Archive for the ‘Lodging Blog’ Category
I love the online Wikipedia definition of hospitality - “the relationship between the guest and the host, or the act or practice of being hospitable. Specifically, this includes the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers”. The relationship starts with that first phone call from the guest or from the guest visiting a properties
Guests that have never stayed at a Bed and Breakfast before often have many questions. I would like to share a recent conversations with a Bed and Breakfast newbie. Two days ago I got a phone call from a guest that felt obligated to tell me that she and her partner had never been in a Bed and Breakfast and
Our senior garden advisor, a.k.a. Grandpa Bifulco, is coming from New York today. Jesse flew down to NY and will drive back to Camden Maine with his dad. Jesse’s dad is a great help when he comes to visit. Grandpa, Pat Bifulco, has a very distinguished history in the law profession in NY. From lawyer
I recently discovered the USA Today series: Thriving on the Road – Travel Ideas. I learned about this series from a tweet on Twitter . The topics discussed are interesting and thought-provoking. As an Innkeeper, it is important for me to learn about my guests concerns about travel. A recent article published in USA Today “How to Make your Hotel Room Feel Like Home” caught
Recently we had some wonderful guests from Texas that stayed with us right after they attended a B&B Conference in Kennebunk Maine. They attended a conference with The B&B Team. The B&B Team is a diverse group of professionals in the Bed and Breakfast Industry that promote, teach and sell B&B’s. When you meet anyone on
There are no franchise hotels in Camden Maine. There was one lodging franchise over 10 years ago, but franchises just can’t last in Camden. Those that live and travel to Camden want an experience that is not cookie cutter. An experience of being near the ocean and feeling the history of the town. Many beautiful historic
March 11, 2013 Contact: Jessica Kershaw (DOI) 202-208-6416 Mike Litterst (NPS) 202-513-0354 AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS: Secretary Salazar, Director Jarvis Designate 13 New National Historic Landmarks New Sites Recognize More Complete Story of America, including Significant Latino, African American and Indian Sites WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director of the National Park Service
Young lovers enjoy their stay.
When Jesse and I bought the Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast, we made a pledge to only serve food that we would eat. We reworked the menu that was already in service at the Bed and Breakfast and added vegan, vegetarian, gluten – free options and use organic and local ingredients. When you are traveling it
The days are much shorter here in the winter in Maine. The mornings are dark and often very cold. I feel like Santa Clause each morning when I wake at 6:00am to set the breakfast tables, put on the coffee, start the tea water, turn up the heat, start the fireplace and have my own
We have guests that come to Camden Maine each year for Christmas By the Sea for different reasons. I know there is a hotel in the downtown that is completely reserved by 2 grandparents to host all their children and grandchildren for a family reunion. They all enjoy the Christmas By the Sea festivities together. The timing
Travelers from around the world – I do not speak Italian – but I think it is good! “Peccato una sola notte!” Reviewed November 23, 2012 NEW Il B&B è davvero carino, l’abitazione tipica del Maine. Le camere sono spaziosissime, comode e molto pulite. I letti grandi e avvolgenti. La biancheria ricercata e morbidissima. Il bagno
I was at French and Brawn this afternoon and the lovely lady that works at the counter looked at me and asked me how I was. I appreciated her concern, but she seemed over concerned. I told her I was felling ok. She said that she sees a lot of people in the store from the
I thought it frivolous to post on Facebook last week. The destruction in NY and NJ was so disturbing that I could not get myself to post anything on the business page for Camden Windward House. Small details of things happening in our town and Inn seemed unimportant. I wanted to write that I was concerned
Winter in Maine means, cold, quiet, snow, hockey, ice skating, skiing, tubing, tobogganing – oh yah and did I say hockey!!! Yes - I am a hockey mom. The ice just went in at the MidCoast Recreational Center this past Friday. I have been watching on Facebook and am delighted that this is the earliest the
We are getting ready for the fall season. Putting up places to leaf peep, and things to do in Autumn when Labor Day and Windjammer Dayshaven’t come yet makes you feel time passing. You can feel it beginning to cool off, soon the tomatoes will be ripe, the corn will be ready, (if some creature
We are delighted to welcome back so many return guests to Camden Windward House. This summer has been unique in that the weddings we hosted were in the early June and July. Prime summer time (August) has been open to all our guests. Last year we had several weddings in August, making it difficult for
This morning I leaped out of bed because I promised a woman staying with us that I would make her coffee at 6:00am. I awoke at 6:05am and had coffee on literally by 6:08am. The woman was nowhere to be found, and I thought I had missed her by the 8 minutes that I was late.
