the Wall

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

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

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!

The bathroom was small, but nicely updated and very clean. I didn't want to think about what the bathroom looked like, before 6 million dollars and 2.5 years went into the hotel's renovation.

In 2014, the hotel was featured on the TV show, Hotel Impossible. That means the building was in bad enough shape to make the show.

Before the hotel was a TV star, locals told us it was a dive, with questionable reputation...

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?

To The Roof

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.

To The Top

There was an even higher level, that we visited for just a moment. The wind was whipping in every direction...

...but the evening colors were warm!

Sky Lounge

After wandering a bit, Don and I ducked inside the Sky Lounge. The cozy, enclosed space was surrounded by roof deck. Again, I felt like I was on a boat.

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.

Hotel Mysteries

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.

But, actually I was fine with our chilly January night. I preferred enjoying the low key hotel on a night with few guests. I don't even want to imagine Daytona or this hotel, during spring break.

What's Notable?

We stayed at a beautifully renovated hotel, that knows how to spotlight its unique history.

I guess for the true experience, we need to book a night during NASCAR happenings.

But honestly, I liked our off season experience just fine. If we book again, maybe we could gear up for a little more action, by staying on a Sunday night. Sinatra Sunday! That's more my style!

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#211 - Casa Monica in St. Augustine, FL

1/29/2019

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Classy Hotel in Historic City

Don and I had Casa Monica on our "Someday, when we're rich list..."

We found a good deal for a Sunday night in January and now the list has another check!

On the Corner

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.

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.

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.

Architectural Style

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.

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?

We stayed in a beautiful, historic hotel in the oldest city in the U.S. I expected to absorb some of the city's Colonial history, while staying in our Victorian era hotel. But I didn't expect to end up learning about the city's history with the Civil Rights Movement.

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.

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#210 - Casa Marina in Jacksonville Beach

1/16/2019

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Historic Beachside Hotel in Florida

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.

Heading Up

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.

Quiet Beach

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?

We enjoyed a night in 23-room Old Florida Hotel, right on the Atlantic. It was not squeezed in between tall resort buildings, but stood alone with all its history.

I guess it just amazes me that this sweet hotel has managed to hold onto its spot, without being overly renovated and remodeled. Our room was dated and imperfect, but I was okay with that. I love a hotel that puts a spotlight on its past. CM did that well!

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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!

#219 Hotel Andaluz in Albuquerque

#218 - Murray Hotel in Silver City, NM

#217 - The Drury YMCA Hotel in St. Louis

#216 - The Midland Hotel in Hico, TX

#215 -The Gibson Inn in Apalachicola

#214 - Don CeSar Hotel in St. Pete Beach

#213 - Cabana Bay Beach Resort

#212 - The Streamline Hotel in Daytona

#211 - Casa Monica in St. Augustine, FL

#210 - Casa Marina in Jacksonville Beach

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