No, there isn't any oil in Texas...

[ScottM]

but but but the company has negotiated with those approved hotels
so that they get good rates (somewhere) based on business volume.

I believe...yeah...sure.

Yep. At least my boss understands and is very ameniable to granting the waivers. In fact I have a boiler plate one that I just send in each time with his signature already on it so as to not bother him. But every once and a while I have to explain it to finance. It is even more fun since finance is an offshored function in China.

 

[Matthew]

Hopefully, people find that list useful. I don't really, and I can't remember the last place I stayed in that didn't have wi-fi and flat screen TVs, so I'm not really sure that is any kind of differentiator. If everything is done correctly (room clean, stocked and in good order), the only person I should have any contact with is the desk clerk upon check-in. That's the way I want it, and I'd suspect most people feel that way as well.

I dunno - Anymore, I travel more for pleasure than business.

On business trips I'm with you - after I put in a 12-14 hour day, I just want to be left alone.

On vacations, though, I don't mind at all being treated like a guest. I've only stayed in one B&B, it was nice but almost too pampery. But a personal touch at a hotel does go a long way for me on a vacation.

 

[SCCutler]

Hopefully, people find that list useful. I don't really, and I can't remember the last place I stayed in that didn't have wi-fi and flat screen TVs, so I'm not really sure that is any kind of differentiator.

Man, you must be livin' right. My last three hotel stays were all at premium hotels (Sheraton, Omni, InterContinental), all charged for Internet access (either $9.95 or $12.95), and only one had flat-screen TV. Even then, the programming was in standard definition, no HD. Pretty crappy.

You spend a lot of time disparaging your chain competition and customers who stay at those chains. It makes it sound like you have an axe to grind and distracts from whatever it is that makes your place supposedly better. I can't think of any successful business that bashes the competition and their customers, but maybe you'll prove to be the exception.

I don't think he's disparaging them, so much as differentiating expectations. If you're the travel-weary road-warrior who simply needs a homogeneous and predictable room in which to flop, then the Honecks' places are not for you, and that's OK.

The closest I see to disparagement is clearly-expressed frustration at the suggestion that their model is somehow less-valuable than the numbing sameness of midrange flag properties. Numbing sameness can be like a safety-blanket, and when that's what you need, that's what you need.

 

[Bob Noel]

Man, you must be livin' right. My last three hotel stays were all at premium hotels (Sheraton, Omni, InterContinental), all charged for Internet access (either $9.95 or $12.95), and only one had flat-screen TV. Even then, the programming was in standard definition, no HD. Pretty crappy.

Internet access was way more than that at a fancyschmancy place
in La Jolla. Parking was $20/night. The saving grace was that
the per diem in La Jolla is also outrageously high.

 

[dmccormack]

Man, you must be livin' right. My last three hotel stays were all at premium hotels (Sheraton, Omni, InterContinental), all charged for Internet access (either $9.95 or $12.95), and only one had flat-screen TV. Even then, the programming was in standard definition, no HD. Pretty crappy..

Those chains are all on my no-fly list due to the multiple charges. Really -- I don't care for or need a marble-coated lobby, so why pay for it?

I don't think he's disparaging them, so much as differentiating expectations. If you're the travel-weary road-warrior who simply needs a homogeneous and predictable room in which to flop, then the Honecks' places are not for you, and that's OK.

The closest I see to disparagement is clearly-expressed frustration at the suggestion that their model is somehow less-valuable than the numbing sameness of midrange flag properties. Numbing sameness can be like a safety-blanket, and when that's what you need, that's what you need.

Well, not quite.

What's not to like about "numbing sameness" when you prefer to know that at least one thing on this trip will be dependably decent?

Really -- on business travel the requirements are fairly narrow. Call me "bland," but I simply don't tolerate marginal clean or sorta quiet. I have other places in life where I revel in unique, vibrant, exciting, and novel, but it sure ain't a hotel room.

Now -- I understand Jay is marketing a unique expereince -- Great!! Long may he prosper! May his numbers increase!!

But -- Jay needs to keep in mind that the very people who may patronize his establishments may also be Plutonium HIE members, and quite content to use that or other chains for the utilitarian purpose they serve.

 

[Everskyward]

Man, you must be livin' right. My last three hotel stays were all at premium hotels (Sheraton, Omni, InterContinental), all charged for Internet access (either $9.95 or $12.95), and only one had flat-screen TV.

