Merry Christmas!
I have a new post, that for some reason, understood only by those people who "improved" Typepad…..any way, who knows why, but my NEW post from Tuesday popped up AFTER this post from Monday night. So, please scroll down if you'd like to see it. And Happy Holidays! May your Christmas be filled with joy and laughter and lots of happy memories to look back on.
We're back from our romantic, surprise getaway! And look at our rustic, cottagey accommodations!
Isn't it adorable??? Actually, this is called Jefferson Pools, it is a hot mineral spring bath house, named after Thomas Jefferson, who used to bathe there. It is part of the resort we stayed at, and I have to say, as lovely as the resort was, I just fell head over heals for this little part of it!
Of course, I didn't realize when the hotel shuttle dropped us off for our one hour dip in the hot springs, that it was going to be quite so… rustic. No heat. No frills. No ROOF. And the day was topping out at about 26 degrees. I'd do it again, it was a fun experience, but I'd do it on a warmer day! And I would bring something warm to wrap up in when I got out of the steamy water. There was actual ice on my sweat pants when I went to get dressed after my dip!!!!!!
This is the resort we stayed at. The Homestead, in Hot Springs, Virginia.
We were lucky enough to have a tower suite.
Of course, with that 26 degree weather, we didn't get to use the balcony, no matter how tempting that beautiful view from it was.
And look— the room was PINK!!!!!!
This little alcove was a cozy , warm, spot to relax and read while sipping wine. I didn't even miss the balcony.
There were lots of old fashioned details that I just loved about the place. I was glad that the bathroom had not been updated to something sleek and trendy. The building was over 200 years old and wasn't trying to pretend to be something it was not.
Everywhere I looked, there was something interesting to see.
With plenty of old photos of the hotel's past on all the walls.
Newspaper clippings and stories about all the presidents who had stayed there.
But the best part was High Tea served in the lobby every day at 3pm while we were serenaded with Christmas music on the piano. Those scones were served warm from the ovens, and the whole hotel smelled heavenly from all the fresh baked goodies.
Imagine my surprise to see so much pink everywhere. The combo of pink cushions, with celedon and aqua walls in this walk way to the spool, spa and gym area was one of my favorite places, too. I guess I had a lot of faves.
The walkway offered a view of the backside of the building, through its old, wavy glass windows.
The swimming pool was filled with natural mineral spring water too. In a slightly more luxurious form than at Jefferson Pools.
Yep, it was kind of schmancy there. Can you see why I was blown away?
She seems to like it there too.
Here is part of the grand lobby where the tea was served. This photo was taken before the party, but by about 2:30 each afternoon, the room would fill up with dozens and dozens of families and couples ready to relax and sip tea. Teams of waitresses and waiters with tray after tray of teapots and treats would file through the room going form table to table passing it all out. I'd go back just for afternoon tea. My husband wasn't as impressed as I was by this, but humored me and sat and sipped along.
He's pretty sweet.
But the poor guy never did get to make it out onto the golf courses. And this place has the oldest first tee still in constant use in the country.
Did I mention the food????? OMG
The BEST. Every bite I ate while there, and I did have more than my share of bites of food, was wonderful. It seemed kind of old fashioned and the menus reminded me of something you would have seen in the 50s or 60s, not in a typical restaurant today. I liked that, and the fact that the building wasn't afraid to show its age. That place had a history to be proud of and didn't feel like everything had to be brand new and shiny. As a person feeling my own age and history, I appreciated its imperfections brought on by age and its time worn loveliness.
In a time when local shopping centers and malls are constantly being abandoned for bigger, better, newer, shinier places, it is wonderful to see a business that has thrived since 1766 and is still going strong. As much as the luxury and beauty of the resort appealed to me, the historical aspect was even more interesting.
Oh, but I did enjoy the luxury!
“As a person feeling my own age and history, I appreciated its imperfections brought on by age and its time worn loveliness.”
Now THAT, is a sentiment I can truly appreciate, since I just turned 57 on the 21st.
That place is a stinkin woman’s paradise. How very sweet of your hubby to take you there. He must really love you. He’s definitely a keeper.
~elaine~
died and gone to heaven! Rachaelxo
I could be happy here! Sigh, what a wonderful place. So Karla, so well chosen by your husband! I love historic buildings too! Your tour is amazing, I’m changing the Christmas menu; there definitely has to be a high tea. Too bad there isn’t anybody here to serve it!
Have a merry week!
What a lovely romantic getaway.
wow! what a gorgeous place. looks like you had a great time!
Merry Christmas!
vivian
How wonderful, I love old buildings. I’ll have to take you to French Lick, Indiana next time you are home, you’d love it too, it is also old, beautiful and full of history.
Oh my gosh its gorgeous- did Rich ask for a pink suite or was that just good luck? I love places like that with such a sense of history.
Your pictures capture it beautifully! What a lovely getaway.
Dawn
What a beautiful, generous and loving gift from your husband! Romantic get aways are a must to keep relationships romantic:>)
Wow, Karla! This place looks so wonderful and relaxing! What a nice getaway!
What a great time to be away from Lawrence. We just came back from the KU Law school graduation. It was 0 yesterday morning.. looks like you had a great time stay warm…
aaahhh, i feel relaxed!!
Hey sweets,
Merry Christmas!!
oxoxo,
jessi
What a lucky lady you are! I’ve been to the pools – in warmer weather – and ‘through’ Hot Springs and seen the lovely hotel. But to stay there, well, that would be incredible! Have a merry Christmas! Becky G.
