The Hotel Roanoke

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A Few of My Loves at My Favorite Inns

As 2012 draws to a close, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my travels this year and give you the lowdown on what I really loved at each property I visited.  I had a fabulous time featuring so many different hotels on the Hines-Sight Blog and Skimbaco Lifestyle.  All these hotels are so different that there is no way to compare the properties and say that one was the absolute best.

Each hotel I visited this year was unique, and each property has its own special story to tell. I loved something about every visit.  Some hotels are better suited for romantic getaways, and others are perfect for families. The six properties I visited this year all have different price points, and the experience at each one was vastly different.  What stood out at each property?  Here are some of my loves from my “Pack Your Bags” features.

The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, Charlotte, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/02/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to.html

I loved the Southern, elegant décor with verandas overlooking a championship golf course and resort pool. The rooms had the same traditional lux feel.
I loved the Spa experience. It is a gorgeous facility and ranks as an all-time best experience.
I loved the coconut cake in the Gallery Restaurant, and it was probably the best I’ve had anywhere in a long time.
I loved the original artwork throughout the hotel.

The Mast Farm Inn, Valle Crucis, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/05/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to-the-mast.html



I loved the décor in our cabin. I felt as if I was staying in a place that could grace the cover of a magazine.
I loved the coffee served in our cabin. It’s some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. It also was a plus that I could drink it on the porch overlooking the mountains.
I loved that it had little extras like children’s books and games in the cabin.
I loved the Southern cheese grits the next morning.

The King’s Daughters Inn, Durham, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/08/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to-kings.html


I loved that it felt as if I was staying in a private mansion.
I loved the individual and outstanding décor of every room.
I loved the chocolate chip waffles, scones, and other delicious goodies at breakfast.
I loved the black towel in the bathroom that said “make-up.” It’s brilliant.
  
The Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/11/the-beautiful-hotel-roanoke-in-roanoke.html

I loved the grand Tudor architecture of this hotel.
I loved the chocolate chip cookies at check-in.
I loved the formal breakfast in this hotel and dessert on the veranda. Food definitely gets an A during our stay.
I loved the location of this hotel. It is in the heart of Roanoke.

The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs Virginia
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/09/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to.html


I loved the Southern character of this hotel. You truly felt as if you were transported to a genteel time in the South. 
I loved the fire pit at this hotel. It’s a great place for families to gather and get to know each other while vacationing.
I loved that we had the same housekeeper daily, and we got to know her while there. We also got to know staff in the restaurants, too. 
I loved the resort pool at the Homestead.  It is fantastic.
I loved that my son got to ride a horse and learn archery. I love that my children still speak fondly of Zip the horse. I truly loved our time at the Homestead. It was a grand family vacation, and it has really sold me on the resort concept for a vacation.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, North Carolina
http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2012/12/travel-insight-the-ritz-carlton-charlotte-offers-chocolate-trees-tea-and-priceless-family-memories.html



OK, I’ve not yet published my “Pack Your Bags” yet for this property on the blog, but there is very little not to love about a Ritz-Carlton.  I’m going to save my loves for the upcoming feature in January, but I’ll give you a small hint with these words: chocolate, turn-down service, a granite bathroom,complimentary bottled water, and an indoor pool.  True loves!

Trust me, you would be happy to check in at any of these properties.  Here’s to more traveling in 2013.







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A Few of My Loves at My Favorite Inns
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The Beautiful Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia, As Seen Through the Eyes of a Child

Sometimes kids say the most random things.  My son, whom I refer to as Mr. Cool on this blog because he is never without sunglasses, asked me from the backseat of our car last week: “When are we going to go to another hotel?”
Yes, he’s starting to love a luxury hotel just as much as his mom. 

I gave the only answer I could because I don’t like to reveal too much in advance to my children in case plans change.  “I’m not really sure. We’re getting busy. Probably next year!”

I didn’t expect to hear what came next. 


