Get to know our new GM

What does the General Manager of a hotel do? Well, you might see them walking around picking up little flecks of dust that you didn't even see in the hallway. You might see them in the parking lot walking in incessant circles around the hotel. They may be a little OCD about what direction the pillows are facing or which pen caps go on what pen. But at the end of the day, they do all that to help keep the hotel running at peak performance and we, as staff, appreciate all that they do and hope that you, as guests, do as well. But outside of their nuances, sometimes it's fun to get to know them on a more personal level. We at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites would like to introduce you to our new General Manager, Mr. Mike Doran.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: I grew up in a military family, born in Japan, and have lived all over the world.  In 1986, after my father retired from the Air Force, we moved to Shelburne, VT.  I met my wife (Michelle Dampier Doran) at Champlain College and she is a Malone native.  In 2001 we moved to Malone and live close to upper Titus/Chasm Falls.  My daughter graduated from Franklin Academy in 2012 and now attends The Culinary Institude of America in Hyde Park, NY and my son attends Davis Elementary. 

Q: Is there a quote that you live by?

A: "Share the wins  & own the losses."   Successful management is all about getting people to work together & taking responsibility in fixing issues versus blaming others or a situation. 

Q: What is your favorite spot in Malone?

A: Elephant Head. I hike there a few times a year.  Always a great view of Lake Titus!

Q: If we were to find you outside the hotel, where would it be?

A: Hiking, four-wheeling, landscaping & always having a camera strapped to me. So much to love and share in the North Country.

Q: Any other hobbies?

A: I've played guitar since the age of 12, and since I don't have a record contract it's a hobby!

Q: If you were to travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Europe. It's one interesting area of the world I've haven't been to yet.

Q: Favorite travel item?

A: iPad, iPhone, Camera, & GPS.  All for exploration and sharing.

Q: Best item on the HIE breakfast bar?

A: Cinnamon Swirls!

Q: What do you see for the future of the hotel?

A: 1) Developing an already great staff to the next level of courtesy & service.  2) Huge opportunity to get word of mouth marketing to really work for us.  Sharing the hidden beauty in the area/attractions and great stays need to be broadcasted to all our guests friends and family to encourage deeper targeted online marketing through experiences and sharing postives.

Q: A fun fact about you that will make our guests smile:

A: I loved Miami Vice enough to buy a Don Johnson style wardrobe in the mid 80s.

Q: Any last words?

A: Anyone want to grab a drink at Mo's?

New Year's Resolutions

Out with the old and in with the new; the mark of a new year inevitably brings new resolutions to better one’s life. The obvious resolutions, such as losing weight and staying healthy, spending less and saving more, and organizing your life are always bound to show up on resolution lists (top ten resolutions here). But how about some other interesting resolutions? Here is a list of our top ten things to get accomplished this year (with, of course, some of the most famous ones still on the list!).