Hi Karla:)
What an incredible trip. What an incredible hotel. I would absolutely love the history of a place like that. Wow. Virginia is the most amazing state. You guys must go back when the weather is warmer. It would be so cool to play that golf course.
These photos are heavenly – thank you for sharing them with us and taking us with you. Now I want to go…
Oh wow! How gorgeous. It makes you think of days gone by. How nice to see that some places still do things the old fashioned way. Merry Christmas to you!
Karla
Incredible! That place is over the top! I agree 100%- so happy they have not ripped it apart and put modern decor in there. I think my favorite picture is the last one of all the lounge chairs! That place is Heaven on Earth!
That is absolutely gorgeous! What a fun getaway! I love all the history behind everything too. How romantic! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
So you didn’t come to Australia, I was expecting you! hehehe!
Love that gorgeous beautiful historic building and that they keep the history of the place going!
have a lovely Christmas and say hi to everyone,
Natasha xo
Gorgeous! I love history, too! And I love to sit and stare at architecture! They just don’t spend the time to make buildings lovely anymore! Glad you had a good time! Merry Christmas!
Oh, it is beautiful! It looks like a place where they would film a movie or something! It looks very romantic.
Oh my! What a fancy and luxurious place! I love the decor and would love to have “high tea” there some day. sigh.
Oh, Karla, what a fabulous time! I want to hop over there right now! (But I’ll skip the dip!) I think the soaps and shampoos are the best, thought that pool is to die for and the food sounds unbelievable. I would love to enjoy high tea in a spot like that! Oh, my!
Well, that’s a grand and glorious surprise and what kudos your husband deserves for that!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Hi Karla
This place looks amazing….I love hot springs! They are so relaxing and they just drain you so all you want to do is lay around and nap! We have one of these places just a half hour from us – http://www.harrisonresort.com – we go there every year for our Thanksgiving in October – it is just wonderful.
I’m glad you had a great time and are well rested for the inevitable to come – Christmas!
Merry Christmas to you and your family and your dorkies!
Rochelle
Wow! Your husband is a keeper! It all sounded wonderful, especially the high tea. I love tea and all the trappings.
Merry Christmas!
Lorna
Just Beautiful Karla, thank you for sharing your surprise visit with me. I love pink too. I did like the white cottage, so rustic looking.
Merry Christmas Karla
Hugs, Janice
It is so lovely and the pink is pretty! They must have known that you would grace it’s presence. A couple of fairies painted on the wall and it would be perfect. You didn’t add a mural did you? They would have begged you, had they known! Have a beautiful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for sharing your talents to us bloggers.
This seems like the ultimate romantic get-away, the spa, the afternoon tea. Sounds wonderful. Glad you had a good time.
What a fun getaway! Can your husband talk to mine? We need to do fun stuff like that!! Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!
Karla, Glad you’re back. The Homestead is about 1hour and a half or so from my home dear old Roanoke. We used to go camping over that way when the kids were small. Its an impressive, beautiful old place. Its a pretty well known Virginia resort. I’ve never been inside so I enjoyed your photos. A wonderful surprise getaway for you.Merry Christmas to you.
Jean in Virginia
What a magnificent building – both inside and out….. I think your lovely hubby spoils you. Sounds like you both had a wonderful and relaxing time.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Hubbie did good….lots of brownie points! I am so glad you enjoyed yourselves, it looks like a wonderful place!
Merry Christmas!
xoxo, Tiffany
If you go to French Lick go visit West Baden Indiana, they are both wonderful.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Michelle
Welcome back and thanks for the great shots! Looks like it was made just for you! Happy holidays to you and your family, xoc
This is just to fab and i want to go there.Merry Christmas Marie Antionette
Oh my, between the history, the high tea ritual, & the sipping, I’d be in heaven!
The kids & I used to go to Glenwood Springs in Colorado often. Cait called it “the stinky pool place!” I found it so relaxing.
thanks so much for sharing with us.. what a beautiful place.. i love the vintage look and im sure the feeling inside was comfy and wonderful.. i hope you had a relaxing time.. you and yours have a wonderful holiday… big ladybug hugs
OH KARLA!! I am in LOVE with this place! It is all so beautiful!! Your so lucky! Your husband rocks! I would love to have High Tea there!!!! One of my favorite things to do! The building is beautiful! I love your suite! The bath looks so nice too!!
Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Amy
Wow, what a terrific surprise get away for you! Your husband picked a perfect place and must be an extra special kind of guy. Course he has to be since he is married to you! I hope you and your family have the Merriest Christmas ever. Stay warm and dry.
What a fabulous place!
Merry Christmas
Victoria x
Karla, What a beautiful place.
Merry Christmas to you and your family
Hugs Karen
Merry Christmas, Karla. Thank you for all the inspiration you share all through the year. Blessings to you and your family. Enjoy your beautiful get-away.
~Lallee
OHMYDOG!! hubby IS VERY Sweet indeed!! this place totally reminds me of that movie “somewhere in time”… my all time favorite by the way!! and how wonderful that he knows you so well to take you to this vintage place (w/pink everywhere!). that is soooo sweet!!! so what’d you get him?? wink!! Merry Christmas Lovely Lady!!
It looks wonderful, and I am so glad to read how much you liked it. We’ve have discussed going there, and I do believe you have convinced me.
Happy Holidays.
What a beautiful place!!! Thank you so much for posting this. I love the historic world…thank you thank you.
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