Lodging

You know those people that remember large-scale events in their life and history based on where they were at the time the event occurred. Yeah, I’m one of those guys. The most recent time occurred just days ago. I was at the video store when I heard about the sad death of Patrick Swayze. I walked over to one of his most well-known movies, Dirty Dancing, and while standing there, saw all of the remaining copies quickly snatched off the shelf. To people living in the Carolinas, Dirty Dancing has a special place in their heart because part of it was filmed near the North Carolina/South Carolina border at beautiful Lake Lure at the 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa. Below, I feature the 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa, made famous by Dirty Dancing and nine other inns made famous by movies.

1] 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa. Patrick Swazye put this inn on the map with Dirty Dancing, but the Inn has a rich history that dates back years. The inn of course dates back to 1927, as it was being built when Lake Lure was first being filled. The inn is a North Carolina landmark and has hosted a variety of celebrities and national and international figures. Make sure to get one of the rooms facing the lake or for real Patrick Swayze fans, book one of their Dirty Dancing Cabins.

Inn made famous by Patrick Swayze's Dirty Dancing

[photo: BillRhodesPhoto]

2] View Point Inn. Guess again if you think there aren’t any cool movies that have ever been filmed at an inn. The View Point Inn, near Portland, Oregon, is a beautiful, yet quaint inn that labels itself as a boutique hotel and was recently a filming location for the popular teenage sci-fi movie Twilight. However, the View Point Inn has come under hard times like so many in the travel and hospitality industry and is asking for friends and supporters to help them raise the money to save it. Simply go to their website and click the donate link at the bottom of the homepage to donate to saving the View Point Inn.

Filming location of Twilight at View Point Inn

[photo: Nathanial Reinhart]

3] Oak Alley Plantation. It’s rare for an inn to be filmed for a movie, but even more rare for an inn to appear in several movies. However, the Oak Alley Plantation and Bed and Breakfast has appeared in several movies and television shows. The inn is of course known for its oak alley, which leads up to the home. The plantation home has appeared in the movie Midnight Bayou, Nightrider, Primary Colors and Interview with a Vampire.

Oak Alley Plantation featured in multiple movies.

[photo: Jack English]

4] Timberline Lodge. Most people simply don’t vividly remember inns from movies they’ve seen. However, fans of Stephen King’s The Shining know that the lodge is the central part of the movie. A national landmark located on the southside of Mount Hood, the Timberline Lodge was filmed as the opening scene from The Shining and throughout the movie as the exterior for the Overlook Hotel. The inn has gone through periods of decline and even closed for a period of time, but remains a popular attraction in Oregon.

Lodge Featured at the Beginning of The Shining

[photo: palmegranate]

5] Royal Victorian Manor. This small, cozy inn is yet another inn that stands out in viewer’s minds because of the significant role it played in the movie it appeared in. You probably remember the Royal Victorian Inn from Groundhog Day, with Bill Murray, where it was featured as the Cherry Street Inn. The manor was previously a private residence and is currently undergoing renovations, with a grand opening tentatively scheduled for Groundhog Day 2010.

Bed and Breakfast from Bill Murray's Groundhog Day

[photo: Charles D]

6] Chateau Marmont. What better place to choose an inn for a filming location then in Hollywood itself. The luxurious Chateau Marmont Hotel and Bungalows has pulled off the incredible feat of being a charming and luxurious hideaway in one of the most bustling parts of the world. This Hollywood inn and hotel was briefly featured in the movie Almost Famous, which has established itself as a modern movie that crosses over all genders and age groups.

Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood

[photo: dalylab]

7] Humphrey’s Half Moon Inn and Suites. This waterfront inn located on San Diego’s Shelter Island certainly takes the cake for the most tropical inn that’s been filmed in a movie. The inn was ironically represented as a Florida resort hotel in the hit movie Bring it On. Although it doesn’t advertise itself as an inn made famous by the movies, it’s more than worth a stay because of its tropical ambiance, resort-like amenities and comfortable accommodations.

San Diego's Tropical Humphrey's Half Moon Inn

[photo: thomwatson]

8] Dowell House. Not what you usually associate with either bed and breakfasts or filming of movies, Texas was the home of the shooting for the original Benji film. A majority of the movie was filmed at the Dowell House Bed and Breakfast. The bed and breakfast is located in the small Texas town of McKinney and invites guests to take a step back into time to the 1800s, where they can enjoy sipping tea from luxurious china and admire the many pieces of antique furniture that make the inn so unique.

Dowell House Bed and Breakfast

[Photo: Dowell House]

9] Village Inn. If you consider yourself an “old timer” and don’t recognize some of the newer films I’ve mentioned like Twilight, then you’ll certainly remember the classic film Holiday Inn, featuring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Many scenes from the Holiday Inn were filmed at the inn. It even changed its name to the Holiday Inn after the movie, but was later renamed. Located in the heart of Sonoma, California wine country, guests to it can enjoy beautiful views, plenty of outdoor activities and no shortage of wine.

Filming Location of Bing Crosby's Holiday Inn

[photo: somah]

10] Inn at Perry Cabin. Although it would rather be known for its luxury accommodations and rich history that dates back to the early 1800s, the Inn at Perry Cabin played a significant role in the comedy movie Wedding Crashers with Vince Vaughn, Will Ferrell and Owen Wilson. Several scenes from Wedding Crashers was filmed at the Inn at Perry Cabin, most notably the wedding reception scene, which is ironic, since the inn no longer does weddings. Perfect for a weekend getaway, it was recently renovated and transformed into what is now a luxurious hotel with amenities that include a great location on the Maryland shore, spa, swimming pool, docking facilities, fitness center and gardens. Also note that the inn is pet-friendly.

Wedding Crashers filming location.

[photo: trebsworld]