Lisa V.
Yelp
I am a German teacher and musician from Arkansas, who was drawn to this property because of its great historical standing in the Over the Rhine area, a German settled community with a strong influence by the arts. I called ahead and spoke to Colleen, manager, who was very helpful in answering my questions about the former mansion's amenities and after a few other inquiries to nearby B&Bs, the booking price and friendliness of her voice sealed my choice to soak up a night at the sweet sounds of a night in the Symphony Hotel.
Colleen painted an overview of the rooms, noting each rooms details, each of which were themed by their own musical composer. There were rooms highlighting Bach, Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and Rachmaninoff, all of which are located in the original portions of the eclectically decorated hotel. Three newer rooms highlighting Mahler, Copland and Beach are located in the newer addition to the hotel, separated by a soft gray floating deck covered by a pergola and trimmed out with blooming petunias and deep brown wicker furniture surrounding a fire pit. The outdoor area can be easily reached from the first floor rooms and easily from the new addition as well. The deck was overlooking the historic walls of the Music Hall from one side and glimpsing colorful row houses from the other side.
I chose Schubert because he wrote so many love songs and I felt a touch of romanticism on my drive up from WV. At my arrival, my first impression was a large hand-carved wooden door fit for a giant. As soon as I parked my car, Colleen opened that huge door, greeted me at my car and carried my luggage up the long carpeted staircase leading to my room. I was quickly soaking in the deep jewel tones throughout the elegant home as we climbed the narrow staircase. After arriving in my room, Colleen had decided since I was the only guest on that Wednesday night, that she would upgrade me to the Rachmaninoff room. He was a Russian composer, not my favorite like the German-speaking Schubert, but soon I forgot all about Schubert.
I am one for details and I quickly soaked up each detail about my room. Everyone always checks out the bathroom first. Mine was spotless, well lit with new fixtures and a nice standing shower. A bookcase had fluffy white towels and some more personal touches such as q-tips.
The surprises continued in the alcove sink vanity area. A toothbrush holder, a bottle of scope, a bar of Symphony Hotel boxed soap, a floral vintage trinket box and a vanity perfume mirror trimmed with porcelain roses topped by a porcelain figurine. A raised basin sink centered in a dark slab of granite in front of an etched mirror finished off the lovely alcove.
The bed had a vintage head and foot board but the main frame was modern which I appreciated. There's nothing like fearing you'll break a 200 year old antique. The mattress was plush and felt like the choice Goldilocks would have made, "it was just right." There were 4 sleeping pillows, one long plush body pillow, two large shammed pillows, two rectangular throw pillow and one cylindrical roll pillow. Another large flat round pillow lay at the foot of the bed. I thought it looked like a pillow a royal cat might sit upon but instead I found, a bar of orange dark chocolate with almonds, granola bars, fresh fruit and 2 small drinking glasses.
Once I retired for the evening, I learned of the quality of the heavy embroidered comforter and I slept like a baby, even though I wasn't in the Brahm's room.
Often B & Bs will leave out those modern comforts that we all have become accustomed but the Symphony avoided such cuts and included a flat screen TV atop an antique armoire, featuring satellite services. An remote-controlled wall-mounted air conditioner cooled the room and original radiators were throughout for heat.
Each room had a fireplace, although non-working and each was decorated by paintings, sculptures, sheet music, and other musical impressions including instruments. Mozart's room even had a modern retro phonograph with one of his compositions ready to play. Several rooms included a small refrigerator and a coffee maker, although my room did not include these items.
......I will add more details later. I will speak about the great breakfast omelet and the other rooms in the bar and restaurant area but my pictures speak for themselves so check them out.
