Happy Summer!
Spring in Chatham has been beautiful with daffodils and tulips everywhere and birds coming back up North. We are now having a fun, but busy summer. If you are considering a trip to the Cape, don’t wait to book – we are filling up quickly! While July and August are the most popular months to visit, September and October are also pleasant as the fall foliage is at its prime and the weather is still warm. Plus, take advantage of mid-season rates after Labor Day.

Changes at the Carriage House Inn…

New Guest Living Room – After a pipe burst in the living room ceiling in January, the common living room was completely redone. It is now finished in crisp Cape Cod yellows, blues, and greens. With newly exposed hardwood floors, and “less is more” window treatments, the room is much brighter and open with a game table and separate TV area. We are pleased with the results, and our guests seem to be as well for the room gets far more use now.

Gift Shop – Okay, so it’s not exactly a “shop” – it’s more of a “Gift Table,” but we are now have local products available for guests to purchase such as a local cookbook, Chatham jams and jellies produced especially for the Carriage House Inn, and a Chamomile Orange After Sun Lotion, which will also be an amenity in all guest rooms during the summer months.

New Special Packages – We’re always adding new package deals to the specials page of our website. We have already listed our 2005 New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day specials as well as an Elopement Package for those looking for a simple, stress-free wedding ceremony and a “Build Your Own Package” where you can select from a number of add-ons including a “Romantic Surprise” where we set up chilled champagne, chocolates, a single rose, and soft music while you’re out to dinner.

Events – Our first Carriage House Inn wedding was held in April and was a huge success. We can now host events for parties of up to 30. Our common areas are perfect for cocktail parties, buffet and station luncheons or dinners, smaller sit-down luncheons or dinners, or afternoon tea. Contact us to learn more about how we can help plan your next event.

 We’re Famous…
…in a small Cape Cod Newspaper that is. Turns out, the fact that we’re very young innkeepers not only allows us to muster the energy we need to run the inn, but it also landed us an article in the Cape Codder Newspaper. Click here to read it.

Domestic Tips Corner
Over the last seven months as innkeepers, our lives have changed from late nights behind the desk at the office to ironing sheets, preparing breakfasts, and keeping the inn spotless. Each newsletter, we will share our favorite tips and shortcuts with you. Here are a few we’ve learned the past couple months:

• To keep cottage cheese fresh and avoid water collection, store the container upside down.
• Fresh cut flowers will last up to a week longer if you cut the tip of the pistol right off.
• For a puffier omelet, add a dash of cornstarch before beating the eggs.
• Common kitchen staples make the best cleaners. Try cleaning your stainless steel sink with baking powder.
• For better-tasting coffee, run a combination of 50% water and 50% vinegar through your coffee maker once a month. Follow by running plain water through twice before brewing coffee again.