Excelsior House Hotel

The front desk lady is so rude. Even over the phone she has a rudeness about her. She’s been there awhile. I’ve called 3 times to make reservations over the last year and every single time, she has answered the phone. Just the tone of her voice and the price per night turns us off.
So we end up staying at the Jefferson.
The entire town is fun and there is so much history to explore. My advice, try to stay at the Jefferson or go to Marshall Texas and get you a modern room.

We have stayed at the Excelsior twice in the last two months and have found it to be an enjoyable experience. We stayed in the historic portion both times; first the Grant room and then the Ladybird room. Both rooms were spacious and clean. The Grant room did have an inconvenient shower in the tub, but that is being remodeled as I write this. The Ladybird room has a modern shower and contains a gift clock and associated letters from Ladybird. The breakfast is not great, but is more than adequate. The location amidst most of the best restaurants can’t be beat.

Way over-​priced, and it would not be if the place wasn’t as dog-​eared. The owners need to invest some cash and TLC into this hotel, and even a little would help. I can overlook some bad art, 80’s wallpaper, cheap plastic flower arrangements, and even the foundation issues. .. what I cannot overlook were things like the wallpaper in the bathroom having paint splatters all over and peeling off someplace on all 4 walls, or a cheap molded-​fiberglass shower with grunge on the grout and mold on the shower curtain. Clients rarely like dated, shabby bathrooms, even in old hotels. Our room was large and the furniture was nice, if mismatched; however our rollaway cot, though new, kept collapsing under the weight of my 60 lb daughter, who finally put the mattress on the floor. The sheets were a cheap, thin, polyester-​blend and my bottom sheet was not a fitted one and too small, and came off all during the night (a seemingly small issue but sleeping on a hotel’s bare mattress is a particular pet peeve of mine). My friends’ room (Victorian Room) was smaller and it could not get cool until the sun went down, and was always a little muggy. The rooms would benefit from ductless split a/​c units but I believe the management is light-​years from that. No blowdryer or pen/​notepad or iron, though there was an ironing board, go figure — for $ 189/​night, there should be amenities that even a Comfort Inn would offer and there were not.
The dining room is the nicest part of the hotel (best room, best art, best furniture) and it is lovely; however, you do not get much of a chance to appreciate it unless you eat there. We had their breakfast and unfortunately found that disappointing too and again, over-​priced. Much of the furniture scattered about the hotel is too fragile to be used, so the signs indicate… well, there needs to be more that one can use. Texas has no shortage of vintage furniture so if it can’t be utilized, then it is really just junk (unless it has some significant meaning, and then it should be identified as such.) The lumpy, faded antique couches in the lobby should be distributed to the areas that now have the only-​for-​show furniture, and some substantial, comfortable seating should be available in the lobby; when it comes to lobbies, function should override form. I’m not a drinker but the place could stand a bar or a café as well, and would benefit well from it, and could open up to the sparsely furnished and under-​utilized large veranda in front. A hotel lobby of a hotel someplace like The Excelsior House should be somewhat grand and filled with people wanting to enjoy it, instead of feeling like they are in a 2-​bit museum.
Had these conditions existed in the rooms of some chain-​hotel in Jefferson, I’d have given it 2 stars or less. So why 3 stars? The Excelsior House (the building itself) does have a lot of character and historic value, and that usually goes a long way with me. I truly love buildings with history — I’ve lived in homes as old as the Excelsior House, and will choose a historic hotel over a brand new one every time; since I’ve had experience in the area, I am familiar with very old features and am not confusing charming patina with neglect. I think that is what bothers me the most: it is significant, meaningful building to Jefferson that is being used somewhat shoddily, and the hotel’s potential is being ignored. I won’t be back unless there is a major overhaul, and I truly hope that is the case in the near future.

Stayed in Jefferson many times but first stay at the Excelsior. We were in the Blaylock room (102) for 3 nights, king bed, and then moved upstairs to the Rutherford (213). Enjoyed the stay but when they say hand held shower in 102 there is no shower curtain so you must take a bath. Rutherford had double bed but room so much nicer with walkin shower. Overall enjoyed hotel but probably would never stay in Excelsior again.

