Recreating or revamping the inn image etc

[JBloggs]

I have always desired to have a B&B that was full on any given night, not piece-milled one night here, one night, one night, two nights, 3 nights filled on a weekend. Until now that has been our life.
Here is my question to you - not knowing this inn or location your answer may be way out in left-field, or it may be far enough in left field that it may actually be feasible...
Our new music venue a few blocks away is 10 months old and a success. It is getting better known and we feel we will soon have a good chunk of guests coming here for these shows. I have not until now wished to change anything major in regard to it, but am a stakeholder, and promote it like crazy and are promoted slightly by it in return.
A couple things come to mind...please bear with the background.
Last night we had 4 rooms all here for a show. These are not B&B people. None of them had been to a B&B before, they loved their stay, but of course there are a few things we get to deal with that the avg B&B guests does not cause issue.
So ideas of how to gear this more toward them is what I am asking. I think word of mouth will spread from there. We want word to get out and for them to prefer to stay here over a hotel, or the other newly opened higher priced inn across from the music venue. Which is very nice, and pricey, and not in competition with us.
Our music guests are one night stays. We do not anticipate this changing. Getting discount coupons or tickets does not make them more inclined to stay here. They purchase their tickets then find a place to stay, like you would for a big name performer.
Your thoughts on new ideas appreciated.
any NEW IDEAS or WAYS to attract those who would typically choose a hotel for a music show): Thanks!
Some I have already thought about -
1) Change the room names and make them music friendly (inviting). We have one room with fiddles and cases and framed vintage music sheets I bought in Australia/New Zealand. We font have it named as such, yet. We could do this moreso in the other rooms and change the names to match.
2) We are considering a fire pit in the garden with seating around it, making it a place to gather prior to and afterward for drinks and jam sessions, for anyone who brings an instrument.
3) Having beer/wine available prob not possible - licensing is an issue for that. But making it somehow better than them bringing in a cooler... we have glasses, openers, and ice machine etc.

 

[OnTheShore]

We are joining booking.com so we are showing avail on TA which currently shows NO PRICES or AVAIL for THIS PROPERTY which we think is sending guests to the hotels.

Why not just use TripConnect to tie TA directly to your own online reservation system (ResKey)?

 

[user 26]

1 2 and 3 yes yes and yes!
it's good to change things up and you are so involved with the music - i think it would be great fun. i bet you have all kinds of things to decorate with to pull the look together. and you can say 'refurbished' or new musically themed rooms or however you want to promote it.
somewhere i have a video of a guest playing banjo in a rocking chair on the porch of the inn. it was so fun! people started gathering around him.
*********
we didn't have a firepit but we had a chiminea and guests loved it (loved! it) i was nervous about a firepit, even though i love them. i had long metal marshmallow toasting forks and you know people will use them year round. after snow shoeing and skiing, it's great fun.
*********
my old place now has a liquor license but i didn't. i sometimes gave out wine, i don't know if i was supposed to or not. but there was a byob option and i gladly provided glasses and things. ice was a problem for me. needed an ice maker.
i'm excited for this for you!

 

[Copperhead]

We are joining booking.com so we are showing avail on TA which currently shows NO PRICES or AVAIL for THIS PROPERTY which we think is sending guests to the hotels.

Why not just use TripConnect to tie TA directly to your own online reservation system (ResKey)?.

We are joining booking.com so we are showing avail on TA which currently shows NO PRICES or AVAIL for THIS PROPERTY which we think is sending guests to the hotels.

Why not just use TripConnect to tie TA directly to your own online reservation system (ResKey)?

Agree with HF. Or use both to see if Boo .com brings in from its own site & 3rd party.

All sound good but I really like the firepit idea along with the jam session. I believe that could end up being a real hit.

 

[Arks]

I don't think changing room names will make much difference either way (but what do I know...nothing).
Fire pit sounds great. I'm already picturing the great photos you can post of people enjoying that.
Would be nice if the venue would run a shuttle to move people back and forth between their lodging and the music. Being within walking distance sounds good to people, but a ride with no need to look for parking also sounds good to many.
If business does get good from this, consider a surcharge for one night stays on event nights, if you don't already. That not only compensates you a little for the one nighter, but also might encourage a few to add another night, to avoid the surcharge (at least, in my dreams).

