Recently I had the pleasure of staying at the Melrose Inn in Tryon, NC for a week. The new owner, Marilyn Doheny, internationally known quilt and fabric artist, has taken on the daunting task of bringing this former grande dame back to her historic beauty, one room at a time. Each hotel bedroom is decorated with a different theme, and where possible, original fixtures and furniture have been used. If you love old, well trodden floors with a beautiful dark patina and old doors with oddly slanted bottoms to fit sloping lintels, or lots of light in the public rooms filled with thriving plants and a wonderful semi-private porch, half hidden from the street, this is the place for youl
It won't appeal to everyone. I think this treasure is best suited for those with an artistic eye, for Marilyn has furnished it with a variety of paintings, glorious quilts on the walls, interesting acquisitions and oddities on tables and shelves here and there. My eyes were never bored! Rather than being the backdrop to your trip, as newer, more commercial hotels are, this hotel is a trip in itself! It's not for those who rush through life with goal directed vision, blind to the journey. Instead, you have to take it in a little at a time, savoring the flavors of the accoutrements, sipping it like fine wine.
The plumbing became an unexpected problem part way through the restoration of the Inn, so Marilyn had to fashion a temporary route for it for the time being. Even though the fixtures are old, they work well. Instead of granite countertops, small graceful tables in the bathrooms hold everything from Q-tips to lotions with shelves below for your hair dryer. Gently scented candles lend soft lighting and objets d'art are everywhere -- even inside the closets!
Marilyn herself is an accomplished chef and provided us with a great variety of savory meals that kept every visual promise as they thrilled our palates. She uses an interesting blend of low carbohydrate foods with titillating spices and sauces. Heavenly aromas meandered through the diningroom, which doubled as our quilting classroom during the day.
Best of all were the conversations we had on the porch over coffee and dessert in the evenings. Marilyn is widely travelled and has many tales to tell, as do her guests. This was my favorite part of the day. She even had a friend come in to sing and play Russian folk songs on the guitar one evening. The quiet street and cooling plants and her two, adopted, no-longer-feral kittens playing at our feet made the porch visits the perfect end to each jam packed classroom day.
Any negatives? Only if you want steel and leather modern rather than eclectic charm. And maybe another outlet in the bedroom would be a good addition, but all that will come as time and money permit the continued overhaul of this once neglected great lady of Tryon.
Oh! and one other thing: the Inn is right across the street from the Tryon Performing Arts Center. I think I'd like to come back another time for a concert or play one evening, followed by a light hike to the falls the next day. Tryon seems like a tiny little town, but it has alot to offer.
Hats off to Marilyn Doheny and her charming Melrose Inn!