Staycations, our new business, help and feedback appreciated
Discussion
Good morning,
I’ve been toying with starting this thread for a few months/years now but it seems now is as good time as any.
Our house is hitting the market next week and we are in the process of looking out for a property in Somerset with the view to starting a new business.
We are looking for a small cottage with a few acres in the country.
The plan is to build 3 or so small lodges, and then in the summer months offer a bit of Glamping too.
I know lots of places already do this but we want to go much more romantic, rustic and top end.
Each lodge will be sat in about an acre of its own, most likely a cider orchard for screening/privacy and completely secluded.
- Couples/Adults only
- Dogs welcome
- Hot tub on the decking with outside table and chairs
- Roll top bath in the bedroom as well as a proper ensuite with shower
- log burning stove and a pile of seasoned logs
- Fresh baked bread/cookies on the table with a couple of bottles of cider in the fridge on arrival, as well as milk/coffee etc obviusly
So the reason for the thread? I’m keen to see what your thoughts are on the overall plan and what you would look for if you and the wife/husband wanted a weekend in the countryside, and just to get some general feedback really, now is the time we can still make changes and look for a property that reflects the style we choose.
Would you come?
How much would you pay?
Would you want to be near a pub, town, tourist attractions?
Nothing actually exists like i have in my head, so they will certainly be unique, but they will be something along these lines:
and then the summer glamping:
Any feedback, good or bad appreciated immensely
Thank you
I’ve been toying with starting this thread for a few months/years now but it seems now is as good time as any.
Our house is hitting the market next week and we are in the process of looking out for a property in Somerset with the view to starting a new business.
We are looking for a small cottage with a few acres in the country.
The plan is to build 3 or so small lodges, and then in the summer months offer a bit of Glamping too.
I know lots of places already do this but we want to go much more romantic, rustic and top end.
Each lodge will be sat in about an acre of its own, most likely a cider orchard for screening/privacy and completely secluded.
- Couples/Adults only
- Dogs welcome
- Hot tub on the decking with outside table and chairs
- Roll top bath in the bedroom as well as a proper ensuite with shower
- log burning stove and a pile of seasoned logs
- Fresh baked bread/cookies on the table with a couple of bottles of cider in the fridge on arrival, as well as milk/coffee etc obviusly
So the reason for the thread? I’m keen to see what your thoughts are on the overall plan and what you would look for if you and the wife/husband wanted a weekend in the countryside, and just to get some general feedback really, now is the time we can still make changes and look for a property that reflects the style we choose.
Would you come?
How much would you pay?
Would you want to be near a pub, town, tourist attractions?
Nothing actually exists like i have in my head, so they will certainly be unique, but they will be something along these lines:
and then the summer glamping:
Any feedback, good or bad appreciated immensely
Thank you
I dont know if I would want to fence the plot off completely with 6 foot panel fences but some kind of picket fence could work, good idea though as I'd look for the same for our dogs so they can go for a wee without being on leads.
And yes, for my sake as much as the guests im hoping I find somewhere with a pub close by
And yes, for my sake as much as the guests im hoping I find somewhere with a pub close by
I'd be interested to see what impact making it adult only would have. I understand why you're doing it, I just wonder if you're ruling out your biggest potential customer.
I've got young children and this is the kind of thing we and our friends get up to these days. We are now of an age that we have a bit of cash but not necessarily the time to fly abroad at weekends or for short breaks. Pre kids we'd have gone to Berlin, Venice, Rome, Iceland, etc, rather than glamping. / lodging. We did camp back then, but that was more about getting outdoors and going walking, paying a sginificant premium for glamping / lodging would not have been considered when we'd get luxury when we went abroad.
Perhaps times have changed, but when we had the disposable income pre-kids we wanted to see the world, and we did. Now we have kids we're quite happy to stay in the UK for short breaks and let the kids play in woods / fields. We still have a couple of big holidays each year abroad with the kids, but hiring a lodge or glamping would not be considered for a big holiday.
