Red Deer Log Cabins

The Season of 2016 is a wrap.

Thanks to everyone who made it one of the best in years.

​Book any time for 2017...

There is a contest and entry form on this website.  Only a couple of people have entered.  Only one has entered numerous times.  That one has won the prize of a half day canoe rental.  Yay!  (confetti, horns)  Perseverence has it's rewards.
You can enter too.  Part of the contest is finding the entry form here  on the site.  

This just keeps getting funnier.

Now the TripAdvisor banner is asking 'What is the #1 Hotel in Madawaska?'  About #20 down the list is one Madawaska property, followed by the other that has subscribed to their plan.

Red Deer Log Cabins IS the #1 property in Madawaska Ontario, and they won't display it until I pay the ransom.  So much for 'free enterprise'.

Selling vacations as though they are books, as Amazon.com does, is bad for the tourist.

Your vacation accommodation prices are set to rise.  Here's why.
I received this email, from an organization that I have already distanced myself from.  I can't afford their 15 to 18% fee and keep my prices down.  This is what you are doing when you book online, inflating the costs associated with your vacation.  This movement will kill small, independent operations. 

These mega search engines are 'capturing' information from tourism providers (with and without their permission) then putting it out there for the public, but only opening the connections once the property pays a fee to have contact details disseminated to potential customers.  Because the big search engines rank so high in internet searches, they can effectively block any independent sites by pushing them down the list.  Then there are other levels of fees, to 'increase' bookings.  Works well for 400 room hotels.

Note below  that the only thing that distinguishes a Super Host from the rest is paying a higher fee.  This is as it has always been in the industry; CAA approval means that the property paid to be included, not that it is special.  Check marks and stars are all paid for, and not truly a measure of distinction.
This organization offers to write reviews.  That is an unethical practice.

Anyway, here it is.  You can't book a vacation here with these guys (Vaway), so call or email for information and reservations.  I have also disengaged my premises from Hostelworld, because of the false advertising paradigm they are using, as previously mentioned (Hostelworld + TripAdvisor = no bookings)

Vaway's fancy graphics did not copy over.  I think the basic information is all here though.



Vaway Super Host Services your Distribution Network and Online Manager

Welcome to the Super Host Exclusive Membership!

You are receiving this email because your property is already listed with us. Vaway put together a new account type allowing us to manage your Distribution, Bookings, Inquiries, and services online. Once you have requested the Super Host upgrade Vaway Super Host will setup your new accounts on our channel sites Booking, Airbnb, Homeaway, Trip Advisor, Kayak, FlipKey, Holiday lettings, Expedia, Agoda, Wimdu, 9Flats, and many others (Some assistance is required from you). This is pay for performance no payment upfront. If you don’t get bookings we don’t get paid!

You are receiving this email because your property is already listed with us. This is an Exclusive membership and only certain properties get approved depending on the property photos, furnishing, and location. You may not make the cut but we will reply with the requiremenets to become a Super Host if you don’t. We increase your bookings in Super Host by average of 50%. All sites distributed to are managed from one Master Calendar that prevents double bookings and removes the need to login and check each partner site. You may control this calendar from your dashboard.

(Super Host Cost is 18% Per Booking Managed and 15% if you Manage bookings yourself. Below is list of Managed services)

 

Super Host Distribution Network



Vaway will setup the majority of accounts and assist you in setting up remaining accounts through Super Host. To see the Full list please visit http://vaway.com/page/partnersync . Once Super Host Partnersync is completed Super Host will manage the accounts with the services listed below. Note: If your property is already listed with some of the rental sites above we can manage and integrate these accounts and calendars for you. We do all the work you receive bookings and complete management of your bookings.

(Note we will need your assistance to setup these accounts as it requires information from you online)

 

Super Host Services

Your Vaway Personal Assistant

 

How Vaway Super Host works

1.       Since your Property is already Listed with us you can go to My Properties in your dashboard once you are logged into your account and select “Super Host Upgrade”. To login your account use your previous credentials or
2.       
Username: (Your Current Email Address this message was sent to you)
Your Password: vawaytravel
 
If you changed your given password above please go to http://vaway.com/users/forgot_password and a new one will be sent immediately.  Once again go to My Properties in your Dashboard and click “ Super Host Upgrade” to apply to be a Super Host.
 
