Hotel Provincial's Rich History in New Orleans, Louisiana; The Mulberry Inn Helps Make Savannah, Georgia a Must-See Tourist Destination; Veterans Welcome at The Inn Above Onion Creek in Kyle, Texas; Heathman Hotel Offers Luxury Accommodations, Tax Free in Portland, Oregon; A Missionary's Work is Never Done: Africa Connect of Lee, Massachusetts; Ghosts as Guests at Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado; A Halloween Joke with Malachy McCourt.
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Topics Include:
Bryan Dupepe, General Manager, Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
www.hotelprovincial.com
Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams transports listeners to the Big Easy as she speaks with Bryan Dupepe, General Manager of Hotel Provincial in New Orleans, Louisiana, about his property. As property overseer for two decades, Bryan helps keep the hotel in the family. His grandfather founded it fifty years ago while Bryan's first job was as a twelve year old employee in the gift shop. Throughout the years, he has worked in several other positions at Hotel Provincial, all of which served as excellent preparation for his current role. According to Bryan, one of the hotel's strongest attributes is the long tenure of its staff, many of whom have become familiar faces to returning guests over the years. "It's a big team effort here," he says.
Located in the French Quarter, Hotel Provincial sits among residential properties, which Bryan believes is "a tremendous selling point" because it is close to everything while "a little bit off of the beaten path where you can get a good night's sleep." Jackson Square, the French Market, the Mississippi River and Bourbon Street are all within a couple of blocks, so guests will find top attractions quite accessible. Stephanie notes that this is the part of New Orleans that the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 affected. In fact, Bryan points out, Hotel Provincial re-opened within a couple of months of the terrible storm. "We're the sliver by the river," he says, talking about the small part of the city that avoided significant flooding.
Hotel Provincial is comprised of ninety two rooms in four buildings, all of which feature antique reproductions. The original hotel building, which was formerly the old French Market Ice House, only housed forty five rooms, but Bryan's grandparents expanded the hotel over the years by acquiring various historic, renovated buildings that date back to the late nineteenth century. All of the buildings are located on the same block with a shared parking lot in the middle of the block. While guests will see that each building has its own patio, the views they may enjoy vary by room. Some overlook either the Mississippi or the Ursuline Convent, which is the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. Others feature balconies. As Bryan makes clear, "We are not your cookie-cutter type of hotel at all."
Further adding to Hotel Provincial's uniqueness is its reputation for otherworldly visitors, namely ghosts. Although Bryan previously resisted discussing these kinds of stories with guests in efforts to avoid the reputation of "the ghost hotel," travelers' ardent interest in the topic over the past several years has led him not to shy away from the subject anymore. He adds, "We're considered one of the more haunted hotels, not only in the city, but I think in the country." One commonly heard sighting is that of a Civil War hospital filled with screams and hollers that elevator passengers have seen when doors open, which Bryan says is one of the scarier experiences. In contrast to this frightful scene, hotel guests have also seen a woman in a white dress assisting housekeeping staff, although the maids say they worked alone when asked who helped them.
Stephanie asks Bryan to share what makes Hotel Provincial's Restaurant Stella stand out from the crowd, particularly when hotel restaurants can often be money pits. Bryan explains that Chef Scott Boswell, who has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation and named "Best Chef" in the city by New Orleans Magazine, does a "fabulous job" of operating the fine dining establishment. Hotel Provincial will also open a bar next to its lobby called the Ice House Bar in one week. While events like Mardi Gras, the Essence Music Festival and the Sugar Bowl are major tourist draws, he encourages the "Travel with Stephanie Abrams!" audience to also check out special rates beginning at just eighty-nine dollars per night during the summer as well as low prices during the winter holidays. Coupled with moderate December temperatures, prix-fixe menus at area eateries make the end of the year a great to both see and taste New Orleans culture.
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For more information visit www.hotelprovincial.com
Kelly Linder, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Mulberry Inn, Savannah, Georgia, USA.
www.savannahlodging.com
Kelly Linder, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Mulberry Inn in Savannah, Georgia, joins Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams to chat about this property, which is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. As part of the InterContinental Hotels Group, which includes brands like Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza, Kelly points out that The Mulberry Inn offers guests a different experience than they might expect when they think of a Holiday Inn.
