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Best Sign In the last decade, Don and I have stayed in quite a few South Lake Tahoe hotels. This past October, we finally spent a night at the lodge with the wonderful vintage sign.  It was the glowing sign that lured us in for a stay! I've admired it for years! Lake Tahoe Boulevard The lodge has been sitting right on Lake Tahoe Boulevard, for 58 years.  It's located on the California end of the resort town, just steps away from restaurants and shops. It's just 50 feet from Heavenly Gondola. Nearby The area around Stardust has changed over the years. New hotels and buildings surround the retro hotel, now.  But the Stardust property hasn't really evolved much in all those years! The 1960s sign still attracts tourists as they walk and drive past. 1966 This old postcard shows Stardust, when there was aa yellow slide and green lawn.  The 2-story office on the right, still welcomes guests. 2024 My photo taken from a second floor balcony, shows a few tiny changes.  There's a low wall around the pool area. A raised deck holding a hot tub. It looks like the upper floor of the office has a bay window, now. Mostly it just looks like the motels I remember from childhood. I'm happy with that. Check In We arrived on a Thursday in October.  We followed the arrow on the pavement and pulled up to the office door. I believe space above the drive was once an apartment for the owners. Where did I hear that? It's much requested suite now. Flowers and Flags There were plenty of flowers and flags to welcome us.  We've seen snow during October visits to Tahoe, so this was a nice surprise. Office We stepped in the homey office and smelled popcorn. Free for guests! I read that they offer fresh cookies as well, but I didn't smell or see those.
I noticed a large collection of DVDs in a cabinet. Not needed on our short visit, but kind of fun that they still offer that. Timeshare Since 1986 There were a number of families checking in around the same time, so maybe they would be making use. I sensed that they were all staying longer by the conversations I heard. Makes sense, because this is a timeshare property now.  I saw this printout displayed near the front desk. Mr. McCarthy was involved in turning the Stardust into a timeshare back in 1986. I didn't even know the term timeshare back then! I wonder if any of the young families we saw, were the grandkids of original timeshare owners? Hotel History The young woman at the front desk was extremely welcoming, but she didn't know a thing about the lodge's history.  "Oh it's old!" She answered. "I mean really old. It might from the '90s or maybe even the '80s." I chuckled to myself and suddenly felt very old myself. The '90s was yesterday, wasn't it? Pool We were given our key and Don headed off to find a parking space. Free parking, near our first floor room! A first in Tahoe for us! I walked past the pool and noticed 3 ladies getting ready to enter with their Styrofoam noodles. Nice that the pool is heated all year! 
I noticed a sign, just steps away from a pingpong table. It had a picture of a kitty. "Our Beloved Little Friend, Dusty". I love hotel cats. Sadly, I think maybe Dusty is no longer with us. Room 110 Parking was a breeze and so was our room location. # 110 was the lower level room, on the corner. There was a huge collection of guest bikes just outside our door. No time for that, I'm afraid.  Our door had a little netted screen, so we could let in fresh air. The brick walkway created a tiny porch space between our rooms and some potted plants.  We seemed to be missing a chair, but figured something out. Sweet Studio Suite For about $135. (parking included) we had this pretty darn cute little set-up.  We hardly needed the kitchen for one night, but it was nicely redone. The room was narrow, but we had all we needed. Couch, TV, footstool/table. The window and door opened to the parking lot, but the air was pleasant and the netting kept bugs out.  Do they have bugs in Tahoe? The bathroom was quite decent. No complaints.  There was some nice wildlife artwork and a bear in the shower's stonework. Before heading out to dinner, Don and I wanted to relax with a drink after our day of travel.  There was a little table by the bay window, plus 2 comfy chairs. It was too pleasant to not sit outside. We took one of the cushioned back chairs outside.  I grabbed some popcorn from the office and Don made the drinks. Cheers to The Stardust!  We probably looked like a pair of old geezers sittin' on the porch, watchin' the world go by. But honestly, we were happy as can be, watching a few cars pull up and unload... a few families and couples walking by and greeting. It was such a nice change from big resorts. Down to earth guests, carrying games and coolers to their rooms. Simple and appreciative. We'd read excellent reviews and it made sense. Roof View Besides the parking lot, we looked across to this little building near the pool. I wish we could have enjoyed our drinks up there, but it was closed for repair.  There was a small gym below as well as an activity center that offered free continental breakfast in the morning. A lot of bang for your buck at Stardust. More Perks The nicest perk was being able to walk to dinner. Just before heading off, we peeked around the lodge just a bit more.  We found a walkway (with quite the autumn mural!) to a back addition, with another pool. We found the laundry room for guests. No need. It was the first day of our 3 week trip. But good to have. Peaceful Bench The lodge no longer has an ice rink, but I read that it once did. We did see a little outdoor path with a bench, not far from the neon sign.  Again, I was impressed to see so many pretty flowers in October. Holiday Time? It was dark when we returned from dinner. It was such a treat seeing the blue and white sign, against a dark sky.  But it was extra fun seeing all the white lights in the trees. We've never stayed in Tahoe during the holidays, but I've seen this fun display when driving by on other visits. Bedtime! We had to do a little work before we could go to bed.  