Little House on the Coast It was a damp January day, when Don and I pulled up to this ivy-covered house in Mendocino County. The day looked gloomy, but I couldn't have been more delighted to lay eyes on the curious house that I'd read about! On CA-1 We almost missed the turn, while winding south on the 2-lane highway. The trees obscured our view of the property, perched high above the coast. I hollered, "Here!!" just in time. Don turned right and we could see the sweet yellow house right away. Dennen's Heritage House This New England style farmhouse was 72 years old, when Lauren (Don) and Hazel Dennen bought the property, in 1949. Initially they opened it as more of a country inn, with a few guest rooms upstairs. Don worked on the property and Hazel cooked for guests. Eventually it was a sprawling resort on 37-acres. By 1960s The Dennens had lots of room to expand on their property. By 1963, the little resort was described as a quiet country inn. The restaurant was popular enough to be featured in the Ford Treasury Cookbook. This is the illustration that accompanied a recipe for pancakes. The words below the image mention a history with smugglers! I believe this may have been during prohibition, before the Dennens owned the property. Since 1877 As we moved towards the house, I noticed the reminder above the red door. "Built in 1877 AD" (love the AD) The carpenter who actually built this farmhouse for the first owner, was John Dennen. J Dennen was Don's grandfather. So there's good reason for the pride behind that date. Hazel's Bell To the left of the door, I noticed a bell, standing on a twisty arrangement of bricks. Words on the plaque read, "Founder Hazel Dennen rang this bell to signify the start of the dinner hour at 5:00 every day" "Lobby" We stepped inside the yellow house and found the registration desk and some freshly baked cookies. There were a few chairs and pieces of art. I asked Nancy at the desk, if the fireplace was original. She said that wall of the lobby, was actually an addition. Heritage House is all about additions! I took a look at some of the framed photos and art, displayed on the mantel. It became clear, the Dennens of my cookbook, no longer have the spotlight. The Dennen family ownership ended in 1998. Alan Alda & Ellen Burstyn It's been 46 years, since these familiar faces filmed scenes on this property. There's still a spotlight on these 2 stars who spent a good deal of time here, filming in 1978. I remember seeing the movie "Same Time, Next Year" when I was a college student, in '78. Alan and Ellen played characters, who had an affair spanning 25 years. Funny that I don't remember audiences really frowning at the morality of this. Maybe they did? The movie story begins in 1952, when the characters meet at the cozy resort on the Pacific. After hitting it off, they meet once a year, staying in one of the inn's cottages, overlooking the ocean. The front Dennen's farmhouse is only shown briefly in the movie. An interior restaurant scene, exterior cottage scenes and stunning Pacific views, were all captured at Heritage House. The Sprawling Grounds This watercolor image was also displayed above the mantel. It gives an idea of how much the Dennen's resort expanded over the years. Both my photo and the painting, show the sprawling additions on the hill, Numerous cottages overlooking the water are out of view. Behind the House All the yellow structures were gradually added, behind the house. The same barn that is shown in the cookbook illustration, is the tallest building in this photo. Endless Space The entrance to that collection of additions, (within yellow buildings) was to the left of the reception desk. Don and I explored the curious area... sort of a maze of common areas. When did the Dennens begin expanding so dramatically? All the windows in the distance made me feel like I was looking towards dressing room mirrors. Infinity mirrors! Skylight My eyes were drawn to the painted dome in the center of the room. New owners (after the Dennens) decided to close up the skylight. The circular dome played tricks on my eyes. It is not tilting or oval shaped, like my photo. I wanted to see the place filled with guests, in the 1970s maybe. How did this room look on a sunny day? Pacific View Don and I wandered past the couch and piano and looked into a couple dining/sitting areas. So many windows! I tried to imagine the spectacular view at sunset, without clouds. The wind was howling outside and whistling through some of the windows. We stepped to a different level and took in another view. There were stools and chessboard tables. Were there games somewhere? I craved a fireplace and a book. I felt a blast of damp air, when I opened the door to the deck. Again, I tried to imagine it not being January. 5200 Lounge and Restaurant At the end of the maze, we found the lounge and restaurant, named for the inn's address on Hwy 1. I peeked through the glass window, looking into the locked lounge. I imagined the bar hopping with guests 50+ years ago. I'd read that Don Dennen often tended bar. Sometimes he allowed guests to make their own drinks, when he needed to wait on tables. The Dining Room Nancy left the front desk for a bit and let us go in and have a peek at the closed dining room. It was frustrating being there on a night when it was closed. But what fun to see the fireplace that's shown in one of the movie scenes. The fireplace looks a lot larger in the movie pic, but it's the same one. Odd how angles and perspective can change things! Chatting with Nancy Nancy couldn't have been a better host. She was so appreciative of the Heritage House history. Nancy started working at the resort 3 years ago, but her memories go back to her childhood. Her dad worked on landscaping at the resort and she often came along with him to the property. I showed Nancy the old cookbook and the illustration. She's not old enough to be as amused as me by a quirky 61 year old cookbook. But she was intrigued with the vintage image and recipes. I didn't exactly explain that we actually chose this hotel, because we found it in the cookbook! More Wandering Nancy pointed us toward a couple halls and told us to be sure to check out the displays of art and antiques. I was lost in the maze of additions. I kind of think the art hall, was within part of the old barn. Could be wrong! The Collections The Dennens were big collectors. Initially they furnished the rooms with antiques they collected. Don and Hazel passed away in the '80's and their daughter eventually sold in 1998. New owners took over and made high dollar changes, creating a more ritzy resort, with less cozy charm. The Dennen's name was obviously removed and so were the treasures. Luckily some have returned to display cases in recent years. Finding Our Room Our off-season stay didn't offer perfect weather, but we did get an upgraded room. We took a walkway near Hazel's bell. I chuckled as we passed by this brick walkway that went beneath an addition or two. I don't know why this assemblage of buildings just intrigued me so! Such a crazy mix of styles and shapes! Some connected and some not. My arrow actually points more to our neighbor's glass door. But it gives an idea of where we were. Room 8 I would have loved a room in the original house. The older the funner, for me! But when we stepped inside our (maybe 1970's) vintage cottage, I was happy to stay put! Perfect Retreat Our room for $235. was a bargain, even in winter. Suddenly I didn't care about the gloomy weather. We had a gas fireplace that made the room cozy right away! And we had glass doors, looking out towards the ocean. We had a cloud-like king bed, even though we'd booked the cheapest room... with a queen. And we actually had a phone and TV. The Dennens provided luxurious rooms, but they kept phones and TVs out. A huge number of their guests returned often and liked it that way. "Kitchen" Since we knew the restaurant would be closed, we brought our own food for dinner. It was nice having the fridge and microwave and Nespresso machine. Also nice to close the cabinet doors and not look at it! Better Than Photo All these photos fail to capture the comfortable, classy feel of our room. The bathroom especially, was much nicer than the photo. You can't see the generous size, or the impressive rainfall shower. You can't see the skylight, or feel the heated slate floors. See the Sea In this photo, you can see (barely) that