Hi Everyone! It’s beautiful this time of year in Sugar Hill. We are decorated for the holidays and even had some snow this morning. We wanted to share the Top 10 Cool Things to Do in the White Mountains.

1.Dine at one of Open Table’s Top 10 Ten Restaurants in New England. Chef Val is always in the kitchen experimenting and loves to meet the guests. Come join us for dinner.

2. Experience breathtaking views. The mountains are beautiful with a snow cover and everyone should see them.

3.Ride the zip line at Bretten Woods. We rode the zip line so we could put the pictures on Facebook. It was so much fun.
4.Skiing and Snowboarding. We are surrounded by Olympic quality skiing. Recently, Ski Magazine recommended Canon Mountain to all of its readers. Also nearby, is Loon Mountain and the Bretton Woods ski resort.

5. Photography. Take you camera down a beautiful country road covered in snow. Consider shooting in black and white. You’ll thank us later.

6.Snowmobiling. Nearby, guests can take a guided snowmobile tour through the snow-covered landscapes. More advanced riders, can rent snowmobiles and go on a self-guided adventure.

7.Snowshoeing. Are you looking to commune with nature? Head outside on a quiet trail with your snowshoes.

8. Dogsledding. This is something everyone should try at least once. Bring someone you love on this memorable adventure.

9.A Sleigh Ride for two. This is something out of an old fashioned movie you can’t experience in the suburbs or the city. This is a wonderful date idea.

10. Tubing. If you like a good thrill glide down the mountain on a tube. You’ll be sure to have a wonderful memory!

1.      Stay at the Sugar Hill Inn.  The Sugar Hill Inn is a romantic getaway known for culinary adventure and warm, inviting guest rooms and cottages.  Selected “Best of New Hampshire 2011” by the editors of New Hampshire Magazine.  The dining room is open to both inn guests and the public by reservation.

2.      Take a Zip Line Tour.  Fly thru the tree tops at speeds of up to 30

miles per hour.  Select from Bretton Woods, Loon or Alpine Adventures.

3.      Experience The Flume Gorge. The Flume is a natural gorge with spectacular waterfalls, vistas and covered bridges.

4.      Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.  An 80-passenger cable car brings visitors to the 4,080-foot summit of Cannon Mountain in under ten minutes. On a clear day, you can see the mountains of four states and Canada! At the summit, you’ll find spectacular scenic walking paths.

5.      The White Mountain Trail.  The 100 mile drive offers New England’s most rugged mountain scenery as it travels easily through three historic “notches” or mountain passes. Views abound of villages and unspoiled National Forest. Stops include views of Mount Washington, mountain cascades, wildlife, and the Appalachian Trail.

6.      Visit the Mount Washington Hotel. Enjoy a cocktail or lunch on the back deck of the Mount Washington Hotel.  The views are amazing and so is the architecture of this grand old hotel.

7.      Climb Mount Washington.  Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at 6,288 ft (1,917 m), famous for dangerously erratic weather.  It’s your choice; hike it, drive the Auto Road or take the Cog Railway.  Hiking is recommended only for very experience and well equipped hikers.

8.      Go for a bike ride.  With no cars to watch out for the 9 mile recreation trail thru Franconia Notch is the perfect choice.  Rent bikes at the Cannon Mountain Tram and return them at the Flume with a free shuttle to take you  back to your car.

9.      Hike to a Waterfalls.  With over 100 waterfalls in the White Mountain one is never far away.  The Falling Waters Trail, a popular 1.4 mile hike will bring you to Walker Cascade, 20’ Stairs Falls, 60’ Swiftwater Falls and 80’ Cloudland Falls.  For an easy walk consider Sabbaday Falls.

10.      Shop for Antiques. The country towns of Sugar Hill, Bethlehem and Littleton are known for their numerous antique shops.

June 3 – 19, 2011

This will be my 6^th Lupine Festival.  Every year, like magic, the beautiful wildflowers spring to life in June just in time for the Festival.  But there is much more to it than just beautiful blue wildflowers.  It is a celebration of spring.  At the Sugar Hill Inn, the pool has now been open for several weeks and the window boxes have been planted.  This time of year I love sitting by the pool with my morning coffee listening to the water fall while gazing up at Mount Lafayette.

To get the most out of the Festival it is important to have a copy of the Lupine book.  We give them free to all overnight guests.  If you are a day tripper, they are for sale at the welcome center in Franconia and at Harman’s cheese in Sugar Hill.  The book has a map of all the great viewing places plus a listing of all the special events and recipes from the area’s country inns.  The book is so full of discounts and special offers you will recoup the $5 fee many times over.

