On Your Side - Part II

Other TRAVEL TIPS

• Verify and clarify. Call to verify your reservations and arrangements. Get the details  

behind vague promises that you’ll be staying at a “five star” resort or sailing on a  

“luxury” cruise ship. When you have the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the airlines, car rental companies, and hotels you’ll be using, confirm all arrangements for yourself.  

See our Inn's policy

• Put it on paper. Get the details of your vacation in writing. Get a copy of the company’s cancellation and refund policies, and ask “What if...?” Consider whether some form of travel cancellation insurance may be appropriate.


• Use a credit card to make your purchase. If you don’t get what you paid for, you may be able to dispute the charges with your credit card company. However, don’t give your account number to any business until you’ve verified that it is reputable.

• Avoid a travel club flub. Ask questions before joining a travel club. Sometimes, a “free trial” membership can result in unauthorized charges on your credit card. Find out what you’ll get for your money and how you can cancel.

• Won a “free” vacation? Not so fast. Scam artists may tell you you’ve won a “free” vacation, but then claim to need your credit card number for “verification.” Tell them to take a hike. If the promotion is legit, you never need to pay for a prize.

TravelWisconsin.com Travel Item - Usonian Inn LLC, The

Find our fine Lodging property listed here; ONE of a few in Sauk County!

TravelWisconsin.com Travel Item - Usonian Inn LLC, The

How to Prepare Your Property for Sale

In order to have a successful sale and excellent showings or viewing for the property you should address maintenance and a clutter free house

How to Prepare Your Property for Sale

Own a piece of architectural history -Historic Usonian Inn

Own a Historic Land marker, a Frank Lloyd Wright Signature Style building!

Historic Inn for sale - The Usonian Inn LLC (Spring Green, United States). Commercial. Madison City, WI Classified ads. Buy and sell today!

On Your Side - Part I

Credit or charge card blocking
(As known as "on hold amount")



You should be aware of the

newest practice in making a 

reservation—credit or charge 

card “blocking.” “Blocking” is not 

a practice inititated by the 

lodging industry but is the only

way charge card companies will  

ensure payment at check-out. 

The clerk contacts your credit card company to give an estimated total. If the transaction

is approved, your available credit is reduced by that estimated amount. That is a 

“block.”

Be aware that if you use a different card or cash to pay your final bill, the company 

that issued the card you used to check in might hold the block for up to 15 days after you’ve
checked out.


That’s because it was not notified of the final charge and didn’t know you paid another way. This becomes a problem if you are near your credit limit. It is not only embarrassing to have your card declined, but if you have an emergency purchase to make you may not have enough available credit. 


To avoid this, use the same card at departure to pay your bill or be sure to ask the clerk to remove the “block” from the first card you used when you leave.


Please be aware that the only reason we are asking for an e-mail account is that you and us will have a written confirmation and our policy highlights will be outlined in the correspondence. 


See our Inn's policy 


For WI state: 

For more information
For more information, or to file a
complaint, contact the Bureau of
Consumer Protection at:
(800) 422-7128
2811 Agriculture Drive
PO Box 8911
Madison WI 53708-8911
(608) 224-4976
FAX: (608) 224-4939
TTY: (608) 224-5058
E-MAIL:
DATCPHotline@Wisconsin.gov
WEBSITE:
www.datcp.state.wi.us

Greening our Historic Inn

Thank you for joining the growing number of travelers who seek green accommodations. In 2009, The Usonian Inn became the 1st motel in Spring Green area recognized by Travel Green WI for implementing a substantial number of sustainable practices.

Our goal is to offer appealing lodging at a great value, provide a healthy environment and protect our beautiful WI River Valley region.

• Please verify that door and all windows are shot when starting the A/C unit.

• Please place the A/C on Energy Save mode when you plan to be gone for an extended time

• Inform staff when to change linen and towels (if staying more then 2 nights)

• Join your fellow travelers in helping recycle - use designated bins in the room

• As a house practice, when determined that A/C unit is not run properly, we will walk in the room to adjust that.

• All rooms are NON-SMOKING

• DO NOT CARRY your cigarette  butts inside the room. 

My Wisconsin River Slideshow

My Wisconsin River Slideshow: "TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ My Wisconsin River Slideshow ★ to Spring Green and Muscoda. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor"

Press release

Amongst other news for our property, we were just notified that we received an Award Winning for best business in the Motel category for Spring Green area.


