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?

Marta Glazen of Cleveland, Ohio, won the 19th annual Saratoga Hat Contest, on Sunday, July 25, 2010, in Saratoga Springs. She took first place and won a silver plate trophy, clubhouse lunch for two and a $500 betting voucher.   Marta was a guest at Saratoga Arms and “wowed” all of our breakfast guests when she came down from her room ready to head out to the track.  This is the second year in a row that Marta has won the contest.  Marta is a professional though…She owns a hat shop in Ohio!!

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a wonderful article in their US and International Travel section titled “Weekend in Saratoga, N.Y.”  They recommend various eating establishments, places to visit and hotels in Saratoga Springs NY, with Saratoga Arms being amongst them. You may visit the link and read the entire article.

Weekend in Saratoga, N.Y.  | ajc.com

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”…

In the early part of last year’s racing season, Kathleen took two Irish girls from Ballybunion, County Kerry, who were working at the hotel for the summer to the races.  They put a sentimental bet on a young horse with good odds named “Dublin” and were handsomely rewarded when the horse won.  At the end of the Saratoga meet, Dublin won the Hopeful Stakes.  Now D. Wayne Lucas is talking about running Dublin in the Kentucky Derby.  I bet Paddy Power will take a few more sentimental bets.

 Opening Day and the excitement throughout the city of Saratoga Springs is palpable.  Up and down the crowded sidewalks visitors mingle with townsfolk, darting in and out of shops and restaurants, chatting on the benches, admiring the artistic horse sculptures, and the lush hanging baskets.  Flags are waving proclaiming the arrival of the 141st meet at Saratoga Race Course.  The Daily Racing Form is the preferred reading choice.  The town is hopping and we are ready.

The Smith family and the staff of Saratoga Arms are welcoming back old friends who return year after year to their favorite Saratoga Springs Hotel.  We are confident that first time guests will fast become part of the Saratoga Arms growing circle of regulars.

The Saratoga Arms dining room this morning was abuzz with racing talk and old friends catching up on the events of last year that passed so quickly.  Noel continuus to delight diners with his usual scrumptious breakfasts and Kathleen shares Saratoga news and offers up tips for an enjoyable stay.

Come join us…the Racing Meet only lasts until Labor Day.  The talk in the racing community is that the quality of horses and the racing will be the best ever.  Don’t miss the fun. 

Saratoga Springs…Saratoga ArtsFest…and the best of Saratoga Springs’ luxury hotels, Saratoga Arms

Saratoga ArtsFest 2009, held June 11-14, is a four-day celebration of the arts; featuring music, dance, visual art, film, theatre, and literary art.  Thi is the third year of Saratoga ArtsFest and it highlights Saratoga Springs as a premiere destination for the arts.  It showcases the talents of local, national and internation artists from all aspects of the arts.

It is a most enjoyable weekend in beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs, NY

Make your reservation today at our Saratoga Springs hotel-Saratoga Arms- or call 518-584-1775!  Come…enjoy the Arts and the welcoming from porch of Saratoga Arms. 

Saratoga Arms, located in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY, was recently honored by admittance into Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America, the premier innkeeping association in the United States and Canada. Out of the thousands of inns in North America, only an elite few will be invited to join Select Registry this year. Saratoga Arms joins more than 400 other exceptional properties that are already members of the Association.

Saratoga Arms, one of Saratoga Springs luxury hotels, exemplifies the high quality and service championed by this Association,” says Select Registry Executive Director Keith Kehlbeck. “Select Registry assures the traveler that each of its inns is regularly inspected-anonymously and with an overnight inspection that measures the quality of hospitality, as well as the physical plant. Our members share a high standard of excellence, and each of our country inns, luxury B & B’s, and unique small hotels has its own distinctive character.”

Founded in 1972 as the Independent Innkeepers’ Association by Norman Simpson, “the Father of Country Inn travel in America,” Select Registry is an offshoot of Simpson’s popular and pioneering book, Country Inns and Back Roads.  The name and logo of the organization were changed several years ago to reflect the group’s approach to marketing its selective and distinguished member properties.  Originally established in the Berkshire area of New England, the nonprofit organization is now headquartered in historic Marshall, Michigan. Member inns must meet the rigorous standards of a Quality Assurance program, and represent the most prestigious establishments of their type.

As a marketing association, Select Registry partners with other brands and organizations-such as BMW, Karen Brown’s Guides, DiRoNA, UK Tour Operator Select Vacations, PhoCusWright, Ontario’s Finest Inns and the American Heart Association to name a few-to promote its members to target audiences.  Its celebrated guidebook-now in its 20th Edition-is distributed each year to nearly 400,000 guests throughout North America.  The organization also maintains a critically-acclaimed website, supervises gift certificate and loyalty programs, and organizes promotions for its members, including last year’s inaugural “Inn-credible Breakfast Cook-off,” a breakfast recipe culinary competition that produced nearly 30 million media impressions.

Saratoga Arms is an award winning 1870 Second Empire brick concierge hotel under the personal supervision of the proprietors, Kathleen and Noel Smith and their daughter Amy Smith. This Saratoga Springs, NY inn is located in the downtown district within walking distance to restaurants, museums, shopping, and colleges. Saratoga Arms features beautifully appointed rooms, some with fireplaces and double whirlpool tubs. Guests of the inn may take advantage of on-site massage and facial services, and an exercise room. Saratoga Arms also offers a state of the art executive conference room and specializes in Small Meetings in Grand Style.

The calendar affirms what our minds and hearts have been longing for… Spring has arrived in Saratoga Springs!   The waist high snow banks are melting, giving way to brown grass and winter debris.  It’s not yet green, but it is a welcome sight to see landscaping crews raking and cleaning up. Soon the crocus, daffodils and tulips will line the sidewalks and the trees will begin to shade the boulevard.

Saratoga Arms is getting a little spring spruce-up. A few rooms in “the old” section are getting a make-over…new room arrangements, a few coats of paint and beautiful new décor.  The halls in the “new section” will be lined with historic photos of old Saratoga from the Bolster Collection of the Historical Society.

Kathleen is enjoying her waning days in Florida, returning home in mid-April. Noel is still in charge of the kitchen churning out those mouthwatering  omelets for the hearty wintertime guests.

Amy and Kathleen will be attending the Innkeeping Conference presented by PAII (Professional Association of Innkeepers International) in Atlanta at the end of the month. It is a time of socialization, exchange of ideas and learning. They always return with some fresh thoughts and renewed enthusiasm.

With the worst of this very long winter behind us and the arrival of the vernal equinox, we welcome the busy sidewalks filled with visitors to Saratoga Springs.

Will you be one of them?