How did you do at Christmas and New Year?

[Der Alte Fritz]

Happy New Year to you all.
Going into January, we are as usual knee deep in Carpet Fitters and Plumbers as we shut for the annual refurbishment.

How did everyone get on at Christmas and New Year? I know many of you are shut then but for those few hardy souls who struggle on all year round.....

We did a decent Christmas with the house as full as we wanted it but not really turning people away as in previous year. But New Year was very quiet, we did not get any takers for our New Years Eve Party and instead sold B&B only but had plenty of rooms left. It seemed to be a holiday that people were prepared to sacrifice and stay at home whereas Christmas they were going to go out and to heck with the consequences.

A pointer for 2010?

[Martin]

We kept open but only at about 40% occupancy, and with a reduced service, which enabled us to get another couple of guest rooms renovated, plus some of our own areas.

New Years Eve was about 60% full, which was pretty much where we wanted it to be.

All in all, we had a decent break from running to stand still, and a bit of cash rolled in to keep the wolf from the door.

As for 2010, one of our main sources of business (a BT site) seems to taken the lock off the safe door in terms of travel, and the early signs are promising, although we're not expecting a return to the days when we could pretty much guarantee over 50% occupancy just from them.

Cheers,

Martin.

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

I didn't plan on opening but I did get a late enquiry for 24th, 25th & 26th Dec which I turned down.

A local B&B which is almost always full told me it has been much quieter this Christmas and New Year.