Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Romance and Companionship

It is the season of love and we have had a lot of couples taking advantage of a romantic getaway to Bath and our B&B. They love the quiet and curl up in front of the fireplace to relax and unwind from the stresses in everyday life. They stroll downtown and browse the local shops bringing back a bottle of wine from Now You're Cooking to share before dinner at Solo Bistro or one of our other great restaurants. All this has me thinking that maybe I need a companion too! Mark, Amy and I watched the Westminster Dog Show this week and I saw all those wonderful breeds strutting their stuff for the judges. Of course, no Italian Bergamascos were there but that is okay - we know we are in a class by ourselves. But seeing all those dogs makes me think a little "mini me" would be a wonderful addition to our family. Now I just need to convince Amy and Mark that I would help train and keep a youngster in line. Wish me luck and if all goes well I may have help with all the greeting and blog writing in the future.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

We Have the Top Three!

During these quiet months I get some time to catch up on my sleeping and reading and I recently looked at Trip Advisors' survey on U.S. lodging trends. The survey found that the top three amenities that travelers look for are (1) WiFi access (2) Breakfast included with the booking and (3) Guest loyalty points. Here at the Benjamin F. Packard House we offer all three! WiFi is available throughout the property and is free of charge. Breakfast is, of course, included as we are a bed and breakfast and we also offer complimentary afternoon tea. Our breakfast also go above and beyond the standard fare at the chain hotel buffet with homemade pasteries and breads, made to order entrees that are not cooked until you come downstairs at the time you have chosen and request for special dietary needs honored and accomodated without fuss. For the Guest Loyalty Points - we don't give you a card to punch or require a certain amount of stays, we make it easy and always offer our returning guests 10% off their room rate. Just let us know you previously stayed with us and we will adjust your bill accordingly. It is always nice to know that what we offer is what travelers are looking for and I am sure in the next survey that a great greeting from a handsome Italian sheepdog will be the top trend that guests are looking for in their lodging choice!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Put a Little Romance in your Life

That time of year is back when all thoughts turn to love and romance. Of course I am talking about Valentine's Day and the whole season that surrounds it. The 14th of February falls in the middle of the week this year so people actually have two weekends to plan a celebration. What are you thinking of...flowers, a nice bottle of bubbly, chocolates, romantic music? You can actually do all of these and in one great romantic getaway - our B&B! Amy and Mark offer a Valentine's Day Package that includes a lot of great extras for an extraordinary price and the rate on a second night is unbelievable! So check out the package and give us a call to book a room. (You can also just call and book a romantic getaway without the package and have a great time!) And, as always, I will be here to greet you when you arrive.

My Favorite Kitchen Spot

My Favorite Kitchen Spot
I love laying right here in the kitchen - this is the old floor that is going to be replaced soon.

Our Journey to Bath

Before Amy and Mark ever even thought about making me a part of their family, they were thinking about being innkeepers. About a year and a half after they adopted me, they left me in Erie, PA and took a trip to explore possible towns in New England to open their new business. While I patiently waited at home with a dog sitter, they journeyed to Bath ME, their first stop on the trip. It was December of 2004 so it was cold and raining in Maine but they fell in love with the town and the people they met. Driving to the next town in New Hampshire in a snow storm, they knew in their hearts that Bath was going to be our new home. They went ahead and looked at the other places as planned, but Bath was it. In February of 2005, they left me once again to look at a house on the market in Bath. It had been a B&B but had gone to a private home for the past couple years. Well, lucky us, they loved the house and put in a bid. It was so exciting when the realtor called us in Erie to say the Benjamin F. Packard House was ours! Things started moving quickly then. Packing up the house in Erie, making long distance arrangements for licenses, sprinkler systems and all the things that go with opening a new business. On May 14th, they packed the car and this time took me along too. We closed on the house on May 16th and in six hectic weeks, opened the new Benjamin F. Packard House B&B! My life as a bed and breakfast dog had begun.


Relax on my private patio

Come and enjoy a fabulous gourmet breakfast in my diningroom

Cozy up to warm fire with my complimentary afternoon tea

Enjoy the morning paper along with a cup of fresh brewed coffee in our parlor