Bill's Bountiful Blog

VacationRentals.ws - Lodging Newsletter May 20th, 2009

By William May
Published: 05/20/09 Topics: Lodging Newsletter, Newsletter Comments: 0

If banks can pass the stress test, maybe you can too ! Had a little fender bender the other day. Guy jumped out of his car and ran up screaming, "I'm not happy." So I said, "OK, which one are you?"

Wm. May & Penny Taylor
Sunspot Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals

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ONLINE BLOCKING:
If you haven't already, remember you can now go to Sunspots.info and Block out your own dates, or un-block them. Just login using your user name and password and go to the Owner Calendar. Remember that the Owner calendar shows far more detail than the calendar guests are allowed to see. For example, you can tell the difference between a guest booking and your own bookings. If you don't remember you login just give us a call.

VRMLS & VACATIONRENTALS.WS
These websites went live last week and were presented again to the Washington State Vacation Rental Managers Association. VRMLS is a separate project from Sunspots and operated under our Plumbob Publishing banner. All Sunspot Owners are listed on the www.VacationRentals.ws website and we'll be producing similar sites in other markets across the US. Plus we'll have international sites such as www.VacationRentalCentral.com (not open yet)

VIDEOS:
First Videos are up and ready to view. The format is going to evolve but for now more people can see more about each property.
www.ViaKachess.com
www.MaxGetaway.com
www.Central-Chalet.com

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Author: William May – Manager, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0110 – 05/20/09

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

ResortQuest.com - Lodging Newsletter April 18th, 2009

By William May
Published: 04/18/09 Topics: Lodging Newsletter, Newsletter, Vacation Rental Management Comments: 0

ECONOMY UPDATE:
Yes the economy is affecting luxury travel like Vacation Rentals. Some markets are getting hit harder than others. From our perspective the biggest challenge in predictability. Guests seem to be booking more last-minute but the inquiries keep coming. With a bit of luck, more 12 hour days and our continued marketing expansion we hope to get every owner the maximum bookings possible. Only time will tell.

RESORTQUEST:
We continue to take new marketing steps. With enough inquiries we'll get enough bookings. Attached is a Press Release. We have entered into a marketing agreement with Resort Quest and this will mean exposure on their website www.ResortQuest.com. This is a nice honor. We are the only firm in the State of Washington to be invited.

Attached - - ResortQuest Press Release.

PACIFIC GUEST SUITES:
This company has been doing medium to longer term rentals for corporate stays and now we have partnered up with them to do short-term stays in their facilities. And they have first class condos in downtown Seattle and elsewhere around Puget Sound. This is a growing area.

VRMLS & VACATIONRENTALS.WS
Work continues on our project for the first Multiple-Listing-Service (MLS) for vacation rentals. Its an bland websites with a big purpose - a central place where all vacation rentals can be listed for easy distribution to advertising websites. You can see it at www.VRMLS.org.

The first trial website is in Beta testing at www.VacationRentals.ws (The WS is for Washington State !). Yes you'll find typos and the data is for test purpose, but all Sunspot owners and properties are listed for free. Once launched we are aiming for 1,000 rentals around the state. And then our other national sites will start coming on line.

TRADEWIND REALTY
On Kauai, we have partnered up with Teresa Daher and Tradewind Realty. She has been a leading agent on Kauai for years handling sales and property management. Now she is taking over our portfolio and adding her own.

SECRET NEWS
And we have some other major announcements coming. Thanks to Penny, Lynnette, Joseph, Collin, Dan, Tyrone and Amber in the main office for all the fast and furious work they are doing. And to the local staffs for pushing through the winter. Summer is rushing up on us.

Wm. May
Sunspot Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals
Voice: 888-628-8989 x902
Email: William@Sunspots.info.