Many of the local businesses and Inns sponsor special events.  At the Sugar Hill Inn we chosen to do cooking workshops and wine tastings because culinary adventure is at the heart of who we are.  If you love beautiful homes and great views, tour the “Most Energy Efficient Home in NH”.  The details are in the book.

I am also drawn to the festival by the local arts and crafts.  I am particularly interested in seeing the new original water colors by Debbie Aldrich.  The Sugar Hill Inn is proud of its role as a patron of the local arts and owns two of Debbie’s originals.  Her work will be available for viewing and purchase on the lawn at Polly’s Pancakes each Saturday from 10am to 2pm.  I also recommend the Arts and Crafts show on June 4^th and 5^th.  Two years ago I purchased a beautiful painting by Adrien “Yellow” Patenaude and it is on display in the Wildflower Cottage Room.  I am looking forward to seeing his new works.

From Franconia, I recommend driving up Route 117 into Sugar Hill.  The town of Sugar Hill is known for its mountain views, beautiful homes, tranquil farms, New England Churches, wildflowers and country stores.  The Sugar Hill Inn will be the first place you will see on the right hand side.  The inn began as a farm house in 1789.

A little further up the road on the left hand side is large farm with beautiful mountain views.  Be sure to stop for a picture.  At the corner of Lovers Lane read the historic marker about the first ski school in America.  Keep going up the hill and on your right will be the famous and award winning Polly’s Pancakes, the perfect stop for breakfast or lunch.  Continue up 117 passing St. Michaels, a very popular small wedding venue and turn left onto Sunset Hill Road.  The views from here are spectacular.  The big red barn is a gift shop and museum.  This is the perfect place is stock up on NH Maple syrup and learn about the good old days of New Hampshire’s grand hotels.  This is also the starting point for the horse drawn wagon rides thru the Lupine field.

Continue West on Route 117 for about a ½ mile more to the town center.  Don’t blink, you might miss it.  Here you will find the Sugar Hill Museum, Town Hall, the Sugar Hill Meeting house and Harman’s, the country store made famous by its aged cheddar.  Many of the Lupine events will take place here including Open-Air Market on June 11 & 12:  The open air market the following weekend will be in Franconia.   Be sure to check the program book for all the events and times including free concerts.

On your way back to your motel or inn I recommend that you lose yourself on the back roads of Sugar Hill.  I highly recommend Lovers Lane, Pearl Lake Road and Easton Road.

To top off the day’s events I recommend a good dinner.  For ideas I recommend you read my blog post on the Best White Mountain Restaurants.

Please feel free to post about your Lupine Festival Experience.

Littleton, New Hampshire

As the owner of the Sugar Hill Inn I am frequently asked about shopping.  The White Mountains are dotted with small towns like Sugar Hill, Bethlehem and Franconia, each with interesting and unique shops.    This blog is going to focus on Littleton, our big town.  You won’t find any of the chain stores on Main Street such as Gap, Gucci or United Colors of Benetton and that is the way we like it.  Instead you will find fresh and exciting businesses run by local entrepreneurs, artisans and old fashion merchants.  Please feel free to leave comments on your favorites.

1.       Pentimento 34 Union St., 603-444-7797

An eclectic boutique housed in an 1884 Victorian House near Littleton’s Historic Opera House. Explore one of a kind selection of jewelry, unusual home and garden items, candles, and bath and body products.

2.       Just L Modern Antiques 35 Main St., 603-259-3125

World's Longest Candy Counter

Owner Lance has an amazing eye for mid century modern décor.  This store is a cool trip back in time.

3.       Chutters 43 Main St., 603-444-5787 www.chutters.com

Home of the World’s Longest Candy Counter.  Celebrate your inner child.

4.       Glass Godness 21 Main St.,  603-444-6778    www.glassgoddessstainedglassstudio.com

A large selection of beautiful and locally made stained glass lamps.  They can also design and fabricate custom stained glass windows to fit seamlessly into a residence or historic restoration.

5.       Lahouts 245 Union St., 603-444-5838 www.lahouts.com

America's oldest ski shop

America’s oldest ski shop.   Everything that you need to enjoy the great outdoors of the Franconia Notch region along with a very knowledgeable sales team.

6.       Art to Go 85 Main St., 603-444-3111 www.arttogogalleryandsalon.com

Have your hair colored and come home with new cloths, shoes, Jewelry, and local art.  The owners artistic flair brings these diverse items together in harmony.