Roanoke, Virginia
He said. “In my writing workshop, I’m writing about our trip to Virginia and Hotel Roanoke. It’s taking me awhile because I’m adding a lot of detail.”  This is from a kid who is just learning to write and certainly can’t spell.  His teacher will not even recognize the word “Roanoke.”


 I was really curious as to what he was writing, and I want to encourage his creativity and journalism skills even though I secretly hope he never chooses journalism as a career because the pay is not that great, unless he replaces Matt Lauer.  After all, they do share the same birthday, so you never know.

So I’m moving behind the scenes for my usual “Pack Your Bags” segment and putting an almost 7-year-old in the spotlight. He is going to have a little help from me, but the content will be his own.

The Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia
By: J. Hines

From Raleigh, North Carolina, it is a long, four-hour car ride to Roanoke, Virginia, but I’m pretty good in the car now thanks to my movies. My sister?  Well, she is a different story. 

I was very happy to finally make it to Virginia so my mom could meet with Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau before checking into our hotel, which was just across the street from our meeting. They gave my sister and I train whistles, which my mom didn’t allow us to play with in our hotel in fear of disturbing other guests.


Virginia's Blue Ridge/Roanoke Valley Visitor's Center

I wanted to walk through those gates and walk up the hill to our hotel, but my parents had other ideas.  They wanted someone to help us with the luggage and park the car.   We drove to the front of the hotel, and this is what we saw.



The Hotel Roanoke.  The Tudor-Style architecture is impressive.




This hotel has lots of history and once belonged to the Norfolk and Western Railroad.  Built in 1882, it was used as a luxury hotel for railroad passengers.   



The Hotel Roanoke was built in 1882. It was completely gutted and renovated in 1995.

I loved the elevator in the hotel. It was really old-timey, and our room overlooked downtown Roanoke.  Here’s what I liked most about our room.  The beds were really comfy, and I liked the TV. After an afternoon of sightseeing, I got to watch a movie before dinner.  That was a real treat.  The only thing that would have made the evening more perfect was to order room service, but Mom and Dad wanted to experience the local flavors of Roanoke restaurants.
We stayed in a room with two double beds. The rooms are small, but are very comfortable. 

Mom said she thought the hotel had great use of space for a historic property.  We didn’t have a built-in closet. And we got into trouble for playing in this one.

We walked everywhere we went while in Roanoke, Virginia, and didn’t need a car for the entire trip.  The hotel has built a cool ramp to take guests over the railroad tracks into downtown Roanoke.  I enjoyed watching the trains, and during our trip, we walked a few blocks to the Virginia Transportation Museum, and I was able to learn more about train travel.





Breakfast at the hotel in the Regency Room was awesome. The hotel really had great food.  It was a very formal setting, too, and I got to have hot tea. Mom kept telling me to be careful with my china, but she just needed to relax a little.  She’s taught me well. 


The Regency Room is an elegant dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Hotel Roanoke had the best muffins and omelets made to order. I ate so much at breakfast that I didn’t even want lunch.


Breakfast at the Hotel Roanoke was outstanding

The hotel was really pretty, and my only regret is that I didn’t get to go swimming.


The pool area at the Hotel Roanoke is adjacent to the hotel's fitness center. 
I loved eating dessert on the terrace, too.  This brownie was so good. My mom devoured the cheesecake, and she talked more about that in her travel writing.
Sitting on the hotel terrace for dessert was a great experience.
The Hotel Roanoke is a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, and with every check-in there are complimentary cookies. Oh, they were so good.  It really makes me want to stay at a Doubletree by Hilton again.

My mom told me that the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center is THE place to stay in Roanoke. I don’t like to admit it, but my mom does know what she is talking about, especially when it comes to hotels. 

Between us, I’m ready to go another one.


Cookies and milk hit the spot after a busy day. Roanoke, Virginia makes a great destination for families.

Be sure to check out all the stories Mom wrote about our trip to Virginia for Skimbaco, the travel magazine she writes for weekly.

