New Amazonian enters Hotel Wars

Arks said:

I applied for listing but their bot responded that I'm not in an area they're currently interested in. But for some of you it could be something worth considering. A lot of people order from Amazon every day, and booking lodging there would seen natural and convenient for them..

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Harborfields said:

From the FAQ for hoteliers: "What hotels are part of Amazon Destinations?
Highly-rated, award-winning resorts, boutique hotels, lakeside cabins, beach cottages, winery villas, spa reports, ski lodges, and more near New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle.".

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undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

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MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

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undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility.
And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online.
Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility. And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online. Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.

Click to expand...

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

undersea said:

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...

Click to expand...

Arks said:

I don't answer the phone, and my voice mail encourages them to reserve at the website. I know I give up some business because of this. My my situation is different because there's no staff at my place, so I want to weed out anybody who can't do things the "standard" way, meaning making online reservations, finding the place, and managing self check in.
If they can't do those things, I don't want them because they aren't self-sufficient enough to manage my place without help.
If I had a more conventional setup, was available all the time, and needed all the business I could get, I'd answer that phone!.

Click to expand...

Arks said:

I don't answer the phone, and my voice mail encourages them to reserve at the website. I know I give up some business because of this. My my situation is different because there's no staff at my place, so I want to weed out anybody who can't do things the "standard" way, meaning making online reservations, finding the place, and managing self check in.
If they can't do those things, I don't want them because they aren't self-sufficient enough to manage my place without help.
If I had a more conventional setup, was available all the time, and needed all the business I could get, I'd answer that phone!

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility.
And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online.
Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility. And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online. Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.

Click to expand...

To each his own.
We all operate differently. Some are single innkeepers and cannot be "on" all the time. I don't try to convince anyone of anything, I am just not a salesperson. You already knew that.
I have an elderly couple here today which I am sure will try to check in at noon. No computer, I took it all manually and mailed their confirmation in the post, and honestly the fun is only just beginning... they told me they cannot do stairs. They are not my target audience, at all, but their $ is as good as the next persons. And we are happy they chose us!
.

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Joey Bloggs said:

To each his own.
We all operate differently.

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Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility.
And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online.
Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility. And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online. Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.

Click to expand...

Iris said:

Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility.
And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online.
Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility. And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online. Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.

Click to expand...

And that is why it took me so long to actually sign up with an online reservation agent. There is much we can convey to callers. When we tell them what all to expect in the area, they, more often than not, add nights to their stay.
Most important to us was to make sure that we don't get guests who we do not want here. The ones that don't fit. I was afraid that this would not be the case if peeps could book online without speaking to one of us. I like talking to guests by phone. It gives us and them a pretty good picture of who we are dealing with.
On the other hand, I absolutely love the flexibility rezkey gives me and as time progresses, so do the guests who wish to just go online and make the reservation. Hopefully what we have on the website satisfy their questions
JB wrote, "I have an elderly couple here today which I am sure will try to check in at noon. No computer, I took it all manually and mailed their confirmation in the post, and honestly the fun is only just beginning... they told me they cannot do stairs. They are not my target audience, at all, but their $ is as good as the next persons. And we are happy they chose us!"
For some reason, I have had 3 of these last week. No computer/internet access. So, back to the old ways of sending confirmations via snail mail. Since these peeps had no idea what to expect, I actually printed out some stuff off the website, since all we use now are rack cards. Ugh, just ugh.
I don't want just anyone's $ because I don't want bad reviews because these shtoopid (insert my German accent) people chose the wrong spot for them. It has happened before and I want to avoid that with all I got.
.

Click to expand...

Iris said:

Most important to us was to make sure that we don't get guests who we do not want here. The ones that don't fit. I was afraid that this would not be the case if peeps could book online without speaking to one of us. I like talking to guests by phone. It gives us and them a pretty good picture of who we are dealing with.

Click to expand...

Iris said:

Momma Smurf said:

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility.
And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online.
Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.
.

Click to expand...

Momma Smurf said:

Just realize that many folks are simply calling for more info that they are not able to suss from the website or aren't very computer savvy. There are also those who simply refuse to reserve online due to CC security concerns. We've booked many a reservation via phone calls because our competitors have an answering machine in the early evening and people told us that they were frustrated or immediately turned off by that lack of accessibility. And speaking to guests directly on the phone is an excellent marketing tool, giving them the sense of who you really are personality-wise. Plus I've been able to convince tons of people over the years that a 1 (or even 2) night stay here is simply not long enough to enjoy all that our area has to offer, so many increased $$ multiple night bookings via the phone that would not have happened online. Manually entering info into ResKey etc, is not such an onerous task comparatively.

Click to expand...

