Re: Thanks to all -- the last aviation theme suite is finally DONE

[Ross]

VOR-DME wrote:
> Worst I've seen I think is the airport in Amsterdam. Flew through there last
> week, and they were charging EUR3.00 ($4.00) for fifteen minutes!
>
> Hotels in Europe are finally catching on that their clients will stay in the
> dive next door without the fancy bar lounge but that offers free access. I know
> several hotels offering free access within the past year, where previously it
> as about EUR25 per 24-hour period.
>
> People are smarter than hotel owners think (OK Jay, I'll make that *some* hotel
> owners). I don't think I've picked up a hotel telephone receiver in the past
> ten years. . .
>
>
>
> In article >, says...
>>
>> Jay Honeck schrieb:
>>> And it just aggravates the hell out of me when we travel, to find how many
>>> hotels STILL don't offer free wireless.
>> so true; it'd cost them next to nothing to at least offer free access in
>> the lobby. Fom my own experience I know that it is most of the time very
>> costly to wire or "to wifi" larger areas.
>>
>>> It's gotten to the point where
>>> that's a deciding factor in where we stay.
>> same here.
>>
>>> (We stayed at an Embassy Suites
>>> in Austin, Texas a few weeks ago, and they had the gall to charge $14.95 per
>>> night PER CONNECTION. We won't be making *that* mistake again...)
>> sometimes I think they want to sell internet access and don't want to
>> rent out rooms.
>>
>>> Free WiFi was a good choice -- thanks to you.
>> #m
>
Speaking of free internet service. Last year I stayed in a very nice
beach side hotel near St. Pete, FL. They charged you a fee for wi-fi in
your room. But, it was free in the lobby and bar area. So I take my
laptop, go get a table in the bar area, enjoy a snack, and use my
computer for free. Go figure.

Jay, Nice to see that you are coming back to the usenet some more. Hope
more come back. One of the things I wanted to do was fly to your hotel.
I guess I will have to drive now. We were close last September on our
way to Minn. while driving I-35 though Iowa, but just didn't have the time.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
Sold :(
KSWI

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> People are smarter than hotel owners think (OK Jay, I'll make that *some*
> hotel
> owners).

I wish that were the case (and, with pilots, it's usually true) -- but the
average traveler still selects their hotel based on what they saw advertised
during yesterday's episode of "Oprah".

It is EXTREMELY hard to defeat the marketing prowess of the chain motels.
I will beat them in every measurable way -- staff, bed size, suite size and
decor, amenities, breakfast, price, location -- and they STILL consistently
outsell us by a wide margin.

Why? Name recognition. If you hear "Holiday Inn" on TV and radio often
enough, that's what pops into your head when you're searching for a place to
stay. That's why they charge more and send 30% of gross back to a home
office in New York -- so they can buy lots and lots of advertising. It's a
terrific business model that works -- for the owners.

Our guests tend to be the more adventuresome (and, IMHO, intelligent)
travelers who go the extra mile to find a hidden gem.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> Jay, Nice to see that you are coming back to the usenet some more.

So long as the trolls stay dormant, I'll be around.

>One of the things I wanted to do was fly to your hotel. I guess I will have
>to drive now. We were close last September on our way to Minn. while
>driving I-35 though Iowa, but just didn't have the time.

Nasty time to be selling an airplane. Boy, there are a lot of good deals
out there right now -- but no one seems to be snatching them up.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Martin Hotze[_3_]]

Jay Honeck schrieb:
> It is EXTREMELY hard to defeat the marketing prowess of the chain motels.
> I will beat them in every measurable way -- staff, bed size, suite size and
> decor, amenities, breakfast, price, location -- and they STILL consistently
> outsell us by a wide margin.

well, many of us here may bring up similar arguments, exchanged to their
business (same here with our internet products).

> Why? Name recognition. If you hear "Holiday Inn" on TV and radio often
> enough, that's what pops into your head when you're searching for a place to
> stay. That's why they charge more and send 30% of gross back to a home

well, when passing a citx and you only need a place for a shower and a
clean bed then the least risk is to go somewhere where you roughly know
what you get. This is true for McDonalds as for the chain-motels.

> office in New York -- so they can buy lots and lots of advertising. It's a
> terrific business model that works -- for the owners.
>
> Our guests tend to be the more adventuresome (and, IMHO, intelligent)
> travelers who go the extra mile to find a hidden gem.