This would maybe be the third time that Don and I have dealt with a Murphy Bed at a hotel.  It was not a sofa-bed, but the sofa was part of the Murphy Bed! Odd! We pulled on the long handles and the sofa sort of got eaten up by the bed! Part of the bed's support. Voila! This was just funny! Thank goodness the bed was already made and ready for sleeping!  There was little room for moving about, once the bed was open. So good night! All Night Long Luckily Don and I were exhausted. We had just arrived from Texas so it felt 2 hours later.  That was helpful because the hotel's outdoor lighting was pouring into our windows all night long. That might be my only complaint. Morning I woke before 6 and the window lighting was just the same. I threw on clothes and stepped out.  It was in the 40s but I braved it and wandered out to do a little pre-dawn exploring. No fellow guests were out and about.  The sign did not disappoint me. No Bear Photo I'm not sure what possessed me, but I decided I needed to walk towards the lake. It was so dark that I actually had to use my cell flashlight.  It was just over a half mile, but it took a while to get there. I was pleased to reach the water before sunrise. My photo doesn't capture the stars at all, but there was a lovely dusting above the water! How perfect to go along with Stardust theme! I was cold and ready to get back. I ended up getting back much faster than expected... after I spotted a bear getting into trash. I was pretty freaked out, being alone in the dark! Too scared to snap a photo. Safe! I was huffing and no longer cold by the time I got back to the lodge.  Before I stepped back into our room, I noticed a trash can. Yikes.  It looks like the bear (or bears) had already visited our hotel! I shared my story with Don. We had breakfast and checked out by 11! I love a good adventure when all ends happily. What's Notable? We finally stayed at the Stardust Lodge! I will always love this retro, space age looking sign from the 1960s! That may be what I always remember most.
But I must mention how welcoming and comfortable our stay was. It felt like a mom & pop motel from years ago and yet it's a timeshare property. The price was incredibly good for the location! The room was quaint and clean and quite memorable with our Murphy Bed. Glad we finally stayed!
Oh yeah. And then there was that bear...
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A Night at the Art Center On the first day of August, Don and I spent the last evening of our 18-day road trip, in the Texas town of San Angelo.  We followed GPS to the northeastern edge of town. After turning down Martin Luther King Drive and passing Stardust Trailer Park, we suddenly spotted this colorful building. The artwork was a good hint that we'd found the right place. Inn at the Art Center. Art at the Chicken Farm Lots of frolicking images greeted us! I noticed a painted rooster near the feet of 2 dancing figures. Near their heads I read the words, Chicken Farm Art Center.  Next we saw a tall metal figure holding a round sign, The Old Chicken Farm Center. We were entering a place with many names.  This would be more than a stay at an inn. It was also an art center... which had once been a chicken farm! Artist's Pencils We parked our car next to a colorful pencil fence! Each pencil-board had its own name and color.  Surely this fence hasn't been standing since 1971. That's when the farm property became an art center Lots of locals came together, more than 5 decades ago, to make it happen. I'm guessing the names belonged to artists and other locals who have contributed over the years. Stardust Gallery After parking, we peered through a different kind of fence. A decorative metal one, with chicken shapes. More chickens! We walked inside, the quiet little "gated community", hoping to find someone to guide us.
There were lots of buildings (and things) on the 3-acre property. We moved towards the building with the stoplight and read a sign telling us the Stardust Gallery would be closing at 4:00. We had 5 minutes. The gallery inside was filled with bright ceramics and colorful paintings. We were greeted by a smiling woman with a long gray braid and tattoos. She was excited to tell us the monthly Art Fest Weekend was coming up.  As I browsed a few minutes, I gushed about how excited we were to stay after hearing about the place from a friend. I told her we had booked a room at the inn months ago, making sure we landed on a night when the Silo Restaurant was open. Quick Tour I was excited to find the tiniest ceramic dish to purchase. I was paying up, when Sabrina arrived. She lives on the property and helps the owners with guests.  It was over 100 degrees, but Sabrina was enthused about showing us around the property. I was happy to hear any bits of history I could learn. Roger Allen We were told a little about Roger Allen, the local HS art teacher who quit teaching and purchased the old 1940s mom and pop chicken farm, in 1971.  There was an image of Roger on the side of the same colorful building we'd spotted from the road. Roger passed away 5 years ago, but his spirit is clearly very much a part of the Art Center community today. The whole backside of the building was covered in whimsical art.  This building was one of the 9 original farm buildings.  I loved the curious figures and the all chickens, here and there.
I was intrigued by the Chicken Farm history. I pictured an old fashioned farm and chickens running around. Then I learned that the building with colorful walls had once been used for slaughtering chickens, not raising them. Ugh. There were actually troughs in the floors, to handle some of the messy business! I hadn't really stopped to consider what Chicken Farm meant. One of 8 Guest Rooms After wandering the property we came to the building that held our guest room. I know this was one of the original buildings. Possibly a chicken coop. At least I'm hoping it was all about live chickens.  Sabrina led us past 2 sets of oddly low windows.