Originally constructed in the early 1800s, the property was a livery stable before housing the nation's second Coca-Cola facility until the mid-twentieth century. Foreclosure led to the building's auction, at which time the current owners purchased and renovated it. While guests can be certain that they will enjoy all of the perks of InterContinental Hotels Group's Priority Club membership such as free parking, The Mulberry Inn makes their stay even more special because of its rich history. Kelly says, "Most people are very, very surprised when they find out that it is a Holiday Inn. When staying at the Mulberry Inn, there is the sense that you’re staying in a piece of history."
In addition to what she describes as ornate trim throughout the lobby and a beautiful courtyard that transports guests to another era, Kelly chats about something else that makes the hotel unique, i.e., what Stephanie calls its "ghosties and ghoulies." Travelers have reported encountering otherworldly beings in corridors and guest rooms, typically dressed in clothing reminiscent of the 1800s. While some simply appear as Civil War soldiers, others engage in more mischievous behavior like piling pillows on beds or moving television remotes from one room to another. Some guests have also reported the strange sensation of another presence in the room with them.
Given The Mulberry Inn's Southern roots, the property hosts a Sunday Gospel Brunch once per month to showcase the choirs and performers in the city. "It has an amazing impact on people," Kelly says, "especially people who have not experienced Southern gospel music personally." Stephanie requests that Kelly highlight upcoming activities that would be of interest to listeners, especially those looking to take a trip during the off peak months of January and February. Kelly says The Mulberry Inn offers a mid-week special for just eighty-nine dollars per night during the week and one hundred nine dollars on weekends.
Conde Naste Traveler magazine recently named Savannah, Georgia among its top ten destinations in America. Those looking to explore the city can enjoy the property's "Wine Down Time," held for two hours in the evening which affords the opportunity to enjoy wine and piano music in the hotel's historic lobby while chatting with the concierge about area attractions. These include wonderful dining options such as The Olde Pink House and Garibaldi's Cafe, both of which are within walking distance. In addition, people are now discovering Savannah's rich Civil War legacy, particularly as this year marks the one hundred fifty year anniversary of the battle. Moderate year round temperatures make it easy to participate on walking tours, including both those that highlight the country's history and focus on ghosts.
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Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
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For more information visit www.savannahlodging.com
Fun Facts:
Want to cook like a chef? The James Beard Foundation website offers recipes that anyone can try at home to cook (and bake) like the best of them!
Bottoms up! Savannah is one of the few cities in the U.S. that allows people to take a cocktail wherever they go in the historic district, even on a walking tour! Travelers may be pleased to learn that they can take their libations with them as long as they are contained in a travel cup.
Guests Include:
Bryan Dupepe, General Manager, Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
www.hotelprovincial.com
Kelly Linder, Director, Sales and Marketing, The Mulberry Inn, Savannah, Georgia, USA.
www.savannahlodging.com
Topics Include:
Amy Dolan, Innkeeper, The Inn Above Onion Creek, Kyle, Texas, USA.
www.theinnaboveonioncreek.com
Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams welcomes Amy Dolan, Innkeeper of The Inn Above Onion Creek, to the "Travel with Stephanie Abrams!" Radio Show to share the history, setting and philanthropic activities of the property with listeners. Located about twenty five miles outside of Austin, Texas in Kyle, The Inn Above Onion Creek calls the one hundred twenty five year old railroad town, from which cattle made their way across the country, home. To maintain with the architecture of that period, owners John and Janie Orr collaborated with Emily Little, a local architect, to bring their dream to life while preserving the integrity of the building.
