the someday hotelier

Good afternoon, friends. If you’ve been following my Instagram or Twitter feed, you’d notice that I was away for the last few days. By helping out a coworker and working an extra day last week, I found myself with a three day weekend, and Sunday, I traveled two hours north to Hudson, New York, a small antiquing and foodie town along the Hudson River. Hudson isn’t home to your Hiltons or Hyatts, but monopolized by bed & breakfasts and the occasional boutique property. I stayed at The Croff House (pictured a few posts below), a darling bed & breakfast rated #1 in Hudson on TripAdvisor.

Now, surprise: I have never stayed at a B&B before, preferring my discounts from working at nation-expansive brands and tried-and-true properties in places I’ve been before. But I’m pleased to say that I have never experienced a more relaxing and guest-focused experience than at the The Croff House. Duncan & Russ, the men who opened the inn in 2009, are some of the most wonderful people, preparing ridiculously delicious three-course breakfasts, featuring local ingredients (their roasted red pepper muffins and huevos rancheros rank among the best things I’ve ever eaten). Their tips on Hudson helped, too, though I spent a lot of time reading in their library, drinking far too much coffee, using the free WiFi, and watching the Apple TV in my room.

Hudson frustrated me a bit as the shops on the main stretch are open few hours and closed most days, and are mostly centered around antiquing, which is not my style (as I’m more of a find-my-own-treasure at the flea market type girl). And a car might’ve been helpful - I rented a bike but once I exited the main stretch found myself in miles of suburbia. But the architecture in the heart of town was gorgeous (including the Croff and the house next to it, which belongs to Russ & Duncan), and the guest service was fantastic. My goal of this trip was to get away from the eight million inhabitants of this city, and I got back excited to rejoin my never-sleeping neighbors, and inspired from the hospitality I learned from Russ & Duncan.

Hospitality history along Warren Street. (Taken with Instagram)

So beautiful and so peaceful. (Taken with Instagram)

Jonathan Safran Foer (via kari-shma)

(via quote-book)

Construction on “the quintessential New York hotel”. #thequin (Taken with Instagram)

(Source: fuckiminmy20s)

“This church helped me raise a family and has brought great joy and happiness to my life,” he told me. But that didn’t mean gay employees had any less status at Marriott. “We have to take care of our people, regardless of their sexual orientation or anything else,” he said. “We are an American Church. We have all the American values: the values of hard work, the values of integrity, the values of fairness and respect.” Marriott has both a deep faith and a deep understanding of his responsibility as a leader. Many of his shareholders, customers, and employees don’t belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their values matter, too.

“Our church is very much opposed to alcohol and we’re probably one of the biggest sales engines of liquor in the United States. I don’t drink. We serve a lot of liquor. You’re in business. You’ve got to make money,” he said. “We have to appeal to the masses out there, no matter what their beliefs are.

There’s so much controversy surrounding this issue, and I haven’t been blasting this situation as much as some of my friends have, but this article makes me proud of leaders in our industry.

Here’s the deal: I believe that people have the right to believe whatever they’d like. But don’t impose it on others, especially as a CEO, and take a rude and judgmental stance on part of your market. This article from Bloomberg Businessweek outlines a better leader, who isn’t letting his personal beliefs meddle with his company. Marriott does not support anti-gay or same-sex laws, deciding instead to support those that believe differently than he does. It’s a professional and respectful stance.

If Dan Cathy wants to strengthen families, how about donating to foster homes or adoption agencies instead of promoting narrow-minded and unprofessional behavior?

I have returned! This time for daytime revelry. @RevelResorts (Taken with Instagram)