Wednesday, May 27, 2009

There's never been a rewards program quite like this one


The Memory Walk and garden at the Captain Lord Mansion.

Frequent-stay programs at lodging places are nothing new, but none is quite like the program at the Captain Lord Mansion in Kennebunkport, Maine (www.captainlord.com).

Shortly after arriving home, each new guest is sent an engraved pen and a $25 gift certificate for their next stay. On their second stay, fresh baked cookies are awaiting them in their room. Then,  every fifth visit, guests receive special gifts. The fifth visit gets them a cut-glass bud vase.  On the 10th stay, the guests' names are engraved on a marker and placed into the inn's Memory Walk, which has expanded to almost encircle the yard. The 15th visit brings them a cut- glass candy dish, and the 20th a cut-glass vase. For the 25th, it's cobalt blue salt and pepper shakers with silver tops.

After the 25th visit, hosts Rick Litchfield and Bev Davis get creative depending upon the guests' interests. Kathi and Hal Nelson, from Boston area, will have their 80th stay at the Captain Lord Mansion in July. For their 75th visit, Kathi Nelson received a solid gold lobster claw necklace with a diamond in the claw. Because Hal is a Red Sox fan, he received a Daisuke Matsuzaka Red Sox shirt.

And this year? It will be a surprise, but we can say that it involves a harbor cruise.  Lucky them.

A delectable Disney dining deal

Walt DisneyWorld guests buying a five-night/six-day room and theme park ticket package for stays most nights from Aug. 16 to Oct. 3 get a free Disney Dining Plan. The plan includes one quick-service meal, one snack and one table-service meal at up to 100 restaurants for each night of the stay. Thus, says Disney, a family of four can get a five-night stay at a select resort and a six-day Magic Your Way base park ticket, with free dining,  for as little as $1,390.

Visit www.disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639) or see a travel agent and ask for package code RYH.


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