Gadsden Hotel

My spouse and I enjoyed the Gov. Suite. at the Gadsden. While he was out for a while I turned the lights off and sat at the window and watched the kids cruise main street. After going sleep I woke up to see a man with his back to me wearing a brown duster, being stocky and about maybe 5"8'. He knew that I saw him and he didn't mind that. It took me almost ten min. to get up the courage to run to the restroom on the wall near the bed and to rush back out. I kept sitting up to see if he was there and he was. My spouse finally asked me what I was looking at and I said "nothing". It was so unusual and I didn't even want to discuss. He could not see anything as he looked in the direction of my line of vision and didn't react. I finally gave up and pulled the covers over my head and eventually fell asleep. I did tell my spouse in the am and he said that I should tell the desk clerk. I still didn't want to talk about it as I was so blown away by the fact that this "cowboy" knew that I could see him and I somehow was aware that he didn't make any difference to him, which for some reason was very chilling to me. Remember I was in the suite by myself sitting in the dark when my spouse ran out to get something to eat. I was never uncomfortable being in the room and was not aware of the ghost stories. I have never forgotten this experience and it has added an awareness to my life. The suite was very comfortable, inexpensive, and the food in both restaurants great. The staff were so nice and when we saw the locals eating at the Hotel we knew that it was a good place to be. The lobby and the stairs are spectacular and other then my friend the cowboy, the most interesting part of the stay. I would recommend to stay in the Gov. Suite but not a regular room. We tried that and the carpet was so thin and the shower drizzly and luke warm so we packed, went downstairs and that's how we ended up in the Gov. Suite. The price was so reasonable and we really did enjoy it! more

"Overrated" was a very summarized opinion I saw about this hotel. Not so in my opinion. Let me count the ways that this place would be worth to see. The Gadsden Hotel is located in Douglas, Arizona. A five minute ride or less and you'll be at the border of Mexico. This hotel was built originally in 1907. A fire leveled the hotel in 1929 although the majestic, marble staircase in the center of the lobby has stood through it all. Since Gadsden is an old hotel it carries with it many stories. Some may be true and some not. The largest piece of history is that that staircase was once a place that Pancho Villa and his horse set foot on. There are also the stories of ghostly tales though I didn't see any. Many familiar names and VIP's have stayed at the hotel. Almost all of the Arizona governors have stayed at the hotel along with actors and actresses. A handful of movies have been filmed inside the hotel as well. I had the pleasure to stay in the governors suite and have access to the balcony where I suppose there is dining there when the weather is good. It was in the middle of March that I stayed there. I'd say that room was around 600sq. ft. I should point out that if you want modern rooms like the Holiday Inn you won't find it here, well just a little. Everything is nostalgic from the sofa to architecture to the heating. They've tried to modernize the place with a mini kitchen and cabinets, tv of course. The doors to all the rooms look very ancient and sturdy. The prices I think are very good. The room in which I stayed in was under $100. The lowest price is around $50. The lobby contains a restaurant/saloon, hairstylist and gift shop. The only downfall for some that come here is that the town is pretty empty. Douglas used to be a town that was booming until the 1970's. It was a mining town and when it was out of resources to mine it dwindled away. There are local restaurants to eat at and I think there is a theatre...I wasn't able to find out if it was still open or not. This downfall of the town didn't bother me cause I like quiet so my experience at the Gadsden was very enjoyable. I recommend this hotel to anyone passing through the southern area of Arizona. At least stay for one night which is what I did and it was all I needed to be in awe. Here is a website about the Gadsden Hotel. http://www.hotelgadsden.com/ more