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Author: William May – Manager, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0108 – 04/18/09

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Lodging Newsletter February 20, 2009

By William May
Published: 04/18/09 Topics: Newsletter Comments: 0

ECONOMY UPDATE:

Yes the economy is affecting luxury travel like Vacation Rentals. Some markets are getting hit harder than others. From our perspective the biggest challenge in predictability. Guests seem to be booking more last-minute but the inquiries keep coming. With a bit of luck, more 12 hour days and our continued marketing expansion we hope to get every owner the maximum bookings possible. Only time will tell.

RESORTQUEST:

We continue to take new marketing steps. With enough inquiries we’ll get enough bookings. Attached is a Press Release. We have entered into a marketing agreement with Resort Quest and this will mean exposure on their website www.ResortQuest.com. This is a nice honor. We are the only firm in the State of Washington to be invited.

Attached - - ResortQuest Press Release.

PACIFIC GUEST SUITES:

This company has been doing medium to longer term rentals for corporate stays and now we have partnered up with them to do short-term stays in their facilities. And they have first class condos in downtown Seattle and elsewhere around Puget Sound. This is a growing area.

VRMLS & VACATIONRENTALS.WS

Work continues on our project for the first Multiple-Listing-Service (MLS) for vacation rentals. Its an bland websites with a big purpose - a central place where all vacation rentals can be listed for easy distribution to advertising websites. You can see it at www.VRMLS.org.

The first trial website is in Beta testing at www.VacationRentals.ws (The WS is for Washington State !). Yes you’ll find typos and the data is for test purpose, but all Sunspot owners and properties are listed for free. Once launched we are aiming for 1,000 rentals around the state. And then our other national sites will start coming on line.

TRADEWIND REALTY

On Kauai, we have partnered up with Teresa Daher and Tradewind Realty. She has been a leading agent on Kauai for years handling sales and property management. Now she is taking over our portfolio and adding her own.

SECRET NEWS

And we have some other major announcements coming. Thanks to Penny, Lynnette, Joseph, Collin, Dan, Tyrone and Amber in the main office for all the fast and furious work they are doing. And to the local staffs for pushing through the winter. Summer is rushing up on us.

Wm. May
Sunspot Inns, Resorts & Vacation Rentals
Voice: 888-628-8989 x902
Email: William@Sunspots.info.

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Author: William May – Manager, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0861 – 04/18/09

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

Hello Blog. Goodbye Newsletters.- Lodging Newsletter January 10, 2009

By William May
Published: 01/10/09 Topics: Newsletter Comments: 0

After years of writing newsletters I've succumbed to writing a blog. Not sure what the difference is - we've been posting newsletters online years ago- as well as emailing them and, in fact, snail mailing them years ago.

What better way to keep in touch with all those people I should keep in touch with. So that is my promise to tell you things you'll want to know about Sunspot Inns, Resorts and Vacation Rentals in specific and about Vacation Rentals and even Lodging in particular.

I'll announce our cool new rentals as they come in. And our new offices and network members as our company continues to grow. Like Poipu Beach and Princeville Kauai in Hawaii. Plus Lake Chelan, Crescent Bar, Sunbanks Resorts, Gig Harbor, Whidbey Island and the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth in Washington State.

I would be remiss if I didn't mentioned we are recruiting agents, professionals and property managers in multiple markets right now. If you want to own your own business, live in a desirable recreation market and grow in our dynamic industry, please give us a call. We are recruiting and training new network members particularly in the Northwest States and Hawaii too.,

And I suppose I should tip you off to the specials, discounts and promotions we offer. In fact right now we're having our annual pre-season sale. You can get two weeks for the price of two in many homes. A big discount in Hawaii. And right now always best pick of dates before the spring rush.

In fact, I guess I better be going. If I don't book my own place before you do I wont have first pick will I? Oh, and by the way, happy new years from all your friends at Sunspot Inns, Resorts and Vacations rentals. You can preview homes and book online at (sunspotresorts.com)sunspotresorts.com. Or give us a call at any time to book 888-628-8989.

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Author: William May, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0093 – 01/10/09

Sponsor: Vortex VIP – – VortexVIP.com

No wonder guests prefer Vacation rentals? Oahu Pick Pockets

By William May
Published: 04/06/04 Topics: Comments: 0

Can anyone tell me why a family would stay in a Hotel for their vacation? I was reminded recently of how distressing it can be when we visited the famous Waikiki Beach area of Hawaii.

