Took the time to look at the cottage’s website. Highlighted in the photos are the flaws in their operation of this ‘business’. Why I’ve quoted that will be explained at the end.
1.When presenting anything, spell and grammatical checking is essential. It’s unprofessional not to.
2. If they are presenting this as a bespoke, exclusive, etc using colloquial slang like ‘grub’ again looks unprofessional and sending mixed messages to the audience they are trying to appeal.
3. Describing that place, I thought I was reading a Danielle Steel paperback. They are presenting a serious business but their snobbery has deluded them from reality and sound business sense. The hyperbolic buzzwords are what makes this place look less than what they are trying to achieve. When it comes to properties, let the property speak for itself. Also ‘two well behaved dogs’ is too foreboding as a sentence to warmly invite strangers to stay in your property and expect them to feel welcomed and relaxed. Dogs are dogs they do things their way, what they should have put was, dogs are welcome. Discreetly add in a cleaning deposit should any accidents happen. Discretion and modesty is the key to running a business like that.
4. How hard would it have been for whoever wrote up the website to press the space bar and start a new line than breaking up the word to hyphenate it? Again it looks unprofessional.
5. If they are going to go down the route of publicizing this place as the next Blake’s Hotel ala Cotswolds, then actually have a ‘Journal’ not another excuse to sound off about independent shops, farmers markets and country walks. They missed the point and meaning of the word ‘journal’. They should rename it or use it as opportunity to involve local businesses to put updates on events and activities going on like a blog. However that would involve money, liaising with businesses and creating a business relationship which I think they are unlikely to be able to cultivate for many reasons, mostly their delusions of grandeur and their idea of how business works when in reality it’s quite the contrary.
6. The subscription page is a conundrum. What are they running? It says subscribe to updates, competitions. It’s only a bed and breakfast and a very expensive one too. Also it’s unbookable unless you email them, have them analyze your social media and no doubt submit a recent bank statement to prove you’re in the right social class to stay there. Last bit was a joke but I wouldn’t put it past them to even hint at it. For what it is, they are going to do themselves out of the hospitality industry let alone even get their ‘foot in the door’ if they have. I’ll be very surprised if they have. I think the idea is well meaning, it’s a nice looking property but it’s not individualistically nor uniquely decorated. It looks like a very country version of an IKEA catalogue. Also what it is? A boutique hotel? A glorified bed and breakfast? They need to be more specific, less gushing about their idea of how splendid they’ve made it and take the business seriously if they want to be taken seriously. As I said previously, discretion and modesty is what will make that business go far. That’s how luxury hotels, guest houses have survived, along with sensible business acumen and a decent heartfelt sincere attitude towards the general public. It makes all the difference.
7. It’s also worth noting this isn’t a business. It’s not registered as a business. Basically what it is, you’re staying at their home but parting with hundreds of pounds for the pleasure. That’s not a business. That’s misleading, overpriced and if they are not paying tax on it. That is immoral. If they are that’s another matter. Don’t be fooled by the hype on Instagram, Air bnb and their website. This is not a legitimate business. There are no company records on it therefore that indicates it’s not a business which means they are not paying tax. Not acceptable whether they would charge £10 a night or £1000, in my opinion and no doubt any other honest, decent, moral person.