What do pilots want...

Next time I come stay at Amelia's landing I want a 2015 Corvette courtesy car and not the Suburu wagon :)
We will be back soon, maybe we will fly the Model 12 this time?
 
I want location, location, location.

If we still lived in Keller and had the planes I do now, we would come stay at your island hotel 4+ times a year.

If you had your setup anywhere convenient to the Mid-Atlantic, we'd come stay 2-3 times a year.

Someday I hope to have a reason to fly that way, sort of like I hoped to swing by Iowa back in the day.

A fly-in aviation themed hotel is enough of a hook for us. Outlets are plentiful at home.
 
I suspect you'd be challenged to do either of my suggestions given your real clientele (everyman) vs your aspirational clientele (pilots and their families) and your real price point vs what it would cost to add these items, but here goes:

A nice open lounge. It would have comfy chairs, wifi, shelves of books to borrow, and an honor bar stocked with everything from water to soft drinks to a variety of decent beers.

A late afternoon complimentary happy hour with light snacks and adult beverages would be nice too.

Plus the requisite hookers and blow, of course.
 
I don't think you will get that at $99 a night, that comes with a car to drive. At least that was the price last time I stayed.
Honor bar????? Some lowlife would drink $30 worth of beer and leave $2.00
 
pigpenracing said:
I don't think you will get that at $99 a night, that comes with a car to drive. At least that was the price last time I stayed.
Honor bar????? Some lowlife would drink $30 worth of beer and leave $2.00
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Did read the first line of my post, or are you ADD? ;-)
 
eman1200 said:
could you, like, not be in texas? no self respecting NY Giants fan has any reason to go to texas.



that is, unless you had hookers and blow. then sign me up for a 1 week stay.
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I agree. Being in Tx ruins it for me.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Don't forget to reach out to the vendors for various activities and work up deals to co-market the both of you. Your guests get a discount (and you get the credit). Guests they send to you, you reward the vendor with a discount on the rooms should they need to stay there.

Or something along those lines.

Then make sure you both co-market on each other's web sites and other online media.
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THIS * 1000.

Fishing guides, jet ski/kayak/canoe rental places, restaurants/bars/night spots. There are plenty of places down there, and making it easy for visitors to create an itinerary where they may receive discounts because they're staying with you (co-oped marketing) goes a long way in making your spot look like an attractive weekend getaway.

Also, you might want to update your Web site to display all the upcoming events, local deals, things to do, etc. There's still New Year's and Winter activities listed. And perhaps a freshened up look overall... just sayin'. Not everyone thinks of looking you up on Facebook for the latest details, so having them available on the site (even if it's a Facebook feed embedded) helps.
 
Numerous people have mentioned clean and I'll pile on that bandwagon. I spent over 200 nights per year in hotel rooms for nearly 10 years and rented the rooms for 365.

I'd check into a suite for a 3 month project and the first thing I'd do is rearrange everything and set up my office (I'd keep the room non-stop for 3 months even though I'd go home almost every weekend). I learned to get a vacuum cleaner upon my arrival...especially across the south.

I also developed the term "Southern clean" which is defined as the room looking clean from the front door but, heaven forbid, you better not move anything because a treasure trove of nastiness awaits you under and behind every piece of furniture in the room. It's quite likely that nothing had been moved and cleaned behind since the building was built.

At least 80% of southern hotels were this way. 20% of northern hotels were...max.

I don't like my own dirt and hate other people's.

So, if you want people...especially damned Yankees...to feel comfortable and recommend your hotels to others then don't allow it to become Southern clean.
 
Another thing I'll add is that you should add more emphasis on KRAS, since that's how fly-ins will be arriving. Toss up some hi-res aerials of the airport, the approach to 30, and other amenities. I see that you've included some good details, but almost instantly send site visitors to airnav (which opens in the same page) for airport details that should be listed on your site so you keep visitors there.
 
timwinters said:
Numerous people have mentioned clean and I'll pile on that bandwagon. I spent over 200 nights per year in hotel rooms for nearly 10 years and rented the rooms for 365.

I'd check into a suite for a 3 month project and the first thing I'd do is rearrange everything and set up my office (I'd keep the room non-stop for 3 months even though I'd go home almost every weekend). I learned to get a vacuum cleaner upon my arrival...especially across the south.

I also developed the term "Southern clean" which is defined as the room looking clean from the front door but, heaven forbid, you better not move anything because a treasure trove of nastiness awaits you under and behind every piece of furniture in the room. It's quite likely that nothing had been moved and cleaned behind since the building was built.

At least 80% of southern hotels were this way. 20% of northern hotels were...max.

I don't like my own dirt and hate other people's.

So, if you want people...especially damned Yankees...to feel comfortable and recommend your hotels to others then don't allow it to become Southern clean.
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Can't speak to the north/south divide on that, but I was very surprised at the crap under the sofa when we stayed at Disney's Contemporary Hotel.

We moved the sofa to fit our son's daybed, and I swear there must have been a cup full of cookie crumbs, raisins, goldfish, etc., under there. Whatever the last 5 years of occupants dropped that bounced under the couch. For $500/night, I expect better.
 
pigpenracing said:
Next time I come stay at Amelia's landing I want a 2015 Corvette courtesy car and not the Suburu wagon :)
We will be back soon, maybe we will fly the Model 12 this time?
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The Subaru is long gone, replaced with a half way decent Lexus ES300. (Which was our personal car, last time you were here!)
:)
 
Jay, the hotel sounds great but....I believe the guys asking for "escorts" are right,....that is what will draw most guys lol:lol:
 
kyleb said:
I suspect you'd be challenged to do either of my suggestions given your real clientele (everyman) vs your aspirational clientele (pilots and their families) and your real price point vs what it would cost to add these items, but here goes:

A nice open lounge. It would have comfy chairs, wifi, shelves of books to borrow, and an honor bar stocked with everything from water to soft drinks to a variety of decent beers.

A late afternoon complimentary happy hour with light snacks and adult beverages would be nice too.

Plus the requisite hookers and blow, of course.
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*sigh* Our hotel in Iowa had exactly that lounge. It was really nice, though fairly underutilized.

Alas, there's no room for such a thing here. We had plans drawn up, and contractors hired, but the city of Port Aransas denied our permit request to build straight up one story, which would have created a first floor loung/library/meeting room.

Happy hour is whenever you stop by the front desk when I'm working. :)
 
FlyingIsGood said:
THIS * 1000.

Fishing guides, jet ski/kayak/canoe rental places, restaurants/bars/night spots. There are plenty of places down there, and making it easy for visitors to create an itinerary where they may receive discounts because they're staying with you (co-oped marketing) goes a long way in making your spot look like an attractive weekend getaway.

Also, you might want to update your Web site to display all the upcoming events, local deals, things to do, etc. There's still New Year's and Winter activities listed. And perhaps a freshened up look overall... just sayin'. Not everyone thinks of looking you up on Facebook for the latest details, so having them available on the site (even if it's a Facebook feed embedded) helps.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the website is finally so out of date that I'm considering a total redo.

I've always done my own webpages, but I am now at the point where I just want to buy some underage nerd a case of Shiner Bock in exchange for a state of the art site. Any recommendations? ;)
 
timwinters said:
Numerous people have mentioned clean and I'll pile on that bandwagon. I spent over 200 nights per year in hotel rooms for nearly 10 years and rented the rooms for 365.

I'd check into a suite for a 3 month project and the first thing I'd do is rearrange everything and set up my office (I'd keep the room non-stop for 3 months even though I'd go home almost every weekend). I learned to get a vacuum cleaner upon my arrival...especially across the south.

I also developed the term "Southern clean" which is defined as the room looking clean from the front door but, heaven forbid, you better not move anything because a treasure trove of nastiness awaits you under and behind every piece of furniture in the room. It's quite likely that nothing had been moved and cleaned behind since the building was built.

At least 80% of southern hotels were this way. 20% of northern hotels were...max.

I don't like my own dirt and hate other people's.

So, if you want people...especially damned Yankees...to feel comfortable and recommend your hotels to others then don't allow it to become Southern clean.
Click to expand...
This is soooo true! When we moved here and bought the hotel, we were stunned to learn that daily housekeeping service was NOT the norm in South Texas. In fact most hotels don't offer daily changeover service -- you have to request this.

To which Mary said "Ewwwww!" lol

Needless to say, you will be glad to know that Mary is charge of housekeeping, and the gals have it pounder into their heads what "clean" means to a gal from Wisconsin. And that means daily service, unless you opt out of it.

