Comfort Inn Middletown-Red Bank - A Jersey Shore Hotel

Great News for Foodies!

cimiddletown — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:11:26 +0000

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week is coming back April 13-22, 2012!

Participating restaurants are gearing up to dish out the deliciousness you are craving. The participating restaurants will offer a three course menu for $20.12 or $30.12 per meal. You will be able to choose from three appetizers, three entrees and three desserts. There is “shore” to be something for everyone.

So far some great restaurants are on board to serve up their dinner specialties. In Red Bank, which is right around the corner from the Middletown Comfort Inn; Basil T’s, Pazzo and Temple Gourmet Chinese will be available for your dining pleasure. If you go a bit to the east of us in Rumson, you can enjoy the scrumptious meals served at David Burke Fromagerie, Salt Creek Grille, and Undici Taverna Rustica. There are plenty more restaurants to choose from along the shore. I dare you to not cook all that week!

Did you miss Restaurant Week in the past because you couldn’t make it out for dinner? Great News, this year select restaurants will offer Lunch Menus during this special week! So mark your calendars, or iPhones or Blackberries – don’t miss out!

Girlfriends’ Valentine Luncheon

cimiddletown — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:07:36 +0000

Are you looking for a great reason to have lunch with your BFF? The Monmouth County Historical Association is hosting RED, A Girlfriends’ Valentine Luncheon. This event is occurring on Thursday, February 9th at the Rumson Country Club. I did call ahead to double check everything and this is what I found out.

• You do not have to be a member of the Historical Association to attend this luncheon

• You also don’t have to bring a friend (although that is much more fun)

• Men are welcome to attend (it is not just about the ladies)

• You will definitely have to find a sitter if you have children

I checked out the menu and it looks delicious! In fact, my belly starting rumbling thinking about the Butternut Squash Soup and the Chocolate Mousse Cake with Berries. Isn’t it about how you start and end your meal?

The MCHA has kindly posted all information including an RSVP card on their website. For more information you can call 732-462-1466. All proceeds benefit the continuing operation of the Historical Association. We are fortunate to live in an area that is rich with history – help the Historical Association continue their mission of educating us and future generations.

Pet Owners Should Prepare for Emergencies

cimiddletown — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:16:11 +0000

Okay the winter season is upon us. So far we have been spared the brutal forces of Mother Nature (insert big smiley face here), but winter is not over yet. It is always best to have a plan set up in advance, especially when you have four legged family members living with you. Below is a guide to what you should consider. The Comfort Inn Middletown is pet friendly all year round.

If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own; and if by some remote chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.

Plan for Pet Disaster Needs

Identifying shelter. For public health reasons, many emergency shelters cannot accept pets. Find out which motels and hotels in the area you plan to evacuate to allow pets — well in advance of needing them. There are also a number of guides that list hotels/motels that permit pets and could serve as a starting point. Include your local animal shelter’s number in your list of emergency numbers — they might be able to provide information concerning pets during a disaster.
Take pet food, bottled water, medications, veterinary records, cat litter/pan, can opener, food dishes, first aid kit and other supplies with you in case they’re not available later. While the sun is still shining, consider packing a “pet survival” kit which could be easily deployed if disaster hits.
Make sure identification tags are up to date and securely fastened to your pet’s collar. If possible, attach the address and/or phone number of your evacuation site. If your pet gets lost, his tag is his ticket home. Make sure you have a current photo of your pet for identification purposes.
Make sure you have a secure pet carrier, leash or harness for your pet so that if he panics, he can’t escape.

Prepare to Shelter Your Pet

Call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office to get advice and information.
If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your pet. Find out where pet boarding facilities are located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case local facilities close.
Most boarding kennels, veterinarians and animal shelters will need your pet’s medical records to make sure all vaccinations are current. Include copies in your “pet survival” kit along with a photo of your pet.
If you have no alternative but to leave your pet at home, there are some precautions you must take, but remember that leaving your pet at home alone can place your animal in great danger! Confine your pet to a safe area inside — NEVER leave your pet chained outside! Leave them loose inside your home with food and plenty of water. Remove the toilet tank lid, raise the seat and brace the bathroom door open so they can drink. Place a notice outside in a visible area, advising what pets are in the house and where they are located. Provide a phone number where you or a contact can be reached as well as the name and number of your vet.

