Slowest December

On record, possibly. how about you?
We don't get many visitors this time of year, after a handful, we only had:
a) 10pm at night, i just arrived in town how much are your rooms? This was on Christmas eve.
b) how much does it cost to stay there? At 12midnight ...
To which I quickly replied, it is after midnight, are you nuts? And hung up. (I have to answer the unknown caller id calls at that hour because of immediate family who have unknown/blocked ph #s)

We had a last minute guest Saturday night. They said they had booked on line, but we hadn't been paying any attention to electronics. We'd been having a very quiet, easy day.
Lesson learned (this would be lesson #52 learned the hard way), always check reservations before getting into the hot tub.

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards.

Absolutely.

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week

Well, considering that we closed last holiday, we did nicely. Though we had less people on the 26th, but that's really caused by the way the dates fell this year. Honestly, we were hoping that we would be a little quieter.

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week
.

Click to expand...

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!

YES, s-l-o-w-w-w!! Slowest since 2010.
3 new hotels have opened, 2 more being completed within 10 miles of me.
Air & other Vac Rental sites have several here in my area and Air has over 1000 listings in big city near me.
K, you may also be right about the oil industry, lots of people being laid off in my region. (hadn't put that in the mix til now).

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week
.

Click to expand...

Jcam said:

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week

Click to expand...

Right on Cambs! We can all go for the gusto with you. Here's to an awesome 2016!

Morticia said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week
.

Click to expand...

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!

Click to expand...

and we need to re-eval those add ons again. Next on my list...have not found anything that is the perfecto go-to add on for this year yet.
Any suggestions here, throw em at us!

Best year ever. Room nights were down, but elopements were over the top. Best biz decision I've ever made was to add the elopements/small weddings. More money, less work.

Pretty slow, but out in poh-dunk, not really slower than usual. Vacation apartment has long termers until Jan 9, then another set in for the month of Feb, seems typical in the past few years to have a least one long-termer for the apartment in the off-time. Only a few inside full B&B guests. Also pretty typical for this time of year.

JBloggs said:

Morticia said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week
.

Click to expand...

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!

Click to expand...

and we need to re-eval those add ons again. Next on my list...have not found anything that is the perfecto go-to add on for this year yet.
Any suggestions here, throw em at us!
.

Click to expand...

Dinners are the popular add-ons, most for the first night. Simple Suppers are $15/pp for soup or pasta, salad, bread and coffee/tea. No white table cloth. No sterling flatware. Full dinners - other beverage and dessert included - are $35/pp. The full dinners grow more popular as people comment on them in reviews. Just make sure you don't work too hard to do this. (I call them Simple Suppers because they are simple for the innkeeper to put together, full dinners mean I won't get out of the kitchen before 9p)
As soon as renovations are made, breakfast in your room will be an add-on option. Sounds like more work, but really not, as all goes up at once, and no waiting on table.

Morticia said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week
.

Click to expand...

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!
.

Click to expand...

"Dining options are limited in our area - would you like one of our Simple Suppers at $15pp?
"Congratulations on your wedding/anniversary - we can add a flower bouquet to your room for $___" (collect vases during the year, then no problem with them walking) (This is not yet on the site. I offer it when I have the time to put it together)
"Don't you have winter rates?"
"No, (smiling), we don't jack them up in the summer"
And my favorite steal from this forum:
"our discounts are built into our prices"

Copperhead said:

YES, s-l-o-w-w-w!! Slowest since 2010.
3 new hotels have opened, 2 more being completed within 10 miles of me.
Air & other Vac Rental sites have several here in my area and Air has over 1000 listings in big city near me.
K, you may also be right about the oil industry, lots of people being laid off in my region. (hadn't put that in the mix til now)..

Click to expand...