 Fall Foliage Pit Stop: Roanoke, Virginia
Travel Insight: A Vacation is About Indulging; Not Calorie Counting

 Want to Go:
Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
110 Shenandoah Valley
Roanoake, VA 24016

Disclosure: My thanks to the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hotel Roanoke for sponsoring our stay.  Food costs were our own, and, as always, opinions about my travels are my own.     



And don't forget to enter my current Pack Your Bags: A Luxury Hotel Giveaway to the Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, North Carolina. The giveaway ends 11/17.  You will win two-complimentary nights at this beautiful luxury hotel in Charlotte, and two-passes to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum. Click here to win the luxury hotel giveaway now. 
The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge in Charlotte, NC

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The Beautiful Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia, As Seen Through the Eyes of a Child
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Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Grand Strand Plus Other News

Can you believe that we just got home from Virginia, and we’re packing up and taking off again? Our destination is a quick trip to South Carolina’s Grand Strand. We’re staying at MiMa’s cottage, and it’s our last beach trip of the summer. Truthfully, we’re just going down for the fried shrimp and the outlet shopping.  I’m kidding, sort of.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Before we go, I wanted to share a few things with you to wrap up the month.

We are officially back in school.  Sleeping in is a thing of the past. I try to be up at 6 a.m. every day. I really need that morning time to sip my tea, and, well, just sit there for 30 minutes.  Afternoons are now rushed.  That time of the day from afternoon pickup to getting dinner on the table is not smooth sailing. I really try to plan meals that are simple and easy. I hope you checked out the four back-to-school meals I shared on Monday. Out of those four, the pasta, broccoli, and tofu meal is the easiest, and is the family favorite.  As a proud mom, I had to share my son's first day in first grade. His little sister didn't want to leave the classroom. She starts preschool next week.  Yea!


I have a first grader.
Speaking of food, I ate like a queen when I was in Roanoke, Virginia, and at the Homestead Resort.  I would hate to count up the calories I consumed in one day, but my attitude is that a vacation is about indulging; not calorie-counting.  You can head over to Skimbaco to get a taste of my indulging habits, and I also have a new favorite craft brew. 


Scrumptious cheesecake at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Virginia

If you are a blogger reading this, then you know that as a blogger you make some fabulous online friends blogging.  People who don’t blog really don’t understand this, but trust me, it happens, and it’s wonderful.  You exchange email pleasantries from time to time, and you catch up with each other by reading your respective blogs.  As you all know, I don’t have much talent other than checking into a luxury hotel, but the DIY bloggers in the blog world are so talented.  You know who they are:  You pin their work on Pinterest like crazy.

Check this baby out!

Sutton Place Designs
My blogging friend Ann of On Sutton Place sent me her handiwork from her Etsy shop in the form of this vintage grain sack tote.  Apparently, I have some luck because I won her giveaway by linking up this post about what a llama taught me aboutblogging.

To see a blogging friend’s own beautiful work was awe-inspiring.  She is so talented.  She gave up her job in education this year to nurture her own business.  She is on her way to a successful year.  The vintage French grain totes are $65.  As the holidays approach, Ann also has some cute items that would make great gifts.  I’m fond of her tea towels and lavender sachets.  If you visit her, please tell her that I sent you. 

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

And for my local Triangle friends, mark your calendars for the First United Methodist Church-Cary 20th Annual Children’s Consignment Sale beginning Friday, September 14-15.  You can find all the details on the sale’s website, and they are still seeking consignors this year.  I just spent $160 at Target on Friday for some basics like socks, underwear, boy’s jeans, toddler Champion sneakers in fuchsia, and some school snacks. Raising children can certainly put a dent in your wallet, so definitely check out the sale if you are in the area.  The proceeds support the church’s missions.



If you are new to this blog, and this post was helpful to you, or if you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you could share it via Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It helps others learn about the Hines-Sight Blog, and it is the only way people learn about this blog since I do not advertise.  I also have a Facebook page, and Twitter account, and would enjoy interacting with you there as well.  I am also on Pinterest. 


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Goodbye, Summer. Hello, Grand Strand Plus Other News
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