we did indeed have an ocean view. We could have gotten a Premier Ocean View Room for $700. but this was just fine! Rain was predicted, so I made use of one of the Adirondack chairs, for a little bit. Wandering the Property Don and I were able to get out and wander the grounds before the storms. There was no swimming pool on the grounds, but there were winding paths along the edge of the cliff... with crashing waves below! Much better! It was January, but we still saw some flowers. I can only imagine what the grounds look like in the spring and summer. Same Time Next Year Cottage Nancy gave us a map, which helped. We were able to spot the cottage from the movie. It looked a little different. The wood shingle siding is painted now. No shutters. There also were no cars parked nearby! So we snooped around a bit. The cottage is actually divided now. You can rent the "Same Time" room or the "Next Year" room. Both have a nice view. Slideshow On our walk, we discovered a gazebo and a gravestone, with both Dennen's names. "May the sea be your shelter" Nancy told us later that it was only a memorial. I believe their ashes were scattered in the Pacific. Settling In We returned to our room before the rains began. Don made drinks and we watched the skies until it was too dark. We ate some amazing and sloppy sandwiches and chili, from a cute shop in Ft. Bragg. Then I put on a plush robe and popped open my dessert! An ice cold bottle of Saranac 1888 Shirley Temple Pop! Well it wasn't so tasty. But it was fun and I didn't spill on my robe! Rain and Rain The rains howled all night. The sound was extra dramatic on the bathroom skylight. The sweet hum of the ceiling fan helped me sleep well. I couldn't sleep past 6. It was so cozy with the rain, I made Nespresso and curled up on one of those white marshmallow chairs! Breakfast Buffet At 8, we took umbrellas and wandered up to the yellow house for complimentary breakfast. I took the old cookbook, in case anyone cared. No other guests joined us for breakfast. Only a handful of the nearly 50 rooms/cottages had guests. They must have been sleeping in. Heritage House Hotcakes! As soon as we arrived, Louis appeared from the kitchen and greeted. As if awaiting our arrival, the heated dishes filled with eggs, potatoes and yes... pancakes! We shared the book with Louis and later met the chef and gave him big compliments. I didn't complain that our hotcakes were not served with sour cream! That's an odd addition in the recipe! What a treat to have a delicious, freshly cooked breakfast, while watching rain gush through dozens of windows! After finishing my coffee, I asked Nancy back in the lobby, if she'd slept at the desk! She laughed and promised no. Then she warned us about the weather. "When the rain and wind hits like this, I expect to hear a lot of sirens on the highway." We thanked her and adjusted our route before heading off! What's Notable? We stayed at a resort that began 75 years ago, with a cute house and hospitable hosts. Even though other owners have changed the look and vibe over the years, the Dennen family would probably like to know, I still felt the cozy charm. The family did own it for almost 50 of those years, after all! The original house and its gorgeous setting, gave me the nostalgic country inn feel, that I wanted. The luxurious modern room offered even more comfort than expected. The kind staff, from Nancy to the maintenance guy, (who cut that big limb!) to the folks at breakfast, all made us feel incredibly welcome.
I hope we can return for a stay when the gardens are in full bloom! We'll need to save up for summer rates, though!
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Meyer Sisters! Last week, my sister and I (along with our spouses) stayed at The MEYER Hotel, in the sweet town of Comfort! During our stay, Jennifer and I forgot to pose with the hotel sign! (Meyer is our family name!) However, we did stop to pose with another sign, on our drive to Comfort. "Sisterdale, Texas Cotton Gin 1885" We Old Sassy Sisters clearly felt a little ownership over these 2 historic places. We don't date back to the 1880's, but both of these cool places do! Meyer Bed & Breakfast in 2001 I've been eager to stay at this historic property since my daughter and I found it, 22 years ago. It was a B&B then. In 2002, Heidi and I spent 3 days exploring the Texas Hill Country, in our Dodge van. Our mission was to find a place for our Meyer Family reunion... that would please 20 family members, coming from 6 states! We came upon this historic gem (with the perfect name) and wanted badly to choose it. But the set up wasn't a good fit. March 2024 22 years later, I got my wish to spend a night at the "Meyer Hotel Complex". New buildings have been added to the 33-acre property, but the historic Meyer residence and hotel building, looked just how I remembered! Office No need to stop at the office anymore, since there is contactless check-in. Some folks love getting a text and using a code. Not me. Meeting hosts and asking questions, is part of the adventure for me! But the office door was open wide, when we arrived. I stuck my head in and a gracious employee let me peek at the old photos on the wall. The Old Homestead In the morning the same friendly woman (with a name I can't recall) was out and about and chatted some more. She allowed us to look inside the Meyer home. The entire Old Homestead can be rented for about $460. a night. 155 years old! I compared the exterior to one of the old photos, displayed in the office. I wonder what happened to the upper windows? Busy Meyer Family The home was built in 1869, by German immigrant, Frederich Christian Meyer and his wife Ernestine. They had 8 kids, so we can assume they are the youngin's in the photo. Mr. M operated a stage stop for some time. Mrs. M worked as a midwife, in a maternity building, constructed on their property. How did Mrs. M handle all the local ranch women having babies AND tend to her own 8 kiddos?! I doubt they had much leisure time for porch sitting. Interior It was fun to step inside and imagine the Meyer family living here, one and a half centuries ago! No bathrooms in 1869, but 2 now! This would be a fun stay in the future, for a few more bucks! In Back I wonder if the Meyers ever had to dash into the storm cellar? Maybe it was just used for storing jars of jam, or canned tomatoes. I peeked down the stairs and it seemed to be set up as a work shop. 1887 Hotel In 1887, the railroad came to Comfort! The Meyers figured, Why not build a 2-story wood frame hotel building, to house travelers? They built the inn behind their home and housed guests upstairs. The downstairs held the kitchen and dining room. The 8 Meyer kids ended up helping Mrs. M run the place, after Mr. M passed away. "Gast Haus" In the original hotel, (called Gast Haus) there are only 2 guest rooms. I was determined to book them. Easier said than done. The website didn't give complete info and some recent changes in ownership, led to a bit of confusion about availability. It took a number of phone calls to nail down the 2 rooms in the old hotel. On the Veranda Cheers for the Gast Haus and cheers for all hotels with porches! Jennifer and I did another fine pose, on the front porch... or should I say veranda? We should have dressed up for our porch pic, like the ladies in white! Entrance We arrived around 4 and entered the door between the 2 signs. One sign for the hotel and another for the newly acquired restaurant, "Food For the Soul Bistro". As the door opened, we were met with sounds and smells of a busy kitchen. We passed the kitchen door (open at the time) and waved to staff. Then we passed a pair of portraits. Mrs. and Mr. Meyer? They didn't look as friendly as the people in the kitchen. The Dining Room When Heidi and I visited years ago. I remember spotting the MEYER sign, hanging in the quaint dining room. I remember the wispy branches and lots of antiques and doodads. As we 4 headed up the stairs to our rooms, I looked down and fretted. "Why does that sign say HOTEL, not MEYER?" But the space looked much fresher and more spacious than before. Porch Stop Before heading into our rooms, we stepped out to the front porch. There were no chairs on the east end, but there was a good view of another historic building. Julia Ellenberger House This additional guest house was added in 1900. It was named for Julia Meyer Ellenberger, one of the 8 kids. Julia