In these economic times . . .

Recently it seems all you hear is bad news and how horrible people are doing. Sort of the opposite of waiting for the other shoe to drop - instead, it's shoe after shoe, negative headline after negative headline (even Brian Williams can't take it - he's pleading for good news). We certainly understand that times are tough - at our hotel we are keeping positive and continuing to offer the resort as a place to escape.

And we know for some, even with getaway specials that is not an option as mortgages, credit payments, tuitions, employment and more trump the family vacation to Ogunquit this year. We will certainly miss you and welcome you to come back to Maine just as soon as you can.

However, we are a bit confused about guests calling to book a vacation and saying 'they cannot believe X would exist in these economic times (insert whatever it may be - good examples are suites costing more than standard rooms, high season rates or any kind of minimum stay) and demanding to speak with a manager about it. 

A really odd one was a guest who couldn't believe we would clean and change the water in the Roman Spa and that the entire stay should be complimentary. This really puzzled us. In good and in bad economic times, it's still important to maintain the hotel - which means our pools and jacuzzis will be cleaned every day to the degree necessary. This may sound crazy but we'd rather present a clean pool then have you sit in anything else. Clean amentities have nothing to do with economic times - and it seems odd to have to apologize or have guests demanding refunds for maintaining the resort. Aren't we expected to take care of the hotel for you? It would be far more irresponsible to let our standards down.

Yes, times are tough and choosing (or even being able) to take a trip to visit the Meadowmere is something we are grateful for. However we hope that using 'these economic times' as a reason for refunds, upgrades and freebies when planning or taking a vacation during this recession will stop. Seems reasonable to all the families that will not be taking any trips (heck, may not have a home) in these economic times.

Comments

[Joan Malone]

My family and I hope to make a trip to the Meadowmere again this summer. I was however, taken aback by your article concerning irate callers. Although it must be annoying to have to field these calls, it is part of the business. Most of us in any profession deal with such matters. I personally don’t feel it necessary to read about it when I am looking to book our summer vacation. Part of the fun of planning a vacation is in the planning itself. Reading your comments leaves me with a concern on how you will handle a legitimate complaint. Thank you. Joan Malone

[Ray Casbourn]

Hi all the personnel at the Mere,

After reading your comments on your blog, I couldn’t believe what I was reading.

In some instances, you could give some people something free (and you do… because upgrading to the next level of rooms as you did for your 100 best week-end, was giving something free and very much appreciated by us) and they would still find a way to criticize you. What a shame. And shame on those people.
They’re the ones bragging about bad times but can’t appreciate the goodwill of others.
They certainly do not know of certain hotels or motels in and around Ogunquit to speak of or criticize like that (or maybe they do this on a regular basis….some people are never satisfied).
We have been coming to the Meadowmere for a number of years now….more than 10…but who’s counting. And if I’m allowed my 0.02 cents worth, I have to say that nothing and no one beats the value of your hotel, value for value.
Always clean and with always friendly people, at the front desk or on the premises, makes you our number one choice and we’ve been coming to Ogunquit for over 30 years this year and I’ve stayed in other hotels/motels also in the past. That makes me some kind of knowledgeable person about Ogunquit and your hotels/motels.
As you said, things have to be cleaned, serviced or simply taken care of on a daily basis and as in our own house, they have to be done. And of course, from time to time its bound to fall on a day of ‘’our’’ visit. So what! This is understandable and bearable when you consider that these things are done for us to enjoy and feel good about. Which is what Maine and Ogunquit is all about.
Even with our 32% rate of exchange and 300 miles of travel, one way… (yes…we’re Canadians, but not complaining here) you are worth every cent and more. To come back to your hotel is simply to come home….in Ogunquit. Which is what we do several times a year.
I am certain though, that most people who enjoy your place as much as we do, will approve everything of what I’ve written here. And I would like to invite anyone who’s ever been to the Mere to comment and approve of what I’ve said here.

One other thing that is commendable/applauded about the Mere is your concern for the environment and making us aware of our planet of what a little thing can do to improve our lives, our planet for our future generations. I’m sure others appreciate what you are doing and that others will follow in your footsteps. But you will always be the leader of your community in this matter (in my humble opinion).

So, in ending, for those who criticize and are never happy about anything, it must be because they’re not happy about themselves and cannot appreciate the goodwill of others. So maybe they should stay home and not travel. There will always be (unfortunately) people like that. But, (fortunately) there are others who do appreciate a good thing when they see it. I hope you will continue making us feel at home, for without the Mere and its people, Ogunquit would not be the same.

I apologize for writing such a long letter but felt, somehow, that I had to. Thanks for reading me and keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Ray Casbourn
Drummondville, Quebec.

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