I usually start each season with a post. Last year I was concerned about Trip Advisor, this year I’m not. This year I am concerned that I will not be able to go out on my kayak enough. I met a friend here and she recently reminded me that I came to Camden Maine, bought
We are extremely happy to announce that we will begin our 26th season with Surprise tomorrow morning, May 26 . Our schedule will feature departures at 10:30, 1:30 and 4:30 until July 1 when our summer schedule begins. The Surprise which is in her 94th year looks quite amazing and has responded well to our
When you serve a hot breakfast everyday for 7 years, you start to notice trends in food. First it was a concern for diabetes, then it was gluten free, then vegetarian, then vegan – now raw. Jesse is an amazing cook – I often kid with the guests that I think Jesse’s 20 years as a
April is a little early for the Maine tourist season to start, but over the weekend we were fortunate enough to host a whole Inn full of guests. Jesse and I are a little out of practice serving 18 breakfasts, but I think we did well. We got up very early and prepped everything (secret to
When I first moved here, I was stunned by the beauty of the area. The beautiful harbor, the small islands in the distance, the mountains at my back. I found it to be a natural place to host weddings and receptions. I was amazed when some people didn’t see the opportunities I saw in this
Camden Maine is a New England Epicenter for Culinary tourism. Culinary tourism is defined as experiential travel, including local, domestic, and international tours, whereby one learns about and/or consumes food and drink reflecting a region’s cuisine and/or culture. The food and drink of the coast of Maine are superb and should be experienced by all.
Camden Maine is truly a unique place on the East Coast. It is amazing how the town keeps its secret. There are amazing hiking trails, several warm lake swimming spots, lake islands you can row out to, an ocean island that is not further than a mile away - if you are strong – you
I walked into a friend’s store the other day and everything was different. She had changed the aisles and got rid of a lot of products. I asked if she was going out of business, she said she was getting rid of the things that did not sell and “re-imagining” the store. She definitely was not going out
Skating Enthusiasts! (by Camden Local Anita Brosius – Scott) Just thought I’d let you know that we were out skating on Hosmer Pond yesterday (Tuesday afternoon Jan. 3) and this morning (Wednesday Jan. 4) and the conditions there are TERRIFIC – 4-5” of ice, wonderful smooth skating. There is open water at the outlet of the
Adventure to be found at a Bed and breakfast
Last year about this time, I wrote about wanting to get out to Curtis Island. At the time of writing, I had been here for 5 years and had never been to the closest island to Camden. It looks so close, but I could not get to it. Well, if you remember the post, I
I am writing this on the evening of the first day of summer. I am anxious about the next 133 days ahead of me. I was told today by my Innkeepers group that there are 133 days in the season – 133 days of rising early, working hard and going to bed late. If you
The harbor in Camden Maine is coming alive, as is our quaint little seaside town. The boats are all open and starting to take salty dogs out to sea. The lobster men can be seen racing between traps in their boats. The lilacs are blooming at Camden Windward House and yesterday I noticed my favorite black
Spring has sprung and my husband has put out the Maypole. We have a joke each year that he has the biggest Maypole on the street. This is true because we are the only ones on the block that have a pole out to welcome spring. You may ask why a couple from NY that is
One might think to drive 5 hours is a little extreme for a weekend getaway. I’m grateful for the beautiful website that led us to this quaint town and the photos of your B&B did nothing but confirm we had found our weekend destination. You walk in the door and the warmth we were met
Wanted to share with the Camden Windward House followers this new State of Maine concept to help tourists. http://memoir.mainetourism.com/ . If you have any fond memories of Camden, please share with the world.
Just read a romantic recollection of a couple that were together for 60 years. They met on a blind date and a year later he proposed. He brought her to the bottom of a ski trail, had skiers come down the hill with torches as he gave his love a box that had a circle
Kristi & Jesse, Greetings, I hope that all is well with the kids, construction and the business. I wanted to thank you for the lovely stay. Our room was splendid (Quarterdeck) and the view breathtaking. I do’t think we had a better breakfast on our trip either. We are both huge fans of the Eggs
Green Inn on the coast of Maine has some great ideas for valentines day 2011.
Calling all middle-schoolers who want to keep Camden the “jewel of Maine”, and make sure the kids and pets who live here stay healthy. A large map displayed in the window of the Camden town office shows properties in town painted green where homeowners have agreed not to use poisons on their lawn to get rid
Bring Your Skates
Just some holiday pictures….
Jesse says we should finally unpack our bags. We moved here to Camden Maine 5 years ago from NY. I was in my early 30′s and none of my children were in school yet. Everyday was a surprise in this new state. Things are definately different here in Maine. My kids are “growing up Maine”.
Children love making cookies but sometimes their innocent kitchen habits are not that welcoming when making Christmas cookies for groups of loved ones. Although children always have good intentions, they don’t always know how to cover a sneeze at the right time. That is why I was so happy when I was invited to help
So proud to live in a town that is taking going “green” seriously.I just got back from going to the local dump. As a town, we do not have garbage pick up. You can hire a service to take your garbage, or you can take it yourself. Growing up in Staten Island, NY, I know
Guests got engaged at Windward House Bed and Breakfast this weekend in Camden Maine. Halloween Weekend brought cool temps, mild winds, gray skis and romance in the air. 2 lovely guests came from NY City to get away from the hustle of the city and to focus on love. They went up to the top
We bribed the kids when we first moved – we said if they didn’t complain about leaving NY we’d get a dog. They love Moxy- We got her in Farmington – she’s the only real Mainer in the family. – As we approach the end of the 25th year of operation of the Windward House B&B,
I told my husband this year I want to have a picnic on Curtis Island for my birthday. Since we moved here, I have looked out on this island everyday. I have been curious about what is out there, and what it looks like. We do not own a boat or a kayak so getting
4th of July Camden History
VABLOOM: A vacation where one visits gardens and blooming flowers. A new word created by the children at Windward House. Steve Colbert of Comedy Central would be so proud. He recently ranted about the NY Times banning the word Tweet because it was not a real word. Steve Colbert is famous for making new words up,
Dear Jesse and Kristi. We love your B&B. Thanks for taking us in at the last minute and especially for the early morning coffee. I am glad I got to see Peyton Place the movie. The room, bathroom and tub and breakfast were such a treat after a hectic day. I will spread the word
Looking for great deals on recyled designer clothes? Consignment is the way to go. Mid Coast Maine has some great consignment shops.
This is a picture of our new Waste-Not Recycle Baskets that we have in all our guest rooms at Windward House. At first, I was a little nervous about putting this odd looking container in my beautiful rooms. It is broken into 4 compartments, 1 for glass, 1 for paper, 1 for plastic, 1 for cans.
A lovely entry in one of our guest journals.. When I came to Camden, I was quite burned out. I’d been working very long hours the entire year and knew that on my return I would be working very long hours again, in addition also traveling for work every week for the next year. I
I was so happy to hear that Local Master Maine Guide, Don Kleiner has been fishing already on Lake Megunticook. Lake Megunticook is a hidden treasure of Camden Maine. It is off Maine rt. 1 and a short drive up rt. 52. It at the base of Mt. Battie and can be seen from the Maiden Cliff trail. In
This weekend was very odd, strange weather and a lot of guests (it is only April!). Friday started out nice and sunny, Saturday the rain came and then it snowed, Sunday it rained. Camden is a great sea coast town and is very pleasant when the sun is out. You can hike, walk around, or
My friend in Connecticut (Anna) saw that I was interested in healthy food at schools. I sent an invite a couple of days ago on my facebook page to all my friends to join the Jami Oliver Food Revolution. Anna directed me to this other great website that helps you write a letter to your local legislatures.
The Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast is hosting its first Cookie Walk. I baked 84 cookies today and prepared cookies dough for another 100 to baked off tomorrow. Tomorrow is the kick off to the Christmas By the Sea Holiday in the Mid Coast of Maine. It is a wonderful time to visit the
Sign of the times, you can’t take your kids into a wine tasting room. Maine will pass a new law that children can not see you tasting wine. Although I somewhat agree with this law, I thought this article about the law was hysterical: http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/6729883.html , The last line, “We had a wine tasting this weekend
Maine Potatoes
Camden Maine is alive with color and boats. Windward House survived another Winter. Jesse has been working non stop in the garden. The boats in the harbor are all unwrapped and starting to take passengers out on 2 hour tours. The Windjammer Cruises are hosting people over night and restaurants are all open. Soon the
Last week was fun with champagne and Irish Music, I was so moved by the Irish music that I became reminiscent of the past and have been practicing Irish dancing. I was a Staten Ireland Dancer in Staten Island New York for about 8 years. I signed up to teach an after school enrichment program
A cheesy valentine this year at Windward House.