Disappointing--But It IS 150 years old.
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 4/1/10
My disappointment has nothing to do with the service or cleanliness, which seems fine to me. Others might like what I dislike, which is that it simply isn't modern and pretty. I'm in the room right now and thinking I would sure hate it if I was here for a romantic getaway!
No hair dryer, no clock, teeny-tiny toilet and shower alcove, old fashioned looking sink in the room itself, with exposed pipes, radiator in the corner, painted pipes running the length of the ceiling, furniture that isn't historic looking--just cheap and old, no ice on this floor, a closet that is awkward to use with an old, chipped rod and dirty feeling hangers. (Nothing else seemed dirty though and I think housekeeping has done a good job.) And the noise from the hallway, other rooms, water running and doors opening and closing, seems to never stop! Thank goodness for my "white noise" machine, which is the only thing making it tolerable. That, and the fact that I DO have an excellent wireless connection! (Overall, this reminds me somewhat of European hotel rooms, only the room is a larger.)
I ate at Baron's--good meal and attentive service. Great filet with blue cheese for $31 and excellent side dishes.
It's a historic hotel, no doubt about it, and the downstairs certainly plays that up nicely. A photo on my floor of the original 1864 Bridal Chambers points out that what is considered luxurious in hotels has changed a lot. That's really the main issue. It's fine for what it is, and I'd hate to see it close. But, I don't consider it a good place to stay when there are other choices. It's no one's fault, there's just only so much that can be done, for a reasonable cost, with a very large, old, old hotel in a small mountain town.