Thanksgiving Travel Trends and a New Tradition at The Daniel

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate family, friends and all those around you who make life better and fill up your days with the pleasure of their acquaintance. Nothing beats that decadent Thanksgiving dinner spread filled with both the traditional fare that harkens back to this country’s early days and also family favorites that have made the holiday meal special over the years.

While thoughts of Thanksgiving past may conjure up warm memories of a crowded table at grandparents’ house, the increasing trend now is for Thanksgiving dinner out or for families to take the holiday on the road for an extra-long weekend vacation. AAA Travel is predicting that 46.3 million Americans will travel this Thanksgiving holiday — the most since 2007.

At Boston East India Hotels, we are ever aware of the changing desires of our guests and customers. But we also wanted to jump at the chance to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family and friends that fill up our days and for whom we are very grateful. That is why our Maine property The Daniel is offering a Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 27 at Coast Bar + Bistro. 

Our culinary experts are in the holiday mood and they created a very special menu for a family feast as good as grandmother used to make it, but updated to bring a special feel to Thanksgiving dinner this year!

Coast Bar + Bistro has set up a fixed-price menu for $36 per person, $18 for children 10 and under, and kids under 3 eat for free. More details HERE.

Here’s what Coast Bar + Bistro can offer you for Thanksgiving eats — a mouthwatering experience that will allow you to enjoy the conversation and company of family and friends, but let your mouth savor same seriously good food, prepared 100 percent in the spirit of the holiday.

First dig in to some Butternut Apple Bisque with Nutmeg Crème Fraiche or Salad of Seasonal Greens, Roasted Beets, Herbed Goat Cheese and Pomegranate Vinaigrette.

Then loosen up those chops for three tremendous options.

Go for the traditional Thanksgiving bird with a Cider Brined Roast Turkey with Cranberry Apple Stuffing, Candied Carrots, Sautéed Green Beans, Home-style Gravy and Cranberry Compote.

Feeling in a pork mood? Try Maple Mustard Glazed Ham with Whipped Sweet Potatoes and Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Or finally, get the flavor of fall in a wonderful pasta package with Pumpkin and Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Cream Sauce.

And don’t forget to make some room at the end to top off the meal with a dessert of Traditional Pumpkin Pie or Dark Chocolate Layer Cake.

In honor of Thanksgiving, Boston East India Hotels has compiled a list of some of the most popular Thanksgiving trends over the last several decades:

• In 2013, led by advice from food gurus such as Martha Stewart and magazines such as Bon Appetit and Saveur, bruleed pumpkin pies were all the rage.
• In 2012, the kale craze pushed many traditional greens off the plate, with creamed kale being the most popular dish served.
• Turkey glazes dominated in 2010, with everything from molasses, pomegranate, maple, cider, soy sauce and even malt beer dousing everyone’s favorite holiday bird.
• Sudden reports of the dangers of undercooked stuffing inside turkeys around Thanksgiving in 2006 had cooks across America taking the stuffing out of the bird and going with pan-roasted dressing.
• Thanksgiving 2005 was the year that the pig tried to take over and as a result bacon-draped turkey was popular, with recipes such as maple-roasted turkey with smoked bacon.
• The year 2002 has the distinction of owning the most outrageous Thanksgiving trend in the last 20 years with the “turducken,” a boneless monstrosity composed of a chicken stuffed into a duck stuffed into a turkey.
• Riding a late 1990s’ wave, balsamic vinegar took over 2001 Thanksgiving, with the dark liquid a popular glaze for everything on the table from carrots to sweet potatoes to squash to the turkey, itself.
• Right before the turn of the century the hip Thanksgiving trends might have gone a little too far. The result — truffle mashed potatoes, which rendered a timeless classic unrecognizable with copious truffle oil.
• In the mid-1990s, deep-fried turkey was all the rage, with the Food Network pushing the high-fat trend out across America.
• In 1995, the most recent Thanksgiving trends hit kicked off with an interesting note — faux turkey — as Tofurky, a vegan rendition of a roast turkey, stuffing included, was devised by an Oregon company.

We hope you will make your 2014 Thanksgiving trend to eat with us at Coast Bar + Bistro!