I've got young children and this is the kind of thing we and our friends get up to these days. We are now of an age that we have a bit of cash but not necessarily the time to fly abroad at weekends or for short breaks. Pre kids we'd have gone to Berlin, Venice, Rome, Iceland, etc, rather than glamping. / lodging. We did camp back then, but that was more about getting outdoors and going walking, paying a sginificant premium for glamping / lodging would not have been considered when we'd get luxury when we went abroad.
Perhaps times have changed, but when we had the disposable income pre-kids we wanted to see the world, and we did. Now we have kids we're quite happy to stay in the UK for short breaks and let the kids play in woods / fields. We still have a couple of big holidays each year abroad with the kids, but hiring a lodge or glamping would not be considered for a big holiday.
JQ said:
I'd be interested to see what impact making it adult only would have. I understand why you're doing it, I just wonder if you're ruling out your biggest potential customer.
I've got young children and this is the kind of thing we and our friends get up to these days. We are now of an age that we have a bit of cash but not necessarily the time to fly abroad at weekends or for short breaks. Pre kids we'd have gone to Berlin, Venice, Rome, Iceland, etc, rather than glamping. / lodging. We did camp back then, but that was more about getting outdoors and going walking, paying a sginificant premium for glamping / lodging would not have been considered when we'd get luxury when we went abroad.
Perhaps times have changed, but when we had the disposable income pre-kids we wanted to see the world, and we did. Now we have kids we're quite happy to stay in the UK for short breaks and let the kids play in woods / fields. We still have a couple of big holidays each year abroad with the kids, but hiring a lodge or glamping would not be considered for a big holiday.
Thank you for the detailed replyI've got young children and this is the kind of thing we and our friends get up to these days. We are now of an age that we have a bit of cash but not necessarily the time to fly abroad at weekends or for short breaks. Pre kids we'd have gone to Berlin, Venice, Rome, Iceland, etc, rather than glamping. / lodging. We did camp back then, but that was more about getting outdoors and going walking, paying a sginificant premium for glamping / lodging would not have been considered when we'd get luxury when we went abroad.
Perhaps times have changed, but when we had the disposable income pre-kids we wanted to see the world, and we did. Now we have kids we're quite happy to stay in the UK for short breaks and let the kids play in woods / fields. We still have a couple of big holidays each year abroad with the kids, but hiring a lodge or glamping would not be considered for a big holiday.
It’s certainly something we have discussed a number of times, and I do know we are cutting a good 80%% of the market out, however I’m thinking this is almost the basis of what makes this business viable.
95% of places out there are set up for families, very safe, standard lodges, with kids play parks and entertainment, however because 95% of places cater to the masses, that leaves the extra 5% of the market that think outside the box to stand out and mop up the smaller slice of the market that wants a couples retreat.
I know of plenty of young couples and actually older kidless couples (combined with the weekend away from the kids/kids older and moved out brigade) that wouldn’t consider going to a family holiday park type place in the UK.
I’m willing to consider scrapping this completely and reverting to the kids welcome market if its not busy enough/taking off though, the business will be forever evolving.
wseed said:
As a child and pet free couple I think I'd be more put off by the fact that you accept dogs than if you allowed children. I always check when booking accommodation that it's smoke and pet free.
Yes I do understand the dogs allowed thing will put some people off, however considering you would be staying in a cabin, in the middle of the countryside and will have sheep, chickens and cows surrounding you, I think most people that want go to the countryside are ok with animals. We unfortunately cant please all the people all the time, but I think the market/benefits of pleasing the dog people outweighs the market of the non dog lovers.
As a dog owner and parent , I'd like to add a bit of balance.
I'd love to stay at a place such as yours, but just the two of us, leaving the pooch and the lad with the family for a long weekend.
We do camp as a family - dogs, kids, campfire etc and when we do we avoid like the plague the big sites with their shops and bars etc....but, if its an escape for just the two of us no way do I want the seclusion and tranquility spoiled by 'next doors' yapping untrained mutt/fur baby, so if its dog friendly I'm out.
