Galveston Embarkation

After we left Tremont House, we drove around the Seawall section of Galveston.  I loved its mix of old and new.   When I mentioned to my daughter how much I loved Galveston, she was surprised because she didn't like it when she visited several years ago.  We finally figured out the difference.  I see it as a typical English Beach Town with old buildings, wide promenades and unobstructed views of the ocean.  She was expecting more American beach town:  high condos on beachfront property and restaurants on the water.  With an amusement park on a pier, it was just like Brighton in England (and many of our east coast beach towns)

But, the Grand Dame of Galveston was where we were headed---Hotel Galvez.  Our Tremont House Hotel (across the island from Seawall) had a package that with valet parking, we could drive to Hotel Galvez to park our car on the cruise and take a shuttle to the ship.  I don't think I have ever waited for a shuttle in a more beautiful setting. (and I have added a hotel to my bucket list)

Tremont House

This being our 4th trip to Galveston, we decided to stay in one of the historic hotels---Tremont House.

This reminds me of several historic European hotels we have stayed in.  High ceiling, decorated with antiques, but with a beautiful modern bathroom

 The inside is rich with architectural details not found in most new hotels like an atrium lobby and a bar on loan from the historical society (rosewood)

Grosvener House-J.W.Marriott

 The cruise line offered a London hotel and transfer to the ship in Southampton for $250 per person.  I jumped on it because a) we were flying for free using frequent flyer miles---20K per person for one way to London. b) I knew London was expensive c) it was less hassle than trying to find a way to get to Southampton where the ship was 1.5 hours away d) I knew a Marriott would have a handicapped room.

 And, we had a beautiful room in a historic hotel.  The Earl of Grosvener  once had a magnificent estate here with an art gallery that had "Blue Boy".  In 1927, the new Grosvener House was built on two blocks consisting of flats and hotel.

 The hotel had running ice water in the rooms, a gymnasium, pool, ballroom and an ice rink. To this day it has the most famous ballroom in Europe and is the scene for all of their famous award ceremonies.

 Despite it being a handicapped room with grab bars, it was still a bit of a challenge getting into the shower.

 Did I mention it was right across from Hyde Park?

 As with most hotels of this calibre, the meals could be a bit pricey.  BUT, they had a wonderful snackbar with delicious sandwiches and salads which we ate rather than the 30 £ ($46) burgers.

 But, as with most old, historic structures. . .things happen.  Dave woke up at 2 AM to go the bathroom and came back to report that there was water all over the floor. As you can see, the ceiling developed a rather ominous looking bulge.  Within 20 minutes, they'd moved us to a suite around the corner---nice.  Having a maintenance man pack up the bathroom was not optimal since he didn't get my toothbrush which the hotel replaced. 

 The next morning, we enjoyed a beautiful English breakfast brunch in the hotel which was included in the price of our room.

All in all, it was a beautiful hotel and I would stay there again in a heartbeat---they were very accommodating from start to finish.  We arrived at noon and they showed us immediately to our room rather than having to sit around in the lobby as most hotels require.  They gave us a beautiful handicapped room and when that didn't work out, upgraded us in the middle of the night with a minimum of fuss

St. Louis Historic Hotels Part II

We had lunch at the Coronado Hotel on Lindell which was designed by Preston J. Bradshaw who also designed the Chase Park Plaza and the Mayfair Hotel which we also visited.

The company of St. Mark friends made lunch even more special.
Although it is no longer a hotel but apartments for students at St. Louis University (studio starts at $999 a month), the ballroom is used for weddings and other functions.
This fireplace had been in a wall which probably preserved it during the time the hotel was abandoned and used by the homeless. Brides often have their photos taken by this fireplace where some of their grandparents had their bridal photos also made.
The Ballroom is magnificent with its lights in the original floor.
We learned that the ballroom was built for a reception for Charles Lindbergh. The lights were in the floor to make the ladies' dresses shimmer when they danced in the 1920's. This room was a disco in the 1960's with a wooden floor placed on top. During the 1990's some of the roof had caved in damaging the wooden floor which had protected the unique floor.