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!

Partnership with Clean the World at the Heart of Boston East India Hotel's Mission

At Boston East India Hotels, we care first and foremost about our guests and providing a curated hospitality experience that is second to none. However, we are also dedicated to sustainability and the world we live in. We do not toss around words like green, eco-friendly and sustainability lightly, nor do we half-heartedly attempt to make a difference in the world today — case in point, our partnership with Clean the World at The Daniel.

Clean the World is a nonprofit organization that is committed to reducing the waste created by discarded soap and shampoo products, as well as helping to prevent the millions of deaths caused by hygiene-related illnesses around the world.

The organization does this by collecting, recycling and distributing discarded soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and gels from hotels. The guest room hygiene items are recycled by Clean the World’s recycling operations centers in Orlando, Las Vegas and Toronto, and distributed, for humanitarian purposes, to children and families in communities around the globe.

Clean the World partners with some of the world’s largest nonprofit organizations and NGO’s, including World Vision, World Food Program and Harvest Time International, as well as numerous U.S. partners to help distribute soap and shampoo.

As simple as it might sound, soap saves lives and we are proud to be part of Clean the World’s Bed and Breakfast Partners and help the organization save lives around the globe.

Medical research has shown that hand washing with soap significantly reduces the impact of two fatal diseases: acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease. These are the top two killers of children less than 5-years-old. By distributing recycled soap to those who need it the most Clean the World’s efforts can have a massive impact in the global hygiene revolution.

We also love that Clean the World has a tremendous track record of success.

Started in 2009, Clean the World has collected and distributed more than 18 million bars of soap to more than 65 countries worldwide including Zimbabwe, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Swaziland, Mali, Mongolia, Uganda, Honduras and Romania. The organization has operations in 50 states across the United States and 10 provinces in Canada. Its main recycling operations center in Orlando has the capacity to produce over 80,000 bars a day.

Clean the World’s recycled soap has been tested by TriTech Laboratories, a Florida state-certified testing facility, and given a 100 percent clean bill of health. TriTech infects soap to run through the standard Clean the World recycling process and checks to see what happens. The tests have found that all pathogens are successfully removed by the organization’s recycling process.

Clean the World has also become a natural disaster first responder — in January 2010, as part of our Haiti Earthquake relief efforts, it collected and distributed over 150 tons of hygiene products, medical supplies, water and other essentials to Haiti.

The green and eco-friendly benefits of working with Clean the World are also substantial. Since it was founded, the organization has eliminated more than 1.4 million pounds of hotel waste from polluting local landfills.

At The Daniel, partnering with Clean the World will help produce an estimated 250 pounds of recycle bars of soap annually, which equates to about 1,400 recycled soap bars distributed to children and families in need. The efforts will produce an estimated 200 pounds of recycled bottled amenities, which equals about 1,400 recycle bottled amenities distributed to children and families and need.

Annually, about 275 people are provided with soap from materials that are recycled from The Daniel.

Clean the World estimates that since the organization began its efforts more than 17 million children have died of diseases preventable with proper hygiene. With 18 million bars of soap distributed over that same time, it is clear that the organization’s mission to wipeout hygiene-related fatalities is an achievable goal — as a doubling of its efforts over the same time period moving forward could do it.

While The Daniel is just one of Clean the World’s 1,600 hospitality partners through North America — including giants such as The Walt Disney World Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Caesars Entertainment, IHG, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Best Western International, Joie de Vivre Hotels, Hilton and Hyatt — we are glad to play our part in the massive impact this effort is having.

We also want our guests to know that when they visit any Boston East India Hotels property they are also part of this effort to impact the health and well-being of so many around the globe. We know many of our guest do their part at home to contribute to the sustainability of our planet and improve the health of all in it, but when they stay with us they are continuing to do their part even when they are on the road!

The Daniel at the Heart of Maine's Foliage Season

Camden Harbor, Maine (Photo by Cornexo)

Fall in New England is famous for many things, but above all else, is the yearly pilgrimage of the “leaf peepers” as they are known by some. It is the time of year when the color and beauty of New England foliage draws travelers from all over to see nature in its most vibrant state.