7.       Duck Soup 106 Main St., 603-444-5953

This is heaven for the gourmet chef.  Everything from tart pans to espresso makers and cookbooks.

8.       Bella Funk 9 Main St.,  603 444-6597  www.bellafunkboutique.com

Bella Funk

An upscale boutique carrying designer names such as Citizens of Humanity, Free People, Frye, 7 for all Mankind, BB Dakota, Hudson, Johnny Was and much more!  It is owned by 2 sisters from Franconia, Stefanie and Katie.  This is a favorite of my daughter Sara.

9.       Saranac Antiques 141 Main St., 603-444-4888

Saranac Antiques is located in a 1909 Masonic Temple, an example of Beaux Arts Classicism.  Three floors plus the must see architecture makes this a great store to explore.  The antique drop leaf table in the Dream Cottage was discovered at Saranac.

10.   Admac 111 Saranac S t.,  603-444-1200  www.admacsalvage.com

Specializing in Architectural Antiques & Recycled Building Materials.  The bar at the Sugar Hill Inn was made from an old Massachusetts bowling alley purchased at Admac.  Wander among old bricks, used slates, barn beam, doors and chandeliers.

11.   League of NH Craftsmen 81 Main St., 603-444-1099 www.nhcrafts.org/localsites/littleton/index.html

The beloved bronze Moose keeping watch on the herb garden at the Sugar Hill Inn is from the League of NH Craftsmen.  I also like their hand blown glass, wooden games and block prints.

12.   Village Book Store 81 Main St., 603-444-5263  http://www.booksmusictoys.com/

For 30 years the Village Book Store has been serving White Mountain residents and visitors.  In the days of the Kindle and big box retailers it is so refreshing to visit an independent book store.  And yes, there is a place to sit and sip a cappuccino while browsing the books.

Millers Cafe and Bakery, Littleton, NH

Creative sandwiches, soups and salads.  My favorite is the Yankee Pot Roast Flip Bread Sandwich.  Be sure to visit the Gris Mill located next store. Delightful deck with scenic river views, tasty food and the willingness to take credit cards puts Millers in the number one spot.

2.  Cold Mountain Café, Bethlehem, NH  603- 869-2500

Explore the art galleries and antique shops of Bethlehem and then have lunch at this neighborhood gem.  My favorite is the Grilled Santa Fe Veggie Burger.  Beer and wine are available.

Cold Mountain Cafe

3.  Wendell’s Deli, Franconia, NH  (603) 823-5141

Wendles is base camp for serious skiers, hikers and artistic hippies here to experience the great outdoors known as Franconia Notch.  Check your email, read the newpaper and select a creative sandwich from the large black board.  They also have excellent coffee and they take being green seriously.  Bring cash; credit cards would spoil the quaintness.

4.  Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods   603-278-1000

The Mount Washington is the perfect lunch spot on your scenic drive around the White Mountains.  It is one of the few remaining grand hotels in NH.  Sit out on the back deck and order anything.  It’s all good.  The views are so captivating that is all that you will remember.

5.  Polly’s Pancakes Sugar Hill, NH 603.823.5575

Polly’s has been serving pancakes for 73 years.  No trip to the area would be complete without a trip to Polly’s.  I recommend coming for lunch when they are less busy and having the Pancake Sampler.

Polly’s Pancakes, Sugar Hill

6. Chang Thai Café, Littleton, NH  603-444-8819

In the heart of downtown Littleton Chang Thai offers a $6.99 lunch special that is light, healthy and delicious.

7.  Woodstock Inn, Station & Brewery North Woodstock, NH  603-745-3951

On a nice day enjoy the outside patio.  The burgers and fries are great.  Order the Brew Sampler and get five 3 oz. glasses of their home brewed beer.

8. Littleton Diner, Littleton, NH   603-444-3994

If you love old diners you will love this classic 1930’s diner.  I always order a Turkey Club, fries and a coke.  Work off lunch with a nice walk on Main Street.

Littleton Diner, Littleton, NH

9.  Bailiwicks, Littleton, NH  603-444-7717

When the other lunch places seem too casual I recommend Bailiwicks.  The perfect place for a Martini lunch or to meet a blind date. Go for the Towering Lobster Club.

10. The Littleton Food Coop, Littleton, NH  603-444-2800

The prepared foods department has made to order sandwiches, salads, local cheeses, and a selection of hot items.  There are tables both inside and outside but I recommend taking it out for a picnic with view.  Afterwards go to Bishop’s for homemade ice cream located a few doors down on Cottage St.

