Here's a review we recently received.
We have been going to XYZ B&B for Valentine's weekend for the last 4 years. We really like the cottage with it's roominess and privacy near the little creek. D creates the most spectacular breakfast delivered right to your door, their coffee is also amazing. The location is great in that there is plenty to do in the area not very far from this secluded getaway. In lieu of not being able to get to a tropical dive spot as envisioned, I took this opportunity to propose at our favorite B&B. Thanks D&R for making this and our previous stays memorable!
Glowing, right? He purposefully chose to propose to his girlfriend here. Always stay in our most expensive room. It was Valentine's weekend and not only do they get lots of chocolate hearts and goodies in their room, but I put on a big spread of a chocolate fountain with delightful things to dip in the chocolate. I just don't get some people. The 4s really bother me, but VALUE?!?!?!?!
Here's how they rated us in the individual catagories:
Overall 4 (out of 5)
Rooms 4
Service 5
Value 3
Cleanliness 4
Dining 4.
Because you actually know who this is, could you ask why the '3' for value?
When I see the '3' or '4' for value on my reviews I wish I knew who wrote them! I try to think back if I do recognize the names if there was something 'off' that day or what. And, you know what it usually comes down to? They are on a strict budget and the WHOLE weekend cost them more than they planned. They'll come back telling me how much the restaurant was or how the sales weren't as good or it rained. It's the whol impression they have of the weekend but the lodging is what they decide to review.
Let me ask this...do you think we should ALL take a page from the hotels and list higher prices in our guest books or on the back of the door? You know how the hotels always have the room prices at 'maximum $500' and you only paid $79. They do that for a variety of reasons...so they CAN charge $500 and so when they don't you think you got a deal.
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Semi-side-track:
Do you build in a buffer for discounting (as a hotel does)? Not "you" Ike, "you" anyone. If there was a built in $10 or 10% buffer and you "came down" in price, would you still not get what you need out of the room? Would that change the perception? Would it make you look better? Feel bad? I'm thinking of a multitude of things right now, not the least of which is the Better Way to Stay campaign from PAII. If there is wiggle room in your rates would you be more willing to wiggle? I understand the emotional attachment to the pricing: it's your home, it's your livlihood...I totally get all that.
"so they CAN charge $500 and so when they don't you think you got a deal."
Isn't everyone's perception their reality? What they believe to be true is what is true to them
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Wiggle room is totally dependent on the price of consumables. We have raised rates a little bit almost every year and every year something else takes the profit away. No, there is no wiggle room. I've had to cut out guest discounts for repeats. It was killing me.
A hotel with a rack rate of $199 that can allow employees to stay for $39 is still making money on that room. If I'm charging $199, it's because that's what we've calculated we need to get during peak season to have enough to live thru low season. Low season is simply gravy if I get anything. I COULD put my rooms online for $75 right now. It's gravy at this time of year.
However, no one would reserve at that price. I've been thru this. 'The price is so low, what's wrong with that place?' is a question I hear a lot when someone wants to stay here for $75 but doesn't actually want to stay at the place that charges $75.
See? That's it right there. Everyone wants the bennies at the discount price. No one wants the discount price if that's the actual price.
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