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Category Archives: Hotels

A Visit To The Duke Mansion; A Charlotte, NC Historic Inn & Meeting Place

Picking up the key to our suite!
Picking up the key to our suite!

AMERICAN PRESS TRAVEL NEWS  Charlotte, N.C.-Barb and I always like to experience the fine mom and pop B&B’s, resorts and middle of the road hotels and motels across America. However, sometimes we enjoy visiting the finest upscale, restored hundred year old homes and older. The architecture and landscaping of a different time, and mind-set, be they diminutive, or sprawling (The Duke Mansion is 32,000 Square feet, nearly a full acre of home) of the highly successful business magnates (now gone to bed in history) of the ilk of Guggenheim, Rockefeller, Loews, to name a few, that were able to afford the utmost in real estate and grandiose homes, now turned into guest accommodations. The Duke Mansion is such a place in time and space. With 14- original acres back in 1915 and today, gardens of roses and flora mirroring the past gardens, rooms with soaring ceilings, and huge windows with brass hardware of delightful industrial Revolution, art era design, juxtaposed near today’s comfortable beds and modern bath facilities-and at a price per day and evening, reasonable enough for any special occasion and exclusive visit.

 Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd "B" stands for!

Bed and a terrific Breakfast! Its what the 2nd “B” stands for!

We pulled into the curved driveway with easy parking, stopped for a picture of Mr. Duke’s original shooting fountain (Duke of Duke Power fame, said his Rolls Royce, Daughter Doris and his fountain was what he was most proud of) and were ensconced, thanks to the delightful concierge into a charming room with chocolates on the bed and homemade cookies and beverages just outside our door. After relaxing and looking over the grounds (So much history, so little time!)  We headed for a highly recommended restaurant; Five Church for dinner! What a delightful meal awaited us after the Valet did the parking: Maine Lobster for Barbara, Scallops, and their 60-second New York Strip for us too (we share everything, and compare notes and tastes). Great service by Brian, our wait guy! We tried shrimp flat bread for appetizer and wonderful tomato bisque! Everything was “multi belle.” www.5church.com Entrance at 5th Street and Church St. 704-919-1322.

IMG_5200Duke Mansion is located at 400 Hermitage Road Charlotte, NC 28207 www.dukemansion.com 888-202-1009

Checking out the Duke Mansion
Checking out the Duke Mansion
Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!
Aroma of rose, and Barb was in heaven!
Almost like a fairy tale!
Almost like a fairy tale!

Harbor Place in Port St Lucie, Florida

American Press Travel News-January 15th,—Harbor Place an Independent and Assisted Living Community–“Bob and Barb On the Road Again” visited!

When the folks from Harbor Place made their presentation at our bagel breakfast, Justin Shaun Iscra, their Dining Services Director was introduced. We decided to meet him at Harbor Place for dinner. Iscra has been with Harbor Place for six and half years. He creates 3-meals per day, 7-days per week. Everything prepared is homemade and we had a chance to enjoy a steak and an Asian themed stir-fry. We finished our meal off with very, very good New York Cheese Cake and coffee. The First course of Chicken and rice soup was like momma would make it. The rolls and salads were first rate. As we eat out nearly every day and evening for our columns in www.AmericanPressTravelNews.com, we know good when we find it! Harbor place meals, as we also noticed the other diners were enjoying, were very good!

Harbor Place 3700 SE Jennings Rd
Port Saint Lucie, FL 34952
Phone number (772) 398-1786

The Orchard Inn Best B&B

American Press Travel News–Jan 10th, Barb and I were on the road again!! The Orchard Inn is the best B&B with the best dining opportunities we’ve experienced in over 250-visits to other great B&B’s. 

Thu, Jan 10, 2019 4:29 pm–The Orchard Inn ([email protected])

Did you have leftover vacation days last year? Did you wish you had taken more time to relax and reset? You may not be able to pack up and leave this instant, but you can make your reservations and plan an incredible getaway for the year to come!

Start the New Year off right by reserving one of our stunning suites, charming cottages, or cozy rooms in the Western North Carolina mountains. That way, you can ensure you won’t arrive at the end of the year wishing you had traveled more!

The Perfect Getaway in 2019,,Choose Your Suite ›

Select Your Cottage ›

Book Your Inn Room ›

You Have To…

Discover the Smokies >

Explore the Falls >

Indulge in Seasonal Dishes >

Rejuvenate & Recharge >

We’re Happy to Help!
If you have any questions related to your stay at The Orchard Inn, please give us a call at (828) 749-5471. You may also reach us via email at [email protected].

Cabin Creek Trip to Sulpher Well, KY.

 

Fine meeting place for outdoor cooking events. Very family oriented and fun for all. The old cook shed is festooned with old tools of the past.

American Press Travel News–December 17th,-Richard Hines, guest correspondent–

From 1902 until 1969, Sulphur Well, Kentucky was a famous destination for people wanting to visit the Beula Villa Hotel. The resort was well known for its food and other local amenities including an Artesian well the town was named for. Drilled in 1848, the well has flowed continuously and is still visited by tourists traveling along Kentucky 70. 

Outdoor over wood cooking is what’s it all about!!!

When the hotel closed, the small town of Sulphur Well almost faded away but the community was far from giving up. The South Fork of the Little Barren River runs through the town. A park was established on the bank of the river accenting the old well. The towns old general store is still in operation. Some years back, the Lighthouse Restaurant was opened and has become a destination for many travelers who enjoy the large servings of catfish, chicken and other dishes served country style. It was recently voted the second best non-franchised restaurant in Kentucky.

Our main reason for our overnight trip to this small Kentucky community was the lodging at Cabin Creek. Although we live only a few miles from Cabin Creek, we decided to spend the night and get a feel for the place. Many times, our house is full during family gatherings and other events, so I wanted to be able to recommend other lodging options for our friends. We were very pleased.

Cabin Creek is the perfect setting in this historical town. Long-time resident Dean Rowe started the project 15 years ago when he moved an original 1820s log cabin to the 11.5-acre site next to the River. Rowe said, “we have period correct furnishings, but you will find modern conveniences with electric and running water”.  Everything is hidden away unless you open one of the kitchen cabinets where you will find a coffee maker, microwave, and toaster oven. The old claw foot tub in the bathroom is a nice touch but antique or not I still prefer a hot shower adding to essential items I rank as necessary.

Even with these modern but hidden amenities, you get the feel of living in the early 1800’s with the fireplace or waking up to water flowing through the riffles of the adjacent river.

Smallmouth bass and rock bass or as they are called around this area, “redeyes” are abundant in the river. In addition to the South Fork, there are at least six additional access points for kayaks or anglers who prefer wading for bass and redeyes.

With over 11-acres of land, birders will find a nice mix of birds throughout the spring and summer months with numerous neotropical migrant songbirds. Watch for the orchard oriole, summer tanager, eastern phoebe, or listen to the chattering of one of many resident belted kingfishers flying along the river. 

There is also an early blacksmith shop on the grounds, also constructed of half dovetailed logs and other buildings with antique farm equipment and many items to view and photograph.

Rates for Cabin Creek is $80 for two and $15 for each additional person. The cabin will sleep from five to seven.

For more information contact Dean Rowe at 270-670-8686 or check them out on Facebook at; 

https://www.facebook.com/CabinCreekKentucky c.n