BRUNSWICK

1. First of all, please give us a little background about The Brunswick Inn, as well as yourself. What’s it like being an innkeeper and meeting so many interesting people?

My husband and I bought the inn in 2009. I had had some wonderful experience in the hospitality industry, most notably at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, but had never owned my own place. Brunswick was changing after the close of the Brunswick Naval Air Station, but we had faith in the town and in Bowdoin College, and the business has grown every year.

My role at the inn has changed through the years, but I still love meeting the people who come through. They come from all over the world — Bowdoin parents, leaf peepers, beachcombers, foodies, celebrities, prizewinning scholars, world-famous musicians.

As the inn has hosted more and more parties, I have also loved helping people from Brunswick celebrate weddings, birthdays, retirements, baptisms and so much more. It’s great to be a part of these moments in their lives.

We provide exceptional food, a lovely ambiance, and stellar service, and these are imprinted on their memories. It’s tremendously rewarding.

2. What services do you provide at the inn? Do you have event space and is your bar open to the public? Of all the rooms available at the inn, do you have one or two favorites?

The inn has 16 beautiful guest rooms in three different buildings, which often surprises people because they only see the main inn from the street. We also have a bar that is open to the public until 9 p.m. most evenings, and more and more people have discovered that we are a great spot to enjoy a drink.

In the warm weather, the front porch is a great place for a cocktail, and in the cooler weather, we light the fires and provide a quiet, cozy place to meet up with friends.

We also host catered events for up to 100 guests — cocktail parties, dinners, business meetings, conferences and retreats. I’ve just hired Ali Waks-Adams as our new executive chef, and she has created a really exciting new menu. She will also be the talent behind our new Plat du Jour dinners, open to the public every Tuesday night. We think it will be a great alternative for people looking for a new dining experience.

3. Imagine for a moment that I’m visiting for the weekend. What are your recommendations for what I see and do while in the Brunswick area?

Brunswick and the surrounding area make this question an easy one to answer.

Of course, our number one question is, “Where should we eat?” We love being able to talk about all the amazing dining options in Brunswick.

But we also serve as a concierge service, and we love that there is so much to do: MSMT, a game at Bowdoin, a lecture at the library, an art walk or exhibit, a concert on the Mall, a farmers’ market, and the list goes on.

We even have a couple who come from Connecticut every year to see the bed races.

4. People visiting the Midcoast have an array of places they could stay and relax. What makes The Brunswick Inn so special?

The inn really is special, and I’m very proud of it. We have created a warm, inviting spot in the middle of everything. Guests can walk to the shops and restaurants and so much of what Brunswick offers, but we are set back a bit from Maine Street, so it’s quiet.

The staff at the inn is exceptional and offer personal service that you can only get at a smaller establishment. People really like when you remember them and call them by name. They like that you know their favorite beer or that you like your bacon extra crispy.

But the staff also recognize that some people like to fly under the radar, and we give them all the space and privacy that a larger hotel can offer. I also think people really love the fact that the inn feels like New England. It’s authentic.

5. What is your contact information, such as location, telephone number, email address, website, etc.?

We are located at 165 Park Row, Brunswick. The telephone number is (207) 729-4914. Our website is at www.TheBrunswickInn.com and the email address is info@thebrunswickinn.com.

Checking in

THE BRUNSWICK INN

• Location — 165 Park Row, Brunswick, Maine • Telephone number — (207) 729-4914 • Website — www.TheBrunswickInn.com • Email address — info@thebrunswickinn.com