 

[Generic]

Changing the room names might not really make a difference, but having a few pieces of art that are music related, maybe.
If you want guests to gather, how about a pre-show hors d'oeuvres? Some crudites, a bowl of hummus, a few knishes, some sparkling apple juice?
As for in their room, wine glasses, old fashioned glasses and a corkscrew. In the common room available; champagne flutes and a bucket (or the vacuvin champage chiller), beer glasses and a vacuvin wine chiller or two in the freezer with ice packs in the centre.

 

[happykeeper]

I hit right away on the extra event concept you suggest in #2 and would have immediately been thinking about how to extend the stay by extending the feeling the show promotes, but you stopped me in your opening by saying you do not anticipate the one night stay to change.
My visions of inviting the venue performers to come by the night before or having them over for breakfast the morning after are on hold, but hoping to convince you that limiting what can happen at the onset will easily meet your expectations, and if you push just past that you could realize your dream of being full three nights and closed the rest.

 

[JBloggs]

The performers arrive and play the venue from another venue the night prev and get on their tour bus and leave from our venue onto the next. They are not here to visit, they are touring.
The room name change was just something to go with the theme change or enhancement idea. I have thought about making the rooms more geared to our area for a long time and have not done it, but change can happen and are good. Always moving forward...
Booking.com is also for their marketing effort. I have been reading and listening to all your pros and cons for a couple years now (thanks to everyone).
A place to play instruments if any are inclined in a circle vs on our porch is the idea of the fire-ring and chairs, and because people love firerings/pits (I know I do).
Preshow appetizers
Yes. I was thinking this early on. As it is right now guests check in and go immediately to dinner and the show. The time is an issue with that, unless we did that here. So that is another option. I CAN do food here. and IF I am here full time on those days - meaning all out, that may be an issue as well. Perhaps a cook out style (that is an informal word for grilling burgers or steaks etc)... if it were on a Saturday.
You are awesome, thanks for what you have shared so far, I am listening. I will always do whatever I can to extend a stay, as I have been known since innkeeping inception. Staying one night is the typical fan thing, and since two shows are never the same genre back to back it is easier for guests to go to one and move on home afterward, not staying for the next.
CHEERS

 

[Morticia]

Given your location on the premiere music trail, yes, rename the rooms to the area. Focus on the music. You love it, so it's a perfect fit. It fits the direction you want to go in.
Yes, fire pit. But you need to watch it and that's a reason we don't do it. IF I could run the gas line to a fire pit, one I could easily turn on and off, Bob's your uncle, we'd do it.
Yes pre concert noshes.
You are going full out on these nights, but have respite on other nights. Your guests are coming for a specific reason, so easier to corral them.
Yes, picking and grinning on the porch.
Yes, get on some sort of GDS. Trip connect, booking, something that brings your name up.
Buy ad words for the venue or the performers.
You have a focus now. Go for it! It's what you've been working for all these years. Take advantage of all your hard work.
Sell the advantage of being close, providing an insider's view of the music and history, etc.
You are all over this! You rock at this!

 

[Arks]

Given your location on the premiere music trail, yes, rename the rooms to the area. Focus on the music. You love it, so it's a perfect fit. It fits the direction you want to go in.
Yes, fire pit. But you need to watch it and that's a reason we don't do it. IF I could run the gas line to a fire pit, one I could easily turn on and off, Bob's your uncle, we'd do it.
Yes pre concert noshes.
You are going full out on these nights, but have respite on other nights. Your guests are coming for a specific reason, so easier to corral them.
Yes, picking and grinning on the porch.
Yes, get on some sort of GDS. Trip connect, booking, something that brings your name up.
Buy ad words for the venue or the performers.
You have a focus now. Go for it! It's what you've been working for all these years. Take advantage of all your hard work.
Sell the advantage of being close, providing an insider's view of the music and history, etc.
You are all over this! You rock at this!.