She guided us to the door, near the white folding chair., Once inside, Sabrina pointed out the shared kitchen where we were welcome to anything in the fridge. Ponderosa Room Next, Sabrina showed us to the Ponderosa Room, where we'd be spending the night. The door opened to an entryway, with enough wood to make you dizzy! Looking left, we could see a couple of steps leading up to our bathroom.
Just outside of the bathroom door was a landing, with some pretty amazing tile work.  Was that a lizard in the tile? Knotty Pine Bathroom There were hints of some recent updates. A modern vessel sink.
There were hints of the old west as well. A saloon door to the toilet area! Woody Space Our spacious 500 sq-ft room was absolutely jammed with wood! I was totally delighted as I studied every detail. 
Besides a few fabrics here and there, we were surrounded by wood Plugged Holes Sabrina pointed out the corks in the wall. She explained how those corks plugged up holes, made long ago by Civil War musket balls.  I tried to absorb all Sabrina's info, but she spoke rapidly. Did she say these boards had been beams from an old textile factory? Or did she say these boards were used for firing practice during the Civil War? Or both? Freckled Pecan And then we had some wonderful floors, made from freckled pecan wood.
What about that cypress wood supporting the ceiling! Is that cypress? A Puzzle of Wood Above the 2 oddly low windows, was a puzzling mosaic of wood!   Pine, cedar and cypress, dark and light, curves and angles, smooth and lumpy, slick and rough!! Hidden Treasures! Sabrina mentioned that we might want to look for some surprises in the wood designs.  I eagerly set to work looking for treasures, before Sabrina left us.  In tiny crevices and crannies, I found a hippo and scorpion and a Madonna... endless goodies. No Silo Tonight! I was starting to feel at home in our quirky little temporary home, when Sabrina returned with news that she'd heard from the chef. The Silo Restaurant would not be open that night. What? ! I'd spoken to the chef 2 nights before, when making reservations. Just moments before, we'd spotted the funny round building, when touring.  I didn't hide my frustration with Sabrina. "Are you kidding me?" Poor Sabrina was given the job of telling us that the Chef had a family crisis and wouldn't open that night. I was crushed and also slightly skeptical.  I know about the complications of running small businesses, in remote areas. I could think of many reasons for closing, which might not include a crisis. Sigh... Mostly I was just bummed. We'd heard great things about the fine dining within the old grain silo!  Sabrina gave us suggestions for places in town, but we were too beat to get back in the car. We'd have to make it a notable night without the Silo. Studios We'd arrived too late to visit the studios, but I figured I'd get out and wander anyway.  Near a branch-less tree with blue paint, I noticed more colorful doors and art beneath a metal roof. Sad to think this brightly painted building filled with studio spaces, was once used for slaughter or processing. But the open door to Pirate Monkey Gallery made me forget chickens. It lured me!  I stuck my head inside the storm door. I was greeted by a very welcoming artist, who invited me to look around.  I enjoyed her upbeat artwork (including the rooster!) while we talked about kids and art. A fun converstaion. I was starting to feel better about the old Chicken Farm. Buildings After cooling off in Heathre's studio, I stepped back out into the sweltering afternoon and explored the walkways, wondering about the stories behind each building.     I wondered about the original artists 50 years ago, who took over the ramshackle property and made it a place to live and produce art. Obvious Art As I followed a few shady pathways I noticed endless samples of artwork.  From bright roosters to rusty sculptures.
Covered Spaces A few covered patios held equipment and materials that left me imagining art in the process!   Juston It was hard to imagine this quiet property filled with artists and musicians and locals, 2 days later. All seemed so empty and still and almost forgotten. But then I spotted a man on a raised deck.
We started to chat and I learned that I was talking to Juston.. He and his wife Chasity purchased the inn a few years ago. (not sure if it's just the inn that they run) Questions Juston was friendly and open to all my questions. He told me about this whimsical piano, made by one of the Center's special artists, who recently moved on.  "...The Purpose of education is human freedom" - Milton Mayer We chatted quite a bit about the history of the Art Center. I began to picture a 1970s commune, with artists living and working together. Sharing and teaching and creating.  When I mentioned my frustration about the closed Silo, Juston seemed a little surprised to hear the chef had needed to close. But he gave me some fun news. "It's open for breakfast, though!" He quickly looked up the hours on his phone. Yay! We could get up early and have a dining experience in the old grain silo, before hitting the road! Happy Hour I headed back to the Ponderosa Room to tell Don my plan for the rest of our stay. It would start with Happy Hour.  I'd seen some retro gold goblets in our room. Yay for that! We grabbed some snacks and headed off to find our Happy Hour Spot.  We searched the property for a shady spot and found some cushioned chairs under some trees.  We toasted to our funny little Farm Center and got excited about rising early for breakfast in the Silo. It was about 98 degrees but there was a decent breeze and we were good. The breeze seemed to bringing us some good smells from the Silo. We could hear the exhaust fan and smell some great smells. Sausage? Bacon? Yum?