Kelly compares The Inn's structure to that of another nearby property, the Claiborne Kyle Log House on the Blanco River. Both feature a dog trot through the middle with a living room and kitchen on either side so the living area of the home will be preserved even if there is a kitchen fire. Located about six miles from Texas hill country, the Inn's one dozen rooms include a couple of cottages and nine rooms in the main building, which also houses the dining room, library, meeting space and large kitchen. Although the property is in close proximity to the state capitol, Stephanie wonders if there are other places of interest that travelers may wish to visit if they opt not to make the trek to Austin. Wimberley, Texas is not far from The Inn, Kelly says, and features antique shops. Area wineries also satisfy oenophiles while Olive Grove offers olive oil tastings. The olives are grown locally at the Bella Vista Ranch, which is about ten miles from The Inn, the same distance as what Kelly calls the "world famous" Salt Lick Barbecue.
The Inn Above Onion Creek is also committed to goodwill, supporting the nation's veterans in cooperation with other inns nationwide. The brainchild of innkeepers in West Virginia, several inns across the country participate in an effort to donate stays to returning military. The popularity of the initiative means requests are placed on a waiting list at The Inn and ultimately entered into a lottery. The Inn intends to make this a hallmark activity. "It's such a wonderful way to thank those who do so much for us," Kelly expresses. "When they serve for us, they're away from their families, all of those things. They're the ones who let us stay at home and be comfortable in our everyday lives."
Kelly says The Inn goes to great efforts to ensure the comfort of veterans, serving them a great dinner before they retire for what the staff hope will be the "best night of sleep they've had in a while." This reminds Stephanie of a film she saw several years ago at the Tribeca Film Festival called "When I Came Home," which chronicled the experiences of veteran suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome who struggled to get the medical care he needed. She adds, "Whenever anybody can do anything that reaches out and says, 'Thank you. You're really special. How can I help you? What can I do?' I say, 'Bravo!' to all of you. I think you're just grand."
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For more information visit www.theinnaboveonioncreek.com
Chris Erickson, General Manager, Heathman Hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA.
www.heathmanportland.com
Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams is pleased to introduce Chris Erickson, General Manager of Heathman Hotel in Portland, Oregon, to her audience this hour to chat about this boutique property. Located in downtown Portland, Chris emphasizes the Heathman's uniqueness. With features such as an on-site audio art tour and a library filled with three thousand first edition, autographed books, "Our hotel is not cookie cutter by any stretch of the imagination," he says. He describes the one hundred fifty room property as a luxury, high end hotel that, while intimate, can certainly host small weddings and board meetings. In fact, its board room space showcases an Andy Warhol lithograph called "The Rhinoceros."
Stephanie inquires what the city has to offer travelers. According to Chris, "Portland is authentic. People come here to feel an experience and really get immersed into the Portland culture." Part of this culture is bookstores. Its Powell's Books is the world's largest independent bookstore and features what Chris calls an "enormous" travel section. In addition, the hotel's downtown address means shopping is nearby, and zero sales tax draws people looking to get as big a bang as they can for their buck. Regardless to what individuals purchase, they can be assured that the price tag is indeed all that they will pay.
In keeping with her talks about the paranormal as Halloween approaches, Stephanie asks Chris if the Heathman has experienced anything out of the ordinary that might speak to ghosts and goblins. One legend, he says, is that of a guest who checked in several decades ago, but supposedly never checked out. Many speculate that the guest committed suicide while others have suggested that the guest either fell or was helped to his untimely departure by someone else.
A few years ago, the International Paranormal Reporting Group also visited this member of the Historic Hotels of America, which has operated for eighty five years. Although the organization did not classify the Heathman as haunted, it did point out several unexplained activities that occurred over its five hour investigation. For example, the group detected unusually significant yet unexpected vibrations in one of the meeting rooms by using a vibration sensor. The organization also recorded audio of unusual whisperings.
Undoubtedly, ghost hunting can work up an appetite, and Stephanie recalls that Chris previously described Portland as a "foodie's delight." He says the city is a "hotbed of sustainable cooking." The Heathman's Chef Philippe Boulot hails from Normandy, France and is a 2001 James Beard Foundation winner. His honor complements that recently bestowed on the hotel by Conde Nast, which named the Heathman one of the top two hundred hotels in the U.S.
