Hotel Motel Holiday Inn
March 20th, 2012, 07:00 PM
#1
Formerly "Shimmer"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 510
Hotel Motel Holiday Inn
Ran across this photo.So how times have you visited a Holiday Inn traveling on vacation with the family or other trips. Any "stories" or locations from the past? Mine was on I-75 exit 98 I think-Richmond,KY.
EKU University is there. Some very unique times and people. (1980's)
AL
EKU University is there. Some very unique times and people. (1980's)
AL
March 20th, 2012, 07:27 PM
#2
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,544
I haven't seen a Holiday Inn sign like that in years. The local one opened in 1959 and kept their neon sign immaculate until HI Corporate yanked their franchise out from under them around 1990 or so. Seems Corporate had plans for a new, corporate-owned HI Express in the city, and it is predictably bland and lacking in character.
The original had a Polynesian Lounge (that I tended to spend too much time in as a drunken college boy since a college ID got you drinks for half price), indoor pool, a great restaurant and a matchless reputation for catering and banquets. They had just spent close to half a million bucks upgrading it (including repainting and refurbing the original 1959 sign) when Corporate dropped the hammer. The owners quickly negotiated a franchise with Ramada Inns, but it never was the same under that name. It finally closed as "The Stratford Inn and Dining" and sat empty for close to ten years. It has been reinvented as the Highlander Pub and Lodge, though most of the rooms and suites have been converted to apartments.
I think HI might do well to recreate that signage instead of that boring bland logo they use now. Holiday Inns are now about as faceless a lodging chain as you'll find, whereas they used to be a destination of sorts for a traveler. My folks generally went for mom-and-pop motels when we traveled, but once in a while the old man would spring for a Holiday Inn.
The original had a Polynesian Lounge (that I tended to spend too much time in as a drunken college boy since a college ID got you drinks for half price), indoor pool, a great restaurant and a matchless reputation for catering and banquets. They had just spent close to half a million bucks upgrading it (including repainting and refurbing the original 1959 sign) when Corporate dropped the hammer. The owners quickly negotiated a franchise with Ramada Inns, but it never was the same under that name. It finally closed as "The Stratford Inn and Dining" and sat empty for close to ten years. It has been reinvented as the Highlander Pub and Lodge, though most of the rooms and suites have been converted to apartments.
I think HI might do well to recreate that signage instead of that boring bland logo they use now. Holiday Inns are now about as faceless a lodging chain as you'll find, whereas they used to be a destination of sorts for a traveler. My folks generally went for mom-and-pop motels when we traveled, but once in a while the old man would spring for a Holiday Inn.
March 21st, 2012, 04:25 AM
#4
Formerly "Shimmer"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 510
I haven't seen a Holiday Inn sign like that in years. The local one opened in 1959 and kept their neon sign immaculate until HI Corporate yanked their franchise out from under them around 1990 or so. Seems Corporate had plans for a new, corporate-owned HI Express in the city, and it is predictably bland and lacking in character.
The original had a Polynesian Lounge (that I tended to spend too much time in as a drunken college boy since a college ID got you drinks for half price), indoor pool, a great restaurant and a matchless reputation for catering and banquets. They had just spent close to half a million bucks upgrading it (including repainting and refurbing the original 1959 sign) when Corporate dropped the hammer. The owners quickly negotiated a franchise with Ramada Inns, but it never was the same under that name. It finally closed as "The Stratford Inn and Dining" and sat empty for close to ten years. It has been reinvented as the Highlander Pub and Lodge, though most of the rooms and suites have been converted to apartments.
I think HI might do well to recreate that signage instead of that boring bland logo they use now. Holiday Inns are now about as faceless a lodging chain as you'll find, whereas they used to be a destination of sorts for a traveler. My folks generally went for mom-and-pop motels when we traveled, but once in a while the old man would spring for a Holiday Inn.
The original had a Polynesian Lounge (that I tended to spend too much time in as a drunken college boy since a college ID got you drinks for half price), indoor pool, a great restaurant and a matchless reputation for catering and banquets. They had just spent close to half a million bucks upgrading it (including repainting and refurbing the original 1959 sign) when Corporate dropped the hammer. The owners quickly negotiated a franchise with Ramada Inns, but it never was the same under that name. It finally closed as "The Stratford Inn and Dining" and sat empty for close to ten years. It has been reinvented as the Highlander Pub and Lodge, though most of the rooms and suites have been converted to apartments.