 
3.       Vaway account manager will ask a few questions about your listing and respond with an email and begin setting up your property on our partner sites. We are selective on the properties we allow into Super Host program so if you get an email stating your need better photos or your listing is not well kept we cannot list it. Please understand this is why we call it Super Host and it’s an elite property status. Everyone is eligible if you correct issues we request.
 
4.       You start receiving bookings and getting paid. We increase your received bookings over 50% on average.



 

Professional Photographer



We will schedule a professional photographer to contact you and schedule photographing of your property. It is a proven fact that without great pictures your listing will lose bookings. This is included in service and is Free with Super Host.

Responding to guest inquiries



24/7 Super-Fast
We reply to inquiries around the clock, within minutes, so you can get booked even when you sleep. You can sync calendar from your other rental sites Homeaway, VRBO, Flip Key, 9Flats, Wimdu, Google or any of the distribution sites we cover. Some may not be listed on the site but you can see http://vaway.com/page/partnersync for sites we sync your calendar with.



Professional
We gather a lot of data from your message history and other resources so we can answer any question your guest may have.



Faster Replies =
More Bookings
On average, Vaway and Partner Site guests look at 3-4 properties before making a reservation. It’s often the first host to reply who gets the booking

Handling bookings



Screening potential guests
based on your criteria
Tell us about your ideal guests - we'll screen inquiries and find the best match for you.
You can set age limits, required verifications, minimal reviews and just about anything else.


Accepting Bookings
We’ll approve the bookings or let you have the final say.
We will communicate with your guest and give them all the information they need, including directions from the airport and instructions for the keys.


Handling Reviews
We are professional reviewers so we can leave beautiful reviews for your guests.
We will write 5-stars review unless you tell us differently.
Optimizing your listing and profile



Better Profile and Listing
We give you tips on how to make your profile and listing more attractive and rank higher by Airbnb criteria



Search Optimization
Our secret sauce increases your search ranking and gets you more inquiries. (For example: Updating your calendar daily)

 

Pricing analytics



For optimal pricing of your listing
We monitor prices in your neighborhood of Vaway and Partner site listings and hotels, so you can make smarter decisions on how to price your listing.

Providing support to your guests



Information about Your Area
For most of your guests it's going to be the first time in your city. We will supply them with all the information they need



Directions from the Airport
We make sure your guests know all the options to get to your place, by car, public transportation or taxi



24/7 Concierge & Hotline
Whether it's asking for directions or help turning the heater on - We are available all the time

 

 

Optional Website Development

Vaway can develop a state of the art Website custom or Standard template (Below) to fit your needs and sync into the Vaway platform as well as all our Channel Partners. Your Property will be fully integrated to all partner calendars preventing double bookings from your personal site. This is additional cost and optional service so not required to setup with Super Host. It removes the need for you to block dates out manually from your personal website calendar if you currently have one.

 


Website templates
Vaway provides high-end templates for your vacation rental business which will be a great experience for your clients on every platform (desktop, tablet and mobile).
Custom website
Our custom websites come to provide a totally different experience for you visitors. We build for you a custom design which complements your brand in every way.
Content Management System
Seamlessly launch & manage vacation rental websites with Vaway cloud-based web content management system software.
SEO package
Increase your website traffic with Vaway SEO services. Attract the clients thanks to your ranking in search engines.
Social media package
engage clients and boost your business through social media. We setup and manage your social media accounts.
 

 

We are no longer Partnered with Hostelworld due to a conflict of interest so if your property was listed with us through Hostelworld you may delete it yourself through the methods above. We do still have the capability of syncing your calendar to any site including Hostelworld however there is no relationship between the two companies.

 

 

The summer's delivery of firewood is stacked and ready for campers.  $10/wheelbarrow.  Due to pests, please don't bring firewood from other locales.  Ontario Fire Regulations in effect on the grounds. Get your pail of water out of the river before you light your fire.

From now until May 16, you can camp for free and help me clean up the grounds.  It's a rake and shovel type of job.  Free campfires as well for those who want to help.  The only rain date in the bunch is looking like Friday May 9.  Beautiful here today, sun is shining, 20C, birds are singing, and the landscape is greening nicely.
No biting bugs either at this time.
Call or email to apply!

