There’s a graphic circulating around social media that says “This holiday season, it’s not about what you want, it’s about appreciating what you have.” If there was ever year filled with wants and appreciation it would be 2020. While many social media memes also declare 2020 a disaster, there’s always a silver lining for us at Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE). The innkeepers at DINE’s 10 inns have endured pandemic shut downs, economic uncertainty, contentious elections along with everyone else, and they were no fun. But as we near the close of one year and open the door to another, we can’t help but be filled with optimism. With every downturn comes an up-side, and all of us in DINE country are looking for the silver lining.
Even in a pandemic romance continues. We’re still a group of ten luxury inns, offering safe and clean sanctuaries for romantic getaways. While you will find more hand sanitizer and additional cleaning going on around you, you’ll also find the same romantic settings and amenities at DINE inns. No pandemic or election can take the romance out of getaways to DINE inns.
Thus, as we approach Thanksgiving week, we count our blessings.
Three things for which we are grateful
We’re thankful for guests who continue to travel now and into the future
When the pandemic hit, so many of our guests were concerned not only for their own safety, but for the safety of their favorite inns and innkeepers in DINE country. We’re so grateful for all of our loyal guests who put their faith in either continuing to travel over the summer and fall, or simply moving their deposits to the future. It gave all the DINE innkeepers such a boost of optimism to know that their guests would still want to visit and believed in our ability to provide safe and comfortable accommodations. We say it over and over again, without our guests our inns are simply homes. When our businesses are filled with smiling guests, enjoying romantic getaways and outdoor fun, then they become fabulous inns. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continuing to put your faith in your favorite DINE inns.
We’re thankful for masks that keep us safe & our guests willingness to wear them
We hate to have to ask, but we all know that masks keep us safe. Moreover, they are mandated by the state’s guidelines in many of the New England states. We are grateful for our guests who arrive wearing masks and who wear them throughout the public areas of our inns. We want you to know that behind our own masks are smiling innkeepers, happy to see you and grateful for your willingness to keep us all safe by wearing masks.
We’re greatful for all the DINE innkeepers who support one another
When we count our blessings, we include our colleagues and fellow innkeepers. Recently, the DINE members met via zoom for the first time since the pandemic hit in March. We commiserated, laughed, and even drank a toast to our guests and to the new year. After that get together, we all realized how much we miss one another. Innkeeping can be a lonely business, and as anyone who’s ever visited a DINE inn knows, our DINE innkeepers are a heck of a lot of fun, plus amazingly kind people.
May your Thanksgiving holiday be peaceful and safe, and may the holiday season be filled with joy. Here’s to the anticipation of a new year, when travel can once again become easy and uncomplicated. Don’t forget to book directly with your favorite DINE inn when you decide to visit us. It’s not too early to start planning for getaways in 2021.
Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic
In Maine: Camden Maine Stay Inn in Camden and Inn at English Meadows in Kennebunkport.
In Massachusetts: Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod
In Vermont: Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton
In New Hampshire: Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield.