now that's old school

I like old stuff. I fell in love with my apartment building because it was built in 1928, and it shows ~ it wears its age proudly. My mom freaked out when she saw the place (it needed a lot of work and I got upset and told her she had "no vision").  I put the TV in a cabinet in the nook where the Murphy Bed used to be. I didn't let my landlords "remodel" my kitchen to add Italian tile and glossy black counters; I prefer the old built-in cabinets with glass doors. My dining set and the furniture in my bedroom, I  found in old shoppes and antique/vintage stores in the Mission. I refuse to buy a new car or even a gently-used car, so I recently had my car ('93) painted (for a bargain), because I know it will last me another 5 years or so ~ my sister bought it in 1992. Those Nissan Maximas will not let you down.  It now looks like a brand new car.  I should get it all souped-up, like Rahul.

So, when I signed up to volunteer a weekend or two for the Obama campaign in Reno, Nevada, I decided to find an old hotel or motel ~ to avoid "Your All-New Atlantis Rediscovered Casino Resort and Spa" and the "Silver Legacy Resort and Casino, featuring Ted Nugent" and the (very nice looking) "Siena Hotel Spa Casino".

Somehow, through a series of random clicks on the internet, I stumbled upon a brief mention of the Hotel El Cortez. The one and only review I found noted, "The elevator alone is an adventure by itself".  I had to know more. But pages and pages of Google search results yielded nothing, except a brief description at the National Park Service, noting the hotel's historic status:

Built in 1931, El Cortez Hotel is one of only three remaining major Art Deco buildings in Reno, and is an excellent example of this style. The foliated motif found on the terra cotta design on the building's base and parapet are remarkable Art Deco details. At the time it was built, it was Reno's tallest building. The hotel experienced such extensive use early on that an addition was built just a few years after its construction. The hotel included the Orchid Room, a swanky bar and a popular restaurant called the Tracedero Room. These rooms were elegantly appointed with stylish Art Deco ornamentation. The El Cortez was a high-class hotel, garnering an astounding $6 per night, compared to the prevailing room rate of $2.50 per night. The El Cortez was built in anticipation of increased divorce traffic after Reno's divorce law was liberalized in 1931.

I had to stay there.  I have never been to Reno before, so my first encounter with the "Biggest Little City in the World" and the birthplace of the gaming corporation Harrah's Entertainment just has to feature some semi-vintagey-fun experience.  So, I immediately called the hotel to ask about their URL address, to reserve a room.  After about 15 rings (I'm persistent), "Ervin" answered the phone and schooled me on the ways of the Hotel El Cortez.

Me: [All eager and chirpy.]  Hi there ~ what's your web site address?
Ervin: [All cool and calm, but super-nice.]  Oh, we don't have a website.
Me: Oh.  OK, if I want to reserve a room, can I just do that now, with you?
Ervin: Oh, we don't take reservations.  It's first-come, first-serve.
Me: Ok.  So, what are your rates?
Ervin: Well, Sunday night through Thursday, it's $27 per night, plus tax, and a $5 key deposit.  But you get the key deposit back when you check out.
Me: What about a Friday night and Saturday night?
Ervin: Oh.  Those rates are different.  It'll be $31 a night, plus tax ~ so, about $35.
Me: Um, THAT IS GREAT! (Well, I tried not to sound too excited.)  OK.  Do you have rooms with two double beds?
Ervin: Oh.  We don't have rooms with two beds.  But the beds in the rooms are double-size.
Me:  Super.  OK, if I show up on a Friday night, what're the odds of my getting a room?
Ervin: Pretty good.
Me: OK, so maybe I should show up Friday afternoon instead, to play it safe, huh?
Ervin: What you can do, is call us about a week before you get here.
Me: To what?
Ervin: To see how things look.
Me: [Wondering, if they don't take reservations, how will they know what to expect?]  Super.  See you then!

Ervin sounded cool.  And old.  I can't wait to see him.

So, I will leave work around noon, get there around 4, get the room, and then "see the sights" before I go to the campaign training.

I can't wait.

This is the only really good photo I could find, on Flickr, thanks to the talented Patrick Boury:

 

Comments

[elizs]

That place sounds awesome! I hope you are able to score a room and I admire your adventurous spirit. =)