by Barbara Weibel at Hole In The Donut Travels

The Lowe Hotel, Point Pleasant, West Virginia

On a recent road trip I pulled into the little town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, conveniently located midway between Illinois and my North Carolina destination. In the center of Main Street, amidst scores of meticulously restored older buildings filled with cute shops, I discovered the Lowe Hotel, the only hotel in town.

I hauled my suitcase up the long marble staircase to the second floor, opened the door with an enormous skeleton key, and was delighted to discover a room decorated in antiques and outfitted with a queen-size poster bed. It didn’t take me long to climb beneath the fluffy quilt, prop myself up with two down pillows, and boot up my laptop. I was happily answering emails when the noises began. At first they were small creaking sounds and I paid them little mind – all old buildings make noises. Then just before turning off the light a very loud noise startled me. It sounded like a large, dry tree branch snapping in two and seemed to come from the television, which I hadn’t turned on. Puzzled, I dismissed it and went to sleep. Read More »

Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood

The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California is a lovely, historic hotel on Hollywood Blvd where all the sidewalk stars are. It’s a great place to people watch from – I’ve seen two celebrities in this hotel since I’ve been here!

My room is definitely on the smaller side, bu the bed is comfy. However, the bed does have a nasty, sharp wooden corner to it which is very annoying! I’ve managed to walk into that corner about four times since being here, and my shins now look like someone took a baseball bat to them. Other than that, the room is fine. The bathroom is small, and the toilet paper roll is hidden behind the door, so you have to close the door when using the bathroom, which I found amusing. Nice amenities are included in the bathroom.
They do hit you with a lot of charges here. You even have to pay for the coffee in the room. There’s a very funny “Shag Bag” which made me laugh out loud. You can guess what’s in there.

This hotel is a little bit spooky though. It’s older, built in 1927 I believe, and the hallways feel dark and, well – haunted. I’m not kidding. I’m on the twelfth floor, and I get weird chills when I walk from my hotel room to the elevator.

Moving on! If you stay here, you have to check out the historic lobby – it’s absolutely gorgeous. Very high ceilings, dark wood, soft, yellow lighting. Large, very comfortable leather chairs…just lovely.

The pool is open till 11pm, score!

I highly recommend Shelly Cafe, right across the street. Pretty cheap food – basic burgers, sandwiches and salads. But good! And, Million Dollar Baby was filmed there, if you’re into that stuff.

Photo Credit: P Keigan