“Nelson is widely recognized as an American icon. His distinctive music and other social and political activities sometimes take a backseat to his pop-culture public image, marked by his red hair, often divided into two long braids partially concealed under a bandana. He has been active in social and political causes ranging from tax protests to support for a Democratic effort in the mid-2000s to bust up a Republican gerrymandering attempt in Texas.”  HotSprings.org. 

Currently Willie Nelson is performing in Austin to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief.

Frequently we hear,  “Wow!  How did you get on Wheel of Fortune?”  Bedandbreakfast.com is the exclusive contact for bed & breakfast prizes on the Wheel.  In April, we were contacted by Bedandbreakfast.com, asking if we were interested in providing a package for “Rooms With A View” week.  With an enthusiastic yes, we provided the details of a weeklong package, B-roll (video used for television), plus photos and descriptions of the inn.  During the summer, we learned that Lookout Point was selected.  The show was taped on August 6, and now the time is here.  Thanks for watching!

Kristie Rosset

As an added bonus, the gardens are still lush and green.   From our Texas friends and guests, especially around the Austin area, we hear how dry and brown the earth is from the continuing drought.   That certainly isn’t the situation here on Lake Hamilton!  We’d love to see you, and hope you can get away for an end of summer trip.

Be sure to ask for the August Special.

Hot Springs National Park

Here’s the promo from www.hotsprings.org: The 13th annual Wine, Food and Art Extravaganza will be held on historic bathhouse row in downtown Hot Springs. Eight bathhouses, many wineries, several chefs from local restaurants and a variety of art galleries will pool their talents to benefit the Friends of the Fordyce and Hot Springs National Park. This is the only time of the year the bathhouses are open to the public.

Give the inn a call at 501-525-6155/866-525-6155 to reserve your room for May 3, and we’ll also reserve your “Wine, Food & Art Extravaganza” tickets. Reserve soon, in order to still get a ticket.
Kristie

Upon arrival at midnight, we entered the lobby and our ears were nearly shattered with the noise of 3,000 teenagers shouting throughout the atrium of this 24 story hotel.  Lookout Point:  quiet.

Hotel Parking:  $27 per day                   Lookout Point:Complimentary    

Wireless internet:  $12.95/day PER computer   Lookout Point:  Free

Drinking Glasses:  $3.75 for two (there was no glassware, only styrofoam!)                                      Lookout Point:  Free          

Bottled Water:  $6/bottle           Lookout Point:  complimentary

Coffee:  $4/cup                               Lookout Point:  of course, free

Snacks:  $9/ea & up                      Lookout Point:  complimentary

Soft drink: $3.50                           Lookout Point:  free

Bellman:  $5 each time               Lookout Point:  free

Wine per glass:  $10-15              Lookout Point:  free at Innkeeper’s Reception

Breakfast:  $20 per person       Lookout Point:  Gourmet and complimentary, of course.  It’s part of the inn experience!

In-room movie:  $15                  Lookout Point:  complimentary movies

These additional add-ons can easily run beyond $124 per DAY!  Holy cow!  And the hotel’s daily rate was comparable to Lookout Point’s lower priced rooms (this was the negotiated conference rate).  Rack rate was higher than our rooms. 

Comparing room rates between an inn and a hotel is like comparing dogs and camels.  It’s not the same animal!  At inns, including ours, everything except lunch & dinner is included:  great breakfast, beach towels, canoe, movies, snack bar with soft drinks, Innkeeper’s Reception with wine & cheese & dessert, bottled water in the room.  In addition, the beds are dressed with great linens including fitted sheets.  (It just irks me in a hotel to have the sheet pull out because the hotel didn’t bother to use fitted sheets on the mattress.)  Plus the towels are fluffy and always in great condition. 

As you travel, consider treating yourself to a great stay at an inn or bed & breakfast:  you get a LOT of pampering for your hard earned dollars! 

If you have stories to share of your own experiences of the differences between hotels and inn/b&b’s I’d love to see your comments posted here.  Thanks!

Kristie Rosset