Here is what we received:


"I'm sure that your selection as a 2010 Award Winner is a reflection of the hard work of not only yourself, but of many people that have supported your business and contributed to the subsequent success of your organization. Congratulations on your selection to such an elite group of small businesses. In recognition of your achievement, a special 2010 Best of Spring Green Award has been designed for display at your place of business. 
Sincerely, 
Kelly McCartney
Board of Review
US Commerce Association "

Looking Ahead

Soon, The Usonian Inn LLC will face a historic moment, in more than one way! We are greatly excited about the possibilities inherent in becoming one of the historic establishments listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places, and very soon on the National Register of Historic Places.

It is a chance to re-emphasize the beauty and importance of an ORGANIC architecture, prairie style Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design, by taking a step forward. We look forward to the opportunity to work on preserving the integrity of the building (which we like to call home), and to assist in realizing this vision – becoming a nationally recognized historic place, and be known nationwide.

As a result of some good hours of work involving phone conversations, appointments, meetings, and picture submissions to the right authorities, at this time we have our hopes raised by clear signs that the process of achieving our goal is advancing in the right direction!

We are going forward to becoming a national recognized historic place. We are paying the fees to an accredited Historian to write the report to be presented before Wisconsin Historic Preservation Review Board. And patience with the rest of the process is as good as gold in a bank!

the certificate 

A new Start - A different Season!

Happy New Year!

This is quite an exciting time for our business! I am ready for the new year - for Taliesin Centennial Celebration, for the events in the area and for what we have to share with you for this fresh year start!

We refreshed a little bit our web page; I definitely hope you can easily navigate around and use our online booking system.  Read more on our Usonian Inn Newsletter Winter Edition.

Along with this here is the time to mention that we are opening our Gourmet Coffee Shop in the lobby and maintain the complimentary coffee in the rooms (a list with all specialty coffee we sale, will be provided in the rooms)

As far as social media goes, the focus always seems to be on Facebook or Twitter or even video sites like YouTube. 

We are trying to keep it simple - Facebook is the only additional page we use, we would appreciate you posting your picture from the events you participated at or pictures you took when you stayed with us. 

Also, please feel free to post your reviews on this Social Media, there are always welcomed.

Another exciting matter is approaching our 60th Season in business and we are looking better then ever! Our Online Shop - Usonian Inn Anniversary products is loading with new items every week, easy to order or redesign with your own picture this is a fun encounter - to be shopping with us!

Happy New Year!

What's New this Summer!

The one good thing that is happening right now is that we are busy!....

Thank you to our loyal customers, those who return each year for the famous APT, and those who refer us to their friends; your input is very much appreciated.

A very hectic July kept me away from my blog and communication was a little broken. However, we had weddings to host, Big family reunion for the Jones-Lloyd, and that keeps repeating with more weddings, family parties, The House on the Rock Attraction and so much more that people get involved here when they visit the area.
Ah,...Golfing! that is another great way to spend your time when the weather is so beautiful!
APT and Touchstone facility are bringing in crowds excited about new plays and for some - just for the experience! Nights are pleasantly warm and the clear sky can be spectacular! 


The weather makes it quite adventurous here lately, but, so far, - plays didn't have to be postponed or stop at any time!


T H E      N E W S


Our rooms have been enhanced with a 37" flat screen panel for you viewing pleasure; we have a variety of channels, a list of about 200, with a Full Deffinition HD Satelite transmission through DirecTV .

We are running some special summer OFFERS this summer; check this link for the month of July offer: Mondays & Tuesdays Special

Just come and stay with us this summer; enjoy the room as much and feel free to walk around the property and view our garden arrangements!

Information that matters - Online Booking

Brought to you By WEBERVATION, our online reservation system is available to our customers,  and offers people from around the world accessibility 24/7.

ONLINE booking helps us to keep track of our Availability calendar and maintain it timely and accurate.

Since we introduced our "Webervation" - online booking System,  we personally,  had to learn everything the program has to offer and make it easy for you to navigate.

There is a simple form to use to complete the "ONLINE" booking.

You will also have just the right amount of information to read and learn about our Policy and make yourself aware of our Green Guidelines we practice at our establishment.