I don't like to stay in the premium hotels either because of the internet and parking charges. We don't do that too often but sometimes the FBO must think they are doing us a favor and books us in these kinds of hotels. At least now I have my own USB aircard so while it obviously isn't "free" to me, the hotel isn't getting anything extra.

 

[Trapper John]

Man, you must be livin' right. My last three hotel stays were all at premium hotels (Sheraton, Omni, InterContinental), all charged for Internet access (either $9.95 or $12.95), and only one had flat-screen TV. Even then, the programming was in standard definition, no HD. Pretty crappy.

I don't know about living right, it might just be luck, but I try to stay at Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Marriott Courtyard. Some chains are pretty low on my list, like Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn and a lot of other brands) because they are really inconsistent.

 

[SCCutler]

...

What's not to like about "numbing sameness" when you prefer to know that at least one thing on this trip will be dependably decent?

Really -- on business travel the requirements are fairly narrow. Call me "bland," but I simply don't tolerate marginal clean or sorta quiet. I have other places in life where I revel in unique, vibrant, exciting, and novel, but it sure ain't a hotel room.

...

Completely agree- when it's what you want and/or need, "numbing sameness" can be re-cast as "reassuring consistency."

I don't know about living right, it might just be luck, but I try to stay at Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Marriott Courtyard. Some chains are pretty low on my list, like Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn and a lot of other brands) because they are really inconsistent.

In two of the three instances, the hotel choice was dictated by the event; in the third, it was dictated by being the only frickin' room for rent in town (graduation weekend in Austin).

There's a conference I attend each February, always at the same very nice resort hotel. Negotiated "discount" rates usually $189.00, before the resort fee (like I give a rat's backside about the resort amenities, and it's still dishonest to quote the fee as an add to the room rate for a room at a resort), and Internet charge, and confiscatory taxes (not the innkeeper's fault). Unfortunately, I waited too late to reserve, and no room were available, so I booked at a Four Points by Sheraton about a 3 minute drive away. It was spotless, excellently-appointed, $109.00/night with Internet gratis. I was genuinely more comfortable there than I would have been at the conference hotel. The Four Points was a very nice business-class hotel.

 

[Everskyward]

I don't know about living right, it might just be luck, but I try to stay at Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Marriott Courtyard. Some chains are pretty low on my list, like Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn and a lot of other brands) because they are really inconsistent.

None of the places you mentioned are the "premium" hotels we are talking about. They are all the mid-priced version of their respective chains.

 

[dmccormack]

None of the places you mentioned are the "premium" hotels we are talking about. They are all the mid-priced version of their respective chains.

Absolutely -- but I often wonder what keeps the "Premium" hotels in business other than location?

I've stayed at the Capital Hilton @ $300/night and Hampton Inn Alexandria @ $120/night-- guess which one is better?

 

[Trapper John]

None of the places you mentioned are the "premium" hotels we are talking about. They are all the mid-priced version of their respective chains.

Right, but I was just recounting the places I tend to stay where flat screen TVs and free wi-fi are standard offerings.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Absolutely -- but I often wonder what keeps the "Premium" hotels in business other than location?

I've stayed at the Capital Hilton @ $300/night and Hampton Inn Alexandria @ $120/night-- guess which one is better?

The Comfort Inn in Arlington VA charged me a couple bucks for the safe I didn't use...

 

[Ghery]

Having to a get a zero balance receipt is annoying! We have to get receipts for anything over $10 which is annoying enough. But at least when we pack up the receipts into the special envelopes no one opens them up and looks inside.

The one thing that is a PITA for me is that our company only allows us to stay in approved hotels. So for meetings I can stay in the $200/night hotel 20 miles away and rent a car with no problem. But if I want to stay in the conference hotel for $130/night and not have to rent a car I have to jump through hoops to get approval.

I just fill in a blank on the on-line expense form explaining why I didn't stay at an Intel approved hotel. In fact, many of the common reasons are in a drop down menu.

Yep. At least my boss understands and is very ameniable to granting the waivers. In fact I have a boiler plate one that I just send in each time with his signature already on it so as to not bother him. But every once and a while I have to explain it to finance. It is even more fun since finance is an offshored function in China.

My boss isn't even involved in the discussion. And if Employee Reimbursements wanted to ask, they're in Arizona (having been outsourced from Utah ).

 

[Trapper John]

The Comfort Inn in Arlington VA charged me a couple bucks for the safe I didn't use...

Yeah, that's a nice little scam they have going. If you don't catch it on check-in, you really have to fight to get the charge taken off...

 

[Everskyward]

Absolutely -- but I often wonder what keeps the "Premium" hotels in business other than location?