1.  Sugar Hill Inn, Sugar Hill, NH 03586  603-823-5621  www.sugarhillinn.com

Of course the Sugar Hill Inn is number one.  It is my list after all.  Sugar Hill Inn is a romantic getaway known for fine dining.  Everything is made from scratch by our award winning Executive Chef, Val Fortin.  Val is a genius in combining favors and creating culinary art.  The wine list features over 100 wines from around the world.

The Sugar Hill Inn has received the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA)’s Achievement of Distinction in Dining award for 2009, 2010 and 2011

2.  Bailiwicks, Littleton, NH  603-444-7717

Bailiwicks is the area’s most popular restaurant.  Diners are drawn by its cosmopolitan and lively atmosphere.

3.  Cold Mountain Café, Bethlehem, NH  603- 869-2500

Cold Mountain is the type of neighborhood restaurant that every town needs.

4.  Gypsy Café, Lincoln, NH  603- 745-4395

The Gypsy Café is creative and casual with a great bar.

5.  Rabbit Hill Inn, Lower Waterford  800-762-8669

The Rabbit Hill Inn is a classic New England inn.  If you enjoy colonial charm and attentive service this is the place for you.

6.  Notchland Inn, Hart’s Location, 603-374-6131

The scenic 45 minute drive is part of the experience.  Look for moose on the way.  Notchland has a magical storybook feel.  A traditional country inn dinner is served.

7.  Ammonoosuc Inn, Lisbon, NH 603-838-6118

I had a wonderful meal at this picturesque secret hideaway.  Chef, Melanie, like me, is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute.

8.  Chang Thai Café, Littleton, NH 603-444-8819

This is a frequent choice of locals.  The food is light and healthy and the owners are very welcoming.  It is also the only sushi for miles.

9.  Elements, St Johnsbury, VT  802 748-8400

Elements, 30 minutes away in St Johnsbury, is in a wonderful old factory building.  They have a good wine list by the glass and the menu features local products when available.

10. Common Man, Lincoln, NH  603-745-3463

The Common Man serves straight forward American food.  It is a safe pick for when your out of town aunt comes to visit.

I am frequently complimented on the Sugar Hill Inn’s staff and this of course is music to my ears.  How did such a small inn in the middle of nowhere assemble such a talented team?

We have an award winning Chef and our guests tell me that Susan is the best massage therapist that they ever have had.  Karen runs the Front Desk/Guest Services as if she was trained by the Ritz Carlton and is also sewing new window treatments for the Bette Davis room, designing a new outdoor lighting scheme and so many more projects.  Jen, the head of housekeeping, along with her team makes perfection look easy and always finds time to talk with our visitors.     Debbie, in addition to being one of our dinner servers, painted the large water color hanging in the Library.   Kalli, our other dinner server is our resident expert on skiing and extreme sports.  John became our general contractor when we renovated the Perennial / Wildflower Cottage saving us thousands of dollars and doing an amazing job.  As the result of my daughter Sara’s work in the area of PR we have landed a wonder feature story in December’s Bungalows and Cottages Magazine.

Executive Chef Val Fortin giving a cooking demo at the Littleton Coop. Owner Steve Allen in background

In total, it takes a team of over ten employees and a network of independent contractors (accounting, landscaping, plowing) and venders (Dole and Bailey, Burlington Foods, Green Mountain Coffee, Franconia Gas, Irving Oil, Etc ) working together to effectively run the inn.

When I think about it, even in my past positions, I have been always lucky in finding good people.  Most business owners will tell you that finding good people is their biggest challenge. For years the only answer I had was that God was looking out for this single father.  However recently I have come to realize that I had stumbled upon practices that work and my stereotypical image I had about leadership was wrong.  You don’t need to be an egotistical, overly confident know it all to be a good leader.  In fact those qualities can get in the way.

By industry standards our labor cost are much too high.  If I was the accountant type, managing by the numbers, there would be some serious cost cutting.  Fortunately for staff and guests I have chosen a different way.  Although we are open all year the majority of our business takes place in the summer and fall months.  Unlike most lodging properties in the North County we provide year around employment for our staff and do not bring in foreign workers.  You can’t provide an authentic New Hampshire experience with a staff from the Ukraine.  In the slower months the housekeepers have a chance to do what we call deep cleaning and the chef has the opportunity to experiment with new creative ideas.   When the busy season comes in the summer and fall everyone is experienced and knows exactly what needs doing and is ready to pick up the pace.

