Lay My Hat Forum

voltaire · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: nr caen in normandy

Its an awfully long way off I know, but the World Equestrian Games will be held near here (Caen) in 2014. I have had a horsey guest recently ask what our prices will be for the two weeks in August concerned. I know I will be pretty full up whatever, so I have no need to take a booking so far in advance, but do any of you have any idea what kind of premium would be reasonable for such an event ... I don't want to be seen to be overcharging, but nor do I want to give up the chance of a possible substantial one-off bonus either

To give an idea of what a huge event this is, it is estimated that there will be in excess of 300,000 extra people here for the games, so no way will there be enough accommodation locally. I'm about a 15 min drive to where 90% of the events will be held.
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building work is harder than it looks

Nightowl · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:34 pm Post subject:

We have the same dilemma with the Olympics in 2012. I think a premium is reasonable but I don't want to charge rip off prices (although my husband has suggested trebling our normal rates and to appease him I have quoted this rate a few times and, of course, not heard back from anyone....)

So I'd also be interested to know what is considered a realistic premium rate as well.

I guess it would help any of us to hear from anyone who has charged 'event premium' rates and had bookings at those premium prices..
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Nightowl
Forever going one step forwards and two
backwards......
http://www.homelidays.com/london/apartment-flat144480en1.htm
http://www.homelidays.com/london/apartment-flat190993en1.htm
http://www.homelidays.com/chiclana/house-villa70705en1.htm

Normandie · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:35 pm Post subject:

My special event pricing will be more special guest pricing - I'll only allow guests to book who want to go to the eventing section of the championships... then I can take the time off to go too. Wink

I have no idea what you should charge as a premium, Voltaire. I'm over an hour away from Caen so not particularly attractive for people who want to attend. It might be interesting for you to find a way of getting a group to book the whole property - plenty of demand for somewhere special, I suspect, and your website looks lovely. It's how to get your name and property seen in the right place and I'm not sure how to achieve that. This is the sort of thing I'm thinking about...

http://equestours.com/id4.html

.

voltaire · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: nr caen in normandy

Normandie, yes I think trying to rent the whole house to a large group might be the way forward. Interesting link in your post, sounds like some people are already booking places up 3 years in advance. As for their assertion that the Mercure is the best hotel in Caen - well I hope most of us can do a lot better than that !!

The big question though is price .... 2X, 3X ???
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building work is harder than it looks

la vache! · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:04 pm Post subject:

I know Caen quite well, I haven't stayed in the Mercure near the port (which is a great location), but have stayed in the one in the town and it was OK, but a chain hotel, small rooms, and nothing like as luxurious as you offer (for a cheaper price).
I agree with Normandie, try and offer your place for a group price. The one picky thing I would say regarding the photos on your website, is that it in a few of your photos the beds look as if someone just got out of them (or in the case of the double, that someone is still in there!) They aren't quite as tidy as I'd expect, and a few colourful cushions might help dress them a little.

voltaire · Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 19 Location: nr caen in normandy

La Vache - point taken about the pictures - tidiness is not really my strongest point, but the rooms do look better in the flesh I assure you. I have some new pics and I will redo the website, but at least this way perhaps I am screening out the tidiness fanatics. I'm pretty much innundated with bookings as it is. Maybe I've discovered a new scruffy market niche !

BTW the bed was empty when I took the picture but looking at it I had a chuckle as I do see what you mean.

kendalcottages · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:45 pm Post subject:

I had bedroom pictures not too dissimilar to yours and I think re-taking them can really make the world of difference. This is what I did just recently. Hopefully this serves as a case in point:

Earlier pic:

New pic:

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Kendal Cottages, Kendal, Cumbria - between the Lake District & the Yorkshire Dales

Nightowl · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject:

It's true, this is where LMH comes into its own.... seeing things that we don't see ourselves...

I took some pics of our gardens the other day, after putting solar chinese lanterns in ... and then when I looked at them I realised that the pics showed the bloody box sitting on one of the planters... doh....

And we did a video tour the other day and there were some minor mishaps... son's head in the way of a shot; a door swinging open; bits and pieces moved out of one room to make it tidier clearly visible in the hallway....all sorts...but not in a good way...

Will have to reshoot it all again....
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Nightowl
Forever going one step forwards and two
backwards......
http://www.homelidays.com/london/apartment-flat144480en1.htm
http://www.homelidays.com/london/apartment-flat190993en1.htm
http://www.homelidays.com/chiclana/house-villa70705en1.htm

Bartlett · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2011 8:49 pm Post subject:

My suggestion is to add a few extras, like a picnic hamper or pass to something local, sell as a package and then it is not so transparent how much the increase is.