Thursday, June 27th is National Pineapple Day. While most people see it as a fun celebration of a tropical fruit, here in New England – and especially on Cape Cod – the pineapple has long meant something more.
The symbol of the pineapple has been rooted in hospitality for centuries. In colonial times, New England sea captains returning from long voyages in the Caribbean would place pineapples on their porches to signal their safe return and to welcome neighbors in. Over time, that tradition became a lasting emblem of hospitality throughout the region.
On Cape Cod, you’ll still see pineapples carved into wooden signs, etched into bedposts, and perched proudly above the entryways of inns and guesthouses. It is a symbol that says, simply and powerfully: you are welcome here!
Modern guests, modern expectations
That idea of meaningful, lasting hospitality is something I think about a lot in my role at Mews. Cape Cod’s entire economy is built around it. Hospitality is the number one industry here, and it’s more than a business model – it’s a tradition.
Many of our local properties have been welcoming families for generations. They have seen decades of return guests, weddings, family reunions, and milestone vacations. But as familiar as those stories feel, the tools that support them cannot stay stuck in time.
Today’s guest expects something different. They are still looking for warmth, charm, and personality, but they also want speed, flexibility, personalization and simplicity. And for hoteliers, meeting those expectations takes more than beautiful rooms or great service. It takes smart systems behind the scenes that are built to support both staff and guest experiences in real time.
A new kind of partnership for the Cape
That’s why I’m incredibly proud that Mews is now the first ever hotel tech platform to officially partner with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. It’s a partnership that goes far beyond logos or sponsorships. It’s a shared belief that great hospitality is worth investing in, and that technology should help local properties evolve without ever losing their character.
As Paul Niedzwiecki, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber, put it: “Hospitality is at the heart of Cape Cod. It’s what brings people here and keeps them coming back. Our hotels and inns have been welcoming families for generations. But guests are changing, and the way we serve them has to change too. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Mews. They’re helping our local businesses stay ahead without losing what makes Cape hospitality so special.”
Real successes from local properties
You can see that balance in action with Pelham Hospitality, a standout group operating three boutique properties in Dennis Port and Harwich: Pelham House Resort, Pelham on Main, and Pelham on Earl.
I had the pleasure of working directly with their team, and when General Manager Heather McCarthy saw Mews for the first time, she told me, “The second I saw Mews, I was obsessed.” For her, it was not just about checking boxes. It was about finally finding a system that actually matched how hotel teams think and work. She called Mews “super flexible, incredibly user friendly, and complete with built-in guest messaging.”
Since switching, their team has centralized operations, improved communication and created more space to focus on what matters most: tailoring each guest experience to the individual.
Pelham Hospitality choosing Mews is not a one off. Over the past year, I’ve worked with a growing number of Cape properties making similar transitions. Each one is unique, committed to their guests, and ready to modernize without compromise.
Hospitality rooted in community
Of course, our commitment to hospitality in New England doesn’t end at the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges. Mews is also proud to partner with the New England Inns and Resorts Association, an organization that has supported independent properties across the region for decades. Every November, Mews sponsors their annual conference where we connect directly with the hoteliers, GMs, and owners shaping the future of travel in our region.
NEIRA’s Director of Marketing, Cindy Lorenz shared, “Mews has been a valued supporter of NEIRA, particularly through their sponsorship of our Annual Conference. Their dedication to innovation and elevating the guest experience reflects the same forward-thinking spirit that drives our member properties and the future of independent hospitality."
For me, all of this is personal. I spend almost half my year right here on the Cape, in South Yarmouth. You’ll find me most weekends at the Bass River Farmers Market, helping my six-year-old son run his nonprofit lemonade stand, where all donations go to support families in need. I care deeply about this community, and I know how hard our local lodging owners and managers work, especially during the summer months when everything is running at full speed. My job is to make that work easier, to be a trusted local guide, and to make sure the systems behind the scenes are just as thoughtful as the guest experience they aim to deliver.
So as Pineapple Day approaches, I am thinking about the symbol that started it all, and the people here on the Cape who still live it every day. This region has always defined what great hospitality looks like. Now, together with the Chamber, NEIRA, and a growing network of partners up and down the Cape, we are helping ensure it is just as strong and just as welcoming for the next generation.
If you’re a property owner on the Cape or anywhere across New England and you’re ready to evolve with the modern guest without losing what makes your business unique, I would love to hear from you.
Call/text me anytime: 508-593-1531 | joseph.gazarek@mews.com
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