Mid-Coast Maine has its fair share of options to see colorful foliage and at our hotel The Daniel the staff is more than happy to help any fall enthusiasts find their way to visions of New England at its fall finest.

The foliage traditionally peaks around mid-October in the Mid-Coast region so you still have time to plan that perfect trip.

Maine’s state parks are some of the best places to target for leaf peeping.

Camden Hills State Park provides spectacular views of fall foliage and travelers can do so from the road to the top Mt. Battie, as well as from hiking trails on Mt. Megunticook and Bald Rock Mountain. 

The Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land in Hancock County near Sullivan and Franklin offers ambitious foliage enthusiasts hiking trails up Schoodic Mountain and Black Mountain that provide vistas on surrounding woodland, lakes and Acadia National Park across Frenchman's Bay.

For most, foliage viewing is traditionally an activity on the road and viewed through the auto window and Mid-Coast Maine has no shortage of options for a scenic foliage highway.

The Daniel recommends:

• Tourism Driving Tour: Windjammers & Water Views
  Start in Brunswick and head north along the coast to Camden, then inland to Unity and south through Union and Damariscotta State Park.
• Tourism Driving Tour: Acadia Harbors & Heights
  Begins in Bangor and then travel along the coast from Acadia National Park south, with many scenic lighthouse, water and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Million Dollar View (Route 1)
  This stretch of U. S. Route 1 offers travelers unsurpassed views of the Chiputneticook chain of lakes including East Grand, Brackett and Deering.
• The Bold Coast Scenic Byway
  The 125-miles long Bold Coast route extends from the coastal fishing community of Milbridge eastward along the coast to Lubec, the easternmost town in the United States, and then scoops around Cobscook Bay to Eastport.
• Blackwoods Byway
  The towns of Cherryfield and Franklin, which serve as gateways to this byway, offer many good examples of 18^th century and 19^th century architecture, as well as the chance to experience rural small town life. 
• Schoodic National Scenic Byway
  This route passes through the only mainland section of Acadia National Park and beautiful Schoodic Point.
• Acadia Byway All-American Road
  Following Route 3, this byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, and then follows the park loop road thereafter.

If leaves aren’t your thing there are plenty of other things to do as well.

The Coast Bar +Bistro has a killer lineup of music throughout October.

On Oct. 3 is James Good Eye offering up a unique blend of alternative and rock, inspired by Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Emmylou Harris, among others.

On Oct. 9, is Aaron Nadeau, a rising young artists from Maine who combines masterful guitar with his own blend of poetic lyrics.

On Oct., 10 is Andrew Yankowsky, a singer/songwriter from Portland, Maine, who specializes in a unique vocal style and a mix of folk, rock, reggae and jam music.

What we do expect at The Daniel is a busy fall season and the numbers back us up.

According to a recent consumer survey by AAA, the fall is a popular time to travel and that — depending on the region — as many as three of four people plan to take at least one, overnight trip of more than 50 miles in the next three months. AAA has also reported that as many as 45 percent of the public reports they prefer “off-season” based on the potential for savings versus peak travel periods.

Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, said that people like to travel in the fall because they can find great deals, a lot of this stemming to school being back in session, allowing for hotels and other attractions not being as crowded and lower rates. He added that fall travel prices can be at some of the lowest rates you can find all year.

New research from Enterprise Rent-A-Car suggests that brief road trips and long weekends — of which the fall is a popular time for — may actually be the most desired vacations of all, even more than the traditional vacation of summer weeks at the beach. Enterprise found that two-thirds of Americans prefer to take a one-day or weekend-road trip as opposed to the one-third who prefer to take a least a week-long trip.

Whatever your fancy, Boston East India Hotels and The Daniel are ready to be the center of your fall getaway!

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!

The Guest Pantry offers the Comfort and Convenience of Home Anytime Day or Night

At Boston East India Hotels' The Daniel, we recognize that our guests are often on the go and can’t spend every night enjoying the wonderful food and great times at the Coast Bar + Bistro; we knew there was a great need for some late night options to soothe the hunger craving or thirst for a drink.

