The Radisson Lackawanna Station

Check it out here!

I don’t often review chains. How interesting is it to describe a run-of-the-mill hotel? But sometimes, no matter what brand it wears, an inn stands out. And that is precisely what the Radisson Lackawanna Station does.

Located in the former Scranton PA train station, the location is visually impressive.  It is easy to see all the efforts made to keep with its history-including a parking lot fit for a bustling train depot-that works very well for a hotel too. I challenge you to be unable to find a parking spot and I am Queen of the parking lot parade.

The amazing architecture carries on inside the building as well with vintage stained glass windows and ceiling features in the dining and common areas. Designers re-used old train furnishings and other design elements as well. The old station benches serve their original purpose with a shabby chic flair. And the re-purposed décor fits as well today as the day it was installed.

The front desk staff is extremely efficient and friendly. They are experts on all the town’s activities and hot spots-so be sure to ask for recommendations. They also space guests very well for added privacy.  

The building itself is very quiet. You will never hear activity from inside your room.  Which is something that I missed with my room’s bathroom overlooking a soccer field next door. While this can’t be avoided (undoubtedly the hotel was there first) I made sure to shut the curtains before getting in the shower. You just never know.

The layout of the room itself was planned very well. The bed was spacious, there was plenty of dresser and closet storage. The separate seating area and kitchen area away from the bed was a nice touch. I don’t like using my bed for a dining area.

The hotel’s bar and restaurant were very convenient and a popular place for hotel staff to unwind. I took it as a good sign, although the waitresses at the bar were a little standoffish. I had to work at getting their attention to order, refill drinks and get my bill-in spite of the fact that I was sitting at the bar only feet away. It was a lot of work for such minor requests.

The price of the room was comparable with other mid-level chains and I didn’t notice anything that would require special adaptations for those with disabilities. But in the event your particular situation throws you a traveling curveball, just mention it to the front desk staff. They will take good care of you.

My takeaway: Stay the night but explore the town when you’re hungry.

Do you have a hotel or inn you would like me to review? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

The Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0LqgRaGTPQ

and here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrAICA25rTk

and here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MiXyx7nwco

and here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4feLtNRoKY

ditto! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH0jcMNHO9o

Admittedly, staying at a bed and breakfast is meant to be a relaxing getaway. And if that is what you are going for, this is not one of those places. But if having a personal one-of-a-kind experience is more your cup of tea, be sure to add the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast on your travel itinerary.

Nothing about a stay at this macabre destination is typical. The unremarkable building is seated just off the street in Fall River-a rather un-picturesque town known more for its industry and its port. Behind the house is a small parking lot and barnlike structure which currently houses a gift shop. It is also the base for tours and the front desk, of sorts.

Check-in occurs after 5p when the gift shop closes. Be sure to arrive on time to avoid any difficulties. The reception staff will have more time to show you around so long as you don’t try to check in at the same time as one of their tours. Tours occur most evenings and are an extra you can purchase with or without a stay.

The draw for this bed and breakfast is of course, it’s significance as the crime scene from the Borden murders. To that end, owners have left the building and many of the relics inside as authentic as possible. The furniture in the common areas are consistent with the period and updates and modernization has been kept to a minimum.

Fans of older homes will appreciate little quirks like this but visitors who are unaccustomed will need to pay closer attention. The programable key pads have a little trick to them as do some of the lights. Ask the staff before they leave if you don't want to spend a lot of time in the dark or on the porch.

Nor do the staff man the front desk at night. Aside from giving tours, no one stays around after dark so its very private. It also means you are on your own to solve any inconveniences. Most bed and breakfasts operate this way. If you want someone to bring you an extra toothpaste, stay at a Holiday Inn.

In the absence of staff, signs serve as the facility’s main source of information (like a sign in the bathroom instructing you how to shower without setting off the fire alarm-and getting a visit from the town's fire department.) Most of the plugs aren't grounded-so not really usable for many of the electronics people travel with. I was planning to ditch the laptop in favor of notebooks, but I had to charge my cellphone in my car.

