How do you find hotels?

**fullyautomatix** · 15 May 2012, 14:01

Hi Jamie

We have all the answers you want but first you need to undergo a vetting process.

Answer this question, do you know how the bleed the radiators in your hotel ? If yes, how do you do it ?

Others will ask more questions, answer them as correctly as possible, trust me they are all relevant to your post.

**Paddy** · 15 May 2012, 14:04

Originally posted by someguy24 View Post

Hi guys,

I have recently started working in a hotel in Central Scotland and the hotel mainy aims to cater for contractors. We seem to get great reviews and feedback from contractors but recently we have noticed the bookings have been deteriorating and are trying to find out why this is and encourage more bookings.

I have been asked to do some research into how we can generate more bookings from contractors and after looking around for a while I am at a loss!

I was wondering if a few of you guys would be able to spend a few minutes to help me gather some information on where bookings come from?

The sort of thing I am trying to look for is where most contractors look when selecting a hotel - are there any specialised websites that are popular (traderooms.com or perhaps mondaytofriday.com seems to be the only ones I could find?) and do these sites get used? Do people mainly use larger chain hotels or look for smaller independant hotels. Are hotels typically chosen by the companies or you guys and what is important for you when searching for a hotel.

I would be grateful if a few of you would be able to take a few minutes and let me know your thoughts on this so I can push forward and try make this project a success.

Thanks,
Jamie

It is probably to do with government policy to outsource IT jobs to India and allowing inter company work visas for workers on less than the minimum wage. Try letting each room to ten foreign contractors at £10 per room.

**BrilloPad** · 15 May 2012, 14:06

Do you have target companies in mind? i.e. contractors for particular companies. Have you approached them?

What is the hotel competition like?

**amcdonald** · 15 May 2012, 14:13

The one thing that stops me staying at hotels used by contractors is either paper thin walls, hallways that are noisy when walked over or worse rooms near generators so loud you can't sleep

More than anything lack of sleep will put me off, whether by loud residents coming back to the hotel, or leaving early or bad facilities like paper thin walls making your stay unpleasant. I might stay once, but would never come back

As for online sites, hotels.com, booking.com, lastminute.com, laterooms.com, ebookers.com as normally I can get a decent rate without bothering to phone up several hotels and haggle

I usually use the same hotels unless they're booked up, but which booking site I use normally depends on which booking company is offering the most cashback via quidco

**Old Hack** · 15 May 2012, 14:20

Originally posted by amcdonald View Post

The one thing that stops me staying at hotels used by contractors is either paper thin walls, hallways that are noisy when walked over or worse rooms near generators so loud you can't sleep

More than anything lack of sleep will put me off, whether by loud residents coming back to the hotel, or leaving early or bad facilities like paper thin walls making your stay unpleasant. I might stay once, but would never come back

As for online sites, hotels.com, booking.com, lastminute.com, laterooms.com, ebookers.com as normally I can get a decent rate without bothering to phone up several hotels and haggle

I usually use the same hotels unless they're booked up, but which booking site I use normally depends on which booking company is offering the most cashback via quidco

I am with this too. Noise is the main reason I change hotels. Charging for Wifi moves me on quickly too. Good exercise facilities, healthy food and the ability to negotiate proper contracts to change the rate. Nice to be able to leave a bag of stuff there safely at weekends too, like wash kit, every day items you need.

**fullyautomatix** · 15 May 2012, 14:20

Its likely that most companies based in Central Glasgow have cut the spending on IT because of the recession. This would mean no contracts and hence no need for hotels for contractors.

Why dont you have a Plan B to target someone else if contractors dont work out ?

**EternalOptimist** · 15 May 2012, 14:22

Hi Jamie
How do you go about getting IT systems for your hotel ? I am really curious as I have always wanted to build a booking and reservation system

The sort of thing I am trying to look for is where most hoteliers look when selecting a system - are there any specialised websites that are popular (traderooms.com or perhaps mondaytofriday.com seems to be the only ones I could find?) and do these sites get used? Do people mainly use larger software suppliers(cots) or look for smaller independant freelancers. Are applications typically chosen by the chain or you personally and what is important for you when searching for an IT solution.

I hope you can answer this and help me make my business a success

**Paddy** · 15 May 2012, 14:23

Skimpily dressed oriental ladies and full English breakfast would attract me

**OwlHoot** · 15 May 2012, 14:25

Where in Central Scotland? I presume you mean in the Edinburgh to Glasgow corridor; but if it's in the Highlands there probably isn't much call for IT contractors, especially if the oil and gas industry is declining.

I suppose the obvious trick is to try web searches such as "Hotel edinburgh" or "cheap hotel glasgow" etc, and take steps to ensure your hotel is listed (if it isn't already) among those shown on local hotel listings.

When starting a new contract away from home I tend to stay in a B&B for the first few days, but immediately start looking on SPARE ROOM for flatshare, house share, flat share & rooms for rent and the like. Advantages are it's cheaper, one can smoke in the room, and leave one's things there over the weekend.

How do you find hotels?