The Daniel Invokes the Halloween Spirit

At Boston East India Hotels property The Daniel we love Halloween and enjoy nothing more than getting in the spirit of the spooky fall holiday. On Oct. 29, we are welcoming all to join us in the Halloween festivities for an evening of tales of the local Brunswick community at Coast Bar + Bistro from 6 p.m. onwards.

Aside from great friends, food and drink, the evening will feature spooky or historical stories about the Town of Brunswick, as well as the historical property of The Daniel, which was previously the Captain Daniel Stone Inn.

We will also have a best costume contest so don’t forget to wear you Halloween costume!

Read all about the event HERE 

The Daniel and its past as the Captain Daniel Stone Inn may not be The Overlook Hotel from The Shining but it certain has a rich and interesting history — and we know that many in the community can regal listeners with some interesting tales of yore.

The Daniel is based on a historic building that was erected in 1809 and sits on nearly two acres of land near the Androscoggin River.

The property and site both have a rich history. The site housed a log cabin built in 1628 by Thomas Purchase, the first European settler in Brunswick. Originally called by its Native American name, Pejepscot, meaning a river with long rocky rapids, Brunswick became a trading post between the Native Americans, Thomas Purchase and other English settlers. The property itself was originally built in Federal style in 1819 and has served in many roles during its nearly two hundred year history. It became a full-service hotel in the 1980s and operated as the Captain Daniel Stone Inn until 2013. 

The Federal-style home attached to The Daniel was built for Captain Daniel Stone and his family in 1819. Captain Daniel Stone became a successful merchant after he retired from the U.S. Navy in the early 1800s. He and his wife, Nancy Hinckley, had two children, Narcissa and Daniel. The captain also served as a Brunswick Representative to the State Legislature.

Captain Daniel Stone’s daughter, Miss Narcissa Stone, became a prominent figure in the community after she inherited considerable land and property from her father upon his death in 1825. She held on to her inheritance tenaciously, improving the land and developing nearby property. The Stone Family Estate, on which The Daniel now stands, was known as Narcissa’s Hill to the townspeople for the better part of the 19^th century. Narcissa passed away at the age of 76, in 1877, after having led a full life and becoming an important part of Brunswick’s history.

Any historic building in an old part of the country, such as Brunswick, will surely have a few spooky stories and The Daniel is no different.

Prior owners of the Captain Daniel Stone Inn liked to intrigue guests with tales of possible ghost sightings and haunting. And rumor has it there was even a whispered about ghost journal to compile tales of the unexplained.

The most popular spooky tale was sightings of a young man — dressed in historical attire from centuries gone by and looking similar to old paintings once displayed in the hotel — suddenly appearing to guests and then vanishing into thin air.

Another hushed-tone legend has it that when the property was excavated for hotel construction at least one gravestone was found and sections of the hotel and parking lot sit on top of an ancient burial ground. Some say the gravestone was used as part of historical-themed displays in Captain Daniel Stone Inn, inviting a link to the netherworld.

It has also been whispered behind non-believers backs that there are rooms in the hotel that former staff would never dare enter and only the bravest and unknowing guests ever set foot in.

The property’s tales are not unique in the area.

Around Brunswick there are a number of ghost stories that chill locals and give goose bumps to listeners.

The Daniel’s favorites:

• The old high school in Brunswick is said to be haunted by a former student who died while rehearsing a play on the balcony during school hours.
• There are five stone markers on River Road in Brunswick that are rumored to be associated with ancient Native Americans but are of unknown origin and haunted with sounds of voices and unrecognizable singing.

Check out some of the supposed haunted places and legends from Brunswick on Haunted Places or Ghosts of America.

Are these spooky tales of The Daniel, The Captain Daniel Stone Inn and other haunting myths around Brunswick true or not? Come on out to Coast Bar + Bistro on Oct. 29 and you be the judge!

Reveling In a Truly Unique Musical Experience

For those that were at Boston East India Hotels’ properties The Daniel or the Stonehedge Inn & Spa last weekend, and caught one of the first-ever New England performances of the Gypsy All Stars it was an event not soon to be forgotten.

