Basic is no bonus for romantic getaways

HappinessPeter Greenberg, highly acclaimed travel expert, writer and CBS News Travel Editor, recently stated, “I’ve argued for years that the branding message for many airlines should be “we’re not happy until you’re not happy.” In his story on PeterGreenberg.com, Peter explains how United Airlines is now following Spirit in offering a totally no-frills, “basic” fare, including nothing but a seat and room underneath to place a bag.  In the lodging industry, this equates to camping where you might get a campsite, but bring-your-own everything else.  The 12 Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE) are anything but basic.  Just like first class fares, DINE inns are the luxury option when considering a New England getaway.  If you want basic, go camping.  If you want first class, visit a DINE inn. And when it comes to keeping customers happy, DINE innkeepers get first prize.

With United’s new Basic Fare if you want an assigned seat, it’ll cost you.  If you want to use the overhead luggage bins, it’ll cost you.  Forget about sitting with a loved one, that’ll cost you too.  Seats are assigned on an as-available basis, so count on the center seat.  United calls it Basic Economy fares.  We agree with Greenberg that the only thing good about these new fares are the price.

Truth be told, some of us have flown Spirit Airlines when we snagged a $9 fare to Fort Lauderdale.  We stuffed a week’s worth of clothes into a carry-on small enough to fit under the seat (hey, how much room can two bathing suits take up?) and unlike their poor record usually dictates, we had an on-time flight. We brought our own snacks and sprung for the $8 beer and peanuts on the plane.  That was a trip where the cost was more important than comfort or celebration.

For those seeking a romantic New England getaway, especially with Valentine’s Day coming up, a stay at one of the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England will probably fit the bill rather than the $9 fare equivalent in lodging.  February is the month of love and treating your loved one to a hearty hand crafted breakfast, luxury accommodations, and afternoon tea or refreshments is a better bet than taking him or her to the equivalent of a hostel or campground.  We love camping, but not in New England in February, and not when it comes to a romantic getaway to celebrate love.  For celebration vacations, may we recommend that the basic economy approach simply won’t fill the bill.

Factor in all the extras included with a DINE getaway and you will find that fireside fun at Rabbit Hill Innyou’ll actually save.  In another DINE blog entry we compared the cost of a stay at a New England hotel or resort, offering nothing but a room with the cost of staying at a DINE inn where breakfast, complimentary wi-fi, DVDs, afternoon refreshments, 24-7 beverages, free parking and more were all totaled up. We found up to a $200 savings per day when staying at a DINE inn compared to a resort hotel.  And that doesn’t include the personal touch that you get from staying at an inn or B&B. You can’t put a price tag on keeping the customer happy, but anyone who’s suffered the frustration of what Greenberg refers to as the mission of “unhappy” knows that sparing the stress of travel is an investment in a good vacation.

When it comes to basic travel, campgrounds, hostels and some motels fit the bill.  When it comes to romantic getaways, DINE inns are the answer.  And when it comes to celebrating, choose romantic over rudimentary and super over sparing.  Your fellow traveler will thank you and love you for making the right choice in a romantic DINE inn getaway.

Plan your next romantic getaway to the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England by clicking below on links that will take you directly to each of their websites.

In New Hampshire:  Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield

In Vermont:  Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton

In Massachusetts:  Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Gateways Inn & Restaurant in Lenox, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod.

In Rhode Island: Cliffside Inn in Newport

In Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic

In Maine:  Captain Jefferds Inn in Kennebunkport & Camden Maine Stay Inn in Camden.

Breakfast at Captain Jefferds Inn

A fabulous breakfast is just one of the extras you’ll find included in a DINE romantic getaway.