Saratoga Arms » Room Renovations

On this day in Saratoga Arms history

innkeeper — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:17:56 +0000

On December 19, 1997, Kathleen and Noel Smith purchased a dilapidated old rooming house on Broadway. It took great vision (and a very helpful local bank) to renovate, restore and reopen this 1870 building as Saratoga Arms a sixteen-room hotel in 1998. As we reflect upon the past 14 years, we are thankful for the changes that our Saratoga Springs Hotel has brought into our lives.

In 1999, The Preservation Foundation recognized the restoration effort as a positive contribution to the preservation of the historic downtown district.
In 2002, Amy Smith, the eldest Smith daughter, joined the family business as General Manager.
In 2005, a new addition that doubled the size of Saratoga Arms to 31 rooms was opened with an executive meeting room and workout facilities, just in time to welcome Skidmore graduation parents and families.
In 2009, Sheila Smith Sperling, the middle of the three Smith daughters, joined the family business as Group Sales Manager.
Interspersed over the years, 6 grandchildren have expanded the family, possibly assuring that the family business will continue for a third generation.
Over 60,000 guests have walked through our doors, some famous, some infamous and many not so famous guests including politicians, celebrities and horse breeders. Those who return year after year are more than just guests, they have become good friends.
We have seen the changing times from CD players to iPod alarm clocks, old tube television to flat screens, corded high speed internet access to wireless throughout, and a user-friendly interactive website with all the bells and whistles of the digital age.

Although the past 14 years have brought many changes to our Saratoga Springs Bed and Breakfast, those that have remained constant are the most important–Noel still makes the breakfast each morning, Kathleen remains the quintessential social engineer and Judy takes great pride in making every guest’s stay a special one.

Thanks to all of our guests, the Saratoga Springs community and a hardworking Saratoga Arms family for making the first 14 years such a success. Just imagine what the next 14 years will hold for Saratoga Arms.

Saratoga Arms is an award winning historic 1870 Downtown Saratoga Springs Luxury Hotel, offering intimate charm that no large Saratoga Springs hotel can match. You can read the original blog post here On this day in Saratoga Arms history.

A Room Redo…Part III

innkeeper — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:16:43 +0000

It has been awhile since we updated the saga of the room renovation Kathleen embarked upon this Spring. Let’s pick up where we left off. (Hint: If you need a refresher click on Room Renovations .)

Kathleen and Pamela shop the Springfield, Massachusetts store. Lots and lots of fabric, but the place has never been sorted out. Difficult to find anything.. One of the sales clerks told them that nothing is ever thrown away. They leave without making a purchase. A few weeks later Kathleen and Noel fly to Atlanta for the newest grandchild’s christening, and Kathleen gets a chance to go into town to two wonderful fabric shops. There’s the perfect fabric, but Kathleen has never paid $20 per yard for anything. So she buys a one yard sample. Kathleen is going to meet Pamela in Delaware in two weeks to shop a fabulous discount fabric center. When she shows them the sample, they tell her that the fabric is too new and they would not have it for a year or so. Kathleen and Pamela like the fabric so much that they decide to bite the bullet and buy one hundred yards in Atlanta. While in Delaware they buy all of the coordinating fabrics. On the drive home Kathleen has a thought. Mr. Springfield has said he has the ability to best anyone’s price on fabric. Kathleen sends him a sample of the sample. When Springfield calls the next morning, they tell Kathleen that if she accepts two rolls totaling 101 yards shipped directly from the factory the price will be $12 per yard. Within the next week fabric is sent to Marked Tree, Arkansas for quilting, fabric is given to the drapery lady in Glens Falls, and the upholstery is delivered to a fellow up north. Ned (the best painter and plasterer in the world) is on the job, the carpet has been ordered, and new lamps are being sent from California. The room is rented soon, we have a deadline…are we going to make it?

A Room Redo…Part II

innkeeper — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:05:23 +0000

The first telephone call is made to Pamela Whitney now living in the DC area. Pamela is the decorator who worked with Kathleen on all the rooms in the addition. (www.pamelawhitneydesigns.com) She designed all the furniture and had it made in a factory in Mexico. Television armoires that also serve as dressers, desks that double as nightstands and headboards high enough on the wall that you can lean against them to read without being bothered by mouldings. Pamela has an instant and excellent understanding of what is needed. Kathleen has a formula for fabric in a room. One hundred yards of the principal fabric for quilt, drapes, shower curtain and pillow shams: thirty yards of a stripe or nubby solid for dust ruffle, pillows and trim; and ten yards of an upholstery fabric for easy chair and cushion on the straight chair. Off the two ladies go to Springfield, Massachusetts, to a shop that bills itself as the largest fabric store in America.

Stay tuned for the next installment of “A Room Redo”…

A Room Redo…Part I

innkeeper — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:44:44 +0000

White paint on woodwork around windows in Room 201 is peeling in large patches. Why, the wall feels a little damp. The best roofer in America (Sam Design) looks it over. We will need a carpentry crew, metal bender, and of course, his team. And he knows a place in Granville, up on the Vermont border, that will be able to duplicate the purple gray fish scale slates that we will need to replace across the front of the building. All the workmen used Room 201 as a staging area. When the outside is fixed, and all the contractors have gone home, we look at the room. Peeling paint on the woodwork, dated colors, a quilt that no longer fits the new thicker mattress, a stain on the rug. It’s time for a complete redo.

Stay tuned for the next installment of “A Room Redo”…