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Travel + Leisure
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This Kentucky Town Is The Bourbon Capital of the World—and It Just Got Its First Luxury Hotel with Bourbon Butlers, a Pool, and a Hidden Speakeasy
The Trail underwent a chic midcentury modern–inspired redesign and restoration, featuring leather and wood accents. The on-site restaurant, Oak & Ember, showcases a massive bourbon lineup, a wine list curated by a level three sommelier, and recipes crafted by cookbook author and chef Marvin Woods. Fitting to Bardstown's fame as 'the Bourbon Capital of the World,' the hotel's two on-staff bourbon butlers can coordinate exclusive experiences and tastings. Rather than a traditional spa, the hotel features a wellness area that offers IV treatments, a cryotherapy pod, an oxygen bar, and more. 'We're so glad you're here,' the front desk staff member greeted me with a smile. Ten seconds in at the brand-new The Trail Hotel, which had just opened in May, and I was already experiencing some of Kentucky's signature Southern hospitality. After flying into Louisville airport, I made my way to Bardstown, aka the Bourbon Capital of the World, and checked into the Prohibition Suite at the city's first high-end boutique hotel. Over shrimp cocktail and tuna crudo, Jason Thompson, the director of bourbon experiences and sales, and Norma Smith, one of the hotel's two bourbon butlers, filled me in on its history. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building was originally opened as a Holiday Inn on April 1, 1971. It was sold in 2004, rebranded, and served as a hotel for a dozen years. It sat empty from 2016 to 2021, before being put up for auction. Then, high school friends Will Hardy and Nathan 'Ejo' Edmonds put in a bid and won. Right on cue, the other bourbon butler, Jackie Hill, walked over to our table, introduced herself, and added, 'My husband and I met here 18 years ago, and got married soon after. It was the happening place to be—and really the only place to go—back in the day,' Hill told me. She went on to reference grade school pool parties, live music and dancing in the bar area, and countless couples' first dates that happened in the building. The lobby at The Trail Hotel. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel 'The first two contracting firms that we spoke to would only work with us if we bulldozed. From a financial standpoint, that would've been cheaper,' Hardy said. 'As we spoke with the community, we were reminded about how important the Holiday Inn was. We decided we didn't want to be the guys who destroyed dreams to facilitate our own, which was to make Bardstown even more of a destination. With The Trail Hotel, we've taken what was broken and brought it back to life to preserve those memories.' It took some time, creativity, extra money (Edmonds and Hardy were glad to welcome Brook Smith as an investment partner and co-owner), and some serious TLC, but they were able to transform the bones of the two-story motel-style building into a hotel that feels like stepping inside a stylish and modern Southern country club. Warm, polished, and welcoming all at once, the co-owners collaborated with Joseph & Joseph Architects for the restoration and redesign. They dreamed up creative amenities, such as a rejuvenation lounge, an indoor golf simulator, and bourbon butlers, which is their twist on a concierge. And once the stage was set, the team hired a team of incredibly talented staff, including a level three sommelier who has worked at three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry and an Emmy Award–nominated chef. The Trail Hotel's debut seems to be a win for locals and visitors alike. "We're filling a major gap by bringing The Trail Hotel to Bardstown," Hardy said. "We are home to 11 top distilleries, but this town has never offered any high-end lodging or food elevation, where visitors felt like they could stay for several days [...] Through revitalizing the hotel and creating the bourbon butler program, we've set up a 'one-stop shop' to guide the guest experience in Bardstown.' Ahead, my review of The Trail Hotel, bourbon country's coolest new boutique hotel. The Trail Hotel offers 87 classic and deluxe guest rooms, as well as eight bourbon-themed 548-square-foot suites. I rested my head in the Prohibition Suite, lined with art that pays tribute to Repeal Day in 1933. Each suite features a spacious living room area complete with a couch, coffee table, bar, and TV, as well as a bedroom boasting a king-size bed. In the bathroom, guests will find cozy branded robes and walk-in showers. The 274-square-foot guest rooms are available with either two queen beds or a king-size bed, and some have either a shared or private patio. The mid century modern interiors are styled in dark hues along with stylish leather and wood accents. Guests enjoy Southern-inspired dishes at Oak & Ember. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel Prior to signing on as The Trail Hotel's executive chef, Marvin Woods wrote three cookbooks, hosted the Emmy-nominated show Home Plate, and helped former first lady Michelle Obama with her Let's Move! campaign. Woods now helms The Trail Hotel's signature 110-seat restaurant, Oak & Ember, and its lobby bar Embers. After I savored a bowl of comforting Kentucky burgoo, Woods stopped by to deliver a beet salad topped with perfectly seared skin-on chicken and a side of cavatappi mac and cheese that made my inner child swoon. Summarizing his creations as Southern fare with a healthy-ish twist, Woods told me that he looked forward to celebrating local ingredients and recipes on his breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. The Trail Hotel's speakeasy, Bourbon Vault. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel For the perfect pairing, tap into the powers of the hotel's director of food and beverage, Cole Liegel. A veteran of the three-Michelin-starred Napa Valley institution, The French Laundry, level three sommelier Liegel helps patrons select the best bottle to pair with their meal. (His riesling recommendation for me was spot-on.) From local beers to world-class wines to a large list of Kentucky bourbons, there's something for every taste and palate. Along the way, if you sample and fall in love with The Trail Hotel's signature bourbon, swing by the retail shop, scan the QR code on the label, and it will be shipped to your doorstep. The hotel also has a secret speakeasy, The Bourbon Vault, with its entrance hidden behind a floor-to-ceiling piece of art. The dim, 36-seat lounge offers a quiet respite and another splash of bourbon. The Trail Hotel does not offer in-room dining. Lounge chairs and dining tables on the pool deck. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel The Trail Hotel's rooms form a U-shape around the pool and an oversized hot tub. As I lounged in a comfy beach chair by the pool, I didn't need to go far for refreshments as The Swim Club Bar offers snacks and beverages. Inside, over bites from a charcuterie board, I giggled my way through a few holes on a virtual championship golf course at Par & Pour, The Trail Hotel's high definition golf simulator. Groups of up to eight can book this lounge, which comes with a full food and drink menu, as well as private bar services. Hotel guests enjoying themselves at Par & Pour. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/The Trail Hotel Within 24 hours of booking a room at The Trail Hotel, a bourbon butler reaches out to customize your experience, securing restaurant reservations, booking VIP distillery tours, tastings (and drivers), and coordinating cultural experiences. Since my bourbon butler, Norma, knew I preferred a diverse day rather than one completely focused on spirits, she created an itinerary that celebrated the area's food, drink, history, and natural beauty. We started with brunch at Mammy's Kitchen & Bar and then hiked through the rolling hills near the Abbey of Gethsemani. After lunch at Five Brothers Kitchen & Bar inside the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, we enjoyed a grain-to-glass course before a tour at My Old Kentucky Home, a historic 200-year-old mansion and plantation. Instead of a traditional spa with massages, facials, and nail treatments, The Trail Hotel has a Rejuvenation Room, a 660-square-foot detox wellness area with a sauna, cryotherapy pod, oxygen bar, and IV therapy lounge. Although I had paced myself and drank plenty of water, I was feeling a bit stiff and sapped after my flights to Kentucky, so I booked my first-ever IV therapy treatment with Jennifer Cambron, who recommended a vitamin B complex boost. I didn't notice a huge difference immediately, but I slept like a dream that night and may have had a little extra pep in my step as I walked laps around the airport the next day. While minors are welcome at The Trail Hotel, due to its proximity to the Bourbon Trail and the adult-focused amenities, I'd recommend it as an ideal getaway for the 21+ crowd. The Trail Hotel fully complies with ADA regulations for service animals, and the step-free entrance to the hotel features automatic doors. Each of the four fully accessible guest rooms and the accessible king suite are equipped with lower sinks and counters, wheelchair-accessible doorways and layouts, roll-in showers with grab bars, and visual and vibrating fire alarms. The Trail Hotel is a 45-minute drive from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and approximately 55 minutes from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport (LEX). The Trail Hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to places located within a three-mile radius of the hotel, including downtown Bardstown, My Old Kentucky Home State Park, the My Old Kentucky Dinner Train, and several local distilleries. For an additional fee, you can book a car service from and to the airport. The hotel team can also arrange transportation for experiences curated by the bourbon butlers. Still, a rental car can be handy for day trips to Louisville or Lexington. Nearby, you can explore several golf courses and lush green spaces (don't miss Bernheim Forest and Arboretum). Bardstown is part of Kentucky's Bourbon Trail. The Trail Hotel doesn't have partnerships with major credit cards or reward programs. Currently, the hotel offers a 15 percent discount on stays of three nights or more. Nightly rates at The Trail Hotel start from $229. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values.
