Freebies for longer stays

OK, so thinking we might offer some free add ons for a longer stay. What's a 'longer stay'? We can pretty easily get 2 nighters. It's longer than that I'm looking at. Would you stay an extra night if your plans were sort of fluid if you got tix to a local attraction? I'm looking at 'freebies' ranging in price from (cost to me for 2 guests): $5 - $30.
You'd get to pick which one you'd like. Cost to guests if they did these on their own: $12 - $40.
Or would you even look at the price of the tix? Would you think it was a 'good deal' to get something free you wanted to do anyway and stay an extra night here instead of going there?
For us this is not enticing the weekender to stay an extra night, it's enticing the week-long to 2 week-long guest to stay an extra night here instead of driving away.

No.
33% off the third night may entice me.
I have always said "stuff" never draws me personally. Discounts do. Upgrades may...

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week)

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week).

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week)

Click to expand...

We don't usually get week long stays but we do get guests who say they are traveling around for a week or two. Looking to get them to stay a few days here rather than 'move on' to the next place.

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week).

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week)

Click to expand...

We don't usually get week long stays but we do get guests who say they are traveling around for a week or two. Looking to get them to stay a few days here rather than 'move on' to the next place.
.

Click to expand...

What we did was take a few tides - with pad of paper, Gazetteer, and pencil. Himself drove while I navigated. Set trip odometer to zero. At direction or route changes, get odometer reading, ID a landmark that will still be there in 5 years if possible, write down direction change and Rte.#/street name, and do a time check.
I then put the data into a table in WORD. I can then make adjustments if say they do not want the winery but want something else. I can then turn-by-turn up to a point and then just give route numbers to get to the town/attraction they want. I can take them in any direction.
You have lighthouses. Take them to them via back roads that will not have the heavy traffic but may have other things on them that may be of interest. I have a lot of FYI noted on my routes (like the Swiger Family Museum - and the guest had Swiger in their tree - they stopped and it opened) because if it is there, someone is interested. I add $10 to the mental price list (proprietary info) when figuring out how much to charge. You could bundle 2 day-trip routes with a discount (or admission) to something on the route for a 3-night stay that would give them a lot of what to see without the traffic time. Back roads let them see the neat houses and other things not found on the main drag.

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week).

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week)

Click to expand...

We don't usually get week long stays but we do get guests who say they are traveling around for a week or two. Looking to get them to stay a few days here rather than 'move on' to the next place.
.

Click to expand...

What we did was take a few tides - with pad of paper, Gazetteer, and pencil. Himself drove while I navigated. Set trip odometer to zero. At direction or route changes, get odometer reading, ID a landmark that will still be there in 5 years if possible, write down direction change and Rte.#/street name, and do a time check.
I then put the data into a table in WORD. I can then make adjustments if say they do not want the winery but want something else. I can then turn-by-turn up to a point and then just give route numbers to get to the town/attraction they want. I can take them in any direction.
You have lighthouses. Take them to them via back roads that will not have the heavy traffic but may have other things on them that may be of interest. I have a lot of FYI noted on my routes (like the Swiger Family Museum - and the guest had Swiger in their tree - they stopped and it opened) because if it is there, someone is interested. I add $10 to the mental price list (proprietary info) when figuring out how much to charge. You could bundle 2 day-trip routes with a discount (or admission) to something on the route for a 3-night stay that would give them a lot of what to see without the traffic time. Back roads let them see the neat houses and other things not found on the main drag.
.

Click to expand...

The hour long traffic jam was at the end of the drive, at the lighthouse!
Most of my routes are back roads, or as i say, "the scenic route." Guests do appreciate that little touch - the scenic byway. Not all of them, some just want to get there.

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week).

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week)

Click to expand...

We don't usually get week long stays but we do get guests who say they are traveling around for a week or two. Looking to get them to stay a few days here rather than 'move on' to the next place.
.

Click to expand...

What we did was take a few tides - with pad of paper, Gazetteer, and pencil. Himself drove while I navigated. Set trip odometer to zero. At direction or route changes, get odometer reading, ID a landmark that will still be there in 5 years if possible, write down direction change and Rte.#/street name, and do a time check.
I then put the data into a table in WORD. I can then make adjustments if say they do not want the winery but want something else. I can then turn-by-turn up to a point and then just give route numbers to get to the town/attraction they want. I can take them in any direction.
You have lighthouses. Take them to them via back roads that will not have the heavy traffic but may have other things on them that may be of interest. I have a lot of FYI noted on my routes (like the Swiger Family Museum - and the guest had Swiger in their tree - they stopped and it opened) because if it is there, someone is interested. I add $10 to the mental price list (proprietary info) when figuring out how much to charge. You could bundle 2 day-trip routes with a discount (or admission) to something on the route for a 3-night stay that would give them a lot of what to see without the traffic time. Back roads let them see the neat houses and other things not found on the main drag.
.