Given your location on the premiere music trail, yes, rename the rooms to the area. Focus on the music. You love it, so it's a perfect fit. It fits the direction you want to go in.
Yes, fire pit. But you need to watch it and that's a reason we don't do it. IF I could run the gas line to a fire pit, one I could easily turn on and off, Bob's your uncle, we'd do it.
Yes pre concert noshes.
You are going full out on these nights, but have respite on other nights. Your guests are coming for a specific reason, so easier to corral them.
Yes, picking and grinning on the porch.
Yes, get on some sort of GDS. Trip connect, booking, something that brings your name up.
Buy ad words for the venue or the performers.
You have a focus now. Go for it! It's what you've been working for all these years. Take advantage of all your hard work.
Sell the advantage of being close, providing an insider's view of the music and history, etc.
You are all over this! You rock at this!

What a great post! Every word!

 

[user 26]

i see it as a great theme and fun to change up rooms - names and accessories
but what i see more for joey's guest is an 'experience'
let's say i'm going someplace for a music festival or just the one show. i want to extend my experience of that live music. i want to stay someplace with a connection and atmosphere. and with someone who knows and hopefully loves that music. because that's why i'm staying in the area.
whatever goes with it ... if that's bbq and banjos, then that's what i want. if it's a country breakfast with traditional southern food ... then i want to experience that.
bring your guitars or banjos or whatever and play on the porch? i can't play either, but would love to listen.
and 'while you're here' ... i would totally go to the places you suggest guests shouldn't miss. the roads with great scenery, but mostly the country store or hardware store that sells everything i couldn't possibly need, and maybe travel down a country road to a covered bridge.
my guests came to the harbor in maine to see fishermen and lobster and boats and lighthouses and sunsets over the water ... and hear salty tales ... and buy arts and crafts from the person who made them ... and walk across the road to eat on the dock and take a ferry to the island or to see the lighthouses or the sunset. they didn't want to stay at a hotel in the city, they wanted to be right in the middle of the harbor ... and they got it. i told them, it's a working harbor - the boats head out before first light. that's 4 or 5 in the morning depending on the weather. it was a tiny little village that smelled of ocean tide, depending on the wind. if they ended up with me by mistake and needed bright lights, they were disappointed. if they wanted coastal maine lobster shack, i could send them right to a place where they could bash open that boiled lobster with a rock. i had an old fridge in the basement where they could store their live lobster fresh off the boat that they were taking home.
hmmmm ... guess it's obvious i miss it.

 

[OnTheShore]

The performers arrive and play the venue from another venue the night prev and get on their tour bus and leave from our venue onto the next. They are not here to visit, they are touring.
The room name change was just something to go with the theme change or enhancement idea. I have thought about making the rooms more geared to our area for a long time and have not done it, but change can happen and are good. Always moving forward...
Booking.com is also for their marketing effort. I have been reading and listening to all your pros and cons for a couple years now (thanks to everyone).
A place to play instruments if any are inclined in a circle vs on our porch is the idea of the fire-ring and chairs, and because people love firerings/pits (I know I do).
Preshow appetizers
Yes. I was thinking this early on. As it is right now guests check in and go immediately to dinner and the show. The time is an issue with that, unless we did that here. So that is another option. I CAN do food here. and IF I am here full time on those days - meaning all out, that may be an issue as well. Perhaps a cook out style (that is an informal word for grilling burgers or steaks etc)... if it were on a Saturday.
You are awesome, thanks for what you have shared so far, I am listening. I will always do whatever I can to extend a stay, as I have been known since innkeeping inception. Staying one night is the typical fan thing, and since two shows are never the same genre back to back it is easier for guests to go to one and move on home afterward, not staying for the next.
CHEERS.

Booking.com is also for their marketing effort. I have been reading and listening to all your pros and cons for a couple years now (thanks to everyone).

OK, fair enough, but I would point out that you could still do the TripConnect thing even with Booking -- look at Arks listing on TA for example.

