Daddy's Christmas Angel

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Historic Hotels, the Jefferson and Christmas

 During the Christmas season, historic old hotels dating back to the turn of the 20th Century and earlier have an unique presence and appeal. The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia is one of those glamorous, glorious old hotels that folks love to visit during the holidays. The dramatic staircase, from which the stairway for Gone With the Wind was modeled, is a major part of the attraction of the Jefferson. Each year, family and friends gather at the Jefferson to dine, take photographs, and just to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

On the West Coast, the Hotel Del Coronado is a hotel with a similar holiday attraction. I suspect the Brown Palace in Denver is a gathering place as well.
The El Tovar on the edge of the Grand Canyon with an awesome view is yet another holiday destination.

What about your family? Do you have a favorite old hotel where you like to get together with friends.?

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Can't say that I do, but those look like some nice places.

N. R. Williams said...

Great hotels. I think there are some in Colorado that do special things but I've never been.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Denise Covey said...

Hello there Monti. I love the look of those historic hotels. Would love to visit.

I am doing some housekeeping now that I have finished NaNo. I see you are following my Aussie Travel blog. That's lovely. I just posted some pics of Darwin, a pretty wild capital in the far north of Australia.:)

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thanks, Alex, Nancy and L'Aussie for your comments. The Brown Palace in Denver is unique, Nancy, if for nothing else than the unusual shape. I was fascinated the moment I first saw it!

L'Aussie, I'll take a look!

Daisy Hickman said...

Oh, this is a great post, Monti! I also love historic hotels ... here in South Dakota in the Black Hills we have the historic Franklin @ http://www.vacationsouthdakota.com/SouthDakota/hotelinfo/89213.html in Deadwood (home to Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Poker Alice)... and in Memphis, we love the Peabody. Rapid City, SD, the Alex Johnson @ http://www.alexjohnson.com/ is just beautiful ... :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

Historic hotels are always fun, especially during the holidays. We haven't tried it out yet, but I understand the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado (remember The Shining?) is beautifully decorated and a great place to stay.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thanks, Daisy and Patricia! I've never been to the Franklin nor to the Stanley but would like to. Holiday decorations at old hotels are wonderful to see!

Daisy Hickman said...

And can you believe I forgot the Bullock Hotel in Deadwood! John and I got married there in '95 ... built by the 1st sheriff of Deadwood, Seth Bullock. Supposedly, it's haunted!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Oh my and haunted, too. I keep wanting to write a book featuring hotel ghosts.

Thanks, Daisy!

Monti