Hampton Inn Augusta Takes Shape

Its great to see MCHG's newest Hotel start to take shape.  This Hampton Inn Augusta will feature 80 rooms with an indoor pool and state of the art technology, fitness room and a meeting room.  A great addition to our extremely popular Fairfield Inn and Suites at the next exit..

As you can see the foundation is set and framing is to begin this week.  The hotel sits on the site where the Econolodge used to be, right behind Margarita's.  What a great amenity to have for a hotel.  check out progress reports on Facebook.  Pictures will be posted at least twice per month.

Chief Engineers Conference

All of MCHG's Chief Engineers gathered at the SP Courtyard this week. This is the first of what will be an annual conference.  There was time for sharing of best practices and resources which made this time very valuable. 

Presenters from CDB Mechanicals, EcoLab and Nelson and Small shared incredible information and lots of tips for improving operations. We saw hands on demonstrations with PTAC's, Valves, pumps, you name it.

I think the biggest revelation I had was that the knowledge base of the professionals we have working for us is unbelievable.  I have an increased appreciation for what these gentleman do. It was way over my head!

Thanks to our partners who presented and for a great lunch sponsored by Nelson and Small.

Road Not Taken

With the recent sale of the two Muddy Rudders, MCHG has embarked on a new path.  We have chosen to focus all our energy building and improving our hotel operations. 

The restaurant business gave MCHG our beginnings with the Ground Rounds, JP Cranolies, and Muddy Rudder's.  We still operate restaurants as part of our hotels and plan to continue this.  Many of our current leaders began their careers in one of our 10 restaurants. 

We value and appreciate all our friends and colleagues along the way.  Thank you

We have chosen a new path. and as Robert Frost says in the poem below........"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."  We hope this new direction will do just that.

Road Not Taken, Robert Frost


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,


And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;



Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,



And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.



I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,


I took the one less traveled by,


And that has made all the difference.

A New Team Develops

The newest members of the MCHG family started their first full day of training this week.  Although they have been working diligently preparing Six South Street Hotel for its opening, this week was the first week of hospitality training. 

SSS has over 30 associates and managers getting ready to Wow the Dartmouth College community with service.  There is not only an excitement among the associates, but the community as well.  There have been no less than 10 news stories, articles and mentions in the press. This past week the business section had almost 2 full pages with 5 pictures.

Barring crazy weather, permits and deliveries, expected opening date is still February 10 at 2 PM. 

Vets Eat Free

Proud to be an American?  I am!

Proud to be part of MCHG?  I am!

MCHG had three restaurants offered Veterans and Active Military Free meals on Veterans Day. They served over 2000 people on this day with a significant number being to our Vets.  Muddy Rudder in Brewer, Muddy Rudder in Yarmouth and the Freeport Cafe

Paul and I had the opportunity to visit all the restaurants and see how appreciative our guests were.  Pete went table to table at the Rudder in Yarmouth until 9:30 thanking them for their service. Paul personally bought 300 "American Patriot" hats and handed them out at all three restaurants.Volunteers from our corporate office and many of out hotels greeted folks as they entered each restaurant.

It was personally one of the most gratifying business days of my life. I talked with young people who just enlisted and others who returned from Afghanistan.  I talked with Vietnam vets who said this was the first time someone had ever said thank you to them and to WWII vets who shared stories of "the Big One."  It was incredible.

But the ones who made this all possible, were the teams at each restaurant.  They worked tirelessly for hours without a break.  From the kitchen team, to the servers and bartenders.  Managers were cooking, serving, busing tables and visiting with our Vets.

I told every soldier I met... "Thank you for your Service."  I was proud to be an American!.

I say to all those at MCHG who served our military that day.... "Thank you for your Service"  I was proud to be part of MCHG!

MCHG Leaders Meeting

MCHG Leaders Meet In Rockport, Ma

65 MCHG Leaders met at our Rockport Inn & Suites this past week.  Activities included the Larry King Live Show featuring; Larry King ( Sean Riley) with guest music legends, Peter Paul and Gary.  Leaders enjoyed hearing Fun stories of the MCHG partners all the way back to High School days.

Seminars included topics on Social Media, driving sales, leadership development and the Safe Passage partnership with MCHG. 

Great learning, friendships and team building.

Team Accolades

Finally people are traveling again. Often times, when things get busy, guest service slips.  People become transactions rather than guests.  Not with MCHG people!  I recently received three letters that says it all about the culture of MCHG.

Letter one From: The Stranded Six

6 travelers could not find a room on a busy Sunday night. The Muddy Rudder Team called spent a ton of time trying to help these 6 ladies. Kathy even invited them to her house for breakfast. Now that's over the top.

Letter from: The Doctor

A Doctor and his family were stranded without a room on another busy Saturday night.  Meghan and her team searched high and low to find them a room. It took over a dozen calls but they took care of them. The Doctor said he has stopped by 10 hotels between Augusta and Brunswick and not one team had offered to help.  All they said was....Sorry we are sold out.  He said "You however, took a strong Customer Approach and went the extra mile"

Letter from: A Grieving Family

A guest of the TownePlace wrote to express their deep appreciation of the team.  The parents of a Lt Commander had just found out that their son had been killed in action when his helicopter went down. Mom, who was up all night, was consoled by both the night shift and Night auditor. The breakfast lady did as well.  They provided a place for the officers to meet the wife of the fallen soldier along with tissues and water. The parents said it best.... "Words cannot begin to express how much the care and support of the staff of Towne Suites, Gilford, NH meant to us at the most difficult time of our lives."

We never know how much we can impact the lives of those we serve each day. Thank you to all of you involved in the above stories. I do know, however, that these kind of things happen every day.  You all make a difference. Thank you!!!!!!!