On Sept. 19, the Gypsy All Stars played at The Coast Bar +Bistro and on Sept. 20 the band lit up the Stonehedge Inn & Spa. Finally, the band helped launch Sunday Brunch at Stonehedge on Sept. 21.

A collaboration between former Gipsy Kings members Mario Reyes and Cedric Leonardi, the band explores the origins of gypsy culture in India and merges Indian and Gypsy rhythms.

We felt that bringing the Gypsy All Stars to New England was a reflection of the cultural collaboration we seek in combining Western processes with Eastern hospitality at our hotels. At the same time though, as their performances attested, listening to the Gypsy All Stars marry the classical Gypsy sound with Indian folk music is a truly unique experience and the result of an amazing collaboration.

We knew coming into the shows that the Gypsy All Stars was a band full of incredible musicians that put on a tremendous show.

But seeing them live exceeded all expectations.

Mario Reyes’ Flamenco-infused guitar playing is a treat to any musical palate and when he took the lead during shows the notes plucked by his able fingers floated about the air like proclamations to the world that this Indo-Gypsy fusion dream that the band is chasing is a beautiful reality.

Reyes singing is equally lush and layered and has an old-world vibe that resonated with the audiences on hand to experience sounds that were new to many, but welcomed by all.

Cedric Leonardi drove the band forward with drumming and direction that revealed his passion for the fusion-project. His approach to percussion is subtle and smooth and he has a light touch that is revealed as even more impressive when he shifted into denser passages and brought the full range of the drum kit into play.

His hi-hat rhythmic work, snare drumming and bass pedal footwork kept the band floating along on a smooth wall of percussive sound. It was also great to hear Leonardi’s input between songs on the band, the work they are doing and the song-writing process that is an ever-evolving master craft.

A real treat was the presence of the three Rajasthani folk musicians that helped the Gypsy All Stars first kick off their Indo-fusion odyssey last year. The band really burst onto scene with a headline performance at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. During this performance, the Gypsy All Stars played, for the first time, with Rajasthani folk musicians. The infusion of Indian folk music into their sound has drawn universal praise and acclaim.

When the band traveled to the U.S. for its current tour, including performing at The Kennedy Center in Washington on September 12, and a number of West Coast dates, the Rajasthani musicians came along for their first performances in this country.

Joining the band at The Daniel and Stonehedge were Manjoor Khan, Nehru Khan and Dilawar Khan. Their presence definitely thrilled the audience.

While the Manganiars blended in perfectly into the overall sound created by the Gypsy All Stars, the times when they were able to step out on their own were a rare exposure to the tones of folk music that has echoed throughout India’s villages for thousands of years.

The folk musicians contributed just three examples of Rajasthani folk instruments — dholak, harmonium and khartal — but when they all really got grooving together it transported the listener to a different time and place.

The percussive drum beat of the dholak is difficult to resist and its rhyme was a real fancy for those that wanted to venture out on the dance floor.

The wafting tones of the harmonium layered a sound on top of which the haunting Indian vocals sat perfectly in line, the highest notes hitting with a power not often heard in Western music.

Lastly, the truly unique sound of the khartal — at least to U.S. music lovers’ ears — was a real pleasure as the hand-percussive instruments were teased into moments of pure repetitive brilliance. The simplistic instruments seem like they should not be to carry the impressive full rhythm that they can, yet in the hands of true folk masters the claps became all that mattered in the room.

While the Gypsy All Stars are a huge hit in Asia and parts of Europe, U.S. listeners are only just now discovering the band and Boston East India Hotels was proud to bring this cultural exchange and fusion musical experience to American audiences!

Bringing a Cultural Exchange to our New England Hotels with the Gypsy All Stars

Boston East India Hotels is proving it is more than just a world-class, global hotel investment, development and management company with our efforts to bring a unique cultural exchange with the groundbreaking, first-ever New England performances of world renowned Indo-Gypsy fusion band Gypsy All Stars  at The Daniel and the Stonehedge Inn & Spa.

The Gypsy All Stars will first perform a special acoustic show at The Daniel on Friday, September 19 at 8 p.m. The band will perform a second live show at Stonehedge Inn & Spa on Saturday, September 20 at 8 p.m. The band's final appearance in New England will be on Sunday, September 21 when the band will help launch Sunday Brunch at Stonehedge Inn & Spa.