operated the inn until her death in 1956. There were only 2 rockers on the long porch. Jennifer and I rocked a moment. With no leaves on the trees, we had a decent view of the property and the pool area. We also had a close up view of a rusty old pulley. For lifting furniture? The East Side Don and I had the King Room, on the east side of the second floor. There was access to a screened porch in back and an extra space for a couple of kids... if we'd had any with us! We didn't exactly need the trundle bed. I'm so curious how this upstairs space was broken down, for guests in the 1800s. The bed was quite comfy and it was a treat being surrounded by 6 tall windows! However a none opened and a couple had no coverings. Fresh Air We could easily open the door to the screened porch to let in some fresh air. There was a ceiling fan and a standing fan and an a.c. unit, if needed. It wasn't quite chilly enough to need the gas stove. It was handy having a fridge, microwave and coffeemaker. It was less handy having the sink about a mile from the bathroom. I did appreciate having ample counter space near the sink. The bathroom wasn't exactly luxurious, but we had one! We had a tub and toilet and towels, which is more than the guests had in 1889! Bathroom Addition I have no clue when the hotel first got plumbing. But you can clearly tell the bathroom came later. The addition in the center sort of cracks me up! It looks like a floating outhouse! The Screened Porch! In this photo, you can tell there have been a number of additions to the back of the old hotel. The red arrow points to our screened porch! Oh how I love porches! If you don't, then scroll on down. I'm gonna talk about this porch! A lot. Old This was no recent addition. You could tell by the worn and sloping floorboards. That floor space offered up lots of room. A table for games and snacking... and a comfier area, for chatting and reading. A rocking chair, too! I first learned to appreciate screened porches at my grandmother's house. Daw's porch was about half this size, but it had similar wicker furniture. As a little kid, I remember pressing my nose against the screen and inhaling the funny smell. (Not this time!) When I was a little older I did puzzles and played Scrabble on Daw's porch. The porch was heavenly at night, when all was quiet... except frogs and an owl! Morning on the Porch The early sun spotlighted the slanted bookshelf in the corner. It's hard to capture the comical way the angled ceiling matched the slanted floor. At 7 am, I felt like I'd been drinkin', when I walked across the sloped floor. This space was likely used as a sleeping porch, before days of air-conditioning. We heard from staff about a local guy who shared memories of living in this building as a kid. This porch had been his bedroom. Come on Out! After the sun rose a bit more, I tapped on the window to hurry Don along. I texted Kate and Jennifer. "Door's unlocked! We're on the porch!" You have to love this tall skinny window, with 3 parts! Slide up the lower section... slide down the upper one! Clever, but no longer functional. View I haven't even mentioned the view from the porch! Ahhh...! Green spring lawn, sloping down towards Cypress Creek. When Jennifer and Kate joined us, they told us about the storm we totally missed durning the night. (loud a.c.unit!) All we could hear in the morning, was a giggling boy on a swing, Wandering the Property The property was even more peaceful the evening before. Jennifer and I wandered into town and returned to enjoy the creek views, around sunset. I love swings as much as I love porches. There were 4 swings. I briefly tried out the tire swing. I'm first to admit, I didn't give it my all. I should have climbed on top and let my big sister give me a mighty sideways push, to get me spinning! No telling how my adult stomach would have reacted. Sunset The clouds had disappeared by sunset, so we were able to view the sinking sun. If we'd booked our stay a few weeks later, we would have seen lovely green trees. But, they would have blocked the sunset. If Jennifer and I had traveled with our Nikons, (like we used to) we cold have gotten clearer photos. My cellphone pic only reveals 2 white blobs beneath the sun. 2 sweet longhorns were enjoying the evening! Pool Time? Back in the day, I imagine the Meyers and guests, did all their swimming in Cypress Creek. We had pool options, but the weather was a little too cool. Things were getting spiffed up for the season. The new lounge chair cushions still had protective covers. Food at Meyer Hotel Dining at the Meyer Hotel has changed a bit over the years. I'm not sure if this stove is original, but we found it in the Summer Kitchen. The screened in area is no longer safe for cooking, but we did find an ice machine and filled our buckets. "Food for the Soul Bistro" A century ago, they served 3 meals a day at the hotel. 2 decades ago, they served a complimentary breakfast at Meyer B&B. Somewhat recently, a local restaurant moved into Gast Haus to offer dinner, 3 nights a week. They still need to work out a lot of kinks when it comes to communication, but luckily our dining experience was wonderful! Reservation Worries As I said before, cooking smells greeted us when we arrived at 4. I was incredibly relieved to know the restaurant really would be open that night. Days before, I had struggled to get information and make reservations. When I finally did reach someone, I still couldn't get firm answers about what might be served or what the cost would be. I'm all for laid back and casual approaches, but this seemed a little un-pro. Tiny Bar I kept fingers crossed, since Comfort is small with few other dining options on a Thursday. On the day we arrived wandered downstairs around 5. In a tiny bar just off the dining room, I met restaurant owner, Kathy. She was sitting beneath the stuffed boar's head, touching up her make up. Kathy was warm and welcoming. She told me the chef would be serving Special Meatloaf and Tucson Chicken and we could arrive anytime between 6 and 8. We arrived around 7:30 and all tables were available. When we spotted the MEYER sign (which had been hiding behind the HOTEL sign) we sat right beneath it! Our Feast! With just 2 dinner options, it didn't take long to decide. Luckily both sounded wonderful. All came with a trip to the salad bar, set up in the sunroom. Kate and I went for the Tuscan Chicken, with mushrooms, potatoes and beans. Chef Derrick Jennifer and Don went for the Special Meatloaf, with beans, mashed potatoes and a very yummy gravy. We enjoyed chatting with Kathy here and there... and Brandon who took our photo! We especially enjoyed meeting Chef Derrick. He playfully begged us to steer away from catsup. He gave us a little history about his family meatloaf recipe, served with gravy... not catsup. He was right! The gravy was delicious, as was the entire feast. What a great guy! Good Night I always have to sneak outside and take a night photo or two, when enjoying a Notable Night! I imagined a warm summer night with more guests, enjoying fire pits and swings and the little gazebo. As I strolled a bit, I imagined the Meyer family. Did they speak German to each other as they sat on the benches? I imagined my own Meyer family enjoying this property, during a future family reunion. None of us would speak German... but my great grandparents did. Then I headed inside and eventually slept well... right through the storm! Comfort The next morning we enjoyed the hotel, then wandered around Comfort. It would be insane to stay in this lovely town and not absorb the history. Photos below give just a glimpse. I added a couple from a previous visit. Ahhh, the curious comfort, of small-town Comfort. It was established about a century before I was born, by German immigrants. They considered themselves Freethinkers and abolitionists. They created a thoughtful town, so very different than any Texas town I've visited. What's Notable? The combined history of the Meyer Hotel and the town of Comfort, is remarkably curious and fascinating. You get to enjoy both, when you stay. But, more than anything, I'll remember the fun of sharing this hotel adventure, with Jennifer and Kate... and of course Don! The memories that I'll cherish the most are... relaxing on the screened porch, strolling along the creek and watching the sunset, enjoying the delicious meal beneath the Meyer sign and wandering the town.
