Sometimes we don’t realize how important we are to some guests.
We have been innkeeping long enough to remember when guests made reservations by phone. Of course, this was before Bed and Breakfast Inns and hotels, had the capacity to be booked on online.
We miss the engagement with guests that a call allows; the ability to tailor their experience of our Inn and Mendocino. That level of interaction is rare today: in fact, the trend is to go contactless – automatic check-in and check-out. We miss opportunities to develop a relationship with many guests. And sometimes we are unaware of the impact this place has on some, the lasting memories created.
This Spring, we hosted a return visit by Mid-Westerners who honeymooned here in the 1980s.
Living in the Midwest, they had not been able to visit Mendocino and the Inn whicb they had intended for decades Then, sadly, one of the couple was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Their daughter asked them if there was anywhere they wanted to go. They wanted to return to the Inn where they had honeymooned. Their daughter arranged travel to California and a stay at a much-changed Inn. When they arrived, they showed us photos from their honeymoon, their hand-written confirmation, a welcome note from us, and Christmas cards we had sent over the years. They related their reason for coming and about their experience 40 years ago. We deeply appreciated their story and hearing the impact the Inn had on their life. They were a lovely couple, and we are honored to have had the opportunity to host them twice.
This is connection – and it is what we foster – and the connections we hope for are between our guests, the couples and families who visit, and often connections with other guests, our staff, and ourselves.
Now that Memorial Day Weekend has past, summer is around the corner. We hope yours is filled sharing time with loved ones, renewing connections, and making new ones.
We hope to welcome you in the comings days and months.
Very best wishes,
~ Joan and Jeff Stanford
Above “HANDS” artwork by Joan Stanford. Please learn more about Joan’s art retreats by using this link:
https://stanfordinn.com/specials-creative-journey-retreat/