Info and tickets for the show at The Coast Bar +Bistro are HERE.

Info and tickets for the show at Stonehedge Inn & Spa are HERE.

The Gypsy All Stars is a recent collaboration featuring former Gipsy Kings members Mario Reyes and Cedric Leonardi. The band explores the origins of gypsy culture in India and merges Indian and Gypsy rhythms.

Check out this VIDEO on the band. 

And check out this VIDEO of the band performing.

The Gypsy All Stars have built on the legacy of the legendary Gipsy Kings, a band that emerged out of the South of France in the early 1980s when the Reyes and Baliardos families garnered world acclaim for music featuring Gypsy beats and sensual rhythms.

Described as Gipsy Kings-rumba-meets-India-folk music, the Gypsy All Stars includes a fusion-music super group of musicians. In addition to Reyes and Leonardi, the shows at The Daniel and Stonehedge Inn & Spa will feature Zakir Hussein tabla prodigy Salar Nader, guitarist Alfredo Cáceres, bassist Hadrien Feraud, singer Amy Keys and Flamenco dancer Arleen Hurtado.

The Gypsy All Stars have also been invited to perform at The Kennedy Center in Washington on September 12, 2014 and are set to be showcased on upcoming specials on PBS and the Discovery Channel. The band also has swung through some West Coast dates on its visit to the United States.

Playing in the U.S. has helped the band build on the momentum it created last fall with a headline performance at the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. During this performance, the Gypsy All Stars played, for the first time, with Rajasthani folk musicians. The infusion of Indian folk music into their sound has drawn universal praise and acclaim.

We at Boston East India Hotels can promise you, listening to the Gypsy All Stars marry the classical gypsy sound with Indian folk music in an amazing collaboration is a truly unique experience. The band is full of incredible musicians and makes for an incredible act.

While the Gypsy All Stars are a huge hit in Asia and parts of Europe, U.S. audiences are only just now discovering the band. We are proud to help bring this cultural exchange and fusion musical experience to American ears at two of our hotels.

We feel that bringing the Gypsy All Stars to perform in New England is a reflection of the cultural collaboration we seek in combining Western processes with Eastern hospitality at our properties.

The New England shows will be the place to be and one of the most talked about music events in the region. Don’t miss it!

Coastal Living: Collection from Local Photographer offers Guests a Window into Maine’s Ocean Culture

Land's End on Bailey Island. (Pepper Gross)

Guests at Boston East India Hotels Brunswick, Maine, hotel The Daniel or visitors to the Coast Bar +Bistro can get a picturesque window into the soul of life on Maine’s coast and they have local photographer Pepper Gross to thank. Gross is the perfect example of the kind of local talent we want to use to inflect the spirit of the region into the guest experience at our hotels.

A native of Brunswick, Gross is in her senior year at Wheaton College in Chicago, studying international business with a minor in fine art photography and digital arts.

The 21-year-old has a passion for travel and has visited almost 30 countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa, using her keen eye for landscape and the essence of local environment to document her travels with photos. She loves exploration, discovery and the use of photography to capture the diverse people and landscapes that the world has to offer.

For The Daniel, she turned this passion and vision toward the coast of Maine and the places she grew up. She contributed about 60 photos that are placed throughout The Daniel and the Coast Bar + Bistro.

The setting is mostly Harpswell, including Bailey Island, Orr’s Island, and popular local spot Popham Beach.

“For these photos I focused on the coastal area of Maine. I have grown up around here and I know all the scenic spots to take pictures,” Gross says. “I tried to take pictures that will engage both the locals and people who have not seen these types of places.”

The photos emphasize the variances of light in an oceanic setting, the ocean’s interaction with nature and the infusion of man-made objects representing the connection of people to the sea.

Gross calls the photos classic Maine images, similar to travel photography with a mixture of landscapes and close ups. They incorporate fine art, macro shot and still life photography techniques.

The motif of images connected to the ever-present lobster industry is common throughout the photos, as is the capture of trivial tidbits of the coast life set against the omnipresence of the ocean.

