Greensboro, NC–The O.Henry Hotel is quirky. But it’s the good kind of quirky, one you wish you’d see more often in a hotel.
A genuine London taxi (gosh, it’s cute!) sits at the portico, waiting to take guests to and from the nearby airport. The restaurant, Green Valley Grill, features fresh, local produce, all well-presented and tasty. Guest rooms sport the fine linens and fine furniture you’d expect, but also have nice touches like a dressing area with a permanent stand for suitcases. Windows open in guest rooms for those who love the fresh air.
In the ornate lobby: artist Chip Holton paints watercolors, which will decorate the guestrooms, then he’s on to creating pen-and-ink pieces for the public spaces. In all the hotels I’ve visited, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guest artist, but I love the concept.
Why the name? Well, the famous short story writer was born in Greensboro. For a reminder of his work, look up in the lobby to see his most famous story, The Gift of the Magi. Yes, that’s a good kind of quirky.