Red Deer Log Cabins

Well, wasn't that a party?!  All in all, a well behaved, happy bunch.  Mind you, about 80% of the place was return clients.  That always helps to set the tone.  One client brought LOTS of fireworks for everyone's enjoyment.

There was one camper who won't be coming back.  I don't tolerate people who purposely do damage and challenge my client guidelines at every turn.  The full story is on my Red Deer Log Cabins page on Facebook.  Anyone who doesn't want to cooperate can go and stay in a crowded, noisy, dirty campground.  That's not what we do here.

And now the summer, with waves of tourists.  There are still a few full weeks left for people looking for a full fledged vacation, as well as strings of a couple of days here and there.  Only a few full dates, so lots of opportunities still to rent a cabin.  Camping is available for any date at this time, whether you have a tent or a trailer.  2 nights free when you book a week...

I get a lot of inquiry from western Canada and the western States.  I never assume that those people aren't in Ontario looking for a place to stay...but sadly, they are quick to fill in the inquiry form or call, without noting the location of Red Deer Log Cabins.  I know it can be confusing, a place called Red Deer in Ontario, but we have wapiti too!  The name is historic, from the time before the elk were hunted out; they have been subsequently successfully reintroduced.  
People come here from around the world, and I have had a few visitors from Alberta.  I hope people in Ontario looking at the site aren't thinking this place is in the west...it is almost equidistant between Ottawa, North Bay, Toronto, and Kingston, so it's a great meet up spot if your friends and family are spread far and wide.

I thought when the 911#s were uploaded by the Township of South Algonquin last September 30 that the GPS problems would be solved.  I thought the problem was because there was no # assigned to my location (even though I provided lat/long in my signature and here on the website).
 
Because most people are now using cellphones for GPS, and do not use coordinates at all, only civic addressing #s, and because different phones use different map sets, which do not actually agree with lat/long data, people are now winding up at the local dump instead of here!  At least I know where they are now when I get the phone call!  One vacationer saw the sign at my driveway, and then continued another km south from here because the GPS told her to continue.  So...I can still do nothing to fix your GPS.  I still suggest (as I do on the how to get here page) that travelers use a map.  GPS is definitely not accurate outside of heavily populated areas.
 
My place is STILL where it was when I bought it in 1989.  No one got lost on the way here then, following the simple instruction 2 km south of highway 60 on highway 523.
 
Ain't technology grand?

It was a lovely day here though.  Sunny for most of it, pleasant outside instead of sitting in a car lined up on the highway.
 
People are funny...

Well, I haven't heard that for a while. 

I was informed by a client of many years that I don't charge enough for my fully kitchen equipped, heated waterfront cabins with hotel quality beds in the off season.
 
I think it odd too the lengths people go to to suggest a lower price than what I offer.  Point being this:  discount and disrespect start with the same 3 letters.  If I don't charge enough there is always he-doublehockeysticks to pay for my lapse of judgement.  My prices include tax, and the view is better than any highway I have seen.  It is not right to equate my price here with a motel.  But again, if you want the best price, instead of the best experience...
 
Thanks Joan, for reminding me...

Why is it that trespassers treat me like I am wrong?  Just had 2 ATVs in here, driving through. 
 The one driver waved me off when I approached to ask them what they are doing here.  He turned around on my flower bed.  The other ATV's passenger told me that she thought it was a campground, they didn't see a car, and didn't think anyone was around.  It IS a campground, but they drove past the stop sign, my car, and my front door.  I think the people camping here have paid to not be disturbed by ATVs, which are never allowed to drive through the park, even if registered here.
 
At no time did these people get off their machines.  They required me to come to them.
Why are so many people so ignorant?  I know, it is one of those questions that cannot be answered.  I have every right to question anyone trespassing, no matter what they think.

Why anyone would want a folding chair from a cabin is beyond me.  I was warned, if I replaced the tubular steel chairs with folding ones, that this would happen.  This was the first time the cabin was occupied since the change.  No chair in the garbage, so obviously it was not broken while the occupant was here.

There is no Walmart in town.  There is where this person comes from though.

So this attempt at making more room in small buildings is a fail.  So sad...

As for the lying part, we won't even bother to unpack that one.  Same client smoked in the cabin, left bags of garbage outside the cabin door, littered the ground with cigarette butts.  Did not tip.  Seeing as people can rate my property and performance publicly, I am going to start doing client reviews.  No names of course.  Big difference is I understand people, and very well. 
Most review writers only (maybe) understand themselves when you look randomly across the industry.  It takes a special type to be inclusive of others, and to write with the public in mind.  Fortunately, most of those who have reviewed my place are, like most of my clients, a cut above.