Gross’ favorite photo is a black and white capture of the statue of a fisherman in Land’s End on Bailey Island. The statue is an ode to fishermen, living and dead, and the lives they lead and the importance of their contributions to the local culture.

“That kind of just typifies the area I grew up in,” she says. “It is a classic statue that pays tribute to fishermen, who work hard all their lives.”

Another favorite is the shadow and light infused image of the Cribstone Bridge in Harpswell that connects Bailey Island and Orr’s Island. The bridge has a unique design that uses granite slabs from local quarries in an open cribbing placement that allows the tidal water to ebb and flow freely through

Cribstone Bridge, Orr's Island. (Pepper Gross)

the bridge. The bridge looms prominently in the background of the photo with a parking and boat launching sign detailing cost and payment information in the foreground.

“This picture shows the way that Maine-ards make a living off of tourism and also shows what the locals do — it is a combination of these two things,” Gross said.

The photos include both black and white, but Gross does profess a particular affinity to the black and white images. “I really love black and white. The ones that look best in black and white are generally my favorites,” she says.

One of the things Gross also loved about the assignment was the chance to revisit places familiar to her with a critical eye. “It was really neat just kind of looking at what I have grown up with in a different light,” she added.

At Boston East India Hotels we want to help guests at all our Troca Hotels collection properties experience the local culture. At The Daniel, the way Gross was able to walk through the region with her photos helps guests to experience coastal Maine living. The photos have already received numerous compliments and there is no doubt they will be a talking point for all visitors at The Daniel.

See below for more samples of Pepper Gross’ photos currently at The Daniel and the Coast Bar + Bistro.

Lobsterman's wharf, Bailey Island. (Pepper Gross)

Bailey Island. (Pepper Gross)

Popham Beach. (Pepper Gross)

To check out some of Pepper Gross’ other photography visit: Pepperspray.

Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel is Maine’s Newest Music Hotspot

Listen up entertainment and music lovers, there’s a new place to be in Maine for the best in up-and-coming and hot musical acts — Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel. It kicked off this spring and is hosted by the hotel’s Coast Bar + Bistro. The Daniel has already etched itself into local performance lore with its musical hits, no cover charge for shows and food and drink specials. The crowds are growing and musicians are clamoring in line to be a part.

If you haven’t been out to witness the music event that has set Brunswick singing then don’t miss this week’s special Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel performance and extended three-day weekend of music with singer/songwriter Lauren Crosby on July 10 and the popular Gillen & Turk in for a special two-night stand on July 11 & July 12.

Fred Gillen Jr. and Matt Turk have been showcasing their vaunted blend of folk, rock and instrumentation up and down the Northeast since their 2008 CD debut “Backs to the Wall.” The multi-instrumental pair harmonize in song and feature guitar, bass, mandolin and an instrument bag-of-tricks that has brought them widespread acclaim and a loyal following. It’s their first stop at the Coast Bar + Bistro and their popularity warranted a special two-night stay.

Crosby is a perfect example of what makes Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel so great and she kicks off this special three-day weekend of music with the 6 p.m. to close Thursday night slot. She is a rising folkie bluesy singer/songwriter from Georgetown Island, Maine, who has been compared to legendary singers such as Janis Joplin and Edie Brickell. Fans have lauded her music for being real, raw and poetic. The Daniel is thrilled to offer a platform for a local talent like Crosby and also give a real treat to audiences who have never seen her wonderful voice on display before — and a welcome return to those that have already fallen in love with her sound.

Musicians are not the only stars of the show for Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel. The Coast Bar + Bistro is also in the spotlight and brings its “music” to the mouths of Thursday’s revellers with a mouthwatering spate of cuisine and drink specials. Great Thursday night deals include $4 draft beers, $3 bottled beers, $4 house wines and $5 mini tacos.

The Coast Bar + Bistro was recently rebranded, renovated and expanded with new interior décor, a bigger bar, additional seating and a capacity of 80 people. The bar features some of the region’s finest micro-brewed beers, hand-picked wines, and Brunswick’s largest selection of cocktails. The bistro offers a range of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, signature pizzas and entrees. Menus change throughout the year and feature cheeses, organic meats, produce and seafood from farmers and fishermen in Maine.