Click to expand...

The hour long traffic jam was at the end of the drive, at the lighthouse!
Most of my routes are back roads, or as i say, "the scenic route." Guests do appreciate that little touch - the scenic byway. Not all of them, some just want to get there.
.

Click to expand...

Is thee any way to come in from another direction or is it one road in/one road out.
I tried.....

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

Morticia said:

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week).

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

I have offered 3rd night for a low price (2012 = $19.12 + tax - 100 birthday of house; 2013 WV 150 birthday was $18.63) and it has worked somewhat. I do not usually get 1 week much less 2 week)

Click to expand...

We don't usually get week long stays but we do get guests who say they are traveling around for a week or two. Looking to get them to stay a few days here rather than 'move on' to the next place.
.

Click to expand...

What we did was take a few tides - with pad of paper, Gazetteer, and pencil. Himself drove while I navigated. Set trip odometer to zero. At direction or route changes, get odometer reading, ID a landmark that will still be there in 5 years if possible, write down direction change and Rte.#/street name, and do a time check.
I then put the data into a table in WORD. I can then make adjustments if say they do not want the winery but want something else. I can then turn-by-turn up to a point and then just give route numbers to get to the town/attraction they want. I can take them in any direction.
You have lighthouses. Take them to them via back roads that will not have the heavy traffic but may have other things on them that may be of interest. I have a lot of FYI noted on my routes (like the Swiger Family Museum - and the guest had Swiger in their tree - they stopped and it opened) because if it is there, someone is interested. I add $10 to the mental price list (proprietary info) when figuring out how much to charge. You could bundle 2 day-trip routes with a discount (or admission) to something on the route for a 3-night stay that would give them a lot of what to see without the traffic time. Back roads let them see the neat houses and other things not found on the main drag.
.

Click to expand...

The hour long traffic jam was at the end of the drive, at the lighthouse!
Most of my routes are back roads, or as i say, "the scenic route." Guests do appreciate that little touch - the scenic byway. Not all of them, some just want to get there.
.

Click to expand...

Is thee any way to come in from another direction or is it one road in/one road out.
I tried.....
.

Click to expand...

gillumhouse said:

Is thee any way to come in from another direction or is it one road in/one road out.
I tried.....

Click to expand...

End of peninsula. The only other way out is by boat!

BTW, Gomez is all for discounting 50% after 2 nights. I gotta talk him down. We might get 3 nights stays but we couldn't afford to do too many if we were getting full price for a single night.

Morticia said:

BTW, Gomez is all for discounting 50% after 2 nights. I gotta talk him down. We might get 3 nights stays but we couldn't afford to do too many if we were getting full price for a single night..

Click to expand...

We do 5% off for a 3 night stay, 10% off for stays of 4 or more nights (this is April - mid Sept) when most guests stay 2 nights and I encourage them to stay another. Many guests have said that this offer and a list showing all they could do in the area worked. Don't give away 50% if you don't have too.

MtnKeeper said:

Morticia said:

BTW, Gomez is all for discounting 50% after 2 nights. I gotta talk him down. We might get 3 nights stays but we couldn't afford to do too many if we were getting full price for a single night..

Click to expand...

We do 5% off for a 3 night stay, 10% off for stays of 4 or more nights (this is April - mid Sept) when most guests stay 2 nights and I encourage them to stay another. Many guests have said that this offer and a list showing all they could do in the area worked. Don't give away 50% if you don't have too.
.

Click to expand...

Thanks. 50% off wasn't going to fly with me.

Freebies are nice but a big break on the third night would be the clincher for me. I know you said you've done that. It would have to be something pretty sweet ...
or maybe the reverse ... invite folks to come a day earlier to settle in ... dine at xyz with our innkeeper's discount or see this or that show ... (of course they could stay longer instead)

seashanty said:

Freebies are nice but a big break on the third night would be the clincher for me. I know you said you've done that. It would have to be something pretty sweet ...
or maybe the reverse ... invite folks to come a day earlier to settle in ... dine at xyz with our innkeeper's discount or see this or that show ... (of course they could stay longer instead).

Click to expand...