It happens on a regular basis that someone comes in the driveway and wants to drive around to have a look.  My response is to invite them to park the vehicle and come for a walk.
Now, why would I do that?

1.  Way back in 1989 I noticed people were driving to the water taps, the beach,  and the bathrooms.  This is a small park.  The longest walk in the entire place is 5 minutes.  People driving to the bathroom dumped cars in the driveway, left running while they ran in.  That meant someone in a cabin could not exit the campground without cutting through a campsite.  Very tricky when all of the waterfront sites are occupied.  Also very invasive of privacy.
Everyone is in such a hurry!
Sometimes they cut through the Doll House (overflow bunkie) cabin yard and drove over the septic field, bottoming out in the rhubarb patch.

2.  People who won't walk sort of edit themselves out of the picture.  I think the registered vehicles are enough traffic in the park.

3.  For security purposes: if a car is not registered, I want to know when the people leave the land.  If the car is parked by the house, this is easy to keep track of.

4.  On a Friday night, a guy in a pickup truck flies past my front door.  I go out the back door and intercept him on the campground road.  Standard question: who are you and what is your business here?  The person is trespassing.  There is a STOP and Register sign at the front door.  For all of those who think it is a nothing to enter private land and pass the front door, the Trespass Act clearly details that they have then committed trespass.  Back to the guy in the truck.  He asks if a little blue car came in.   I say yes.  He says where is it.  I ask who is he looking for.  He cannot give me a name.  He gets frustrated and leaves, spinning gravel, because I am standing in the road (direction in) in front of him.  The little blue car was from Nova Scotia, and they were not expecting any visitors.
EVERY CAMPGROUND HAS A LITTLE BLUE CAR IN IT ON A FRIDAY NIGHT.   What was he really up to?  Empty pickup truck, unregistered, in a campground.  Was he shopping for camping equipment? 

5.  Last night I had this request again, to go for a drive.  The driver wanted to drive to the cabins, the beach, not even in to the campground.  Very Loud Vehicle.  One of the reasons this place exists is so that people get a break from vehicles, exhaust, dust...a distance of 70m is not really very far to walk...

6.  Even police officers are required to stop at the door and not just traipse (or 'fly') through.  They may not legitimately pursue anyone on to private property.  I know my rights.  The best cop in town stops and says hi, and what/who he is looking for.  I take him there.  Any officer who does not respect my land rights is given a runaround.

IF a registered person has a mobility impairment I do allow them to drive to the waterfront or the washrooms.  If an unregistered person has an impairment, I do allow them to drive through the grounds "for a look", escorted by me. 

As far as I know, just about everyone else could use a little more exercise...The main reason though is to preserve the quality of the experience here. 

Ok, this has not happened for 20 years, and last time it was Americans who thought they owned Canada so I guess it was all an expected challenge but... inconsequent of that I don't watch beer or drink hockey (yes, I know I said that), I do recognize a couple of Canadian sovereignty issues.  When a couple of unexpected (but completely identifiable) campers rolled in last night, wanting to do a hike into a lake via the river, that I advised they would have difficulty getting out of without a helicopter (no gov dock, completely surrounded by private land).
They (yes, plural male, not 1 or more persons of indiscriminate gender) challenged my information because they had lots of maps off the internet.  I live for people challenging the information I am expected to disseminate for free...
So I rented them a site.
Next day, getting into their canoe, campfire obviously smoking on the site.  I sidles up and says " if I had a favourite piece of crown land I would not tell you about it.  You'd likely start a forest fire.
Person(s) stated they had put the fire out.  I stated it was obvious it was not out.  Had they left a crown site (with no MOM) what would have happened?  Took me back to my school teaching days, when the student stated he had done the work (and learned) but obviously had not.
I INSISTED they (plural) put the fire out because I care and I don't want there to be a chance of ANOTHER FOREST FIRE near my place by someone too smart to pay for a campsite but too dumb to know how to camp.

It's time for me to go.  I cannot stand the wave of stupid facing me.

The crown land issue here is provincial, just in case anyone wanted to catch me up.  Beer and hockey are not provincial, so the joke doesn't wash...

This happens every time Canada Day is in the middle of the week.  There are 2 mini long weekends instead of one big crunch.  I prefer the 2 mini long weekends. 
It's great that so many people are able to clabber together extra days to make a real break of it.  Got some people staying 4 nights.  We're expecting a fabulous weekend here as well, while southern Ontario is looking at cold and rainy.

Come north for the good stuff!  It's summer here.