I think many people will drive by your place because they don't know
what they get. One single point is a good homepage and a CI. Look at the
websites of the chains and look at your website. Your website lacks
professionalism.

#m

[VOR-DME]

Worst I've seen I think is the airport in Amsterdam. Flew through there last
week, and they were charging EUR3.00 ($4.00) for fifteen minutes!

Hotels in Europe are finally catching on that their clients will stay in the
dive next door without the fancy bar lounge but that offers free access. I know
several hotels offering free access within the past year, where previously it
as about EUR25 per 24-hour period.

People are smarter than hotel owners think (OK Jay, I'll make that *some* hotel
owners). I don't think I've picked up a hotel telephone receiver in the past
ten years. . .



In article >, says...
>
>
>Jay Honeck schrieb:
>> And it just aggravates the hell out of me when we travel, to find how many
>> hotels STILL don't offer free wireless.
>
>so true; it'd cost them next to nothing to at least offer free access in
>the lobby. Fom my own experience I know that it is most of the time very
>costly to wire or "to wifi" larger areas.
>
>> It's gotten to the point where
>> that's a deciding factor in where we stay.
>
>same here.
>
>> (We stayed at an Embassy Suites
>> in Austin, Texas a few weeks ago, and they had the gall to charge $14.95 per
>> night PER CONNECTION. We won't be making *that* mistake again...)
>
>sometimes I think they want to sell internet access and don't want to
>rent out rooms.
>
>> Free WiFi was a good choice -- thanks to you.
>
>#m

[Mike Ash]

In article >,
Martin Hotze > wrote:

> > Why? Name recognition. If you hear "Holiday Inn" on TV and radio often
> > enough, that's what pops into your head when you're searching for a place
> > to
> > stay. That's why they charge more and send 30% of gross back to a home
>
> well, when passing a citx and you only need a place for a shower and a
> clean bed then the least risk is to go somewhere where you roughly know
> what you get. This is true for McDonalds as for the chain-motels.

Yep, never underestimate the amount of comfort people derive from
familiar blandness.

> > office in New York -- so they can buy lots and lots of advertising. It's a
> > terrific business model that works -- for the owners.
> >
> > Our guests tend to be the more adventuresome (and, IMHO, intelligent)
> > travelers who go the extra mile to find a hidden gem.
>
> I think many people will drive by your place because they don't know
> what they get. One single point is a good homepage and a CI. Look at the
> websites of the chains and look at your website. Your website lacks
> professionalism.

Definitely. No offense, Jay, but your hotel's web site looks like a
refugee from 1995. I won't pretend to tell you your own business, and I
could well be wrong, but I'd wager that an upgrade to a more modern look
from a good web designer would pay for itself in rapid fashion.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

[Martin Hotze[_3_]]

Mike Ash schrieb:
> Definitely. No offense, Jay, but your hotel's web site looks like a
> refugee from 1995. I won't pretend to tell you your own business, and I
> could well be wrong, but I'd wager that an upgrade to a more modern look
> from a good web designer would pay for itself in rapid fashion.

Please extend this to a full redesign of your CI: business cards, logo,
layout of invoices, flyers, ad on van, etc.

#m

[Steve Foley[_4_]]

You need to get yourself higher up on searches like hotels.com

For Iowa City, you're on page 2, following a disclaimer.

"Hotels.com welcomerewardsT credit and Price Match Guarantee are not
available for the hotels listed below.

33 Compare Selected Properties Now
Alexis Park Inn And Suites - Hotels.com thumbnail
Alexis Park Inn And Suites Not Yet Rated
Iowa City

Guest Rating
4.5

6 Reviews
from $67.95 Select"

[Ross]

Jay Honeck wrote:
>> Jay, Nice to see that you are coming back to the usenet some more.
>
> So long as the trolls stay dormant, I'll be around.
>
>> One of the things I wanted to do was fly to your hotel. I guess I will
>> have to drive now. We were close last September on our way to Minn.
>> while driving I-35 though Iowa, but just didn't have the time.
>
> Nasty time to be selling an airplane. Boy, there are a lot of good
> deals out there right now -- but no one seems to be snatching them up.

