The Eloise Factor

When I was growing up, some of my books were the Eloise books by Kay Thompson. Now, as an adult, I'm so not surprised... of course I loved reading about a little girl who lived in a hotel (The Plaza, to be exact). Clearly I had the "hospitality gene" in my veins from a young age. 

Recently, I was perusing my new favorite blog, Domaine (which covers my other love - interior design), and was thrilled to see a post titled, "The Eloise Factor: 10 Hotels You'll Want to Call Home." Sold - say no more.  

I loved the vast array of hotels they chose. After reading the article, I was ready to pack my bags and call one of these hotels home sweet home. Below are images from a few of the 10 Hotels on Domain's list. Check out the article to see the whole list. 

Which hotels would you like to call home? Out of Domaine's list, my pick would be the Bellinter House in Ireland. Palazzo Margherita and Riad El Fenn are tied for a close second. However, since moving into one of these beauties isn't likely to happen anytime soon, I'll have to appease myself by reading Eloise. 

-mrs.h  

travel wish list // the parker palm springs

Although Mr. H and I are blessed to be on the road and traveling a good portion of our year, I still have places I want to eat, sleep, and stay. The Parker Palm Springs is one of those places.

I have a deep love all things midcentury. Maybe it's the happiness that embodied the Slim Aarons romanticized view of the 60's. Or, maybe you can blame it on the fact that I watched way too much Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie growing up. It's probably the latter. Regardless, I wish I could be transported back to SoCal in the glamourous 1960's. Since that's not likely to happen, I think I'll have to go for my next best option... a trip to The Parker. 

{Slim Aarons // wouldn't you love to be transported here?}

{they just don't make t.v. like the used to}

The Parker is a Palm Springs classic (most notably as the home of Gene Autry, the singing cowboy). This 131-room hotel was redesigned by Jonathan Adler. His signature happy-chic, midcentury style was a perfect fit and it truly takes a guest back in time, all the while infusing the heaviness of the midcentury color palette with fresh "citrusy" colors. Don't you just want to get in a plane and escape this "hump day" with a drink by The Parker's pool?

-mrs.h

where to rest and relax in st. michaels, md

get your kicks on route 66

I'm sure you've noticed by now that we're really into "dreams" here at mr.&mrs.h. I have an amazing mom--she's fun, wild, full of adventure and life. One of the things on her dream list was to road trip across the country, drive down Route 66 and stay at one of the nostalgic motor courts that still dot the highway. When Mr. H and I moved to Cali, it provided the perfect opportunity for her dream to come true.

We first hit the "Main Street of America" (Route 66) in Amarillo, Texas. No, George Strait, we didn't make it by morning... at that point we'd been driving from Dallas and we still had a long way to go to get to our motel, The Blue Swallow, in Tucumcari, New Mexico. 

the Lone Star State

One of the more random sites we saw in Texas...

...yes these are mannequins in a convertible in someone's front yard 

(forgive the "from car photography")

Amarillo by evening

 Texas

The Blue Swallow is a place I would recommend to those looking for a little adventure and a lot of nostalgia... not to those looking for luxury. If you're looking for that, I have many suggestions, but Route 66 is probably not the place for you. The bedding was far from Egyptian cotton and we went to sleep with the glow of neon lights shining through the curtain. That being said, it was a night I will never forget. We woke up the next morning and the owners had a pot of coffee brewing for guests in the lobby next to the cigarette vending machine. We really did feel like we had stepped back in time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

This beauty greeted us upon our arrival in Tucumcari

Refrigerated Air

The Blue Swallow's Lobby

Our room... with one car garage and glider swing

Our room's garage... complete with the Route 66 mural

 Morning on Route 66 - Tucumcari, NM 

From Tucumcari, we headed west to "the other Vegas"... Las Vegas, New Mexico. It's a small western town that was the home of Doc Holliday's dental office and one of Billy the Kid's "hang out" spots. I'm a lover of architecture and it's got a plethora of amazing (and well preserved) Old West homes, hotels, and buildings. We ate at Charlie's Spic and Span for breakfast--which had amazing sweets plus breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros, and breakfast tacos. After filling ourselves with great treats, we were on our way to the Grand Canyon. But, that's a story for another day. Bottom line, if you've ever wanted to drive down the "Mother Road," I'd say go! It's not boutique luxury--not even close--but it is nostalgic, road-tripping adventure at it finest. As Nat King Cole advised, "If you ever plan to motor west; travel my way, take the highway that's the best; get your kicks on Route 66!"

On the road to Las Vegas, NM

 Off-roading to look at the road-side shrine

 road warriors 

our typical view from NM to CA

The "other Vegas" - Las Vegas, NM {via}

 

Treats at Charlie's Spic and Span  

(I found the following map on google maps. It highlights "hotspots" along Route 66--including the Blue Swallow. We didn't use it on our trip, but if I did it again I'd definitely check out a few of these stops.)

-mrs.h