One of the interesting features of the B&B is that the furnishings throughout the house, as well as in the individual rooms is arranged much as it would have appeared the fatal day of the incident. Visitors are encouraged to wander through the public areas, sit on some of the furniture, and even do seances, ghost hunt or take selfies with one of the popsicle stick masks they leave out for your use-if you are into that kind of thing.

Nearly everything is ala carte-including the optional breakfast. Between tours, souvenirs, and ghost-hunting equipment rental, there are lots of add-ons you can add to your experience and your bill if you choose. The ghost-hunting tours after dark make the guests a spectacle with tourists peering in windows and bedrooms occupied by paying guests. Never fear, they put out other signs for that too.

Guests are encouraged to ghost hunt and have a good time, but the operators rely on guests to use their own judgement and not be a knuckle head. So it can be a cool experience if you rent the entire home, but not ideal if you are cooped up with a bunch of unsupervised pre-teens. During our stay in Lizzie Borden’s bedroom, we shared the house with a couple young ladies staying in the attic and a handful of kids staying in the parent’s room next door. Their room shared a common wall with ours and they stayed up the entire evening trying to channel spirits on a Ouija board they made from a pizza box and shrieking at the top of their lungs at every noise they heard.

Let me tell you, there were no ghosts. There was no spectral activity of any kind. But there was a number of noises, creaks and groans that every house makes, old or new and those asshats shouted alarmedly at each and every one of them. By the end of the evening, I wasn’t sure who I wanted to smother with a pillow more-the kids or their sadistic parents that left them unattended. But judging by the paper-thin walls, I could certainly see why anybody in that house was predisposed to homicide.

Sleep deprivation aside, the bed and breakfast offers an experience like none other. Not only to journey back in time, but to see such a significant site for yourself.

My takeaway: be prepared and keep your stay short and sweet.

Just leave the kids at home.

Do you have a hotel or inn you would like me to review? Tell me about it on Facebook, Instagram or at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

The Hotel Deco

Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOfRVJkj36Q

If you are looking for a getaway destination that is completely unexpected, check out the Hotel Deco in Omaha. Located downtown, it boasts an atmosphere that is truly unique.

From the moment you arrive, this Art Deco-styled hotel makes a statement. The first person you are greeted by is the valet, which on some occasions, could be excessive. But given the rarity of public parking, they quickly become your new best friend. If your itinerary calls for you to remain in town, it may be more convenient to walk or utilize public transportation. If not, be sure to allow an extra twenty-minutes or so for the valet to retrieve your car.

The lobby and public areas are just as opulent. The architectural details, glass and woodwork are truly exceptional. It is clearly a source of pride for the friendly folks that work there-especially the front desk staff. If they have time, they are happy to tell you all about it.

The overall vibe is Alice in Wonderland meets the Radisson, and this becomes more apparent the more you look around. There are little references paid in the art and décor. Even the Do Not Disturb tags have whimsy references to the classic. These surprising touches make staying at the hotel even more fun.

The room was adequate in size. The amenities and features well organized and well placed. I was pleased with how quiet and private the floor was. It spoke to the efforts the front desk staff took in placing guests.

Just past the front desk are the elevators that take you up to your room, but off to your right is a small flight of steps leading to the hotel’s restaurant. The space is quiet and cozy and menu is what you might expect from a hotel eatery-as are the prices. The fare is alright, but given the variety of eateries within walking distance, guests can get more for their buck elsewhere.

And I cannot encourage you enough to get out and explore! When we checked in, the front desk staff suggested my husband and I check out the speakeasy located next door. We are always up for a good cocktail, and so we dropped off our bags and set out to find it. But what we found next door was a little vice shop about the size of a closet selling cigarettes and run-of-the-mill spirits.

It did boast a line of people standing outside it’s doors, but given its location across from the Orpheum Theater and the fact that Ron White was performing that night, we dismissed it and moved on. Instead, we found a little club located around the corner which benefitted the local children’s theater. It didn’t exactly seem like a speakeasy, but not all billed that way are. So we shrugged it off and enjoyed some libations inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants.  

The mystery weighed on our minds though, and later that night we took to the internet to investigate further. Among the comments for the hotel were suggestions to visit the Wicked Rabbit-the name of the little hole in the wall we passed. We took a chance to test the theory the following night.

