In mid-September I attended a Wisdom & Words Writing Workshop at the beautiful Bear Mountain Inn in Waterford, Maine. The retreat was focused on the craft of writing and for some of us, a means to get moving on new writing projects, culminating in a Story Salon on our final night. It was a transformative experience, with an added benefit for me – a long weekend stay at a family owned hospitality property – one of my first since selling my inn. Jess & Nick, the owners and their wonderful staff didn’t disappoint. The hospitality and food were exceptional, and the warm welcome was even better. A five-star stay from beginning to end. It felt like love.
Days later, I took the Amtrak Downeaster train to North Station in Boston on a gloomy day in late September. Along the way, I took a detour to the now magnificent Liberty Hotel, located in the former Charles Street Jail in the West End. The property’s metamorphosis from a dark and sad prison into a shining and artfully rendered boutique hotel got me thinking about renewal, second chances, and the possibilities of fresh starts in life. I realize hotels and inns are merely buildings intended to provide safety, shelter and hopefully glimmers of joy when we travel away from our homes. But hospitality is an act of loving kindness which can transform a place where strangers meet strangers, into a meaningful life experience, a memory, even a dream come true.
