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SPOTLIGHT:
The Great Stays of Texas HAT - Historic Accommodations of Texas The State Organization of Texas' Finest
Bed and Breakfasts,
Country Inns, Distinctive Hotels and Guest Houses
Why choose a private small inn, bed and breakfast,
ranch, guesthouse or other one-of-a-kind lodging accommodation? Why not
just stay at a new motel or nice hotel? After all, these large
establishments provide excellent accommodations and good service.
Some guests answer they are interested in
experiencing beautiful homes, interesting architecture, historic
properties, antiques and art.
Discovering off the beaten path
destinations; ranches, farms and other scenic lodging also rates
high as reasons given for selecting unique Texas properties.
Guests indicate that less commercial properties enable
them to obtain a glimpse of hosts’ lives they would never otherwise have
the opportunity to share. For example; think of city folks staying on a
Texas Longhorn ranch or renting a room on a working dairy farm. Consider
the possibilities of enjoying a night or two in a historic west Texas
1800’s hotel, spending a secluded weekend in a romantic cottage or
enjoying the ambience of a classic Victorian bed and breakfast inn.
Business travelers indicate they tire of staying in
places with the same potted plants in the lobby. “More like home away
from home than hotels and motels”, say some business guests. Many unique
properties also cater to business people by providing high speed
internet, fax and conference conveniences. Libraries, game rooms and
verandahs are just a few of the extras included in these private stays.
“People make the difference.” Meeting and visiting
with property owners, innkeepers as well as other guests is the essence
of what makes stays at unique properties memorable. Some guests choose
their stays based on culinary interests such as great gourmet
breakfasts, cooking classes, mystery dinners, homemade picnic lunches
and the easy availability of treats, snacks and beverages that are
available.
Amenities are also given as reasons for selecting Bed
and Breakfast style accommodations. Everything from the availability of
suites versus bedrooms, the inclusion of elegant bath amenities, bubble
bath and elegant bathrobes, to original recipes, home baked cookies,
snacks, fresh fruit and bedside chocolates are on this list. Pools, hot
tubs and in suite whirlpool tubs are also on the most wanted list. In
fact, the large hotel chains are currently busy changing ordinary guest
bedrooms into suites in order to meet the more sophisticated and
discerning requirements of guests. The Great Stays of Texas (HAT) has
been quietly providing to this market for many years.
When choosing a small private bed and breakfast or
other unique lodging property there are a number of things to check that
will eliminate concerns. First of all, check to see if the accommodation
has been stringently inspected and approved. Such organizations as AAA
and Mobil Oil provide rating systems for properties. While dealing
mostly with hotel chains, some small properties do carry their
designations.
The Great Stays of Texas, (HAT), is the only state-wide association of inspected unique properties in Texas. In order to
qualify for inspection by HAT, properties must meet a number of
criteria. They must meet all code requirements and be approved by the
local municipality. Everything from health and safety to parking
requirements must be appropriate. Food handler’s certificates and proof
of insurance must be filed. After these basic requirements are met, HAT
inspectors visit each property and spend the night as regular guests.
They observe cleanliness, décor and appropriateness of the rooms; both
public and private. The inspectors sample the food, use the tubs and
showers and note any specific areas requiring improvement. They even
make certain that guests have reading lamps and tissues at their beds.
In fact, many inns use the HAT inspection as a learning tool; to have
others objectively see their properties as do their guests.
To assure excellence when staying in unique Texas
properties be sure that the property has the HAT approval. This assures
a superior stay at an immaculate place. After determining that the inn
chosen has had a HAT inspection, check to be sure that particular needs
can be served; handicap access, special diet, children, pets, no
smoking, queen or king beds, meeting / party rooms, high speed internet
and all the other myriad of details that makes the property special.
Many guests travel from one HAT property to another as
HAT accommodations criss-cross the state of Texas. Each one will be
unique, welcoming and impeccably clean. All HAT approved properties are
listed on the HAT website. For further information regarding HAT and
individual properties, please go to the HAT website at
www.HAT.org. If you
cannot get to the website, call 800-HAT-0368 (800-428-0368) and the "The
Great Stays of Texas" Guidebook will be mailed to you.
Information submitted
by:
Dan and Robbi Boone HAT (Historic Accommodations of Texas) www.HAT.org
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