Those of us who return year after year are fortunate enough to be called ‘friend’ by Juan. The moment a friend walks in, he stops what he is playing and automatically starts playing our favorite music. For me, it is his Flamenco.
I’ve never stayed at the Tombstone Boarding House Bed & Breakfast, but I have friends who refuse to stay anywhere else. Tombstone is a funny place. We all have our favorite places to stay. Every dealing I’ve had with the B&B has been pleasant. They try to please their customers.
I’ve not stayed at the Best Western Look Out Lodge for several years now. When I did, it was clean and comfortable. They have a cactus garden that overlooks the distant mountains and provides a gorgeous sunrise view. Like the Tombstone Boarding House B&B, I know people would not stay elsewhere.
The best place to stay in Tombstone is the Larian Motel. That’s what its owner, Gordon Anderson, says. Seriously, Gordon is a friend, so I may be a bit prejudiced. The Larian is located between 4th and 5th on Fremont next door to Schieffelin Hall. It is immaculate and comfortable.
Gordon is always on call (poor thing) until ten in the evening. I refuse to stay in any room but Number Eight, called the “Luke Short Room.” My only complaint is he doesn’t have a coffee table where I can prop my feet. The rooms include coffee maker, hair dryers, and the usual modern appliances.
The older rooms, like “mine,” have great closets. His newer rooms have microwaves and small fridges, as do some of the older ones. The other thing that makes the Larian so special is its employees. Maggie is back from England. They are nice, terribly honest, and will go above and beyond.
Gordon allows well-behaved pets. I stress well-behaved because it is a running joke now about my toy poodle, Rumsfeld. My previous poodle, Clancy, was the perfect lady. She loved going to Tombstone and was always welcome. But, this little stinker, by the time he was four months old, was banned from the Larian because he literally trashed my room one morning. (He shredded every piece of paper in the trash basket and unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper). Gordon has suggested an exorcist. Rumsfeld is nearly two years old and his behavior has not improved.
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Article comments
1 - SFC SKI
I was stationed in Sierra Vista, and it was not too bad, several good restaurants and a few good bars. You gotta eat at Deleo's outside of town, incredibly great Italian food. I haven't been to Bisbee for 6 years, but I always hit the Happy Hour at the Stock Exchange if I was in town. Tombstone is definitely worth visiting, but I was never there in the tourist season. I can only imagine what it will be like this year.
2 - Donnie Marler
You're making me wish I could come! Maybe next year.
3 - Elsa
Ah Helldorado Days! And nickel beers! Great times to be had in Tombstone. Thanks for the memories!
4 - W. B. Masterson
Coming soon is the experience we have all wanted. Ask yourself what is missing from the Old West. Even Tombstone in which I live and play every weekend is missing a huge opportunity. the "Illusion of Authenticity" I have been in T town for over 13 years. I crave a real Old West enviornment an immersion experience....it's coming...it's BLOODY GULCH
5 - J.R. Jenkins
My best advice for travelers desiring lodging in Tombstone is not to condust business with the Larian Motel. I did and after completing my tour of Arizona, returned home and found the management of the Larian Motel removed money from my bank account using the numbers from my debit card. My stay was for two nights. My debit card had additional monies taken as a cash transaction without my authorization or knowledge. Being this was a cash transaction and not a credit transaction there was not much I could do. Management of this motel does not have and never has had a receipt with my signature on it for the third transction he processed without my approval. Overall my experience was not good and I will not seek business dealing with this establishment again ever. My advice is to conduct business elsewhere. This writing is not intended to be a personal attack. It is my wish to advise the public what happened to me and why I will not stay here again.
6 - SJ Reidhead
I feel like I need to answer this comment. Accept my apologies if I say something I should not. The owner of the Larian Motel is a friend of mine. He is also one of the most respected business owners and individuals in Tombstone, including very active involvement with the local Chamber and tourism organizations. The problems detailed by the above comment are completely out of character for my friend. He is a scrupulously honest person, who has been known to lose money at the hands of his customers who take advantage of his honesty and his decency. He does have a policy of billing and charging customers who have damaged his property during their stay, as will any other lodging establishment. I suggest you contact the Larian and clear things up with him. He takes great pride in his repeat business. What you have detailed is completely contrary to his reputation.
7 - J.R. Jenkins
The owner of the Larian Motel did remove without a signed receipt monies from my bank account. He is welcome to what he feels he might have been damaged. I respect other peoples' friendships and opinions however I have bank records indicating otherwise. The owner of the Larian Motel is welcome to refund my money and I will consider this issue closed. My intent is not, and never has been, to miscalculate anyone's friendship. Simply stated, money take from from my bank account and was not afforded recourse due to a cash transaction. There was no signature nor was there conversation between the owner of this establishment and myself prior to his cash removal from my checking account via a debit card. There is no malice intended here only a voicing of the facts of what I experienced.