As part of the Troca Hotels collection, The Daniel is Maine’s newest lifestyle luxury hotel, and Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel also draws on the strength and tradition of Thursday Night Live @ The Sofala, a Trocal Hotels property in Goa, India.

Thursday Night Live @ The Sofala, which has been running strong for several years and over 100 shows, is credited with changing the game for the entertainment scene in Goa; artists from across India and around the world visit the hotel to perform and jam with the house band, Smoking Chutney. Recent performances have featured such well-known acts as Gypsy Kings, Chrystal Farrell, Gary Lawyer and Ricardo Vogt.

Thursday Night Live was created to provide guests of Troca Hotels properties, such as The Daniel and The Sofala, with a vibrant and unique experience, as well as turn the hotels into local and authentic social hotspots. This strategy scored big at The Sofala and the early returns are hitting top marks at The Daniel also.

Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel launched on March 29 with Eric Worthing, lead singer from Worthy Bones, performing a reggae-infused acoustic show, flavored by the sounds of the Grateful Dead and Sublime with his own jams and funky style of guitar playing.

Other featured acts have included: singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Nadeau, singer/guitarist Joe Gallant and an unplugged solo blues, bluegrass and country performance by Will Mallett of the award-winning Mallet Brothers.

Rest assured that Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel will only continue heat up and the best is yet to come, so hurry up and grab your spot for the newest and most vibrant Thursday hotspot.

The Daniel Hotel Blog Launches: Let Us Curate Your Guest Experience

Boston East India Hotels property in Maine, The Daniel, has kicked off The Daniel Hotel Blog, the ultimate place to mingle and satisfy all your guest curiosities and also to let you keep up on all the happenings around The Daniel and the independent lifestyle luxury hotel world.

As part of the Troca Hotels brand, the goal at The Daniel is to deliver exceptional and personalized experiences to our guests when they chose to stay with us. But we also want to make sure our guests always have The Daniel on their minds and, by following The Daniel Blog, will never really be that far away — and ready to return for another great guest stay.

Guests at The Daniel seek a curated, authentic and engaging experience during their stay and beyond. We offer inspired service that delivers on this desire and want to make sure our guests constantly feel The Daniel is always part of their travel experiences.

The Daniel Blog will keep our travelers connected with travel ideas, expert tips, upcoming events to watch out for and the latest The Daniel news.

Want some friendly advice on the latest travel trends? The Daniel Blog can provide that: “Memorial Day Travel Trends: Kicking off the Summer Across the U.S.” 

Want some insight on how The Daniel chooses from all the amenities lined up for a coveted spot at the hotel? Check out: “Hotel Amenities: What’s in Your Guest Room?” 

Are you a traveler that loves to bring along man’s best friend or your favorite pet on the road with you and want to know how The Daniel will fit your needs or the best tips for travel with pets in general? Dig in to: “Pets are Welcome: Travel Tips for Your Furry Friends.” 

Perhaps you are a foodie and already can’t get enough of The Daniel’s Coast Bar + Bistro. In this case, the Daniel Blog will have just the thing for you as you can check back in to learn about the latest dishes, recipes, drinks and general cuisine wizardry diners can expect from the Coast Bar + Bistro.

Fans of live music will want to keep up, to make sure they don’t miss the next hot performance of an up-and-coming act with Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel, which features live music every Thursday from 6 p.m. until close. Killer recent shows have included rising folkie bluesy singer/songwriter Lauren Crosby, singer/guitarist Joe Gallant and singer/songwriter/guitarist Aaron Nadeau. And the lineup promises only to heat up as Thursday Night Live @ The Daniel is now the place to be on Thursday nights.

Don’t expect this blog to just repost company press releases or only flaunt the latest The Daniel offerings. We know you want to be engaged, entertained and to explore all that is the traveling lifestyle. On that note, feel free to comment and make suggestions on what you want to see and hear. We are here to serve you first and foremost.

The Daniel Blog will also feature topics such as design, style, Q&A with staff members, photo essays and provide an eclectic insight into the wonderful Maine region that houses The Daniel.

So stay tuned! You won’t want to miss out.

Memorial Day Travel Trends: Kicking off the Summer Across the U.S.

