“…great and humble…”
“in 1902, the grandest of them all, the Mount Washington Hotel, opened at Bretton Woods, in an open, meadowy setting against the backdrop of the the Presidential Range. Built in a commanding style described optimistically by the architect as “Spanish Renaissance,” it was the pinnacle of grace and opulence, with 2,600 acres of cultivated grounds, 235 guest rooms, and every detail of finery that heaps of money could buy. For the plasterwork alone, the developers brought in 250 Italian artisans. But already it was something of an anachronism.”
–Bill Bryson, A Walk In The Woods
I know how it feels.
And now it’s a horrid place where a paying guest can’t get a cup of tea at 3:30 in the afternoon… I’ve had several occasions to stay there of late due to my sweetheart’s business, and each has been ghastly… dealing with crazy conventions… one time it was the handbell players (a pretty sound, but there were thousands of them)–another time it was the crafts extravaganza… there’s always some kind of cutout to stick your face in and get your picture taken… our shower was broken and they could neither fix it nor give us a new room… oh, I could go on and on… but what it comes down to is, they lost their grandeur in the name of the bottom line, and now they’re a constant study in contradictions.
Comment by SquamLoon — Thursday 22 November 07 @ 04.46 MST+2.00
As former PR Director for the Mount Washington Resort, I have to resist the urge to defend my territory… I’m now just a “stay at home mom” and I am trying to remind myself that I don’t need to concern myself with such things, now that I have diapers and sleep deprivation to occupy me. Still, I have to say that The Mount Wash is a stunning place, and an even more stunning setting. Lots of changes are afoot with new management and zillions of dollars in construction and improvement. And the former owners, although yes, were looking after the bottom line, saved the Hotel from the wrecking ball, and also have saved us from another chain hotel.
Comment by Martha — Saturday 24 November 07 @ 01.57 MST+2.00