INNKEEPERS ON THE ROAD

Terry and I visited Michigan Select Registry Inns last week. Our journey began in the lovely town of Marshall, where we stayed at the National House Inn. I took Terry to see our Select Registry headquarters office and to meet the wondeful team who 'run the show'. We had a great dinner with fellow Innkeeper Barb Bradley and her husband Darryl. Our Executive Directors from THINK, Norm and Kathryn Kinney, joined us as well.

The next morning we ventured to Kalamazoo where we stopped and toured the Henderson Castle. It was a pleasure to meet Peter and Laura, the Innkeepers. From there, Terry wanted to show me the delightful waterside town of Saugatuck. Wow! If you've never been, it is a must see! And a definite shopper's paradise of quaint and unique stores.

A short trip took us to Castle in the Country, where we spent the night. Herb and Ruth Bovan made us feel right at home and we enjoyed dinner with them and the new owner of the Inn At Honey Run and his guest services manager. The breakfast Herb made was scrumptions and he was even gracious enough to accomodate the early hour at which we needed to eat so we could set off for Sutton's Bay.

The Inn at Blackstar Farms was our next stop and was truly an exciting part of our trip. Innkeeper Don gave us a personal tour not only of the Inn, but of the vineyard, winery, gardens, creamery, and bakery. What a fabulous property. And the wine tasting was devine. We are excited to meet with Don and his wife in a couple of weeks at our Inn to discuss their creating private label wines for us.

Leaving Blackstar Farms was sweet sorrow but we headed to our final destination at Stafford's Bay View Inn - what prompted our whole trip. Stafford Smith, his family, and his innkeeping team showed us a fabulous time. Our meeting with them was wonderful and full of good information to take back to our Inn.

We rushed back home and have already begun to implement some of the ideas we discussed. That makes a win/win for our staff and guests!

Visiting Inns is great fun - whether you are 'inn' the business like us or as a guest!

Ellen and Terry
Innkeepers