|
THE POST FAMILY HOME was a spectacular, multi-gabled 1888 Victorian mansion overlooking Monterey Bay. Already christened "Green Gables" by a previous owner, who had opened it to travelers, the home was the subject of regular inquiries from would-be guests. Finally, in July 1975, the Posts were persuaded to become seasonal hosts. For several years, they reshuffled their living quarters during the summer months to rent out rooms to enthusiastic guests.
The Posts gradually added new inns to the collection, each chosen with an eye toward elegant architecture, historical significance, and a truly unique setting.
Coupling these inns with home cooking and gracious, friendly service, they soon had a steady stream of business. Rooms decorated with the Post's elegant antiques and sumptuous fabrics and wallpaper,full gourmet breakfasts, and expertise on local sightseeing turned many guests into repeat customers.
IN 1975, in honor of their daughters, each of whom did her part to make the family business a success, Roger and Sally Post decided to name their growing collection Four Sisters Inns.
IN MAY 1978, the demand for more guest accommodations spurred the purchase of the Posts' second inn. The Gosby House Inn, just a few blocks away in the heart of Pacific Grove, had already earned National Historic Landmark status. The Gosby House Inn welcomed visitors year-round from the start.
IN 1983, the Posts added the romantic Petite Auberge in San Francisco near Union Square. The following year, they decided to open Green Gables Inn year-round, and added another Monterey Peninsula charmer to their assortment of country inns: the Cobblestone Inn in Carmel. May 1986 saw the addition of Petite Auberge's sophisticated next-door neighbor, the White Swan Inn in San Francisco.
1990. After a four-year break, the company's growth continued. The seaside Blue Lantern Inn in Dana Point became a Four Sisters Inns property in November 1990.
DECEMBER 1993 brought the purchase of the 100-year-old Maison Fleurie in California's Napa Valley, fulfilling a long-held dream to offer guests something really special in one of the world's most prestigious wine regions. Its French country flavor was strongly influenced by Shelley Claudel's love of France.
IN JUNE 1997, the company took an exciting step when it welcomed the Saratoga Inn on Whidbey Island, Washington to the list of properties; the following month brought the addition of the Inn at Harbor Steps, in the heart of Seattle, to the group. Lavender opened its doors in late 1999, just blocks from Maison Fleurie in Yountville.
IN JULY 2001, Blackbird Inn, a restored Craftsman-style home in the heart of downtown Napa, joined the collection.
IN OCTOBER 2002, the Inn at Sonoma became the first Four Sisters inn located in Sonoma County.
IN DECEMBER 2002, came the decision to sell the two San Francisco properties in order to concentrate on continued growth in more rural regions of California.
TODAY, Four Sisters Inns remains a family business, with Shelley Post Claudel as president, supported by a corporate staff, and some 350 talented and dedicated individuals in the inns. Though no longer directly involved, sisters Kim Post Watson, Jennifer Post and Stefanie Post Pollard are frequent "guests."
HOMEMADE COOKIES - ready and waiting for visitors from the beginning - are a fixture at each of the Four Sisters Inns. Guest requests for the cookie recipes, as well as those for Shelley's chocolate desserts and many recipes developed by the inns' chefs, eventually led to the publishing of the popular Four Sisters Inns cookbook, now in its fifth edition.
"We have always anticipated our guests' needs, and constantly ask how we might do even better," says Four Sisters Inns President Shelley Claudel. "That is really the root of our company's success."
|