I am a self-proclaimed "lobbyist." To me, hotel lobbies are some of the best communicators of history, drama, glamour, fairy tales and alternative lifestyles that a person can discover. As a child I loved having my grandmother read me the latest the tales of Eloise at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Then actually going to the Plaza and seeing her life sized portrait in the lobby caused a little girlish giggle. I was mesmerized by the stories of murder and intrigue at the Del Coronado in San Diego and learning that was the spot where the Wizard of Oz was penned, and where Edward, Prince of Wales first met his future lover Wallace Smith, the women who would cause the abdication of the King of England. I was even barred from entering the Ritz in Paris due to improper attire. It seems my jeans were not appropriate for tea at the Ritz.
Having reopened as a grand dame hotel last May, West Baden's towering, circular lobby is bathed with natural light and shadows from the sun gleaming in through the glass dome ceiling. The entire property has gone through a total metamorphosis. The gardens are once again filled with flowers. The sounds of water fountains have returned. All is well in French Lick and West Baden, Indiana. But take time to see and discover it for yourself.
But I truly believe the lobby of the West Baden Springs Hotel in southern Indiana is the most
spectacular lobby I have ever experienced. It's towering, cylindrical shapeand domed ceiling are a testament to 19th century engineering. Before Houston had its Astrodome, the hotel had the largest dome in the world. As so many of those magnificent resorts of the early 1900s, it fell to ruin and barely survived its multiple reincarnations.
spectacular lobby I have ever experienced. It's towering, cylindrical shapeand domed ceiling are a testament to 19th century engineering. Before Houston had its Astrodome, the hotel had the largest dome in the world. As so many of those magnificent resorts of the early 1900s, it fell to ruin and barely survived its multiple reincarnations. 
Having reopened as a grand dame hotel last May, West Baden's towering, circular lobby is bathed with natural light and shadows from the sun gleaming in through the glass dome ceiling. The entire property has gone through a total metamorphosis. The gardens are once again filled with flowers. The sounds of water fountains have returned. All is well in French Lick and West Baden, Indiana. But take time to see and discover it for yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment