Built in the 1800s, The Breakwater Inn & Spa recalls the
history of Kennebunkport while delivering the modern comforts of
the 21st century. Located on the waterfront, the inn features a
fresh, contemporary Maine coastal design. Wraparound porches and
waterfront decks provide panoramic water views, as well as views of
the garden courtyard and lush lawns sloping gently to the private
pebble beach. The open and stylish public rooms include a sitting
room with chic modern interpretations of Victorian parlor
furnishings, as well as a breakfast room with bay window banquette
and custom-designed sideboards. The Breakwater Inn’s spa is quickly
building a reputation as one of the best spas in the region.
Clients can stay in themed rooms
at the Litchfield Inn.
The Litchfield Inn is uniquely decorated with a gleaming
nine-foot chandelier and a delicately carved main staircase, and
offers guests their choice of 24 standard rooms and eight themed
rooms, such as the Western Room, the Lady Agnew Suite and the
Sherlock Holmes Room. There is also an on-site dining option in the
Bistro East restaurant and a banquet room for larger groups. There
are many things to do in the Litchfield Hills. Hiking trails and
nature walks, golfing, horseback riding, wine-tasting at vineyards,
spas, shopping galleries and antique hunting are just some of the
favorite activities in the area.
Commission: 10 percent on full rack rates
800-499-3444
www.litchfieldinnct.com
Innkeeper for a Day
Travel is a great way to relax and revive, but it’s also a
chance to try something new. A lot of couples are looking for
vacations where they can explore not only new areas but new things
about themselves. For many, the dream of one day running their own
B&B seems like a far-off fantasy. However, now it can be a
reality thanks to a new program that combines wonderful New England
visits with learning the ins and outs of this unique
profession.
Aspiring innkeepers can take their new career for a test run and
a behind-the-scenes look at managing a lodging property with the
Innkeeper for a Day program from the New England Inns and Resorts
Association (NEIRA). Each of the participating properties has a
unique curriculum and training approach. Guests can choose their
preferred style of learning, ranging from “day-in-the-life”
shadowing and casual information exchange at intimate,
husband-and-wife-owned B&Bs, to formal classes and hands-on
workshops at 100-plus-room inns.
Whether a program participant is truly assessing inn-keeping as
a career or simply wants to have an enriching vacation, the program
serves as a unique New England experience. For more information on
the program go to NEIRA’s Web site.
www.newenglandinnsandresorts.com
Inn on the Common
Craftsbury, Vermont
This classic country inn has 15 rooms spread out among three
federal-style buildings two of which date back to 1795.
Husband-and-wife owners Jim and Judi Lamberti will share their
decades of experience in the hospitality business with clients
through hands-on training and a curriculum of discussions. Their
program requires two full days of participation, with additional
days added depending upon the level of detail desired by the
participant. The program fee is $300 per person, and the inn offers
discounted room rates to participants starting at $99 per person,
double occupancy, for a two-day package ($159 for single
occupancy), which includes breakfast and dinner daily.
Commission: 10 percent commission is given to
travel agents within 24 hours of guest check-out.
800-521-2233
www.innonthecommon.com
Inn by the Sea
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
This AAA Four-Diamond beachside resort has 43 luxurious one- and
two-bedroom oceanview suites. Owner/innkeeper Maureen McQuade has
been running the inn since 1990, after a long career managing
dozens of hotels throughout the U.S. The property offers an
interesting perspective for Innkeeper for a Day participants: In
addition to a thorough, three-day curriculum that reads like a
university schedule, the fourth day will be spent learning about
and assisting with the inn’s complete renovation project a
challenging time in the life of any property. The program price,
which includes four days and three nights of accommodations plus
all training workshops and hands-on experiences, is $2,700. Food
and beverage are additional.
Commission: 10 percent
800-888-4287
www.innbythesea.com
Gateways Inn
Lenox, Massachusetts
This mansion offers 12 rooms and an award-winning restaurant.
Husband-and-wife team Fabrizio and Rosemary Chiariello have owned
and operated the inn since 1998 after leaving behind careers in
finance and fashion. The couple has designed a program that exposes
participants to every aspect of inn-keeping from reservations and
guest relations to financial management and restaurant ownership.
Participants are encouraged to stay several days to gain the most
experience, but a summary program can be obtained with a two-day
stay. Program fees start at $350 per person for two days and range
up to $1,200 per couple for a full week. The cost of rooms and
meals are additional and are offered at discounted rates that vary
seasonally.
Commission: Gateways Inn offers a 5 percent travel-agent
commission.
888-492-9466
www.gatewaysinn.com
Nonantum Resort
Kennebunkport, Maine
Just 30 minutes from Portland, this classic resort offers 111 rooms
on the picturesque waterfront in Kennebunkport. Innkeeper Jean Ginn
Marvin started at the resort with no formal hospitality training;
participants will benefit from an insider’s perspective of how to
keep guests coming back every year. From attending managerial and
sales meetings to learning about restaurant management and
housekeeping duties, participants will receive a full five-day
overview of the essential responsibilities of owning a seasonal
resort. The four-night program, which includes five days and four
nights of lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner each day, plus all
training, hands-on experiences and even a boat ride or massage,
costs $1,995 per couple.
Commission: 10 percent
800-552-5651
www.nonantumresort.com
Captain Lord Mansion
Kennebunkport, Maine
Captain Lord Mansion, one of the newest properties to participate
in the Innkeeper for a Day Program, is the only AAA Four-Diamond
B&B in Kennebunkport and was a recipient of the 2007 Conde Nast
Traveler’s “Top 100 Hotels in the U.S.” award. This 16-room
property offers guests intimate and elegant accommodations
overlooking the Kennebunk River. Twenty-nine years ago, owners Bev
Davis and her husband, Rick Litchfield, left the corporate world to
fulfill their dream of owning an intimate bed-and-breakfast inn and
are eager to share their experience and insight with interested
participants.
Commission: 7 percent
800-522-3141
www.captainlord.com
