Email forwarded to the
Sawmill Inn -
Molly,
All aspects of the Sawmill
meeting were very good from the room, to meals
and snacks. The people were very accommodating
to any changes in schedules that we made. All
in all the did an excellent job for our one day
conference.
Derald J.
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Hi Devron!
Thank you for the follow up. I am waiting to
formally hear back from our crew that was there, but
as far as I know everything went very well.
I really want to thank you for your help with the
success of our seminar. Both you and Edie have been
prompt, friendly and extremely helpful right from
the very first contact. It’s been great working
with you. I will definitely keep you in mind and
recommend you if we’re ever in the area again.
Thank you and best regards,
Molly
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Devron –
Thanks for
everything. Our group had an outstanding time in Grand
Rapids, with our girls team coming in 2nd
place in their hockey tournament. The Sawmill Inn hotel
and restaurant were both excellent. The kids and adults
had a great time. Thanks to you and all of the staff at
the Sawmill.
Joe A
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Mr. Jacobson,
As a retired EVP of hotel operations for Marriott
Corporation and some one that thinks hunts grouse (I call it
a walk in the woods) since a boy growing up on a family farm
in Vermont I want to thank you, but more your staff for a
wonderful stay while at your hotel.
One of my assignments when working for J.Willard Marriott
when we were starting the hotel operation many many years
ago was to develop a level of competency in service from
room attendants to the kitchen, dining room, and front
desk. I must say every one at the Sawmill Inn is at the top
of their game and could fit in at any operation I was
responsible for. I must first complement the dining room
staff. They did an outstanding job given the different
levels of interests (and demands) from customers, and then
on to the absolute outstanding performance by the front
desk. I have been responsible for some of the most elegant
hotels Marriott has operated in London, Paris, Washington,
Tokyo, and New York; all of your staff could easily fit in
at any of the most elegant and demanding of our hotels world
wide.
It is the first time for me to visit Minnesota let alone the
north country; I can not begin to describe how beautiful
your town and country is. What struck me most were your
neighbors and co-businessmen and women. Everyone in Grand
Rapids Chamber of Commerce should be very proud of the
message being given by Jeff at The Tire Store who did
yeoman’s service in getting a large lumbering SUV Mercedes
tire fixed quickly and efficiently, to Brian Kingsley at
Grand Rapids GM for getting my lights squared away so I
could make an early morning departure, to Tim Bymark who
showed me more birds in one day than I have seen in 68 years
of hunting. The list goes on, but it is important for all
to know the message they send is not lost. I will recommend
to all my business contacts that enjoy good hunting that
Grand Rapids is where they need to spend some time!
Thanks to all your folks, the town of Grand Rapids and most
of all you for having the foresight to see a need, fulfill
it, and then consider that service had to complement your
vision.
I will return and all my best, Bob P
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Edie,
I was so pleased with our accommodations on
Saturday, 10-2-10. The room was very nicely set up.
The food was served hot on hot plates. I personally
appreciate that. The food was delicious. The
waitress was was quick, quiet and considerate. The food
was served on schedule. Thanks! You responded
quickly to our requests.
thanks,
Joan W.
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Dear Corinne,
My visit with my mom was extra special
for having been able to stay at your Sawmill Inn. All the
comforts & amenities gave us the real away from it all holiday
feeling. And the dining...WOW!. Every dish was
excellent - We ate very meal at the Cedars - what else could
compare?!. Just want to let you know how special you made our
visit ...
Sincerely,
Kristin S. & Eiver, too.
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I received my camera today in the mail. Through
my own carelessness, my camera was left behind when we checked
out in the morning. When we got home to Manitoba, there was a
phone message from you advising that you had our camera and
would return it to us. I cannot begin to tell you how much this
was [and is] appreciated. The fact that it was turned in and
you went to the trouble to track us down in order to return it
is a testament to your consideration of your guests and the
service you provide.
Thank you so very much. We will certainly stay at your hotel
again when travelling in your area, even if it means going a bit
out of our way.
Jim and Debby H.
Gimli, Manitoba
Canada.
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I am sure Bruce will be sending his own "thank
you" to the hotel and the Sheriff/Police for the great
cooperation we received, but I just want to extend my own
regardless.
Please extend these sentiments to the entire
hotel and restaurant staff - I fielded many comments from our
members about the great cooperation and friendly demeanor shown
to us form all your clerks, hostesses, and wait staff. The
folks at the desk were cheerful with every request. The
restaurant staff seemed to blend in and become a part of the fun
while maintaining great service and professional bearing.
The courteous and helpful attitude extended to
us made the whole weekend enjoyable and only served to make the
rally more of a success than we had hoped. So without any
more wordy text - I will simply close with THANKS TO ALL.
Kevin & Cindy H.
Assistant Region Directors
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On August 18 we observed our 50th anniversary
with a picnic at Gunn Park which was food catered by the Sawmill
Inn. It was a fairly sizeable event attended by over 100
people. Both during and following the gathering we
received many comments praising the food selection - both
quantity and quality, and in the professional manner it was
served.
