By Joanne Lehman
Increasingly, multi-generational families are traveling together, said Kent Miller. As the manager of Comfort Inn of Millersburg and manager/partner of Comfort Suites of Berlin, he sees such groups frequently at his hotels. Both sites offer free breakfast, indoor heated pools and hot tubs, cable TV with HBO and free high-speed Internet- all of which are important to various factions of the multi-generational traveling family.
After graduating from college in 1995, Miller returned to his home community and worked in a local business for a couple of years. When a local businessman in Millersburg wanted to open a Comfort Inn, Miller became the manager. Since then the enterprise has grown to include another brand of the Comfort chain. “One thing that makes us unique,” said Miller, “is that we’re a franchise but locally owned. We have a national presence but still offer the local hospitality. There’s a certain perception people have when they book a room at a Comfort Inn.”
There are about 400 Comfort Suites in the country and the Berlin facility was ranked #2 in a guest survey done by the chain. “It’s our customer service- how we treat our guests overall. We’ve been successful in having high ratings and we’re real proud of that,” said Miller. He said the hotels send an e-mail survey to all guests who give their address. He attributes the success of the hotels to his employees (approximately 40, total). Many have been there for a number of years. They’re friendly and go out of their way to meet the needs of guests. Nearly everyone who works at the hotels lives in the area and are able to answer questions about attractions and local culture.
Comfort Suites is the newer facility. It’s located off Township Road 366 in Berlin. Miller said Comfort Suites have larger rooms than the Comfort Inn. Each room has a sleeper sofa, microwave and mini-fridge, coffee, iron, and hairdryer. The rooms also have cable TV, a free daily newspaper and access to the fitness room.
Breakfast at Comfort Suites is the chain’s Savory Starts line, with the typical continental item foods, hot beverages and a different hot menu item each day. The spacious breakfast room and the outdoor country front porch are favorite gathering spots for families visiting Amish Country. Comfort Suites also has whirlpool suites and a guest laundry. Miller said this facility is often selected for a multi-night stay in the area. It is centrally located to many of the area’s most popular attractions. All Comfort Inns and Comfort Suites are non-smoking everywhere in the U.S.
Comfort Inn, 1102 Glen Drive, Millersburg, is a seven-time award-winning hotel and is in the top four percent of the 1,400 in the nation, as rated by guest surveys. This hotel, located close to Historic Downtown Millersburg, has many of the same amenities offered at Comfort Suites. Rooms have either king or double queen beds and a continental breakfast is included. The inn is equipped for the business traveler with fax and copier service, telephone with data ports, voicemail and two phone lines per room. There is also a meeting room in the hotel that can accommodate 40 people. Golf packages with Fire Ridge Golf Course make this the perfect lodging choice for those who like to mix business and pleasure.
Miller serves on the tourism board and has been active for years with the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce where, this year, he is president-elect. He is also active in local tourism and participates in the area’s lodging council. They estimate that altogether Holmes County has about 1,200 rooms available to travelers to the area. When people come to Holmes County, they’re looking for peace and serenity. Most find it here and return repeatedly. Miller can think of many couples and groups who have become his ‘regulars’. Like so many other area lodging facilities, the ‘Comfort’ offered at these hotels is a welcome sight- someone’s home away from home.
Find a Comfort Inn or Comfort Suites nationwide by dialing 800-4CHOICE. Call Comfort Suites in Berlin at 330-893-7400, Comfort Inn in Millersburg at 330-674-7400, or 877-411-7400 for reservations. See listings at www.choicehotels.com/hotel/oh027 for Millersburg and www.choicehotels.com/hotel/oh243 for Berlin.