During a Disaster

Bring your pets inside immediately.
Have newspapers on hand for sanitary purposes. Feed the animals moist or canned food so they will need less water to drink.
Animals have instincts about severe weather changes and will often isolate themselves if they are afraid. Bringing them inside early can stop them from running away. Never leave a pet outside or tied up during a storm.
Separate dogs and cats. Even if your dogs and cats normally get along, the anxiety of an emergency situation can cause pets to act irrationally. Keep small pets away from cats and dogs.
In an emergency, you may have to take your birds with you. Talk with your veterinarian or local pet store about special food dispensers that regulate the amount of food a bird is given. Make sure that the bird is caged and the cage is covered by a thin cloth or sheet to provide security and filtered light.

After a Disaster

If after a disaster you have to leave town, take your pets with you. Pets are unlikely to survive on their own.
In the first few days after the disaster, leash your pets when they go outside. Always maintain close contact. Familiar scents and landmarks may be altered and your pet may become confused and lost. Also, snakes and other dangerous animals may be brought into the area with flood areas. Downed power lines are a hazard.
The behavior of your pets may change after an emergency. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard with access to shelter and water.

EMACC Super 50/50

cimiddletown — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:58:48 +0000

The EMACC Educational Foundation was established to assist students (both full and part time) who have worked very hard to enrich their future through higher education. The foundation grants scholarships each year. In 2011, the Educational Foundation granted an incredible 11 scholarships totaling $17,500.00 – it was through your contributions and the diligence of the Foundation Committee that this was even possible!

EMACC is holding a SUPER 50/50 where the proceeds will benefit this wonderful foundation. You can buy a book of 5 tickets for $100.00 or you can purchase single tickets for $20.00 each. This is a definite win-win situation! You might be the winner of a couple thousand dollars AND your act of kindness by purchasing a ticket will help a determined student in need.

You can find more information about EMACC and the Foundation by visiting www.emacc.org. The drawing will be held at 7pm on January 18, 2012 during the EMACC Annual Meeting being held at the Shadowbrook (1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury). Good Luck!

Free Stuff and Elvis.. Can it get any better than this?

cimiddletown — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:53:39 +0000

Can’t believe it’s Free! Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank is offering a free viewing of “Desperately Seeking Susan” starring Madonna on Tuesday January 10, 2011 at 7pm. Get out those leg warmers, wigwam socks and fluorescent clothes and celebrate a brief trip into the eighties. Score those free tickets at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247232

Stepping further back in time – January 20^th at 8pm Count Basie Theatre will present The Elvis Birthday Bash. This popular event is back for its 8^th year. Tickets start at $19.50 and can be purchased online, at the box office or over the phone. Slip on a pair of your favorite blue suede shoes and celebrate the memorizing career of “The King”. Visit http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247064 to reserve your seats.

Count Basie Theatre is only 3 miles away from us at the Comfort Inn Middletown. Reserve a room for the nights of January 10^th or 20^th and enjoy a discount at our fine hotel by mentioning rate code LCBTH. Our friendly staff can be reached at 732-671-3400.

The free fun continues at Count Basie Theatre on February 14^th at 7pm with a viewing of “Garden State” starring Zach Braff. This comedy-drama was filmed over 25 days with New Jersey being the primary filming location. It made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004. Tickets can be found at http://www.countbasietheatre.org/calendar/show/show.asp?id=43247235

Value is in the eye of the beholder

cimiddletown — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:32:19 +0000

Much discussion is spent on value. Value is equally important to the consumer and the merchant. The merchant wants to provide a value so more people return and the consumer wants value because they want to feel good about the money about to be spent.

Value means different things to people. To some it can represent a product that is well made and will hold up over the test of time despite the cost. To others value is getting the most “product” for the least amount of money spent.

Hotels use the verbiage “Value Added” when referring to their properties. In the beginning, hotels simply offered you a place to sleep. The guest of yesterday was looking for a place to spend the night. Now hotels offer so much more than a place to rest your head.

