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Get to know the team at The Whaler's Inn

With over 100 years of hospitality experience in our Downtown Mystic location, our staff is here 24 hours to make your getaway memorable. Get to know the team at The Whaler’s Inn.

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To me, The Whaler’s Inn is the place where guests and colleagues become friends and friends become family. I find it heartwarming to interact with so many people, both visitors, and co-workers, who find Mystic as magical a place as myself. - Amy Wagner, Revenue Coordinator

Amanda Arling

Meet the President

A New England native, Amanda joined The Whaler’s Inn after a long career in the travel and tourism industry. For the past six-years she has worked for Backroads, an active travel company, providing customized adventure experiences throughout the United States and around the world. Through her work designing, developing, and launching premiere biking and hiking adventures, she has worked extensively with hotels, inns, and B&Bs throughout the U.S., Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

Amanda brings a wealth of hospitality experience and knowledge to the Inn, along with a passion for people and travel. Having spent the last half-decade working and traveling around the world, she is very excited to unpack her suitcase and call Mystic home! When not at The Whaler’s Inn, you can find Amanda kayaking along Mystic’s rocky shoreline, exploring one of the region’s many State Parks, or cycling the scenic roads and byways of southeastern Connecticut.

Justin Routhier

Meet the General Manager of The Whaler's Inn

Justin Routhier is a seasoned hotelier with more than two decades of experience in developing and leading exceptional hospitality teams across the country. The genesis of his passion for service excellence began right here in Connecticut, when he was just a teenager starting his first job as a hotel breakfast attendant. From that bedrock, Justin grew his commitment for hospitality and focused this passion on growing remarkable teams of professionals who are equally committed to a hospitality-first mindset.

As an avid traveler himself, Justin enjoys exploring new places, meeting new people, and building lasting memories from unique experiences. Joining The Whaler’s Inn within his home State is the perfect fit, with no better place than Historic Mystic, Connecticut to bring his passionate leadership to a hotel that prides itself on creating truly one-of-a-kind experiences for travelers welcomed as members of the family.

Madeline Baldwin

Meet the Guest Relations Manager of The Whaler's Inn

Born and raised in the Bar Harbor, Maine area, Madeline has always been fond of the small, coastal town vibes of New England.  Ever since her first job at a bed & breakfast as a teenager, she has developed 22 years of experience in various forms of the hospitality and service industry.  In early 2021 she started as a Front Desk Associate here at The Whaler’s Inn, then became the Front Desk Supervisor, and now the Guest Relations Manager.

Throughout her adult life she has lived in Portland, ME; Boston, MA; Las Vegas, NV; and has now lived in two different towns in Connecticut for the past 5 years.  Ever since moving to this state with her long-term boyfriend, they have both enjoyed the magical charm of Mystic the most.  They have completed a couple different cross-country road trips together, visiting as many national parks, state parks, and casinos as they could. Now that they have settled in CT with their two cats, in their spare time they enjoy trying new restaurants, wineries, and breweries, and love exploring new walking trails and areas that they have never seen before.

Kari Kelly

Meet the Groups and Events Manager

Our Groups and Events manager, Kari Kelly, began as a Front Desk Agent with us in 2019. A CT Shoreline native, Kari attended college in New Hampshire and most recently assisted with the management of her family’s restaurant in Niantic, CT. This lends to her passion for the local restaurant scene and love of new dining experiences in her free time.

Locally, she enjoys visiting the Olde Mistick Village and Mystic River Park. “I really love working with guests to create a unique experience for their special occasion. Mystic has a great small-town community feel with businesses supporting each other and working together. Everyone is always so welcoming and willing to help!” Outside of work Kari enjoys skiing and traveling. Contact Kari to help plan your next Conference here in Mystic!

Felicia Flood

Housekeeping Manager

Originally hailing from Massachusetts, Felicia now currently resides in nearby Westerly, Rhode Island with her family, including her beloved dog, two cats, and two ferrets. Prior to her career in hospitality, she attended culinary school before obtaining her business degree in Boston. She has worked in virtually every position in hotels, including laundry attendant, breakfast attendant, housekeeper, houseman, front desk clerk, and has even dabbled in maintenance (albeit unofficially).

At 29 years old, she is the proud mother of a young son and loves exploring new restaurants and attractions such as zoos and aquariums. Felicia’s main professional experience lies within Hilton hotels; however, she is now encountering her inaugural opportunity within a boutique hotel setting. She harbors a strong appreciation for the distinctiveness of the property and approaches this fresh challenge with enthusiasm. As the housekeeping manager, she takes pride in ensuring that our guests’ rooms are spotless and comfortable, providing an exceptional experience for all who stay with us.

Dina Cashman Thomas

Meet the Brand Manager of The Whaler's Inn

Dina Cashman Thomas originally embarked on her career journey in journalism as a freelance writer for local television stations. She later took those creative skills to foster the growth of small businesses through social media marketing campaigns, photography, graphic design, website building, copywriting, and strategic consultation for a wide range of industries and audiences. Having grown up in Milford Connecticut, she’s no stranger to coastal communities full of dedicated entrepreneurial passion…Cashman Thomas quickly began to realize that Mystic is a must-visit hidden gem and advocates travelers to visit any time of the year.

As an avid world traveler from China to Australia, she’s noted that The Whaler’s Inn is the most one-of-a-kind place to stay that she’s ever seen! Dina loves exploring new areas and capturing picturesque scenery on her Nikon when not at work. During her spare time, you can find her writing fiction, reading a great book with a cup of coffee, and watching the latest superhero action flicks with her husband and two cats, Moxie and Leo.