Inn receives Best of BusinessAward
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
WASHBURN — A local inn, which frequently has guests from other states as well as Europe and beyond, has won the 2012 Best of Business Award for the Inns category.
FULL HOUSE — More than a dozen snowmobiles were lined up outside The Aroostook Hospitality Inn in Washburn on Feb. 15, as a group of snowmobilers from Pennsylvania prepared to hit the trails for the day. Owner Steve Dobson said this makes about seven years the group has stayed at his business, enjoying the close proximity their rooms provide to the trail system.
STEVE DOBSON, 
owner of The Aroostook Hospitality Inn, located in Washburn, holds the plaque he received in recognition of the facility receiving the Best of Business Award, which honors marketing success.
The Best of Business Award Program, based out of Phoenix through the Small Business Community Association, is an annual program that honors accomplishments and achievements of businesses throughout the area. The Aroostook Hospitality Inn, located about four and a half miles from the Aroostook Centre Mall just off Route 164/Washburn Road, received the recognition late last month, much to the surprise of Washburn residents Steve and Prudy Dobson, owners of the establishment.
Steve Dobson said he was very honored and proud of the fact everyone’s hard work involved in the operation of the small motel is being recognized.
“We are a small family-owned and –operated motel, located in a quiet country setting. I tell everyone if they need to be in town, need to have a pool or bar, then they should stay in one of the motels located in Presque Isle or Caribou. However, if they want to stay where they can hear the trees instead of the trucks, walk down to the brook and maybe see the Great Blue Heron, possibly see the moose or deer wandering through the yard, or watch the rabbits play on the lawn in the summertime, then stay with us,” said Dobson.
He said in the winter, guests can leave the parking lot and go anywhere 2,300 miles of Aroostook County snowmobile trails will take them. Such was the case on Friday, Feb. 15.
“We’ve got a group of about a dozen snowmobilers up from Pennsylvania. This is about their seventh year with us. They come back every year. They’re just getting ready to head out for the day,” said Dobson, as the group donned helmets and started an impressive line of snowmobiles in the parking lot, ready to enjoy a sunlit ride on local trails.
Cleanliness at the inn is a priority said Dobson.
“We also have a more focused standard when it comes to cleaning our rooms. The chains allow staff a certain amount of time to clean each room. I tell staff they need to stay in a room as long as it takes to get the room clean. It is more expensive to do it this way, but I know when a guest goes in a room, that room is exceptionally clean,” Dobson said.
Dobson said the natural amenities and extra effort staff put in to make each visit a pleasant one has been key to the Inn’s success.
“If our guests have a unique request, our staff is pleased to do whatever they can to accommodate. In the past, we have had a hotdog roast and hot chocolate for snowmobile groups, a wedding and barbecue for a motorcycle group, and we have guided some of our guests to special fishing holes on the brook that runs through our property,” he said.
“I believe these special activities, and the hard work of everyone at the Washburn property, are the reason we received this award. Everyone at The Aroostook Hospitality Inn looks forward to providing continued great service at reasonable rates for our guests,” continued Dobson.
Each year, the Best of Business Award Program identifies companies that have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. Companies like The Aroostook Hospitality Inn enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and to the community.
Dobson said the award was a surprise–one made possible by past guests giving positive reviews.
“Our guests provided the feedback that led to our winning the award. We appreciate their continued support,” said Dobson.
The Best of Business Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in the community. The organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other advertising and marketing groups, with a mission to recognize business contributions to the U.S. economy.
