A day in the life of a DINE innkeeper – no Labor Day-off for them

While most enjoy a day of rest on Labor Day, innkeepers and staff at the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE) are busy at work, making memories for their guests.  No rest for the weary at the DINE inns for innkeepers, even on holidays.

So often we hear comments about wanting to retire and become an innkeeper.  The dream of baking muffins and socializing with guests made famous by Bob Newhart’s Stratford Inn on the Bob Newhart Show in the 1980s is ingrained in many baby boomers’ minds. If that’s something you’re considering today, just think, you could be enjoying another 12 to 15 hour day on Labor Day if that were your job!

A day in the life of a DINE innkeeper is surprisingly busy, and anything but a relaxing retirement adventure. From first thing in the morning until well after sundown, your DINE innkeepers are busy running their businesses.  Yes, a part of that day may include baking muffins and definitely talking with guests (often an innkeepers’ favorite part), but in-between and behind the scenes, those innkeepers are also decorators, bartenders, gardeners, mechanics, accountants, tech-wizards, writers, social media experts, nurses, managers, recruiters, and so much more. As we revealed in our blog entry, Tea & Sympathy, DINE innkeepers are also therapists, and last-minute saviors too.   No two days are alike for innkeepers, that’s what’s fun about the job. From sun-up to sun-down Distinctive Inns of New England innkeepers are enjoying providing the romantic New England getaways that their guests love, and awaiting their day of rest during the slower season.

We thought it might be fun to take you on a photo tour of a day in the life of a DINE innkeeper.  Let us not only tell you about all the fun things they do to fill the day, we’ll show you too!

Captain Jefferds Inn Irish cupcakes

Sarah Lindblom bakes and serves up beautiful Irish Cupcakes to guests on St. Paddy’s Day at Captain Jefferds Inn.

Bill Bagwill of the Cliffside Inn, Newport, RI

Bill Bagwill shows off the fresh strawberries he picked for his fabulous breakfast offerings at the Cliffside Inn.

Judy Hueber at Chesterfield Inn

After a fresh snow, Judy Hueber, innkeeper at the Chesterfield Inn, is often seen out on the sidewalks shoveling snow.

James and Jill Meyer with twins

And in-between managing a busy inn, some innkeepers are also Moms and Dads! Shown here, James and Jill Meyer of Captain’s House Inn with their young twin girls.

And when it comes to the holidays, DINE innkeepers go full speed into becoming decorators too.

Sue Labrie at Inn at Harbor Hill Marina

Sue Labrie creates beautiful holiday arrangements at the Inn at Harbor Hill Marina

Holiday trees at Rabbit Hill Inn

Brian and Donn put up numerous trees at Rabbit Hill Inn over the holidays

Halloween costumes at Deerfield Inn

And speaking of holidays, the entire staff and innkeepers at Deerfield Inn go all out on Halloween!

Innkeepers take the time to attend meetings so events, promotions and new ideas can be shared among DINE members and other innkeepers too.

Peter and Janis Kesser of Camden Maine Stay Inn

Peter and Janis Kesser, brand new innkeepers at the Camden Maine Stay Inn, attended the Association of Independent Hospitality Professionals Summit to learn about cutting edge innkeeping changes.

Innkeepers from Grafton Inn and Harbor Light Inn

Angela from the Grafton Inn and Carolyn from the Harbor Light Inn are active participants at DINE meetings.

Eiran and Michele Gazit with Leslie Mulcahy

Eiran and Michele Gazit of the Gateways Inn & Restaurant, pose with Leslie of the Rabbit Hill Inn at a recent DINE meeting.

And when it comes to marketing, DINE innkeepers are dedicated!

Mary Ellen Shields and Gary Moore on Rattlesnake Mountain

Mary Ellen Shields, innkeeper at the Manor On Golden Pond, poses with travel writer Gary Moore atop Rattlesnake Mountain during a recent press tour hosted by the Manor.

James Meyer, Captain's House Inn

Hats off to James Meyer of Captain’s House Inn for getting an up-close-and-personal taste of Boomsauce during the recent Lord Hobo Brewing Co promotion

As you can see, every day in the life of a DINE innkeeper is filled with a variety of tasks.

Learn more about planning your next romantic getaway and see for yourself what a day in the life of an innkeeper is like at the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England. Click below on links that will take you directly to each of their websites.

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.

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