1. Travel More. Getting out of the house can always be a refreshing experience. Travelling doesn’t always mean vacationing. Refresh yourself and cross this nugget off of your resolution list by taking overnight road trips or long weekends (some great destinations just outside of Malone include Syracuse, Lake Placid, Albany, Montreal and Ottawa). Sometimes a staycation can even settle your travel bug until you get some time to really get out. So don’t limit yourself by only thinking of travelling in week-long segments to far-away places.
2. Learn to Ski or Snowboard. Most resolution lists include some category of learning something new. Why not try out snow sports? Titus Mountain is a wonderful family resort for those who want to learn the sport. Titus has a snow sports school and rentals available at the mountain for you to try it out—and their lift tickets are an exceptional value, especially going on weekends when there is night skiing. But a disclaimer: you might just get addicted. And if you are already a skier or rider, but want to try something more advanced, check out our information on learning about Terrain Parks. Or if you are a lady giving it a go for the first time, check out our "Ladies Learn to Ski" program.
3. Eat Healthier. Whether you want to eat healthier to lose weight, maintain weight, or just feel better, there are many opportunities to do so. When ordering your coffee, get it with non-fat milk instead of whole (you could save up to 10 pounds a year!) Get water with dinner instead of soda (15 pounds a year). Order a salad for an appetizer instead of the mozzarella sticks (Mo’s has some delicious salads). And ask your waiter or waitress how to make your meal healthier—normally they can tell you the ingredients to cut out.
4. Help Others. There are many opportunities to help others inside or outside of your community. If you are having trouble finding a place to state, try checking out your local Chamber of Commerce (Malone’s Website). Or check out http://www.volunteermatch.org to find out what is available (you can also post here if you are an organization). If you don’t have spare time, monetary donations are always welcome to a plethora of organizations.
5. Get Organized. Whether you have papers overflowing on your desk or your calendar looks like a chimpanzee scribbled through it; don’t fret because you aren’t alone. There are many ways to get organized whether you are planning for an event or just trying to keep track of your life. The first step is to find out what you need help organizing; if the papers overflowing on your desk are only from trying to plan a family reunion or wedding, there is no need to uproot your bill paying system. Stay on track. And sometimes it helps to have people on your side. There are many paid services such as organizing and cleaning professionals and wedding planners, but there are also many services available at no additional cost—always ask if there is anything else that is offered by your hotel, event venue, or service company (such as automatic withdrawal or email reminders).
6. Exercise More. Again, another resolution that always makes the top ten list, though it is the most joked about because it is never followed through. Make sure that when you are making your resolution to exercise more, you are making it an attainable goal. If you travel often, fit that into your regimen (Healthy Travel Tips). If the thought of running makes you gag, try a different form of cardio such as Zumba. Just doing something active fits into this plan—think skiing, golfing, walking, biking, playing softball—activities that you enjoy are much more likely to become a lasting resolution than something that you dread.
7. Learn to Play Golf. The Malone Golf Club is a world-renowned course. What better way to learn to golf on the best course available in the area? They also offer a program, Get Golf Ready, which is available to help learn the game of golf itself as well as etiquette and rules. And you might even get the chance to get a short clinic from the Vice President of the PGA, Derek Sprague (20 Minutes with DerekSprague). How cool is that?
8. Enjoy the Small Things. Bigger isn’t always better. And farther isn’t always nicer. Take some time to enjoy small things that your community offers. Have you been to the AlmanzoWilder Homestead? Hiked Elephant’s Head? Had dinner overlooking the Malone Golf Club or the Titus Mountain slopes? Have you walked the Malone Rec Park to see the gathering of snow geese? Taken a few minutes to yourself to watch a Malone Sunset?
9. Get your Finances in Order. This is always a tricky one. The obvious is to spend less and save more, and since spending is different for everyone, why not take a look at how to save more? There are the obvious tactics, such as getting things on sale and clipping coupons. But what about the not-so-obvious savings? Use your reward cards. Whether you are a member at a grocery store, retail store, hotel chain (info on Priority Club here), or Milk Club… dollars and points add up. Why waste the money that you are already spending?
10. Spend More Time with Family. Read number 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8 and just remember: have fun.

Wedding Planning: Room Blocks

'Tis the season for getting engaged. More than 25% of each year’s wedding proposals come from the holiday season between November and December. And while the planning stages might not be here quite yet, this might be some information to keep in your pocket!

 

Q & A About Room Blocks

Whether you have 10 invitations going out or 500, there are certainly people that will need a place to stay the night of your wedding... whether it's because of the long travel times or because you budgeted in an open bar. Keep in mind each hotel and area will have a different system for blocking rooms... but, if you are in or around the area of Malone this is how you would get your ducks in a row at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites

What is a room block?   

A room block is a set of rooms that have been set aside for you and your guests in advance for your wedding, whether it is for just the night or for the weekend. Other people outside of your party cannot reserve one of these "blocked out" rooms on your event date until after it has been released back into inventory.

What are the benefits of blocking rooms?

•Guests can receive special room rates

•Rooms are guaranteed to be available

•Wedding guests stay in one location which makes it easier for them to socialize and coordinate transportation to wedding events

•Hotel can distribute welcome bags

•Possible perks for wedding couples, such as complimentary rooms and upgrades

•Directions and information about the hotel can be included with the invitation, on wedding websites, etc. so guests can get acquainted with the area and find their way around

•Convenience – it is easy for guests to book their accommodations

How does a room block work?
The idea of a room block is to make the process simple. The person in charge of the event (bride, mother, MOH) calls the hotel and states they want to block out rooms for their event. The hotel will then set aside the rooms according to a few different factors: types of rooms needed, length of stay, price or perks, etc. Guests of the event can then call into the hotel, mention their block name, and be guaranteed their room.

Who is responsible for payment? 

This depends on the type of block that is being set up. In the end, however, each individual guest is responsible for their own room. 

How much of a discount is given?
Cost is dependent on many things -- the time of year, guests who have already booked rooms, how many rooms are being blocked, types of rooms needed, and how far out the block is reserved. It’s important to keep in mind that more rooms does not mean a better discount and you should inquire with your sales agent at the hotel.