A place to play instruments if any are inclined in a circle vs on our porch is the idea of the fire-ring and chairs, and because people love firerings/pits (I know I do).

We have a fire ring, near our gazebo, with Adirondack chairs and firewood provided. Guests rarely use it, unless we take initiative to organize something (typically). A bigger Inn near us hosts a smore party at their fire pit every Wednesday evening (weather permitting).
Our regular guests are each in their own cottages, and they each have a woodstove or fireplace there, along with a charcoal grill on their deck, so that may be why they don't gravitate to the communal firepit. However, the wedding groups do use it; and it is something they ask about.
Morticia is right, you will need to watch the fire. We supply a 5-gallon bucket and a hose, but guests will wander off leaving the fire lit but unattended...
So I think if you get the outside innkeeper to lay the fire, and the assistant innkeeper to bring out the marshmallows and roasting sticks, and maybe seed the party with a musical-instrument playing visitor, it could be quite an attraction!

 

[JBloggs]

You have given me more food for thought.
We have a burn ban in the summer, and honestly you don't want to sit around a hot fire in the summertime, but a propane fire would be good, and safer of course. We would not have an open wood burning fire here.
(Along the appetizers at the inn idea and looking at the hotel contingency as mentioned):
There is a time frame on a concert night, which would actually benefit us. Doors open at 7pm. so if we did, say a Burger Night every Saturday Night (where we grill burgers and fixings) and they BYOB - as they would have to do, it could be an every sat night event from 5pm to 7pm (most be would gone by 630pm to walk to the venue - some nights they have to line up outside for a big performer)
This requires some work outside to get this area ready for this, but we are in the middle of deciding what to change out there, so this is good timing. We talked about a BBQ area and didn't want it a BBQ area for the guests, but us, so this is a compromise. Interesting. Thanks again...

 

[Morticia]

You have given me more food for thought.
We have a burn ban in the summer, and honestly you don't want to sit around a hot fire in the summertime, but a propane fire would be good, and safer of course. We would not have an open wood burning fire here.
(Along the appetizers at the inn idea and looking at the hotel contingency as mentioned):
There is a time frame on a concert night, which would actually benefit us. Doors open at 7pm. so if we did, say a Burger Night every Saturday Night (where we grill burgers and fixings) and they BYOB - as they would have to do, it could be an every sat night event from 5pm to 7pm (most be would gone by 630pm to walk to the venue - some nights they have to line up outside for a big performer)
This requires some work outside to get this area ready for this, but we are in the middle of deciding what to change out there, so this is good timing. We talked about a BBQ area and didn't want it a BBQ area for the guests, but us, so this is a compromise. Interesting. Thanks again... .

Propane tanks - we asked at a restaurant in town that has them. One tank/fire pit/day. They have 5 of them going.
You won't run them as long as they do and they look really nice. They have really deep rims so the plates, etc, can be put on them.

 

[Kay Nein]

