My letter concerns our great disappointment in Alan Solomon’s recommendation of Bayfield, Wis., as “The Best Little Town in the Midwest” (Aug. 3, 1997). In 8 to 10 years, after business people, Chamber of Commerce and other entities put some teeth into the town’s hopes for tourists, then, perhaps, there will be some things to keep visitors from leaving after a day and a half.
We stayed at Bayfront Inn. For $93, we had a tiny room with no comfortable chairs or table. We took the three-hour boat ride around the Apostle Islands. We roamed the few stores that sold anything of consequence such as Keeper of the Light and a lovely jewelry store. Bayfield Inn is very nice. (But) there are no golf courses, sandy beaches or activities that would keep children occupied. Bayfield has a long way to go before it approaches Door County and all it has to offer.
Wisconsin Highway 13 leading to Bayfield is a wonderful drive, but once in Bayfield . . . .
— Marion S. Jacques
HOTEL ADDS ON SAFE CHARGES
WILMETTE Upon checking out of the Premier Hotel (formerly the Howard Johnson) in Washington, D.C., I was given a bill for four nights, and a charge of $4.24 for the room safe appeared. I stated that we did not use the safe and was told it was a mandatory charge.
Is this an accepted practice in the industry?
— Linda Lord
Not that we know of — though the hotel’s manager told us a notice of the mandatory charge is included on the registration form all guests sign (but seldom read) upon checking in.
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