Help Us Develop Packages for Pilots

[Jay Honeck]

As many of you know, we are purchasing a motel on Mustang Island (Port Aransas, Texas) later this month, with the intention of creating a second aviation-themed, fly-in destination for pilots.

To that end, I'm working with local businesses to develop "package deals" for our fly-in guests. This being an island, there all sorts of new possibilities that we can't offer at our other property in Iowa (parasailing, for one!), and I'm wondering if you guys might do me the favor of voting for your favorites ideas.

All of the packages would include a weekend at the motel, naturally. Would you be interested in adding:

1. Dinner for two at one (or more) of the local restaurants?
2. A charter bay-fishing trip?
3. A charter deep-sea fishing trip?
4. A dolphin-watching boat trip?
5. A round of golf at our Arnold Palmer-designed championship course, Newport Dunes?

Thanks for your help. Any and all ideas are appreciated!

 

[tonycondon]

avgas discount

 

[Missa]

Parasailing is the only intresting thing to me and it wasn't on the voting list...

 

[Jay Honeck]

Parasailing is the only intresting thing to me and it wasn't on the voting list...

Super! That's an option on the island -- I just didn't add it cuz I didn't think it would "fly"... (I'll try to edit the poll and add it!)

Sky-diving is big here, too. Anyone want to add that?

 

[Exocetid]

As many of you know, we are purchasing a motel on Mustang Island (Port Aransas, Texas) later this month, with the intention of creating a second aviation-themed, fly-in destination for pilots.
---
Thanks for your help. Any and all ideas are appreciated!

Whoa!! This is really great. Consider putting a package together for group fly-ins. I am a member of the South Central Chapter of the Vintage Mooney Group and we are always looking for places to hold fly-ins. You can expect around twenty planes and up to forty people. Mainly middle-aged Mooniacs with their significant others. We like to fly-in for a meal, hang around and talk Mooneys, get a good price on 100LL and then fly away. I could see an overnight deal as well.

 

[Missa]

Sky-diving is big here, too. Anyone want to add that?

I've considered jumping out of a perfectly good airplane only once. And that was because I figured that I wear a parashoot when doing acro, I should know how to use it if I have to ever bail out for real. I know the basics on how to use it but getting over the "fear of the unknown" by doing it once may help if I ever am forced to do it.

Something that would be a nice package for an avation enthusist not just pilots would be a sight seeing ride by Waco (or other open cockpit biplane).

 

[SkyHog]

Golf, man. Golf.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Whoa!! This is really great. Consider putting a package together for group fly-ins. I am a member of the South Central Chapter of the Vintage Mooney Group and we are always looking for places to hold fly-ins. You can expect around twenty planes and up to forty people. Mainly middle-aged Mooniacs with their significant others. We like to fly-in for a meal, hang around and talk Mooneys, get a good price on 100LL and then fly away. I could see an overnight deal as well.

I'm glad you're as excited by the prospect as we are! We plan to host MANY fly-in groups, just like we've done at our other property, the Alexis Park Inn in Iowa City, IA (KIOW). The possibilities here are nearly endless.

Of course, any deals we set up at KRAS will include overnight accomodations, so you'll have to work your group's plans around that requirement...

 

[AdamZ]

Jay, Heres what I'd like if it were me.

1) Transport from airport to hotel and back
2)Wx at the hotel
3)I'd be interested in the fishing if I were comming with Guys not the family
4) If comming with the Family, a Sailboat charter would be awesome for me ( Cuz I love sailing) ie a sail on the Gulf or Bay with Drinks and perhaps dinner or even a mid day deal with a great lunch
5) One final thing Jay, When I stay at a small hotel like what I envision yours will be I like to be made to feel like I am a old friend as opposed to a guest. I can get that at any Hyatt. One of my favorite hotel stays was at a small Inn called the Paradise Inn in Key West. A knock came at the door and the Inn keeper was there with a cooler and some cold ones, a bottle of wine and some glasswear. She asked us if we wanted to join her for a drink. As it turns out they had a poolside coctail party for guest a few nights a week and they would stop by the bungalow of a new guest about 1/2 hour before the cocktail hour and share a drink with just them and use the opportunity to find out what the guest liked and fill the guest in on great things to do, where to eat and just as important what to avoid. It was a nice touch.

 

[Jay Honeck]

I've considered jumping out of a perfectly good airplane only once. And that was because I figured that I wear a parashoot when doing acro, I should know how to use it if I have to ever bail out for real. I know the basics on how to use it but getting over the "fear of the unknown" by doing it once may help if I ever am forced to do it.

Something that would be a nice package for an avation enthusist not just pilots would be a sight seeing ride by Waco (or other open cockpit biplane).

