Hosting Special-Needs Guests

I would love to have a few of these capsule rooms stacked at the back of our motel for those special guests that when inquiring to stay use phrases like: "Have you got anything cheaper" or the classic: "All I want is a basic room".

Innovative Motel Advertising

How Much is A Negative Accommodation Review Worth?

There is no doubt that negative online reviews can put a substantial dent in an accommodation provider's online-cred and this can translate over to reduced business.

The majority of consumers are now spend time online researching accommodation options via multiple websites before committing to a reservation. Many consumers as part of their online quest to find that perfect accommodation choice, value the opinions of those that went before them and read guest reviews. So if punters are looking and not booking a certain accommodation option because of crappy reviews, what is the potential loss for that accommodation provider?

According to the Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments in Queenstown the cost of negative reviews is "almost $245,000 over two years."

 The story of negative reviews that were posted to the wrong hotel on the Travelocity website makes interesting reading. Maybe the hotel's back-of-the-envelope claim of $245K is somewhat overstated for effect, however this can serve as a heads-up to accommodation providers to be extra vigilant by regularly checking what guest review sites are saying about them.

Dunedin Evicts Pearl Going

Accommodation providers have a hard time sorting out the wheat from the chaff when it comes to assessing the flow of unsubscribed "marketing opportunities" presented to them.

One opportunity that seems to be increasing in demand is the request to host media. As an example, we have hosted many travel writers over the years and have given them either heavily reduced or FOC accommodation along with an insight into our region in the optimistic hope that our fine product and services would be praised in whatever publication they represented. It is often difficult to account for value in advance and it is up to accommodation providers to go with gut instinct and a Google search to weigh up if the time and opportunity cost is worth it.

All travel writers that we have hosted have been legitimate, however if we are honest the overall benefits of subsidising these folk has been somewhat marginal.

...So it is with interest that we learn that the Whaleoil Blog is all over the bizarre story of Pearl Going (full name: Sian-Pearl Going) who's background and motivation to sample the high-end tourism delights of Dunedin has been questioned by two accommodation providers.

Better go and check it out HERE... 

The Customer Is NOT Always Right

We’ve all heard the popular phrase, “The customer is always right,” but is it true? Can the customer always be right? We were sent a link to a website Not Always Right that allows readers in the customer service industry to tell the other side of the story by posting memorable and often hilarious tales from their experiences that prove, “The customer is not always right.”

Not Always Right is about leveling the playing field and providing some therapy for those of us who toil and sweat every day trying to juggle demanding customers and often unreasonable expectations. 

Here's one we liked: 

Me: “Good evening, guest services. This is ***, how my I assist you?”
Guest: “This is absolutely ridiculous! You need to get someone up here right now! This God d*** microwave in my room isn’t working! You had better fix this immediately!”
(Note: our motel does not have microwaves in our guest rooms)
Me: “I am so sorry, Mr. ***. I can certainly have someone come take a look at it right away. If I may ask, did housekeeping bring this microwave to your room?”
Guest: “No! It’s the microwave that is in the room! My nachos have been in this d*** thing for over 20 minutes and they’re not even hot yet!”
Me: “I see, sir. Can you tell me where it’s located in your room?”
Guest: “It’s the one that’s right under the television! I want my nachos and you better figure this out now!”
Me: “Sir, is this microwave an off-white color with a keypad on the right of it?”
Guest: “Yes!”
Me: “There’s not a little window like a normal microwave would have, is there? It’s just a little digital display screen, right?”
Guest: “That’s exactly it. It only displays how long I set the time for! I want my nachos 20 minutes ago. Can you get someone up here immediately?! This is absurd!”
Me: “Again, sir, I apologize that your nachos are not hot. However, I believe I’ve figured out what the problem is. The device you’re placing your nachos in is actually your safe.”
Guest: “Oh…oh my God. I’m so f***ing stupid!”

Hosting Pearl Going?

 

We are unsure exactly who Pearl Going (full name: Sian-Pearl Going) really is, however we can confidently confirm that she is a 20-something fit blond with piercing blue eyes...

Although we note that there is much written about Going and there are a few flattering pictures of her gracing posing with minor "celebrities" scattered around various media, we still have no idea what she does?

A Google search reveals that Going is a sometime model and socialite that enjoys the camera and apparently has something to do with the fashion industry. Continuing our interview with Google we learn that  Going has been described as "the most gorgeous IT girl and socialite in New Zealand." We are unable to dispute this as we have no idea how this bold claim to fame could be measured. 

We also see that Google points to several unfortunate references that describe Going as someone that tends to overstate the truth...

Which is interesting if you contemplate a recent tip-off that claims disgruntled accommodation providers and other tourism folk have ingratiated Going with freebies on the premise that she is a credible travel writer.

We are interested to learn of other accommodation providers (particularly in the South Island) that may have graciously hosted Pearl Going recently.

Michael Mcintyre on holidays and TripAdvisor

According to UK comedian Michael McIntyre, everything is reviewed on the internet these days from toasters to accommodation.

Before you even leave home there is the research on the internet to endure before deciding that perfect accommodation choice.

"Who in their right mind is writing these reviews...who comes home from holiday, unpacks and just goes..right!..now for the review..." So,  just how can you interpret those accommodation reviews on TripAdvisor? "

Michael McIntyre gives us an interesting out-of-industry perspective on the stresses of booking a holiday:

60's - 70's Motel Urgently Required!

If you own an iconic motel in the Auckland region, he's an opportunity to hang-out with some hot leading Kiwi music-folk and broadcast the unique attributes of your property to an admiring audience: 

"We are doing a music video for Annabel Fay, who has Aussie idol singer Stan Walker guesting in the clip.

The shots we wish to do:

1 x exterior of Annabel walking out of a room, and getting into a car and driving off (Exterior shot) Stan Walker runs out pleading for her to return.

Time - 2 hrs max.

1 interior

We need a room to shoot Stan singing to camera - heartbroken. He will be sitting on the end of the bed.. and looking in the bathroom mirror.

Looking for a classic 60's 70's look motel, in the Auckland region. We do have a little bit of budget - so can pay a location fee, and will be low stress and professional. We would need to shoot the 3rd or 4th of Feb (end of next week)

Please call Marc on 0212985812 or email to marcswadel@gmail.com'

Go to it!

Motel Promotion

One of the virtues we pride ourselves in is the ability to not expose those folk who contact us confidentially with items of interest.

A good example of this is a motel that sent us a new promotional activity that they have been trialling recently.

As an act of good faith we will not disclose the motel... 

Tourism NZ FAIL

Deborah Coddington's provocative weekend opinion piece probably motivated Tourism NZ to make an embarrassing u-turn and apoligise to Anna Faris for comparing her to a pothead stoner with "no credibility" after she criticised Kiwi men for being vulgar on a US talk show.  

Hopefully our government sponsored marketing department will think before they put their foot in their mouth in future...