I'm guessing it's because the premium hotels usually have an upscale restaurant and a bar, as well as convention facilities.

 

[dmccormack]

I'm guessing it's because the premium hotels usually have an upscale restaurant and a bar, as well as convention facilities.

True -- two items that should pay for themselves based on patronage.

I don't use them so rather not pay for them.

 

[Everskyward]

True -- two items that should pay for themselves based on patronage.

I don't use them so rather not pay for them.

But many times when people go to a convention or other business gathering they don't rent a car, so they need a taxi, car and driver, or some other way to go out to eat if there is not a restaurant in the hotel or within walking distance. You are paying for the convenience of having everything right there. I know a lot of people don't care to pay for all of that but obviously the full service hotels draw enough business from people who find them worth the money. It's interesting to me that many hotels charge as much for one night as a airline charges for a ticket. I can't imagine there is as much overhead.

 

[dmccormack]

It's interesting to me that many hotels charge as much for one night as a airline charges for a ticket. I can't imagine there is as much overhead.

Cause they can't stuff 180 people in a single room?

 

[Jay Honeck]

Jay...

...just because the credit card was dishonored does not mean they don't owe the money. They came to your town, stayed in your lodge. You file suit against them, in your town, with your nearest JP.

They address the issue with the same contempt they did the original obligation. They ignore it.

You get a judgment; you domesticate it in their home state; then you collect the debt, plus interest, plus fees, plus costs.

Or, maybe you carry it down to the friendly county Prosecutor, y'know, the one you gave the airplane ride / cold beer / campaign contribution / whatever to. Theft of services.

Just sayin'...

Sure...NOW you tell me! This all happened back in 2002, so I suppose the statute of limitations is up...

That $800 loss was a very valuable lesson, actually. Up till then, we were running our new adventure like a home-business, as if we were inviting folks into our home. Afterwards, we realized that the hotel really *was* a business, and that we could get seriously hurt by people if we weren't more careful.

Live/learn.

 

[Jay Honeck]

You spend a lot of time disparaging your chain competition and customers who stay at those chains. It makes it sound like you have an axe to grind and distracts from whatever it is that makes your place supposedly better. I can't think of any successful business that bashes the competition and their customers, but maybe you'll prove to be the exception.

I'll say this about you -- you *are* consistent in your approach.

1. Bait the poster
2. Elicit a response
3. Bash the response you have elicited.
4. Repeat ad nauseum.

Trolls usually aren't so highly polished, I'll give you that.

 

[Jay Honeck]

But -- Jay needs to keep in mind that the very people who may patronize his establishments may also be Plutonium HIE members, and quite content to use that or other chains for the utilitarian purpose they serve.

Okay, I get it!

As much as I love and appreciate the fabulous seafood on this island, every now and then I crave a good, old-fashioned, tried-and-true McDonalds' fish fillet sandwich. It's good, it's solid, it's tasty, and it's 100% the same, no matter where I go.

That's HIE.

 

[Jay Honeck]

I'm guessing it's because the premium hotels usually have an upscale restaurant and a bar, as well as convention facilities.

We flew to Galveston on Tuesday, to visit the (newly rebuilt) Lone Star Air Museum. (Well worth the trip, BTW.) While there, we walked over to the Moody Gardens Hotel restaurant -- a fairly upscale place -- for lunch.

We were the only guests. They were paying a hostess, a bus boy, three waiters, and (at least one) cook. Needless to say, the service was outstanding!

And, BTW, their food was excellent. Their lobster bisque was to die for.

Regardless, they were losing their ass. Their overhead to run that place is just astounding.

 

[dmccormack]

Okay, I get it!

As much as I love and appreciate the fabulous seafood on this island, every now and then I crave a good, old-fashioned, tried-and-true McDonalds' fish fillet sandwich. It's good, it's solid, it's tasty, and it's 100% the same, no matter where I go.

That's HIE.

You just don't get it, do you?

I use HIE and Hampton and other business mid-priced, non-full-service hotels because they provide all the amenities I need when travelling on business.

Which is why I don't pack flip flops and Bermuda shorts in my overnight travel bag -- I'm not on vacation, I'm on business.

Your comparison of "Fresh Gulf Seafood" to a "Filet o Fish" casts HIE/ Hampton Inn/ et al consumners as unsophisticated and unable to appreciate the difference.

Dude -- we get it, OK?

My point -- I'll break it down for you -- is that you shouldn't disparage the frequent users of those establishments as they may be the same folks you're trying to attract.

