La Quinta Disaster

We had to leave in a hurry to get to Florida before my mom passed away last Saturday. So we didn’t have any hotel reservations. For whatever reason, every place we usually stay was booked solid for the entire weekend. That lead to a search for anything while we were on the road - almost frantically - when we finally booked La Quinta by phone in Pinellas Park. Unfortunately I never received the confirmation email so we didn’t know the address and there are five La Quintas in town. All I knew was that it wasn’t even close to our house. So we stopped at the first one and they didn’t have our reservation. The attendant didn’t even bother to help us - she basically said figure it out yourself. Then we drove to the next one. Still no reservation. But this time the manager on duty was so sweet. She called all the other places to find out where we needed to go. We left her a tip for pizza for her kindness during this stressful time. Apparently a concert, state fair, Presidents weekend, and February in Florida contributed to the weird situation we found ourselves in. We were relieved to finally find the hotel, but were aghast at the surroundings. It was plain filthy and disgusting. It looked like something from the 1940’s - outside doors, cigarette butts all over the place, unkempt visitors, loud music, smelly room, window air conditioner, holes in the curtains, scary place. Since we had no choice, we made ourselves stay the night. The next day I searched for other options hoping things would open up by Sunday night. Luckily they did - and we booked Sunday through Wednesday at a new Holiday Inn closet to home. But we needed to get at least a two day refund from Priceline - which we never use. So we had to travel back again to that awful place to drop the key and make sure the refund was processed. Luckily it was. So we ended up paying for a second night at that horrible place because of the timing, but neither one of us could wait to get out of there as fast as we could. The photos don’t do it justice. 

Hotel Zamora

We always go to Florida to visit my mom in December. It’s my birthday month, and we avoid the holiday traffic because we go in early December. I’ve always stayed at the house, and my husband at a hotel. But this year, we both stayed together in the hotel. Since my dad died in 2015, my mom has had her share of medical issues and the last year has been difficult. She went from living independently to total dependence related to complications from a broken ankle. She is finally on the mend, and has a live in couple caring for her every need. So as not to disrupt her - and their - routine, we spent the time visiting her for shorter periods twice a day. Rather than stay downtown like we have for so many years, we decided to try Hotel Zamora on St Pete Beach. It’s equidistant from our house in either direction. It’s a newer place in the Mediterranean style. Parking is on the ground level under the main structure per hurricane building restrictions, and there are water views from all sides. Our room was on the top floor with a waterways view rather than the Gulf of Mexico. We weren’t hardly there anyway so it didn’t really matter. We stopped at the hotel restaurant for breakfast one morning - it was very quiet mid week. All in all the room was comfortable. We ventured up to the roof to see the views from there. Everything was so very familiar given that I grew up in Florida. It was a good couple of days - although neither one of us are very good travelers. We much prefer being at home. But it was so good to see my mom making such great progress. That’s something you can’t tell over the phone. 

Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg

We’ve stayed there several times now. Ever since our family members moved to Virginia five years ago, we stayed at the Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg until their new home in a very old warehouse along the James River was renovated. It was quite the project, and the architect for their home was the same person who renovated the old shoe warehouse that became the hotel. It used to be you had to stay at least two nights over a weekend, but since the newly renovated Virginian Hotel opened last year, the competition started - and you can now book an overnight. We have stayed in both places - but really prefer the Craddock Terry for all of its charm and familiarity. So we had an event last week that took us to Lynchburg so we stayed at the Craddock Terry because our room at the inn was otherwise occupied with a big party that lasted in to the late evening. When we arrived, Buster Brown has since retired, so now Penny Loafer pooch was on hand to greet us. The hotel is full of shoe memorabilia - a nod to the hotel’s history.  One of the “perks” is the morning breakfast that comes in a Craddock Terry bag, with orange juice, yogurt, muffin and orange. You put a breakfast request card in an old shoe shiners kit and leave it outside the door at night. It’s just what you need in the morning.  So if you are ever in Lynchburg, this is a delightful place to stay. 

The Virginian Hotel in Lynchburg

It’s so ironic. I loved James Drury in the Virginian television show. So much so that we actually drove to Pennsylvania to meet him a few years ago after having watched all the reruns during a snow storm. When we drive to Lynchburg for a short stay, we usually stay with our family. But we also prefer to stay at the Craddock Terry boutique hotel on the James River - a place we have stayed when we bring our out of town guests. But the Craddock Terry oftentimes requires a two night stay, which we didn’t need this time. As of last month there is another option - The Virginian Hotel is now open for business. I have always wanted to live in Virginia and liked The Virginian tv show. so staying in The Virginian Hotel was just ironic. So we booked a room there and were curious to find out more about it. The building was being renovated over the last couple of years and is in a great location. Everything was brand new from the carpet to the chandeliers, to all the furniture and three restaurants. We stopped at the snack shop for a tea and blueberry muffin and had breakfast on the rooftop the next morning. Unfortunately the weather just wasn’t cooperating - as it never seems to whenever we are there! The reason for the trip was to surprise our family with an unexpected visit and just get out of town for a day. Sometimes DC can drive you nuts! And we learned our grandson can really keep a secret and continues to be quite the gentleman. Would we go back to The Virginian Hotel? Only if the Craddock Terry or our usual guest quarters were not available. The Virginian is a very nice place, but the others are more “homey” and “cozy” and “just the right size and atmosphere.” But it sure is a great option when we need it. 

Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg

With out of town guests coming to visit from Milwaukee for a few days, we are planning a side trip to Lynchburg Virgina to check up on our family members. There is ample room at their house to stay, but our guests would feel more comfortable at a nearby hotel. And we will keep them company for the one night. The place we booked a reservation is the Craddock Terry Hotel - a converted shoe warehouse on the James River. We have stayed there three times or so and it is a very pleasant experience. A huge red stiletto shoe hangs on the building. There is no mistaking this place! And there is a pooch working there who hangs around the lobby as a conversation piece. The architect who transformed the shoe warehouse also designed our son’s place - a lot of exposed brick and wood beams keeping with an authentic warehouse ambiance. There is another old place being renovated just one block from where our family lives, but The Virginian won’t be open until July. Lynchburg has been undergoing a lot of new building in the downtown area. It’s a pleasant drive from DC and a great place to bring friends and guests. 

The Craddock Terry Hotel in Lynchburg

It sure beats the Holiday Inn. We've been to Lynchburg three times since our son and his family moved there last year. They are in a middle of a huge warehouse renovation so we lodge at a hotel for an overnight stay since it takes about four hours to drive each way. This is the first time we were able to stay at the Craddock Terry Hotel situated along the James River. It's an old shoe factory converted in to quite a marvelous hotel. One usually needs to make reservations for at least two or three nights. But restrictions loosen up during the summer months and we finally got to see for ourselves what all the comments were about. The architect of this hotel is also planning their residence which will be fashioned along the same general plan - exposed wood beams, high ceilings, and strict guidelines to maintain historical preservation of an 1890's building. Every time we visit the city looks different - but so does the residence. Yes, the hotel is as nice as it could be, including the resident pooch and the remnants of shoes from a bygone era. Still, there's no place like home for us. But it was a very pleasant experience. 

A Hampton Inn Renovation In Process

We have been traveling since last Friday. It's been awhile since we took a road trip in summer. The traffic is heavier and the hotels are full. I tried to book a Hampton Inn several hours before the arrival time but it was full! So I looked for the next city and tried again. There was a warming that renovation was in process. We didn't want to take any chances so we made a reservation in Wilson, North Carolina. When we arrived there they told us there was no cable. Okay. The room looked like it had just been completed that day. It smelled new and was set up for the twenty first century with charging stations everywhere, sliding shower doors, sleek lighting fixtures, and pull out shelves. The chaise was nice but my husband didn't care for the green cover. It was comfortable as rooms like these go. Unfortunately this morning the Internet wasn't working either. We didn't get a discount for the missing services, but we didn't inquire either. It didn't bother us too much, but I'm glad we didn't have any kids to think about. Since we were traveling for an emergency this is not the time of year I would choose either. We are anxious to get back home today. There's nothing like it. Let's hope our cable and Internet are working. 

 

The Don Cesar

The big pink building is familiar to me. After several days of scurrying back and forth to the hospital to check on both my parents who landed there last week, we decided to take a break. We started our road trip from DC to St. Pete last Friday and haven't slept comfortably since it began. I don't do well with ambiguity and emergencies.  But when things settle down I begin to feel much better and an appetite returns. After visiting both parents at the hospital this morning, we drove to St. Pete Beach for lunch. We didn't have a particular place in mind until we came upon this unmistakable building. My mom worked at Don Cesar as a federal employee when it was used as an office building many years ago. Can you imagine an office view of the Gulf of Mexico? Nothing like my no view in the Madison Building at the Library of Congress. We passed by it a million times on our way to the beach growing up here. My husband stayed at the hotel, and I at home, thirty plus years ago when we came to visit my parents. It was an excellent choice for today. The food and surroundings were really pleasant. It was the break we needed just about now. I don't see a lot of pink buildings in DC. These two cities couldn't be more different - including the palm trees. 

L'Enfant Plaza on a Saturday Afternoon

Last week we took a ride around the new L'Enfant Plaza. But we couldn't see much from the car as most of the extensive renovation occurred underground. The last time we were anywhere around here was over ten years ago when we stayed at the hotel to celebrate a birthday. The shopping and eating area was dark, but very crowded. We used the metro to get here from the airport. So we took a walk last evening from our house to this destination first passing by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Energy. We even stopped at the CVS to buy band aids for an unexpected toe malfunction. Along the way I dropped my water bottle from the carrier without knowing it, and bought another one from a street vendor for $3.00. There were a lot of tourists scurrying around by the Federal Plaza Metro going to and from the Mall that is only a block away. When we reached the Smithsonian Castle, we turned toward the Plaza and reached the glass enclosure that is the above ground entrance. There was a huge staircase descending to the floor below. Everything looked relatively new since it just opened on June 1. But it was completely deserted except for a couple of food vendors that were open. We passed by a closed Hallmark Shop and a Post Office, and didn't take the hallways that lead to the hotel and the metro. We did however, find restrooms that could come in handy when walking the mall with out of town guests. They say the place is very busy during the week from nine to five, but that's hard to believe when you see it looking like this. We thought about maybe grabbing a bite to eat, but it was too early and we preferred to have our own home made pizza when we got home. Everything looked so stark with Federal Building cement buildings all along the route and simply not very architecturally appealing. I suppose someone likes this style? Not sure we'll be coming back any time soon - at least not on the weekend.