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TM
WHERE DO
INNKEEPERS COME FROM?
A look behind
the scenes
by Madelyn Miller
Bob Glass, and wife, Paula, owners of the
four-diamond historic Apple Orchard Inn in Sedona, Arizona, literally came
from life in Californias fast lane!
Their choice to exchange careers positioned them
in the forefront of the new millenniums self-employed. Forsaking the demands of corporate pressures
and boards of directors, the Glasses created a lifestyle thats the envy of
many of their upscale guests who visit Americas red rock country.
Life then and now? As a hospital CEO for a major healthcare company, Bob was
responsible for all hospital-related operations and development. For much of his 25 plus years in the
healthcare industry he concurrently assisted staff physicians with medical
practice management and real estate investments. For pleasure and a change of pace during this period he raced his
GT-2 racecar on the SCCA national circuit, winning the Southern-Pacific Divisional
Championship in 1995. Today in Sedona,
Bob gads about on his Custom Soft-Tail Harley which sports special paint and a
highly modified 96-inch Stroker motor.
Paula Glass was a professional real estate
broker and commercial interior designer. Her accolades were similar to Bob's with the venue being water rather
than land. She was one of two
professional women Offshore Powerboat Race Drivers in the United States,
placing 3rd in the nation for 2 years. She narrated several shows for ESPN as their technical co-host.
Prior to racing, Paula was a Flight
Attendant for American Airlines for 13 years. Serving coffee to our guests today is far less turbulent, Paula says.
Application of Bobs CEO savvy and Paulas
interior design and hospitality expertise to the historic Jordan Road property
in Sedona has resulted in AAAs 4-Diamond Award designation to the Apple
Orchard Inn within just ten months. Guests are steeped in magnificent views of Sedonas Steamboat Rock,
Wilson Mountain while surrounded by pinon pines and Arizona spruce on the inns
two-acre site.
The day begins with the owner/chef professional
team choosing what should be prepared for breakfast from their commercial
kitchen. Birds are chirping as the
aroma of the Apple Orchard Inns private blend coffee whiffs by the outdoor patio
and dining room. Menu offerings change
daily from such delicious options as Eggs Florentine in a homemade puffed
pastry, Custard French Toast, homemade cinnamon rolls and an array of fresh
fruit and juice.
Guests share in the lifestyle in the inns 7
rooms. Paula describes the décor as a
casually elegant blend of the Old West and the Southwest all wrapped up in a
tranquil, magical, romantic atmosphere.
The Apple Orchard Inn boasts a collage wall of
sports memorabilia from Bobs idol, Joe Montana, and Bart Starr, a friend who
asked Montana to autograph the picture for Bob. Their office includes a watercolor of Ricky Henderson sliding
into base, a picture of Paulas race boat, one of Bobs racecars and a bookshelf
of autographed books ranging from Ronnie Lott to Pat Riley.
Recently having returned from a 3800-mile
motorcycle trip to Banff, Canada, Bob and Paula are planning a new project,
another inn on their adjacent acre. Back for the upcoming tourist season, Bob and Paula manage to take time at home in
Sedona to enjoy red rock country themselves by hiking and occasionally taking a
spin in their 1974 restored E-Type Jaguar with the top down for maximum
appreciation of the crimson and lush canyon of Oak Creek.
But this is a lifestyle a visitor can enjoy,
even if only for a few days. Bob and
Paula go out of their way to ensure their guests the best visit possible.
They recommend: If youre looking for a restful, pampered and romantic getaway or want
to experience the 8th wonder of the world, Sedona, call Bob or Paula at the
Apple Orchard Inn.
800 663-6968
http://www.appleorchardbb.com
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