The entire staff we worked directly with: Devron
Dame, who coordinated the catering and lodging arrangements,
Edie McTamaney was marvelous in guiding us in menu selection,
and the on-site servers, Patti J. and Lanaya A. were timely,
gracious, and very efficient in the set-up, presentation, and
close down of the part of a successful event.
We would highly recommend this team to anyone
planning a similar occasion.
Sincerely,
Hal & Winnie R.
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Just a note to thank you for all you did to make our
anniversary dinner so enjoyable. We had many, many
comments on how good the food was, and Patti and Julie were
amazing in making sure everyone was well-taken care of.
You were very helpful in assisting me in making decisions and it
was a pleasure working with you. Thanks a million!
Mary Jo
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I just wanted to "Thank You" for the wonderful party you set
up for us. Everything was perfect! The food, the
waitstaff, the bartenders & the tables were great. We
really enjoyed ourselves.
Thanks again,
Leila
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The class of 1970 thanks you for the excellent food you
provided on Saturday night of our reunion. I was
exceptional - so good that the vote of the class was to return
in five years to the Sawmill. We were so pleased with the
room, the decorations, the unique & tasty appetizers and your
wonderful help.
Thanks so much,
Diane G & Planning Committee
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We want to thank each of our very much for making it so easy
to host the grooms dinner and reception on August 24.
Edie, we appreciate how promptly you returned our calls and
answered all our questions. The food was absolutely
delicious and the serving table was so nice. The room and
tables looking very nice and the waitress was so pleasant and
efficient.
Our guests really enjoyed being able to sit around and visit
in such a nice atmosphere. Clarice & I especially enjoyed the
evening because there were no pressures on us and everything
went great. We had so many positive comments on the meal
and the nice room.
Clarice & Daniel T.
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My mother's birthday party on August 18 was marvelous because
of the great service at the Sawmill.
Thank the chef for the delicious food, which was a hit with
everyone. Thank the waitstaff for taking care of the food and
cake so I had no worries.
Thank you for helping me decide on the quantity of food to
order. The room was beautifully decorated.
Sincerely,
Marlys L.
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Greetings,
I intended to fill out a "scorecard" at the front desk upon
leaving, but failed to grab one. I wanted to send some
feedback. Our stay was great ~ we left from the Sawmill
Inn and went 4 wheeling both north and south of Grand Rapids.
I was super-impressed wit the wait staff in the bar and
especially in the restaurant. Your staff does a fabulous
job and should be recognized as such - thank you! It's so
nice to have great service in an economy and time where it seems
you are all too frequented with grumblings about conditions,
etc. in most settings. We couldn't drink our coffee fast
enough before we were being offered a refill, which was
refreshing.
The only "complaint" or perhaps "request" that I have is the
pool hours. 10 pm and 11 pm on the weekends in such a
great poolside environment seems very limited. It would be
nice to set hours whereby children are only allowed up to a
certain point and then allowing us grown-ups an hour or two
to relax and have conversation in the hot tub etc. It
would be nice if you would consider this.
Thanks for a great time and terrific service. Your
rates are reasonable, the facility is clean and welcoming and
customer service is obviously put first.
Thank you,
Nikki & Randy K.
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This comment was posted on FT.com (Financial Times)
At the Sawmill Inn in Minnesota, there was a mountainous
themed Belgian Waffle Buffet I will never forget.
Susie Boyt
Weekend Columnists
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Dear Edie,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
This was my 6th time as Session Chair - which means the
Sawmill Inn was the 6th hotel that I have worked with over the
years. I have never worked with such an excellent staff of
people!
We REALLY appreciated all you did to make the weekend run
smoothly........... from setting up the menus, meeting rooms,
room blocks, etc. back in September to all of the last minute
requests that popped up during our stay.
Your wait staff was excellent! I know we were in their
way as they tried to set the tables and I was trying to
decorate, but the disturbance just rolled off their backs.
They were so accommodating.
Everyone we encountered was so nice and courteous - from the
young man who set up the water station on Saturday morning, the
maintenance man that was cleaning the halls on Sunday morning,
to the staff that handled the front desk and assisted with any
request that we had (night and day shifts).
Your maintenance staff put up tables and handled any other
request that was made of them at the drop of a hat. Your
housekeeping staff always had a pleasant "good morning" or "good
afternoon" whenever we encountered them in the hallways.
The food was wonderful - the presentation of the meals was
awesome - and your kitchen staff also was more than willing to
handle the last minute banquet meals that were added, keeping
meals warm for the late arrivals, and even boxing up a dinner
for a very late guest.
We don't know what secret weapon the hotel uses to create a
staff of your caliber, the Sawmill Inn certainly set a standard
that few other hotels can meet.
Thank you again,
Pam & Charles A.
Jean S.
Sessions Chair
Grand Guardian
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Good morning,,,,I just wanted to let you know that we had a
really nice time while we were there last week and that the back
room that we had the party in was perfect. The waitress was very
helpful and organized. She was very tuned into what was needed
and professional. I was very impressed with her. The room looked
very nice and the tables were set up nicely. Thanks again for
all the accommodations. Art had a wonderful 90th birthday thanks
to the Sawmill and we had a nice visit with him.
Linda C.
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