Penny and I hadn't spent much time there for 20 years but my 14 year old son decided there were things he just needed to see like the Bishop Museum, Hanama Bay and the world famous North Shore surfing sites.

So on our working trip to Kauai we stayed over on the island of Oahu and took a hotel room smack dap in the middle of the action. Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, the might Mo battleship and all the sites were worth the effort. But an effort it was.

The name of the hotel shall remain anonymous because I don't want to get sued for libel (but hey, truth is a defense). It was a 30 story high rise building across the street from the people-packed beach and had been recently decorated. It was clean and well staffed and, in general, no worse and certainly no better than other tourist havens.

But let me tell you why it wasn't a vacation and why most hotel stays don't qualify as a holiday. These slightly stressful reasons are exactly why the vacation rental industry is growing fast. If you want a vacation you need a vacation home.

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME:

- In order to check in, we stood in line with 40 other people as the clerks were working feverishly (at least those that spoke English). It sill took 20 minutes to get a key. Room cost was just $199 per night, plus, plus, plus. (More on that later).

- My son was a little slow on jumping out of the rental car which allowed the bell man to snatch the bags and rush them to bell hop prison. She he did the honors. Cost for the tip $8

- We proceeded to the room which had two double beds (no queen beds in this space conscious establishment.), adequate mattresses and the traditional black out curtains. No frills here. There was a small closet and a shower curtain that wouldn't stay up.

- Penny flung open the curtains and stepped out onto the 18" deck with a peek-a-boo view of the beach. No room for a chair out there but that was OK because the roar of the building HVAC system made it impossible to talk. Plus the stench of diesel bus fuel wafted up even to our 24th floor room.

- She quickly crammed the door shut only to discover a loud locomotive sound coming from the air as it blasted under the hallway door and whistled through the deck door that wouldn't close all the way.

- Thee was no place to lay out the suitcases so we used the floor which meant there was then no where to walk. We collapsed on the bed.

- Soon hunger called. After a long flight we dial room service to order from the gourmet menu except the entrees seemed like left over from an Antarctica research camp. (I'm thinking everything comes out of a can). An hour later and $71 and we have dinner for three.

- My soon wanted an extra coke but we didn't think we could wait another hour and pay another $5 so he finds a pop machine in the hall for the bargain price of $3.

- Then he finds the mini bar, "WAAAAAAIT yell before he grabs a snickers bar." I'm thinking $3 per candy bar is highway robbery.

- I need to logon for a few minutes but sorry no high speed internet in this aging beach beauty. I can use dialup in a pinch and find, hidden in the guest "Courtesy" manual that the cost for the data port (i.e.: phone line) is only one dollar per minute. Sorry I pass.

- And head to the street to find an internet cafe. There I find a place with high speed internet for just $6 per hour. But why do I have to march around the neighborhood to use it?

- At long last we find ourselves tuckered and trampled and snug in bed ready for a good night's sleep. No such luck. We hear Waikiki party goes stroll down our hall to their rooms every 20 minutes soused in liquor and banging the walls. It is spring break and a long night.

- Next morning we shuffle into Wolfgang Puck's express cafe for a glorified Egg McMuffin for just $9 each. I would have orange juice too but don't want to mortgage the house.

- Back to the entrance we go to request our car be brought around. It takes 20 minutes and a $3 tip every time we want the car. That, of course, on top of the $15 per day parking fee - but hey you get in and out privileges. Plus the tip each time of course. Even here in paradise if you don't tip your car might come back with dead fish in the trunk if you know what I mean.

- The next night I need to send a fax and am happily surprised that the price is only $1 per

page. Of course I know the long distance call home is now as low as 3 cents per minute but hey they have to make a profit, right?

