You have about 1 minute and 47 seconds on the internet to make an impression and get the booking! If internet statistics are anything to go by, that is the average time a prospective client will spend looking at your site or hospitality website listing. If nothing grips them, they click out and are gone forever.
The internet has made the hospitality industry accessible to tourists all over the world but has also made the industry that much more competitive. Great for guests…bad if you have a guesthouse with outdated décor when they click on the photos!
Making a statement
It doesn’t take much to create a room that makes a statement and gets you those extra bookings! Firstly, take a serious look at your rooms. Imagine you are a guest opening the door for the very first time. Is it inviting, comfortable, stylish? Does it make you look at your partner with a gleam in your eye? If not, it is time for a change!
Simple Steps
Re-decorating need not cost a fortune. Here are a few simple steps you can take to give your rooms a make-over that will make a major difference.
Old furniture can be given new life with great décor. Starting with the basics, you need good quality cotton bed linen in simple neutral colours. Your curtains should also be neutral in a cream or earth tone that washes well and provides a plain backdrop for your design.
Theme rooms are a great idea. Choose a different theme for each room and give it a name that best describes the décor. This gives the guest the feeling of an exclusive experience created just for them.
Having chosen a theme, choose 3 colours for your décor. More than that and your design can become busy and dispersed. Once you have decided on a colour scheme, you can start accessorizing.
Add an extra set of pillows to make the bed the perfect place to sit comfortably, read, watch TV or just relax.
Throws, together with several carefully chosen scatter cushions are a great way to enhance your theme and make the bed more inviting. Choose sensual fabrics that feel good on the skin.
Bedside tables should be clutter-free. Good bedside lights are essential. They compliment your theme and give a sensual ambiance.
Photos or prints should be tasteful and original. If you are not artistically inclined, buy a good quality calendar with photos relating to your theme, then cut out the photos and frame them. Choose frames that compliment your colour scheme. Wooden frames are the safest bet. If you want something a bit more artistic, you can shop at flea markets for unusual frames. They do not have to be identical, so long as they are in keeping with the theme.
Guests are often inspired by the décor in exceptional guesthouses, so there is also the opportunity to add to your income by decorating your rooms, reception and dining areas with works by local artists, e.g. paintings, pottery and handicrafts. A card can be placed in each room with a short biography of the artist and a note that guests can contact reception if they wish to make a purchase.
Finally, when you are finished re-decorating, invest in having some professional photographs taken. Your pictures on your website are all the guest has to make their ‘vital booking decision’. Only once they have checked in, can you begin to ‘wow them’ with your service, your cooking and knowledge of local culture…
Until then… all you have is 1 minute 47 seconds!
External Source
Source – Samantha Galtos, Interior designer
Tags: Bed & Breakfast, bookings, impression, re-decorating, rooms, statement