To me!  Today is my 25th anniversary at Red Deer.
In honour of this auspicious occasion, tent campsites are $25/night this season.  That includes the tax, like all of the pricing here.  $25 for a night in paradise for 2 adults and their children under the age of 18.  Long holiday weekends are not included in this promotion and there is no week discount of 2 nights free.  For trailer sites using electricity and water add $5 (air conditioning or heat if needed is an additional $10).
I don't think you can find a less expensive campsite in Canada.

Today is similar to the day I arrived here take up residence.  Sunny, light breeze, a little bit of snow lying about.  Bird song.  Even the water level in the river is similar.  That first summer here was fantastic from a weather standpoint.

People have busy lives these days.  Many people have NOT been taking a vacation, when they really need one.
I see a lot of people vacationing so frantically that, when they return to their day to day lives, they need a break to recuperate.
How about a real disconnect from the hectic life?  Whether you are renting a cabin or campsite here, 5 days and 7 are the same price.  That means the weekend, the highest rate days, are free!  It takes about 3 days for most people to change gears from their high paced lives, so the real intense relaxation starts on day 4.  The fresh air makes people sleep heavily; they are reoxygenating their bodies.  Many guests feel drunk the second day here without having a drop!
Do yourself a favour, and join my happy campers, who have found the freedom to relax for a while...

This is what I do instead of soliciting reviews.

I reward for referrals.  If you send a friend who books a vacation, your name goes in a hat.  On the Sunday of Labour Day weekend, a name is drawn from the hat.  That person wins 3 nights in a cabin (no long weekends), based on availability.  The more people you send, the more entries you have in the contest.

Starting this year, there will be 2 contests; one for cabins, one for campsites.  The campsite referral winner will receive 3 nights of camping (no long weekends) based on availability.  I have not made this distinction in the past.  It's time.

It is important for your friend to mention your name if you have referred them.  It's funny how many times I have had to pry a name out of someone new; they say that a friend stayed here and had a good time, but they don't want to say who it is.  If I don't know, I can't make the contest entry.

So, to win a free minication, have your friend mention your name at time of booking.  Of course, this applies to new clients only. 

There is no cash value attached to either draw.

For those who skim through...you might have missed this, so I am reposting.

My website is full of photos taken by myself, clients, and volunteers who have stayed here.  There is ONE file photo on the entire site.  If you can figure out which one it is, I'll give you a free 1/2 day canoe rental, value $15.  Of course, there are a few people who know the answer to this, and they do not qualify for the prize.  Based on availability.  An accommodation booking must also be made.
Are you game?

This season is almost finished.  Time to start dreaming about next summer.
Make your dreams reality.  Book early.
Tell your friends.
Get together, and make your own good time the best time EVAR in 2014.

Full weeks are always the best deal.  They make your weekend free.

Just posted to my campground page is an update on autumn rates.  $30/night including tax for 2 adults and their children under the age of 18.  Add $5 for any of the hydro sites.  If you are hauling a rig, and it has electric heat, add $10.
Call for reservations.

Speaking of TripAdvisor, I keep seeing sidebar ads that show my place as having a rate of $82 and up.  I am not sure where they got that number, BUT it does relate to the nightly cost if you buy a week in cabin 1, 2, or 3.  My weekly rates are 30% lower than the per night rate summed.
I hope everyone who wants a discount remembers that.  It's my answer, and I am sticking to it.  There already are discounts built in to my pricing.
One night is not a discountable stay, for many reasons.

It's gone crazy!  Trip Advisor has expanded its range somehow, and I keep seeing my posting there pop up on the side of pages (along with the "local competition").  The interesting thing is that I have only maintained the review page started by a client, and have not purchased their business listing service.  The profiling is great...however, it is posting prices, and I have no idea how that has come to pass, because I haven't given them any.

As I state on this site, this is the only place to find verified information about Red Deer Log Cabins.  I continue to find listings that include my premises.  I correct what I can find, when possible.  Trip Advisor is notoriously difficult to correct, as they want to sell subscriptions.