- On the way back up to the room I discover that the elevators no longer descend to the lobby after 6pm, "To keep out the riff raff" says the clerk. So I'm forced to walk to the far end of the block long building, go up an escalator and then do elevator lottery to figure out which one goes to my floor. Geeeeesh!

- The next day I have to fax again and the clerk says "sorry you were undercharged last night the real rate is $5 for the first page and $3 each additional page. And I'm going to have to bill you for yesterday's mistake." Normally I would debate the issue but by now I'm without sleep or food or stamina.

- On the last day we go to the ice cream parlor on the beach side of the hotel and learn they have a fancy new system where they mix the cold stuff while you watch. And they sing if you give them a tip. I worry what will be hidden in the ice cream if I cough up some moolah. So the ice ream adventure is just $18 for three people. Last time someone took me for this much money the perpetrator was wearing a mask and had a gun.

- As we depart this Shangri-La we have to traverse the gauntlet of outstretched hands. $10 for the maid (is that enough?), $8 for the bellman, $4 for the car. I'm surprised the cashier didn't stick out his hand but by then maybe they realize most guests would chop it off at the wrist.

All in all we did get in some great sight seeing but I couldn't help but keep track of all the ways a hotel vacation rips dollars out of the guest's pocket. Certainly I am not a penny pincher. I even like some of those mega beach-side resorts where you can sit on your bum in the sun for a week and get everything handed to you. And for conferences and meetings, convention hotels are the only way to go.

THE MESSAGE: But now let me make my point. My fellow vacation rental owners, we need to blow the trumpet vacation homes even louder. We have a superior product. And we need to let travelers know the trouble with hotels.

NOTE: Or maybe we are just jealous of hotel owners. They have masterfully figured out how to take maximum dollars off guests while giving them the most meager of product and service.

BENEFITS OF VACATION RENTALS: Let me try to recap just a few of those services many vacation homeowners provide to their guests for free:

- Come and go when you like.

- Free parking usually

- Full kitchen, pots and pans for making macaroni and cheese when that suits you.

- Breakfast, lunch and dinner available 24 hours a day.

- No 1,000% markup on food.

- No tipping the rom service waiter.

- No tipping the doorman.

- A lot more room for a lot less money (per square foot)

- Decks you can actually sit on.

- Furniture that is actually comfortable.

- No neighbors on the other side of that flimsy wall.

- Don't have to share the bar with the Russian national drinking team.

- You can open the windows!

- You can turn the heat up or down. Or even on and of. Revolutionary.

- No daily maids to go through your underwear.

- No noisy elevators with noisy people.

- No hand in your wallet every time you turn around.

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INPUT:

As always I seek your input. Please share your tips, techniques, compliments, and complaints on this or any other subject by writing me at Director@VROA.orgDirector@VROA.org.

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Author: William May – Volunteer, Vacation Rental Association
Blog #: 0045 – 04/06/04

– WilliamMay.com

An Unremarkable Phone Call

By William May
Published: 08/15/95 Topics: Family Comments: 0

I was worried about my son Taylor. He has never been the reflective type. At age five, he has the vocabulary, energy and determination of a ten year old. If there is a swimming lesson to take, a zoo expedition or a get together with friends, Taylor boils over with enthusiasm.

So I had been a bit worried about him when, in the last month, he became more thoughtful, more introspective and, on random occasions, sad and withdrawn. When I questioned him for an explanation, he ducked my careful inquiries with nothing more than a slight tilt of the head and a forced smile. Definitely not Taylor. I worried further.

Then one evening, as we sat and talked about the tiniest things in life, he suddenly blurted out "Dad, can we call Grandpa Dick?" It caught me terribly off guard but I immediately understood Taylor’s problem. You see my father had passed away just about a month before.

My father was a gentle quiet man. It is strange for me to say this, but in many ways he was unremarkable, at least in today’s world where bigger-than-life self promoters are often thrust at us as models and heroes. Dick was none of that.

Instead he was a hard worker who prided himself on never having asked for a raise. He led efforts to erect a parsonage and, for another congregation - a church building. He loved to sing having started in high school and never missed a church choir rehearsal or Sunday service. World War II stole three years of his life for which he never complained.

