I have been told recently by a customer: “the pictures of hotels you see on the internet are so often better than the reality”. Boy, does that hurt!
Why? All my life I have done my best to be honest and truthful. However, I am painfully aware of how easy it is to be grouped together with the many individuals and companies who do not tell the truth, especially when they are trying to sell you something.
I particularly ‘cringe’ when this happens, since I do not consider myself in the business of “selling” people anything. As you – our customers – testify, I and my employees go to great efforts to find out what each and every one of you enjoy when you vacation and match you to a place to stay that you will find just perfect.
It is my cardinal rule – if we don’t offer the one place we believe you would be delighted with – we say so and wish you luck in finding what you are looking for elsewhere (even point you in the right direction if we happen to have any insights).
I try to avoid being ‘spoiled’ by so much positive feedback about our sites and particularly about the extraordinary wealth of information and tips, as well as the largest number of real and accurate photographs of hotels we show (along with accurate, honest descriptions).
I am therefore taken aback when people who have browsed and browsed the internet, searching in vain through ?reservation? or ‘hotel deal’ sites for the information, rates, terms they need before making a booking (try it – it’s shocking how much information is only available after entering all your personal details! ) or had a bad previous experience, put us in the ?same basket? with such careless or slick operators.
How do we implement our honesty and truth principle?
- We start with a detailed, accurate description of the hotel
- We show an incredible number of *real* photographs (where else can you find even up to 35 different photographs for a hotel? ) ? in most cases, we take our own photographs, to avoid having only ?perfectly staged? photographs provided by the hotels.
- We go into great detail of what is (or isn?t) available to visit and enjoy nearby
- We are extremely accurate and careful about *distances* (A mile form the beach manages to become “2-300 metres or yards” according to some companies)
- We give ANY other information you request, again truthfully: at the same time answering your questions such as “what will I see looking out of my window, how busy/quiet is it/is it historic or traditional and..” etc?
- Prices are clearly and simply shown on our website, including all taxes and any extra charges there may be (again without you having to go through steps, entering your name and credit card information to see the final amounts ? unacceptable! )
Unbelievable? Why do we go the last mile, make the effort for you? Well actually it makes good business sense. We have a negligible occurrence of problems of any type and few disappointments (we make sure we are happy that you will be happy before making your hotel reservation).
Our guests come back to us often, year after year.
I am pleased to share that many of you, our guests, tell us “why didn’t you tell me it was so good?” when you have stayed at the perfect place we helped you choose. This is what we aim for with every single reservation, every one of our valued customers.
Doing a job moderately well does not exist in my life…it has to be the best possible result. Who wants to work at something without being passionate about it? Not me!
You work too hard and deserve to have great expectations of these, the greatest and most memorable weeks of your life.
Truth is king! Honesty is the most natural and relaxed way to live. It also builds a good business.
Roger
CreteTravel.com
