Innkeeper's Story

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The Innkeeper's Story

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I bought a very large 1890’s building in 1972 that was scheduled for demolition. It was originally the family compound of James Parke. [ie.Parke-Davis Pharmacueticals] Originally they had 2 ½ city blocks and 59 rooms in 4 buildings. What was left was 2 buildings and 39 rooms. It was strictly a real estate investment. I also had a 1889 victorian home that was being remodeled. I needed a place to live while they finished and temporarily moved into the mansion. I really liked the Parke Mansion so when I finished the victorian home, I sold it. The mansion contained more than 9000 square feet in 2 buildings and was a money pit to try to keep up. I looked at tearing it down and putting up apartments. I checked out nursing homes. I investigated retirement homes and many other options. The B & B seemed like the least offensive to the community and I thought I could get a decent return on the investment. 2 ½ years later I finally got approvals to completely redo all the plumbing, electrical, heating and convert the mansion to the B & B.

The theme I created was to attempt to create a guest experience that was as close as possible to being a personal guest of the Parkes from 1890 to 1920. The front door is locked and there is no front desk. We answer the door like a butler and show guests the property. All bookings are paid in full at the time of booking so the is no money exchange upon entry or exit. All the rooms have museum quality antiques. mainly American, from a different period and a different style of furniture. Breakfast is served on antique silver, fine china, and lace and is served by our staff in Victorian style. The chef prepares a different entree each day of the week. There is a game room with an 1880’spool table, courtyards to sit and relax in, vintage MG’s on display to view, and spectacular rose gardens. There is a conference room and a library with over 1000 books.

I have run the Martine Inn for over 25 years and in addition restore, race and rally my vintage MG’s. I was the founding President of the California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns, and am currently on the CABBI council. I have visited over 200 other B&B’s. I love the challenge of running a business that has no clear product, changes all the time, shows off new items, constantly needs new ideas, uses so many different forms of communication each demanding attention.

Our guests frequently remark about the attention to detail in their experience here. Attention to detail is what separates the B & B from everybody else. Every hotel has clean linen, a reasonable bed and a place to sit. What about the flower in the silver vase, or the full length mirror to check that hemline, or the real Early California Landscape paintings, or the extra long cord on the phone, or the lack of charges for the Spa you did not use, or the cookie you ate, or the bottle of water you drank. The competition is wonderful.

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