Day 101: A New Beginning

Our 100 days of official blogs may be complete, but we couldn’t finish without saying thank you to all the key people who have made The Baldpate Inn such a special place – that’s you! We are extremely grateful for all the blessings we’ve received and been a part of in the last 100 years. Thank you for journeying with us through this 100 Days Key Moments and Memories blog!

And while this may be the end of this blog project, it’s really just the beginning of a beautiful new season! We are especially excited to start this very special 100^th year! Our doors open tomorrow, Friday 5/26.  We invite you to come dine, stay and celebrate with us, creating your own wonderful memories any time this season. And remember to be a part of the festivities on our 100^th Birthday Party!

Also, if you have enjoyed this experience, we invite to follow us on Facebook and the Baldpate Inn and Collections blog to stay up to date with the happenings at The Baldpate Inn!

See you soon!

Written by Liz Rodgers

Day 86: Front Desk Fun (National Receptionist Day)

Today is National Receptionist Day, and while The Baldpate Inn doesn’t have a receptionist in the traditional sense, our Front Desk Associates serve as the warm welcome for the Inn. Working in the hospitality industry, it’s a surefire bet that every day is going to be different and interesting!

Family friend Harold was our first front desk man, and could patiently visit with guests, keep our books flawless and still always have time to give a hug or take a homesick staff member out to dinner!

Front desk is definitely one for juggling multi-taskers. Moving between three computer reservation systems, maitre’d for the restaurant, ringing phones, guests and staff constantly coming and going, and keeping the lobby fire going, just counting back change from a check can be challenging, not to mention finally balancing the books at the end of a busy day.

Folks love our front desk signs, especially this extra charge warning. Keeping that positive attitude when someone arrives grouchy, does take a special amount of good nature and understanding.

Giving the “tour” to our B&B guests, explaining the shared bath option and finding solutions (be it moving guest rooms or passing out earplugs) for our historically non-soundproof walls, all add to the adventures at Front Desk.

During snack time in the evening however, when the pace is slower, Front Desk staff often enjoys the best quality time visiting with guests around the fireplace. Stories are shared and connections made, from favorite hikes or even discovering that guests are from a town just next to their hometown. Do you have a Baldpate front desk story to share? 

There have been many surprises along the way, from shall-we-say older perceptions that ladies can’t serve as a bellhop hauling luggage, to folks showing up at the “wrong” hotel, but opting to stay at The Baldpate, due to its rustic charm and warm cornbread.

One Front Desk staffer was quite surprised at a dining guest’s request, but unhesitatingly rushed back to the kitchen to request “MORE MEATLOAF!” She thought she had been missing the meatloaf all summer, but as it turns out, the request was for our homemade honey “wheat loaf!”

Rain or sun, our Front Desk Staff shine with a willingness to serve. So today, we salute the Front Desk staff of The Baldpate Inn, always happy to greet and assist the travel-worn passengers of life as they reach the oasis of The Baldpate Inn. 

Written by Liz Rodgers & Lois Smith

Day 45: Baldpate Inn, Our Estes Park Home

As a former staff member of The Baldpate Inn, I know that there are many cherished memories that are held by the staff, from every year of operation. From wildlife encounters, to adventures guests share with us, to kitchen disasters and miraculous recoveries, to meeting future spouses, the staff of Baldpate are blessed with an abundance of fun memories. 

For me, my “staffing” days started early. I was barely in grade school when the Smith family purchased the inn. Although my older brothers got to spend the whole summer at The Baldpate Inn, I was strangely not old enough, despite my best arguments to stay and hang out with all the cool cousins and new friends! I did get to spend several weekends there, when my parents were busily helping out. I recall peeling eggs in the kitchen, and always wanting to take Duke, the large resident German Shepherd, for a walk. Harold, who ran the front desk and was the kindest old man you can imagine, taught me how to make fires in the large lobby fireplace, twisting newspaper to get the fires started without fail. I still thank Harold for my skill when starting a fire. I recall “helping” Brad (see more about his story below) with his rounds of housekeeping, likely just following him around and peppering him with questions and stories. He was always kind and good-natured as I tagged along. 

I like to think that I helped out, but considering the number of garlic knots that I consumed while there, I’m not sure my contributions were of any real benefit. 

When I was finally old enough to work there for an entire season, I fondly recall working hard and playing hard, making friends with folks from all around the globe, exploring Estes Park, and enjoying hiking and climbing in the surrounding magnificent Rocky Mountains. And of course, eating well at The Baldpate Inn throughout it all!

No matter how many years have gone by, what remains true for many of the staff anytime they visit The Baldpate Inn, is a feeling of homecoming. Former long-time staff member Brad states it well,  "I first came to Baldpate for a summer job in May 1989.  I had just graduated from college and had no idea of what I was doing next or what to expect.  I just knew I was moving to Colorado.  When I got there I was home!

And after several return summers, Brad states, “Despite all efforts to the contrary, I was growing up.  However, no matter the scope and range of my life journeys, Baldpate has always welcomed me back.  It is an anchor for me, fixed and equalized.  Anytime I walk through the front door, it’s like coming home."

Read more of Brad’s story of his experience of The Baldpate Inn. 

Former Baldpate Staff: what’s your story?

Written by Liz Rodgers

Day 43: Guests Say Thank You to The Baldpate Inn

Over the years, The Baldpate Inn has been the recipient of many, many letters from guests who dined, stayed, or simply visited for the day, and wanted to share their gratitude. 

These letters make us smile, as it shows how positively impactful The Baldpate Inn was on each guest. 

When was the last time you wrote to a hotel staff to thank them for your lovely vacation, let alone in rhyming verse? Or invite them to dinner to meet your parents? 

It speaks volumes about the kindness, hospitality and genuine relationships that were, and remain to this day, at the heart of The Baldpate Inn. 

These days, there are just as many reasons to say “Thank you.” From an “out of this world breakfast” (I couldn’t agree more), to a spectacular wedding, it makes our day to receive these messages from appreciative guests.

Of course, these days, a letter is much more likely to come electronically, but the sentiment and message is still appreciated! 

Written by Liz Rodgers