Autumn in Tahoe and Your Opinion, Please!

Ask any Lake Tahoe local and chances are they will tell you that Autumn is their favorite season in the High Sierras. Pleasant sunny days with cooler tempetures common in the evening. The leaves have changed to a golden color, with more falling to the ground each day. More visitors from Europe and far less from our traditional US market. Business slows in general and Tahoe takes on a more tranquil atmosphere. Those able to visit during this period are greeted with pleasant smiles and great values throughout the Resort.

Some on our staff choose to take their well-deserved vacations during Autumn. We have several who have thoughtfully “scheduled” the delivery of new additions to their families in the weeks ahead. Others remain very busy with housekeeping and maintenance projects during what we call our “shoulder season.” The goal is to make the necessary seasonal changes and have the property in “top shape” for what we expect will be a very busy winter.

I would like to ask those interested a few questions.

As an independent property, we have taken great pains to make our web site (www.innbythelake.com) user friendly, especially for making reservations directly on line through what we call our booking engine. We strive to maintain rate parity, to insure that prices quoted on our site or an authorized 3rd party site (Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity etcetera) is consistent. Recently, without notice, one of our 3 party site partners has proposed raising their discount/commission rate by 25%. This is a high volume affiliation that we would like to retain. In order to do so we would have to increase our room rates proportionately. Should we? If we do not, would you take the time to reserve space through another 3rd party site, book online directly or call our 800 number?

Beginning in 2008 we will be replacing our televisions with HDTV’s. The technologies for cable and satellite providers to cost effectively provide High Definition programming to hotels is currently evolving. We want to be ready. Currently we offer, through an outside vendor, pay-per-view movies. Usage is limited and this technology is such that it creates frequent technical and reception problems with our normal basic cable service. After evaluating numerous alternatives, we are considering eliminating pay-per-view, expanding our cable offering from basic to basic/expanded and adding HBO. The Inn would absorb the cost associated with this change. Do you think this is a good idea?

We like to think of ourselves as customer driven and your thoughts would be very much appreciated. Let me also take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving whether you spend it with us here at the Inn, your home away from home, or at your Mother In-laws.

Best Regards,
Dan