GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, Mont. — The website used words like “rustic” and “old-world style accommodations” for the lodge, but somehow I read that as “charming” and “romantic.”
When I arrived at the Lake McDonald Lodge, I was disappointed to find the $179 room minuscule, the walls paper-thin, and, to my tastes, the bathroom tacky and the overall feel dingy.
But it was my own fault. When it comes to staying at historic inns, there is a cardinal rule: Do your homework.
The only characteristic that historic inns share is that they are old. Some have taken steps to appeal to modern travelers; perhaps they have had extensive renovations, enlarged the rooms, upgraded the bathrooms, added insulation, modernized the plumbing and electric, put in an elevator or improved safety features. Other historic lodges target purists. These inns have remaining virtually unchanged for 100 years or more, counting on their history or location to attract guests.
Reading the fine print — and not romanticizing what it says — is one way to ensure you enjoy your stay at an historic inn.
But to get the inside scoop, I asked Keith Stephens, whose company runs the Mimslyn Inn in Luray, Va. The 82-year-old inn was closed for a year in 2007 while it underwent a $3.5 million renovation.
Before booking a historic inn, Stephens recommends doing a little research.
—Check online reviews. But if you’re looking at TripAdvisor, remember that the star ratings are based on the lodging’s popularity, not the level of luxury.
—If the property claims to be renovated, ask what was done.
—Make sure you are clear on the terms used on the websites and in brochures. For instance, a “European-style hotel” often means one with a shared bath down the hall.
—Do the rooms have individual climate controls?
—Do the guest room doors have an electronic lock or a key? Keys can be duplicated for illegal re-entry, but electronic locks — while not fool-proof — are re-coded between guests.
—Does the building have a sprinkler system or other fire protection?
—Even within an inn, guest rooms differ, so ask for specifics about the room, and bathroom, you’ve reserved.
—If you’ll need a cot for an extra guest, confirm it will fit in the room.
—What is the view like? Does the air conditioning unit obstruct it?
—How close is the guest room to the lobby and restaurants where noise might be an issue? On the other hand, getting a room on a top floor, away from common space, means climbing stairs if there’s no elevator.
—If cable TV, Wi-Fi, coffee makers, hair dryers or cell phone service are important to you, confirm their availability.
—Don’t assume the hotel has 24-hour dining options.
“Historic hotels that have maintained their historic character often don’t have the benefit and the ability to add everything that you can add in a modern hotel,” Stephens said.
Still, historic inns are often pricey, so many guests come with certain expectations, said Cassell.
“You can put all the information you want out there but people will hear what they want to hear,” she said.
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