Chris encourages individuals looking to experiecne this one of a kind property for themselves to take advantage of special rates, including one now for only one hundred thirty five dollars per night. The Heathman will also launch a "Snuggle Up" package this winter, which will include drinking chocolate, a complimentary movie and continental breakfast for two along with valet parking and newspaper delivery.
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Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
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For more information visit www.heathmanportland.com
Fun Facts:
Know a veteran who has served the country? Click here for details about the special program for veterans, which includes overnight lodging, dinner and breakfast at inns across the nation.
Guests Include:
Amy Dolan, Innkeeper, The Inn Above Onion Creek, Kyle, Texas, USA.
www.theinnaboveonioncreek.com
Chris Erickson, General, Manager, Heathman Hotel, Portland, Oregon, USA.
www.heathmanportland.com
Topics Include:
LuAnn Herring, Africa Connect, Lee, Massachusetts, USA.
www.africaconnect.org
Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams sits down with LuAnn Herring of Africa Connect in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to discuss LuAnn's missionary work in Kenya. She and her husband, Bob, founded the organization with a focus on the impoverished village of Tuwani to provide educational opportunities for children and adults. The couple typically spends the first four months of the year in Tuwani, which is home to seventy five to one hundred thousand people. Not unlike urban cities in the U.S., the village is plagued by social ills such as prostitution and drug abuse with the latter attributable to an illegal, poisonous drink that is locally brewed.
When LuAnn and her husband first began their mission, they were warned not to travel into the village because of the impending danger they faced, particularly as white Americans. Nevertheless, they believed God had called them to this work. "He has a heart for the poor and so He's going to protect us if He wants us to do it," she explains. Although they were once subjected to insults as people yelled at them for being rich, white people, they now travel freely throughout the streets and are affectionately known as "Bobba Bob" and "Mama LuAnn." Stephanie says that while LuAnn and Bob may be white, they certainly are not rich monetarily, but LuAnn points out that "rich" is relative since she and her husband are very wealthy compared to the destitution in which these people live.
Don Roach, Pastor of Calvary Chapel of the Berkshires, now joins the conversation. "You finally got off your duff and went over there to see how you could help," Stephanie tells him. Don talks about his long term desire to join the couple's work and his opportunity to do so once he secured the necessary finances. LuAnn adds that a three week trip costs approximately twenty five hundred dollars. The missionaries stay at what she describes as a cozy Kenyan lodge, but she makes clear it is not luxury accommodations like a Ritz Carlton hotel. They travel by either bicycle, called a boda boda, or by taxi, called a piki piki. The slums where they work are some distance from where they sleep.
Stephanie wonders about travel medicine. "How many kinds of inoculations do you need to get before you do this?" she asks. LuAnn says they must be inoculated for Typhoid fever, malaria, Hepatitis A and B and rabies. She will make her eighth trip in January 2012 and Don and two of his children will join her in February. They have launched a Bible college in the area and will also travel to Uganda while on the continent. The missionaries' dedication and faithfulness have paid off; the students are winning awards in competitions against the country's top performing schools. In addition, a medical team supports the villagers' health and well-being by providing free clinics while LuAnn's son-in-law has taught carpentry basics and Africa Connect has instructed them in agricultural techniques. Furthermore, the organization has established a tailoring school so people can develop a trade. As LuAnn puts it, "Our vision is for community transformation; to transform the whole slum. In order to do that, you have to have your hands in everything."
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Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
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For more information visit www.africaconnect.org
Callea Sherrill, Resident Paranormal Investigator, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
www.stanleyhotel.com
Callea Sherrill, Resident Paranormal Investigator at Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, joins Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams to talk about her work and out of the ordinary occurrences at The Centennial State property. Given that the hotel's high level of paranormal activity continuously piques guests' interest, management believed it would be a good idea to include an expert in the field on the staff. Callea has been with the Stanley for three years, but has worked in the field twice as long, acting as a consultant across the county. Her investigations have included famously haunted properties such as Waverly Hills Sanitarium in Louisville, Kentucky, St. Augustine Lighthouse in St. Augustine, Florida and Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana.
