How are the reservations going?

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TheBeachHouse

TheBeachHouse

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DH is telling me we are ahead of last year on reservations taken for summer and even fall.
How is everyone doing?
 
We used to get lots of calls for April, not any longer. Of course, this year is going to be warm so we'll miss out. I've gotten used to our April vacation and don't want to give it up.
We could move it into March if the calls start coming in.
I haven't bought the plane tix yet.
 
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
About usual. Getting one or two every few days now..
Click to expand...
Last year, we had planned a vacation for April. We learned that it's a bad time to be away. Lots of phone calls.
.
Click to expand...
We did get one call asking about that time frame but I seriously think it was someone casing the joint. We always notify the police before we leave and have someone checking every day or so. We tell the neighbors there should be no cars around etc, call the police if in doubt.
 
I actually have a full-house booked for July and an elopement booked for August. Unusual but I love it.
 
YTD bookings are a 120% more than last year!!! And 88% (26) of the properties in town are using OTAs. Not us, we're OTA commission free, using only TC. Yippee!
 
Here too. More advance bookings. Some from folks who have been here before, some not.
 
Haven't looked THAT far ahead yet, but I already have more reservations on the books for March of 2016 than I had all of March 2015. YAY!
 
Good question. This is a different year for us as we closed from late fall through March. As a result our reservations have lagged, which is pretty much what we expected. We have also increased our rates because we are cutting back and really do not want too much business. So far, our "regulars" have been most of our advanced bookings with a few new folks who have always wanted to stay here. I expect that things will pick up toward the end of March, filling up most of what is left in June and giving July and August a healthy hit. Keeping our fingers crossed.
 
So far our June is above what it was last year and it's only March 1st. Looking good for my other months too. So far this year (Jan and February) above last so we had a healthy increase. Only our third season. Ask me again at the end of year 5
wink_smile.gif
 
Momma Smurf said:
YTD bookings are a 120% more than last year!!! And 88% (26) of the properties in town are using OTAs. Not us, we're OTA commission free, using only TC. Yippee!.
Click to expand...
Likewise here, bookings for the upcoming season are 22% ahead of where we were last year at this time.
 
Too early for us... Europeans are booking, but guests from south of us tend not to book until maybe 3 to 4 weeks in advance... those from other parts of the country book maybe 6 to 7 weeks in advance.
 
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
About usual. Getting one or two every few days now..
Click to expand...
Last year, we had planned a vacation for April. We learned that it's a bad time to be away. Lots of phone calls.
.
Click to expand...
Do you get lots of phone bookings or more online? We used to take vacation in June but lost too much money, so we switched it to April when it's quieter. I just put a message on the machine that we are closed and that someone is here taking care of the B&B but to make reservations to secure their room they should go online. More than 90% of our reservations are online and I find that those calling typically want a discount. Therefore, I'd rather not answer, enjoy my vacation and have them book online. It's also wonderful to be on vacation and check each night to see all the reservations coming in, knowing that even while I'm at the beach I'm making money.
 
MtnKeeper said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
About usual. Getting one or two every few days now..
Click to expand...
Last year, we had planned a vacation for April. We learned that it's a bad time to be away. Lots of phone calls.
.
Click to expand...
Do you get lots of phone bookings or more online? We used to take vacation in June but lost too much money, so we switched it to April when it's quieter. I just put a message on the machine that we are closed and that someone is here taking care of the B&B but to make reservations to secure their room they should go online. More than 90% of our reservations are online and I find that those calling typically want a discount. Therefore, I'd rather not answer, enjoy my vacation and have them book online. It's also wonderful to be on vacation and check each night to see all the reservations coming in, knowing that even while I'm at the beach I'm making money.
.
Click to expand...
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
 
TheBeachHouse said:
MtnKeeper said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
About usual. Getting one or two every few days now..
Click to expand...
Last year, we had planned a vacation for April. We learned that it's a bad time to be away. Lots of phone calls.
.
Click to expand...
Do you get lots of phone bookings or more online? We used to take vacation in June but lost too much money, so we switched it to April when it's quieter. I just put a message on the machine that we are closed and that someone is here taking care of the B&B but to make reservations to secure their room they should go online. More than 90% of our reservations are online and I find that those calling typically want a discount. Therefore, I'd rather not answer, enjoy my vacation and have them book online. It's also wonderful to be on vacation and check each night to see all the reservations coming in, knowing that even while I'm at the beach I'm making money.
.
Click to expand...
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
.
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
Click to expand...
You might also add that the online booking is secure, available 24 hours a day and has the best rates.
 
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
MtnKeeper said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
About usual. Getting one or two every few days now..
Click to expand...
Last year, we had planned a vacation for April. We learned that it's a bad time to be away. Lots of phone calls.
.
Click to expand...
Do you get lots of phone bookings or more online? We used to take vacation in June but lost too much money, so we switched it to April when it's quieter. I just put a message on the machine that we are closed and that someone is here taking care of the B&B but to make reservations to secure their room they should go online. More than 90% of our reservations are online and I find that those calling typically want a discount. Therefore, I'd rather not answer, enjoy my vacation and have them book online. It's also wonderful to be on vacation and check each night to see all the reservations coming in, knowing that even while I'm at the beach I'm making money.
.
Click to expand...
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
.
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
Click to expand...
You might also add that the online booking is secure, available 24 hours a day and has the best rates.
.
Click to expand...
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
Click to expand...
You might also add that the online booking is secure, available 24 hours a day and has the best rates.
Click to expand...
I sent DH an email suggesting he change the voice mail to include the website and a suggestion that reservations can be made on line.
 
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
MtnKeeper said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
About usual. Getting one or two every few days now..
Click to expand...
Last year, we had planned a vacation for April. We learned that it's a bad time to be away. Lots of phone calls.
.
Click to expand...
Do you get lots of phone bookings or more online? We used to take vacation in June but lost too much money, so we switched it to April when it's quieter. I just put a message on the machine that we are closed and that someone is here taking care of the B&B but to make reservations to secure their room they should go online. More than 90% of our reservations are online and I find that those calling typically want a discount. Therefore, I'd rather not answer, enjoy my vacation and have them book online. It's also wonderful to be on vacation and check each night to see all the reservations coming in, knowing that even while I'm at the beach I'm making money.
.
Click to expand...
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
.
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
Click to expand...
You might also add that the online booking is secure, available 24 hours a day and has the best rates.
.
Click to expand...
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
Click to expand...
You might also add that the online booking is secure, available 24 hours a day and has the best rates.
Click to expand...
I sent DH an email suggesting he change the voice mail to include the website and a suggestion that reservations can be made on line.
.
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
Both. Mostly on line but sometimes we get calls.
Slapping my head that we never put the web site on our phone message. Good idea.
Click to expand...
You might also add that the online booking is secure, available 24 hours a day and has the best rates.
Click to expand...
I sent DH an email suggesting he change the voice mail to include the website and a suggestion that reservations can be made on line.
Click to expand...
And then, when he gets this phone call you can tell him I did, too: Hi! I know I can make a reservation online, this is the room I want and it's open, but could you call me back, I want to talk to someone first. "
No discount request, no weird diet, just wanted to talk to someone.
 

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