Mary has sky-dived. Me? No friggin' way am I jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. Maybe if it's on fire, but otherwise, no thanks.

I like the open cockpit biplane ride idea. A good friend of mine owns a '29 Travel Air that he's done that with over in Florida. Maybe I'll give him a buzz...

 

[Jay Honeck]

1) Transport from airport to hotel and back

Check.

2)Wx at the hotel

Check.

3)I'd be interested in the fishing if I were comming with Guys not the family

Check

4) If comming with the Family, a Sailboat charter would be awesome for me ( Cuz I love sailing) ie a sail on the Gulf or Bay with Drinks and perhaps dinner or even a mid day deal with a great lunch

Good idea. I'll check that out.

5) One final thing Jay, When I stay at a small hotel like what I envision yours will be I like to be made to feel like I am a old friend as opposed to a guest. I can get that at any Hyatt. One of my favorite hotel stays was at a small Inn called the Paradise Inn in Key West. A knock came at the door and the Inn keeper was there with a cooler and some cold ones, a bottle of wine and some glasswear. She asked us if we wanted to join her for a drink. As it turns out they had a poolside coctail party for guest a few nights a week and they would stop by the bungalow of a new guest about 1/2 hour before the cocktail hour and share a drink with just them and use the opportunity to find out what the guest liked and fill the guest in on great things to do, where to eat and just as important what to avoid. It was a nice touch.

That's cool, although I'm not sure my liver can stand it!

There is a really fine line to walk with guests WRT chumminess. I've handed cold beers to guests at the counter in Iowa City when they looked beat, and been practically kissed with gratitude. Other folks don't want to be bothered by "the help".

But we hope to do a lot of poolside barbecues, etc. I'm working with contractors to get a hot-tub-with-waterfall-into-the-pool installed soon after we take possession...

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

No friggin' way am I jumping out of a perfectly good airplane.

I take it you have never ridden in a jump plane...

 

[Jay Honeck]

Golf, man. Golf.

Check out the new championship course on the island:

http://newportdunesgolf.com/layout10.asp?id=190&page=4908

I haven't played it yet, but it looks AWESOME.

 

[AuntPeggy]

Dinner for 2 is nice. Who babysits?
I like the barbecue and the dolphin ride and other sight-seeing. Really interested in kid centered ideas.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Dinner for 2 is nice. Who babysits?
I like the barbecue and the dolphin ride and other sight-seeing. Really interested in kid centered ideas.

Heh heh. We've got a 16-year-old daughter...

In addition to the dolphins (which are really fun to watch!), the beach is the big draw for the kids, naturally. Lots of shells to pick, and birds to chase...

 

[Paul Allen]

How about various packages so all your ideas can be offered.

I'm not jumping out of any planes either!

 

[Ted]

AdamZ makes a very good point with #6. One of the hotels I routinely stay at in Boston has a weekly cocktail hour with guests and the hotel manager, as well as a few other hotel employees. I find that to be worth a lot for retaining my business. I'd probably stay there anyway since I go for work reasons, but for personal travel I'm more likely to return from little things like that.

That said, I'm probably not that likely to come simply because of the distance (sorry, Jay). Plus, what's a vacation? I don't know what those are.

 

[EdFred]

Jay,

You are going to have as many suggestions for packages as there are people on the board. My suggestion, pick a few, run them, see which ones get signed up for, see which ones don't. Keep the ones that do, dump the ones that don't. Work out deals with a local spa, a restaurant, anything really.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Plus, what's a vacation? I don't know what those are.

I hear ya.

Right now, we're living in the motor home, betwixt and between. The Alexis up in Iowa is running (mostly) on autopilot, and we haven't yet taken possession of the Harbor Inn down here on the island. This is as close to two weeks off as I've had since high school, over 30 years ago, even though we're working on stuff every day.

Of course "working" is a relative thing. If you're on an island with the person you love, doing the things that you love, is it really "work"?

 

[Jay Honeck]

Jay,

You are going to have as many suggestions for packages as there are people on the board. My suggestion, pick a few, run them, see which ones get signed up for, see which ones don't. Keep the ones that do, dump the ones that don't. Work out deals with a local spa, a restaurant, anything really.

That's why I've done the poll, with just five choices. There are SO many things to do on an island in the Gulf of Mexico that you simply can't count 'em all, and we can't possibly offer them all.

 

[EdFred]

That's why I've done the poll, with just five choices. There are SO many things to do on an island in the Gulf of Mexico that you simply can't count 'em all, and we can't possibly offer them all.

When I think package I don't think of a quick thing like parasailing, or a skydive, or dinner, or something else that takes less than 3 hours. I think the fishing charters, dolphins, and golf are perfect to start with.

