Thursday, September 18, 2008

West Baden Springs Hotel .....inside the lobby.......

Here is a link for more information on this and the French Lick Hotel and their history.

I showed the outside and grounds yesterday and today I'll take you into the lobby under the dome. Before the Astrodome was built, this was the largest dome in the world. Considering that it was built at the turn of the last century, you can see why it would be considered a world wonder.We parked in back which lets you see a bit of the dome from the outside.

You walk into the lobby and see this........

......you look up and see this!

The very center is beautiful!

Windows and trim just below the dome.

The floor is a very nice mosaic.....
......with leaf details.

The lobby furniture has a lovely "old" look and is scattered around in small intimate areas.



A fireplace that is painted and grand piano.

The columns with their painted details.....

.......all very grand looking!

An inviting chair and statue......just waiting for people to pose there.

Roses leading back to the parking lot.

I loved these roses! So nice and old-fashioned looking!

Driving back out through the arches. A very grand hotel and Mike and I want to go back and stay there at least one night.......if we could afford it.

15 comments:

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

WOW!!! I don't know what to look at first. That fireplace and the inside is unbelievable!! Beautiful pictures of it Mary. Thanks for sharing.

Yipeeee!! I am first to comment today!! LOL!!

kjpweb said...

Woah! That is something. A bit overwhelming the gigantic empty space in the lobby!
Set's you back to the late 19hundreds!
Cheers, Klaus

The Birdlady said...

Oh my! That is magnificent!

Mary said...

Joan: I'm sorry to report that there is no prize for being first :-)...but I love your enthusiasm! Thanks! Yes, I'd say the restorers have created something pretty magnificent.

Klaus: Definitely! I felt like I had walked back in time and that my bluejeans were very inappropriate, but darn... I left my parasol and picture hat at home :-)

Helen: It seemed so huge! I kept wishing I could go up on one of the balconies and look down.....and get closer to all the details.

me ann my camera said...

Magnificent! What a most beautiful building this is!

Mike said...

Stunning details you've captured Mary.

Mary said...

Ann: Thanks! It was sort of awesome being so huge inside. I felt very small.

Mike: Thanks! I wish I could have roamed all over the building.

2sweetnsaxy said...

Wow. This is absolutely beautiful! And that mosaic tile floor was a work of art itself.

Becky said...

What gorgeous pictures Mary. I love the architecture, and the furniture is so classic. That fireplace is awsome, and what beautiful flowers!

Rose said...

It kind of leaves me speechless! It is kind of overwhelming...can't imagine even working in that environment.

Mary said...

Thanks all of you! It was pretty awesome. I felt kind of lost just standing there and like I should turn around and tiptoe back out before someone said "what are you doing in here?"

John Theberge said...

I thought the outside grounds were nice, that rotunda is absolutely gorgeous.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

LOL!! You could at least post me a special picture...it is not often I achieve this. LOL!! Just teasing Mary!!

Mary said...

John: Considering when it was built, it is even more amazing!

Joan: I'll post you some bugs in the next few days :-)

Anonymous said...

Amazing architecture Mary, such colour as well.