So let’s get into what is considered value (in the general scope) of hotel offerings.

Pre-booking rates/Advance Purchase rates:

This is a value for the committed guest. You know when you want to stay and you know your travel dates are rigid. Advance Purchase rates rewards the guest with a discount for being committed. Choice Hotels offers Advance Purchase rates at their hotel properties. Bookings can be made 7, 14, or 21 days in advance of your arrival date.

Travel Programs/Loyalty Programs:

Hotels and Loyalty Programs seem to go hand-in-hand nowadays. Hotels offer points, miles, free nights and the like to get you to return to them time and again. The best programs offer redemptions that are easy to redeem and no blackout dates. Choice Privileges is one of those programs. You earn points and can use them however and wherever you like.

Free Stuff:

Back in the day hotel rooms did not have refrigerators, microwaves, hairdryers, or irons/ironing boards in the actual room (and we are only going back 14 years). Slowly these items made their way into the guest room because it created value to the guest. Now you find all those things plus HSIA in most midscale hotels, and they are included in your rate. Breakfast is an evolving value add product. Free Breakfast whether a simple continental or a full hot breakfast (like we offer at the Comfort Inn Middletown) add value to the guest. These guests no longer have to spend additional money on breakfast so it makes it easier to budget your travel expenses.

These conveniences all add value to your stay. However, you may not find value in all those things each and every time you travel. You might not eat breakfast in the morning so it might not matter to you if breakfast is included in your rate. But if you want it – it is there for the taking.

Hugs….

cimiddletown — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:04:15 +0000

Yesterday a favorite guest of mine pulled into the parking lot. Mr. M. has been coming here for as long as I can remember, always gracing us with a smile and a cheery hello.
It was no different yesterday, except for one thing… an embracing hug. In a world where no one has any idea of who is around them, I found this personal gesture to be refreshing.
Hugs make you feel good and they certainly make the recipient feel good too. I can’t recall the last time I was greeted with a hug that didn’t come from a family member. What truly made it different is that it was a hug offered through sincerity versus obligation. Hotels are different – you are welcoming someone technically into your “home”. You treat them like family. You have time to learn about them; what they like to eat, where they enjoy spending their free time, why they come into your area. They become more than a guest in a hotel room.
So I would really like to say Thank You so much Mr. M. It is a pleasure to know you, it is a pleasure to see you on a regular basis and it was a pleasure to be the recipient of a hug! It was a great day at the Comfort Inn Middletown

Non recognized holiday soon approaching

cimiddletown — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:26:23 +0000

Did you know that August 6th marks the halfway point of summer? I was sitting here thinking how quickly the months are passing. Just six months ago we were knee-deep, nay, chest-deep in snow and this week we are looming on a heat wave! How quickly time passes and there are still so many things on my to do list. As I gazed upon our inventory I want to remind everyone that Labor Day is right around the corner and if you haven’t already made your plans you should get the ball rolling and start your end of summer planning. I am not wishing for summer to end, but I would hate for all our wonderful guests to miss out on getting the room of their choice at the hotel. The beach will be open, light house tours on Sandy Hook will be available, a delicious frozen drink can be found at the Outback Steakhouse, you can catch up on some reading while sitting out by our pool, plan a visit to some or all of the beautiful parks nearby, set a date night and enjoy a show at the Count Basie Theatre, take a stroll through Red Bank and enjoy the nightlife or maybe some boutique and/or antique shopping is your thing. I would be remiss not to mention the numerous fairs hosted in nearby towns. (I will have to list those for you.) I am taking one day at a time, but it always seems like something has to be put off onto another day. Don’t let the summer slip away from you. Do all you can each day so when you retire for the evening you feel fulfilled at what you accomplished!