 

[RMCN172RG]

Jay,

Just looked at the Harbor Inn site points of interest page and the blue text on light blue background is hard for my old eyes to read.

For the Island Trolley which stop is the hotel?

FWIW I've done and would be interested in all of the idea's mentioned, except jumping out of airplane

Today would probably be most interested in a Sightseeing or Dolphin Cruise.

 

[Keane]

What about customizable packages? Put together 2 or 3 really cool ones as examples, but allow adding/subtracting from another 'master' list. A friend of mine did something like that for his honeymoon (ps, perhaps a Honeymoon special?) and he and his now-wife had a fantastic time and got to do a whole bunch of great stuff together.

 

[The Old Man]

Hi, Jay,

First, what is the intended scope of the offering? If it is restricted to fly-in guests, The dinner for 2 would be the most universally desireable. All the other suggested offerings would have a limited utility, but everybody has to eat.

When we travel, the 2 main concerns are transportation and food. From that, Special car rental rates and dinner discounts (other than McDs) would be big points.

 

[wsuffa]

When I lived in San Antonio, I would sometimes make a day outing of driving down to Port A for lunch (the restaurant by the Coast Guard station & marina was a favorite stop).

Were I still there, I'd be highly attracted by the opportunity for a weekend getaway - nice room, maybe some beach time, a little bird watching down the coast, nice restaurant, etc. Now I may well not be "normal" in terms of my "likes" but a weekend getaway sure sounds great and is in easy reach.

Friends who didn't fly would often go to Port A for half a day or a day on a charter boat. Personally, I'm not big on charter fishing, but lots of folks are.... and that's a really big deal at Port A.

 

[Anthony]

My package is fine, thank you very much.

 

[dmccormack]

My package is fine, thank you very much.

 

[EdFred]

My package is fine, thank you very much.

That's not what he said!

 

[Ted]

Of course "working" is a relative thing. If you're on an island with the person you love, doing the things that you love, is it really "work"?

For sure, and that's why I don't really take normal vacations. Last year I went Europe for a week and a half. Supposedly vacation, but mostly did work. The trip was nice enough, but I'd rather be here flying the Aztec saving puppies and playing with aircraft engines. When work is enough fun, vacations are less necessary.

 

[SCCutler]

That's not what he said!

---

Jay:

Assume that cars are reasonably readily available?

Presume you'll have a cooperative arrangement with the local car rental outfit...

 

[Jay Honeck]

Jay,

Just looked at the Harbor Inn site points of interest page and the blue text on light blue background is hard for my old eyes to read.

For the Island Trolley which stop is the hotel?

FWIW I've done and would be interested in all of the idea's mentioned, except jumping out of airplane

Today would probably be most interested in a Sightseeing or Dolphin Cruise.

Sorry, I know the website is crude. I'm trying to get something -- anything -- up and running (with on-line booking) in time for opening day, and I'm running out of time. Combine this with learning new software, and the result is lots of quirks and things to fix! It WILL get better.

As for the trolley, you just wave 'em down. They stop anywhere, not just the numbered stops! (It's on the corner of Alister and Avenue A.)

 

[Jay Honeck]

When I lived in San Antonio, I would sometimes make a day outing of driving down to Port A for lunch (the restaurant by the Coast Guard station & marina was a favorite stop).

Dang -- that's a good, long drive for lunch!

Were I still there, I'd be highly attracted by the opportunity for a weekend getaway - nice room, maybe some beach time, a little bird watching down the coast, nice restaurant, etc. Now I may well not be "normal" in terms of my "likes" but a weekend getaway sure sounds great and is in easy reach.

I don't think you're alone. "Weekend Getaways" are the norm for many of our guests in Iowa City, and I don't expect it to be any different on the island.

Friends who didn't fly would often go to Port A for half a day or a day on a charter boat. Personally, I'm not big on charter fishing, but lots of folks are.... and that's a really big deal at Port A.

Boy, you aren't kidding. I grew up in Racine, WI, on the shores of Lake Michigan, where fishing was a way of life for many -- but Port A puts Racine to shame. This island hosts over THIRTY (30!) fishing contests per year! That's insane!

 

[Jay Honeck]

---

Jay:

Assume that cars are reasonably readily available?

Presume you'll have a cooperative arrangement with the local car rental outfit...

We will have a courtesy car for pilots to use. I'm still working on rental car deals, which are NOT available on the island, as yet.

 

[Jay Honeck]

When we travel, the 2 main concerns are transportation and food. From that, Special car rental rates and dinner discounts (other than McDs) would be big points.

That's another great thing about this island -- there is NO Mickey D's. Or Booger King. Or KFC.