What a special place! Historic Tallman Hotel From 1895 I love old hotels! I've probably stayed at 20 or even 30, that were built before 1900. Out of all the nineteenth century hotels Don and I have enjoyed, I think the Tallman Hotel may be the most beautifully renovated. One Night in Upper Lake Last January, we drove 2 hours from Sacramento, to reach this western style hotel. I was pleased to see it looked as lovely as I'd remembered. We discovered this charming boutique hotel, during a road trip in July 2021. Upper Lake in July 2021 2+ years ago, Don was driving in Northern California and I was searching on my phone for a lunch spot. Suddenly I was intrigued to learn about a little town, that had once been a popular stage stop in the 1880s. We took a detour to Upper Lake. It was July 2021. The trees were green and skies were blue, but pandemic worries were still in the air. We stopped for lunch at the Tallman Hotel's restaurant and were greeted by friendly mask-wearing staff. We fell in love with the place over lunch and vowed to return. Back Again in 2024 When we returned for an overnight at Tallman, the trees were bare, but the skies were blue again! The line up of red, blue and white was even prettier than I recalled. The historic red livery barn, the Blue Wing Saloon and the white hotel! Rescued Hotel We found easy parking in front, right beside the boardwalk. (Gotta love small town parking!) The 2-story structure looked so inviting with wrap-around porch below and veranda above! Lucky for all of us, Bernie and Lynne Butcher rescued this place in 2003. It had been vacant for 40 years. Along with a team of creative folk, the Butchers spent a few years gutting, designing, rebuilding, and constructing additional buildings. They reopened the luxurious hotel in 2006. Comfy Waiting We arrived early, before our room was ready. No problem, there were comfy wicker chairs overlooking the garden courtyard. Courtyard My porch chair had a nice view of the courtyard and the Blue Wing Saloon, where we enjoyed lunch in 2021. The yellow chairs were empty and the shades were down to keep the heated porch warm. It had a very different look in the summer of 2021, with green trees shading the tables. The Tallman Family As we relaxed, I looked up some history about the family behind the historic hotel. Rufus and Mary Ellen Tallman opened the original hotel in 1874. The Tallman's had over a dozen kids, within 3 decades. Poor Mama, pregnant with her 13th at age 47, in 1893! The New Hotel In 1895 the popular hotel and livery stable burnt to the ground. The kids were already used to pitching in with hotel chores. I'm sure they (including the 2 year old) were put to the test, when a new hotel was built. This time, Rufus constructed a smaller but sturdier hotel, using durable redwood. This is how it looked in later years, after Rufus and Mary Ellen passed away. Their daughter Winnie (on right in family photo) took over ownership. Winnie and her husband (Hank Riffe) changed the name to Riffe's Hotel. I'm not sure I approve... Winnie's Hotel? In 2024, there were no Model Ts in front of the hotel and no horses in front of the saloon. But much looked as it did during the first decades of the 20th century, when Winnie did most of the cleaning and cooking for all the guests. Hank spent most of his time running a nearby pool hall. Poor Winnie never had children of her own to help out. I think we should call it Winnie's Hotel! In We Go By 3:00, we'd been on the porch a while. I'd happily soaked up some good info, along with sunshine. We headed for the second red door, that opened to the hotel office. Kiersten (I believe) got us checked in. Assistant Manager, Jeremy gave us a little hotel history, when he heard us commenting about the old safe. Corn and Birds Don did most of the talking, while my eyes got busy, taking in my surroundings! I was sort of in love with the corncob lamp. Who else could decorate with a corncob and make it classy? I wondered. The only corncob decor I've ever seen, was in Missouri Ozark gift shops! Bird prints are always classy. But even without the birds, the arrangement of frames (with earth-colored mats) created its own art, on numerous walls. The Old Rooms The staircase led to the hotel's Veranda Rooms. When I originally called to book, I learned the hotel had 17 rooms, but only 4 were in the original building. The upstairs Veranda Rooms were all booked, We weren't able to stay in the old building where the Tallman's once greeted guests, but we had a Garden Room waiting! And we were welcome to enjoy the hotel's peaceful parlor. Sophisticated! There a formal feel to the parlor, but not at all stuffy. It felt sophisticated, yet welcoming, with lovely fabrics and antiques... and a French wood bead chandelier! The meticulous blend of soft earthy tones felt calm and comfy. I'm sure today's interior looks nothing like it did in 1900, but the tall windows and woodwork and even the palm in the corner, fit the turn of the century style. Dining Room We peeked in the dining room, where we would have breakfast the next morning. I pictured the Tallman daughters serving guests. Black wicker chairs and soft woven table cloths, surrounded by sepia colored, hand-painted walls! You have to love the swirling "umbrella lantern" fixture above! Don and I had to do a little posing! We put ourselves in the mirror frame above the mantel... covered in treasures... with a sweet marsh bird watching from the wall! Garden Rooms Our room was not in the old hotel, but no worries! We were in one of the 8 garden rooms. We walked past the yellow chairs towards the yellow buildings. Pool & Ice To the left of the yellow buildings, we found the pool, which was closed for the season. If we'd come as guests 120 years earlier, there would have been no pool. But, we could have enjoyed "taking the healing waters" at the nearby hot springs. Just past the pool, we found the ice machine, tastefully tucked away behind a tidy wooden door. A century ago, the iceman would have provided! Room 5 Our room was in one of the 4 Lower Garden rooms, at the opposite end from the pool. The pretty yellow buildings were added during the big renovation. Our little porch overlooked the Blue Wing Saloon and its seasonal container gardens. We could see the metal roof of the old red barn. Old Look, New Feel We knew the quaint buildings were new, but each had the charm of a vintage cottage. Once we opened the door, we found ourselves in an entryway with pale yellow bead-board walls. There was a handy closet and a just-in-case-umbrella. Nice touch! Cottage Charm It felt like we'd suddenly stepped into an old Victorian cottage, without dust or musty smells. No cobwebs or splinters or faded fabrics. Just charm! The colors were soothing. Yellow woodwork and beams. Custom made acorn-stamped wallpaper. Pretty fabrics with soft checks and florals. An armoire held a smallish TV, along with coffee mugs and wine glasses. I was glad for the comfy sitting area. Yay for not giving us low, itchy-velvet, Victorian chairs. Lamps I always appreciate decent lighting. We had lots of windows and quite a few pretty lamps. We didn't have a corncob lamp, but