I think HI might do well to recreate that signage instead of that boring bland logo they use now. Holiday Inns are now about as faceless a lodging chain as you'll find, whereas they used to be a destination of sorts for a traveler. My folks generally went for mom-and-pop motels when we traveled, but once in a while the old man would spring for a Holiday Inn.
AL
March 21st, 2012, 05:56 AM
#5
MOTORHEAD
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: minnesota USA
Posts: 6,872
Nice pic shimmer! That brings back memories. My dad was a salesman who traveled the 5 state area in the 70's. (N and S Dakota , Minn, Iowa and Wisconsin) During the summer we would travel with him. He would pound the pavement during the daytime and we would spend lots of time in various Holiday Inn swimming pools across the midwest. Fun Times!
In Burnsville MN there is a motel with theme based rooms including one with an Oldsmobile and a hot tub.
Following description off the web: "If your fantasy is a drive-in movie or a secluded lover's lane you had best rent Lover's Leap"--a room with a bed inside a maroon 1973 Oldsmobile Delta '88 Royale convertible.
In Burnsville MN there is a motel with theme based rooms including one with an Oldsmobile and a hot tub.
Following description off the web: "If your fantasy is a drive-in movie or a secluded lover's lane you had best rent Lover's Leap"--a room with a bed inside a maroon 1973 Oldsmobile Delta '88 Royale convertible.
March 21st, 2012, 06:19 AM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rogues Island, USA
Posts: 3,613
I remember going through the Rockies around the 1964 time frame. My sister was just born and we were on our way to California. We were in my Fathers 61 Olds Super 88. I loved that car. It started snowing heavily and they asked people to not drive so we pulled into a Holiday Inn along the way. I always liked them but they were a bit pricey, even back then.
March 21st, 2012, 07:39 AM
#7
Geezer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: So. Central Texas
Posts: 360
I remember going through the Rockies around the 1964 time frame. My sister was just born and we were on our way to California. We were in my Fathers 61 Olds Super 88. I loved that car. It started snowing heavily and they asked people to not drive so we pulled into a Holiday Inn along the way. I always liked them but they were a bit pricey, even back then.
March 21st, 2012, 08:38 AM
#8
Proud Viet Nam Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Rowlett, TX
Posts: 10,277
My wife and I got married in May 1966. Times were pretty simple then. Our wedding reception was at the Holiday Inn in Monroe, LA. My father-in-law paid $10.00 for the ballroom. Our wedding night was spent in the Holiday Inn in Ruston about 35 miles away. We then went to Hot Springs, AR and stayed in the Holiday Inn. None of them remain as Holiday Inn's and the one in Monroe was pretty run down the last time I saw it. For the time, it was huge in that it had several hundred rooms. I never thought about until now what a big part Holiday Inn played in our wedding. Back in that time, they were very nice. Times change in 45-46 years. Thanks for jogging my memory of a great time in mine and my wife's lives.
March 21st, 2012, 10:30 AM
#9
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,544
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Inn
Interesting part about the sign, about halfway down the page.
I always wondered what happened to the local HI sign, especially after they spent all that money on it. Guess HI Corporate made them scrap it.
Interesting part about the sign, about halfway down the page.
I always wondered what happened to the local HI sign, especially after they spent all that money on it. Guess HI Corporate made them scrap it.
March 21st, 2012, 01:08 PM
#10
Geezer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: So. Central Texas
Posts: 360
There are still quite a number of the old Inns from the 1960s and 1970s around that have been picked up by folks that have given them a serious remodeling. If on the road and see one of those that's where I'll stay instead of the new "cracker box" multi-story hotels they are trying to pass off. Actually overall the trend in lodging really sucks compared to the good old days when motels had grounds to roam and a full blown 24/7 restaurant or one next door.
