For over 40 years weary travelers arriving at Maine’s Prettiest Village have found a comfortable haven at the Wiscasset Motor Lodge. The inn on Route 1 recently changed hands but the tradition of offering great hospitality will continue.

The new owners are the husband and wife team of Eric and Saundra Neperud. The name of the inn will eventually change to “Wiscasset Woods” although the business telephone number remains the same, 207- 882-7137. 

The Neperuds bought the inn from William and Nancy Gillies. The sale was finalized in mid-December and financed by Camden National Bank. The Gillies had owned and operated the motor lodge for 25 years.

The Neperuds are kind of new to Maine but not to the hospitality industry. They worked a number of years together as part of the staff at Yellowstone National Park, in Yellowstone, Wyoming. Eric Neperud holds degrees in business, education and mathematics and worked as the floor manager of the Old Faithful Lower General Store. He also managed the park staff’s dormitory, the building where his wife worked during the summer preparing meals for staff members. She holds a degree in environmental studies along with a master’s in education. The couple met at Yellowstone Park.

About eight months ago the Neperuds, who last resided in Missoula, Montana, began researching hospitality properties for sale online.

“We were looking for a bed and breakfast initially and saw the Wiscasset Motor Lodge instead,” Neperud said. “It was our first choice but actually the last one of the properties we visited.” The Neperuds also visited businesses in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Vermont and New Hampshire.

“What drew us to pick this one was the size of the property (it’s located on eight acres) and because it’s close to where Saundra’s sister lives in Gorham,” added Neperud.

The couple is doing some remodeling inside and out including enlarging their own living quarters on the third floor of the main building.

One reason for changing the name of the inn to Wiscasset Woods is to emphasize the wooded landscape behind the inn. The Neperuds plan to open this area for their guests to enjoy.

“Eric is in the process of cutting a half-mile trail where our guests can walk, take in the fresh air and unwind after their drive,” Saundra Neperud said. “We’re also adding picnic tables, fire pits as well as some outdoor games like bocce ball, badminton and shuffleboard.”

They are also in the process of making the inn bicycle-friendly; cyclists will be able to bring their bikes with them into their rooms. Also in the works, a bicycle storage shed and an area to make minor repairs. The inn will carry area maps and other information on biking the Midcoast and the popular East Coast Greenway.

“We’ll also be a pet-friendly inn,” she continued. “We have three pet-friendly rooms and a pet-friendly vacation rental. Our pet-friendly rooms have a sliding glass door leading onto a private back porch.”

The two-story lodge has 12 smoke-free guest rooms with Wi-Fi, some with flat-screen television and mini refrigerators, and a choice of shower or tub. Around the main building are a series of cottage rooms also served by Wi-Fi and amenities similar to the inn’s. Also new  is a vacation rental with a full kitchen and private deck.

The Neperuds will offer a full hot breakfast buffet served every morning from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The main dining room off the atrium where the office is has a cozy wood stove and is open from 6 a.m to 10 p.m. Plans include making the dining room available for lease to private groups.

The business will continue to operate seasonally from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days from mid-April to November or December when it will be open on weekends.

Before the Gillies, Bill and Bernice Whitfield of Wiscasset owned the motor lodge. The Whitfields bought the original 10 cabins and small office building in 1970. A year later they added the motel and in 1972 had the second story and office constructed. The Gillies remodeled the main office, adding the atrium.

To learn more or make a reservation at Wiscasset Woods, visit www.wiscassetwoods.com.