@Anonymous
Yes, I have to agree with you. "Guest proofing" is a key element of success in this business (or at least in minimising frustration) .
Once the guest is in, whatever happens will most often default to the fault of the host. So, you need to equip your offering to withstand some reasonable degree of abuse, and keep it as simple as possible.
But I think it also depends on if your mainstream market is a McDonaldland type of guest, which I have to believe constitutes the lion's share of the market.
Our goal when we started was never to "get rich", and we all know that won't happen with one or even 5 properties. The cost of maintenance, taxes, insurance, and just doing business just isn't going to provide anything resembling wealth. You have to love it, or don't do it.
We consciously decided to start basic, and invest as much of the our profits back into property as possible, to increase its value over time. And so far, that's been working.
But as all things are, it's been a learning experience. One thing we've learned, (and are still learning) is that there's also a good business outside the mainstream, heading in the luxury direction.
As we've continually upgraded and improved the property, and suddenly, we've found we're now appealing to a slightly different class of traveller. One that decidedly isn't your average Ronald McDonald. They are attracted by quality rather than quantity. And they're willing to pay for it. And they have respect and a conscience.
So, with that lesson, and weighing in the rightful "guest proofing" You refer to, there is a certain advantage to providing luxury amenities, fine artworks, quality furnishings, etc. I'm quite surprised how it's elevated the quality of guest we're now attracting.
But you can only safely go that route when you can be assured it won't be in vain. So measure twice, cut once.
We've had a bumpy road getting there, and IMO, we're still far from the 5 star ratings we keep receiving, but that's all relative. I'm increasingly optimistic that in a few years, we may be able to leave the McDonaldland mainstream entirely and concentrate solely on delivering a truly luxury 5 star product, and get paid well for it.
Today, we're about 80% pricier than when we first started, and even with the pandemic, we're currently nearly fully booked from March though September, and already have good bookings dotted outside of that season. And I have no doubt we'll see more. It's still early.
The point is this: If you keep improving the offering, it seems that it naturally progresses to the next level, and if you improve on that, it eventually goes up another notch. So, it's not always the wisest idea to live with the cheapest or "most durable". You could be limiting your potential.
But absolutely, you definitely should not wear a Dior evening gown to a children's birthday party at McDonald's. Either work the way to the invite to the grownups table, or stick with McDonald's. And set your expectations appropriately. it's definitely not easy.
