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Visitor Abodes Abound in Downtown Arcata
ARCATA -- Weary travelers looking for alternatives to hotels and motels have new lodging options sprouting throughout the downtown. A mere 10 months since opening Rose Court Cottage, a one-bedroom suite adjoining a 1939 craftsman-era Tudor-style house at 13th and H streets, Christy Laird is managing two new short-term rentals with another two on the horizon. Laird has joined with local property owners to establish Arcata Stay, a lodging accommodations network. She is providing marketing and a central reservation service for their overnight accommodations, as well as coordinating housekeeping staff. The idea for the lodging network sprouted in August during a conversation with property owner Alex Stillman. A tenant had recently vacated an upstairs apartment in Stillman's year-old building on the corner of the Arcata Plaza at Ninth and H streets. "I was talking with Christy and I learned she was turning people away on a regular basis," Stillman said. "She felt that if there were more units in Arcata, she could fill them." So Stillman set about furnishing and redecorating her apartment into the Downtown Plaza View Stay, a two bedroom, two bath, $175-per-night rental with laundry and full kitchen. A balcony overlooking the plaza provides a view of bustling small town life on the city square. "Alex's building is so tight it can be a world unto itself when the doors and windows are closed. People think 'the plaza' and noise, but because it's a brand new building and totally insulated, you can have as much interaction with Plaza life as you choose," Laird said. Downtown Plaza View Stay opened in September and has had four renters to date. A second rental for Laird to manage was not far behind. Karole Ely, a friend of Stillman's, recently finished renovating her craftsman era bungalow and a carriage house studio above her garage at Thirteenth and B streets. Thus sprang Forest View Stay, a spacious one bedroom vacation rental providing a view of the Arcata Community Forest two blocks away for $145-per-night. A private deck, hillside view of Humboldt State University and a flower-filled garden with a pond are also featured. Laird's target clients include business visitors such as consultants, sales representatives and job candidates, as well as parents of HSU students and people seeking to relocate to the north coast. "Hotels are vital, but it's nice to have options for people who want to stay in more of an apartment-type place, and not have to go to Eureka to do it," said Sharon Cissna, president of the Arcata Chamber of Commerce and district club coordinator for Arcata Rotary. Cissna recently booked Rose Court Cottage for the visiting centennial governor of the California Rotary. Amenities of each suite are based on a list of recommendations and sources provided by Laird, including fine quality linens, broadband Internet access, cable television, a DVD and CD player and a fully appointed kitchen. "Alex and Karole have exceptional taste. I felt very confident that whatever they put together would be beautifully designed, and they were not intimidated by my dreaded four page list of required furnishings and amenities signature to Arcata Stay," Laird said. A fourth short-term lodging venue, Streamside Stay, will soon be joining the network. It is located between I and J Streets downtown and will feature a view of Jolly Giant Creek. A section of the creek is being "daylighted" by McBain and Trush, an environmental consulting firm that specializes in river restoration. The stream was placed underground in the 1940s, and will be uncovered and restored to a natural setting. The purpose of the daylighting project is to enhance rearing habitat and migration for coho salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. The McBain and Trush building, where Streamside Stay will be located, is under construction and should be completed this month. Still another rental, Bay Light Cottage, is in the works on the east side of downtown Arcata. This one-bedroom cottage with a view of Humboldt Bay is under renovation and will be managed by Arcata Stay by the end of the year. The Arcata Stay reservation service can be reached at 822-0935, toll-free at 877-822-0935, and online soon at www.arcatastay.com |