Only 3 new hotels? We had 3 at the exit I bring people in from. At the next exit, they tore down a VERY old and tired motel and replaced it with a new multi-floor AND another new one across the road from it, then on down the access road in that mega-strip mall ( pointe is preceded by East and New to cover the extension) there are 2 more there. Then 10 miles up the Interstate are 3 more new hotels.
Now become aware of this - I am halfway between 2 of the 10 largest cities in my State and neither of them has a population of 18,000. We re in danger of losing 1 of our 3 Congressmen thanks to the war on fossil fuels and the oil/gas slow-down. 3 power plants were closed this year and a couple more are possible. That is a lot of workers and the ancillary jobs in addition to the coal mines that have closed.
This is not just a problem for my State - MY people are not traveling to YOUR States because they have no money. I heard today that thanks to the weather only 1 of our ski resorts is open for skiing (one of them opened a golf course for Christmas) although they are still open with other activities. And sections of WV have had flooding also.

JBloggs said:

Morticia said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

Jcam said:

gillumhouse said:

2015 is the slowest since 2005 - pre-ensuite bathroom!
Himself thinks it was the rate hike. I think it was a combo of: gas prices down so drilling/pipeline shut down so old hotel rooms opened up at the same time NEW hotels opened with more rooms (right at the exits of the Interstate) AND the proliferation of Air with rooms way less and whole houses at the same price as my best room.
It is what it is and I will keep on plugging away. This year I will have to "find" the money for the pro photographer and new rack cards..

Click to expand...

Have you applied for the free air photographer? - we are lucky and he came out within 4 days (I know you are more rural but eventually you will work up the list) Air recommend it as then the people know they are verified pictures ie what you see is definitely what you get so they have more confidence than they would have in other properties. Was hoping to have the pennies saved to have a professional photographer in to do the rooms while its quieter but don't think that's going to happen.
.

Click to expand...

Actually, I am in downtown Shinnston with parking lots on 3 sides of me. I dropped Air. I do not like their new way of payment and when I saw what they are touting around me, I just decided to not get sucked into the OTA world.
I could not believe reading on 2 other Forums that some rely on the OTA world b.c especially for 80 - 90% of their business. I do not want that much dependency on ANY one source of business. It is like being a company town - the business goes as the company goes and if it goes bust, you do too.
.

Click to expand...

I work on the pillar system - lots of induvidual pillars holding my roof up so if one goes Im not left with no roof! My new years resolutions are
(1) stronger line with min nights
(2) keep saying "we are not a charity" if people can't afford us they should go somewhere cheaper or not go (we are not expensive) stop being a soft touch for ruddy cheapskates! If I can't afford to go I don't go - I don't expect someone else to subsidies my holiday
(3) maximize revenue at busy times
(4) hold out on weekends and busy times for as long as possible for direct bookings before putting on the internet to reduce commission.
(5) push add on's better
(6) do more blogging - at least 1 article a week
.

Click to expand...

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!
.

Click to expand...

Morticia said:

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!

Click to expand...

and we need to re-eval those add ons again. Next on my list...have not found anything that is the perfecto go-to add on for this year yet.
Any suggestions here, throw em at us!
.

Click to expand...

JBloggs said:

Morticia said:

How are you planning to do the add on spiel? I'm terrible at this. I do put it in the reminder email that goes out the week before arrival but I'm no good at upselling on the phone.
I like staying firm on not being a charity!

Click to expand...

and we need to re-eval those add ons again. Next on my list...have not found anything that is the perfecto go-to add on for this year yet.
Any suggestions here, throw em at us!

Click to expand...

Totally agree. Something that works one year is ignored the next. The only thing I consistently sell is the boat trip. He doesn't charge if he doesn't go out. He calls the guest to verify they are coming. All I do is make the original rez, collect the money and pay him in November.
I've got so many leftover tix to museums and state parks it isn't funny. Nice thing is both of them (the organizations I get the tix from) will trade me last year's tix for next year's. (I don't bother, I just call it a donation.)
I think this year I might use those tix to encourage longer stays - stay 3 nights get 2 tix to this museum or that state park.

Slower than normal season, but we still had folks coming in for the weekends. They have a great show at the cave called Caroling in the Caverns. Local musicians sing Christmas carols in the acoustics of the cave. They always sell out. We didn't market it like we should, but we still had a lot of folks staying with us for it.

We are much better this December than last year. Usually beginning of the December is very slow but this year we had a lot of guests. Weather is/was better than normal and with our $ at so low it is very attractive for many to visit Toronto.