Guest Pantry at The Daniel is open 24-hours and has all the road-weary traveler might need before settling in to a comfortable night’s sleep — from hot pockets to microwave macaroni and cheese to traditional snacks (including gluten free options). In an effort to provide our guests with a more local experience, we also have local Maine items, including chocolate, maple syrup, jellies and jams.

The Guest Pantry has already been a big hit with our guests who welcome some comfort available in the hotel after the Coast Bar + Bistro closes at 10 p.m..

Adding the Guest Pantry was a move we saw as an additional way to cater to our guests’ wants and needs. We found room in the lobby to craft this addition to make The Daniel a place that can cover all of its guests’ needs no matter what time of the day or night.

Industry wide, select service and extended stay brands have been some of the first to adopt hotel

pantries.

For example, Marriott has developed its pantry concept and dubbed it “The Market.” Hilton has crafted two versions it uses in some of its properties, the “Suite Shop” and the “Pantry Pavilion.”

Those hotel giants say that their pantry concepts have scored big with guests who cite the quality and convenience of items.

Near The Daniel, in the Brunswick region, only the Fairfield Inn & Suites Brunswick Freeport has some kind of hotel pantry option. In this case, Marriott’s “The Market” concept. Aside from that, few of Brunswick’s dozen or so other hotels have any similar offerings.

For the hotels that have them, the pantry has become a way to embrace a movement away from outdated concepts of limited room service and also fit the mold of evolving hotel lobbies. Leaving behind the standard concept of a check-in desk with table, flowers and uncomfortable chairs, many of today’s hotel lobbies have turned into fully functioning, business friendly social spots — the lobby at The Daniel certainly has.

In this environment, the decrepit and dusty lobby gift shop — with candy bars, dusty snow globes and cheap souvenir items — has no place.

However, a clean and modern hotel pantry giving guests the appreciated and valued convenience of a late night meal, headache relief or a favorite snack is a perfect fit.

So come on by and visit our the Guest Pantry at The Daniel — any time of day or night you are guaranteed to find just what you need!

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.

The Hotel Business Center Resurrected for the Modern Traveler

Gone are the days of large hotel business centers with rows of computers and printers in a windowless room tucked somewhere on the third floor or in the basement. Today’s travelers are tech savvy and no longer need to hole up for hours in a dank cave to get work done, however, they still need some of the essentials a business center offers. That is why, at Boston East India Hotels property The Daniel, the business center was brought out of the dark and into the lobby, with a large window looking outside.

With natural light streaming in, the business center features simple modern décor, with a sleek dark desktop and a minimalist approach with just two computers and three workstations.

The business center is open 24/7 and offers computer access and free printing, as well as, a great location for those that need to work and want a quiet place to do so, but don’t want to be stuck in an interior room hidden away from civilization. Plus, it is adjacent to the 24-hour guest pantry. Late night hot pocket, anyone?

Our approach to the new business center at The Daniel is in line with the demand from today’s travelers.

There has been widespread reporting that the modern traveler prefers a scaled-down business center with two to four work stations, one printer and more immediate access to the lobby and other open spaces for meetings or phone calls. Trends have also shown that guests who use business centers at hotels are now typically getting in and out quickly, and no longer spend hours working there.

Rapid changes in technology have provided travelers with so many tablets, smartphones, travel-friendly laptops and other hi-tech devices that access to a computer in the business center is no longer a necessity just to stay in touch, but the need for a hotel to have a business center remains.

Currently, despite almost universal access to Wi-Fi at hotels, almost 90 percent of hotels still have business centers — though many, like The Daniel, have adapted their business centers to reflect the true needs of travelers.

For example, Hilton Hotels & Resorts has introduced a concept at some properties called “Technology Lounges,” which are adjacent to the lobby and feature wireless access, individual workstations, communal space and a four-paneled video wall.

Sheraton launched its “Link@Sheraton” at some properties for another spin on the technology lounge concept, though with more computers similar to the traditional business center. Sheraton does put its “Link@Sheraton” near the lobby and has included flat screen TVs.

While most hotels are still sticking to some sort of business center concept, there are some that have eliminated the business center all together. These typically choose to go with some sort of ramped up lobby environment that is described as replacing the functions of a business center. These computer-centric lobbies may include recharge stations and wireless access to a printer.

