HOTEL FUN FACTS & PIECES OF INTEREST

• The 400-year-old lobby fireplace was found in a chateau that was being torn down in the French Loire Valley, in France. each piece was numbered, chiseled apart, and flown here along with the workers, to reassemble it to maintain its authenticity. It was originally used as an outdoor fireplace for the workers and livestock to warm themselves by when coming up from the vineyards and fields.
• The Venetian Plaster was treatments in the Biblioteca and the Private Dining Room, as well as throughout the lobby, use a practice invented by specialized craftsman. This technique uses a minimum of 3 and up to 6 coats to create the glazing effect that you can see. The plaster finish originated in ancient Rome and has been used throughout the centuries to modern times. The term "Venetian plaster" derives from the use of this finish in the palaces of 15Th century Venice. Fortunately, achieving the effect of Venitian plaster is now much simple. Venetian plaster can be put on all flat surfaces, including ceilings.
• The Biblioteca has a wonderful old European book collection on the shelves. There are many Italian Renaissance sculptures throughout the hotel. Notice the copy of The Three Graces by Antonio Canova at the end of the main hallway near the elevator vestibule. One of the original is in the Musee de Louvre in Paris.
• The 3 large sculptures on the 2nd-floor veranda were so heavy when they arrived that they had to hire a helicopter with a crane to lower them into place, as no one could lift them. This delayed the hotel opening!
• Our Lobby piece is a late 17th-century tapestry depicting Louis XIV, as Caesar, triumphantly entering Rome. The 4 females surrounding him depict the 4 parts of the world- American, Europe, Asia, and Africa. It's woven in woods, silk,s, and metals, and many of them were stolen by looters in the day to melt them down for the gold spun into them. A collection of 4 from this series can be seen at the MET in New York City. The front desk had to be redesigned to accommodate the tapestry size when it was found and the hotel was still under construction.
• The Hotel is adorned with a collection of original Russian Impressionist fine art. Originally loaned to the hotel by a local gallery, the artist's family has since allowed the Ayres to purchase many of the pieces you can see in the main hallway off the lobby, and in the restaurant. All of the artwork throughout the hotel are original pieces.
• The door outside the Othello room (Private Dining Room) comes from central Europe-note the carvings, the gryphon and the intricate details.
• antiques from around the world are throughout-armoires, trunks, chairs and more.
• The fabric in the guestrooms are all imported. If you are in a room with sage, green and gold, these materials came from Belgium. the rust and gold fabrics came from Italy.
• The 4 olive trees in the courtyard represent Doug Ayres 4 children.