Any personnel manual will tell you about the importance of selecting the right people.  However, that is not easy.  NH’s unemployment rate is half of the national rate so I can’t count on dozens of people responding to a job opening. Most people are smart enough to tell me what I want to hear.  I look for people that are excited about working for us.  They have taken the time to understand my vision for the inn, are self starters, and want to work for an organization that believes in quality and has high ethical standards.  People want to be on a winning team and want to be proud of where they work.

Karen Cail studying hospitality in Quebec City

If there is a number one rule of management it is lead by example.  If you have high standards for quality, hospitality, ethics and team work the staff will follow.

I have tremendous respect for everyone who works here.  Every job is important and there is no such thing as an unskilled job.  Everyone is a professional.  I can tell you from personal experience that being a good dish washer is not easy.  Every plate, glass and fork must sparkle.  That takes skill, speed and motivation.  The more fundamental the job, the more important that it be perfectly done.  The staff understands that everything that we do is about creating the perfect guest experience and it’s the guests that make paychecks possible.   I try hard to always remember to say please and thank you and to treat everyone as an equal.

I like to think of my staff as family.  Small problems such as the inability to afford a car repair can affect job performance so I like to help out when possible.  I especially enjoy mentoring my younger employees.  Everyone has ups and downs in their life and I believe in being there in good and bad times.  This has created tremendous loyalty.  If someone has a bad day, I call them at home and ask if they are ok? That one sentence works miracles.

There is a secret that every employee knows and that too few employers understand.  Most people use only a fraction of their intelligence and capabilities at work.  For the smart employer there is a gold mine of talent available.  We have discovered culinary, gardening, decorating, technology, music, management, writing and artistic skills to name just a few.  Inviting employees to contribute skills beyond the scope of their job description enriches the inn and makes work more rewarding.

Too frequently small business is encouraged to act like big business with formal job descriptions and policy manuals.  In this system employees are just interchangeable cogs in a big wheel.  It’s like forcing a square peg into a round hold.  I think that there is a better way.  As a small business we can make the job fit the employee and produce better results.   First I like to focus on individual strengths.  As long as we are balanced as a complete team, individual weaknesses do not matter.   When given encouragement and freedom from arbitrary rules it is amazing how creative and talented people can be.

Kalli, Deb and Theresa at the Sugar Hill Inn Bar

People have other needs that work satisfies other than just a paycheck.  For some it is professional recognition or feeling successful and for others it might be the desire to be apart of a family or working with friends.  It is also important to realize that employees have a life outside of work.  They have family, friends, hobbies, school, second jobs in addition to dreams and goals about their future.  The better I under this, the better we can craft a job together that meets the needs of both the employee and the inn.

I always try to hire people who are smarter than me in their area of expertise.  A business can grow only so big if it is limited to the owner’s capabilities.  While I ask lots of questions and give feedback it is important not to micro manage.  Why hire the best and then not allow them the freedom to excel.  I never prejudge Val’s menu selections even if it means serving sweetbreads.  Considering his experience it would be arrogant on my part.  By the way,  guests love his sweetbreads.  Every time I delegate responsibility the inn takes a giant step forward.   The best decision I ever made was to  create the position of Housekeeping Manager.  Jen now and April before her have total responsibility for making sure rooms are perfect and ready for check in.   This has taken a big load off my shoulders and they have never let me down.

Steve at the front desk

The environment of openness and trust has also been very important.  Comment cards and tripadvisor reviews are in the kitchen for all to see.  No one is ever afraid to share bad news with me and that’s good.  The faster we can fix a customer service, staff or facilities issue the better.

My role in the area of personnel is to communicate my vision for the Sugar Hill Inn, give feedback, mentor, listen and provide the tools needed for success.  With so many talented self-starters I am also the glue that holds everything together and keeps the team focused.  While I don’t claim perfection and realize that there is always room for improvement, I am pleased with results.  In conclusion we attract good people, treat them well and give them an environment where they can excel.

In 2006, what I loved about the Sugar Hill Inn was its potential to be great some day.  It had 15 acres, great views, and a farm house dating back to 1789.  However, the roof was bad, the paint was peeling, the plumbing was old and the water smelled bad among other things.  The prior owners had deferred maintenance when possible and many projects were not professionally done creating bigger problems down the road.  Anyone that has ever owned an older home understands that I bought a money pit. 

