Hudson Valley Charmer: The Looking Glass Inn
I recently spoke with Innkeeper, Cari Meltzer of “The Looking Glass Inn” and asked her to share with our readers a bit about the beautiful Inn that she and her family own and operate in the Hudson Valley area of New York.
This is what Carrie had to say about the life that she and her family enjoys.
The Looking Glass provides guests of the Hudson Valley an opportunity to reside in a charming historic village and truly experience a small town vacation. We take great care to offer guests a comfortable, affordable place to stay while they explore the countryside, visit with friends and family, and tour everything from historic homes to wonderful wineries.
Our Inn provides four guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, three common rooms and a wrap-around porch. We also provide breakfast each day of the week- with a full 4-course breakfast on the weekends. Our products are gathered from local farms or are locally produced. We live in an area rich with farms and we look for every opportunity to provide our guests with the best products of the Hudson Valley. Eggs and breakfast meats from Gray Horse Farm; granola baked in the ovens of The Hudson Valley Dessert Company; freshly milled flours and corn meals go into our baked goods thanks to Wild Hive Farm; and fruits, syrups, honeys and wines from local farms and businesses as well.
We are inspired by the hard working people who are behind successful small businesses and tourist organizations and who continue to promote and love our area. The Hudson Valley offers a diverse list of experiences and the promotion of these activities takes a lot of hard work. We meet people who come to the Hudson Valley to visit colleges, take in a concert, bike, taste wines, cruise the Hudson River, watch an air show, pick apples, and taste wonderful food. This is exciting, and the reason we continue to believe tourism in Hudson Valley is a worthwhile family endeavor.
We are celebrating our B&B’s 5th anniversary this spring. We are able to reflect on why we purchased a Bed and Breakfast, and why we want to continue operations (especially in light of the current economic conditions). We have a young family, are active in the community and find the business of hospitality truly rewarding. Now, there are certainly challenging moments, but by far the rewards are immeasurable comparably speaking. We have faced challenges as the tourism industry has waned over the past 18 months. We see less Hudson Valley destination wedding parties; we are often asked to negotiate our rates; and generally have had to be more discreet with our marketing dollars. What we have decided to do as result: Look Local. There is every reason to market our Inn and what it provides to the local tourist. Friends and family of Hudson Valley residents find that staying in our village setting is just right for them. They can walk to restaurants, shop in the afternoons, and spend time with relatives all for a good rate.
We also provide a nice respite from ‘the city.’ New York City and the surrounding vicinity may be a great place to live, but the Hudson Valley is THE great place to visit! We have serenity, good food, and a welcoming attitude—three characteristics that our NYC travelers are hoping for. In addition to providing the tranquil environment, The Looking Glass offers the local flavor of a small town experience. We have fresh delivery of eggs, local high school students helping us in the flower gardens, and a sprinkler cooling off our three year old in the back lawn.
Our biggest reward is the number of returning guests. Since our beginning five years ago, we believe that our truest measure of success is the incredible number of people who continue to return. We are able to see their lives change and they witness our family growth, as well. Our home becomes their home and we enjoy the company, the stories, and the shared community.
For more information contact Cari at:
Cari Meltzer, Innkeeper
30 Chestnut Street
Rhinebeck, New York 12572
845-876-8986
www.thelookingglassbandb.com
