Establishing “A Home Away From Home”
By Debby Haas, Innkeeper
Lakeview Bed & Breakfast started with a
view and a vision. Having one of the best views from our home on the shores
of Castle Rock Lake, in Colstrip, I could easily picture people relaxing on
one of the balconies, enjoying the tranquil & peaceful scenery.
The “idea” of a B&B was born
in March of 1994, and work was started to make the “dream” come
true in January, 1997. We officially opened our Bed & Breakfast in December,
1997, and are now in the middle of our 7th successful year, providing a comfortable
“Home Away From Home” for our hundreds of Lodging Guests through
the years.
During that time, we have hosted guests from
48 states and 24 countries and stay busy year round. We not only have travelers,
but also working people that have long term stays ranging from several days,
weeks, or months long. I am always amazed at the various guests coming from
around the world, and the variety of things they have come to do in our area,
and small town.
After the B&B opened, it was a challenge
to get our name out there and survive financially. My dad, being an entrepreneurial-type
himself, always said “Look for a need & a way to fill it.” Our
big need in town was a special place to meet and eat at, with wonderful ambiance
and exceptional food. Thus, our “Lakeview Tea Room” was born in
June, 1998. It was never advertised, because I knew if you served good food,
the word would spread, and spread it did!!
By August, 1998, we were packed with folks
from the entire area, who brought friends, relatives & groups to eat. We
served lunches, dinners and catered, and gave everyone a tour of the B&B
rooms. It was a huge success and wonderful advertising for the Bed & Breakfast.
To this day people still talk about it and call me for recipes, even though
we closed the Tea Room in the Fall of 2000, because the B&B was by then
doing well on its own. People have requested the recipes to be put into a cookbook
form from the “Tea Room” days, which I hope to put together in the
near future.
The Bed & Breakfast incorporates many of
the things I enjoy doing, which includes: making guests feel comfortable and
at home, decorating (which is a true passion of mine), preparing and serving
wonderful food to guests, and taking care of the little details and needs of
people staying with us, doing it all while staying home. My goal is to provide
warm, gracious hospitality in a setting so peaceful and comfortable that my
guests sleep well at night, have special memories to take back home and never
leave hungry! I treat them as I would a beloved relative, and I know I’ve
achieved my goals when I am walking someone out the door and they comment how
much they felt at home, like they were visiting their grandma’s, sister’s
or favorite aunt’s home.
We have hundreds of comments in our “Comment
Books” with written sentiments about what their stay meant to them that
have moved and reassured me that I have achieved the goals I set out for. I
have met the most interesting people in the world and I have the most fulfilling
“job” I could ever imagine having! I get to do what I love doing,
and make a livelihood doing it!!
How grateful I am to have the opportunity to
provide this beautiful setting for our guests to relax in, enjoy and in some
small way, add to the memories they carry with them. The satisfaction I feel
is so rewarding, and has made all the “effort” of achieving this
dream so worthwhile!
