Set in the heart of Ashland, Ore.,’s Historic Railroad and Gallery District, the Peerless Hotel is a nostalgic escape. At first glance, it’s apparent that the century-old red brick building is steeped in history. On one exterior wall, a much photographed 12-foot by 10-foot Coca-Cola sign, painted circa 1915 evokes Americana.
The timeless structure housed Southern Pacific railroad workers from 1900 through the late 1920’s. When railway travel was diverted, the boarding house and the surrounding area experienced a period of decline. The building sat vacant before the current owner, Crissy Barnett, purchased the space and tackled an extensive two year restoration in 1994.
The elegant hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and featured in the book “1,000 Places To See Before You Die.” Each of the four luxurious guest rooms and two suites is decorated with period-appropriate, old-world detail—antique furnishings were scouted from across the country and include ornate armoires, overstuffed love seats and claw-foot tubs.
The most striking design elements are whimsical motifs, hand-painted by a local artist—gardens, trees and flowers arch across the walls and ceilings of each room throughout the hotel. It’s worth the splurge to book Suite 7. Tropical fronds frame a hand-carved mahogany four-poster queen bed, and an adjacent alcove with leopard print fabrics and safari-inspired paintings are reminiscent of a Hemingway-approved hunting lodge.
Another perk to this suite is the private balcony with panoramic views of Ashland and surrounding mountains, perfect for sunrise or sunset. In late spring and through summer, take advantage of the warm nights, and grab dinner and a glass of wine in the garden of the adjacent Peerless Restaurant & Neighborhood Bar.
At dusk, turn-down service includes chocolate, and the charm of a hand-written note—often love quotes ranging from Homer to Yeats. This is a hotel where you can unwind and unplug. The fanciest electronic accessory is a 30-channel in room cable music system that croons as you walk through the door. Embrace the absence of a television, it’s a gift—bring your books! Or pick one up at Bloomsbury Books, a nearby independent book seller.
Since a trip to Ashland often includes the best of the Bard, the hotel location is ideal. It’s a picturesque three blocks to downtown and six blocks to The Oregon Shakespeare Festival. After a night at the theater, join the locals early the next morning at Noble Coffee Roasting, one of the best independent coffee shops in town, and only a few doors away.
The Peerless Hotel | 243 4th St., Ashland, OR | http://www.peerlesshotel.com/
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