When I first read your post I got a few ideas. After reading all your other comments some of them might not work, but I'm gonna give em to ya anyways.
You need to do something that creates chatter, the kind of chatter that goes along with the music scene so when people are talking about the music venue, they are also talking about you. Music lovers who will go out of town for that music experience will appreciate added musical offerings.
We have a thing here called "Pickin' in the Park". During the summer, musicians (banjos, cellos, spoons, washboard) show up on a Thursday night at a particular park on the river and have impromptu jam sessions for a few hours. It's totally free, anyone can come. Many people come with chairs and blankets to watch and listen. It's a big hit and guests love it!
I love the idea of a BBQ for a few hours before the event. (make sure they are good burgers and not just the pre-formed, pre-packaged ones ick!) I would find a way to get the word out amongst amateur/hobby musicians that they will have an audience and they can come to have jam sessions with each other. Market to your potential guests that they can come check-in and relax while having dinner and music to get them in the rockin' mood for their show. They don't have to hurry up and get ready for their dinner reservations. Figure out how many people max that you could accommodate at the BBQ and maybe sell admission/dinner to those that are not staying with you (great way to get venue attendees to come to your place so they know about it for next time and/or they tell their friends). Invite people that would be dealing with venue attendees as they are making their plans. VC employees, event center manager, phone ticket sales people (now I understand that the night of, some of these people would be at the venue working, but what about a few Friday night events just for those people - hospitality night?) Can you advertise on their website - banner ad, stay with us and get dinner & pre-show music.
I don't think changing your room names is going to drive people to you when they are making lodging plans. You need to get in the heads of the people they are asking for recommendation.
I know you are not far from the venue - do they serve alcohol at the venue? What about a free shuttle back to the Inn after the show just for your guests? Partner with a car service for dual marketing. It won't cost much for either of you to provide that service if it's so close.
What about a page on your website about the venue? I know you could SEO the crap out of it so it comes up in searches. Have info all about the venue, the show schedule, what extra you do for attendees staying with you.
Can you arrange to have band members selling merchandise and doing autographs on your porch? A meet-n-greet kind of thing? What about inviting the musicians to breakfast the next morning? I know that would only work if you were not full, but if you do it a few times in the beginning it will cause a buzz to where people would want to stay because they don't know who might join you in the morning. Then eventually, you will be packed every Saturday night and you won't have room for musicians at breakfast, but by then you won't need them anymore...
Ok, I'm done.

 

[whitefoxkyle]

Have you reached out to the music venue? Maybe they would be inclined to recommend you to concert goers. As you said, your prices are better. Especially if you revamp the inn with a music vibe.
Plus, on your site, you could offer something (discount, maybe?) if they show you their tickets before the show. It would offer an incentive and give you a way to track how well you're doing.

 

[JBloggs]

When I first read your post I got a few ideas. After reading all your other comments some of them might not work, but I'm gonna give em to ya anyways.
You need to do something that creates chatter, the kind of chatter that goes along with the music scene so when people are talking about the music venue, they are also talking about you. Music lovers who will go out of town for that music experience will appreciate added musical offerings.
We have a thing here called "Pickin' in the Park". During the summer, musicians (banjos, cellos, spoons, washboard) show up on a Thursday night at a particular park on the river and have impromptu jam sessions for a few hours. It's totally free, anyone can come. Many people come with chairs and blankets to watch and listen. It's a big hit and guests love it!
I love the idea of a BBQ for a few hours before the event. (make sure they are good burgers and not just the pre-formed, pre-packaged ones ick!) I would find a way to get the word out amongst amateur/hobby musicians that they will have an audience and they can come to have jam sessions with each other. Market to your potential guests that they can come check-in and relax while having dinner and music to get them in the rockin' mood for their show. They don't have to hurry up and get ready for their dinner reservations. Figure out how many people max that you could accommodate at the BBQ and maybe sell admission/dinner to those that are not staying with you (great way to get venue attendees to come to your place so they know about it for next time and/or they tell their friends). Invite people that would be dealing with venue attendees as they are making their plans. VC employees, event center manager, phone ticket sales people (now I understand that the night of, some of these people would be at the venue working, but what about a few Friday night events just for those people - hospitality night?) Can you advertise on their website - banner ad, stay with us and get dinner & pre-show music.
I don't think changing your room names is going to drive people to you when they are making lodging plans. You need to get in the heads of the people they are asking for recommendation.
I know you are not far from the venue - do they serve alcohol at the venue? What about a free shuttle back to the Inn after the show just for your guests? Partner with a car service for dual marketing. It won't cost much for either of you to provide that service if it's so close.
What about a page on your website about the venue? I know you could SEO the crap out of it so it comes up in searches. Have info all about the venue, the show schedule, what extra you do for attendees staying with you.
Can you arrange to have band members selling merchandise and doing autographs on your porch? A meet-n-greet kind of thing? What about inviting the musicians to breakfast the next morning? I know that would only work if you were not full, but if you do it a few times in the beginning it will cause a buzz to where people would want to stay because they don't know who might join you in the morning. Then eventually, you will be packed every Saturday night and you won't have room for musicians at breakfast, but by then you won't need them anymore...
Ok, I'm done..

