Smoking or not

[ngh]

We advertise on our web site that our Gite is no smoking. We have had several enquires through other web site links to check availability and if we have our own web site, after confirming that the dates are available, and directing them to our web site, we have heard nothing more. We were wondering if the no smoking rule is costing booking not gaining them. Has anyone been down this road before. Does the "Smokers" out way the "Non Smokers"  for bookings? 

Nich the wood

[Suandpete]

We thought long and hard about this one - we have a wood burning stove

in the living room and so it seemed a bit pointless to make the gite

non-smoking.  We ask people who smoke to be thoughtful of other

users and not to smoke in the bedrooms.  Perhaps one in four or

one in five users are smokers - and we have had no comments or

complaints from anyone so far.  Interestingly most smokers eem to

choose to smoke on the patio outside the living room - totally their

choice.

[Bassman]

As a social outcast....oops sorry smoker [:-))]  I personally would not book a gite that was advertised as non-smoking, so you will lose a certain number of bookings that way, but I would imagine non-smokers outweigh smokers these days.... unless we are being fed a load of bull by ASH [;-)]

When we were house hunting one B&B we stayed at was non-smoking and it was a pain having to go outside to smoke(it was freezing) the next one allowed smoking in the bedrooms but not in the breakfast room[:)]

[zeb]

Stick to your non-smoking rule for the house - you can always say that smoking is allowed outside on patio, in garden etc and provide ashtrays outside. I don't think this would have much effect on your bookings as, like others have said, the majority of folks are non smokers (or smokers, like me, who are quite happy to smoke outside (I don't smoke in my own house!). If it really is such a big issue for folks they should book elsewhere. You have every right to preserve your furniture/decor etc. and I'm sure that the majority will respect this.

The problem could be that there are so many gites to choose from, so you may have to do a websearch and study gites in your area to find out what they are offering which you are not. Maybe you could specialise such as gay friendly, pet friendly, fishing/cycling/walking/beach holidays or whatever and advertise accordingly.

[nimportequoi]

I advertise my properties with no reference to smoking, it is allowed, but it clearly states in the Ts and Cs and welcome pack that smoking is not permitted in the bedrooms. Most people who come with children do not smoke in the house. In fact, most UK guests don't smoke at all, but I would lose a large number of French bookings if I didn't accept smokers (and pets, for that matter!)

[Cerise]

Don't honestly think it will stop you getting bookings unless you insist on no smoking in grounds!  Our B & B site clearly says no smoking in bedrooms but we have a lot of smokers who stay and they are happy to smoke on patio/balcony/in garden.  Even in mid-winter when I have said that someone could smoke indoors (but not in bedroom because it really does cling to soft furnishings) they have gone outside.

What you should realise is that lots of clients wing off a dozen e-mails to different properties so a lot of enquiries do come to nothing (at the beginning it is easy to get paranoid and think you are doing something wrong).  Make sure you answer enquiries promptly as often first to reply gets the business.  As Zeb says loads of properties for them to chose from so make sure your site is as attractive as possible.

Good luck

Maggi

[ali-cat]

Just want to add my agreement to most of the comments.  We are both smokers & only smoke outside - even in our own house.  As long as the outside areas are not smoke free, we would not be put off by a "non-smoking house".

Gites that don't allow pets would be our only reason not to pick a property.

[Cassis]

A lot of smokers don't smoke in their own houses these days and go outside to smoke - I used to myself!  So I don't think it will put too many off, especially in the summer months.  Probably more non-smokers would be put off coming back if their bedrooms smelled of stale smoke?

[ngh]

Well that was quick, Thanks to you all for your very usefull replys.

PS  I am not a new member, but after loosing my logon stuff time and time again. I was Nich or Nich1 or nichthewood in a previous existance, been around about 5 years or so.

Just thought i would let you all know.

cheers

nichthewood

[nimportequoi]

Nich,

just another little point - I've had a look at your website and I think your property looks lovely, but I found the homepage information a little confusing. At the top you mention a gite that will be available in June, then you talk about 'your house' which I presume you rent out, but it isn't clear to me. I think a homepage needs to be concise, giving good, appropriate photos and brief info about the accommodation - number of bedrooms, number of people the property sleeps, location, garden, pool etc. - things that are clear will get the attention of people.

[ngh]

Thanks Susan for taking the time to have a look at the site. We have already contacted the Web designer to remove the information about the "Gite" being ready in June . We have decided that it is more important to have "Exclusive" use of the pool and site that 2 building let. So our moving into the "Gite" ourselves and letting the Farmhouse full time. We are also going to re-right the Main web page , taking on board your recommendations.

 

Thanks again

nich the wood

[Cerise]

Hello Nich

After I posted last I had a look at your website and, in the nicest possible way, I don't think you are making enough of your property.  The front page is confusing - but you say you are dealing with that - and I feel that your descriptions are rather boring.  The house itself looks nice so you need to elaborate a bit more about the facilities you offer to give people a little more feel for the place.    If you advertise with people like Chez Nous, Visit France, etc, ring them up or e-mail them and ask how they think you can improve the site.  Ask friends or other gite owners to criticise it for you and maybe spread the photos out a bit.  You have a gallery as well so think the photos need not all be clumped together.

Please don't take this badly - am trying to help as I know how difficult it is to get it right.   Look at other sites for cottages near you - decide which ones you like best, and why, and crib a few ideas.  The market is now so vast that however nice your property is prospective guests have to be grabbed by your publicity.  I think it is often difficult to see it yourself as you look at it so often you no longer really see it as a guest would.

Hope you find your improvements bring you more guests.

Maggi

[Loiseau]

I had a look at the website too, Nich, and thought that it has plenty of eye-appeal - though it *is* a bit confusing.  
I should say at once that the following criticisms are offered in the friendliest possible way!  I have rented gites once or twice in the last couple of years, so I have tried to look at the site as if I were a potential customer. 

"Howitt Gites" (plural), so are there more than one?
I mistrust photos with blurry edges, in case the owner has airbrushed out a large pylon or a pig farm or something! 
It has gradually dawned on me that all three pix on the welcome page might be of the *same* house, as I am guessing that the top picture is in fact a flopped (and stretched) version of picture No 3? And No 2 was taken in a different light?
I'm afraid I don't think that picture No 4 has enough charm on-screen.  I am sure it looks lovely in real life, but here it looks like something unexplained and unfinished. Now, if it had exuberant torrents of scarlet geraniums tumbling down the stonework that might be different.

Sorry to be a bit dense about the Gallery page, but when it says "Lounge 114 views", I at first thought there would be 114 lounge pix to look at! Is it possible to drop the "xx views" bit?
I like the Courtyard pic, which gives a feel for the overall set-up, and wondered if it might be better to have that on your welcome page rather than the sneakily-flopped one? 
I am not too sure about the wisdom of exhibiting pix taken in the snow - however picturesque - unless you are letting out a place in a winter destination such as a ski resort. Remember, you are selling a dream to people, and you probably want them to picture themselves basking in the sun around your pool rather than shivering indoors.

As I say, the above are offered in the kindest spirit. I hope bookings pick up and that you have an excellent season.

Angela

[ngh]

Thanks for all the comments on the web site.

It has now been re-done. If you have chance to  look, your comments would be gratefully received.

nich the wood

[nimportequoi]

Nich,

that's much better! No confusion at all on the info on the front page and nice clear photos. I think the site looks great - you just need a few more comments in the guest book (I've discovered recently that people do actually read them and it can be a factor in whether they choose your place). Are you going to show availability in the future?

I hope you have an excellent season,

Susan