New Vrindaban’s Guest Cabins Receive a Major Upgrade
Currently, New Vrindaban is upgrading eight of the eleven guest cabins that are available for rent from Easter through Thanksgiving through the Palace Lodge. The entire project is estimated to cost approximately $63,000.
The eight cabins that are being upgraded this year are 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 11. The interior re-modeling on the first five cabins is completed, and the re-modeling on the remaining three cabins will be completed by the end of May 2011. Following the re-modeling, the Palace Lodge is expecting to put on new roofs as necessary.
This is the first comprehensive upgrade of the cabins since they were built by the devotees in the early 1980’s. This is the first project in a series of projects aimed at community development and capital improvement. The goal is to increase the quality of life for residents and to attract and better serve the pilgrims and other guests. The New Vrindaban Board of Directors chose the guest cabins as the first project because of the high return they will receive on their investment. Last year, the cabins produced $240,000 in income, or 40% of the total income generated by the Palace Lodge.
The New Vrindaban Board of Directors is expected to grant a total of $50,000 from the Capital Investment Fund (aka the Gas Lease Money) for the materials and labor for the roofs and the interior re-modeling. The interior re-modeling includes new floors throughout the many of the cabins, and new countertops and stoves in the kitchenettes. The bathrooms will be completely re-modeled in most of the cabins with new sinks, showers, etc. In addition, the boiler is being replaced in most cabins. Finally, many cabins have expanded lofts for more comfortable sleeping space.
In addition to the outright grants discussed above, the New Vrindaban Board of Directors will also make an interest-free loan of $13,000 from the Capital Investment Fund to New Vrindaban for non-capital expenses. This money is being used for items such as new furniture, bedding, and kitchenware.
The cabins have bed space for a minimum of 5 – 7 people, a kitchenette with a refrigerator and microwave, and a living room. All the cabins have a bedroom and bathroom downstairs, and either a loft or bedrooms upstairs.
Guests find that the cabins, which are all within walking distance from the temple, are the perfect place to un-wind after a long drive on the Interstate. Many cabins overlook a lake, and they are located in a beautiful wooded area filled with deer, birds, ducks, swans, and other native wildlife.
The peacocks are one of the most colorful and entertaining forms of non-native wildlife around the cabins. Last year, a guest said that he rented a cabin mainly because the peacocks. His parents were visiting from India, and the peacocks reminded them of home.
Walking around the cabins and other parts of New Vrindaban, our guests are always excited to find peacock feathers lying on the ground. Our guests take the feathers home as a reminder of their visit to New Vrindaban.
To reserve a cabin, please call the New Vrindaban Guest Lodge at 304-843-1600 x111. The supply of cabins is limited, so please call in advance and make your reservation early.