And we (meaning the desk staff) check every room after the housekeepers are done with it. Checks and double checks are the only way to go.

And I just removed the last carpet from this hotel. When we bought it, it was all carpet -- which is the dumbest thing, ever, on and island made of sand. Now, it's all tile or vinyl plank flooring.
 
kyleb said:
Can't speak to the north/south divide on that, but I was very surprised at the crap under the sofa when we stayed at Disney's Contemporary Hotel.

We moved the sofa to fit our son's daybed, and I swear there must have been a cup full of cookie crumbs, raisins, goldfish, etc., under there. Whatever the last 5 years of occupants dropped that bounced under the couch. For $500/night, I expect better.
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One of the hardest things we do is to get housekeepers to move furniture when they clean. It is as close to impossible as I have found in this business.
 
Jay Honeck said:
And we (meaning the desk staff) check every room after the housekeepers are done with it. Checks and double checks are the only way to go.
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I can attest to that. Jay's hotel sure is clean. We never felt like there was any dirt, mold, dust or bodily fluids anywhere. And we sure are picky. ;)
 
Jay,
What in the hell is the name of the awesome restaurant down the street? If you pull out of your place turn left, go down a few streets and turn right. It is on the right after that. They serve BBQ and about everything else. It had a big wooden porch by the front door. Been trying to remember the name but can't. I need some BBQ nacho's
 
Jay Honeck said:
One of the hardest things we do is to get housekeepers to move furniture when they clean. It is as close to impossible as I have found in this business.
Click to expand...

How long do they have to turn over a room? I like the hotels that have the option card for new sheets/towels. Me, most of the time I don't need fresh sheets and towels for a three day stay, and you can leave the sheets for a week.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Yeah, the website is finally so out of date that I'm considering a total redo.

I've always done my own webpages, but I am now at the point where I just want to buy some underage nerd a case of Shiner Bock in exchange for a state of the art site. Any recommendations? ;)
Click to expand...

Best recommendation? Don't do it!
Not only it will take more effort (and thus beer) than the kid promises but it will require full testing effort (on multple OSes, multiple browsers, multiple phone platforms), careful planning of the switch and probably new technology licensing.

Just fix up whatever needs attention, the webpage is not in any bad shape. Though you will hear a lot of different opinions due to everybody's different taste. :dunno:
 
How fast do y'all fill up? Sometimes my wife and I don't know what we are doing on the weekends until... Well... Friday...
 
Jay Honeck said:
One thing re: Wall receptacles. I've added a few, during remodeling, but in my experience there are NEVER enough receptacles in a hotel room.
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Jay, this item has been mentioned by many posters. Have you tried an add-on multi outlet? I would recommend one like this, because it has a screw which attaches to the existing outlet. The screw keeps the add-on firmly in place, and as an added benefit it makes it more difficult for the device to leave in someone's suitcase. They are inexpensive, this one is less than six bucks at Home Depot.

Have you considered forming an alliance with a couple of fishing guides? The redfish and speckled trout fishery around Port Aransas is a prominent attraction for the outdoorsman type.

The early season before your summer business cooks off is the perfect time to hit the bays. When the water temp reaches 70 degrees the fishing turns on, and that is happening right now.

57dd8246-7f92-4c5b-9c6c-c4591f6de9c6_400.jpg
 
A cheap power strip on the nightstand would be a welcome sight, it would save me from digging mine out.
 
pigpenracing said:
Jay,
What in the hell is the name of the awesome restaurant down the street? If you pull out of your place turn left, go down a few streets and turn right. It is on the right after that. They serve BBQ and about everything else. It had a big wooden porch by the front door. Been trying to remember the name but can't. I need some BBQ nacho's
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Sounds like Beaches? They are owned by a pilot buddy who owns a Murphy Moose!
:)
 
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Henning said:
How long do they have to turn over a room? I like the hotels that have the option card for new sheets/towels. Me, most of the time I don't need fresh sheets and towels for a three day stay, and you can leave the sheets for a week.
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Unlike many hotels, we pay our housekeepers a flat hourly rate instead of per room. We want them to take their time and do it right.
 
brian];1749844 said:
How fast do y'all fill up? Sometimes my wife and I don't know what we are doing on the weekends until... Well... Friday...
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That's the *****. We sell out with ground pounders virtually every weekend from March 1 to November 1.

