Staycations, our new business, help and feedback appreciated
Discussion
£450K for that!!
Living in London that makes me cry a little, what a stunning place.
Nothing to add other than I'll be visiting when it's up and running. Wife and I have just booked this place for a long weekend in late summer:
http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/wo...
Very much looking forward to it - it's a treehouse with a hot tub - what's not to like!!
For the record, both late 30's, no kids, no dogs. Unlike some others on this thread, we would probably avoid a place that advertised as kid-friendly but wouldn't mind a place that accommodates dogs. Have found that at the more expensive end of the market-place, more so than ever places live or die nowadays on on-line reviews so even if pets are allowed they are cleaned so thoroughly between guests that you would not know one had been there the day before - much like you shouldn't be finding traces of the previous human inhabitants!!.
Living in London that makes me cry a little, what a stunning place.
Nothing to add other than I'll be visiting when it's up and running. Wife and I have just booked this place for a long weekend in late summer:
http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/wo...
Very much looking forward to it - it's a treehouse with a hot tub - what's not to like!!
For the record, both late 30's, no kids, no dogs. Unlike some others on this thread, we would probably avoid a place that advertised as kid-friendly but wouldn't mind a place that accommodates dogs. Have found that at the more expensive end of the market-place, more so than ever places live or die nowadays on on-line reviews so even if pets are allowed they are cleaned so thoroughly between guests that you would not know one had been there the day before - much like you shouldn't be finding traces of the previous human inhabitants!!.
Thank you for the well wishes everyone 
Any thoughts/feedback on a business name?
We don’t want to go run of the mill holiday business name, we want to stand out from the crowd a little and try and be the only hit on Google for the name.
The property is called Crowness cottage, so we are currently thinking something along the lines of:
"Crowness Woodland Retreats"
"Crowness Vale"
Or the other idea we have had, moving away from Crowness completely is
"Tømmerstokk Vale" (Tømmerstokk is Norwegian (origins of the cabins) for log)
Or even
"Tømmerstokk Hytter" which translates to literally "log cabins"
Its hard to come up with something unique but at the same time memorable.
Any thoughts/feedback on a business name?
We don’t want to go run of the mill holiday business name, we want to stand out from the crowd a little and try and be the only hit on Google for the name.
The property is called Crowness cottage, so we are currently thinking something along the lines of:
"Crowness Woodland Retreats"
"Crowness Vale"
Or the other idea we have had, moving away from Crowness completely is
"Tømmerstokk Vale" (Tømmerstokk is Norwegian (origins of the cabins) for log)
Or even
"Tømmerstokk Hytter" which translates to literally "log cabins"
Its hard to come up with something unique but at the same time memorable.
Whilst I've yet to come up with the killer name for your business, I think I'd avoid the Scandinavian options unless you're going to fully embrace that theme (maybe go down the route of providing elk steaks, meatballs, etc!).
Or for the comedy aspect, given your location, you could go with Woodward Ho!
Needs to be something grown up and meaningful/indicative. Thinking cap on...
Or for the comedy aspect, given your location, you could go with Woodward Ho!
Needs to be something grown up and meaningful/indicative. Thinking cap on...
Time for another update?
We have settled on a Business name, and purchased the Domain name, we have gone for:
The Crowness
www.thecrowness.co.uk
In addition to this, we have updated our business model again somewhat. I spent the weekend at the property and in the area, this really enabled me to get more of a feel for the place, the people and the landscape of the grounds (I spent hours walking around the grounds, getting to see every nook and cranny for the first time).
While doing this, always thinking about the business, it came to me.
Rather than building 3 Log cabins, all of which would have been very similar (but themed/decorated differently), why not offer 3 completely different types of amazing accommodation, tapping into three times the market and hopefully getting each guest to come back at least 3 times.
So we have decided to build........
One totally amazing log cabin, down by the stream, hidden away in the woods, hot tub in the decking, log burner crackeling away inside.
One tree house, there is a perfect spot for this, with 4 mature trees in a square, with a perfect sized gap for the most amazing cabin with forest views, as well as sea views!
And finally, the most amazing Yurt/Glamping pod there is, 4 poster bed, Log burning stove, ensuite bathroom with roll top copper bath, built on a rustic wooden deck, with a glass panel in the roof to stargaze all night.
Thoughts?
I’m hoping that it will still appeal to everyone that has posted on this thread so far, as the totally amazing log cabin is still there, but we can concentrate on making it the most amazing log cabin there is, but we are also broadening our horizons and appealing to more of the market. I think it also makes the business a bit more interesting, and gives it a certain "wow factor".