Callea grew up in a home with paranormal activity and became increasingly interested in the field when watching the television show, "Ghost Hunters." She was fascinated by the Stanley's history when she visited it and eventually joined its staff. "What is it about the Stanley that is uniquely ghostly?" Stephanie inquires. Callea says its haunting activity is intrinsically linked to its one hundred year history. Just recently, an engineer who stayed at the hotel and participated in one of its Ghosts & History Tours was admittedly skeptical about the idea of ghost hauntings. His opinion changed when he was awakened one night in his room by the transparent figure of a woman with black hair piled atop her head. He apologized to the guide for ever doubting and said the event caused him to reconsider his beliefs about the paranormal.
Moreover, Callea herself has witnessed haunting activity at the Stanley. She had just turned in for the night when she heard heavy footsteps in hall outside her door. Assuming it was one of her friends, she waited for a knock at the door, but never heard one. She was about to get out of bed to investigate when she felt the bed shake and sensed someone sitting next to her. She thought perhaps her friend who was sharing the bed had slept through the incident, but the next morning she told Callea that if she did not tell her who had sat on their bed, then she would have to ask.
Even without these happenings, however, she believes people would still be drawn to the property because of its beauty. It is located about ninety minutes northwest of Denver, forty five minutes from Boulder and one hour from Fort Collins. Stephanie wonders if any of the extraordinary happenings have been either recorded or photographed for archival purposes. While they have not, the hotel does display guests' pictures on a television outside of the tour office where it schedules its ghost tours.
Before she concludes, Callea shares one more story certain to be of interest to horror novel lovers. Room 217 at Stanley Hotel is known as the Stephen King Suite because the author stayed there in 1973. At the time, he was a writing professor at University of Colorado Boulder. Although he was suffering from a bit of writer's block after having just completed his first two novels, one night at the Stanley inspired him to go home and to write the outline for his next work. And just what was that masterpiece? The Shining!
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For more information visit www.stanleyhotel.com
Malachy McCourt, Author, Actor, Humorist, NYC, New York, USA.
www.malachymccourt.com
Author, Actor and Humorist Malachy McCourt closes today's show by sharing a Halloween joke with Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams and her listeners. He first heard this funny when in Roundstone in County Galway, Ireland.
A man is driving between the towns of Roundstone and Clifden along a long, long road surrounded by Ice Age rocks and desolate nothingness other than an occasional odd weed here and there. As he drives on this very still, dark, quiet night with no stars or moon to light the heavens, his engine suddenly dies. Despite his best efforts, the car will not start, so being a mechanic, he decides to look under the hood to determine the problem (although looking at an engine when one does not know why a car has stopped probably will not do any good!).
Unable to figure out the problem, he leaves the hood ajar and begins the solitary journey towards Clifden. After walking about half a mile, he hears a noise. Behind him is an approaching car, traveling very slowly with no lights. Suddenly, the passenger door swings open and he thinks, "I'll get in." He gets in, but sees there is no one inside. He has already slammed the door shut, and now it will not open no matter how hard he tries. He sits there, paralyzed with fear until finally, after a long time, the vehicle pulls in front of a pub in Clifden. He finally manages to escape and runs into the pub, asking the bartender to give him a double whiskey.
Just then, two men wearing bright traffic gear come into the pub. After they sit down, they notice the man who arrived just before they entered. They look at him and say, "There's that bloody idiot who jumped in the car we were pushing!"
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Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
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For more information visit www.malachymccourt.com
Fun Facts:
Stanley Steam Car inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley constructed the Stanley Hotel in the early 1900s after relocating to Colorado for health reasons.
Although initially subject to mixed reviews, the movie adaptation of The Shining starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall is now considered a horror classic.
Guests Include:
LuAnn Herring, Africa Connect, Lee, Massachusetts, USA.
www.africaconnect.org
Callea Sherrill, Resident Paranormal Investigator, Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
www.stanleyhotel.com
Malachy McCourt, Author, Actor, Humorist, NYC, New York, USA.
www.malachymccourt.com