I set out ambitious goals for the first year.  A week after buying the inn we received our first and only horrible trip advisor review.  They said the water smelled, the cottage was unbearably hot and that their room was infected with bees.  We knew that we needed to move quickly.  In our first year we set out to replace the roof, air-condition the inn, and build a pool, improve the landscaping, and renovate the main floor of the inn.  Some of these projects took longer than planned and all of them cost more than anticipated.

The thing about living up here is that everyone knows everyone.  My lawyer referred my decorator, my decorator referred my landscaper, and my landscaper referred me to two very talented carpenters.  When I first met Carl and Jeremiah it could been an episode straight from the Bob Newhart show.  Fans of that show certainly remember Darryl, Darryl and Darryl.  The three brothers that would take on any job.  Jeremiah had this full bushy beard and Carl was an older man with long grey hair tied in a pony tail.  It didn’t take long to realize that looks can be deceiving and these were two very talent men. 

Their first job was to fix our rotting sign post before it collapsed.  The next job was even more important.  The Bickford Suite had no bathroom door.  Theresa and I were embraced to sell the room.  How could you have a room with no bathroom door?   Didn’t anyone notice?  This was not a job for a weekend warrior since the floor sloped in one direction and the ceiling in the other.  Measuring up from the floor or down from the ceiling wouldn’t work here.  Also, a door from home depot would look serious out of place and compromise the historic integrity of the inn.   Carl and Jeremiah found the perfect period door at a savage yard.  It was becoming apparent that these were no ordinary handymen.  It turned out that a big project that was to take them all summer had just fallen thru.  This was our gain.

For the next several weeks Carl and Jeremiah were busy fixing everything.  Over hearing a discussion with our decorator they learned that we were planning to build a bar and a library.  They said, “Now this is what we really enjoy doing, the other stuff just pays the bills”.  Carl and Jeremiah were full of ideas.  They had passion for restoring older homes and using reclaimed building materials.  Carol, our decorator, found us an antique foot rail that determined the arch of the bar.  They recommended using wood from an old bowling alley from MA, antique mirrors found at Admac and beautiful Vermont soap stone.  Today this boutique bar is loved by our guests and it is the focal point of the Tavern Room.  They were also responsible for the Library.   Their custom built cabinets and book shelves blend so well with the surroundings you would never know that they weren’t original to the house.  Books add such a positive feelings and warmth to a room.  A year later Jeremiah would be our contractor for the Dream Cottage. 

“You don’t need air-conditioning in the White Mountains; we have a lovely mountain breeze”.  That’s a lie, don’t believe it.  The fact is that it can get hot here.  We weren’t going to pull that con on our guests.  The former owner had a few window units that he would install if a guest complained.  Most inns and White Mountain hotels solve their air-conditioning problem with window units but they are noisy and block the view.  I remember seeing an inn here in NH where the owner, every spring, carried air conditioners up 3 flights of stairs and in the fall back down.  I was certainly not going to do that.  In an older building like ours, running duct work is almost impossible.  We decided to install a ductless system by Sanyo.  They are very energy efficient and quiet and every room has its own controls.   The first estimate of $50,000 seemed crazy but all the others were even higher.  The job took all summer.  Every room has its own compressor outside and both the inside unit and outside units needed electricity so the electricians also spent the summer with us, ring up huge bills.

Another big project for 2006 was a Pool.     The state has very strict standards for commercial pools and most pool contractors were not interested in the job. Custom Pools won by default. The contract was full of unlikely contingences that would cost extra if they occur and of course they did.  We also wanted a hot tub but current health regulations made it too complex.  Most whirlpools used in Hospitality would not meet today’s health regulations.

Many innkeepers think that pools are for children and therefore have no interest in them but that was not my vision.  I pictured the pool being a quite oasis where adults could relax, enjoy quite conversation and take in the view of Mt Layette.  This pool was inspired by my father’s memory.  My dad worked very hard and his idea of a vacation was a beautiful and quite pool to sit by with a good book.  I spent hours staking out the pool to get just the right views.  The waterfall into the pool lends a tranquil fell to the entire back yard.  The pool is loved by our guests and validates our concept.

Tom Bartlet, a friend of Jeremiah became our roofer.  Tom, a roofer in summer, spends his winter running dog sleds.   Toms’ sleds were built by Carl and Jeremiah.  For two weeks Tom’s big crew was everywhere.