We have settled on a Business name, and purchased the Domain name, we have gone for:
The Crowness
www.thecrowness.co.uk
In addition to this, we have updated our business model again somewhat. I spent the weekend at the property and in the area, this really enabled me to get more of a feel for the place, the people and the landscape of the grounds (I spent hours walking around the grounds, getting to see every nook and cranny for the first time).
While doing this, always thinking about the business, it came to me.
Rather than building 3 Log cabins, all of which would have been very similar (but themed/decorated differently), why not offer 3 completely different types of amazing accommodation, tapping into three times the market and hopefully getting each guest to come back at least 3 times.
So we have decided to build........
One totally amazing log cabin, down by the stream, hidden away in the woods, hot tub in the decking, log burner crackeling away inside.
One tree house, there is a perfect spot for this, with 4 mature trees in a square, with a perfect sized gap for the most amazing cabin with forest views, as well as sea views!
And finally, the most amazing Yurt/Glamping pod there is, 4 poster bed, Log burning stove, ensuite bathroom with roll top copper bath, built on a rustic wooden deck, with a glass panel in the roof to stargaze all night.
Thoughts?
I’m hoping that it will still appeal to everyone that has posted on this thread so far, as the totally amazing log cabin is still there, but we can concentrate on making it the most amazing log cabin there is, but we are also broadening our horizons and appealing to more of the market. I think it also makes the business a bit more interesting, and gives it a certain "wow factor".
They all look great.
Will be interested in the budget for each as I can't imagine getting services there will be cheap. It looks like a fairly major capital expenditure.
I have 8 acres of woodland next to my house and the council have approached me to see if I would be interested in doing something similar to assist with local tourism - but I can't get my fag packet to add up.
Will be interested in the budget for each as I can't imagine getting services there will be cheap. It looks like a fairly major capital expenditure.
I have 8 acres of woodland next to my house and the council have approached me to see if I would be interested in doing something similar to assist with local tourism - but I can't get my fag packet to add up.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 12th April 09:48
I don’t want the business to feel confused or disjointed, which there is a very real risk of having 3 different types of accommodation.
Therefore we will be ensuring the theme/decor/linen and quality is consistent throughout all 3, and the way the website/marketing is put together will be key in ensuring the business flows and the accommodation on offer compliments each other.
Therefore we will be ensuring the theme/decor/linen and quality is consistent throughout all 3, and the way the website/marketing is put together will be key in ensuring the business flows and the accommodation on offer compliments each other.
sidekickdmr said:
I don’t want the business to feel confused or disjointed, which there is a very real risk of having 3 different types of accommodation.
Therefore we will be ensuring the theme/decor/linen and quality is consistent throughout all 3, and the way the website/marketing is put together will be key in ensuring the business flows and the accommodation on offer compliments each other.
If you make stuff of the quality above I really wouldn't worry about consistency - you will need to look at the Treehouse though as you wont be able to have ladder access like that.Therefore we will be ensuring the theme/decor/linen and quality is consistent throughout all 3, and the way the website/marketing is put together will be key in ensuring the business flows and the accommodation on offer compliments each other.
You will definitely need to look at paths and lighting as access will need to be easy and clean, plus if you cant drive up to the units then you will need to provide some sort of transfer.
desolate said:
They all look great.
Will be interested in the budget for each as I can't imagine getting services there will be cheap. It looks like a fairly major capital expenditure.
I have 8 acres of woodland next to my house and the council have approached me to see if I would be interested in doing something similar to assist with local tourism - but I can't get my fag packet to add up.
Yes its going to be a Huge investment, and the business will also need to grow organically, we will start with the Log cabin (we already have the contact and quotation for this) and over time will add the Treehouse and Yurt. This also enables us to mitigate our risk, I wouldn’t want to spend £££££ and build all 3 from the word go, just to find out they are not in demand. Will be interested in the budget for each as I can't imagine getting services there will be cheap. It looks like a fairly major capital expenditure.
I have 8 acres of woodland next to my house and the council have approached me to see if I would be interested in doing something similar to assist with local tourism - but I can't get my fag packet to add up.
Tuna said:
Sounds very fun, a great project to get your teeth into.
Around here the planning department would laugh you out of the building though.
That is a concern we have, but we have spoken to the planners already, and they seem susceptible to the overall idea.Around here the planning department would laugh you out of the building though.
We are luckily completely flexible, and with this approach I’m sure we can work out something that will please them.
I've skipped over a bit of the thread, but like the bits I did read.