He left behind three devoted sons, three adoring grandchildren, loving daughter-in-laws and a wife who fell for him at age 16 and never forgot how that felt. We remember his wit, his gentle ways and, most of all, how his eyes would mist when anything of compassion, common sense or injustice was discussed.

For ten years after his retirement he worked 8 hours a day five or more days per week doing what he had loved best having grown up on a farm - growing gardens, cutting lawns, pruning shrubs. Most often he did it for other Seniors who couldn’t get out to do it and usually for whatever they could afford to pay. In the end, it was his simple goodness that friends and family found so truly remarkable.

His passing consisted of two days of worry, four weeks of unconsciousness and then, as sudden and as startling as blowing a tire on a deserted road, he died. Two days before his hospital admittance, we hurried up a family dinner. There, under his Cheshire grin and humble words I knew there must be fear and panic. He shared none of that.

True to form, Dad demanded a day to visit his customers promising to be back in a few weeks to take care of their gardens and lawns. It was not to be.

Taylor’s request to "Call Grandpa Dick" opened my recent wounds. I silently gasped but tried not to tear up. We had withheld news of Grandpa’s illness from Taylor even after we knew the end was near. He was fed bits of information, progressively worse, until Taylor guessed and we confirmed that Grandpa would probably die.

When he did, my son, his Mom and I cried together. Taylor rationalized and seemed to accept the inevitability of death. Until then Taylor had only had to deal with the death of one goldfish; who even now sleeps comfortably in a cotton lined wallet box in our freezer. Taylor hadn’t been ready to let go of "Splendid" the fish and now it seems he wasn’t ready to let go of Grandpa Dick either.

"Gee Tay, sounds like you miss Grandpa", I whispered.

"Yes", said Tay, "But I’ve been thinking. Grandpa always told me to call him anytime I needed him. That’s what he said - anytime. I know he’s gone. But he never talked much anyway. He always just said things like ‘How great Tay’ and ‘You make me so proud’. I just know if I call him he’ll listen. Can we Dad, I kind of need to talk to him?"

It took me a minute to speak, at last deciding to play it by ear. "Sure, Tay you’re right. That might make us all - you, me and Grandpa feel a lot better." Holding down the plunger, I quickly dialed the number and handed the receiver to my young son.

For a few long minutes, Taylor conducted the usual Grandpa Dick phone call. There was an update on his Dad, his Mom, his Nanny, his cats and his friends; then a few jokes with punch lines that didn’t make sense. Taylor doesn’t really understand jokes yet but Grandpa’s don’t expect logical jokes from kids. He asked Grandpa how his chickens, rabbits and new Dog were doing. The conversation seemed perfectly rational.

Finally, Taylor fell into simply inserting the occasional "yes", "h-huh" and "that’s good". Grandpa was now talking. Taylor was listening. I was crying.

Cupping the receiver with his hand, Taylor turned to me and said "Do you want to talk Dad?" Overcome with emotion, I shook my head no. He took back the receiver and said "OK, Grandpa, Dad can’t talk right now. Gotta go. I love you. I miss you. Oh, and by the way, remember anytime you need me ... just call. Anytime. I love you Grandpa ... I miss you."

He hung up the phone flashing me one of those parent melting smiles, "Thanks Dad, I feel better". And he was.

POSTSCRIPT:

It’s taken me several weeks to gather the composure to put this simple event down in writing. Things are beginning to get back to normal in our household. Taylor is feeling much better and has resumed his unabashed enthusiasm for everything in life including books, bugs and bicycles.

For me it will take longer. I haven’t yet come to grips with my father’s passing (if I ever will.) Writing this story brings back its confusing combination of sorrow and pain. I can’t get my hands around the mystery. I can’t put a conclusion on things. Tonight, I think I’d better go home and, with my son’s help, call Grandpa Dick.

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Author: William May – A Father's Son, MayPartners
Blog #: 0506 – 08/15/95