When I had jaw surgery in 1986, I think the anesthetic altered my brain. As I recovered, I became acutely aware of dust and dirt. Over the years, this has evolved into an annoying obsession about accommodations. I imagine all sorts of germs and, god forbid, finding strangers' hair in a motel, inn, hotel, or b & b sends me off the deep end. Hence my very limited participation in public pools and frustrating surveying rituals when we arrive somewhere new (scout for cleanliness, analyze the sheets, keep shoes on, use my own towels...). Trust me, this is an affliction; it's exhausting and annoying and sometimes puts a real wrench in my ability to enjoy a space. One way to manage this anxiety is to stay in nicer places. I am ever thankful that my dear husband gets where I'm coming from and helps me contain the weirdness by booking fabulous hotels and inns. For example:
The Chateau Laurier in Ottawa! Historic! Fancy! Splendid! Clean!
The lobby, for goodness sake. More like a ballroom.
Grand elevators.
Famous Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh kept his studio in the Chateau Laurier for many years, from 1973 to 1992. Off the lobby is another grand room in which some of his famous portraits hang.
Canadian humourist Stephen Leacock.
On to St. John's to Blue on Water, the coolest boutique hotel. Clean and awesome. It must have been a warehouse back in the day. It's like a funky Gastown joint (& thus reminded me a lot of Scott's old office). The room mixup at the beginning didn't affect the family's perception that this place is awesome. The restaurant on street level made it that much better.
Even the stairwells were cool.
Cosmic sink in the restaurant bathroom.
Then to glorious Port Rexton, where the Fishers' Loft Inn thrilled me to no end. It was the best of country New England style, like a spread in Country Living magazine. Once again, clean, and it had that magical essence of classy warm comfort.
Nice touch: the sign on the bed says that the pillows and quilt are not feather, which is awesome because Scott is allergic to down.
Frances got the cot, and Caroline got the sofa bed. The roman blinds were a lush cotton, and the floor boards were old style wide planks. Beautiful heritage colours throughout.
Local artists' work hangs throughout and is for sale.
These guys are on the mantel in the living room off the restaurant.
I could look at this view all day.
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