There are lots and lots and lots of excellent restaurants and bars, all locally owned and operated -- and NO CHAINS!

Well, okay -- there's something here called a "WhatAburger", and a Dairy Queen that's apparently been here since Christ had the measles -- but otherwise, the island is pretty much clean of that blight. Mary and I are on a mission to eat at every restaurant on the island before we take possession (hey -- we've got to know what to recommend, don't we?) but we're running out of time. (And I've gained 6 pounds in 6 days!)

 

[Jay Honeck]

When I think package I don't think of a quick thing like parasailing, or a skydive, or dinner, or something else that takes less than 3 hours. I think the fishing charters, dolphins, and golf are perfect to start with.

Cool.

What's your price point, however? When you start combining all these various things to do, the price starts quickly running up.

Perhaps this is a better question to ask of everyone: What are you willing to pay for a fun-filled weekend getaway on an island?

 

[Jay Honeck]

What about customizable packages? Put together 2 or 3 really cool ones as examples, but allow adding/subtracting from another 'master' list. A friend of mine did something like that for his honeymoon (ps, perhaps a Honeymoon special?) and he and his now-wife had a fantastic time and got to do a whole bunch of great stuff together.

Great idea. Just one problem -- we can ONLY do that on our website (not all the hotel booking websites) -- but that's not necessarily a deal killer.

 

[SCCutler]

That's another great thing about this island -- there is NO Mickey D's. Or Booger King. Or KFC.

There are lots and lots and lots of excellent restaurants and bars, all locally owned and operated -- and NO CHAINS!

Well, okay -- there's something here called a "WhatAburger", and a Dairy Queen that's apparently been here since Christ had the measles -- but otherwise, the island is pretty much clean of that blight. Mary and I are on a mission to eat at every restaurant on the island before we take possession (hey -- we've got to know what to recommend, don't we?) but we're running out of time. (And I've gained 6 pounds in 6 days!)

OK, Jay, now I agree - McDonalds is the Holiday Inn Express of food- you know what you're gonna get, and it's dull.

But if you must eat fast food, Whataburger, the chain out of Corpus Christi, ain't bad; and Texas DQs are known to be the better renegade version of the DQ brand. Lotta history there. For decades, the small-town DQ was the 5:00 AM breakfast before ranch/farm/oilfield work place. And, they have Dilly Bars.

All that said, we'll expect you to have the best gems of restaurants scoped-out.

I have this sneaky feeling you're gonna create a sort of mini-boom for Port A. Just a hunch. Something about thinking outside the box...

 

[wsuffa]

That's another great thing about this island -- there is NO Mickey D's. Or Booger King. Or KFC.

Yet.

There are lots and lots and lots of excellent restaurants and bars, all locally owned and operated -- and NO CHAINS!

Well, okay -- there's something here called a "WhatAburger", and a Dairy Queen that's apparently been here since Christ had the measles -- but otherwise, the island is pretty much clean of that blight. Mary and I are on a mission to eat at every restaurant on the island before we take possession (hey -- we've got to know what to recommend, don't we?) but we're running out of time. (And I've gained 6 pounds in 6 days!)

WhatABurger (pronounced: "waddarburger") isn't bad at all. Chain got its start just up the road from you in Corpus Christi.... I think they recently moved corporate offices to San Antonio. Of the fast-food places, Waddarburger beats the other chains hands down. It is still a chain, but it's familiar to most any Texan & indigenous to the area.

 

[dmccormack]

WhatABurger (pronounced: "waddarburger") isn't bad at all. Chain got its start just up the road from you in Corpus Christi.... I think they recently moved corporate offices to San Antonio. Of the fast-food places, Waddarburger beats the other chains hands down. It is still a chain, but it's familiar to most any Texan & indigenous to the area.

I had a Whataburger in Corpus at the Whataburger temple overlooking the bay and was absolutely underwhelmed.

I think it's like anything you grow up with -- "It's the best!" because it's what you remember.

Which is why I think hot dogs are best boiled and served on white bread bun with saurkraut and Guldens spicy brown mustard.

I've since learned that is not the "best," but, it reminds me of Met games at Shea.

 

[wsuffa]

I had a Whataburger in Corpus at the Whataburger temple overlooking the bay and was absolutely underwhelmed.

I think it's like anything you grow up with -- "It's the best!" because it's what you remember.

Which is why I think hot dogs are best boiled and served on white bread bun with saurkraut and Guldens spicy brown mustard.

I've since learned that is not the "best," but, it reminds me of Met games at Shea.

Waddarburger's not the best burger (Chris Madrid's burgers in San Antonio is far, far better), but it IS better than the national chains. All I meant.