We visited with a roaming cat for a while and then Juston wandered by. We 3 sniffed the air and agreed it smelled wonderful. I told him we had decided to go for breakfast the next day. We were happy. Dinner in the Coop After a good hour in the warm evening air, we headed back to our coop and enjoyed an evening of Peanut Butter & Jelly. (all that we had on hand)  The couch was comfy and we were grateful to have a TV for a change. We laughed for a good hour over some old SNL skits, before turning in early. Breakfast? We were showered and the car was packed up before 7. While making a couple trips to the car, I was pretty darn aware that once again, the property felt eerily quiet.  We knew the Silo opened at 7, but waited an extra 10 minutes. Not a sound or smell. Not a car parked nearby. We gave it another 5 minutes. What was with those cooking smells the night before. Water Lily Therapy I was sort of furious as we walked to the car. But I guess I didn't fully expect this Silo thing to happen. Don started the car and I gave him my plan B.  We could settle for a fast-food breakfast, but only after a quick detour before hitting the freeway home. My daughter-in-law just the day before had texted me about the International Water Lily Collection in San Antonio!
We found the park easily and we were the only park visitors!
The sight of these lovely lilies brought me so much joy. I was ready for the long drive home! Cheers for water lilies!! What's Notable? We stayed at an Art Center that had once been a Chicken Farm! A first for that combo!  The weather was impossibly hot, which made the property feel extra desolate and wilted. And yes, I was totally frustrated by the Silo failing us twice! But I do appreciate this place. I know if we stayed again, with others around, on a fresh spring evening, when the Silo and studios were open and welcoming... our experience would have been very different.
Glad we stayed. Glad my travel buddy is flexible and willing to find a way to make things fun, no matter what! Don passed this travel test with flying colors! Serene Stay In July, we spent a couple of nights at this Santa Fe "sanctuary".  Well it wasn't actually a religious sanctuary. It was charming century-old hotel with a peaceful spirit, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi. Lobby When we stepped inside the lobby last July, I felt like I'd stepped inside an old mission. Arches and candles, cool Mexican marble floors...  ... and what was that gentle music that seemed to float throughout the lobby? Gregorian chants? Some Franciscan Mission music? It was lovely and eerie at once. De Vargas Hotel The hotel didn't always have a St. Francis theme. The exterior was always Mission Revival in style, but the hotel first opened as De Vargas Hotel. I can't find interior pictures, but I believe the first class hotel had a much different feel... men in top hats and women in long gowns.  I'm not sure how many years the hotel had been in business, when a sudden fire destroyed the building in 1922. I read that a copper still in the basement caused the explosive fire. (Oh those Prohibition days!) But by 1924, construction was completed and De Vargas Hotel reopened. 1924 Don and I arrived for our stay, 100 years later! There were no steamer trunks or staff members checking to see our wedding license, before escorting us to our room. ('twas common practice back then)  But there was a casual classy elegance, when we climbed out to valet park, in front of the long veranda. Patron Saint of Santa Fe (since 1717!) It wasn't until 1986, that the hotel changed hands and became St. Francis Hotel. That was 269 years after St. Francis became the Patron Saint of Santa Fe!  The hotel's architecture seems very different than so many of the Pueblo style buildings in the beautiful city. But the simple and spiritual style of the hotel reflects the early Franciscan missionaries of Santa Fe. Peaceful When we checked in at the lobby desk, I almost felt like I needed to whisper.  The atmosphere felt holy... in the best of ways. I remember visiting Assisi, in 1969. The Italian village felt magical as my family explored peaceful cloisters and cathedrals and monasteries. St. Francis loved children and animals, so how could I not feel impressed as a kid. I've been a fan of St. Francis ever since. If I dare to use the word fan! Stone Baptismal Maybe it was the Baptismal Font in the middle of the lobby that made me feel like I was in a spiritual place.  At age 11, I remember staring at those giant stone tubs, in European cathedrals. As a kid I'd seen a few baby baptisms, in my small town Catholic Church in Iowa. But never in a stone bathtub! Survived the 1922 Fire I read that when the sudden fire swept through the hotel a century ago, all that was left was the chimney.  But the fireplace and mantel evidently survived! It's amazing to imagine the entire hotel being rebuilt around the lovely fireplace! One Pane of Glass One more thing survived. I read that a single pane of glass remained in tact, after the fire.  I forgot to ask if they actually used that single pane, when they rebuilt? Could it actually be within one of those tall lobby windows, near the fireplace? Upstairs There was an elevator, which helped with luggage, but I loved using the candle-lit stairs most of the time.
