LAUREL HIGHLANDS GEM~ Art Deco Suite

Unique, quirky, but a work in progress Positive: It is quirky. The bathroom is very pleasant. The kitchen seemed well equipped. The house is spacious. I appreciate the free coffee. Negative: The “concept” is incomplete and hasn’t yet balanced form with function. No curtains means no privacy. I had no bedside lamp and stubbed my toe on a strangely constructed bed base en route from the light switch by the door. I find memory foam mattresses extremely uncomfortable, so I had a fitful night.

Positive: The decor of the suite. Negative: (1) The “breakfast” consisted of 2 vouchers to the breakfast buffet at the Comfort Inn, 0.5 miles away. (2) Did not receive any communication regarding check-in procedure. Luckily another couple arrived at the same time and shared the contact phone number of a staff member. They had received an email with a 4-digit entry code, parking instructions, etc. a few days before arrival. Parking was up uphill and across the street, not very obvious. (3) Kitchen dishwasher was full of dirty dishes. And there were dirty coffee cups on the counter. (4) There were no glasses (clean or dirty) to be found in either the kitchen or the rooms. A couple who were celebrating their anniversary had to drink their champagne out of coffee mugs. (5) Front door did not close fully and lock. As we had a suite on the first floor, we had to go to the door several times to pull it shut and stop the electronic lock from clicking as it tried to lock the door. Additionally, this meant that the location was not secure if there was no one on the 1st floor to engage the lock when others came or went. (6) Our suite did not have a closet or any way to hang clothes, though there was room for an armoire or similar furniture in the room. (7) There were no unflavored Keurig pods in either our room or the kitchen. All that was available was flavored, fully caffeinated pods. Same for the CoffeeMate pods – unflavored box in the kitchen was empty. (8) WiFi was slow and unstable. Any attempt to watch a streaming service like Netflix resulted in buffering errors and the need to restart the TV.

Cool, unique, comfortable Positive: The decor is very unique - everywhere you look, both in the room and in the shared spaces, there is some interesting detail to contemplate. Spacious and well furnished. Appreciated the mini fridge and coffee maker (with actual creamer, not powder, supplied) in the room, in addition to the shared kitchen facilities. Self check-in with a door code provided by the staff via email ahead of time meant that a late arrival due to Amtrak delay was not a problem. Great location - just a few blocks from the train station (though admittedly up a steep hill at the end), and easy downhill access from the hotel to cross the river and get to the GAP trail. I only wish I could have arrived earlier in the day to have more time to enjoy the common spaces and great back porch. Negative: Minor details, which wouldn’t stop me from staying here again: no curtains for my room’s bathroom windows - I felt a bit exposed in the bathroom at night. And the bed was a little short: I’m 5’8” and my toes were hanging off the edge a bit.

Like a Chateau, I felt safe and hidden away for a true get-away-from-it-all.

A unique and exceptional experience Positive: Our stay at the chateau was an absolute delight. The property itself is stunning, a beautiful building gracefully situated on a spacious lot offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline. The expansive back porch, furnished with comfortable seating, provided the perfect spot for a leisurely evening, enjoying the captivating cityscape spread out before us. Inside, the chateau boasts a charming and functional layout. The first floor features a spacious living room, an elegant dining room, and a well-equipped kitchen, all seamlessly flowing together. Several rooms have been thoughtfully converted into comfortable sleeping quarters, each providing a tranquil retreat. While we didn't explore the upper floors on this occasion, the intriguing staircase hinted at further captivating spaces within. Our personal quarters were exceptionally comfortable, and the en-suite bathroom was truly spectacular, a luxurious highlight of our stay. Ample parking is conveniently located directly across the street, adding to the overall ease and convenience. The seamless communication via email and text was a refreshing experience. Our queries were responded to promptly and efficiently, eliminating any sense of impersonal service often associated with larger establishments. The breakfast arrangement, a delightful perk, involved a short, five-minute trip to a nearby Comfort Inn situated beside a tranquil river. The peaceful riverside setting added an extra layer of charm to the already enjoyable breakfast experience. Overall, our stay at the chateau was far beyond expectations, a truly memorable experience we highly recommend.