Some other examples of what different brands have done in recent times include:

• Wyndham Hotel Group launched a prototype that moves the business center into the lobby with computers available in open spaces with free Wi-Fi and typical lobby furniture.

• Westin Hotels and Resorts launched a flexible work space concept last year called “Tangent,” which has furniture that can be organized and moved to accommodate meetings and also has technology for videoconferencing.

• Kimpton Hotels has re-adapted old pay-phone banks into small partitioned workstations.

• InterContinental Hotels’ new EVEN hotels will have a “Hot Desk” rather than traditional business center, with two laptops and guests will be able to print wirelessly from the laptops or their own devices.

While approaches vary across the industry, many brands are figuring out what we, at Boston East India Hotels, already know about how the changing needs of today’s travelers. At The Daniel, we have answered our guests’ call for a new-style of business center that gives them all that they desire to keep up with work and does so in a comfortable environment that is central to the lobby hub of a hotel, with the most up-to-date technology products and services. Let’s hope work doesn’t take up all your travel time, but when it is necessary we have you covered!

Taking the Clock Radio to a Whole New Level with the Sangean WR-22

Just about every day you can check out a story or blog post on the newest in hotel technology trends. Many of these — property management systems, hotel management software, booking engines and the like — have significant back-end impact on guests. At Boston East India Hotels we are as tech savvy as any and use technology to make our hotels better and run more efficiently. But we also love to use new technology that is just flat out cool and can add to look and feel of the guest experience and make any stay even better.

One such cool technology is the Sangean WR-22WL Bluetooth/USB Table-Top Digital Tuning Receiver that we have in our guest rooms at The Daniel.

This is not your father’s clock radio!

The latest evolution of a product that changed the perception of home audio, the Sangean WR-22 has been praised for its detailed sound and for exceptional quality for a system of its size, just a mere 9.4 inches wide by 7.7 inches deep by 4.4 inches high.

What all The Daniel guests expect in a bedside clock/radio is handled with ease by the Sangean WR-22, but the device is so much more.

The Bluetooth-enable Sangean WR-22 allows users to listen to their favorite music wirelessly and simply from smartphones, iPods, tablets and PCs. No cables, no confusion and no frustration.

There is also a 3.5mm auxiliary input for other portable music players if desired, as well as a USB port for playing MP3/WMA files from a USB drive.

No matter how or where you store your music, the Sangean WR-22 can handle it and pump it back out through its tech-marvel, 3-inch 7W full range speaker that contains an enlarged magnet. It also has a ported bass tube specifically designed for dynamic bass compensation for richer bass and loudness compensation that gives better bass response characteristics, and helps the device deliver sound beyond its size. Music-heads will also love the rotary bass, treble and balance controls that can be used to further adjust the sound to specific liking.

To top it all off, the Sangean WR-22 is a sleek and modern upgrade on the traditional hotel bedside companion, with its smooth dark walnut finish, an extra-large, backlit custom LDC display with an adjustable dimmer, and an advanced AM/FM-Radio Data System tuner that displays information such as song titles and artists.

Additional features include snooze, adjustable tuning step, dual alarm timer by radio, buzzer or media so you can wake up to your favorite tunes.

Oh yeah, if you like, the Sangean WR-22 even has a fully functioning remote control, so all that cool technology can be harnessed from anywhere in the room.

Sangean Electronics has been pumping out products in the consumer electronics industry for almost 40 years, so it is no surprise that its Sangean WR-22 has received rave reviews from most major consumer products media outlets. The company is particularly known for its specialty receivers and the Sangean WR-22 is as special as they come.

Sangean’s advanced technology is why so many major brands rely on the company to produce their electronics for them and the reason why its own branded products are so well received.

Also, it is no surprise that users of the Sangean WR-22 say they love the system’s Bluetooth functionality, its ability to work easily with iPhone and iTunes, as well as the great sound from a small device.

At Boston East India Hotels we want to ensure that every guest experience is like no other and when it comes to in-room clock and music needs at The Daniel, the Sangean WR-22 was the only choice.

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!