Erected as a hotel in 1901, this property has had many names and owners over the years. Since the 1990’s it’s been a family run operation, first as the Hotel Metro, and then, when the son took over, as The Kixby. He, yes, kicked the operation up a notch, installing Peloton bikes in the small gym, painting guestrooms a soothing shade of slate blue, and upgrading to good quality pillowtop mattresses. The hotel reopened as the Kixby in late fall of 2019, but then shuttered several months later for pandemic reasons, and stayed closed for quite some time, which means the place had yet to lose its “new hotel smell” in 2023, when I dropped by. Off the lobby is the stunt milkshake and burger joint Black Tap; it also supplies breakfast to guests (additional cost). Many of the staff have been here for decades, offer gracious, expert service, and take obvious pride in the place.