Best Practice Case Studies

Rosegrove Guesthouse, Grantown-on-Spey
- Offer packages - make life easy

The six bedroom Rosegrove Guesthouse near Grantown-on-Spey has been experimenting with off-season offers for the first time this year and will certainly be doing more of the same next year. From October to Easter they offer discounted prices, with a greater reduction of 20% for people who stay three nights or more. Bookings are well up on the previous year and whilst the reduced prices mean they are not making so much money, the bookings are covering the running costs. A good holiday experience should also lead to repeat bookings at other times of year.

The Walters family, who own the guesthouse, are also putting a lot of thought into what guests can do in the winter time. For the outdoor enthusiast there are plenty of opportunities, with the guest house having the Cairngorms on its doorstep. For those who are not so adventurous, the cosy lounge with open fire, lots of books, games, and small bar welcomes those returning from a short walk. Plenty of toys are available for those visiting with young children, who may only manage short periods of time out in the winter weather. Tea and cakes are a welcome extra to tide guests over to dinner time.

As members of both the Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome schemes, the guest house is geared up to cater for walkers and cyclists in all seasons. Facilities for drying wet gear are crucial, as is a lockable store for bikes.

Few local indoor attractions are open in the winter so the Walters are busy arranging warm and dry activities for guests. Packages can be organised for groups of six or more coming for a minimum of three nights. Options include car treasure hunts, sight seeing tours using a local tour operator, golfing and other outdoor activities, or a trip out with a local wildlife expert. They can also arrange transport to and from three local restaurants, to allow for full relaxation. And to maximise convenience, the Walters will even collect guests from the train station or airport.

All guests are sent a Christmas card along with a letter featuring off-season offers. Many guests have returned as a result of this promotion. In the future, summer guests will be given details of off-season promotions with their bill, and this will save on postage costs.

Further Information: www.rosegroveguesthouse.com

This case study features in the publication 'Wake up to Winter'.  You can download the full publication at the bottom of this page.

Case study added March 2006

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