Fresh Ideas Wanted

NoHoBar said:

"honeymoon ...gourmet breakfast in the dining room in our main lodge. ... a private entrance, covered porch, and comfortable chairs for you relax in as you enjoy your romantic vacation. The Honeymoon ...is a perfect choice for couples who want an intimate setting to enjoy each other."
Here is my recommendation. I didn't see layout of your rooms/property online, so my comment is related to the pricing and privacy only.
I would offer breakfast delivery to the "honeymoon room" or whatever rooms you deem most expensive, or closet to your kitchen for deliveries. Limit it to those rooms so they will book them (and pay more) to have that added amenity.
Either up the price on them or charge a surcharge of $10-15 per morning.
Have a set time only, 9:15am to deliver after the main house is served, or before.
This is what people want. AND in doing so the tips may increase as well. Ask them to set the tray outside their door when done so you won't have to disturb them. It is a win win. Not easy to deliver in seasons, but it is not that bad and if it is raining or cold they will tip more. Our $10 fee to deliver made another $5 to $10 for the delivery much of the time, MAKE it tip worthy - toss a little posie in a vase or something clever like "For the lovebirds" on a folded card on top of the food cover like I did. They always took that, and tipped..

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Hillbilly said:

NoHoBar said:

"honeymoon ...gourmet breakfast in the dining room in our main lodge. ... a private entrance, covered porch, and comfortable chairs for you relax in as you enjoy your romantic vacation. The Honeymoon ...is a perfect choice for couples who want an intimate setting to enjoy each other."
Here is my recommendation. I didn't see layout of your rooms/property online, so my comment is related to the pricing and privacy only.
I would offer breakfast delivery to the "honeymoon room" or whatever rooms you deem most expensive, or closet to your kitchen for deliveries. Limit it to those rooms so they will book them (and pay more) to have that added amenity.
Either up the price on them or charge a surcharge of $10-15 per morning.
Have a set time only, 9:15am to deliver after the main house is served, or before.
This is what people want. AND in doing so the tips may increase as well. Ask them to set the tray outside their door when done so you won't have to disturb them. It is a win win. Not easy to deliver in seasons, but it is not that bad and if it is raining or cold they will tip more. Our $10 fee to deliver made another $5 to $10 for the delivery much of the time, MAKE it tip worthy - toss a little posie in a vase or something clever like "For the lovebirds" on a folded card on top of the food cover like I did. They always took that, and tipped..

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You know you are correct. We only have enough seating in the dining room for 12 and we have 14. So one room gets breakfast delivered each morning and its our most popular room. I never really thought much about why until your post. Might be something to look at for other options for breakfast income. The trouble I see is delivery time for everyone. Might be a bottle neck of issues with timing. But maybe not.
.

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Innkeep said:

Would you consider elopements?.

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Innkeep said:

Would you consider elopements?

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Arks said:

Both when I show people through the building, and in online reviews, my most mentioned amenity is the heated bathroom floors.
Mine are Thermosoft, but I'm sure there are lots of manufacturers.
Number two (no pun intended) are the heated toilet seats/bidets.
People really seem to love "spa bathrooms". Mine also have the sanijet tubs, but they don't get as much mention as the floors and toilet seats.
I considered the steam showers, which users really love, but some owners mentioned the steam/humidity leading to mold, and I didn't want to deal with that..

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Morticia said:

Not sure what you have already, or what your guests are visiting for, but something like a bocce court or horseshoes would be fun.
We have an acre of land here with gardens and lawn chairs. Very rare to find anyone out there. I asked a few years ago about outside amenities and no one was interested. So I just keep up the garden and make sure we have chairs, just for me!
If you have space and the ability to look after it, fire pits are quite the rage..

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Morticia said:

Not sure what you have already, or what your guests are visiting for, but something like a bocce court or horseshoes would be fun.
We have an acre of land here with gardens and lawn chairs. Very rare to find anyone out there. I asked a few years ago about outside amenities and no one was interested. So I just keep up the garden and make sure we have chairs, just for me!
If you have space and the ability to look after it, fire pits are quite the rage.
Some of you have stayed with us before and you know our layout. We have a fire pit now but its down over the hill on a trail to the lake. People do enjoy it but not everyone goes down the trail. If we build one up by the cabins I didn't know if the smoke from it might be annoying to other guests that might be on their porches. Has anyone had to deal with this issue?

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TheBeachHouse said:

We have a koi pond and guests love it.
We also fashioned a 'beach' out of gravel and put adirondack chairs on it. Very popular.
Id love to put in a putting green. Or a horseshoe pit..

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TheBeachHouse said:

We have a koi pond and guests love it.
We also fashioned a 'beach' out of gravel and put adirondack chairs on it. Very popular.
Id love to put in a putting green. Or a horseshoe pit.

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Breakfast Diva said:

A few years ago we added a gazebo. We put it in the front yard to add some 'charm factor'. We then had a carpenter build benches in it. Since it sits near the main road I didn't think people would sit in it, but I was wrong. People like to go out there and sit and when we have groups, it's a great place for them to congregate outdoors..

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Breakfast Diva said:

A few years ago we added a gazebo. We put it in the front yard to add some 'charm factor'. We then had a carpenter build benches in it. Since it sits near the main road I didn't think people would sit in it, but I was wrong. People like to go out there and sit and when we have groups, it's a great place for them to congregate outdoors.

