102 NW 1st St-Hwy 90 W., (432) 386-4205. Pool; full-service health spa.
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| exterior of Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
Built in 1927, the high-end historic Gage Hotel today displays is the place to stay in this tiny town. It is claimed that the owner has the largest memorabilia collection in the world, which is quite believable given the immensely interesting variety of items displayed throughout the property. The lobby is definitely worth passing some time in.
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| lobby at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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lobby at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas
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Room 10 in the main hotel is reputedly haunted, but a first-hand report says no paranormal activity occurred and the bed was super comfy.
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guest room at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas
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The Los Portales, or “porches,” section of the hotel features adobe brick buildings that replicate the primitive indigenous building styles of the area. Configured around a courtyard, these atmospheric guest rooms are equipped with fireplaces to chase away any chill. Units incorporate very old handmade windows and mesquite doors salvaged from Mexico. Saltillo clay floor tiles and hand-painted Talavera tiles, also from Mexico, are used throughout. These 20 guest rooms share a pool.
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| exterior of Los Portales section at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| guest room in Los Portales section at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| swimming pool for Los Portales section at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| pool at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
Captain Shepard House
About a block away, the Captain Shepard House offers five guest rooms and is used for group bookings. Built in 1890, the two-story, classic colonial-style home was fully restored in 2012. Two rooms share a bath, and the rest have lovely stone-tile bathrooms. There was a cold snap in the area when I stayed here, and a problem getting hot water in the house culminated in my group not getting a morning shower. But we survived. Everyone shares a sitting room, TV room, dining room, and butler’s kitchen. A Carriage House in the rear offers two additional guest rooms.
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| exterior of Captain Shepard House at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| guest room at Captain Shepard House at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
The White Buffalo
saloon makes lovely drinks and is especially nice when it's not crowded and you can chat up the bartender, but it’s also fun when it is jammed and festive. Margaritas are primo here, and a fine dining menu is available.
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| The White Buffalo saloon at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
12 Gage Restaurant
Serving Texas-inspired specialties with a gourmet twist, the award-winning 12-Gage Restaurant offers a refined seasonal menu that uses high-quality local ingredients, including herbs grown in the Gage Gardens and local wild game, beef, and fowl. Seating is available both indoors and out, but the way to go is inside, where you can enjoy the fireplace, cowboy chic décor, and art while seated in comfortable leather chairs. An extensive wine list is available along with signature cocktails such as the lovely Blood Orange Margarita I enjoyed. And it seems a no-brainer to order steak--think tasty Native American Beef Tenderloin Filet or tender Wagyu Strip Steak--but surprisingly fresh Columbia River salmon is also on the menu. And do save some room for a delicious housemade dessert.
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| desk at 12 Gage Restaurant at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| Blood Orange Margarita at 12 Gage Restaurant at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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Native American Beef Tenderloin Filet at 12 Gage Restaurant
at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
V6 Coffee Bar
Located down the street a tad, the bright, casual V6 Coffee Bar cafe offers espressos and a breakfast menu that includes avocado toast, oatmeal, and an egg sandwich. A cute children’s menu offers just a few items on a tiny card. I was not sorry I ordered the biscuits and jalapeno gravy with sausage. Yum, yum.
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| counter at V6 Coffee Bar at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| cowboy checks his phone at V6 Coffee Bar at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| kids' menu at V6 Coffee Bar at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
Gage Gardens
Located several blocks away, the distance to the Gage Gardens is walkable, but plenty of parking is also available. This 27-acre park includes a small rose garden, a lavender field, and several trails. Indigenous plants are found throughout.
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| red roses in Gage Gardens at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| yellow roses in Gage Gardens at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
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| Texas sage in Gage Gardens at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas |
Itinerary for road trip through West Texas.
Things to do in El Paso.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
We love the homey and rustic vibe that you discovered in Marathon. The Gage Hotel looks like the perfect place to grab a good nights rest after a day of exploring the area.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting place! And reading this reminded me of a long-forgotten memory - that my Grandfather Gage had Texas roots! I wonder...
ReplyDeleteWow, I love hotels like this very cool
ReplyDeleteMarathon looks awesome! I would love to visit. I can't tell you how much l am drooling over that margarita :-). The food looks awesome too. I like the feel of the hotel.
ReplyDeleteYou are killing me with these finds of yours! Love, love, love these kinds of places and I swear you are making me homesick!
ReplyDelete