the hand painted floor lamp was very impressive. When I switched on the bulb, the birds and designs glowed, on the black shade! Bathroom Light More pretty lamps illuminated the bathroom. This bathroom was worthy of a spotlight, with all the top notch surfaces! The spacious marble vanity, shined. The slick subway tile was glossy-clean! The soft shower curtain and geometric floor tiles didn't shine, but I loved the look! Peering Through the Door! The bathroom's French doors were pretty, but the sheer curtains allowed light to shine through. That's something I don't love with bathroom designs. Don't turn on the light if I'm sleeping! All this light should have put our bats to sleep, but their eerie eyes stared at us from the framed print, over the toilet! (Honestly, I loved this creepy, yet whimsical piece of art!) And the French door windows didn't really bother me. I pretty much loved everything about our room! Japanese Ofuro Soaking Tub Lower Garden Rooms come with a back patio AND a custom made teak hot tub. These are drained and cleaned for each guest, which is wonderful... except that it takes 2 hours to heat up. I knew it wouldn't be hot yet, since our room had just been cleaned. But I pulled back the tub's little "blanket" just to check. Yikes! It was freezing! Cheers to the Tallman Fam! It was a little frustrating having to wait on the tub. We had dinner reservations at 6:30 and we only had one night at the hotel. It was hard to believe the cold tub would ever be warm enough. But we were excited to relax in our cozy chairs and make a toast to the Tallman Family. Where are they? With 13 kids, there must be some Tallman relatives around somewhere! Dinner at the Saloon We left our room at 6:30 for our 6:30 reservations at Blue Wing Saloon. It was of course dark then, but this daytime photo shows the beautifully reconstructed saloon entrance, from the street. The original saloon is no longer here, but the Butchers recreated a bold blue version, during the 2003 restoration. Interior This is how the saloon looked in 2021. Without a crowd, you can see the beautiful black walnut bar. You can also see the staff in masks. It was so nice to be back 2.5 years later, without masks! Monday Blues Night at Blue Wing Don and I were glad to have reservations, since the saloon gets busy on Monday Blues Night. There appeared to be more locals than travelers, enjoying the music. We recognized (from internet photos) the man in the sweater, clapping behind Don. Tallman's owner, Bernie Butcher. Don and I had the perfect table, not far from the band. The performance was scheduled from 6-8, so we got busy ordering. Soup and salad for me! A seafood special for Don. Music and food and good people watching! Greg Rahn and Band Numerous performers play at Blue Wing, Thursday through Monday. It seemed to be a hopping place on Monday evening, with people mostly our age. I'm guessing most folks appreciated (like we did) the early bird timing on this! They also seemed to be appreciating the band, led by keyboard player Greg Rahn. He and the other skilled musicians had a fun energy and a good rapport, with the crowd gathered near the bar. Blues Night wasn't all blues. We heard everything from Scott Joplin, to 1970s rock. I was totally entertained by the music, but also by a number of women dancing in a small space near the bar. I was a little envious. They were so comfortable, happily jiving to the tunes. Dancing With Locals Before long I got up the nerve to go over and chat with the fun dancin' gals. Very quickly, Debbie (the most enthused of the bunch) had me dancing along! Then Greg left his bench and joined us with his portable keyboard. What a hoot! Debbie failed to get Don on the checkered dance floor, but he was happily amused. Don laughed and shook his head, when Debbie pantomimed with an imaginary fishing rod and tried to reel him in. It was after 8, when the band played their last song. Greg gave a shout out to thank the Dancers! Debbie gave me a hug good-bye and Don thanked the band with compliments and a generous tip. What a perfectly enjoyable evening! Brrrr! We made our 30 second walk back to our room. I kept fingers crossed that the Ofuro Tub would be hot. You can tell by my expression that it was not hot. I'm also exaggerating a bit. It was warm, but not warm enough to sit and soak when the air temps were in the 30s. 6:30 AM The next morning, it was still dark when I stepped out on the patio to test the tub! What fun to pull the cover back and feel the steamy warmth rise! I attempted to get myself into the 3-ft deep tub, gracefully. However, I forgot the wooden box was nearly a foot deeper than the deck. I made a splashing entrance and tried to muffle my laughter. I didn't use the nearby hinoki stool in the tub. Instead I leaned back in the 98 degree water and rested my head against the box. I grinned to myself in the dark, because I knew I looked like I was laying in a coffin. But I was amazed at how magical it felt. I wasn't floating or sinking. I was submerged just enough. Even my head outside of the water felt weightless, resting on the wood. So, I finally got to enjoy the tub, while a rooster crowed nearby and a dog barked once. The sky lightened and I could see pink and blue behind the tree branches. Lovely! Main Street in the Morning After a shower, I headed off for a quick walk through town. The slideshow below, shows a few of the highlights. Upper Lake is small, with fewer than 1,000 residents. So, there's not tons to see. But I was delighted to have a peek at the quiet town, nice and early. Coffee Before Breakfast We had breakfast waiting for us in the hotel dining room... ... but I had to have coffee on the porch. If there's a porch, I must use it. Dining Room at 8 We entered the sun-filled dining room, and took a table next to the fireplace. I was able to spend more time admiring the handmade tiles. Golden brown seaweed images! My chair gave me a good view of this bird and frog. All the softly painted wall designs, were inspired by the nearby marsh wildlife. French Buffet Before we checked out the beautifully displayed breakfast options, we greeted the only other breakfast guests. Greg and his fellow musicians were enjoying breakfast, after spending a night in the hotel. Couldn't have been a friendlier bunch! We filled our plates. Eggs, croissants, house-made granola, yogurt and toppings, breads, fruit and scones... fresh brewed coffee! It all tasted better, on our brown country dishes, surrounded by marsh birds and cattails, wispy trees and dragonflies! A good way to start the morning! What's Notable? We didn't sleep in a 129-year-old hotel, but we stayed in a charming, recently constructed building, with porch and patio and incredible soaking tub. We were graciously compensated for our heating glitch issues, by the way! What I'll remember first about this hotel stay, is how the old and new blended so beautifully. It's hard to tell from my 2 photos, which building is original. Next I'll remember how the entire property felt welcoming and comfortable and classy. The staff (hotel and saloon) couldn't have been more gracious. The size of this little oasis was just perfect.