Well I got what I wanted and sold it to a friend that knew exactly how
it was maintained. I had an official appraisal from a few years ago and
factored in the appreciation, but also considered the current market
conditions. We were both happy. He got a plane with a fresh annual and a
full AD compliance checklist. You have seen pictures of the plane. It is
a nice day here and I would like to go fly :(

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
Sold :(
KSWI

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> "Hotels.com welcomerewardsT credit and Price Match Guarantee are not
> available for the hotels listed below.

That brings up another "guest IQ test" -- the on-line hotel listings.

Everyone sees and believes those "Hotels.com" commercials (you know the
ones -- where the guys in white suits go into a hotel with tape measures,
making sure everything is perfect) -- and I'm here to tell you that it's ALL
bull****. Hotels.com is nothing but a sham.

I can get a higher listing -- and "rating" -- for my hotel on Hotels.com
simply by paying them a higher percentage commission. It's ALL a lie.

The ONLY real, honest-to-goodness legitimate hotel rating system is the AAA
motor club. They really do send inspectors to the hotel, and they really
do make hotels shape up or get out.

Not that they're not expensive. I pay $1250 to be AAA rated -- but they
won't rate you (or take your money) if the hotel isn't up to snuff. When
you're shopping for a hotel, look for the AAA rating -- it's really the only
trustworthy rating.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> Definitely. No offense, Jay, but your hotel's web site looks like a
> refugee from 1995. I won't pretend to tell you your own business, and I
> could well be wrong, but I'd wager that an upgrade to a more modern look
> from a good web designer would pay for itself in rapid fashion.

What's funny about this is that I *constantly* receive compliments about my
website BECAUSE of its simple, no-nonsense, easy to navigate "old-fashioned"
design. (I suppose those who think it's dated just keep quiet!)

I go to many hotel (and other) websites that drive me CRAZY with all their
whiz-bang java scripts running, slowing the sites to a molasses-slow pace.
If it were possible to add those cool features without making the sites run
so slow, I'd do it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Mike Ash]

In article <KfwDl.52837$DP1.44552@attbi_s22>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> > Definitely. No offense, Jay, but your hotel's web site looks like a
> > refugee from 1995. I won't pretend to tell you your own business, and I
> > could well be wrong, but I'd wager that an upgrade to a more modern look
> > from a good web designer would pay for itself in rapid fashion.
>
> What's funny about this is that I *constantly* receive compliments about my
> website BECAUSE of its simple, no-nonsense, easy to navigate "old-fashioned"
> design. (I suppose those who think it's dated just keep quiet!)
>
> I go to many hotel (and other) websites that drive me CRAZY with all their
> whiz-bang java scripts running, slowing the sites to a molasses-slow pace.
> If it were possible to add those cool features without making the sites run
> so slow, I'd do it.

Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should have one of these fancy
dynamic sites. Certainly, I appreciate the simplicity. But you can
update the *look* of your site while still keeping the *simplicity* of
it. You have a distracting and (again, no offense intended) somewhat
ugly background on your pages. Your graphics aren't antialiased and as
such appear quite grainy. Your menu on the side is small and not very
easy on the eyes. Overall, the look is just a bit cheap and ugly. I
definitely think that you should keep things simple as you say, but
getting some better graphic design would help a lot.

Again, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't mean to
overly criticize, just offer my view of things. I've never been there,
but it certainly sounds like a nice place. I believe that if you just
make the web site look a bit more modern, more people will be convinced
to give it a try.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

[Peter Dohm]

"Mike Ash" > wrote in message
...
>
> Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should have one of these fancy
> dynamic sites. Certainly, I appreciate the simplicity. But you can
> update the *look* of your site while still keeping the *simplicity* of
> it. You have a distracting and (again, no offense intended) somewhat
> ugly background on your pages. Your graphics aren't antialiased and as
> such appear quite grainy. Your menu on the side is small and not very
> easy on the eyes. Overall, the look is just a bit cheap and ugly. I
> definitely think that you should keep things simple as you say, but
> getting some better graphic design would help a lot.
>
> Again, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't mean to
> overly criticize, just offer my view of things. I've never been there,
> but it certainly sounds like a nice place. I believe that if you just
> make the web site look a bit more modern, more people will be convinced
> to give it a try.
>
> --
> Mike Ash
> Radio Free Earth
> Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

Given that Jay's site actually works and is reasonably easy to navigate, I
have to agree with Jay.