I'd love to stay at a place such as yours, but just the two of us, leaving the pooch and the lad with the family for a long weekend.
We do camp as a family - dogs, kids, campfire etc and when we do we avoid like the plague the big sites with their shops and bars etc....but, if its an escape for just the two of us no way do I want the seclusion and tranquility spoiled by 'next doors' yapping untrained mutt/fur baby, so if its dog friendly I'm out.
In addition, I'd suggest you 'mystery shop' existing places near to you and contact 'non-competition' sites elsewhere in the country seeking advice.
Your plots are too large. The fencing will cost a fortune and do you really want to conduct a fingertip search of an acre after every occupancy looking for dog turds and bottle tops, cig butts (and worse) ?
Your plots are too large. The fencing will cost a fortune and do you really want to conduct a fingertip search of an acre after every occupancy looking for dog turds and bottle tops, cig butts (and worse) ?
If you have multiple units then you can have some pet-free and other dog-friendly.
My parents and nearly all their middle aged/retired/semi-retired friends have dogs and specifically search out dog-friendly accommodation for weekends/weeks away.
I'd agree with 'no kids' being a selling point
My parents and nearly all their middle aged/retired/semi-retired friends have dogs and specifically search out dog-friendly accommodation for weekends/weeks away.
I'd agree with 'no kids' being a selling point
Not a bad idea to keep one of the plots/cabins as "dog free" 
Yes ive already done a lot of mistery shopping, im my own perfect customer as at least twice a year me and the OH go down the westcountry and stay in a little cottage, it was the lack of the more rustic/basic cabins that gave me the idea in the first place.
Yes ive already done a lot of mistery shopping, im my own perfect customer as at least twice a year me and the OH go down the westcountry and stay in a little cottage, it was the lack of the more rustic/basic cabins that gave me the idea in the first place.
sidekickdmr said:
Yes I do understand the dogs allowed thing will put some people off, however considering you would be staying in a cabin, in the middle of the countryside and will have sheep, chickens and cows surrounding you, I think most people that want go to the countryside are ok with animals.
Can't really compare pet dogs with livestock. I love the countryside. I'm fine with chickens, sheep, cows, etc. because they don't run up to me, jump up at me, claw at my clothes and get slobber all over me. Dogs do, which is why I'm not overly keen on them.MitchT said:
Can't really compare pet dogs with livestock. I love the countryside. I'm fine with chickens, sheep, cows, etc. because they don't run up to me, jump up at me, claw at my clothes and get slobber all over me. Dogs do, which is why I'm not overly keen on them.
But this isn’t a hotel, you have your own acre, your own cabin, your own land, complete seclusion, the whole idea is that you shouldn’t see another person (or dog) the whole time your on our site (apart from us when checking in of course)Don’t like dogs, don’t bring one
sidekickdmr said:
MitchT said:
Can't really compare pet dogs with livestock. I love the countryside. I'm fine with chickens, sheep, cows, etc. because they don't run up to me, jump up at me, claw at my clothes and get slobber all over me. Dogs do, which is why I'm not overly keen on them.
But this isn’t a hotel, you have your own acre, your own cabin, your own land, complete seclusion, the whole idea is that you shouldn’t see another person (or dog) the whole time your on our site (apart from us when checking in of course)Don’t like dogs, don’t bring one
If I ever see 'dog friendly' advertised I'll move along to the next property, don't want to stay somewhere that may smell of dog and have traces of a dog having stayed there. We're fairly dog-neutral but don't want a constant reminder on holiday.
Check out this place. My wife and I have stayed there (it is owned by a friend). Ideal for romantic weekends and that is what a lot of people want nowadays. It is pretty much booked out I believe so you can see that the demand is there....and this place isn't cheap!!
http://www.groesinn.com/the-high-cabin/
http://www.groesinn.com/the-high-cabin/
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