Operating a seasonal inn, especially in an area where there is water for only six months of the year, is a real challenge. The Ocean Point Inn sits right on the rugged Maine Coast where it is battered all winter by high winds and salt spray.
As soon as the Inn closes on Columbus Day in October, the staff immediately start the race to get everything clean and stowed for the winter by three days later when the water is turned off and the staff must be leaving themselves. Tony Krason, one of the owners who is at Ocean Point year round, has this planned down to a science and it always gets finished!
By the beginning of April the chore of opening the Inn starts. There will be no water until late April so only certain types of works can be started. By this time of year we are counting the days, hoping for water! Once the water is on, all the pipes must be connected and checks made for leaks. If any water gets left in the pipes during the winter and freezes, there are problems in the spring.
The happy side of spring is looking forward to a new season, welcoming old and new guests and planning for improvements. Old staff return and new staff arrive to join the Ocean Point Inn Family.
There are many changes taking place that I hope you will enjoy. Below are improvements that are underway.
Seakist A and B will be redecorated with new sofas, chairs, lamps, mantels, doors knobs and paint. There will be new laminate wood flooring, new A/C units, and solar shades and room darkeners. New porch chairs will be added.
Rooms 1 and 2 in the Main Inn will have bead board and trim and paint. There will be new laminate wood flooring in the entries and new vinyl flooring in the bathrooms. Room 2 gets a new tub and shower surround. The hallway outside these rooms will have new blue carpeting and paint.
The Lobby and Library will be painted to match the theme from the living room.
Lodge 16 will have an all new bathroom that will be in compliance as handicapped accessible. New blue carpet will be installed on the floor.
Forty-five new shower heads will be installed. I tested these myself and they should be a great improvement! Many rooms have new mattresses and the cottages have new chairs.
The seawall received a lot of damage in the storms and will be repaired….a big project!!
Motel rooms 6 - 8 will receive bead board, paint room darkener shades, new chairs, tables and lamps. There will be new bedding and possibly new carpeting in some rooms.
Motel rooms 9 - 12 will have the bathrooms painted, new chairs, tables, lamps and bedding.
We are trying hard to carry out the “Seaside” theme that was started in the living room and dining room last season. We were thrilled to get such a positive response from the guests on the new décor and hope you will be as excited to see the theme continued to rooms and cottages.
Seawinds, Hatchard House and Motel 16 received new stairs.
The dining room will have new teal napkins and teal coffee mugs. New large coffee urns will be set up so guests may help themselves to coffee with large mugs. Yes, we do listen to your suggestions! The hot buffet breakfast will be served from opening weekend. The dining room will open then as well. Opening the dining room early and serving everyone the full buffet breakfast received rave reviews.
I am very excited for this new season and look forward to welcoming you to the Ocean Point Inn’s 118th season. OPI is definitely a little slice of heaven on a spectacular peninsular of mid-coast Maine. And, it just gets better every year! Come join us!
