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AUTUMN 2003 Dear Neighbors,
The Taxi (actually a modification of the London icon called the London
Executive Sedan) is in service at the O.Henry Hotel. It is arguably
the most comfortable livery vehicle for one or two people, and, in a
quirky, cosmic way, I’m a happier person with her as part of our
family. I guess we need to name her – any suggestions? Please read more of this letter and you’ll learn about our new
Magi Bed at the O.Henry and about special holiday offerings at our Lucky
32 restaurants and the Green Valley Grill. And you’ll see our mission
and values for our sustainable practices initiative. Cheers! Dennis & The Gift of the “Magi Bed” The O.Henry Hotel’s new Magi Bed is designed to bring our guests
the gift of a good night’s sleep. In fact, you won’t find
bedding quite like ours anywhere else. We spent months searching for
the perfect pillows and mattresses. When we couldn’t find bedding
that was just right we decided to design our own. We started by tweaking
an already supremely comfortable mattress, then added four plush, down-like
sleeping pillows. We wrapped it all up with the most sumptuous, Egyptian
combed-cotton, Italian-woven sheets and pillowcases, then topped it
off with a hypoallergenic, fiberfill blanket (our blankets and pillows
are made in a family run pillow “factory” in Brooklyn, to
our specifications). Then we had our neighbors, Burlington Industries,
create a copper-colored damask coverlet – we think it gives the
room a warmer feel. And it is laundered. No suspect bedspreads here.
We’re also featuring our ultra-romantic Mirandolina Package.
This package is a delight to the senses – we’ll set the stage
for a romantic evening with a surprise grand entrance to a room specially
prepared to inspire love, or at least dancing. Included are one night’s
gracious accommodations with deluxe turndown service, chocolates, flowers,
champagne, bubble bath, romantic music and a full hot buffet breakfast
for $239. Make reservations, purchase gift certificates and learn more about
special deals and packages by visiting our website at o.henryhotel.com,
or call our Reservations Manager, Ana Abella, at 336-544-9603 or
toll-free at 800-965-8259. *The Holiday Neighbors Rate is based
on double occupancy, subject to availability and does not include tax. Playing the Field For the past couple years we’ve been exploring new ways to bring
the freshest, most flavorful foods to our guests while considering the
triple bottom line of profit, environmental sensitivity and social responsibility.
To these ends we’re purchasing some of our meats and seafoods differently.
We’re also bringing more and more local produce and artisan-made
cheeses to the Green Valley Grill and Lucky 32. We call these ambitions
our “Field Truck Initiative.” We hope that this Initiative
will have long-lasting effects that extend through-out our community.
Here is the mission and vision for this Initiative: Our Mission is to support Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants’
primary mission (which is to offer the highest quality food and drink
at a good value) by procuring fresh, locally grown (or made) food that
explodes with flavor. Our Vision is to aid in the positive evolution
of farming and commerce so that we leave the earth healthier for posterity.
Our Methods are to find partner farmers and food makers that
understand our mission and vision, and want to help by supplying us
with extraordinary food at a good value, so as to make this program
sustainable. Our Values are to support our partners by supporting
their mission and vision.
Niman Ranch™ (nimanranch.com)
is a network of small family-owned farms, and we have at least 30 of
their pork farmers right here in North Carolina (many transitioning
from tobacco farming). All Niman Ranch farms follow a strict protocol
that includes “treating their animals humanely, feeding them all-natural
feeds and allowing them to mature naturally” – plus Niman
Ranch pork tastes better.
Goat Lady Dairy (goatladydairy.com)
is located just down the road in Climax, NC. It’s a working family
farm that is open to the public. Owners Steve, Ginnie and Lee Tate believe
in “nurturing the land, our family and our guests.” They provide
our restaurants with award-winning, hand-made, farmstead goat cheeses.
We have long believed that the nearer the farm to the fork the better the flavor, and our partners help us put your money where our mouth is. Please let us know what you think about our Field Truck Initiative by contacting Bart Ortiz, our Vice-President of Flavor & Consistency, at 336-370-0966 x 347 or bortiz@qwrh.com Care for a lift, Old Chap?
Stop by the hotel any time to take a gander at her, or, for information about packages that include a ride in our London Taxi, visit us at o.henryhotel.com, or give our Reservations Manager, Ana Abella, a call at 336-544-9603 or 800-965-8259.
©2003 Quaintance-Weaver |
I
think I have had my 15 minutes of fame. In early September I flew to
Boston to pick up one of the first 26 new London Taxis imported to the
U.S., and the first one to be put into service for an American hotel.
I was a pretty famous hombre driving this nifty rig down the New Jersey
Turnpike. There were always cars on either side of me whose occupants
were giving me the thumbs up (at least I think it was their thumbs).
But the moment I shall never forget was cresting the George Washington
Bridge. I felt like I was on top of the world. It was as if I was looking
down on Manhattan to the left and the rest of this entire country to
my right. It was exhilarating, so I rolled down the windows and cocked
my arm on the door the way I had been trained to do in my Grandfather’s
‘48 Ford pick-up back in Montana. Then I turned up the radio, and,
like Mercury aligning with Mars, the music being beamed to me was none
other than the Riders in the Sky singing “Back in the Saddle Again.”
It was so perfect that I wondered if I had just been in a terrible accident
and this was my experience of the afterlife. (I’ve always been
presumptuous.) 
Experience
the enchantment of our Magi Bed for yourself, or give the gift of luxury
to someone you love. We’re offering a special Holiday Neighbor’s
Rate of $139 per night ($60 less than our regular rate of $199)
from November 21 through December 1, December 12 through December 30
and January 1 through January 11. This rate includes a full buffet breakfast
and a late checkout.*
Giacomo’s
Italian Market (336-547-2888) Giacomo Santomauro can be found selling
his fresh mozzarella and artisan-made charcuterie at his shop in Greensboro.
Fortunately for us (and our guests) he also provides his fabulous meats
and cheeses to our restaurants. 
Dark
Hollow Farm is found at the end of a winding road in a valley near
Reidsville, NC. Richard and Deborah Davis are the owners of this small,
traditional farm that produces a range of fruits and vegetables, including
squash, kale, tomatoes and strawberries, for our restaurants. 
Carolina
Classics Catfish
The
O.Henry Hotel offers complimentary transportation with most packages
and a ride to or from the airport is always included with an overnight
stay. To kick this amenity up a notch we have acquired a London Taxi.
This is the first “London Executive Sedan” put into service
for hotel use in North America.
We
fell in love with this car at first sight and we think our guests will,
too. When you’re riding in the London Taxi you feel like you’re
traveling back in time. Just imagine pulling up in front of Triad Stage
(the professional theater located in Greensboro’s city center)
in our elegant London Executive Sedan and having the porter hold open
the door as you make your appearance…
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