Highland Center?

[Jazzbo]

Let's put Crawford Center in Historical Perspective

Read your history folks! Take a look at this picture courtesy of Crawford State Park so I assume it's in public domain. There are better photos of it but I don't have right to publish them here.



That's the old Crawford House Hotel that was built just prior to and was there waiting when the Portland & Ogdensburg RR punched through the notch. It stood on this site for 117 years until it burned down in 1977. It's probably no accident that old building resmbles the new Crawford Center. Like the other grand hotels of that time, it was a high class joint that catered to guilded age royalty types including five US presidents Franklin Pierce, Grant, Hayes, Garfield, and Harding (names on some of the peaks in this area). So there's some basis for a facility of this type.

Having said that ... I too have issues with how it's operated. I'm more partial to Pinkham Notch style facility. I'd favor adding to and improving on what Shapliegh BH has to offer.

Myself I have hard time with RIGID and over-elaborate dinners. When I stay at any of the AMC facilities I generally have a hard time making it to the place in time for dinner at 6:30. One time I rolled in to HC after a hike and drive at 7:15 when they were serving desert and had to beg and plead on bended knee for something to eat. They eventually assembled a plate for me, but not without a fight from me. If I was any later I would have been SOL and it's a long way to go in these areas to just get a sandwich. I'd have had same problem at Pinkham too probably.

Sometimes all you want or need is quick meal - not multi-course dinner.

Breakfast is ok by me. Good variety all the basics. Self-serve buffet style and offered during 2 hour time period. 6:30 is early for most starts, but 6:00 would be better. I'd like it lot better if dinner was served the way breakfast is served and during a 2-3 hour long window for flexibility. This would eliminate wait staff and maybe enable lower cost.

 

[Hampshire]

P.S. How has is hurt local businesses?

Please see attached thread.

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17884&highlight=highland+center

 

[Quietman]

I remember dolittle's post but he seems to have edited out his comments regarding the HC.

 

[giggy]

I felt the need to actually resurrect this thread to announce that I just got back from a weekend in Midtown Manhattan (most expensive real estate in the world??) and stayed 2 blocks from Times Sq and the Theatre District. Just saying that b/c its prime location.

My nightly rate for my wife and I was $229 per night. The rate for Highland center would be $260 per night for a private room. Ok, the hotel didn't include dinner, but it did include breakfest.

I just thought that was very interesting...............................................................

 

[BobC]

I've found the price for using the bathrooms to be very reasonable.

 

[Stan]

My nightly rate for my wife and I was $229 per night. The rate for Highland center would be $260 per night for a private room. Ok, the hotel didn't include dinner, but it did include breakfest.

Location. Location. Location.

I'll take the mountains over Manhattan any day ... well, I might think twice some nights ... but compared to the Canadian Rockies, the facilities in the Whites are a bargain.

 

[Neil]

Location. Location. Location.
compared to the Canadian Rockies, the facilities in the Whites are a bargain.

Not quite the same location or real estate though.

Do the rooms at the HC have fireplaces or Jacuzzis or something? (Seems like pretty steep rates for hikers.)

Anyone know what a comparable room at Adirondack Loj goes for?

 

[BobC]

I just checked online and the prices for a private 2-person room with a shared bath are $57/night for AMC members, $77 for non-members. But that goes up to $96 for members/$130 for non-members if you add in a private bath. That's a lot of extra cash just to have a little more privacy.

It also seems like the dinners add a big cost. The Shapleigh bunkhouse's AMC member prices are a "bed and breakfast" rate of $30 a night, but jump up to $56 if you add dinner. It'd be nice if they'd offer a bed & breakfast option to the main part of the Highland Center. Although the options for eating dinner elsewhere in Twin Mountain are becoming pretty slim...

 

[Chip]

I guess that I'd rather have people who can afford to stay at the HC pay the high rates and help fund what the AMC does rather than have the AMC send more fundraising appeals via the mail and waste paper and other resources.

Non-profits are still businesses, and will generally charge what the market will bear. It there weren't other options in the area, I would feel differently. But since there are, use them instead of the HC if you want to.

As for me, have hammock, will travel!?

Agree with everything here. (I know this is a resurrected thread)

I've found the price for using the bathrooms to be very reasonable.

Also agree.

P.S. How has is hurt local businesses?

I can't see how it hurts local businesses if it brings traffic into the area. "Hotels" charge what their market will bear. The family staying at the HC has probably never been to the Whites before. They also are not the same people that would stay at a hostel or camp. When that family returns to the Whites they can seek more reasonable lodging, if they care to, like we've done, right up the road.

I've never felt I wasn't welcome to park there, use the bathroom, spread my crap around by the fireplace, and grab a coffee or beer while warming up.

 

[Maddy]

I remember dolittle's post but he seems to have edited out his comments regarding the HC.

I edited mine to because I was accused of profiling when I mentioned that I like the "hard core" hiker experience at Pinkham over the yuppie one at the "Hilton". I haven't met them yet but I know they are out there. Rough and ready!

I did join the AMC in October once again for the discounts at Joe Dodge and the high huts.
They sure do know how to cook!

 

[erugs]

People want variety. The HC gives 'em that. Just as we didn't stay at the Timberline Lodge when we were at Mt. Hood last summer, it was fun to see and imagine being a guest in a place like that. Most of us here don't need nice accomodations when we go the the Whites. Let's be generous in allowing that other people enjoy a little luxury and can afford to spring for it, even if it isn't in our reach or inclination.

 

[Daniel Eagan]

Most of us here don't need nice accomodations when we go the the Whites. Let's be generous in allowing that other people enjoy a little luxury and can afford to spring for it, even if it isn't in our reach or inclination.

The Highland Center isn't anywhere near "luxury"—for luxury, try the Mount Washington Resort at Bretton Woods, or The Balsams, or the Eagle Mountain House. And you know what? If you time it right, you can get a room at any one of those three for cheaper than $260 a night.

For what it offers, the Highland Center is charging an insane amount. And don't get me started on the huts.

 

[Mike P.]

Location. Location. Location.

I'll take the mountains over Manhattan any day ... well, I might think twice some nights ... but compared to the Canadian Rockies, the facilities in the Whites are a bargain.

Agreed, I'm thinking you'd have to pay me to stay in Manhattan & pay for my meals too!

I've yet to stay at the HC proper but have stayed a few nights at the bunkhouse. I usually pick my accommodation by where I'm hiking & if I call in time for a reservation, (if needed).

On the Eastern side, or Southern Whites, I'll look at the Conway Hostel, hiking in the Northern area, either Hiker's Paradise or a room at the Comfort Inn, if in C-Notch or Twin Mt. area likely Shapleigh. (Used to stay at Lyon's)

For one night the difference between $20 & $50 (for me) is not that big a deal for the convenience of waking up, eating & hiking out the door without the hassle of breaking camp. When gas was $4.00+ I had a problem driving up north monthly while lining Exxon's pockets. When the retiring President of AMC gets a $100,000,000 retirement package, then I'll complain.

For pure value of the accommodation, IMO the Conway Hostel is the best value. For the extraverts, you get a good chance to meet a very diverse group of people there too. I've had good luck at Shapleigh, usually either alone in a bunkroom or just one or two others in a room that sleeps 10 or 12.

 

[giggy]

I figured there would be a couple that would say "i would rather be in the mountains than NYC" - well whatever, for myself - some weekends I would rather be in the hills - some I would rather be in the city.

I just want to add, I got zero problem with any for profit org charging what they want and can in anywhere/anytime.

I just thought it interesting that a NON profit that thrives on stating they like to "serve all and lets get people out there" in the outdoors charges more for a room in northern NH than a for profit company in high dollar real estate NYC.

Also - add the the AMC gets special treatment to actually set up shop there, though maybe I am wrong. Somehow, I doubt Hilton would be able to buy that land and have a hotel there.. but again maybe I am wrong. There is a need for nice high prices places - I just don't see the AMC as providing that need. Just an opinion.

whatever - there is a market for it, and there is nothing illegal...I just think its interesting - thats all.

signed proud ex-AMC member

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Because they are non-profit, they put all their "profits" back into the cause. So if they get some tourists who want to get away, do some drive-through viewing of the mountains, ski, etc., to pay them a market rate (which it is, let's face it, they charge what they charge because they can get it), and they put the money back into their stated goals, what's the problem?

Disclaimer: I'm not a member, never have been. I know (of) many unhappy former members...

Tim

 

[David Metsky]

The AMC provides lodging options at many different price points for many different constituencies. I don't see why this is an issue.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

My apologies if we've already had a thread on this.

Apologies accepted - we've had lots of threads on this topic - all negative! One of the topics a few here never tire of. In fact, if there hasn't been a good AMC-bashing session in a while, then resurrecting a year-old thread makes for a fresh start.

This is probably an Emily Post-type question - what's the appropriate response when you see a veteran basher using the Boot Room at Pinkham, filling their water bottle at a hut, reading Appalachia, or parking at the Highland Center because the NH DOT hasn't plowed out the nearby trailheads yet?

 

[Quietman]

what's the appropriate response when you see a veteran basher using the Boot Room at Pinkham, filling their water bottle at a hut, reading Appalachia, or parking at the Highland Center because the NH DOT hasn't plowed out the nearby trailheads yet?

My name isn't Emily, but I'd take their picture and post it here!

 

[giggy]

Apologies accepted - we've had lots of threads on this topic - all negative! One of the topics a few here never tire of. In fact, if there hasn't been a good AMC-bashing session in a while, then resurrecting a year-old thread makes for a fresh start.

This is probably an Emily Post-type question - what's the appropriate response when you see a veteran basher using the Boot Room at Pinkham, filling their water bottle at a hut, reading Appalachia, or parking at the Highland Center because the NH DOT hasn't plowed out the nearby trailheads yet?

Maybe a quick hello if you know him...

I just felt like I had some new info to add - whats the problem with that? It gives the do-gooders a great chance to mouth off as well and say whats good in the world vs whats bad. I choose to be more negative than positive. I find its more interesting. Down with this life is good crap - it really isn't all that great.

 

[Chip]

I felt the need to actually resurrect this thread to announce that I just got back from a weekend in Midtown Manhattan (most expensive real estate in the world??) and stayed 2 blocks from Times Sq and the Theatre District. Just saying that b/c its prime location.

My nightly rate for my wife and I was $229 per night. The rate for Highland center would be $260 per night for a private room. Ok, the hotel didn't include dinner, but it did include breakfest.

I just thought that was very interesting...............................................................

Fess up, Guy; you were just afraid people here would find out you went to Manhattan to see Justin Beiber, Adam Lambert and Taylor Swift at the Z100 Jingle Ball , so you tried to distract us by resurrecting the old AMC/Highland Center discussion.