Sunday, July 10th Happenings near the Comfort Inn Middletown, NJ

cimiddletown — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:51:10 +0000

So I was surfing the web looking for something to do near Middletown tomorrow. Sundays are one of the those days that can be spent doing things you need to get done or they can be spent living an experience. I want to do the latter. I came across two great things you can do tomorrow (or in this case due to the time I am now writing this – later today). Red Bank is having a Food and Wine Walk from 4pm to 7pm. There are a ton of delicious restaurants participating. Familiar ones like The Melting Pot, Local favorites like Gaetano’s, La Pastaria, and Danny’s Grill and Wine Bar and newer additions to the Red Bank family such as Dish and Pazzo. With the extensive list you can’t go wrong with finding more than one place you will want to revisit during your next trip. For only $25 per person you can purchase a wristband and sample fabulous dishes and delicious wine. More information can be found at food-and-wine-walk.

Then at 7pm you can settle in, completely relaxed and enjoy the Atlantic Highlands Summer Concert Series.

All shows are “free” and open to the public. Concerts are scheduled for Sunday nights and begin at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm [except August 28th], at the Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor Gazebo. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair, cool drinks, and snacks; sit back and relax and enjoy the music and the Harbor’s cool summer breezes on a hot summer night. More information can be found at The%202011%20Summer%20Concert%20Series.

Don’t sit in the traffic later today; Extend your stay at the Middletown Comfort Inn and live an experience.

KaBoom Fest and Rock The River July 4th Weekend

Barb Youchah — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 21:50:44 +0000

Whoa Nelly! Wasn’t it just Memorial Day and I was happily typing along about the “Unofficial Start” of summer??! Well, the calendar doesn’t lie summer has progressed into full-out fun. There’s so much to do and see for the 4^th of July holiday this weekend. C’mon down the shore and see.

I went to Red Bank this afternoon to get some yummy Surf Taco for lunch and saw this banner. A little shot from the iPhone camera. It was a beautiful day and the weather this weekend is looking equally lovely.

KaBoom Fest 2011 starts Friday July 1, 2011 with KaBoom Amusements there all three days. All-American Amusements include rides, games of chance and carnival food. Rock the River Concert Saturday evening July 2nd has gates opening at 5:00pm. The first act to take the stage is Matt O’Ree at 6:00pm followed by Quincy Mumford at 7:00pm. Headliner, Human Wheels is on at 8:15pm and they are one of the best John Mellencamp tribute bands around. Rock out to classics like Pink Houses, Authority Song, Small Town, Jack and Diane, Hurt So Good, Need a Lover, Paper in Fire, Lonely Ol’ Night and more. (Jack and Diane is now stuck in my head… you know… the beginning part…)

Sunday afternoon and into the night July 3rd is KaBoom Fireworks launched from two barge locations. The display shoots over 10,000 shells, all choreographed to an eclectic mix of popular and patriotic songs on the Navesink River in Red Bank.

This year KaBoom Fest fireworks are being handled differently. Event organizers have put together 3 different packages for everyone to enjoy the show. Budget restraint and growing costs have forced ticket pricing.

Family Fun Fireworks will be in Riverside Gardens Park. The event is limited to 2,000 people and gates open at 2:00pm. Tickets in advance are $7 for adults and $4 for kids 10 and under and tickets the day of the event are $10 per adult and $5 for kids 10 and under. Broadcasting Live will be Q104.3 and the band line-up includes 3:00pm The Tor Miller Band, 4:30pm Rock ‘n Music Idol Winner, 5:15pm Michael Bernier and The Uprising and finishing out at 7:00pm will be Tasting Grace.

KaBoom Fest BBQ catered by Branches Catering offers front row seats to the fireworks. Gates open at 5:00pm and the event is limited to 150 people. The buffet dinner will be served from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Tickets prices are $140.00 per adult and $50 kids 10 and under and includes a KaBoom Fest commemorative t-shirt.

Friends of KaBoom will have two locations. East will be in Marine park and seats will be provided for a front row view with reserved parking near the park. Pricing is a four ticket minimum for $100 and additional tickets are $25 each. West will b eon the n Lawn near the end of Maple Avenue along the shores of the Navesink River and includes Park (SOLD OUT). For tickets and more information visit kaboomfireworks.org

Due to the fact this post had to be written a second time I didn’t have time tonight to get everything else going on into it. Darn you WordPress *shaking fist* but the bright side is I can show Tracy how to use it tomorrow (with strong advice to write in Word, copy and paste into WordPress). There’s always a bright side; happy holiday weekend to you. Be safe.