Rarely do Don and I return to hotels, since we're always wanting to explore new places. But already, we have reservations for a Tallman Hotel visit in the summer. That says it all! Hidden Oasis in Palm Springs Villa Royale is one of many small, retro hotels, nestled in the heart of South Palm Springs... hidden behind hedges... in quiet neighborhoods. Don and I spent one night, last January. We didn't just stumble across the place while traveling. And we didn't discover it on the internet. It was a postcard, that inspired our stay. This Lured Us This is the postcard that arrived in our mailbox, in April 2023. Our son and daughter-in-law sent it. They know how much we love a vintage motel! They raved about their stay and shared photos, with colorful bougainvilleas and luxurious patios. Their images definitely looked more boutique hotel, than motel! Greetings From Liz It took us less than a year, to work a Palm Springs visit into a road trip! We arrived on a gorgeous sunny day in January. We turned down South Indian Trail and parked along the hotel's decorated wall. Liz Taylor gazed off thoughtfully as we passed. Entrance We stepped through the open doors, into a courtyard with a bubbling fountain. Two formal lions greeted. A carved bench invited us to sit a spell. No thanks! We headed for the office. Lovely Lobby The cozy lobby felt welcoming. There were doors open at both ends, allowing the spring-like air to flow through. There were wood ceiling beams above and brick floors beneath... ...and colorful walls, furniture and art, in between! The photographic art was impressive. Don't forget to put on the glove, before you flip through the gigantic book of photographs! Pleasant Staff I half expected a snooty staff. After all, we were at an Adults Only Resort in Southern California! But we were checked in by a cheery young woman who offered us welcome drinks. We decided against tequila shots and both chose a glass of Cava. Spanish sparkling wine, seemed to fit the hotel's Spanish Revival Style. We left the lobby's cozy fireplace and headed out with drinks. 70 degrees in January! Villa Royale, Since 1947 We exited the lobby office, to this dreamy area. I spotted the pool we'd seen in the postcard. Sadly, there's no longer a diving board. I was unable to recreate the glam diving board pose! It was fun to imagine this small hotel when it first welcomed guests. VR opened during a period of development in the Palm Springs area, following WWII. California Ranch Style Structures Evelyn Pell built this little retreat, back when there were mostly larger guest ranches in the area. Supposedly the name "Villa Royale" was chosen to match the first letters of Ms. Pell's kids. Valorie & Richard. We passed the homey looking units with porches, overlooking the pool. We headed towards the second courtyard area. The Second Courtyard The pathway took us to a courtyard, surrounded by more guest rooms, looking out towards a fountain. There was a generous collection of Electra Bikes, which guests could use for free. This section of Villa Royale, was originally a separate motel, built in 1950. (Indian Trail Villa.. I believe). Villa Royale incorporated the motel, in 1986. JFK and Others We noticed quite a few celebrity faces looking out from the walls, as we wandered the grounds. Numerous artists have contributed incredible works of art to the Villa. Many feature some well-known faces, from the '50s and '60s. I'm sure JFK wasn't one of the famous folks who stayed at VR, during the mid-century years. But other Hollywood celebs often visited Villa Royale and nearby lodges. 2-Hour Rule We found Audrey Hepburn in one of the lounge areas. (or at least her image) There's no record of her being a guest here, but Mickey Rooney stayed frequently. I know. Not quite as impressive. Villa Royale's location lured many celebs, back in the day. Hollywood directors, screenwriters and actors, enjoyed getaways to Palm Springs, because of the studios' strict 2-Hour Rule. Screen stars who were under contract with film studios, were required to stay within a 2-hour range of Hollywood. The Third Courtyard After walking past the bikes and fountain, Don and I stepped into the coziest of all the VR courtyards. My opinion! In the late '50s, this cluster of units belonged to a separate motel. So the Villa Royale Resort is actually made up of a few unique vintage lodges. The "Capri Rooms" surrounding this small pool, seemed the most private. They also were the cheapest! This was the pool view from our room. Cheers to Capri Room! We were not dressed for the pool when we reached our room, but we wanted to sit with our Cava, before grabbing our bags. There are 38 rooms/suites at Villa Royale. Ours was not the grandest, but I loved our location at the end of a u-shaped arrangement of units. We lounged a bit before heading in. Room 39 We couldn't have been more pleased. We'd expected a hip, but tiny room, with a queen bed. The website recommended Capri Rooms, for single travelers or guests staying a short while. That description sounded like a warning! No worries for us. We just wanted a room under $200. But the room felt very comfortable! We had a king, not a queen! Were we upgraded? The mattress, linens and pillows were absolutely heavenly, Art Some of the more luxurious rooms had large pieces of art, featuring the faces of celebrities, like Clark Gable and David Niven. No stars in our room, but we had a curious, black & white geometric image on one wall. Above our bed was an image of a graceful, floating-figure. Cocktail Parlor I was impressed with the classy cabinet, filled with interesting liquor and snack selections. We didn't make use of the honor bar, but we enjoyed cups of Nespresso and we used the cut glassware, later. Actually it was plastic! Great for the pool deck! Small But Open Our corner room allowed us to enjoy a nice flow of fresh air. The raised ceiling with white painted beams, made the room feel much larger. For a while the open doors offered up some lovely jazz music, from speakers near the pool. We had another music option, with the "Toshiba Bluetooth Box", on the table. It looked like a radio we might have seen in our room, if we'd visited 70 years earlier! Once again, being the last room was a bonus! It gave us a