We arrived followed by two older women who had clearly pre-gamed before their arrival. They were stumbling around and tittering like a pair of teenagers looking to buy White Claw with their first fake ID. Not wasting time, we asked the clerk if they carried the Wicked Rabbit. She nodded and asked to see our ID’s.  

Overhearing the exchange, one of the women tripped over her friend to declare they wanted entry to the speakeasy too.  After presenting their licenses, the clerk pushed a button concealed on a display case revealing the entrance.

For all my nose-turning the night before, the Wicked Rabbit deserved none of it. The bar was exquisite, decorated in lush purple upholstery and gilded frames and tiles. The drink menus come in books and consist solely of classic cocktails. Once the bartender pointed out that all the drinks on the first page were the ones set on fire, I was hooked. I picked out a punch and watched her prepare it in awe.

When finished, she floated a spirit-soaked sugar cube on top of the thinnest slice of orange imaginable before instructing me how to drink it. The trick, she said, was to count to ten before plunging the sugar cube inside. That way, the sugar had time to caramelize, the alcohol could better dissolve, and the intended outcome would pay off. As she lit the sugar cube with a torch, I followed her directions to the letter.

I can tell you, she knew what she was talking about.

Our two accompanying drunkies looked on before ordering the same. After being given the same instruction, they immediately dunked their cubes and slung back the contents. The bartender rolled her eyes and said nothing. I have never seen an artist so disappointed.

My takeaway: book a stay-and partake in the Wicked Rabbit sober.

Do you have a hotel or inn you would like me to review? Tell me about it on Facebook, Instagram or at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com

The Graduate Fayetteville

Check it out here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsmvkkH2F44

There’s no doubt Fayetteville is a college town steeped in tradition. Nowhere is this more celebrated than at the town’s own boutique hotel The Graduate. The Graduate may be a little off the beaten path, a few blocks away from shops and restaurants. But what the giant plaid-adorned structure boasts reflects its true personality-its proximity to cheap parking, University of Arkansas campus and its own in-house coffee shop and bar.

Seriously, the coffee shop/bar is located smack dab on the first floor feet away from the front desk. That’s prioritizing your space.  The first floor also has a spacious work area where you can plug in and get to work-not to mention a staggering amount of razorbacks.

The front desk staff are efficient and accommodating, going that extra step to make your trip better. The clerk advised us of a way to save some money by taking advantage of the city’s free parking on weekends. Her wise advice let us park right across from the hotel for free-instead of adding the cost to the bill. I noticed many times when the hotel staff went out of their way to assist a guest-often before being asked. Little things like asking if a guest wanted to order coffee before the rest of their party met in the lobby, offering to call Uber or suggesting the best places to order delivery. These kinds of tips are usually things the traveler has to pick up

The razorbacks are just one design element letting you know what country you are in. If that doesn’t get your attention, just wait. There’s more! The hotel boasts a timeless feel of college life from the overdose of plaid scattered everywhere possible to the found-artwork pieces, license plates, watercolors and charming love notes like little matted and framed time-capsules.

Of course the cozy atmosphere carries over to the rooms where guests find more plaid, razorbacks and all the usual amenities. The floor plan was clean and functional. Guests were adequately spaced and not stacked on top of each other.

But the most unexpected surprise was in the bathroom. Hanging over the toilet was a portrait of Gil Gerard, decked out in his costume as Buck Rogers. I have no idea why he was there, but I must admit it kept my attention. I found myself checking it out every time I was in there and peeking at it a few times just in passing.

Sci-fi fan art included, the room prices were very reasonable. The room quiet and comfortable in spite of the number of guests and the expected frivolity (we stayed over the Halloween weekend) and the staff were very friendly and accommodating. They were terrific.

My takeaway: if you ever find yourself in town, book a stay at the Graduate.

And if you happen to know why Gil Gerard sports a spot over the throne, let me know!

Do you have a hotel or inn you think I should review? Let me know on Facebook, Instagram or shoot me an email at toilandtroublemediagroup@gmail.com