I know someone mentioned an early arrival discount if the room was already open and orphaned, like you're not getting, or don't want, a one night stay. Call the person who has the room for the next x nights and ask if they want to add on at the front end for $x off.

seashanty said:

Freebies are nice but a big break on the third night would be the clincher for me. I know you said you've done that. It would have to be something pretty sweet ...
or maybe the reverse ... invite folks to come a day earlier to settle in ... dine at xyz with our innkeeper's discount or see this or that show ... (of course they could stay longer instead).

Click to expand...

The PO's did a 10% discount for more than 2 nights. We actually had a cancellation because we didn't do that. Guest asked where was his 10% discount and we explained we were doing things differently and he cancelled. (This was not one of their reservations, it was a new one.)
I think he was looking for a reason when he realized we weren't the same people. We had a lot of that at first.

Okay so let me get this right. Everything I suggested was not the asnwer you wanted. As usual. Gomez liked one idea but you had to "talk him down" from it. Inside information about lighthouses meant people complained about traffic.
on another thread i ask about policy changes and was told by another what she is not changing.
i think I will step away from the forum again.

JBloggs said:

Okay so let me get this right. Everything I suggested was not the asnwer you wanted. As usual. Gomez liked one idea but you had to "talk him down" from it. Inside information about lighthouses meant people complained about traffic.
on another thread i ask about policy changes and was told by another what she is not changing.
i think I will step away from the forum again..

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Joey, I've said before... Opinions are like ___holes... everyone has one and expects that their doesn't stink.
The reality is that so many people don't bother to listen to the question and just hear what they want to hear. Just ignore and go one. Nothing to worry about too much.

JBloggs said:

Okay so let me get this right. Everything I suggested was not the asnwer you wanted. As usual. Gomez liked one idea but you had to "talk him down" from it. Inside information about lighthouses meant people complained about traffic.
on another thread i ask about policy changes and was told by another what she is not changing.
i think I will step away from the forum again..

Click to expand...

Plus you know as well as I do what works in one place does not work in another - lots of outside factors
However sometimes I find chucking the idea about makes you think more which then generates an even better idea than the one you first thought of - Me I don't expect people to agree with me all the time If I wanted that I have people who I know will agree with anything I say even if it was that the sky is purple - I don't need that I need real people who criticize poke holes and or have an even better idea - and there is a difference between the downers and genuine logical advice.

JBloggs said:

Okay so let me get this right. Everything I suggested was not the asnwer you wanted. As usual. Gomez liked one idea but you had to "talk him down" from it. Inside information about lighthouses meant people complained about traffic.
on another thread i ask about policy changes and was told by another what she is not changing.
i think I will step away from the forum again..

Click to expand...

Wowzer.
I'm throwing out questions to get answers. Then I'm asking Gomez what he thinks. He thinks a 50% discount would get them in the door. You thought 33%. Someone else said 5%. I said the PO's used to do 10%.
Gomez is a great person but he'd give the rooms away for $100 because he thinks price is the only thing that matters. Whenever we have a slow week he demands I tell him everyone else's prices. And we're always on the lower end of middle. Just above the dog inn. If the gang next door can get $250/night and we can't get $150 it's not price, it's something else.
I'm giving in on TVs because that's what he thinks the problem is. I'm signing up for TA because that's what he thinks the problem is. I'm signing up for every directory out there because, well you get the picture. So holding ground on 50% off may not last, either, because that's what he wants.
I like prizes. He likes discounts.
As for the lighthouse thing, I was laughingly recounting what happened last summer. Am I going to stop telling guests about that spot? No. It was more me recognizing that what I see is not what the guest experiences and I have to keep that in mind when making suggestions.

We give a 'weekly' rate that amounts to the 7th night free. Haven't had many takers. A discount on the third night sounds like it might make life easier for us. Stays are better.

We keep our rates on the high end to get nicer people and have fewer problems...at least that has been our experience. When we were hungry for business during the slow and shoulder seasons we used to offer a 3rd night 50% or 4th night free, thinking that our "regulars" would flock to us. Didn't happen. Sure we had a few bargain hunters who took advantage of the deal, but not enough to matter. We have found that adding value to the regular in-season stay when we are full, and increasing the rate brings us the best return...we don't get more bookings but we make more money. Bottom line, more $ for less work.
That is why we just had more ductless AC installed in the cottage. Not only does it add value to the property when we decide to sell, but we get a tax break, rebate, value added for the guests and we increase our daily rate. So we won't be giving anything away any more to promote longer stays. Instead we increased our "big-season" minimum stay to 3 nights.
With that said....our guests who have been staying with us for over 10 years during the shoulder seasons do not pay the same published rates as new folks. Their rates have increased more slowly because we value their loyalty. But they know that if they want to stay in July or August, our high season, they will have to pay the published rates because that is when we make most of our income for the year.