Thank you! I am listening.

You can walk to the venue, so that is a big selling point, as for as drinking and driving goes.
The venue is run by volunteers, who are at the venue working, won't be able to be here. We also are not able to sell this as a restaurant, but can serve to our guests.
Back to the pickin' porch theme, this is not a venue for that sort of music, and the likes of which they pack a lunch and sit and listen for free. We already have that, all the time around here. I could send guests to a free event like mentioned every night of the week. I have worked hard on that theme.
This is a major venue with big name performers, so the small countrified theme which I have worked on for years is not really the idea any more. I did try that, and it is not what you think. This venue is not about the locals, thankfully!
Example as a major award winning artist is performing downstairs at this venue on a sat night coming up Jr Sisk and Ramblers Choice...Three Dog Night is performing upstairs. The guests we would have stay with us are here to see Three Dog Night. To help clarify this - people will travel and stay overnight for a record label artist, those are the guests we will have.
These are the guests who will spend money. They will go out to eat. They also, since they are walking, would be more likely to BYOB and have it here before the show. I am thinking about this aspect of it, and yes the venue does serve beer and wine max 4 drinks per person.
I do have a page on the website dedicated to this venue - and update the list of performers all the time. Yes, have done. I do post blog article after blog article, and share on all social media. As mentioned this is a NEW venue, not even a year old and is winning awards and drawing big names. So I have the SEO in full gear.
GREAT INPUT SO FAR EVERYONE, I AM LISTENING.

 

[JBloggs]

Have you reached out to the music venue? Maybe they would be inclined to recommend you to concert goers. As you said, your prices are better. Especially if you revamp the inn with a music vibe.
Plus, on your site, you could offer something (discount, maybe?) if they show you their tickets before the show. It would offer an incentive and give you a way to track how well you're doing..

Have you reached out to the music venue? Maybe they would be inclined to recommend you to concert goers. As you said, your prices are better. Especially if you revamp the inn with a music vibe.
Plus, on your site, you could offer something (discount, maybe?) if they show you their tickets before the show. It would offer an incentive and give you a way to track how well you're doing.

YES
We are a stakeholder and we are on the venue's website. We also get sent out with a link and our logo in the music eblast newsletter. We have also given away a room on the radio ads/contests promotions.
They do recommend us.
But as mentioned, hotel people go to hotels. This is the heart of the issue. Our people here on Sat night were all hotel people, they all brought coolers with drinks and walked to the show. All of them said this was their first time at a B&B. Maybe it is just a matter of word getting out or once the venue is more established. I did not wish to put all of our eggs in one basket, but this seems to be a viable basket now.
I share this as I am looking at making us more casual, vs the luxury upscale new Inn in town. We USED to be upscale for this area, and they spent $1mil in renos and are more upscale now, so me thinks for the avg concert goer, for example a Mavericks fan or Leon Russell, Judy Collins, Robert Cray, Don McClean, etc would prefer a more relaxed casual atmosphere.
(I am sharing bits and pieces as I go here with y'all because one long post is just a pack of words that confuses, so I hope you understand why) You guys are awesome!

 

[Morticia]

Have you reached out to the music venue? Maybe they would be inclined to recommend you to concert goers. As you said, your prices are better. Especially if you revamp the inn with a music vibe.
Plus, on your site, you could offer something (discount, maybe?) if they show you their tickets before the show. It would offer an incentive and give you a way to track how well you're doing..

Have you reached out to the music venue? Maybe they would be inclined to recommend you to concert goers. As you said, your prices are better. Especially if you revamp the inn with a music vibe.
Plus, on your site, you could offer something (discount, maybe?) if they show you their tickets before the show. It would offer an incentive and give you a way to track how well you're doing.

You wouldn't know this but JB has won awards for her development of tourism in her town. She is the blogging, tweeting queen of social media in her area.
Given the area doesn't want tourism, she's fighting the good fight everyday.

 

[Joey Camb]

Id be making sure its in your tripadviser review responses as well - drop in a few mentions.