- How to find us

Google, Yahoo, Bing, Yelp, Merchantcircle, any search brouser

You can reach us by phone or e-mail at:  reservations@usonianinn.com

or on line at http://www.usonianinn.com.

- How to use the on line system to reserve your room with us

 If you happened to have sent us an e-mail, you will get an Automatic Reply from us with our info and the link for online booking, - use it!

From our web page: http://www.usonianinn.com, you will find our link to book on line under Room and Rates, also called "Online Reservations and Rates." 

This link will show you availability and rates (standard rates listed are for 2 occupants using a queen size bed),  that varry from weekday to weekends.

When you get the system notification on your booking, watch out - the sender is Reservation@webervation.com - do not trash the message before you receive the confirmation email from us. (reservations@usonianinn.com)

If you booked online successfully, got your first notification email message and do not hear back from us within 24 hours with a new CONFIRMATION email, CALL US!

- Information that matters

We might be asking you to use the online system for several reasons:

    * We MIGHT NOT BE Available for the phone

    * Having people at the desk will take priority

    * we could've stepped away from the desk for housekeeping reason/others

    * communicating accurate information to us for your booking is vital

    * important reading for you to do when going through the form

- How can you help

We will answer any questions any time - during our Business hours,  7:30AM - 10:00PM.

If you have to leave a message, KNOW that we ARE HERE and we WILL GET BACK to you in as soon as we are able. If something is URGENT, - which I doubt it, - state so!

- The Benefits

If you will stay with us more then once, you should know that booking a future reservation, with us is already saving you time.

Once we have you in our system, the second time you call we'll be able to find your data and use it for the next booking.

*****All we need each time, is your credit card information;  the system does NOT ALLOW us to retain your card data after we produce the check out report!*****

The Interior Design - starting phase

There is always only so much a proprietor can do; this life, a hotel owner life is full of surprises, interruption,  multitasking,  start more projects at once, take reservations, make phone calls...

One of the so called "Small Project" for the past winter was to work on the Interior Design; changing a few things and bringing some colors to the room was partially though about for different reasons.

The old had to go to make room for the new; we started with the beds' covers

We already concluded that the reading chairs were a too light color and the wear was already showing too much.

With the help of a skilled good friend, I was able to obtain a much better looking reading chairs that will not show as much or easy the stains ans still be comfortable and fitting in.

This of course is taking time and yet we made the room like having new furniture and being a new place all together.


It is a matter of days now to bring  this project to an end. We will follow with a different post when that is accomplished.

Traveling to Spring Green - there are so many reasons

April 2010 - The News paper (WI State Journal) interview on print see the interview here
Find our interview on p26-27

One big project coming to an end!

 So far so good; after a week of trouble, and trouble shooting, - we determine that things can be done;  not properly from the beginning, just running around the circle for a few days, talking to 5-7 different technicians.

Your ultimate viewing experience should be here with us!

All you get is bites and pieces from everyone; each know some of the stuff that needs to tell you, others, they can wow you - it takes a moment for you to know that they know their stuff!

In conclusion, after 10 days - we have manage to have this hospitality commercial TV grade, set-up and running, just 8 of them - 2 need to be replaced because as simple as it is and sounds, cloning didn't do any good to us!
Well, was I better of  buying regular TVs, I still don't think so!


For now - HAPPY VIEWING everyone!

A DAY LIKE NO OTHER

I've lived through different season, travel different paths going through many states, and I can recall  - Wyoming, and for a good reason! Driving in Wyoming wasn't fun at all; it was a hot summer and we had to drive at night, and it happened that our AC broke in the car after a tire hit our Toyota Previa,  my lovely car at the time, - and with all windows down, we hardly made it through....

It was windy, I mean really windy - the kind we never experience before; the winds blew all night long,  a very hot windy storm.

Today, we had the weirdest weather ever; we had our share of windy days in the past, however, TODAY - it was very unforgettable;

WKOWTV reported "Wind gusts peaked between about 40 and 45 miles an hour this afternoon; although, Monroe reported a 51 mph wind gust at 4 pm!  The wind, though, will quickly diminish after sunset. ......... Have a good evening!Last update by Chief Meteorologist Bob Lindmeier at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5th."

These area mentioned above are in our immediate vicinity !

So, I will be attaching some pictures here dust storm pictures

and then i took some more pictures with the sunset and more clouds:

the sky after the dust storm