What if, everything you've checked out on the Internet is just an illusion? The what ifs can be might scary when traveling to destinations unknown.
Hotels seem to be this week's theme, for Sepia Saturday, or whatever else we venture to share as usual.
Hotels are a wide gambit, and I believe the countless choices fall into the what if, category, far too often. Sometimes you win, sometimes you wish you'd looked further.
Hotel, motel? What shall it be? We've loaded up the old Studebaker and we're headed down Route 66. What if the Cottage Hotel as your dream getaway?
Seligman, Arizona.
Okay, what if we hop back in the old Studebaker and keep looking, and also, hopefully locate a gas station as well.
Oops, where are the pumps?
What if you were at the end of the line riding on the Mount Lowe Railway at the foot of Mount Lowe?
Then you'd surely book a room at the resort and spend the evening at the Ye Alpine Tavern.
But-
What if, this was your destination and at the last minute you changed your vacation plans for a later date?
The burning of the Cliff House, San Francisco, California.
You'd be so excited because you booked your vacation stay years later!
Wait till you see what they've done with the place.
"You see the what ifs are as boundless as the stars." -
Sally Gardner
What if you're really more interested in a campground?
This Wonderland Hotel, in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park area between Little River Road and Elkmont Campground in Tennessee fits that description wouldn't you agree?
What if they forgot to mention the building and grounds were closed to the public? Will your reservation be accepted?
Probably your friendly travel agent would be aware of this situation.
If you had a travel agent that is.
So you're planning a family outing to Someplace in South Dakota, you quickly Google hotels and book what appears to be perfect for a one night stay.
But, what if, this is the place? Peaceful and quiet just as the ad read, Batesland, South Dakota.
Hopefully those of you venturing somewhere this summer you won't land in any of these not so favorable what if places!
Thanks for stopping by.
14 comments:
It sure would be an unpleasant surprise if you arrived at one of thise hotels and found them abandoned. Guss you'd just have to drive a little further and hope you'd fnd somewhere else soon. We often travelled without booking in advance, as we didn't want to be tied down to getting somewhere by a certain time, or staying in a place that didn't look so good, but then we usually travelled in off-peak periods so it wasn't a problem.
What if you were staying at the Cliff House on the day it burnt down, now that would be a different story altogether. stay it looks very smart now (thanks for the link) I would be very happy to spend a night or two there.
Such an enjoyable romp - particularly the picture of the Cliff Top Hotel in San Francisco which we visited a couple of years ago and enjoyed a splendid glass of beer whilst watching the sun set in the Pacific. Your warning about never knowing what to expect from just a name is somewhat worrying - we have just booked into a place called The Grand Majestic Plaza in Prague - I will report back on what we find.
Good morning, Karen
Some of these places look down right scary. The Cliff House must have been wonderful before the fire, I am glad it was rebuilt. Thankfully, I check out the trip advisor reviews before I choose a hotel. Great post, have a happy day!
Alan, all lucky you Prague is a wonderful place to visit! My daughter actually had her first visit there all by herself! I can't wait to hear about your visit and of course see photos!
Nice pics, Karen! I recommend avoiding the Bates Motel.
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If ever you get lost in central Oregon, you might consider the hotel in Shaniko -- I believe in might still be open a few weeks in the summer. It would rival, in looks, the hotel in Bateman, South Dakota. Fun post to read.
Hopefully the current Cliff House in S.F. is made of sterner stuff - the first three versions having either burnt down or been otherwise destroyed. The burning of the so charming Victorian version perched on the very edge of the cliff was really sad as it happened only a year after surviving the huge earthquake of 1906. Today's version may have plenty of windows from which to enjoy views of the ocean from inside, but the exterior design has no charm whatsoever and actually looks somewhat like nearby San Quentin Prison.
You've presented a terrific travel guide of 1/2 star hotels. Recently I've noticed that many hotels in the 1900s were advertised "absolutely fireproof", sometimes in big letters right on the building.
I'd stay in that first place along Old 66! But then, the hotel is not the destination but a place to sleep and I am often trying to get to out-of-the-way places which lands me in such hotels.
I loved the photos in this post. I am attracted to B&W these days and your photos are superb!
Have a Great Week, Karen!
Peace :)
Great photos and a fun post of 'what ifs' Karen. I have been fortunate with the hotels we have stayed at but closest to one of these was a real old hotel right next to a railway line where the freight trains rumbled through all night.
I am definitely smiling after this post. It makes me happy that I'm taking day trips this summer and sleeping in my own bed every night. ;))
Oh dear, many what ifs. reminder of a hotel I stayed at late one night when I had driven too late and was too tired, and it looked like what used to be called a Ramada Inn, but wasn't, and this one had supposedly been renovated, but the original carpet and bathroom fixtures, and drapes and wall coverings were evident (and for all I know the bed). I was too tired to care, and when I woke up I saw the air conditioning unit was just sitting in a hole in the wall with space all around it.
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