The next problem was the water.  Safety was never an issue.  By law our well is tested several times a year by the state lab.  We learned that our water has a high magnesium content and that gives of a sulfur smell.  Here again we were puzzled that no one had addressed this issue sooner.   Culligan design a treatment system that included carbon filtration and softening.  About every three years the activated carbon needs to be replaced at the cost of $1000.  We recently had a relapse of water issues and solving it meant becoming a water chemistry experts.  Many hot water heaters have magnesium anodes that help prevent corrosion and therefore extend the life of the water heater.  However, if you run softened water thru such a system the anodes add too much magnesium to the water causing the hot water to smell.  The magnesium anodes have been replaced and the water tastes and smells great.

If  our efforts were to payoff, in increased occupancy, we had another problem.  Much of the inn’s basic infrastructure could not handle more guests.  Reservations took too long to process, the kitchen had no ice machine or even a working dishwasher and the laundry facilitates were inadequate.  All of these problems were also fixed in the first year. 

As the cool winds of November began blowing Carl and Jeremiah were winding down there work for the season.  Winter was ski season and they would not be available again until next spring.

Even with the seventy hour work week, I enjoy being an innkeeper.  It is the most demanding but best job I have ever had.  Until buying the Sugar Hill Inn I was never known as a workaholic.   Being an innkeeper is more a life style then a job.  For those that can totally commit to the demands, I totally recommend it.  It is the total confusion between work and play that is so seductive.  These are the ten reasons I love what I do.

Winter View

1.  We have the best guests.  I meet the most interesting people from around the world.  A great conversation never feels like work.  Guests pick Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns because they value the personal connection not available at lager properties.  There is nothing better than at tea time, having total strangers share the tales of the day and travel tips.  This is the only job that I know of where I can consistently please people 99.7%.  Certainly even the best lawyer, teacher, doctor or financial planner cannot come close to those stats.

2.   The inn is a happy place surrounded by natural beauty.  We are a place for proposals, weddings, honeymoons, vacations, adventures, romance, daydreaming, great conversation, fine food, relaxation and luxury.  There is always someone celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

3.   I work with the greatest team of people.  I enjoy their company and have the greatest respect for their talents and contributions to the inn.

4.   I enjoy business and it is very rewarding to see a “so – so” small business grow into something really special.  It starts with a vision.  A vision is just a really good daydream.  The next step of strategy development is like a good chess game or playing sports.  The final step of implementation brings the tangible rewards.

5.  I am a professtional student.  I am always looking for something new to learn.  To be a great innkeeper there is so much to know.  I am currently studying to pass the Certified Wine Specialist Exam.  As I write this, I am also reading a book about twitter marketing.  My library is full of books on green construction and interior design.  In the past year I have read great books about the Ritz Carlton, Four Season Hotels and the Union Square Hospitality Group.

6.  The Sugar Hill inn is all about the fine art of good living.  Where the simple pleasures of life are celebrated.  A good wine, in the right glass paired with great company, amazing views and a leisurely environment adds up to much more than the sum of its parts.  I always look forward to wine tasting appointments with distributors.  I send much of my free time searching art galleries and antique shops for the inn.  I also get to dine at the best restaurant in the White Mountains most nights.  No, I don’t have all four courses.   Is that fun or is that work?  Sometimes it is hard to know when you are passionate about what you do.

The Sugar Hill Inn pool

7.  I get to live in an area surrounded by natural beauty.  I just need to look up.  Mountain Views are everywhere.  I get to live all year around where guest at most, can only enjoy it for a week.   It is so refreshing to live in an area where you do not need to worry about locking your car or house.   We have no rush hour.   Even on the hottest day of the year the air is always fresh.  Step away from the lights of the inn and we have the most fabulous sky of stars.  From the wildflowers of early spring to the first snow of winter every season unfolds with gifts of beauty.

8.  Being the breakfast chef gives me a creative outlet.  I enjoy working with good ingredients, and making every dish taste as good as it looks.  I strongly believe that food should be cooked to order and I want my guest   to enjoy the luxury of being served.   Breakfast tends to be more about comfort food then being overly gourmet.  When we are full, I enjoy the challenge of sending out the food as fast as the orders come in and seeing if the servers can keep up.  Also at breakfast, if there is a low between orders, I visit guests in the dining room wearing my chef’s coat.  Sometimes we will talk about recipes and on other days about the best hikes to explore waterfalls and covered bridges.

9.  I enjoy interior design and renovating.  I can frequently be found in the design section of the Dartmouth Book store.  My ideas come from trying to uncover the essence of what it means to be a New England farm house, a county cottage or mountain escape.  It is not uncommon for me to lose sleep over an exciting idea.  Seeing a room go from ordinary to extraordinary is very satisfying.  As we renovate, I am constantly on the lookout for practical ways to make the inn greener.  All new newly renovated rooms are painted with zero voc paint.

