Imladris, another thing I thought of with the barrow-downs, would be the old forest itselft. It could also add atmosphere. We hear Fatty Bolger speak so badly of the place, Merry says there's nothing to fear, and of course its this mystical place. What more to make it mystical then having a barrow-wight, some strange Bombadil, and walking trees? Another thing to look at would be just because a place "seems" or is "thought" of as evil, the author will throw a curveball and put in something not expected. The Old Forest has such a bad name to most hobbits, but yet the good-hearted Bombadil dwells there. Fangorn, is full of of bad news, and as is described "the air is so close." Yet, the loveable Ents are there. With Lothlorien, Boromir as well as Eomer, seems to give it a bad name, because of what people don't understand, but the place is mistaken, and as you said, is a place of peace and rest.
Neferchoirwen, very true about the Prancing Pony. We see hear Butterbur, a warm, kind, although not totally bright inkeeper, in a warm kind inn to stay at. And, then we have this mysterious Strider who first comes off as a man to stay away from, but we now get to see his lineage, and that "sword that was broken." It is here where we first get to see Aragorn's will, and determination of becoming a King. I think, Shelob's lair is the hardest test for Sam, here is where we get to see how truly loyal he is to Frodo. As you said, we see that treachorous Gollum.
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