Marble and wrought iron, candles and crosses. I felt like I was in Spain or Italy. Santa Fe History and Art On the 2nd and 3rd floors, we found great historic photo displays of old Santa Fe.  I loved the quiet hallways, with glowing arrangements of sacred art. Some dating back hundreds of years.  This Madonna, (inside its fabulous frame) was my favorite. It was part of an arrangement, displayed just steps from our room.  I greeted this little Madonna, every time I passed. The trio of frames was displayed above a traditional wooden chest.  The chest dated back to the days of El Camino Real. The chest might have carried grains, as it traveled on rollers. Room 303 100 years ago there were nearly 100 guest rooms. There are closer to 80 today, after renovations.  Our third floor room felt simple and calm, with earthy, natural colors and lots of wood.  The lamps and bedside tables had lots of old character. The bed felt fresh and new. St. Francis would have liked our dove pillow. Rustic Just like the rest of the hotel, there were lots of handcrafted pieces of furniture made by local artisans.
The luggage stand (bench) looked like it was 300 years old. Pretty sure it was made of refurbished wood. More Wood The lovely carved wardrobe hid a modern flat screen TV. We hardly needed a TV, but I kind of liked having a choice. Especially since it was out of sight.  There was a small step up to the nicely remodeled bathroom. No mishaps luckily.
The table/sink setup, fit the primitive decor of the room. It reminded me of a washstand with a pitcher & bowl, that might have been used in the 16th century... by a Franciscan Friar maybe? Windows and Chairs I loved our chair set up, next to the windows.  One evening we sat in the wood & leather chairs, with Margaritas and toasted to St. Francis. I hope that's allowed.  Our windows (on the front of the hotel) looked out towards the historic Hotel La Fonda and the mountains beyond! Fresh air with no humidity! Gruet Luckily we had 2 nights at St Francis, so there was enough time to enjoy something besides Margaritas in our room.  This ornate entrance once led to the hotel's coffee shop. (see old photo) Now the door opens to a tasting room for Gruet Winery. We could also enter the Tasting Room, from a doorway in the lobby.  We visited on a Tuesday afternoon and learned about the Gruet family, that brought their Champagne producing skills from France to New Mexico in the 1980s.
Their winery produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay-based sparkling wines, as well as a small collection of still wines.  We sampled a few, near a window with champagne bubbles in the glass! More Options Our hotel was just a block from the historic Plaza and endless restaurants, but we had more choices without leaving the building.
At the other end of the hotel was the Secreto Bar. A charming interior, but it was too nice out, to sit inside! The Veranda We weren't the only ones who got drinks at Secreto, but brought them outside.  The Santa Fe air was lovely. We came out in the morning and enjoyed the veranda with coffee and pastries.  We didn't exactly have an ideal mountain or ocean view from our soft sofas. But there were some trees and the sidewalk activity was amusing. We sat there like oldsters on a porch... watching the world go by. And loving every moment.
I love a good hotel porch, rain or shine! Dining? The hotel's restaurant, Wolf and Roadrunner was located at the north end of the building. Sadly it was closed on Monday and Tuesday, when we stayed.
The dining room with stone walls and fireplace looked so lovely when I peeked in. Evidently this space once held stables. Evening Both evenings we headed out and enjoyed exploring before dinner.  The hotel felt welcoming when we returned. We explored a little more around the lobby, with candles flickering.
If I'd been 11, I would have counted every St. Francis I could find. (That is not St. Francis stepping on a man!) I didn't do any counting, but I picked my favorite. The carved figure near the lobby desk was the most impressive. Carved from a single piece of wood.
As we wandered a bit, I noticed the music had changed. I think that's probably a good thing that the hotel doesn't play "holy-sounding-music" 24-7. Morning at Both mornings we got out to enjoy Santa Fe, before tourists. The second morning we visited Inn and Spa at Loretto. (mouthful)  We were able to enjoy 2 hotels, since the St. Francis had pool & spa privileges with this lovely property!
It was just a brief walk, with our coffees and newspaper. We had the pool to ourselves! Wandering Photos below just show a little bit of the wandering we enjoyed. These photos hardly give a hint of all that was walkable. What's Notable? We stayed at what is considered the oldest hotel in Santa Fe. That's odd, since so many buildings are hundreds of years older than the St. Francis.  Most of all I will remember the calm atmosphere, with its focus on St. Francis. Despite the hotel being 100 and the style being rather sparse, all felt fresh and clean and comfortable. The location and veranda were big perks as well!