Our next stop was the Drury Plaza which had been the fur exchange and a hat factory so technically not a historic hotel, but rather a hotel in a historic building. Our tour guide told us the Drurys walked by as the wrecking ball was tearing part of this down. They thought it was a shame to lose such a historic structure, so they bought it the next day.
One wall of the lobby has sculptures of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Statler Hotel is now part of the Renaissance Hotel which has been beautifully restored. This hotel was the site of the first air conditioning and the "gentleman's bar" below. . .

Was the site of the first woman to publicly light a cigarette (a suffragette). I loved the crystal light fixture above. The "gentleman's bar" is very modern and welcomes all genders today, but no one can smoke there.
The ballroom has Wedgwood china panels throughout the ceiling.
The Mayfair Hotel (home of the yummy Mayfair salad dressing and the Prosperity sandwich) is undergoing renovations so we didn't see too much of it.
Apparently all of the downtown hotels had a German-themed restaurant including the Mayfair.

Another Drury Hotel renovation is next door to Union Station. This one was once a residential YMCA frequently visited by railroad executives who enjoyed its exercise rooms and indoor pool.

I'd wanted to visit it ever since I'd heard about its renovations. They have a wonderful (static) collection of model trains through out the lobby, but none of my photos turned out.
Of course the Grand Dame is the Union Station Hotel. Although I've been there often attending dances in 1970's, touring it and attending conferences, I'm always in awe of its grandeur. If you can't stay there, be sure to include it on your visit to see the magnificent Tiffany window representing the three major railroad cities of San Francisco, St. Louis and New York City.

Historic St. Louis Hotels

While on a tour of historic hotels in St. Louis, our first stop was the Seven Gables in Clayton, Mo. The photo above is in the courtyard and was actually a street/alley at one time.
Several of the rooms have doors to the courtyard with "house numbers" which helped give the hotel historic status.
Inside is also a Molly Darcy's Irish Pub where we enjoyed delicious cookies, tea and lemonade.
The photo below is of the "breakfast room". I really felt like I was in Europe rather than in St. Louis County.
We also learned a lot about hotels that are long gone (to read about the fire at one of the hotels click here): Southern Hotel, Planter's Hotel (home of two famous drinks Planter's Punch, Tom Collins ) and the Lindell Hotel which was the largest and grandest hotel west of the Mississippi.

The Custom House

The Custom House in Boston is a Marriott hotel----the rooms are all in the tower (above) 4-5 suites per floor. On Mondays, the concierge and general manager give a tour of the historic building.
The tower was added in the early 1900's around the dome which can be seen from the lobby.
The GM brought old photos which show the Custom House before the tower was added.


Karen, the concierge, shows us the original front doors (which are no longer used). They were last opened on Marriott's opening day. Later when Mr. Marriott came to visit, he tried to get in through this door, but had to be told he had to walk around to use the new main entrance.
Each of these windows has a glass door; the holes are functional for a gun barrel to fit through.

In addition to the observation deck seen here. There's a game room (video games and pool table) which shows the inner workings of the clock that is seen outside on each of the four sides. We were lucky enough to meet the clock repairman who gave us our own private tour. The four rods above his head operate the hands on each of the four faces.

The numbers are glass coated with 24 caret gold. He is gradually replacing the original glass with a lucite on the outside which is safer and more tolerant of weather and, yet, will protect the gold plated glass.The "Counting Room" shows a balcony which held armed guards in the mid-1800's.
But, today it is the site of nightly entertainment.
We saw "Rum and Revolution" a musical, funny, educational duet accompanied by rum punch.
Thanks to Tom and Donna (pictured above on the right) for introducing us to the Custom House.


The Custom House is conveniently located near the Long Wharf area, the Aquarium and Quincy Market.