If you can give me a little warning... :)
 
Jay Honeck said:
Unlike many hotels, we pay our housekeepers a flat hourly rate instead of per room. We want them to take their time and do it right.
Click to expand...

There still has to be a time frame they need to work in between check out and check in to get it all done.
 
3393RP said:
Have you considered forming an alliance with a couple of fishing guides? The redfish and speckled trout fishery around Port Aransas is a prominent attraction for the outdoorsman type.

The early season before your summer business cooks off is the perfect time to hit the bays. When the water temp reaches 70 degrees the fishing turns on, and that is happening right now.
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Yeah, I've been bad about partnering with fishing guides. I'm not an avid fisherman, so it tends to not get done.

We send a lot of folks to Dolphin Docks, one of the big charter ops on the island. I've had a lot of fun with them, deep sea and bay fishing.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Mary would have an effing bird. Aesthetics trump practicality. lol
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Hide one behind the night stand or dresser? Or as previously posted, perhaps offer them at the front desk as an option?
 
Jay Honeck said:
Yeah, the website is finally so out of date that I'm considering a total redo.

I've always done my own webpages, but I am now at the point where I just want to buy some underage nerd a case of Shiner Bock in exchange for a state of the art site. Any recommendations? ;)
Click to expand...

As mentioned elsewhere, you'll end up with an even worse site if you try to go that route...

If you're looking for economy, you might start studying Wordpress and looking for various templates. If you're going to try and administer your own site, it's a decent way to do it. I never recommend it unless it's to someone who just either can't or won't come up with a budget for proper a Web presence. Wordpress is free and has a much more robust system than trying to go it on your own. Information is everything nowadays, and having plenty of (succinct) info available makes it easier for visitors to make a decision.
 
FlyingIsGood said:
Also, you might want to update your Web site to display all the upcoming events, local deals, things to do, etc. There's still New Year's and Winter activities listed. And perhaps a freshened up look overall... just sayin'. Not everyone thinks of looking you up on Facebook for the latest details, so having them available on the site (even if it's a Facebook feed embedded) helps.
Click to expand...

Speaking of the Amelia's Landing website, it's time to give it a major makeover. It was good for the starter site. But now that you have finished elevating the property from the not-so-special state it was in when you purchased it, it's time to show that off with a much improved online presence.

When I look at your site now, there isn't much of a WOW! factor on the first screen. And maybe for those who don't know you or know aviation, there isn't much to grab their attention for the 3.25 seconds you have them. And the layout and design is very, very dated.

If you want to see what I think is a well done hotel site, based on the top of the first page only, see your "back yard" neighbor, Port Royal Resort, http://port-royal.com/

The top of page slide show has me wanting to explore the site more. And maybe desire to have the same experiences I see depicted in the story it tells.
 
pigpenracing said:
Jay,
What in the hell is the name of the awesome restaurant down the street? If you pull out of your place turn left, go down a few streets and turn right. It is on the right after that. They serve BBQ and about everything else. It had a big wooden porch by the front door. Been trying to remember the name but can't. I need some BBQ nacho's
Click to expand...

Could that be Beaches Cafe? They have a really good hamburger too.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Mary would have an effing bird. Aesthetics trump practicality. lol
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Tack it to the side facing the wall, this way you don't see it, but it's there and easily accessible.
 
Jay Honeck said:
Yeah, I've been bad about partnering with fishing guides. I'm not an avid fisherman, so it tends to not get done.

We send a lot of folks to Dolphin Docks, one of the big charter ops on the island. I've had a lot of fun with them, deep sea and bay fishing.
Click to expand...

It's a good opportunity. Educate yourself about the goings on in the bay complex. Learn about how water temps and weather systems affect the fishing. Become conversant. I've always said if one learns a dozen buzzwords and acronyms about a particular subject you are automatically perceived as an expert in the field. :D

But seriously, you may be ignoring a good source of business. As I said earlier, late March and April are when the action begins to pick up, and that's outside the traditional 'season' for activities.

Find a local well known captain with a good reputation for results. Make a deal with him that combines lodging and a bay outing.
 
Do you have a helipad on premises? :)

Free continental breakfast (if you don't already have it).
 
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