And hey! I'm posting this on October 4, 2024. It's St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day! A Night at Teller House I'm guessing there are at least 75 historic mining towns in Colorado. Don and I have visited about 20.  On the 11th night of our recent Colorado road trip, we spent the night in one of the most picturesque mining towns... in a charming red-brick "Rooming House". Victorian Mining Town Silverton is located in a remote part of the western San Juan Mountains, a range of the Rocky Mountains.  Mining began in mountains above Silverton, in 1860. By the 1930's, there was an interest in the “Old West” which attracted tourists from around the world. By the 1970s almost all mining operations had closed, but the train continued to operate, for the purpose of tourism. Durango to Silverton Sad to say that Don and I did not arrive by train. But I hope we do that little adventure someday.  However, we saw the train! We stayed in Durango the night before and walked over in the morning to watch the steam train depart the depot. After lunch, we headed for Silverton. Views From the Car I can just imagine the scenery from the passenger car windows.  Of course from our car window, we had a pretty cool view! On our drive to Silverton, we spotted the train at about 2:30! Pinkerton Hot Springs Shortly after that, we made a quick stop to see this roadside oddity.  This is actually a man-made rock pile, with natural hot springs oozing from the top! Weird!  During our 1+ hour drive, I snapped some photos out the window.  Before long we had a pretty fun view of the town! Greene Street There are quite a few dirt roads in town, but Greene Street is paved and mighty wide. We headed east on Greene, past the corner building with patriotic banners.  That large 40-room structure holds the Grand Imperial Hotel. Someday we'll try that one! 8-Room Teller House Our hotel on the opposite side of the street, was a little less grand.  But it was a sweet and simple set-up, with shops on the lower level and 8 guest rooms on the second floor. From 1896 In 1896, brewery owner Charles Fischer built the Teller House, to offer up accommodations for travelers.  At the turn of the century, the rooming house offered guest rooms above and shops below. Just like today. Between 1896 and 1997? In 1997, the building was purchased and restored. That's about all I know!  I would love to know about any of the people who stayed or owned the hotel during its first century. What kinds of shops and businesses were housed below? Is that a vintage HOTEL sign? I found little info on the internet. I needed a host with a little knowledge. In We Go But I didn't actually expect to get answers. Our hotel had a self-check-in plan.  We parked in front and headed for the middle door, between the Holiday Stop (Christmas shop) and White Eye Gallery. Luckily we didn't have too many bags to lug up the long stairway.
What a curious little set of doors, midway! The stairs took us right into the middle of an alcove, beneath a skylight.  Most of the 8 rooms opened to this bright space. We stepped through another small space that connected us to the "office".  I paused to looked at the framed "art" on both walls. Hmmmm... This would have been a lot more disturbing, if been prepared for these images. It helped that I'd read a little something earlier.  These were cartoons that had been sketched onto the walls by tenants long ago. They were discovered during the renovation nearly 2 decades ago.  A couple of the caricatures were just fine. An old man in a top hat. Even a baby on a chamber pot, was amusing. But mostly the drawings put a spotlight on 19th century bigotry. Instead of being funny, these cartoons were sad and sobering. The Office Area In the back room, we found a lovely old desk/counter, a cash register and a framed message welcoming guests.
There were a couple of comfy chairs and shelves of books and more doors leading to a couple of guest rooms. The Portrait We read the message board and went to find our room.  Heading back towards the stairs I noticed a portrait above the radiator. Henry Moore Teller Henry Teller was the man in the frame. The hotel was named for the Colorado businessman/ and politician. He was known for having some outspoken views.  As a Colorado senator he spoke out against the allotment of Native American lands. He was concerned that Native Americans would be left displaced. He sounds like the kind of man who would have had something to say about the sketches on the walls. Room Change It was pretty simple finding our room. There were welcome tags next to each open door, with names of guests.  We stepped into ours and I felt a little disappointed. The window was too high to see out. The queen bed was pretty and so were the chairs... but it felt a bit claustrophobic. Quick Peek! I made a quick peek to see if there might be a better room. The door to #9 was open and there was no tag with a name.
I took a fast look. King bed. Comfy chairs. Windows facing Greene Street! Much Better! I called Talia at the number listed on the Welcome Board. Talia said we could switch rooms, but it would be an 11-dollar upgrade.  Best 11 dollars ever spent! The bed looked fresh and new. The chairs were the comfiest we've had in a hotel, in a long time!  The fabric headboard and needlepoint bench were pretty sweet. I sort of chuckled at the oddly low and narrow bench. I decided it must be for bedtime prayers. I tested the cushion with my knees, put my palms together and grinned. "Thank you Thank you Thank you for this nice room!" Antiques For being 128-years old, our little hotel felt surprisingly fresh. I love antiques, but I appreciate when old places don't overdo. There were 2 very nice pieces that didn't overwhelm.
The marble-top was pretty, with a handy metal stand that held our key and our internet code! The non-cluttered shelves and table top, gave us space for our own things! The large wardrobe mirrors made the room feel larger. Tiny Bathroom The bathroom was quite tiny, but it was clean and fresh and the towels were soft.
We had a decent mirror and a tiny glass shelf and a mini table. Just fine for our 1-night stay. Cheers for the Window! Our cozy room felt bright and open for 2 reasons. The 14-foot ceilings helped.  Three tall windows helped even more! I loved that we could pull the shades down at night, and pull the lace back in the day.
You have to love the little curtain holders! Miniature plates! The View We only had one night in Silverton, so not a ton of room time. But with our great windows, we could sort of be "on the town" and in the room at the same time!  What a view! Colorful buildings, green mountains and blue sky! Chairs and a Fan! Don and I are pretty easily delighted. He loves a good chair and I love a fan... mostly for sleeping. We had both.  After checking in, we decided to grab some water from the "water station" in the hall. With a 9,301-foot elevation, we needed a little sit & hydrate time. We opened the window and relaxed a bit, while looking up some local history on our phones.  I took a quick break from research and snuck a "candid" photo, with the mirror. How clever I am. On the Town After a bit of relaxing we were off to enjoy our tiny town. Drinks first, at the Grand Imperial Saloon.
