So, here's the deal - I really, really wanted to love this place. But after our first night (of three), I found myself in a really irritable funk much of the next day. I was picking fights with the Mister, being indecisive and just generally feeling bitchy. Then it really sort of hit me why: our trip to West Texas was our last little getaway before our wedding, and we'd both really hoped to relax, see some great bands (we were in town for Viva Big Bend) and drink in small town life.
But Alpine ain't the place to do it. Sigh. Perhaps I'm partially to blame, for eschewing the local chain (Hampton Inn) and downtown's go-to hotel (The Holland) in order to save a little money and stay in a historic motor court. I really thought we'd get to experience traveling as it was in the 1950s (excusing the rampant racism, or course). This place is family owned, to boot, so I was thrilled to be supporting local business.
But our room - and the town - were simply depressing. Our room wasn't clean -- there were odd stains on the wall by the bed, and the door had a gap large enough for any manner of creepy-crawly to get in. Overall, the room is much smaller than I expected, so it felt very cramped. The bathroom is very cute and quaint with pink and green tiles, pedestal sink and a stand-up shower (only), but again it was fairly cramped. I actually had to sit at an angle on the fracking toilet. And did I mention the bathroom door didn't close properly? The door knob is essentially for show; there's none of the internal stuff you need to make a doorknob work. Instead, there's a hook and eye affixed to the door that acts as the latch to close the door. I don't consider myself terribly high maintenance, so seeing that wasn't a big deal -- until I realized that the door STILL didn't close all the way. There was a gap, probably as big as what you'd find in a janky public restroom stall. Was it the end of the world? No -- but it certainly didn't lend itself to relaxation. And guess what? I don't pay $85 a night to use a public toilet.
I'm not sure what material our floor was, but tiles were missing all over the place. The threshold between the main floor and bathroom tile was completely obliterated--in its place, there was dirt (which my fiance brought to bed on the soles of his feet). The closet was a dark, dank little area with a giant hole in the back wall. On the outside of it, they've affixed a rack with five clothes hangers as an alternative; I guess that would be okay, assuming you didn't want to use the mirror, too (which would be obscured by any hanging clothes).
There's a little kitchenette, but absolutely no pans, plates or utensils. The owners have apparently had issues with theft, because they make clear that every bit of room décor attached to the walls is actually glued down. I understand not wanting to constantly replace dishware, but could they at least have it available for use from the office? Maybe have a note explaining where we can borrow some? We are now proud owners of a $4 skillet and some high-end $1 knives from the Family Dollar.
The mattress is also very creaky (noise every time you turn) and not particularly comfortable, so none of our nights were all that restful. We were in a queen bed, same as at home, but somehow it felt much smaller than we're used to.
But, umm... on the plus side, the staff seem friendly, there is wifi and it's close to downtown. Though, this town is small, so everything, really is close to downtown. Ohh, and the towels were fantastic -- usually hotels skimp and give you something that resemble a dishtowel, but these were oversized beach towel types that were wonderfully fluffy.
Once I reset my expectations, I was able to pull out of my funk and make the most the rest of our stay. But if we ever come back to West Texas, we won't be staying here. I loved the idea and wanted the quirkiness but the reality simply didn't live up to expectations. read more