Home away from home: Pine Oaks Lodge undergoes upgrades

  • Published
  • By Angela Woolen
  • Robins Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Pine Oaks Lodge has rooms for families, for distinguished visitors and even for those who have pets. It also can house civilians.

Called lodging on base and a hotel outside the gates, Pine Oaks has the same standards that a regular hotel would have as well as Department of Defense standards.

Manager Ron Jones explained that his staff goes through rigorous certifications each year.

"It helps raise all of the Air Force Inn's competency levels," he said.

The busiest time of year for the hotel is between May and September when families are PCSing to a new base.

Many of the rooms are being upgraded this year. 

The temporary lodging facilities look more like an apartment than an actual hotel. New hardwood floors, furniture and bedding along with a fresh coat of paint have freshened the rooms.

New mattresses will be upgraded with covers to prevent accidents from small children.

Pine Oaks employs between 59 and 64 people on its staff. Most of the housekeeping staff have more than 10 years experience working on base.

The distinguished visitor suites have been decorated by an interior decorator and boast a large living room with a dining room table and a separate bedroom area. Those 13 DV rooms are for E-9 through O-10 ranks and the civilian equivalent.

There are two housekeepers dedicated to cleaning those rooms. Housekeepers have from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to get a room ready for the next guest.

"We find the best of the best," Jones said.

Most of the rooms will get a facelift this spring including new carpeting. The old furniture will be sold at a non-appropriated funds sale.

Jones said most items don't get above $50. That helps young airmen who are just starting out to get quality furniture at a fraction of the price.

Once the rooms are updated, the usual rate of occupancy is 87 percent. Yearly, the lodging facility brings in $2.7 million in revenue before the bills are paid, Jones said.

Guests are encouraged to fill out comment cards after their stay but Jones wants his employees to live by the motto "make it right while they're still here."