Hotel Yesterday, Hotel Tomorrow, But . . .
We've been hearing a lot about hotels in Hudson these days. Marina Abramovic needs them to realize her vision for Hudson. The proprietors of The Croff House have gotten the go-ahead to turn 542 Warren Street into a sixteen-room hotel. Bill Hughes let it slip recently that the Department of Social Services is putting up homeless people in the city's only existing hotel, the St. Charles on Park Place, across from the Public Square.
Meanwhile, a reader sent me this little item from the Columbia Republican for October 31, 1843, about the Hudson House, which my source informs me was the name in 1843 of the hotel that would eventually become known as the General Worth Hotel.
We take pleasure in referring the reader to the advertisement of our old friend Boutwell, of the Hudson House. On his part, there is never a want of that indefatigability which is so highly prized by the weary traveler, or the long sojourner in a public house. Mr. Boutwell makes his hotel a home, in fact, to all who visit him; and even the most fastidious cannot fail to be pleased with the elegance and well-ordered state of his house. To travelers--transient or permanent sojourners in the city, we recommend, with confidence, the Hudson House.
He's dead right. A hotel should be like a comfortable home, and this is what the many B & B's in Hudson are providing. Too bad the St. Charles Hotel doesn't get it. Hudson is booming, pleasant hotel rooms are in very short supply, B & B's and weekly apartment rentals are springing
ReplyDeleteup. Just listen to what the Cowboy Junkies had to say at Helsinki the other night.... not complimentary to our only Hotel in town, but praising the soft pillows and ambiance of our B & B's
It would be great if Hudson had something like the American Hotel in Sag Harbor (at least the way the A.H. was in the mid-90s, the last time I was there for dinner). Small but tasteful rooms, with a bar/restaurant/lounge downstairs with porches.
ReplyDelete--S.
Let's seperate the B&B's from the Hotel/Motel status for my comment.
ReplyDeleteIn the late 1970's & early "80's The St.Charles offered visitors a quality place to stay, dining & a tap room. You may want to stop in at the Cascades & speak w/ the owner for the details.
Ray Charles singer/songwriter/artist was guest in mid 1980's.
I would like to ask your readers if anyone knows what became of the "missing" wall murals & the artist's name, that graced the tap room & banquet hall of The St.Charles.
Please note that Hudson has another Motel/Hotel, The Warren Inn that I believe is for sale & ready for a makeover to offer visitors a place to lay one's head, tap room & dining.
So the structures are there in two locations but await the investment by ? to offer the services that Hudson's visitors seek.
The great news is that a new Hotel will be located within the 500 block.
Maybe it will be the start for Hudson Hotels on a quality level equal to that of the antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, etc. that have become a benchmark for a small upstate City.
The St. Charles had a good restaurant and popular bar through the time when Bob Lucke of Cascades was managing it in the 80's, but when the Hotel was sold by Peter Rost to the present owners the downward trend started, the bar and restaurant were closed and the appearance downgraded to what it is today, no window boxes or urns maintained and it's awnings tattered.
ReplyDeleteAsk the owner prior to Peter Rost, Gabe Arcuri, what happened to the murals. Peter Rost had copies made from old photographs of the smaller paintings but replaced the large painting over the bar with a mirror. The Warren Inn was a fine establishment when it opened in the 1950's and it's Hawaian Lounge was quite renowned for local dinners and events. Rumours swirling about its sale have come to naught, but certainly both Hotels are ripe for the proper investor, (and I stress 'proper', I wouldnt want to see it 'galvanized').
The murals exist. I have seen them. The gentleman took them out years ago with hopes of getting rich off them. They are stacked in his house with one hanging. I believe I discovered them through Richard Koweek.
ReplyDelete