CONVERGENCE MAR-APR2017

Travel
THE OLDE BELL
EAST BERKSHIRE,
ENGLAND
As one of the oldest inns in the world,
The Olde Bell is a unique establishment
that has captured the essence of English
hospitality and complimented it with
chic tableware, divine textiles and simple
understated luxury. In business since
1135, the place was originally a
guesthouse for visitors to the nearby
Benedictine priory (monastery or
nunnery). But, today guests will feast
with their eyes upon soothing, minimalist
decorations and feast with their bellies
upon dishes made with organic local
ingredients, many sourced from the
hotel's own garden.
THE PEABODY
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,
UNITED STATES
Quack, quack! If you're at the hotel lobby's fountain either
at 11am or 5pm, be prepared to join some unusual guests
with webbed feet. That's right, you'll see ducks swimming
lazily in the water, quacking around or just plainly staring
at you for looking so out of place. How did the tradition
of the ducks in the hotel fountain begin? Back in the 1930's
Frank Schutt and Chip Barwick returned from a hunting
trip and decided it would be funny to place some live duck
decoys in the fountain. Today, what initially started out as
a joke is a tradition and nearly over 90 years after that duck
march, ducks still visit the lobby fountain.
In 2015, the hotel was named the "Best Historic Hotel"
(over 400 guestrooms category) by Historic Hotels of
America. The award honours "the most exemplary historic
hotels, hoteliers and leadership practices. The awards are
presented to historic hotels demonstrating the highest
contribution to furthering the celebration of history and
demonstrating leadership and innovation."
Pictures by The Peabody Memphis
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