8 - MPA
I also am a former patron and now friend of the Larian Motel and owner Gordon. I also know for a fact that he has contacted you JR Jenkins and GEEIMJOE and has offered resolution or refund if you would give him dates and details. You are hiding behind several different names and sights where you post your comments. You have not contacted the Larian's owner to allow him to resolve this matter. Furthermore your description of the problem makes no sense. A "cash" transaction is NOT possible as you described. If your agenda is to receive restitution all you have to do is pick up the phone call Gordon (surely you know the number) and give him the information. By posting this all over the internet you appear to be only intent on damaging a reputable business person.
So it is now in your court, call settle this or be quiet.
9 - SJ Reidhead
To Mr. Jenkins,
Please contact the Larian. Gordon is trying to find out how to contact you.
SJ Reidhead
10 - J.R. Jenkins
Contrary of what the owner of the Larian Motel has published on another website, he has contacted me. He and I have exchanged thoughts several times. This person accused me of lying. I have not misrepresented my position in this matter in any regard. My being a customer did not damage his property in the slightest. The other medium of communication does not allow continuous conversations. Mr. Anderson, through this other medium, told me he was going to sue me and told me my name was "Bill". So, I am not Bill. I have an email address of Geeimjoe. So be it. I am JR Jenkins. My email address and therefore is based on the action figure of "G I JOE" There, too. Previously I am a war veteran. I found this email user name available and I am using it. Mr. Anderson removed from my DEBIT CARD money. Enough to make me angry. As I stated, if Mr. Anderson feels he is owed this, good. I do not have in my posession, never had and neither does he, a signed receipt for the monies he removed from this debit card. My bank records show this and I have the documents to prove it. It is not a lot of money but to this date there is not a signed receipt nor a phone call to indicate he was owed money nor was there written indication another transaction was to take place. I would like this matter to be over with however his threat of a law suit over this matter of which I have bank records was, and is, above the call. The amount he removed from my checking acount without authorization is $35.00. Not much but, as I stated, it is the way he went about conducting this confication of my money that makes all the difference. Perhaps, through this medium, this matter will come to a close. Someday.The ball is in Mr. Anderson's court.
11 - B.J.
I have been aware for some time that my friend Gordon Anderson has been the target of libelous accusations, mostly on trip advisor.
My personal observation is these false accusations are actually the work of a disgruntled, competing business owner in Tombstone. He hides behind various names and also has trolled on the various history websites.
Gordon is very honest and has hosted my 'Tombstone Rendezvous' event during early March of most years. Never have I heard a negative comment from a real person about Gordon nor the Larian Motel and believe me, I receive emails from around the world about various problems in Tombstone.
12 - B.J.
Correction to my earlier post: Our March history event is called "Tombstone Expedition" not Tombstone "Rendezvous" which is an event hosted by Larry Knuth each November.
13 - J.R. Jenkins
If you are friend of Gordon Anderson and taking up his cause, all that is great stuff. I have no bones to pick with anyone except Gordon Anderson. I am not a property owner in Tombstone. Gordon Anderson probably has positive attributes however these were not exhibited to me. If you are a friend and admirer of Mr Anderson that is your personal relationship for you and him to enjoy, not mine. Regarding false accusations, that is your opinion however I am the one that was wronged. I was a customer. I stayed in a room in his motel one time for two nights. After what he did to me I am going to tell everyone I know and can find what he did to me and how he went about it. If Mr. Anderson has any desire to refund my money he took without authorization from my debit card he is welcome to indicate so. He knows how to find me through www.tripadvisor.com
14 - B.J.
I did some research today with several major banks around town.
The accusation made by the person using the handle "J.R. Jenkins" is not even possible.
The banking mechanism he refers to is not possible even if someone wanted to access his cash via unauthorized debiting of his card.
15 - Tom Gaumer
I have been staying at Gordons Larian Motel for nearly 10 years, many times twice a year. He has always been the perfect host and honest businessman and friend. If everyone was like Gordon the world would be a much better place. My experiences at the Larian convince me Mr. Jenkins charges are without foundation and he should be ashamed to be making them.
16 - SJ Reidhead
One of the worst aspects of being a writer is to see someone who is quite disreputable use your honorable work as a platform to attack another, who also happens to be a close personal friend. This is what has happened with this article.
Who ever this "J. R. Jenkins" is and we suspect the whole story is basically a fraud, this article pops up constantly when someone "Googles" the Larian Motel. Unfortunately there is nothing I can do to prevent this, other than to state, up front, that it is my belief, based on some very concrete evidence, that the comments by this "Jenkins" person were designed to do damage to my good friend, Gordon Anderson, and his business.
I have been staying at the Larian for nearly 10 years, usually two - three times a year, having just returned from a week long stay at the Larian. Gordon and his parents before him, have been in business there in Tombstone for many years. He has an excellent reputation. As a writer, my work is only as good as its reputation. I would NEVER recommend any location if I thought the owner was as dishonest as this alleged individual alleges.
SJ Reidhead