And that is why it took me so long to actually sign up with an online reservation agent. There is much we can convey to callers. When we tell them what all to expect in the area, they, more often than not, add nights to their stay.
Most important to us was to make sure that we don't get guests who we do not want here. The ones that don't fit. I was afraid that this would not be the case if peeps could book online without speaking to one of us. I like talking to guests by phone. It gives us and them a pretty good picture of who we are dealing with.
On the other hand, I absolutely love the flexibility rezkey gives me and as time progresses, so do the guests who wish to just go online and make the reservation. Hopefully what we have on the website satisfy their questions
JB wrote, "I have an elderly couple here today which I am sure will try to check in at noon. No computer, I took it all manually and mailed their confirmation in the post, and honestly the fun is only just beginning... they told me they cannot do stairs. They are not my target audience, at all, but their $ is as good as the next persons. And we are happy they chose us!"
For some reason, I have had 3 of these last week. No computer/internet access. So, back to the old ways of sending confirmations via snail mail. Since these peeps had no idea what to expect, I actually printed out some stuff off the website, since all we use now are rack cards. Ugh, just ugh.
I don't want just anyone's $ because I don't want bad reviews because these shtoopid (insert my German accent) people chose the wrong spot for them. It has happened before and I want to avoid that with all I got.
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

undersea said:

MtnKeeper said:

undersea said:

I had poked around a little, but was not sure what the commission was....

Click to expand...

I was contacted to be part of this as Amazon is focusing on trips within 3 hours of major destinations and we are exactly what they are looking for - a higher end property less than 3 hours from a major city. The commission is 15%, you have to maintain the availability calendar on their site and you get paid AFTER the guest checks out.
.

Click to expand...

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...
.

Click to expand...

undersea said:

Is this going to work with MyAllocator? I didn't see them listed there.
Obviously, we desire to have the webwite calendar, OTAs, and everything else all feed into Rezkey (whatever). And not have to manually monitor or enter it yourself (double booking, in an inconvenient place, etc.).
That is why I plan to let the voicemail answer, with a suggestion that booking through the website represents the discounted price. So I don't have to manually enter people myself, as much as possible...

Click to expand...

Myallocator is not the answer for everything with rezkey unfortunately. Rezkey has limitations on min night stays through myallocator, until that is fixed or operational, I 86'd myallocator. It has to be a one stop shop for updating or not at all (for me).
It is not listed there as it would have to be added. The booking would come via amazon - from their account, so it is more seamless than other programs, if they like travel, etc they target them from their purchases and history.
So that is pretty smart. It is something different, as it is really hard to get road trip ideas and follow through with them, plan one and you will see (I say this to everyone not just you) as it is complicated.
And if someone doesn't answer the phone and you are planning it, then on the to next? No, not by a long chalk, for me if i can't book it right then and there I am on to the next... the less steps to make the reservation the better.
Which reminds me I need to go do some more gleaning on the site...
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

Arks said:

I don't answer the phone, and my voice mail encourages them to reserve at the website. I know I give up some business because of this. My my situation is different because there's no staff at my place, so I want to weed out anybody who can't do things the "standard" way, meaning making online reservations, finding the place, and managing self check in.
If they can't do those things, I don't want them because they aren't self-sufficient enough to manage my place without help.
If I had a more conventional setup, was available all the time, and needed all the business I could get, I'd answer that phone!.

Click to expand...

Arks said:

I don't answer the phone, and my voice mail encourages them to reserve at the website. I know I give up some business because of this. My my situation is different because there's no staff at my place, so I want to weed out anybody who can't do things the "standard" way, meaning making online reservations, finding the place, and managing self check in.
If they can't do those things, I don't want them because they aren't self-sufficient enough to manage my place without help.
If I had a more conventional setup, was available all the time, and needed all the business I could get, I'd answer that phone!

Click to expand...

YEP
I read a review of a neighboring B&B yesterday that said they were in the wrong city and state, they wanted "Baltimore Maryland" not "Baltimore Tennessee"
I got a chuckle out of it because it has happened here, a few times, so we have the name of our state everywhere (for SEO) and because there is a B&B with our name in Texas, and N.O. and a city with our town name and a town with our town name in another state!
Plus they tick that little box agreeing to our policies and have to TYPE In their credit card #'s and can't say "I didn't give that to you!" which also happened to us last October, we said to the lady "There was no other way we got it than you giving it to us..." "Well I didn't give it to you! I am not staying there!" and so we lost a two nighter on a big weekend. We had notes from our phone conversation...
and...the other reason we don't take 12 mo out reservations, knee jerk reservations "oh I better book it for next year!"
I know this is crazy for many here, but it is how we roll...
.

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