A Course In Innkeeping

Cromwell Manor Historic Inn

The blog below was written by Pamela Rini, my innkeeper at Cromwell Manor Inn. Although everything she said about me is true, I did not force her to say it! Jack

When you search online for courses in innkeeping there are many to choose from. It is a business I have always found interesting, having had the pleasure to stay at many and even got married at one! But I don't need to take a class, or maybe one could say that I am taking a class of sorts. I am very fortunate to be learning firsthand about the business by working as an innkeeper at one of New York State's Top 10 Inns, Cromwell Manor Inn.


I started working for Jack in February 2009 working in the kitchen making breakfast for guests on busy weekends. A busy weekend meaning anywhere from 18 to 30 meals each morning. I quickly caught on after receiving excellent training from Jack in the kitchen. I also made the observation that innkeeping entailed more than serving a beautifully plated gourmet breakfast and conversing with guests! As Jack became busier with other innkeeping duties such as networking, tending to guests, sales, tending to guests, marketing, tending to guests, reservations etc. etc., tending to guests, he entrusted me to other important duties around the inn. He introduced me to the laundry room. When you run a 13 room inn there is a lot of laundry to contend with. Two large washers and 3 dryers. And as I learned in the kitchen, there is a system for everything, including laundry! I guess I proved my worth in folding because then Jack started training me on the computer reservation system and handed the phone over to me to begin taking reservations and other guest calls. After a few months of my new duties, Jack decided he needed a break from the inn and probably from me, too. So he and his wife, Cynthia, went on a well deserved vacation leaving me in charge of the inn for 10 days. A blog will be posted about that experience soon. I will say that Cromwell Manor is still standing and better than ever! And I think Jack would say that I am a keeper, and an INNkeeper, too.

Pamela hard at work!

Hope to see you one day at the Cromwell Manor Inn.

A Great B&BS!

Cromwell Manor Inn, a Top 10 Inn located in Cornwall, New York has come up with a new classification for B&B's - B&BS. No it's not what you may think, although there may be some BS at the inn. B&BS stands for a Bed and Breakfast with a Song.

The owner of the inn, Jack Trowell, loves to play guitar but has a voice that will make small children cry. Fortunately Jack hired Pamela Rini, a local recording artist, to help with the cooking and serving. After serving breakfast to 25 people and cleaning up the kitchen, they would take a break and play some songs in the parlor. Jack spent several weeks trying to convince Pamela to sing a song at breakfast, with little success. Finally, when some guests asked her to sing (an undercover sting set up by Jack) she agreed. The rest is history! Guests have commented that Pamela's voice was so beautiful, it gave them goosebumps and Jack loves it because Pamela even makes his guitar playing sound good. A song or two is now part of each weekend breakfast.

Next time you hear someone talking about BS, they are probably referring to Cromwell Manor Inn and the Bed and Breakfast with a Song! You can experience the B&BS yourself by booking at www.cromwellmanor.com or by calling 845-534-7136. Cromwell Manor Inn is "highly recommended" by USA Today and was called "A fantastic B&B" on the CBS Early Show.

Staycation in the Hudson Valley

In today's difficult economic times, many are planning staycations instead of vacations for their respite this summer. What is a staycation? A staycation is when a couple or family plan to visit local or close to home attractions instead of traveling a great distance for a vacation.

What better place for New York City residents to visit than the Historic Hudson Valley? Tourists from all over the world find New York's Hudson Valley to be a great destination because of all the art, shopping, historic homes, outdoor adventure, wineries, etc. that it has to offer. Here is a small sampling of places to visit less than 1 1/2 hours from New York City:

Historic West PointThe United States Military Academy at West Point celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2002. Enjoy a football game, an outdoor concert, the cadets on parade, or the stunning views. Visitor's center, Museum, and tours available year-round.

Storm King Art CenterStorm King Art Center is a museum that celebrates the relationship between sculpture and nature. Five hundred acres of landscaped lawns, fields and woodlands provide the site for postwar sculptures by internationally renowned artists. The grounds are surrounded by the undulating profiles of the Hudson Highlands, a dramatic panorama integral to the viewing experience.

Dia:Beacon
Dia Art Foundation, one of the world’s preeminent contemporary art institutions, opened a new museum on May 18, 2003, housing its renowned but rarely seen permanent collection, comprising major works of art from the 1960s to the present. Located on the Hudson River in Beacon, New York, Dia:Beacon occupies a nearly 300,000-square-foot historic printing factory.

Storm King Adventure Tours
Experience a three hour guided educational hike including your choice of a dendrology hike, a history of Storm King Mountain hike, a history of paper-making hike, or an airplane crash site hike. Various degrees of difficulty ($25 per person). Also for three hours, try kayaking with a guide to Bannerman's Island, the Moodna Creek Marsh, a sunset paddle, or a full moon paddle ($60 per person). Mountain bike in Black Rock Forest Preserve (bike rentals - $40 per day or $9 per hour, two hour min.) by yourself or with a guide for three hours ($25 per person for the guide plus bike rental). Call for details (845-534-7136).