What a fabulous weekend! 
The local trail bike ride was this past weekend, Father's Day.  There seemed to be about half the participants of 2014.   I had to blast in to Bancroft for building supplies on Friday, and the road seemed pretty quiet for a Friday pm.

Some of these places may be going a bit overboard, by asking clients to take a vow of silence, or not speak during certain times (people used to go to ashrams or cloisters for that).  My movement toward quiet was provoked by clients appreciating being able to get away from dueling stereos, revving ATVs, and drunken revelers partying all night.  There are lots of other places to do those things. 

This is not a library; happy sounds of children playing, people enjoying a good laugh around the campfire, etc are good things!  ATVs are not turned away, but they are not allowed to run through the grounds for fun.  People can play amplified music, but it must be turned off at 11 pm.  The suggestion is that your music should not infringe on anyone else's enjoyment of their spot here.
Make noise during the day, when the world is awake.  Let everyone sleep at night.

Slowly over the years, guests have been playing amplified music less and less during their stays, even during the day.  This has nothing to do with my client guidelines and personal preferences.  I love music!  I don't like to be forced to listen to someone else's, particularly rap and country, for extended periods of time though.

Once again, my format is ahead of the curve.  You can have the luxury of quiet here, especially if you vacation off peak times.  As I cannot control the public waterway, or the highway, these background sounds are likely during the daytime, especially during long holiday weekends and late July/early August.  When the sun goes down though, likely you can hear the waterfall, a km away.   I have been asked by some what highway is so busy at night; it is the only sound in their auditory library that relates to the white noise they hear from the falls.

The luxury of quiet without the luxury pricetag.  Good deal?

Cabins are busy, but there is still camping available for anyone making last minute plans.  Don't be put off by the weather forecast.  It looks to me like we can expect some drizzle Sunday for a short time.

I just saw a shiny black Ford F150 rolling down the road with a hot PINK bush bar on the front.
Whaddaya figger that's about?

I'm told my response time to inquiry and booking emails is unusually prompt.
Apparently the downside of the booking engines, even though one may point and click for immediate gratification, is that confirmation takes some time to come through.  As that is not how I engage vacations, I did not know that.

Apparently people are showing up having prepaid for vacations in private cottages, only to find out that they have paid someone who had pictures, not ownership.  According to CBC, these postings come from Kijiji, but I'm betting that if there is one source for phishing there are many.

Buyer beware!

Of course, because the pics on my site are all real (except one, no one has figured out which one is the file photo yet!), you know this is a safe choice.  It really is a small cabin/camping resort with a sand beach, and I do have authority to contract your vacation.

Well, the lazy hazy days of summer it's not.  Not cold out, but not hot.  I wonder if that is why Bancroft is so quiet?  I didn't realize it until I was heading back here yesterday, but there were no traffic hangups on the main drag.  Traffic was like off season levels.  The bridge repair is finished; I think that is way ahead of schedule.

On the other hand, despite a bit of rain, it's very enjoyable out.

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.

 

 

Is anyone else tired of the "branding" experience?  How many logos can a single soul possibly respond to?  Consider that huge manufacturing conglomerates have bought up brands, and even changed the recipes while maintaining the recognized look.  When does a brand cease being a brand?

Of course, people need to be able to identify a product, so that they can purchase it again.  However, I think this over the top branding is another thing that crowds peoples' brains, and something from which they need a rest.

Branding costs the consumer.  You already know this because of the difference in price at the supermarket between identical products, one packaged with the brand name, and the other, on the same shelf, packaged with the grocery store 'brand'.  The are made by contract for distribution through certain stores by the expensive brand manufacturer.

So why have all tourist regions embarked on "branding" exercises?  Does it mean anything (except that an 'expert' was hired to help them through the exercise)?  More signs, more logos, more names; does anyone really remember one from the other?  Or does the consumer just remember the good times, inconsequent of the brands?

That being said, the name that goes with this property, Red Deer, is a brand in this area.  People have been coming here since 1947 to have a good time, one way or another.  Same place, new faces, but a lot of return clients as well.  I had a woman here in her 70s who stayed here the first night of her honeymoon, 50 years before.  There was a couple here who honeymooned 35 years before.  There have been clients whose parents and grandparents were here hunting and fishing in the 1940s.  A couple of people have told me that a forefather helped to build the cabins in 1946, when the property first started taking tourists in, making its first shift from farming.  In my time here, I have had return clients from Europe, and lots from the US and Canada.  Because this is not primarily a trailer park, I don't have the "poor man's cottage" type of embedded clientele, but there are a lot of worldly travelers who return every couple of years.  There are a few who make this their favourite getaway, so they come by a couple of times a year, or every year.  It's quite the mix.  I've been here long enough also to see people who came as kids now arriving without their parents, but with their own children.  It's great.  There is no one discreet group of vacationer who enjoys the property.  They come from far and wide, in all shapes and sizes, and all age groups.  Many nationalities are represented.

