One Year In: A Q&A with Innkeeper Laura

Laura Cavender is our lovely innkeeper at Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast and Cottages. She is responsible for the Guest Experience from the time you call or reserve until you leave, usually with a reservation in the books for next year. Laura is an expert at making sure guests are well cared for, happily fed, and ready to explore the best spots in town. She also oversees housekeeping and ensures that the inn stays spotless.

Laura eagerly began her position as the innkeeper of Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast in March 2020. Soon after moving in, the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world and completely shifted operations at Glen Arbor B&B. Now, one year later, Laura opens up about her first year as the innkeeper of Glen Arbor. Get ready to learn more about the wonderful, hardworking woman that keeps our beloved inn running smoothly.

Q: What made you want to be an innkeeper?

A: From my teaching abroad, cooking on sailing voyages to backpacking adventures across North America there has been overarching themes of storytelling and connecting with people over food. As an Innkeeper, I get these amazing opportunities to hear folks telling stories and building community across the front porch and over steaming mugs of coffee. I’m not wild and extroverted like Anthony Bourdain, but he believed strongly in these connections too; Food, Travel, Story, Listening to people. For me, I get to live in a BEAUTIFUL corner of the Great Lakes and my guests bring the swirl of these things to me every day.

Q: Tell us about how COVID-19 has shaped your experience as an innkeeper.

A: It definitely has brought public pride to the invisible behind-the-scenes work of cleaning and keeping everything sparkling that me and my staff do. This past year of heightened separation also has underlined how precious it is to really visit and connect with you beloved ones and even with strangers. It makes me excited for the role I play in my guest’s adventures. I research, adapt and make the B&B a clean and safe place; ensuring a trustworthy and great experience for my guests, a safe workplace for my staff and a profitable business for the owners.

Q: Would you consider yourself more of a sweet or savory person?

A: Sweet personality, but you can win me over with a salty grilled cheese sandwich with some tangy sliced tomatoes.

Q: What is your favorite place in the world?

A: This might be it. Waves coming in on summertime Esch Beach with not one house in sight, just stars and night swimming and scheming about what’s for breakfast tomorrow (busy Innkeeper’s brain).

Q: What is your favorite breakfast food?

A: It’s ALL good…..maybe really good shrimp & grits….or strawberry shortcake (like dessert for breakfast, but healthy, right?).

Q: What made you fall in love with Glen Arbor?

A: It probably was somewhere in the middle of tasting sour cherry gummies at Cherry Republic, or perhaps the Cherry Chipotle Salsa… somehow there were snacks involved. I can walk and bike everywhere and my favorite beaches and trails are on all sides of Glen Arbor. It’s been easy.

Q: What is your ultimate Glen Arbor local travel tip for guests?

A: Oh, I hope my guests ask me! There’s so many options! From tromping out to Pyramid Point to watching the sunset on Lake Michigan from the patio after a special dinner at Blu. I love snagging a fresh croissant at 9 Bean Rows, maybe some smoked whitefish pate from Carlson’s Fisheries and then hitting the beach and just quieting myself and enjoying simply being alive.

Q: What makes Glen Arbor B&B stand out?

A: This is such a spectacular corner of the Great Lakes. Here in the sweep of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Glen Arbor is a tiny coastal village. Everything is in walking distance, from the folks who roast my coffee, to bookstores, dried cherries and our Glen Arbor Art Center. Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast is right in the middle of town, allowing you to step out of the hubbub into this calm space or watch the world go by from our big wraparound porch with said coffee in hand or perhaps a glass of local cider or wine. To me, our location is the magic.

If you want to learn more about the rest of the team running Glen Arbor B&B, check out Our Story. We know you’re eager to meet Laura after learning more about her love for the inn. Time to book a stay with us! From clean, comfortable amenities to daily gourmet breakfasts, the inn is a perfect home base as you explore Northern Michigan.