CBC
17-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Thunder Bay, Ont. business left in limbo after Hudson's Bay creditor protection filing
An Indigenous-led business in Thunder Bay, Ont. faces a significant financial hit after Hudson's Bay Company entered creditor protection last week. Hudson's Bay is delaying payments to nearly 2,000 secured and unsecured creditors as it struggles with nearly $1 billion in debt. Jason Thompson, owner of Superior Strategies Inc., says he is owed more than $80,000 by the 400-year-old Canadian retailer after supplying thermal printer rolls through his Warrior Office division. He was told multiple times that payment was forthcoming, but he now faces uncertainty as the company undergoes court-supervised restructuring. The financial strain has been immense for the Indigenous-owned business, which fronted $55,000 in supplier costs to fulfill the order. Thompson says he initially saw the deal as an opportunity for growth, especially given the timing of Hudson's Bay's first outreach on Sept. 30, 2023—National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. "I was assuming Hudson's Bay was doing some good things around reconciliation," he told CBC. "Being a smaller business, I [saw] this as an opportunity to grow." However, what started as a promising partnership has now turned into a financial headache. Thompson negotiated a 90-day payment term, reduced from Hudson's Bay's original request of 120 days. When payment failed to arrive at the end of January 2024, he began reaching out to the company. His inquiries were initially met with responses, including direct communication with Hudson's Bay CEO Liz Rodbell. A finance department representative assured him a payment plan was in place, with installments beginning in April. However, in the weeks leading up to March 7, when the first payment was expected, communication from Hudson's Bay went silent. Then, last week, the company announced it had filed for creditor protection under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), freezing payments to suppliers while it seeks financial restructuring. The retailer, which owes millions to vendors and landlords, admitted in court filings that it has fallen behind on payments and may close up to half of its 80 stores. Under the CCAA process, companies can restructure their debts, often leaving unsecured creditors—like small businesses—receiving only a fraction of what they are owed. Some experts estimate suppliers in retail insolvencies may receive less than 20 cents on the dollar if anything at all. Rodbell explained the company's decision to file for creditor protection in a company statement. "Earlier this year, we worked with potential investors to refinance a portion of our credit facilities to improve our liquidity and support our business plan. However, the threat and realization of a trade war has created significant market uncertainty and has impacted our ability to complete these transactions," she said. In a statement to CBC, Hudson's Bay said it was a difficult but necessary decision to seek creditor protection. "As part of the CCAA process, payments to creditors including vendors are stayed at this time," wrote Tiffany Bourré, the company's vice president of corporate communications. "The company is exploring strategic alternatives and engaging stakeholders to explore potential solutions to preserve and restructure its business." During the 17th to 19th century, the Hudson's Bay Company relied heavily on Indigenous peoples for fur trading, leading to economic dependence, disruption of traditional ways of life, and the displacement of many communities. Later, the company said they are committed to reconciliation and racial equity, including a $30 million commitment over 10 years to support Indigenous communities and address the impacts of the Indian residential school system. How should the Hudson's Bay Company reinvent itself? 9 days ago Duration 9:14 Canada's oldest retailer, which operates the Hudson's Bay department stores, announced it is seeking creditor protection on Friday, but that it intends to hold onto many of its prominent locations. Retail strategist David Ian Gray said scaling down and exploring their own product lines could be options for the ailing department store chain. But now, Thompson says the experience has made him question corporate commitments to Indigenous economic reconciliation. With Indigenous vendors left in financial limbo, he wonders what that commitment truly means. "The horrors and atrocities and the trials and tribulations for us Indigenous people are well documented. Yet, this is how [they're] going to continue to proceed without even entering into any dialogue with us," said Thompson. "Hudson Bay Company's been around for such a long time and it's a big part of the history of Canada. So I'm hoping that there will be an available plan of some sort. But I really hope that the focus is on ensuring that the small companies are looked after," he said.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'A miracle': Lawmakers approve covering IVF treatment for state employees after tearful debate
Several Utah representatives shared personal stories of struggling to conceive Wednesday during a tearful debate as the Legislature voted to authorize coverage for fertility treatments for state employees. Freshman Rep. Jason Thompson, R-River Heights, was 'honored' to support SB242, which he called the 'most personal' bill of the session. 'For many couples, the journey to parenthood is natural and straightforward. However, for some — including my wife and I — it was not,' Thompson said, his voice breaking with emotion. 'Our struggle with infertility was emotionally devastating, causing immense distress, anxiety, doubt and a profound sense of incompleteness and failure.' But thanks to in vitro fertilization, Thompson said he and his wife are now the 'proud parents of six children.' 'In vitro fertilization was not just a treatment, it was a miracle,' he said. Utah has a pilot program to provide $4,000 for IVF and other fertility treatments for state employees, but under SB242, that would expand to cover all 'qualified assisted reproductive technology cycles.' Although IVF can cost up to $20,000 per procedure, fiscal analysts estimate the bill will cost taxpayers about $150,000 a year and raise insurance premiums for state employees by about 37 cents per member per month. 'This bill is great,' said Rep. Stephanie Gricius, R-Eagle Mountain, the bill's floor sponsor. 'It's going to help our state employees have the families they want, which is also going to make them happier, which we know leads to greater employee retention.' The bill is sponsored by Sen. Calvin Musselman, R-West Haven. Thompson wasn't the only lawmaker with a personal story to share about the miracle of IVF, and he wasn't the only one to grow emotional during debate. 'As someone who also is so grateful for this medical advancement so that I could have my little girl ... I am rising in support of this today,' said Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman. 'We are a pro-family state, and we do want to make it possible for them to expand their home.' 'I've got three beautiful little nieces today because of this particular procedure,' added Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden. 'If we are truly a pro-family state, then this one should be pretty easy.' It was. SB242 passed unanimously Wednesday and will take effect July 1 if signed by Gov. Spencer Cox. 'For me, I don't ever want to stand in the way of two people and their ability to have a baby,' Gricius said. 'We want everybody to have as many as they want because that is the Utah way.'