A few years back I ran into what appeared to have been a Best Western of the late 1950s era in Las Cruses, NM that had been marvelously redone. Rooms were huge, furnishings all new, the restaurant good, and plenty of parking for my pickup and 30 ft trailer with a car sitting on it. Price was about half what one of these new modern wonders would have been and the "FREE" breakfast was one cooked to order, not just a makeshift steam table with lumpy scrambled eggs, soggy bacon, and something trying to pass for hash browns along with the obligatory tough make them yourself waffles. Refreshing experience!
A few years back I ran into what appeared to have been a Best Western of the late 1950s era in Las Cruses, NM that had been marvelously redone. Rooms were huge, furnishings all new, the restaurant good, and plenty of parking for my pickup and 30 ft trailer with a car sitting on it. Price was about half what one of these new modern wonders would have been and the "FREE" breakfast was one cooked to order, not just a makeshift steam table with lumpy scrambled eggs, soggy bacon, and something trying to pass for hash browns along with the obligatory tough make them yourself waffles. Refreshing experience!
March 21st, 2012, 01:42 PM
#11
same but different
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Central Missouri
Posts: 2,880
Our old Holiday Inn had a neon sign just like that one. I'd have to guess the sign disapeared around 1980,maybe sooner.
No doubt it was a pretty fancy place,with indoor pool,miniature golf and banquet rooms. It still has the game floor with shuffle board.
Its still there, but now known as the State Fair Best Western Motor Inn. I reckon the cheap rooms are just under 100 bucks.
Thanks for the memory Shimmer.
No doubt it was a pretty fancy place,with indoor pool,miniature golf and banquet rooms. It still has the game floor with shuffle board.
Its still there, but now known as the State Fair Best Western Motor Inn. I reckon the cheap rooms are just under 100 bucks.
Thanks for the memory Shimmer.
March 21st, 2012, 06:45 PM
#12
Formerly "Shimmer"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 510
My wife and I got married in May 1966. Times were pretty simple then. Our wedding reception was at the Holiday Inn in Monroe, LA. My father-in-law paid $10.00 for the ballroom. Our wedding night was spent in the Holiday Inn in Ruston about 35 miles away. We then went to Hot Springs, AR and stayed in the Holiday Inn. None of them remain as Holiday Inn's and the one in Monroe was pretty run down the last time I saw it. For the time, it was huge in that it had several hundred rooms. I never thought about until now what a big part Holiday Inn played in our wedding. Back in that time, they were very nice. Times change in 45-46 years. Thanks for jogging my memory of a great time in mine and my wife's lives.
Al Graff-Lexington,KY
March 21st, 2012, 06:50 PM
#13
Formerly "Shimmer"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 510
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Inn
Interesting part about the sign, about halfway down the page.
I always wondered what happened to the local HI sign, especially after they spent all that money on it. Guess HI Corporate made them scrap it.
Interesting part about the sign, about halfway down the page.
I always wondered what happened to the local HI sign, especially after they spent all that money on it. Guess HI Corporate made them scrap it.
AL
March 21st, 2012, 06:56 PM
#14
Formerly "Shimmer"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 510
Our old Holiday Inn had a neon sign just like that one. I'd have to guess the sign disapeared around 1980,maybe sooner.
No doubt it was a pretty fancy place,with indoor pool,miniature golf and banquet rooms. It still has the game floor with shuffle board.
Its still there, but now known as the State Fair Best Western Motor Inn. I reckon the cheap rooms are just under 100 bucks.
Thanks for the memory Shimmer.
No doubt it was a pretty fancy place,with indoor pool,miniature golf and banquet rooms. It still has the game floor with shuffle board.
Its still there, but now known as the State Fair Best Western Motor Inn. I reckon the cheap rooms are just under 100 bucks.
Thanks for the memory Shimmer.
"They can't take away our memories"AL
March 21st, 2012, 07:51 PM
#15
Oldsdruid
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southside Vajenya
Posts: 10,544
Slow down Joe, I'm a rock and roll man
I've twiddled my thumbs in a dozen odd bands
And you ain't seen nothing till you've been
In a motel baby like the Holiday Inn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=666JAioPDhM
I've twiddled my thumbs in a dozen odd bands
And you ain't seen nothing till you've been
In a motel baby like the Holiday Inn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=666JAioPDhM
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