Everyone welcome...you don't have to belong to a club.!  Have a slice of the simple life.

There are numerous ways to book a vacation these days.  Besides booking engines, which often charge exorbitant fees to the accommodation provider, there are booking platforms that fit the definition of the "sharing economy".  Think Couch Surfing.  True sharing economy websites do not have fees attached, for either the vacationer, or the accommodation provider, and are a matchmaking service.  They find other ways to monetize the site.

There is a creep happening.  Now there are websites that allow the vacationer to book stays in private homes.  They do financial capture for the provider.  The provider pays a % of the fees for the privilege of having the match made, and the money captured.  Now everyone can be a hotelier!

Just to let you know, private homes are not regulated to industry standards.  There is no requirement to test water, and ensure it's fitness for human consumption.  There is no coverage under the Innkeeper's Act (if you leave something behind, it can be thrown away or liquidated at the home owner's discretion, for instance).   In that accommodation is not rocket science, this maybe seems like a lower cost alternative to licenced properties, which must submit to inspections and maintain a safe environment.  There are now no less than 20 community college courses that cover the operations of tourism properties.  These courses have been instituted for public safety since I purchased this property in 1989.

I won't mention any names of sites here, but I am sure the savvy digital vacationer is aware of various of these types of websites/booking engines.  Just in case you thought this was "sharing", be aware that some large Silicon Valley effort is making millions on your choice.  Like a bank, they only take a few bucks from each participant.  They take millions of $$ from the accommodation industry though. 

You get what you pay for.  When the bottom falls out, you may not have many choices left of where to stay.  Market forces are always shifting the landscape in all industries.  Of course, things change in every industry over time.  However, this is not a level playing field.  These "sharing" sites have all of the advantages, and none of the costs.  Consider choosing a dentist, financial advisor, or restaurant this way.  Maybe you see my point?

Trip Advisor has come up with a Green Leaders badge for its member properties.  Which is great.  Except that they want to see independent auditing.  All of these eco-auditing services are VERY EXPENSIVE.  Looks like a make work project to me...many of their categories do not apply to this premises, and, as usual, they do not have consideration for things that would apply.
Auditing would substantially increase rates, which would lead to non-competitiveness in a tight industry.
Having an environmentally responsible premises is fine, and I have been doing everything I can to keep the air and water clean, and to reduce the environmental footprint.  The problem, often, is finding clients who will preserve that mandate.  Why does anyone need a half hour hot shower after swimming in clean open water?  Why is there more garbage/client year after year?  Now we also have the problems of triclosan in anti-bacterial soap and plastic microbeads in soap and toothpaste; with all that I do, clients' choices can have ever increasing negative impact to the work I have done to date.
It takes a personal commitment; it is not something that someone else can do for any individual.

Studies have shown it take 8 years to recover from discounting prices.   Meanwhile the cost of operating a business continues to climb.

Prices here are consistent with quality.  It is amazing how many booking calls I get from individuals who ask for a discount, after telling me how disappointing their last stay was elsewhere; dirty linens, filthy cabin, mouse crap everywhere, no swimmable waterfront...the list goes on.  My only option in these cases is to try to duplicate the conditions they found at a lower price.  Right?

Also, I have found advice on traveler's websites to 'ask for a discount' or for the 'best price'.  My prices are already the best.  When you consider that minimum wage is over $10/hour (and the cost of an employee is double that to the employer) in Ontario, and that a meal for 4 in a restaurant can easily top $100, how can it be expected that a fully equipped log building on a waterfront should be less than a meal?

People tip in restaurants as well.  Tips for rooms are increasingly uncommon.  They used to be the norm.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not cheaper to live in the country.  Our taxes are high, and service level incredibly low.  There are no dollar stores around the corner, to readily replace broken/lost/removed cabin items.  Distances are great, so every item that needs to be replaced easily costs $15 in gas to obtain.  No big box stores for appliances with free delivery, very few places to find quality used items.

I have also found that when the price is too cheap, the client can be brutal.  No respect for the premises translates to damage, noise, lots of garbage, a big mess to clean up, and a bad attitude.

There are automatic discounts built in to my prices.  If you want one night, a Saturday, you have to expect the highest rate.  If you want the best rate, choose vacation times off the high season.  OR book a whole week.  If you take my weekly rates and divide the number by 7, you will find unprecedented value, tax included.  Less than a dinner for 4 at a mediocre restaurant!