Then dinner at a very lively Handlebar's Restaurant. Coffee It was still light out at 8:15, when we finished dinner. We headed back across the street and I was pleased to see our Hotel sign illuminated.
We headed upstairs and found the hotel as quiet as we'd left it. (No TVs at Teller) We made coffee in the little room off the office and enjoyed our comfy chairs before turning in. Morning We slept well. There were shades on the upper windows, but we didn't use them. I allowed the early light to wake me and get me outside to explore early. The photos above show mostly early morning photos. But some others are thrown in and labeled. What's Notable? The Teller reminded me a bit of an old red school house. Solid and quiet and orderly. It might have been fun meeting the host or other guests, but our stay in #9 (upper left 3 windows) was just perfect, as is.  Staying in the middle of historic Silverton was the biggest plus. Sure it's touristy, but I loved absorbing the beauty of the buildings and mountains, as we wandered. And in the early morning, the locals were the folks who greeted as I explored. Love this little town and love our little rooming house!
Hotel Maxwell Anderson in Glenwood Springs Last July, Don and I spent a night in this historic hotel.  The red letters on the upper corner were new. That's because the 109-year-old hotel up and changed its name! Hotel Denver When we booked our room, (5 months before our road trip) the hotel was called Hotel Denver. That was a tiny bit confusing.  We could see the old name at the entrance, when we arrived. Renovation in 2024 The name change came along with a huge renovation. I like the feel of old hotels, so I hoped they'd kept some of the historic charm.  Hotel Denver is an easier name to remember, but evidently it confuses many travelers. Hotel Denver is not in Denver. And there's another hotel in in town, named Hotel Colorado. But I think Maxwell Anderson is a mouthful! Hotel Near the Tracks The hotel's new name, is actually that of a fictitious train conductor, who rode the rails through Glenwood Springs for years. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that.  Was the Anderson character already a part of town folklore? Or was he created by new owners? I'm unclear and it seems odd. But I do appreciate the focus on the hotel's connection with the railroad. You can see the station, across the street from the hotel. Since 1915 Hotel Denver has been connected to the railroad for over a century. The hotel officially got its start in 1915, back when the bustling station was at the heart of Glenwood Springs.  Trains brought supplies, workers, and tourists into town, increasing the need for lodging. The Lobby We arrived on a Thursday. I was eager to get inside and see the newly renovated hotel. The sleek makeover was a nice surprise. Classier than expected.  It was hard to imagine how this lobby looked 75 or 100 years ago. I believe the white coffered ceilings are original. Past the lobby desk and up a few stairs, we found the snazzy 3-story atrium lounge.  The spacious area was lit by glitzy chandeliers and tall windows.  There were numerous cafe tables, which were handy for laptops, or drinks, or games. We saw some card players in the evening.  The 22-ft fireplace had a cozy set of leather couches, just perfect for lounging or reading. Wall Art I've seen a lot of art displayed in hotels, but I've never seen anything quite like this!  Luckily there was a staircase, so I didn't have to strain my neck to view the highest pieces.  I'm assuming the windows we saw near the art, once opened to an outside space, between 2 building. From what I can tell, the hotel today is a complicated combination of 3 historic buildings that take up the whole block. The evolution of Hotel Denver is confusing. Antiques I do love old things, so I was glad to see some antique pieces, along with the modern decor.  Was this wooden telephone booth actually used in the hotel at one time? Music There were some gorgeous old instruments that tempted me to play. The pump organ would have sounded pretty amazing in that grand space! I read up on the organ's history in a framed write-up. Purchased from Sears Roebuck, in 1908 for $29.95!
I didn't dare play the organ, or the baby grand. I just educated myself. The beautiful rosewood piano was built in 1885 in NY. It traveled down the Mississippi and Yellowstone Rivers to reach its first home, in Wyoming! Signs of the Past I was glad to see a few reminders of the old hotel. The "Wake Up Smiling" advertisement, was tucked up high on a shelf.
The red-block-letters were displayed more prominently on the painted brick wall. In 1930, the red words were on the hotel's exterior, above the entrance. Seats for Two Besides the seating in the lounge area, there were numerous options for 2 people to sit have a little chat. I love all the chair styles!