There are plenty of sites that look great, but require a very fast
connection to view, and many more that simply won't allow you to print the
same things that you see. Overall, the Internet seems to be degenerating
rapidly and Jay's site, while not perfect, almost seems like blessed relief.

Peter

[Mike Ash]

In article >,
"Peter Dohm" > wrote:

> "Mike Ash" > wrote in message
>
> .com...
> >
> > Don't get me wrong. I don't think you should have one of these fancy
> > dynamic sites. Certainly, I appreciate the simplicity. But you can
> > update the *look* of your site while still keeping the *simplicity* of
> > it. You have a distracting and (again, no offense intended) somewhat
> > ugly background on your pages. Your graphics aren't antialiased and as
> > such appear quite grainy. Your menu on the side is small and not very
> > easy on the eyes. Overall, the look is just a bit cheap and ugly. I
> > definitely think that you should keep things simple as you say, but
> > getting some better graphic design would help a lot.
> >
> > Again, I don't want you to take this the wrong way. I don't mean to
> > overly criticize, just offer my view of things. I've never been there,
> > but it certainly sounds like a nice place. I believe that if you just
> > make the web site look a bit more modern, more people will be convinced
> > to give it a try.
> >
> Given that Jay's site actually works and is reasonably easy to navigate, I
> have to agree with Jay.
>
> There are plenty of sites that look great, but require a very fast
> connection to view, and many more that simply won't allow you to print the
> same things that you see. Overall, the Internet seems to be degenerating
> rapidly and Jay's site, while not perfect, almost seems like blessed relief.

I really just don't understand this objection. It is possible to have a
pretty site which still loads fast and is simple to use. It's not a
choice between pretty usable. Good looking pictures, readable text, and
pleasant layout won't make the site load any more slowly than it does
right now.

I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
> and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to take
some time to check out some upgrades.

One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My quick
and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Steve Foley]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:8awDl.648943$yE1.613178@attbi_s21...
>> "Hotels.com welcomerewardsT credit and Price Match Guarantee are not
>> available for the hotels listed below.
>
> That brings up another "guest IQ test" -- the on-line hotel listings.
>

I'm not a big traveler anymore. My employer has one office and that's where
I work.

A few years ago my kids wanted to go to a convention in Baltimore, so I went
looking for a hotel. I found one for about $100/night on one of the sites, I
honestly don't know which one. After it was booked, I looked through the
mumbo-jumbo and realized they had booked me at a government rate.

I called my brother, who works for the navy, and asked him about it. He said
he had NEVER been asked for an ID when he checked into a room. He travels a
few times a month.

Not wanting to pay whatever cancellation fee they demanded, I figured I'd
get a government ID. I called my friendly FAA and asked for one of those
fancy new plastic pilot's certificates, and stuffed it in my wallet.

Sure enough, when I checked in, she asked for my gubmint ID. I handed her my
PP-SEL and said nothing. She glanced at it, saw the hologram and UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA across the top, and handed it back, again, saying nothing.

Probably wouldn't work at your place, huh?

[Mike Ash]

In article <RCRDl.650337$yE1.432563@attbi_s21>,
"Jay Honeck" > wrote:

> > I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
> > and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.
>
> I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to take
> some time to check out some upgrades.
>
> One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My quick
> and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.

I'm sure that would help too. Sounds like you have a nice place there.
While you're never going to convince a certain segment of the population
to abandon the comforting blandness of the chains, I hope a bit of an
upgrade here might convince some more to give your place a chance
instead. Anyway, best of luck!

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

[Martin Hotze[_3_]]

Jay Honeck schrieb:
> I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to take
> some time to check out some upgrades.

let a pro do the job.

> One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My quick
> and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.

multimedia content is a must. Don't put it too dominant on the main
pages like home, rates, availability, etc.
but: there are more and more people checking the places they're going to
in advance: google street view, webcams, etc.

example: In June I fly to Mallorca (Spain) for a longer weekend: I
"know" the place by now: distance including map from the airport, the
hotel has 2 webcams, in town are 2 or 3 other cams - so I have an
impression of the place and the area.

as Mike said: keep it simple, get rid of the dated stuff. Maybe you'll
do yourself a favour in using a content management system, so you can
stick to a predefined layout (done by a pro) but you are able to add
content by yourself.

best thing: check out other hotels (also overseas!) that are like yours
not attached to a chain. Note what you miss there and what attracted you.