10.  In the end, there are two factors that keep me going every day.  The first one is celebrating our achievements.  We have come so far so fast.  This is not the same inn I purchased in 2006.  The second factor is the challenge of knowing that there is so much more that’s needs to be done.  The day I run out of ideas or lose the desire to take it to the next level is the day I sell out.  I don’t foresee that happening for a very long time.

The cool thing about staying at a country inn is that every establishment has its own character and personality.  That personality comes from its history, location and most importantly the owner.  When I purchased the inn, in 2006, many so called improvements were not true to the inn’s historic farm house roots.  Vinyl floors, industrial doors, Indoor/outdoor carpet, QVC country hour knickknacks all offended my eyes.  For those nostalgic for grandma’s house, we had the right look, but for everyone else, it was time for change.  We needed a look that would appeal to the next generation of inn goers.

The Peckett Suite

Although so many innkeepers believe that they are wonders, when it comes to decorating, I wanted professional help.  Shabby chic was not going to be my style.  Top hotels, restaurants and department stores spend millions on interior design.  It’s done not to feed their egos but because good design is important to their success.

While guest bring their own level of happiness, joy and expectations to the inn, it is my job as “head set designer” to set the stage.  Some guests come for romance, others for relaxation and for still others we are base camp for a White Mountain adventure.

Being new to the area and assuming that both my lawyer and banker had expensive homes I asked them for a referral.  When they both recommend Carol Hartnett, it was time to make an appointment.    Carol had an attractive store in Littleton, over flowing with quality furniture, gifts and fabric samples.  Deep down I knew what I was looking for.  The question was, could I verbalize my thoughts enough and could Carol be clairvoyant enough to translate my vision into reality.  I came prepared with pages from Architectural Digest, Pottery Barn Catalogs and books on farmhouses and mountain escapes.  I wanted a look that would be true to the historic old farm house.  To me this meant the use of natural wood, stone, and fabric.   I didn’t want anything overly frilly.  Made in New England was my preference when available.  We had to create an environment that was warm, welcoming, relaxing, beautiful, authentic, romantic, practical, timeless and interesting (New Hampshire style Feng Shui).

With 14 guest rooms, plus common areas and gardens, priorities needed to be set.  It was decided that first impressions were very important and therefore the main floor would be our number one priority.

Our second priority was redoing the Peckett and Richardson Suites.   These were our two best rooms at the time but they weren’t selling well.  It was obvious to me that top of the line luxury rooms, at a romantic getaway, needed king beds.  Adding the new beds lead to a complete makeover.  These rooms quickly became best sellers, telling us, that there was definitely demand for high-end rooms in the White Mountains and a year latter resulted in the Dream Cottage project.

Richardson Suite

Carol’s first question was about the budget.  While I understand the importance of budgets they generally result in either over speeding if too high and under achieving if too low.  I wanted to spend enough to achieve my vision and no more.

A project of this size requires a lot of organization.  Carol took a full inventory of everything that we owned, room measurements and took pictures of every room and assembled all this data in a large note book.  We spent hours discussing the rooms, picking furniture, fabrics, wallpapers and paints.  There is nothing more tiring them selecting fabrics.  At times, I found myself asking, “What room are we talking about” when asked if I prefer the strip over the paisley.

Decorating an inn is different than doing your personal home.  It was all about the guests, not me.  Our average guest spends only 2 days with us, so it is important that they feel immediately at home.  When working from room diagrams, paint samples, fabric books and pictures it is sometimes hard to imagine the finished look.  As the one paying the bill, of course I have the final say but when hiring a professional sometimes you need to take a leap of faith and trust.  The hardest part of being a business owner, is knowing when to follow your own instincts and when to listen to others that may know more.

I remember the day when Theresa, our assistant innkeeper follow Carol around the inn with a big bag.  Anything too cute (straw hats, fake flowers, signs with cute sayings, etc.) was removed from the inn never to be seen again.

For the first year the inn was frequently torn apart on week days with carpenters, painters and wallpaper hangers and then quickly cleaned up for arriving weekend guests.  The first year also involved a new roof, bar, library, landscaping, swimming pool, air-conditioning, paint, wall paper and many plumbing and electrical repairs.  I will be writing about these things in latter chapters.

Based upon feedback from guests, I think that we were very successful in setting the stage, in that first year, but so much more was still needed.  I wish to thank Carol, the entire Sugar Hill Inn staff, the carpenters, contractors, painters and landscapers for their dedication and excellence in turning my vision into reality.