little private area just outside the double doors. Bathroom The small bathroom was a reminder of our hotel's mid-century roots. But the sleek geometric tile, plush towels and Lather bath products, felt fresh and updated. The robes (not pictured) were fabulous! The fabric with a fun black & white design, was comfy and light! How I hate feeling weighted down by 30 pounds of terrycloth. Exploring Before Dinner After checking out the room, there wasn't much time before our dinner reservations. I dashed off to explore! Here and There There were cozy cabanas, near the main pool. Lots of skinny palms, towering above the tile roofs. And views of the San Jacinto Mountains! Staying Warm The temps were cooling, but there were cozy nooks with fireplaces and heaters! I recognized the framed image above the table! The postcard again! There were other warm and decorated places to sit. I found a flickering fire pit, surrounded by a desert garden. The mountain view was pretty... but no place to sit and enjoy it. Rooftop I was excited to find a metal staircase next to the lobby building. Directly above, was a rooftop lounge with seating that allowed guests to relax with a mountain view. Or, a view of the main pool, umbrellas and red tile! Full Moon After dinner the pool scene was more dramatic! I wish my camera had captured this better. The round moon, looks like a triangle! Quiet on the Pool Deck This little circular sitting area was my favorite spot. It was occupied when we first arrived. Before long all the umbrellas were down and the chairs were empty. I was curious about the pathway, heading back behind the chairs. Del Rey Restaurant I did some snooping and found the entrance to the restaurant. The patio was being prepped for the evening's monthly paella feast! The colorful tablecloths and hanging flags were festive. The gigantic paella pan was empty, but not for long. Further Back I wandered further back and found more lush landscape. A sign said "Hummingbird Garden". I followed the winding path that led to a patio with a Jacuzzi. Every corner of the property seemed peaceful and calm. I knew it was a Thursday in January, but I didn't expect an "Adults Only" resort to be so zen! Perfect! Almost 5! It was nearly 5:00 by the time I headed back to our little oasis. You can see Don sitting out near our room. We had it to ourselves. 45 minutes later, the lighting and colors changed. The palms were just silhouettes. We had just enough time for a Margarita, before dinner. "Noche De Paella" It was dark by the time we headed to the Del Rey's, Night of Paella celebration. The patio was filled with guests, drinking champagne and nibbling hors d'oeuvres. Guess we didn't get the memo! Evidently there were a lot of locals and regular guests, who knew to arrive early for pre-dinner mingling. Welcoming Speech Before being seated, we were given a welcoming talk. By some snappy dressers, I might add. This was Del Rey's 10th Paella Night. Our host laughed about some of their past issues. The very first paella night, involved a stolen paella pan problem. Another time, the paella pan caught on fire. Seating Soon guests were guided to their assigned seats. Don and I followed our hostess past the cozy patio tables, lit by Moroccan light fixtures... and heaters. We headed in the side door and followed the young woman into the dimly lit restaurant. Quite a swanky bar, with wood ceiling and retro, buttoned-bucket stools! Suddenly we were seated at a romantic table for 2, just steps from the bar. We had a nice view of the fireplace... a safe distance from the golden lion peering down from the wall. The colorful tigers looked less friendly, in the Gucci tiger leaf print wallpaper, behind Don. Our spot really was perfect. Don could watch the busy bartenders. I could keep an eye out another door, where the paella was being prepared for serving. The fire glowed nearby and the classy art, (on the tan velvet wall) totally delighted me. 5 Courses While we waited for the first course to begin, we nibbled on a bowl of crunchy corn-nuts. Then a miniature cutting board arrived, with 2 lucious dates! (with queso, bacon and almonds!) Next, an amazing salad with pears, pecans, apples and blue cheese. Then chicken empanadas! At the end we barely had room for churros and chocolate sauce! Paella de Mariscos! For our main course, we were invited outside to have our plates filled with Chef Alex Lopez's, Paella de Mariscos! I wish I'd seen the whole dish, before any was served! Our colorful plates displayed the food well! Saffron Stock, Chorizo, Shrimp,Mussels, Clams, Snap Peas, Haricot Verts! Night at the Villa I was glad to have a shawl as we wandered the grounds after dinner. The air was chilly by 9. We passed the main pool and then arrived at ours. All was quiet, on a full moon night! Morning Don and I had a long drive on Friday, so we were up before 7. The sun was warming the San Jacinto Mountains. Umbrellas were up! We hated to leave. We got the car packed up and headed for the breakfast buffet, that opened at 8. I spotted more open umbrellas inviting us! How could we leave without one jump in the pool? Inviting Set Up We arrived with plans to grab coffee and food, to take in the car. The little set-up was so classy, there were no easy to-go options! China and cloth napkins! How do we do this? Luckily I had some baggies. Don made a bagel sandwich with salmon and cream cheese. I grabbed skewers with sausage and cheese. It wasn't easy turning down the Mimosa Cart! We were able to get some coffee to-go in paper cups! We waved good-bye to Liz Taylor as we drove off! What's Notable? We have to thank Scott and Chali for inspiring our stay, with a postcard! It was even better than we hoped for. We got to thank them in person when we arrived in Sacramento after a day's drive! I loved our perfect little Room 39! It brought back memories of mid-century motels I recall from childhood days, in Florida. There was a nostalgic feel to the simple pools, surrounded by lounge chairs and palms. I will never forget the snazzy feel of the interior spaces and the artsy-glam, open-air sitting areas! The staff (as well the few guests we greeted) seemed relaxed and welcoming. I hope it's always like this, because Don and I both agree we want to return.