#m

[Tim[_7_]]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:RCRDl.650337$yE1.432563@attbi_s21...
>> I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
>> and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.
>
> I understand what you're saying, Mike. One of these days, I'll have to
> take some time to check out some upgrades.
>
> One thing I need to do is get some high-quality pix of the suites. My
> quick and lame efforts fall short of what I need in that regard.

Just my opinion but -

Search yourself from Google, and be sure you take advantage of all the free
stuff Google allows.

Keep your site just simple enough to be FAST. But it is a good excuse to
spend some company bucks on camera equipment, lenses, software, etc, to take
up a serious photography hobby. Perhaps even a link to a Power Point
presentation for your own private commercial. Be creative, have fun with it
and let it grow over time. Just stay with it.

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> Probably wouldn't work at your place, huh?

Guffaw! No, probably not.

Although you might be able to buffalo some of our employees when you checked
in.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> Search yourself from Google, and be sure you take advantage of all the
> free stuff Google allows.

I do, every day.

Google is another part of the internet that is going down hill, in my
opinion. It used to be that (for example) searching for "Iowa City Hotels"
brought up hotels that were actually in Iowa City. Imagine that?

Now, Google is taking money from the McHotel chains to gain higher placement
in even that simple kind of search. Go Google "Iowa City hotels" and see
how many hotels pop up that aren't even located in Iowa City! It's all a
sham.

Yahoo still works the way a search engine should, BTW. As a result, I use
it when I really want honest results.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck[_2_]]

> I'm not a big traveler anymore. My employer has one office and that's
> where I work.

You and many others, I'm afraid. Business travel has dropped 40% since the
election. Our Monday-Friday "bread & butter" business is way, way down
from last year.

Right now, every hotelier is in a holding pattern, trying to survive and
waiting for business to improve. (Or, conversely, waiting for the
competition to fold.)

Luckily, our unique blend of "getaway weekend", corporate extended stay, and
aviation theme suites gives us a three legged stool to sit on that many
hotels don't have. (For example: Extended Stay Suites -- or whatever they
call themselves now, is in Chapter 11. This is a good example of putting
all your eggs in one economic basket...)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
Ercoupe N94856
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Tim[_7_]]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:rb1El.55070$DP1.53700@attbi_s22...
>> Search yourself from Google, and be sure you take advantage of all the
>> free stuff Google allows.
>
> I do, every day.
>
> Google is another part of the internet that is going down hill, in my
> opinion. It used to be that (for example) searching for "Iowa City
> Hotels" brought up hotels that were actually in Iowa City. Imagine that?
>
> Now, Google is taking money from the McHotel chains to gain higher
> placement in even that simple kind of search. Go Google "Iowa City
> hotels" and see how many hotels pop up that aren't even located in Iowa
> City! It's all a sham.
>
> Yahoo still works the way a search engine should, BTW. As a result, I use
> it when I really want honest results.

How YOU search is not important.

[RST Engineering]

Someone who has not the foggiest idea of the concept of "snip" is not to be
given credence when criticizing anything.

Jim



--
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought
without accepting it."
--Aristotle


"Mike Ash" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> "Peter Dohm" > wrote:
>
>> "Mike Ash" > wrote in message
>>
>> .com...

> I perfectly sympathize and agree with the desire to keep the site simple
> and fast. But that doesn't mean it has to keep its current dated look.

[Mike Ash]

In article >,
"RST Engineering" > wrote:

> Someone who has not the foggiest idea of the concept of "snip" is not to be
> given credence when criticizing anything.

And where do top posters stand in your little pantheon?

--
Mike Ash
Radio Free Earth
Broadcasting from our climate-controlled studios deep inside the Moon

[Bob Fry]

>>>>> "SF" == Steve Foley > writes:

SF> Sure enough, when I checked in, she asked for my gubmint ID. I
SF> handed her my PP-SEL and said nothing. She glanced at it, saw
SF> the hologram and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA across the top, and
SF> handed it back, again, saying nothing.

I don't think they much care about the ID, they give "discounts" for
any reason: government employee, member of an professional or interest
organization, AAA member, you name it. Nobody pays the rack rate
unless they're a rube from Wichita.
--
There is no sport in hate when all the rage is on one side.
~ Percy B. Shelley