What are things I should consider before getting a room block?

• There are minimum requirements in order to qualify for discounts or upgrades.
• It is important that you only contract for the number of rooms that you will definitely need. Depending on the number of rooms needed, the couple may be financially responsible for any unfilled rooms.
• The room rates are only valid for a short period of time. It is important that guests are aware that there is a time-frame to reservations.  Since rates fluctuate frequently, it is important to contact us when you are ready to make a decision on your room block, otherwise the rate is subject to change.
• Guests must mention that they are a part of the block, otherwise the hotel can not guarantee that they will be given the same discounts.

What information do I need before calling to set up a block?
You can call to inquire about a block at any time, but when it is time to set up the actual block, you will need to know details such as your wedding date, time and venue of the event, how many (definite) rooms will be needed, and dates that rooms will be used. 

Important terms to know when booking a room block:
Room Block: The set of rooms that have been put aside for your wedding guests to reserve.
Release Date: The date guests have until to call to reserve their room. After this date rooms will be available to the general public and can not be guaranteed to be available or at the agreed upon rate.
Attrition: A clause that may be added to a hotel contract that the couple guarantees a specific number of rooms; if these rooms are not filled the couple is financially responsible to pay for the unused rooms.
Change Fee: A fee that may occur when the number of rooms, dates, or type of room is changed within a specific time period.

 As always, rooms and blocks depend on a number of factors. For specific questions or inquires, please contact the hotel.  Don't forget all the amenities that your guests will have when they stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites!

Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks

Though summer isn't officially over until September 22, summer is officially over... Kids have gone back to school, college is already in full swing, temperatures have slowly started to dip, and the leaves have already started to change. But have you had the privilege yet to see the majesty of a full North County Autumn?

www.visitadirondacks.com

Thousands of foliage watchers, or leaf-peepers as they are lovingly known, come to New York from all over the world to see the vibrant reds, oranges and yellows as our broad-leaf trees shed their leaves. Why is New York foliage so awe-inspiring? According to I Love NY, "Unlike the rest of the country, the northeastern U.S. is particularly blessed with a great variety of broad-leaved trees, which help give the region’s foliage a spectacular color range. Also, New York State has almost as many acres of such trees as the rest of the Northeast combined" (source).  

Peeping season starts in the Adirondacks and slowly moves south into the Catskills. While the entire process lasts about 2 months for the lovely greens to turn to brilliant hues of warm colors, two weeks is usually the time frame for peak color changing, with peak brilliance lasting 3-4 days for any given area. So it's time to plan your trip to the North County to get a piece of this beauty!

Here are a few tips to ensure a spectacular view of the stunning Adirondack landscape in Autumn.

Prepare.

Looking out your window and seeing a few colors might strike the adventurer inside you to go out and see the foliage on a whim. But you aren't the only person who is thinking the same thing. To truly enjoy the foliage, you should have a set route and accommodations ready. Not only does this save you the hassle from getting lost and getting stuck in an area or stuck without lodging or both, it gives you the luxury of taking your time. Leaf-peeping is about the views, and it would negate the whole trip if you are forced to rush through the area. Now is the time, if you haven't already done so, to look up some great fall foliage packages, like the one at the Holiday Inn Express of Malone.

Take advantage of different perspectives.

www.visitadirondacks.com

Driving is a pretty standard go-to when it comes to watching the foliage. But have you ever stopped to consider the myriad of other ways to capture a view? The North Country is well-known for it's outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and boating. What about capturing some views from those perspectives? Most hiking trails and boat launches are easily accessible right off the roads in the Adirondacks, so you don't even have to plan on biking the whole way. Just take a pair of hiking shoes and stick them in your trunk, strap a kayak to your roof, or put a bike in the back and when the moment strikes you, get out into the thick of the trees and be awed.

Be Safe.

Drive slow. This goes hand-in-hand with taking your time. Want to make a last second stop at hiking trailheads or want to pull off to the side of the road to take a spectacular picture? This is only possible if you are driving slow enough to make the turn! This also allows other drivers to be aware of what you are doing and could prevent you from getting rear-ended, which would certainly put a damper on your vacation. Slow speeds also allows you to be aware of a Fall Foliage hazard: wet leaves. Leaves are beautiful on the trees, but when they make the road slick, especially on many back country roads where the foliage is the best.

Here are some resources to help you in your Fall Foliage Tour planning...so get to it!

VisitAdirondacks.com 
I Love NY Fall Foliage 
nyfallfoliage.com 
Holiday Inn Express Fall Foliage Package