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Duff2014 said:

Well, since you mentioned pool. I will comment on that. My grandma had an in ground pool put in during the late 1970s- early 1980s. (American Pool) It is still running fine and the company is still in business last I looked. It is a cement one with cement stairs going down into the pool which guests think is cool. Guests like to sit on the stairs and talk while the water surrounds them.
Pros for a pool: Guests love the idea of a pool and it can put you in "the 4 Star hotel" group since a pool is one of the amenities for that group. Guests will book because of a pool over no pool. (Only 10% ever use it.) Guests love to sit around the pool so make sure you have nice furniture for them to enjoy the water from. A good idea is to put an underwater light in the wall and it can be used after dark. (We let them used it after dark upon request. Besides that, the pool is open dawn to dusk.) It also lightens up the pool area when the family reunions are sitting on the patio enjoying the evening.
Cons for a pool: First the cost of putting it in. It has to be fenced in which catch leaves and blows them into the pool for someone to scoop out. It must be tested daily and adjusted. Leaves need to be scooped out. Bottom needs to be vacuumed. Sides need to be scrubbed down from time to time. Equipment bought and replaced from time to time. In the fall it must be drained about 1/4 of the water (then refilled in the spring), pipes pumped dry and antifreeze put in, capped off, and covered. (Custom pool cover are very expensive, so don't fall for those cute shape pools!) Then snow must be pushed/pulled off the cover. Pool water level checked after rain or melting snow and pumps dragged out and started, etc. Then there is the wonderful insurance issues. Signs posted. Depth levels painted on the sides each season. Pictures taken and sent in. No diving boards. In our area only Wolf's will cover us because of our pool.
Here our pool is opened Mid May-Sept. Is it worth it? Only you can decided it. Would Grandma do it again. Yes! She's as proud of the pool as the day it went in. Would I put in a pool? Hmm…interesting question. If you have the room and money, it is a very good amenity (but high responsibility) since its something not every place has or can have due to the cost, the work, and how much space it takes up. But I probably would buy an inn that has one over one that didn't. I wouldn't go for above ground pool since they have more maintenance problems and issues..

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Duff2014 said:

Well, since you mentioned pool. I will comment on that. My grandma had an in ground pool put in during the late 1970s- early 1980s. (American Pool) It is still running fine and the company is still in business last I looked. It is a cement one with cement stairs going down into the pool which guests think is cool. Guests like to sit on the stairs and talk while the water surrounds them.
Pros for a pool: Guests love the idea of a pool and it can put you in "the 4 Star hotel" group since a pool is one of the amenities for that group. Guests will book because of a pool over no pool. (Only 10% ever use it.) Guests love to sit around the pool so make sure you have nice furniture for them to enjoy the water from. A good idea is to put an underwater light in the wall and it can be used after dark. (We let them used it after dark upon request. Besides that, the pool is open dawn to dusk.) It also lightens up the pool area when the family reunions are sitting on the patio enjoying the evening.
Cons for a pool: First the cost of putting it in. It has to be fenced in which catch leaves and blows them into the pool for someone to scoop out. It must be tested daily and adjusted. Leaves need to be scooped out. Bottom needs to be vacuumed. Sides need to be scrubbed down from time to time. Equipment bought and replaced from time to time. In the fall it must be drained about 1/4 of the water (then refilled in the spring), pipes pumped dry and antifreeze put in, capped off, and covered. (Custom pool cover are very expensive, so don't fall for those cute shape pools!) Then snow must be pushed/pulled off the cover. Pool water level checked after rain or melting snow and pumps dragged out and started, etc. Then there is the wonderful insurance issues. Signs posted. Depth levels painted on the sides each season. Pictures taken and sent in. No diving boards. In our area only Wolf's will cover us because of our pool.
Here our pool is opened Mid May-Sept. Is it worth it? Only you can decided it. Would Grandma do it again. Yes! She's as proud of the pool as the day it went in. Would I put in a pool? Hmm…interesting question. If you have the room and money, it is a very good amenity (but high responsibility) since its something not every place has or can have due to the cost, the work, and how much space it takes up. But I probably would buy an inn that has one over one that didn't. I wouldn't go for above ground pool since they have more maintenance problems and issues.

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gillumhouse said:

Eventually, I plan to add some glider chairs around a free-standing fire pit in my side yard.
I have moved to using a locally made goat milk soap (I get unscented) in our showers - several guests have asked to buy some of it. They are small bars (enough for 1 or 2 nights) and I have sold them to them for $1 per bar. They have their tag attached to each bar so the guest can order direct from them if they wish when they get home..

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gillumhouse said:

Eventually, I plan to add some glider chairs around a free-standing fire pit in my side yard.
I have moved to using a locally made goat milk soap (I get unscented) in our showers - several guests have asked to buy some of it. They are small bars (enough for 1 or 2 nights) and I have sold them to them for $1 per bar. They have their tag attached to each bar so the guest can order direct from them if they wish when they get home.

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Hillbilly said:

We have also thought of maybe doing like a custom coffee area. Maybe get a professional espresso machine and make cappuccinos and specialty coffees. I know area wines are very popular around here. Not sure I want to go there. But if its a popular idea maybe..

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Hillbilly said:

We have also thought of maybe doing like a custom coffee area. Maybe get a professional espresso machine and make cappuccinos and specialty coffees. I know area wines are very popular around here. Not sure I want to go there. But if its a popular idea maybe.

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