Wi-Fi, To Be or Not To Be.

Agencies and other headaches, keys and cleaners, running costs and contracts...in short, all the things we spend so much of our time doing behind the scenes.<br>
Drax
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Location: Yorkshire Dales

Wi-Fi, To Be or Not To Be.

Post by Drax »

Currently we do not have Wi-Fi in our holiday home and I have been debating whether to have it installed. My wife does not want it because of the additional cost. (We have had some recent expense already on the property including a new block-paved footpath, a new cooker, new locks installed plus a new web site.)
I have been quoted £29.99 per month for 20-28 MB unlimited Broadband by BT but tied in for 18 months. Or alternatively £29.99 per month with 10-19 MB, with an installation fee of £49.00 but I can terminate this at any time.
We do try to keep our rental prices competitive but with costs mounting on maintaining and updating our holiday let it is a balancing act to make it attractive to guests but not to lose money in the process.
Do other LMH's consider it worthwhile and more importantly cost effective to have Wi-Fi installed?
Keep your powder dry.
zebedee
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Post by zebedee »

Yes. Essential.
Your deal with BT is a very good one. If you put up prices by £10 per week you would more than cover it and likely get more bookings throughout the year.
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teapot
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Post by teapot »

Have you checked a comparison site?
Most people have a data allowance on their phones so email is easy and occasional web browsing. They used to be called holidays!
Still we have to provide :)
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COYS
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Post by COYS »

zebedee wrote:Yes. Essential.
Your deal with BT is a very good one. If you put up prices by £10 per week you would more than cover it and likely get more bookings throughout the year.
+1
It's a a no-brainer.
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Marks
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Post by Marks »

What they said.

No brainer. As essential as hot water and electricity.
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The Olive Grove
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Post by The Olive Grove »

Absolutely - first question asked whenever guests arrive - "what is the wi-fi key?". I think people expect it these days.
Puffin Lodge Filey
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Post by Puffin Lodge Filey »

We're in a very competitive market and so I think it's essential. We started off with Sky broadband just over a year ago and have just upgraded to Sky Fibre Unlimited.
Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
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PW in Polemi
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Post by PW in Polemi »

I second The Olive Grove wholeheartedly.
Absolutely essential these days.
As Zebedee said, put the prices up to cover your additional costs, ensure that FREE Wi-Fi is prominent in your advertising, and you will probably get more bookings. I certainly would not want to book anywhere without internet availability, even though I do not have a smart phone. :oops: :D
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kg1
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Post by kg1 »

I would not rent a cottage without it - it's the first thing guests ask for - the wifi code. Important to get a reliable one, but put in your T&Cs that it is provided FOC, and you cannot be held responsible for technological breakdowns!
kg1
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Post by kg1 »

Drax - is your property in Yorkshire Dales, if so can you put up your website as I will be looking soon for that area. Thanks.
Sapper
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Wifi

Post by Sapper »

We have Talktalk ,simply broadband , no telephone calls but unlimited internet for £20 a month
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greenbarn
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Location: The Westmorland Dales, Cumbria

Post by greenbarn »

As others have said it’s essential, and you’ll lose bookings without it.
I envy you the rates you’ve been quoted! In our area of the Dales the nearest fibre installation doesn’t reach us and we’ve just splashed out a lot to upgrade from unsatisfactory ADSL to a microwave radio to fibre system. The monthly cost will be a lot more than your quotes and the service will be capped, so I’m also having to spend to be able to manage data allowances per stay.
End of whinge!
Drax
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Location: Yorkshire Dales

Post by Drax »

Thank you for your replies and suggestions you have been very helpful.
Regarding other companies, for some reason (I did not quite understand what the lady was saying) Talk-Talk cannot provide me with this connection.
Obviously you are all in favour of Wi-Fi and have convinced me that this is the way forward, my job now is to convince my wife.
By showing her your replies may help.
Keep your powder dry.
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teapot
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Post by teapot »

:lol:
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newtimber
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Post by newtimber »

Plusnet do cheap business broadband on a 24 month contract. From £18 a month.
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