Along with the seating, there were wonderful pieces of art. Many had written descriptions and history. The Train A lot of the art and decor related to the old railroad days. The long skinny framed piece above the 2 blue chairs, was my absolute favorite.  I couldn't get a good photo of the entire train, due to glare. But the image of the engine shows the amazing mother-of-pearl! I wish I could purchase one of the 50 originals, for the original price. Fifty dollars! Room 343 After checking in we took the elevator to the third floor and traveled down a couple of halls, with some amusing level changes. (connecting buildings?) We passed a bright little sitting area and soon found ourselves at the east corner of the building.  We had booked our room so long ago, I wasn't sure what to expect when we opened the door to #343. For $210. at peak season in a tourist town, we couldn't complain.  Our room was immaculate and charming. It was also tiny, but the window brought in lots of light. View This would have been our view if I'd planned ahead and begged for a room on the front of the building.  The train station, the historic hot springs building and the old Hotel Colorado! All could be seen from another guest room, that we happened to pass when we walked down the hall! Comfy The bed and pillows were soft and comfy. The I loved the plaid headboard, cushioned bench and Pendleton blanket.  I was happily amused by the display of art, on a small portion of the accent wall! Love the Art! Our room was indeed small, but they didn't hold back with the artwork!  The trio of small pieces over the bed, pleased the shape lover side of me. I also liked what was within each frame!  The trio of hooks was pretty delightful. And the photographic art was nice. I never quite figured out the blue arrows and men, but I liked it.
The train image tied in well with the hotel's theme. Work & Play Wall Above the desk we had another piece of art. This one with birds.  The desk chair was comfy and we were happy to have a fridge and coffee maker and a TV! The dresser was hardly needed with our 1-night stay. Clean as a Whistle The bathroom was bright and fresh. I kept remarking about the fun of staying in a century old hotel, without the odors or issues that come with age.  Minutes after those remarks, I went wandering outside to see what the east side of the building looked like. I learned why our room felt so fresh. Red Brick I was impressed with the red and tan brick. I could spot our window on the third floor, overlooking the side street.  I'd read enough before, to know that our hotel was basically a mix of 3 buildings. All had been hotels at different times. I was excited to read the plaque on the side of the our corner building, that showed Hotel Rex on the corner. Rex Hotel! I studied the old hotel photo and read the words. I learned that Hotel Denver bought the Rex Hotel in 1991.  I also learned that In 2000, Rex Hotel was demolished! What!? So we weren't even staying in a an old building! This lovely building section was 24 years old. Rats. Hotel Denver in 1930 I got over that news quickly and became more intrigued by the trio of buildings. The image below is from 1930, when the Hotel Denver words were near the corner. Two years after this photo, Diamond Jack Alterie, shot 2 innocent salesmen at Hotel Denver. Things were wild during those Prohibition years.  Glenwood Springs was kind of rowdy before Prohibition. There were plenty of saloons, brothels and gambling halls. But with prohibition, speakeasies, bootleggers and gangsters added a different flavor. And so did Clark Gable when he came and spent a week at Hotel Denver, to do a little fishing in the 1930s. 1960s? I'm guessing from cars, that this postcard is from the sixties. You have to love the illuminated signs and the "columns" of glowing lightbulbs.  At some point the owners had a lightbulb moment and said, "This is too much work, changing these lightbulbs on the building." Bulb-Free in 2024 If you zoom in on my photo below, you can see all the tiny plus-signs, that plug up the spots where bulbs were once screwed in.  I just love this kind of fun trivia. Walkable Town One of the best parts of staying at the Maxwell Anderson, was being able to walk and explore so easily. Glenwood Springs is considered a uniquely walkable town. We never needed our car! Evening in Glenwood Springs After enjoying an evening wandering the colorful town, we needed food.  Seventh Street looked festive (and crooked!) as we crossed the bridge. Dinner at the Brewpub We ended up having dinner at Glenwood Canyon Brewpub, which was located in the center of our hotel.  The sidewalk tables were lovely, right across from the station and the menu looked good. Don was more than pleased with a flight of beers and a pulled pork sandwich.
My wedge salad was perfect. And to top it off, we had a fun conversation with a family seated nearby. We've never met any gangsters or bootleggers, dairying our 2 visits to Glenwood Springs. But we've chatted with some wonderful travelers, both times. Morning We had hoped to grab coffee and pastries in the morning and enjoy one of the picnic shelters.  But after night of rain, the world looked too soggy. Finding Coffee We headed down the hall from the lobby, in search of caffeine. We passed a wonderful bench, which was enjoyed long ago, by train travelers... I'm guessing across the street.
We traveled over different kinds of floors. My favorite... the colorful tile! And I paused to admire the old photos, hanging on an ancient looking brick wall. Wild Coffee Roasters We joined a line of sleepy-hungry customers and studied a case of pastries.  After eating our bagel and cinnamon rolls, we took our coffees and once again enjoyed the lobby and lounge. Coffee & Art Before checking out, we spent a little time enjoying the peaceful sitting areas. We examined our favorite pieces of art...
and tested chairs, just like Goldilocks. Don is not pictured in his favorite chair! What's Notable? We arrived with few expectations, so our stay was full of nice surprises! The remodeled interior was lovely and the staff was cheerful and welcoming.  It was a treat having lots of comfortable options for hanging out. If we'd been traveling with others, we would have been extra pleased. Having the brewpub and coffee house (and a gift shop) on the property was a big plus.
The location of our hotel was idea. There were numerous nearby shops and restaurants and we were able to park our car on a nearby street. If we'd had another day we could have enjoyed the hot springs and made better use of the natural beauty surrounding Glenwood Springs! |
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
November 2024
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