It's not two different, mutually exclusive groups.

 

[Trapper John]

I'll say this about you -- you *are* consistent in your approach.

1. Bait the poster
2. Elicit a response
3. Bash the response you have elicited.
4. Repeat ad nauseum.

Trolls usually aren't so highly polished, I'll give you that.

Jay, I think you've giving me entirely too much credit, but in any case, best of luck to you in your new venture.

 

[jesse]

I for one - look forward to swinging down to Jay's place one of these days.

 

[Jay Honeck]

You just don't get it, do you?

I use HIE and Hampton and other business mid-priced, non-full-service hotels because they provide all the amenities I need when travelling on business.

Which is why I don't pack flip flops and Bermuda shorts in my overnight travel bag -- I'm not on vacation, I'm on business.

Your comparison of "Fresh Gulf Seafood" to a "Filet o Fish" casts HIE/ Hampton Inn/ et al consumners as unsophisticated and unable to appreciate the difference.

Dude -- we get it, OK?

My point -- I'll break it down for you -- is that you shouldn't disparage the frequent users of those establishments as they may be the same folks you're trying to attract.

It's not two different, mutually exclusive groups.

You say to-may-to, I say to-mah-to.

Pointing out the difference between the two types of lodging isn't disparaging those who choose them. I happen to LIKE filet-o-fish sandwiches. Been eating them for 40 years.

And don't get me wrong -- our motel on Mustang Island is far from luxurious in its current form. The carpet is due for replacement, the electrical system in the rooms pre-dates the era when every room had to have multiple appliances, and there's a lot of painted paneling that must go. All of that will be addressed over the next 18 months, as we do the conversion to the aviation theme. But even then, the place will be an island motel. It is what it is.

What I'm talking about is service and amenities, and in those areas the chains can't compete. We're intensely proud of that fact, in case you haven't noticed, and I grow weary of apologizing for offending YOU, when, in fact, it is you who continues to offend me by comparing my business to a chain motel. Get it?

 

[dmccormack]

What I'm talking about is service and amenities, and in those areas the chains can't compete. We're intensely proud of that fact, in case you haven't noticed, and I grow weary of apologizing for offending YOU, when, in fact, it is you who continues to offend me by comparing my business to a chain motel. Get it?

"Offend" you?

Oh good grief.

Good luck with the "Our stuff is sooo good because everybody else's stuff is soo bad!" marketing campaign.

In case you haven't been paying attention -- it's a real turn off.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I for one - look forward to swinging down to Jay's place one of these days.

Same here.

 

[Matthew]

I for one - look forward to swinging down to Jay's place one of these days.

Same here.

Me, too.

So when is the fly-in?

edit: D'oh! Missed the thread titled "Mustang Island Cherokee Fly-In September 17 - 19, 2010"

 

[t0r0nad0]

We flew to Galveston on Tuesday, to visit the (newly rebuilt) Lone Star Air Museum. (Well worth the trip, BTW.) While there, we walked over to the Moody Gardens Hotel restaurant -- a fairly upscale place -- for lunch.

We were the only guests. They were paying a hostess, a bus boy, three waiters, and (at least one) cook. Needless to say, the service was outstanding!

And, BTW, their food was excellent. Their lobster bisque was to die for.

Regardless, they were losing their ass. Their overhead to run that place is just astounding.

You went to GLS, but didn't make the 30nm trip NW to HOU to visit my museum too? You could even drop off some brochures by our place that we'll put on display for you!

The Moody Gardens Hotel restaurant is pretty good. I had their Sunday brunch buffet at the end of April when my better half ran the Half Ironman there, and it was delicious (even more so because I was there eating instead of beginning a 3-hour bike ride). From what I understand, their restaurant doesn't do much lunch business, but is generally busier during lunch and dinner times. That hotel typically has two types of business: conventions and family vacations. The family vacationers are at Moody Gardens itself, or at Schlitterbahn Water Park, or somewhere out on the island during the day, so they wouldn't be eating in the restaurant. The conventioners typically eat in conference dining, so they wouldn't be in the main restaurant dining room.

So, my point is that with the conventions they get there, the kitchen has to be open anyway to cook that food. If the kitchen's open, might as well have the dining room for any visitors that might come in, because the costs are likely more than covered by the residuals from the convention lunches. Of course, this is pure speculation on my part, but I think it makes sense from a business standpoint.

I for one - look forward to swinging down to Jay's place one of these days.

Same here.

You can add me to this list too.