Reminder to Self: Next time stay more than one night. Make sure to pack a flowered swim cap! Lodge on the Desert There were dramatic skies when Don and I arrived in Tucson, last January. The rustling palms and dark clouds were ominous, but a sudden glow of sun, made the entrance to the old resort looked bright and welcoming. In fact it looked new. The Old Resort Actually, Lodge on the Desert is nearly 90 years old. I found this photo displayed with others, inside the lobby. It shows the modest lodge in earlier years. The "Lodge" (the hotel's name is a mouthful!) began as a private residence in 1931. The owners expanded their 4-bedroom property and began welcoming guests to their desert oasis, in 1936. New Lobby The lobby and staff was very welcoming, but our room wasn't ready. No problem. I studied old photos and news clippings. Staff member Caitlyn was eager to share about the hotel's history. She said the old lodge almost became a strip mall a couple decades ago. Luckily the property was rescued from demolition in 1997! Massive renovations and additions made the lodge lovely again. 1950's The lodge began with only 7 guest rooms. By the fifties, there were many more rooms. Guests could swim or play pingpong... or just relax on a chaise lounge with a view of the Santa Catalina Mountains. By the 1950's the hotel had become popular with filmmakers and stars. Many classic western films were shot in the Tucson area. The people involved in them, sometimes ended up at Lodge on the Desert. Filming in 1915 I wish I had photos of some of those celebrity guests. The Lodge website mentions John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Paul Newman. My grandmother wasn't on that list, but I have a photo of her when she was in a film, shot in Tucson. Filmmaking was happening in Tucson, as early as 1915. That's when my grandmother (age 10) played the part of a child, who was hit by a car. She ran home with a 5 dollar gold piece for her small part. The Pool in 2023 In 2008, 69 new rooms were added, along with this contemporary pool. Our stay was too short! I regret that we didn't at least make time for the hot tub! Cactus Garden After we got our room key, we wandered the grounds. Today the property has expanded to 5 acres and it was easy to get lost. I have no clue how many different kinds of cactus we spotted. I don't know about wild life. Desert snakes? I only saw a metal donkey. The garden was so lovely, with so many varied shapes and shades of green. Comparing! We arrived at the Lodge, after an afternoon at Saguaro National Park. It's hard to compete with that park's amazing desert landscape! But the lodge grounds competed well. They were appealing in a totally different way. The brick-lined path was neat and tidy after the dusty park. Our luggage rumbled along easily. The Buildings The shapes of the buildings were as varied as the cactus. Well, actually the building shapes were mostly straight lines, but the structures were all different. The levels and arrangements were unique. It reminded me of building a village with wooden blocks. Which is Old? I knew that the original stucco buildings went back to the 1930s. I knew the new buildings had been added over the decades. But honestly, it was hard to tell which buildings were original. They did a great job with the additions. Old Pueblo I assume the original structures were all single level. I tried to find something that matched this old postcard. Almost. But this was actually a second story deck and guest room. I loved the mountains in the distance. This view made it feel like we were still out in the middle of nowhere. But Tucson has actually grown up around the 5-acre property. Casita #239 I skipped Expedia and booked a Casita Room by phoning the hotel. The website was a little confusing and I wanted to be sure we got a room in one of the original buildings. Our room was on the second level, overlooking the cactus gardens. Our 2 windows offered a good view of the village-like property. There was something so soothing about the earthy colors! Fireside Casita Double Queen When I phoned to book, I spoke with Caitlyn and told her I was hoping for one of the historic rooms, with beamed ceiling and fireplace. Lucky for us, the vintage Casita Rooms were cheaper than the recently renovated luxury rooms. (This one was $222. on a weekend.) Caitlyn steered me towards a vintage double queen room that had beams and fireplace. Guest Ranch Rooms The 2 queen beds hardly took up any space in the room. The original guest rooms at the lodge were built large to welcome guests who came for long periods in the winter. The 19-inch thick adobe walls meant we didn't hear our neighbor's smoke alarm, when it went off in the night. She apologized when we met her outside in the morning. Large Bathroom! Our bathroom wasn't as updated as most of the lodge rooms, but we had a crazy amount of space. There was a dressing area with dressers and fridge and coffeemaker and a huge closet. Sitting Area I was excited about our sitting area with the corner fireplace. But we hardly had time to make use, since we had friends to visit in Tucson. In the morning, we at least enjoyed coffee with the fireplace! A Quick Visit to Cielos For many years, the lodge didn't have a restaurant. Today the hotel restaurant & bar, attracts lots of travelers and locals. The gated entrance from the parking lot made it clear that Ceilos attracts more than hotel guests. We took a different journey, that took us through the gardens. I loved the old mission-feel, with the bells! Patio Dining It was January, so the beautiful Saltillo-tiled patio was empty. But there was a 4-sided fireplace, so I'm guessing crowds came a little later. It was just 5 pm. Just past the covered part of the patio, I found the restaurant entrance. I didn't disturb the early diners, who were in a different room. But I enjoyed a peek in this space, with rough-hewn beams, colorful planters and curious lighting fixtures. Happy Hour! Don and I only had 30 minutes before heading off to meet friends. But we couldn't miss Happy Hour, with our complimentary margaritas! This is not how the bar looked at 5 pm. It was actually full of guests. (my photo is from morning) Don and I grabbed the only remaining table. Ford Treasury Cookbook Our bartender was a little rushed with the crowds, but he made it over to us and we placed our order. As he dashed off to get our complimentary margaritas, I pulled out my cookbook. Cookbook Encounter! When Luis returned with our food and drink, I didn't waste time. "Luis, do you know if the restaurant serves Banana Chantilly anymore?" Luis was pretty sure they didn't. Before our bartender could escape, I showed him our 1963 cookbook, with recipes from restaurants and hotels all over the U.S. The featured recipe for The Lodge, was the sweet meringue treat. The vintage illustration was from a time, back when the dining room was closed in the summer. Photo Time! Luis was maybe not as impressed with the old book, as some older folks who remember driving around the country in a Ford... (me) But he was game to take a photo with us! Thanks to the guest at a nearby table, who took our photo. She made sure to get some Saguaro cactus art in our photo! Passing the Book Before long the book was being passed around. The other guests were mostly our age. Retired winter travelers, who were curious about the book and the watercolor image. showing an old sign and barbed wire fence. Award Winning Margarita I forgot to take a photo of our margaritas and our guacamole. I stole a photo off the internet and now the image is making me crave a margarita and guac feast! The Cielos Margarita won World Championship Margarita, in 2019! Peaceful Night Don and I returned from our friend meet up, with a box of pizza and salads. It was lovely walking along the glowing pathways, to our casita. I made use of the hotel robe and enjoyed my pizza by the fire! Morning We had a long travel day the next day. I hated leaving without more exploring. What was this big lawn for? Weddings? I wish we could have had a real meal at Cielos. But we had to get on the road. What's Notable? I absolutely love how this hotel feels. Isolated and cozy and safe, as if it were still in the middle of the desert. Now, the 103-room lodge, is an Urban Hacienda, surrounded by neighborhoods and busy streets. I love that the lodge was rescued and renovated. I love the history. (It was even used for air force officer training during WWII! But mostly I loved the quiet cactus gardens and our spacious room with fireplace! I would love to return and spend some time on the restaurant patio and around the pool!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
December 2023
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