HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-07-20, Page 14Lakeshore Advance • Vllednesday,'July01i
Million dollar view at Bonnie Doone
Cheryl Heath
Lakeshore Advance
And reports manager Kristie McIncioe,
whose parents Elia and Mel Douglas own the
business, the result has been people like the
picture -perfect spot so much they come back
again and again.
"We have one regular who has been staying
here for 45 years. She met her husband here;'
says Mclndoe, noting her family, including
her husband David who co -manages the
Manor, has been in business so long they've
seen customers come through with little
children who then conte back as adults.
"We even have fourth generation guests
returning," she says.
Obviously, the decor at Bonnie Doone has
changed since it first opened its doors in 1957,
but the commitment to service remains the
same.
"People say tiwy love it here," says Mclndoe,
who shared some of the comments from the
guest book, which include, "As always, it's a
home away from home" and "'thanks for the
lovely, quiet stay;'
Mclndoe says the Bonnie Doone is always
kept "spotlessly clean" and the key to offering
customers a top -rate visit is "we pride
ourselves on a family atmosphere:'
Today when visitors arrive they can expect
to be greeted by Cali, the managers' big sweet
dog that was adopted from the SPCA animal
rescue in Goderich.
"We're pet friendly, too," notes McIncioe.
Guests have their choice between 12 rooms,
two apartments, a suite and a full cottage.
While some rooms come equipped with fire-
places, all of them feature small fridges, DVI)
players and "bright and heathy" touches.
More than five decades of operating an inn
have seen many changes and Mclndoe says
the biggest one today seems to he in how long
guests stay. When the Bonnie Doone first
opened, visitors would come for a week or
two at a time, now they spread vacations out
over a few days and often return several times
Grand Bend's Bonnie Doone Manor has been
offering visitors a quiet place with a million -
dollar view for more than five decades.
over the season.
As for herself personally, Mclndoe says
growing up and continuing to work at the
Bonnie Doone has been very much a labour
of love.
"Waking up to that view every morning and
that sparkling blue water is Just phenomenal,"
she says. We enjoy seeing our regular custom-
ers come back again and again, celebrating
births with families is amazing and being with
them as they suffer losses.
All of these families have
become part of our extended
Drake Needs a H
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ROYAL LEPAGE
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Ask Marie about Drake
and Real Eatate at
98 ONTARIO STS
in (:rand Rend
(next to Nouse of Flags,
Scars & No Frills)
Marie Crowe* is helping Sarnia-Lamhton SPCA tind adoptive
parents for Drake. If you can give Drake a loving & happy
home, please call Marje for more information or go online to
012157267 on the SPCA website at
hlWis rni hum Incsocicty&filet
Helping You is What I Do!
37 Years of Caring Experience!
If you're buying or selling your home or cottage,
please call Marje Crowd' at 519-661-0380
and don't forget to spay or neuter your pets.
mei
family."
Given the manor's notable reputation of
providing the only guest accommodation
along the waterfront, one would expect the
manor is constantly fully hooked during the
summer months, but Mclndoe says such is
not always the case since rooms cannot be
reserved online.
"We encourage people to call in and find
out what we have available," she says, adding
the Bonnie Doone carries a wide range of
tourist brochures on site, including menus
from every restaurant in Grand Bend.
"'They (the restaurants) do a spectacular job
of serving the numbers of people that go from
few in the shoulder seasons to hundreds each
night in the summer," she says.
Grand Bend is just the most amazing place
to vacation and live, Many of our customer
over the years have purchased property in the
area.
Visit the web site, www.bonniedoone.ca to
check out the amenities on site. For a te'serva-
tion, call (519) 238-2236. 'the Bonnie Doone
operates from May 1 through till
'Thanksgiving.
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