I’ll preface this by saying that I greatly enjoy historic places and things.
My wife and I, and teen daughters went on a road trip to this and another historic hotel this summer. The hotel, though 150 years old, seemed well maintained all things considered, in my opinion. The rooms were clean and bright, and had everything we needed, short of a hair dryer, but more than made up for that in old world charm and appeal. Though there were a lot of the modern amenities, such as a television, the rooms’ décor had retained a lot of period furnishing and decorations. There is a balcony the length of the second floor overlooking a beautiful courtyard with a fountain in its center.
The in keeper overnight was very friendly and personal, and quite willing to discuss the hotel, the town, the history, etc.
Restaurants are within walking distance (Including a Cajun restaurant, my favorite)
The town itself is a Norman Rockwell painting, from the historic downtown area to the numerous Victorian and Victorian era homes nearby.
We stayed on a Sunday night, which had its own appeal, as there was hardly anything stirring in the town… something to consider. All in all it was quite enjoyable, and reasonably priced.

Being someone who travels frequently for business, I enjoy it when I have the opportunity to stay at a Historic Hotel instead of a business hotel. I loved the décor of this hotel. I saw three rooms and they were great and all unique.
Don’t expect things you get in your normal Marriott. My room had no ironing board (although I heard some others did) and no hair dryer. Wifi was hit or miss. If you’re okay missing these things (which I was) then you’ll love the hotel.
Staff was great and welcoming and parking is free and right in front of the door. It is located within walking distance to a lot of restaurants.
Everything was great in this hotel, one star deduction for the train that came by and used its whistle every hour and the fact that I could hear the floors of the room above me creek. Did not eat breakfast here and the room rate was reduced because of this (nice!).

We have only come here at Christmas time, best place to hang, close to restaurants, bars, shopping, carriage rides galore. Beautiful sunsets too. Whether alone or with friends we have a fabulous time. Love the food, the staff are excellent and the place is clean. How many times do you travel this planet, either new or old, and not see housekeeping items that require attention, it is not high tech, it’s quaint and our spirits gravitate to Jefferson to get off the grid. Price of the room equates to the value you perceive, no $ 35 per day valet.
As a hyper-​vigilant traveler I may travel with glue and duct tape but am not in repair mode so I look the other way, most of the time. Yes I want light bulbs that light, coffee makers that perk, safes that lock, no roaches and sweet dreams guaranteed here. Not sure if these folks are pet friendly, of the four legged kind.
Have noticed when my eyes are closed I can’t see the décor. Buy their cook book, the orange muffins served at breakfast are yummy+. Parking easy, safe and secure.
No bomb threats, as recently experienced in Toronto, ghosts, no big deal, history abounds!

We stayed on a Monday night so they gave us a break on the rate but it was still almost $ 100. The staff is very friendly. The hotel is quaint and charming. It is and extremely old building so this might not be the place for you if you want everything to be perfect. There is a pretty courtyard in the back. Don’t miss the fish and turtles in the fountain. We enjoyed sitting outside and watching them. The room was fine and everything was clean. The tub was a little stained but like I said it’s old. Over all we had a nice stay and felt welcomed by the staff.

I have stayed at the Excelsior House many times over the years and it never seems to change. The hotel has been in continuous operation since 1850 with another part of the hotel built in 1864. Quite historic. Numerous luminaries have stayed there including Lady Bird Johnson and Robert E. Lee. The fact that it never seems to change is a double edged sword, my friends.
A double room with breakfast was $ 168.00…lots more than I am usually willing to pay for a single night but hey, it’s the Excelsior! So is it unreasonable to expect a room that lives up to that price tag? NO, it is not!
Rather than enjoying the ambiance, we played a game: let’s redecorate and fix up this room. It occupied us for hours! It starts like this. Why is there a king size metal bed in this tiny room? Why is the towel bar missing in the bathroom? Why does nothing in the «décor» go together? Why is the switchplate in the bathroom cracked? Why is the wallpaper peeling off the wall? Why are mismatched pictures hung randomly around the room? I could go on but…
Simple things need to be fixed. For real. How expensive is it to replace a switch plate or a broken towel bar? Glue down the peeling wall paper, for goodness sake. Just basic maintenance! whew…
On the plus side, the breakfast was wonderful! You are seated at a beautiful antique dining table that seat about 20 and served a real southern breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, fresh fruit and fresh squeezed OJ. Coffee and tea, of course and the most wonderful rolls and muffins. That alone is worth the trip to the Excelsior!
I just wish the rooms could be spiffed up some… do a walk through, people. Fix the little stuff and then give us $ 300.00 and a week and we’ll redecorate!