It's the Holiday Season!

It is the Holiday Season and everything is pretty quiet, so we have used this opportunity to our advantage!

Our annual Holiday Party was held on Sunday evening with a pot luck feast fit for a King! Every staff member in attendance went home with a gift that ranged from an overnight stay to a gift certificate to a local restaurant. Eli's Root Beer was flowing thanks to a generous donation.

Monday we had the elevator carpet replaced, and repairs done to the carpet in the hallways - Looks great!
Thank you to Billy "the carpet guy" for making this happen.

Travel safely as you visit friends and family!
Happy Holidays!

Dayna

Shop / Dine / Stay Portland, Maine

Check out this great video if you need inspiration as the shopping season comes full swing! Combining a night away and a great meal with shopping can help you get through buying those last gifts -

And what better place to stay than the Courtyard in South Portland, Maine

See you soon!

Dayna

Dining Package

It only made sense to create a package that included a Gift Certificate to Sebago Brewing Company when they moved in across the street! Included with your lodging you recieve a $30 gift certificate to use for your dining during your stay.

If you prefer to choose where you dine on the spur of the moment,check out our other special packages on our deals page. We are happy to recommend places to dine,and sights to see while you are in our area.

Travel Well,

Dayna

Thank You for Serving Our Country

The Courtyard Management and staff wishes everyone a safe Veteran's Day. We thank all who serve our country in every way, but today we take the time to say thank you especially to those who put their lives on the line to secure our freedom. We respect and admire your dedication to perserving our way of life. May we never take your service for granted.

Dayna

Pumpkin Waffle

Business has taken a slower pace lately allowing us to be a little creative. This week Maryann experimented with pumpkin, and I dutifully sampled her creations.
I wish she hadn't gotten it right so quickly!! The pumpkin waffle mix starts teasing your taste buds as soon as you place it on the iron to cook - if only I could stop with the smell, I'd be several pounds lighter.

Our regular corporate guests really love the pumpkin bread, I am hoping they will be adventurous enough to try the new waffle flavor. YUM - what will she come up with next?

Here4U

Inspired by one of our daily meetings, we held a vanity plate contest a while back.
Come up with a plate that represents Courtyard Service. Tami won the contest, and I procrastinated about actually getting the plate. Well we finally have it and it is on the van!
They all thought I was crazy when I said I wanted a "fun" photo - and proceeded to climb up on the hood of the van. Thank you to Victor for taking the photo of the Management team minus Rob - who must have been out on a sales call - and Tami.

Have a wonderful Fall weekend! the Foliage is beautiful -



Dayna

Facebook - be our Fan

Ok, I have avioded facebook like the plague on a personal level, but not having a presence there kept me from finding out information that I wanted to know! So I finally gave in and joined today. Probably the last person on earth to do so -

Not having a presence on Facebook as a business has become almost like not putting a sign on your building. I know of one business that never had a sign, but was busy from word of mouth and repeat customers. They really worked hard at providing a service that would make people seek them out, and not require them to have a sign. It was a lumber yard of all things!

Well, I don't want to chance people not finding us, so the Courtyard has a page on Facebook, a lens on Squidoo,and this blog.I started writing this blog and realized I don't have the web address for our Facebook page - I'll add that tomorrow, when I figure out how to find it...

Until next time...

Dayna

Housekeeper Appreciation - You Bet!

This past week we celebrated Housekeeper Appreciation week. These hardworking staff members who are mostly behind the scenes,don't often get the recognition they deserve. My first job when I graduated from college and was looking for a teaching position, was as a housekeeper in a hotel on the beach in Kennebunkport.
I am ashamed to say looking back now, that I don't think I was anywhere as good as the people who work here at the Courtyard!

Our room cleanliness scores are exceptional, and it is due to the backbreaking work of these individuals. Cleaning up to 16 rooms a day on a regular basis is not a job for the weak of heart.

Nest time you stay in a hotel, remember to thank your housekeeper. A note, a smile, and yes - a tip, would be very appreciated.

Thank you to Housekeepers everywhere, but especially to those who make the Courtyard in Portland, Maine one of the cleanest places to stay.



www.marriott.com/pwmlo

Travel Well!

Dayna

Check out our lens on Squidoo

I have been exploring Squidoo this past week, and developing a Lens for the Courtyard. It has been and still is an interesting process and site - you can start exploring at our page or "Lens" www.squidoo.com/courtyardportlandmaine

This blog is featured on the page, as well as a quick poll on Hotel Pet Peeves, and area photos-
I would love to have you visit and give feedback -

Thanks for exploring!

Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge & Portland Head Light

White Cedar Inn Today: Bug Light, Spring Point Ledge & Portland Head Light

I though this was well written and something our Courtyard guests would enjoy!
Courtyard by Marriott in South Portland is about a 15 minute drive from these two lighthouses - check them out!

Bake Sale at Courtyard

The staff at the Courtyard by Marriott will be holding a bake sale on Tuesday September 15,to raise funds to contribute to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
The effort is being spearheaded by Tracy Rickett a guest service agent who has been with us since opening just 2 years ago.

Wanting to help raise bail to help Dayna with her efforts,( see previous blog )
the staff has banned together in this effort. Tuesday's are the peak night of the week, when all of our regular guests will be here. I am hoping the staff doesn't buy all the goodies before our guests arrive! We know how much they look foward to their arrival cookies - maybe they will treat themselves to a special treat this week and help a good cause too.

Stop by if you are in the area, and get a sweet treat to go with your afternoon coffee -

Dayna

Fall Packages

Fall is just around the corner: kids are back in school, cooler nights, no traffic...the perfect time for traveling,and do we have a deal for you!
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-deals/pwmlo-courtyard-portland-airport/

Our packages are designed to save you money, and include the things you would use while here anyway! One of the most popular packages is our Gas and Go package -included in your rate is a $25 gift card to a local gas station.


If you are here to shop, the Savvy Shopper package may be for you - it wraps up your room, breakfast, a gift certificate to Sebago Brew Company, and a gift certificate to the Christmas Tree Shops into one.
www.sebagobrewing.com

If you like to "keep it simple", maybe the Dining Package is for you. It simply includes a $30 gift certificate to Sebago Brew Company Restaurant in your rate.

We look foward to seeing you this Fall, make your reservations early - I hear the Foliage should be spectacular this year!

See you soon!

Dayna

HELP - or I'm going to Jail

It seems as though someone has turned me in to the MDA - they are currently under witness protection, but I will find out who they are on Sept 16 when they come arrest me and take me away! I have learned they will be in jail at the same time as me....

My goal is to raise $1600 dollars for Muscular Distrophy by then. The Courtyard staff and guests will be raising funds, but we need your help too! No matter how much you would like to see me locked up, please for the benefit of research and support for those who's lives have been touched by this disease, log on to my page and donate. https://www.joinmda.org/southportlandlockup0909/Dayna

Help us help our community -

Dayna

Last days of Summer Activities

Only a few short weeks left to do the "summer" thing. There are certain things that become a summer tradition in every household, do you have room to squeeze in one more?

Have you been to Fun Town and ridden the rollercoaster http://www.funtownsplashtownusa.com/ ? How about Old Orchard Pier Fries? I haven't made it to the homemade icecream stand yet, I may need to skip dinner and head to Toots http://www.tootsicecream.net/ this week. I have been meaning to do one of LLBean's walk on adventures www.llbean.com/ods . The farmers markets have so much fresh produce...I haven't had enough corn on the cob yet, www.meliving.com/farmersmarkets/portland.shtml . Maybe just sit by the water and enjoy a good book...

Oh no, the list is getting longer and I have a wedding to attend this week... Can we extend summer just a few more weeks please?

Travel Well,

Dayna

Rain into Lemonade

Top Ten Reasons to be Grateful for all the Rain in Maine

10) A free Car wash every day or so..

9) Reduced Electric Bills from not using air conditioners

8) Low Fire Hazzard

7) No threat of Drought - feel free to water your lawn or wash your car as often as you like

6) No need to water your lawn

5) No need to fell guilty for going to a movie instead of the beach

4) No crowds on Casco Bay Cruises

3) Great time to visit Portland's Museums

2) The Courtyard has an INDOOR pool ! www.marriott.com/pwmlo

1) We have a chance to make the history books and break records


Travel Well - Dayna

Everyone is a Concierge

One of the best parts of working at a hotel is helping others enjoy the things we get to see and do everyday! Seeing the joy and excitement on someones face when they return from a great meal, or a visit to Portland Headlight, just reinforces that I have chosen one of the best places on earth to live - despite the winters.

Here at the Courtyard, we encourage every staff member to be a concierge. We don't just send you to the place that delivers cookies to us - we find out what YOU are looking for and tailor our recommendations to give you the best individualized experience. That is one reason why we do not have brochure racks in our lobby!

On our website, www.marriott.com/pwmlo you can find links to many area events, attractions, and restaurants - so you can do some exploring on your own before you get here! You might find you need to visit more than once...

Travel Well,

Dayna

Clam Festival Weekend

I can hardly wait - it is Clam Festival time again, and the weather forecast is looking good! http://www.clamfestival.com/
We still have a few rooms left for this coming weekend, but I am expecting them to go quickly as people realize this will be a great weekend to get away!



The Courtyard by Marriott in South Portland is just 20 miles from Yarmouth the home of the festival. Stop by the Royal River Chorus Clam booth and visit with me on Friday! or come see us perform on Sunday afternoon on the NYA lawn - Better Together, my quartet will be singing at the performance. http://www.royalriver.org/

Come back to your spacious room and comfy bed at the Courtyard, perhaps stopping by the lounge to have a nightcap and a little conversation with Harry or Matt before turning in for the night. Yup - this is the way life should be! make your reservation at www.marriott.com/pwmlo

Travel Safely!

Dayna