Hotel preference? "Just a place to sleep" or "like to stay in a nice place"?
Sep 4th, 2019, 05:07 AM
#81
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When traveling in the US, I must admit that I tend to have a soft spot for somewhat quirky motels, especially those independent ones left over from the 1950s/1960s. Or those "cottage motels" (not even sure if that is a category).
Sometimes quirky means a bit run-down or dated.
Sometimes more like living in a perfectly restored or maintained 1950s environment.
Like this one in Santa Fe, NM: https://santafesilversaddlemotel.com/
Or this one in Helena, MT: https://www.helenalamplightermotel.com/
Or this one in Key West, FL: Welcome to El Patio Motel
Or this one in Old Forge, NY: https://countryclubmotel.com/
The photo with the deer is no fake. There were deer each morning and late afternoon, grazing on the motel lawns.
Otherwise, it's a mix of "still okay" hotels in very expensive locations, and more of a splurge in areas where hotels and motels don't cost that much.
Sometimes quirky means a bit run-down or dated.
Sometimes more like living in a perfectly restored or maintained 1950s environment.
Like this one in Santa Fe, NM: https://santafesilversaddlemotel.com/
Or this one in Helena, MT: https://www.helenalamplightermotel.com/
Or this one in Key West, FL: Welcome to El Patio Motel
Or this one in Old Forge, NY: https://countryclubmotel.com/
The photo with the deer is no fake. There were deer each morning and late afternoon, grazing on the motel lawns.
Otherwise, it's a mix of "still okay" hotels in very expensive locations, and more of a splurge in areas where hotels and motels don't cost that much.
Sep 4th, 2019, 05:08 AM
#82
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Schlegal, do you know about the amazing restaurant Hell’s Backbone Grill?
This is an article about the owners who are trying to save Grand Escalante.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt...lante-monument
This is an article about the owners who are trying to save Grand Escalante.
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt...lante-monument
Sep 4th, 2019, 05:23 AM
#84
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I wonder if the difference might be that I am a single woman, travelling alone?? Many folks may see that as a lonely situation and may be trying to take care of me. Which is of course irritating and insulting . . .
I could see many hosts treating a couple or family differently than a solo traveller, especially a solo woman ("poor dearie...." lol).
s
I could see many hosts treating a couple or family differently than a solo traveller, especially a solo woman ("poor dearie...." lol).
s
I have a mixed experience with b&bs. Stayed at a lovely professional one in a tiny U.K. town that I enjoyed. Genuinely helpful, willing to let me be. I was pleasantly surprised. But my preference is definitely anonymity at a hotel. Every time I’ve stayed in a B&B in the states, usually at the high recommendation of a relation, the experience has been marred somewhat by the host’s personality. And it’s odd, because in both cases, they were high end more “inn” than the one in UK. You’d expect the professionalism aspect to be there, but perhaps it’s that element of “ownership” that occasionally ruins mom and pop shops too.
Sep 4th, 2019, 05:31 AM
#86
I've had some wonderful interactions with AirBnB/homestay/BnB hosts in New Zealand, Ecuador and South Africa. Sometimes the highlight of the trip. Maybe has more to do with the country and the individuals involved than any blanket statement. I have not yet used them in the US, though.
Have been invited along on golf excursions, given tours of their gardens and farms, accurate advice on weather, restaurants and safety tips.
Not to mention, a few of those home-cooked breakfasts were pretty spectacular. I like a little interaction interspersed with some traditional hotel/motel lock the door and veg out stays.
Have been invited along on golf excursions, given tours of their gardens and farms, accurate advice on weather, restaurants and safety tips.
Not to mention, a few of those home-cooked breakfasts were pretty spectacular. I like a little interaction interspersed with some traditional hotel/motel lock the door and veg out stays.
Last edited by mlgb; Sep 4th, 2019 at 05:36 AM.
so ridiculous!
Sep 4th, 2019, 06:33 AM
#91
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kureiff, I love that clip, too! I've only seen a few Portlandia clips, tom. I'm not sure about the overall quality. For instance, I think the "locally sourced" sketch loses steam once they are on the farm.
Sep 4th, 2019, 07:31 AM
#95
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"Unfortunately" I can stay with friends who live less than 20mls from there.. but I'll keep it in mind if there is ever the need to find accomodation in that beautiful part of North Carolina.
Sep 4th, 2019, 07:38 AM
#96
That's the reason I've not stayed there! 
Give me a shout if when you are back this way and want to meet up! Another (former) Fodorite who loves Germany may want to ride his bike over to meet up too.
Give me a shout if when you are back this way and want to meet up! Another (former) Fodorite who loves Germany may want to ride his bike over to meet up too.
Sep 4th, 2019, 07:55 AM
#98
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I don't need luxury but I like hotels that are clean, in a good location and have a lot of natural sunlight. I hate feeling like I'm in a cave. B&Bs aren't really my thing, but we stayed at one in Key West earlier this year and loved it. I felt like we had a lot of privacy and there wasn't a chatty host.
I'm struggling with a lot of the signature scents, many that smell like cheap cologne, that are being used in hotels. It's frustrating walking into a lobby and getting a headache or sometimes migraine from the smell. Last year we stayed at a Hampton Inn near Acadia National Park and we were able to open the windows. It was wonderful sleeping with the windows open and breathing the fresh air.
I'm struggling with a lot of the signature scents, many that smell like cheap cologne, that are being used in hotels. It's frustrating walking into a lobby and getting a headache or sometimes migraine from the smell. Last year we stayed at a Hampton Inn near Acadia National Park and we were able to open the windows. It was wonderful sleeping with the windows open and breathing the fresh air.
Sep 4th, 2019, 08:14 AM
#99
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Btw, some B&Bs also offer vacation apartments for rent in the same building/complex. In some parts of France, these are called gites or 'cottages', which proves the differences in culture and terminology (where we come from 'cottage' means a whole different thing).
I am done. The link to the Who song about an 'otel worker.
I am done. The link to the Who song about an 'otel worker.