The "Castles" of the Hudson. Some of the wealthiest families in the nation chose to live in the Hudson Valley. With breathtaking views of the river, the mansions of the Vanderbilts, the Rockefellers (Kykuit), and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are the crown jewels of area homes. Boscobel, Sleepy Hollow, and many other mansions are also open for you to enjoy the buildings and grounds.

Woodbury Common Premium OutletsThe largest outlet shopping center in the United States, Woodbury Common offers incredible designer shoes and clothing, electronics, housewares, and jewelry in more than 220 stores in a setting like a charming small town. People come from around the world for the bargains.

Vineyards and Wineries. Both the oldest vineyard in the U.S.(Benmarl) and the oldest continuously-operating winery Brotherhood Winery in the country are nearby. Follow the Shawangunk Wine Trail, with tours and tastings at more than a dozen wineries, many of which have underground cellars, or cross the river for the Dutchess Wine Trail. Enjoy at six course dinner, wine, music and dancing at Magnanini Winery. Five minutes for Cromwell Manor Inn is Palaia Vineyards Winery with live music and wine tastings Thursday thru Sunday!

Hudson Valley Shakespeare FestivalThe Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is a critically-acclaimed regional theater, attracting audiences from the tri-state area and beyond. Shakespeare scholars, critics and enthusiastic fans laud its spare, clear and compelling productions. Set on the beautiful property of Boscobel Restoration, plays are offered all summer. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawn before the show.

Orange County Choppers
As seen on the TLC Channel's American Choppers series, Orange County Choppers world headquarters is only one hour from NYC. The showroom is open every day.

National Purple Heart Hall of Honor
Located in New Windsor, the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is only a short five minute drive from Cromwell Manor Inn.
The mission of the Hall of Honor is to collect and preserve the stories of Purple Heart recipients from all branches of service and across generations in an attempt to ensure that all recipients are represented. Their stories will be preserved and shared through a series of exhibits, live and videotaped interviews with veterans themselves, and the Roll of Honor, an interactive computer program detailing the stories of each individual.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Enjoy live entertainment in this state-of-the art amphitheater at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts presents some of the country's leading classical, rock, pop, jazz, and country entertainers. Click the link for a calendar of performances.

New York Renaissance FaireLeave the modern world behind for the Faire, where pleasure is the order of the day and entertainment is everywhere! Eleven main stages offer continuous performances by jugglers, jesters, minstrels and magicians. Witness a daring joust of armored knights on charging steeds. Watch fascinating demonstrations in age-old crafting traditions. Tantalizing aromas tempt you at every turn to feast, or quench your summer thirst with fine ales, sweet mead or refreshing soft drinks.

This is just a small sampling of what the Historic Hudson Valley of New York has to offer. Why not make a reservation at a Hudson Valley Bed and Breakfast and spend a few days exploring New York City's back yard?

How to Get a Good Deal at a B&B or Inn

Do you need to get away from the stress of your everyday life but have limited resources? Here are some strategies that may help you satisfy your needs and keep you within your budget:

1) Plan your escape during off-season or midweek. Many innkeepers are willing to negotiate a price during the slower times of year or week. Some offer published reduced rates during the slower season.

2) Look for package prices. Often times, B&B's work with local businesses to offer packages that are very attractive from a pricing perspective. For example, Cromwell Manor Inn in Cornwall, New York developed a "Hudson River Elegance" package with the River Grill restaurant and Hudson River Adventures. The guest receives dinner for two including choice of appetizer, entree, and dessert along with a cruise on the Hudson River including choice of beverage, all for $100. Jack Trowell, owner of Cromwell Manor Inn, says that his objective is to put "heads in the beds" and that he prices packages at his cost to offer an additional incentive for guests to choose his inn over another.

3) Utilize promotional programs. For example, American Historic Inns, Inc. has a program that offers a free night certificate good at over 1450 inns throughout the United States. By purchasing the "Bed & Breakfast and Country Inns" book for around $20, one will receive a Free Night Certificate which may be used with one night at regular price. You get two nights for the price of one, a very substantial savings! There may be restrictions on when the certificate may be used. Visit American Historic Inns website at http://www.iloveinns.com/ to see how you may get the book.

4) Look for last minute specials. Just like the airline industry, many B&B's offer last minute specials to entice guests to their bed and breakfast if they have unbooked rooms. If you are able to plan a getaway close to home, you may be able to find an inn or B&B willing to work with you on price for a stay of that evening or the next. You don't have to travel a long distance to enjoy a romantic or peaceful, rejuvenating retreat.

By being flexible with your schedule and by looking for pricing opportunities, you may be able to enjoy a stay at a great bed and breakfast or inn and save money at the same time.