| Norm & Lily Goldman, a unique husband and wife | | | | It is this kind of spirit and charm that Kathryn was |
| team, who meld words with art, visit the famous Cliff | | | | determined to keep alive, while at the same time offer |
| House Resort & Inn, located in Ogunquit Maine. | | | | guests modern amenities that today's travelers expect |
| On a cliff surrounded by the natural beauty of the | | | | from first class resorts. |
| rugged coastline of Ogunquit Maine sits a resort of | | | | Kathryn's career has been focusing on reinventing the |
| dazzling natural beauty and cozy luxury. | | | | once and future Cliff House, constantly adding value to |
| It is here where you will discover The Cliff House | | | | it, while at the same time maintaining the core reasons |
| Resort & Spa that is being transformed from a | | | | why guests return year after year. |
| mom and pop operation to a super-status resort | | | | The verdict is in, and yes, this brilliant and visionary |
| designed to meet the demands and needs of both the | | | | hotelier with the help of a great team of experienced |
| leisure and business travelers of the twenty-first | | | | advisors, consultants and personnel, whom Kathryn |
| century. | | | | has known for many years, has succeeded in blending |
| Resort owner, Kathryn M. Weare, indicated to me that | | | | the old comfortable feel about the inn with modern |
| like other generations of her family, who came to | | | | facilities. Much has changed, as there is now a World |
| operate the inn, her career was more the result of | | | | Class Ocean Front Spa and Fitness Center, a 75-foot |
| happenstance than good planning. When her parents | | | | indoor lap pool, as well as an outdoor pool with a |
| decided to retire, Kathryn had been a student of | | | | magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, exceptional |
| medieval history at Boston University. Both Kathryn | | | | dining, a state- of- the- art amphitheater, premier |
| and her sister had been offered the opportunity to buy | | | | service, and flexible facilities geared to various |
| out their parents, but only Kathryn decided to return | | | | celebrations including spectacular weddings. |
| home to the Cliff. Apparently, her sister did not want | | | | As for the inn's 194 guest rooms, relaxation takes |
| anything to do with the inn. | | | | precedence, and all feature picture windows and |
| This was in 1976, when the hotel had shrunk in size to | | | | decks with views of the coast and ocean, combination |
| accommodate her parent's energy and commitment. | | | | tub/shower baths, hair dryers, coffeemakers, cable |
| At the time, there were only 39 motel units, and older | | | | TV, heat and air conditioning, direct dial phones, wired |
| 12 room annex, and a single floor main building with a | | | | high-speed internet access at $9.95 daily and modern |
| coffee shop and lounge. Unlike today, where the | | | | furnishings. |
| season extends for ten months, Kathryn's parents only | | | | For romantic getaway seekers, there is certainly |
| operated the inn from Memorial Day to Columbus | | | | ample to seduce you, such as the spa romance or |
| Weekend. | | | | celebration packages, which feature Mumms Cordon |
| When I asked Kathryn why she was eager to take | | | | Rouge Champagne, handcrafted chocolate truffles |
| over from her parents, she said that it was very | | | | from the Harbor Candy Shop, and a single red rose in |
| important for her to continue the tradition of owning the | | | | a bud case for your room. |
| Cliff House. She could not bear the thought of seeing it | | | | If you stay in the spa building, you can even have the |
| leave the family and would it probably wind up as | | | | option of an in room couples massage. |
| another expensive subdivision on the Maine Coast. | | | | I asked Kathryn if there had been any unusual |
| Kathryn is a fourth generation Weare family owner | | | | requests from her guests, and she informed me that |
| and innkeeper the original owner was her great- | | | | they have presented an engagement ring in every |
| grandmother Elsie Jane wife of Captain Theodore | | | | form of dessert you might imagine! However, they had |
| Weare, dating back one hundred and thirty years, | | | | declined a request from a groom, who wished to |
| when the inn was first opened as the Bald Head Cliff. | | | | rappel down the cliff for his vows. |
| In her own words, Kathryn stated that she saw the | | | | The rocks beneath the resort provide an excellent |
| potential of the property as a unique boutique resort, | | | | backdrop for some spectacular wedding pictures and |
| which was close to Boston and boasts as having | | | | it is not uncommon for brides with their sneakers to |
| unparalleled ocean views from any location in New | | | | trudge down to various venues on the jagged coast |
| England. There is no doubt that I have to concur with | | | | to be photographed. |
| all of her observations, particularly when you are able | | | | One other important mention is that the resort is |
| to open the door of your balcony, as we did, and | | | | sensitive to environment issues, and it implements what |
| savor the fresh salt air, while listening to the waves | | | | it preaches such as the use of a multitude of |
| pounding against the rocks. All of which is extremely | | | | environmentally safe and sensitive products in its spa |
| conducive to a good night's sleep! | | | | including a natural make up line and the use of |
| One of the most intricate tasks in upgrading resort | | | | indigenous sources like wild blueberry juniper, and wild |
| facilities and bringing it into the twenty- first century, | | | | rose in treatments. |
| particularly when you're moving from a modest | | | | Additional Information |
| enterprise to a huge undertaking, is maintaining the old | | | | Cliff House Resort & Spa |
| spirit. Very often hoteliers forget where they came | | | | Shore Road, PO Box 2274, Ogunquit, ME 03907. |
| from and as a result those original personal touches | | | | Tel: 207-361-1000 |
| are compromised. | | | | Email: Fax: 207-361-2122 |
| I had to chuckle when I read a framed postcard | | | | Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce-All You Want To |
| hanging in our room, wherein a guest of the resort in | | | | Know |
| 1930 wrote: "This is where we stayed tonight in grand | | | | The resort serves as an excellent jumping off point for |
| lovely rooms and board we got a grand welcome | | | | the many Ogunquit Activities. |
| everywhere we came." | | | | |