We have kids, and will have a dog, but I think we will be the target market in a couple of years. I can see us having the Grandparents to ours for a few days, during the week, to do the school run etc, so we can bugger off for a few days of peace and quiet.
We'd probably be mid week, for a couple of nights, in school time, not constrained by the time of year. So when you have it empty from normal folk.
Things that would be a bit of a draw for me would be access to good wilderness (ish) walks with a pub for lunch roughly halfway round and good road cycling roads so I can get out of the missus hair for a while. She'd probably want somewhere to go for a run.
We'd want to be contactable, so phone signal and WiFi would be needed. I understand some people want the isolation, so you could always offer to turn it off for people who don't want to be disturbed.
An alternative would be to offer a small coffee lounge at the main building where people could go to get online.
We have kids, and will have a dog, but I think we will be the target market in a couple of years. I can see us having the Grandparents to ours for a few days, during the week, to do the school run etc, so we can bugger off for a few days of peace and quiet.
We'd probably be mid week, for a couple of nights, in school time, not constrained by the time of year. So when you have it empty from normal folk.
Things that would be a bit of a draw for me would be access to good wilderness (ish) walks with a pub for lunch roughly halfway round and good road cycling roads so I can get out of the missus hair for a while. She'd probably want somewhere to go for a run.
We'd want to be contactable, so phone signal and WiFi would be needed. I understand some people want the isolation, so you could always offer to turn it off for people who don't want to be disturbed.
An alternative would be to offer a small coffee lounge at the main building where people could go to get online.
desolate said:
You will need to look at the Treehouse though as you wont be able to have ladder access like that.
You will definitely need to look at paths and lighting as access will need to be easy and clean, plus if you cant drive up to the units then you will need to provide some sort of transfer.
Yes you are right, a ladder just wouldn’t work for obvious reasons, that was just a Google images pinched picture. I’m thinking a rope bridge in the trees would be cool.You will definitely need to look at paths and lighting as access will need to be easy and clean, plus if you cant drive up to the units then you will need to provide some sort of transfer.
I’ve already spoken to electricians about pathway lighting and started a thread on PH about making more substantial paths through the forest, it’s going to be trial and error and I will make mistakes, but that’s all part of the fun.
FrankAbagnale said:
I haven't got any more input that all the great replies already offered other than to say good luck.
I'll definitely be interested in booking a stay when it's up and running.
Great, thanks for the kind words, would be great to have you I'll definitely be interested in booking a stay when it's up and running.
louiebaby said:
I've skipped over a bit of the thread, but like the bits I did read.
We have kids, and will have a dog, but I think we will be the target market in a couple of years. I can see us having the Grandparents to ours for a few days, during the week, to do the school run etc, so we can bugger off for a few days of peace and quiet.
We'd probably be mid week, for a couple of nights, in school time, not constrained by the time of year. So when you have it empty from normal folk.
Things that would be a bit of a draw for me would be access to good wilderness (ish) walks with a pub for lunch roughly halfway round and good road cycling roads so I can get out of the missus hair for a while. She'd probably want somewhere to go for a run.
We'd want to be contactable, so phone signal and WiFi would be needed. I understand some people want the isolation, so you could always offer to turn it off for people who don't want to be disturbed.
An alternative would be to offer a small coffee lounge at the main building where people could go to get online.
Well it sounds like we would be right up your street, we have both the Tarka Trail and the SW coast path right on our doorstep for cycling and running, and a lovely pub and coffee shop/bar just strolling distance from us!We have kids, and will have a dog, but I think we will be the target market in a couple of years. I can see us having the Grandparents to ours for a few days, during the week, to do the school run etc, so we can bugger off for a few days of peace and quiet.
We'd probably be mid week, for a couple of nights, in school time, not constrained by the time of year. So when you have it empty from normal folk.
Things that would be a bit of a draw for me would be access to good wilderness (ish) walks with a pub for lunch roughly halfway round and good road cycling roads so I can get out of the missus hair for a while. She'd probably want somewhere to go for a run.
We'd want to be contactable, so phone signal and WiFi would be needed. I understand some people want the isolation, so you could always offer to turn it off for people who don't want to be disturbed.
An alternative would be to offer a small coffee lounge at the main building where people could go to get online.
The phone signal is hit and miss, so I think WIFI in each place is inevitable.
Yes that does make that slightly trickier, but dogs and Treehouses wouldn’t really go hand in hand (parachutes not supplied), and material/canvas Yurts may not lend themselves to dogs too well either.
So it may be a case of the Log cabin is dog friendly, the Yurt and Treehouse are not for example.
So it may be a case of the Log cabin is dog friendly, the Yurt and Treehouse are not for example.
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