For most, Memorial Day kicks off the summer season and as such is one of the most popular travel weekends of the year. AAA is predicting that 36 million Americans will travel this weekend — a post-recession high. From coast to coast, whether the weather cooperates or not, you can bet all will find a way outdoors or to that favorite destination that says summer is right around the corner. And, of course, the whole country remembers the fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Maine community around Boston East India Hotels’ The Daniel joins together in celebration. The towns of Brunswick and Topsham unite on Memorial Day to honor this country’s heroes with the annual Brunswick-Topsham Memorial Day Parade. This year the parade is remembering D-Day, which celebrates its 70^th anniversary on June 6.

Brunswick is also set to host Maine Gov. Paul LePage for the “Fallen Warrior” ceremony that is open to the public and will feature an address from the governor.

Many of the areas’ summer enthusiasts will take a gamble on the weather and plan a trip over to nearby Georgetown and hit up the beaches at Reid State Park or Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg. Whether shorts and t-shirts or pants and heavy jackets and blankets are needed, the beach enthusiasts will not pass up the summer season’s first long weekend.

A recent survey by Expedia highlighted some of the best hotel deals for Memorial Day weekend and also examined some of the spots travelers are targeting.

While average U.S. flight prices are up five percent over last summer to $499 and the average daily room rate predicted for the summer is up three percent to $171, these increases are not going to be enough to keep travelers home.

The best deals for Memorial Day weekend? According to Expedia findings, in terms of the biggest price changes year-over-year, the places to be are:

• Chicago at Hilton Hotels, starting at $79 per night 
• Las Vegas at Wynn Resorts, starting at $359 per night
• Reno, Nev., at MGM Properties, starting at $150 per night 
•  Lake Buena Vista, Fla., at Hilton Hotels, starting at $99 per night 
•  Los Angeles, at Hilton Hotels, starting at $152 per night

Some other spots that Expedia found sharp drops in hotel prices for a Friday, May 23, to Monday, May 26, stay are in Panama City, Fla.; South Padre Island, Texas; Memphis, Tenn.; Providence, R.I.; and Ocean City, Md.

Search patterns show that Las Vegas, New York, San Diego, Chicago and Miami are the top destinations that travelers are looking for on the Web to find the best hotels deals.

In the spirit of Memorial Day, Boston East India Hotels has put together a list of a few other hot spots for travel over the three-day weekend.

Washington, D.C.

Memorial Day is about remembering this country’s fallen soldiers so there is no more patriotic place to celebrate this day of remembrance than the nation’s capital. Don’t miss the National Memorial Day Parade at the National Mall, the National Memorial Day Concert or the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Atlanta

In the heart of Georgia, visitors can get some traditional Memorial Day activities such as fireworks and military tributes at Stone Mountain Park. However, the Atlanta Jazz Festival also runs over the weekend for some great music. The free festival, which is held in Piedmont Park featuring some of the biggest names in jazz, is in its 37^th year and is attended by an estimated 150,000 people each day.

Miami

The March of Colors in Miami sets the tone for the weekend with a 21-gun salute at All Wars Memorial Park, followed by a parade through town. On the beach, though, partying rules the day with over 250,000 descending on the sand and surrounding clubs and bars for a weekend of music, dancing and plenty of sunbathing. The highlight of the weekend is the Best of the Best Concert on Sunday, held in downtown Bicentennial Park. The 10-hour concert features all Caribbean music and keeps the dancing going from start to finish.

Las Vegas

Perhaps not considered a traditional destination for Memorial Day weekend getaways, the three-day weekend is actually one of the city of sin’s busiest time of the year, right up there with New Year’s Eve. While gaming is always Vegas’ main draw, on Memorial Day weekend — up and down the strip — hotel pools are the hot spot for parties and special events. None is more popular than the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace.

So whether your Memorial Day traditions lean more toward the traditional or you might want to take a chance on something new this year, Boston East India Hotels wishes you safe travels and a great holiday weekend!

Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Isaac Tigrett visits us...

You just never know who you'll run into at our hotels... Last night, it was Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Isaac Tigrett enjoying another Thursday Night Live at The Sofala with our house band, Smoking Chutney. Good food and music combined with a great group of people from around the world. That's what we do. Hope to see you soon!