Page 11 - AAA Northway – AAA Now! – Fall 2018

Lake Placid’s iconic Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
receives AAA Four Diamond Award for the 34th-straight year
Inn’s accompanying The View Restaurant secures AAA Four Diamonds for 11th year in a row
Ed Weibrecht could not have been happier as he addressed the staff of the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa at the annual staff meeting in June.
First, James Phelps, President and CEO of AAA Northway, had arrived to present Weibrecht and his staff with the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award of Excellence for the 34th-consecutive year. In addition, the Inn’s The View Restaurant was acclaimed with the same achievement for the 11th- straight year.
To add some perspective to the hotel’s status among AAA members, there are only 90 AAA Four Diamond lodges in all of New York state. The Mirror Lake Inn’s streak of 34 is the second longest in the state, topped only by The Carlyle in Manhattan.
Also, just 158 properties in the entire country have held the Four Diamonds for more than 25 years. Weibrecht, and his wife, Lisa, have more reasons to be elated with these latest achievements:
• InLakePlacid,theInn,TheViewandtheSpaall hold the No. 1 spot for lodging, fine dining and spa, respectively, according to the latest rankings on TripAdvisor.com.
• Taste Bistro and Bar, adjacent to The View, and the Cottage Café on Mirror Lake, are both ranked in the top 10 among 76 establishments.
Over the years, the Weibrechts have been asked how this has been sustained for more than three decades. “We’re only No. 1 because you made us No. 1,”he told some 150 staff members at the meeting. “What brings it together are you and your efforts. This place doesn’t become special until you put your love and energy
into it. Our guests expect a lot more and that comes from you. The staff is like family to us and it’s the heart of our success.”
Later in the gathering, as Phelps brought the AAA awards to the podium, he also delivered “the view” from his organization.
“I see a lot of familiar faces
and I see your passion
for helping others,” he
remarked. “Ed and Lisa are
fortunate to have you. AAA is also a beneficiary of that.
“I hear it all the time from the members I talk to. They love coming here.”
For the better part of 40 years, the Mirror Lake Inn has asked every guest their honest opinion through the use of comment cards. Yes, there are specific questions about the guest experience that are included, but there also is room for the Inn’s visitors to wax as honestly as they’d like.
Arecentsamplingincludes:
“This is the cleanest hotel I’ve ever been in.” “The spa staff is remarkable.”
and being available to ski with resort guests.
Adding to the hotel’s family-is-everything theme, Andrew and wife, Denja, recently welcomed their second daughter, Silje, into the world. She is a sister to two-year-old Adalina, thus injecting new excitement into this time-honored property.
To that extent, we wouldn’t be surprised if one day
in the future, the two toddlers don’t end up in that audience of 150, listening to grandpa speak to the staff, just before receiving a 50th-consecutive AAA Four Diamond Award.
“The staff is genuinely happy to see us and immeasurably courteous.” “Your service and hospitality set you apart from other hotels.”
Now, as the Mirror Lake Inn segues into its fall season offering an authentic Adirondack experience, guests will find a luxe property that presents a private beach with complimentary boating, a small fleet of bicycles to rent, free use of a tennis
court and a heated outdoor pool with spectacular lake and mountain views.
But there also will be some “newcomers” around this homestead. The Weibrechts’ middle son Andrew, a winner
of Olympic silver and bronze medals in alpine skiing, retired after the Winter Games in South Korea. Now, among his new activities, he will take more active roles in hotel marketing
This is what your fellow members are saying about
AAA’s Select Vacations and Motorcoach Tours
“A nice group to travel with, everyone cooperative and friendly.”
- Ed and Janet B., Pottersville
“The trip was well planned and very in- formative. It was packed full of sights. Travel was seamless. Many thanks!”
- Ollie and Don S., Salem
“I have been on many tours over the years. Our tour guide did an outstanding job. She went above the call of duty, her knowledge and understanding was best have experienced. Our host was extremely understanding and helpful. Whenever I had a problem, l looked around and he was always there, with good natured advice.”
- John C., Plattsburgh
LEARN MORE ABOUT
AAA’S SELECT VACATIONS AND MOTORCOACH TRIPS:
1-877-222-8283 AAA.com/SelectVacations | AAA.com/Motorcoach
FALL 2018
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