Winter 2008 issue

Australian Places bed & breakfast news forum

Please take a moment to leave your own comments or news items relating to luxury B&Bs, cottages and small hotels in Australia. For spam-free contact with Peter Robinson, click here. Your helpful comments, published here, can benefit guests and operators.

BREAKING NEWS - 4TH JULY 2008

AS A RESULT OF A COMPLAINT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN TOURISM ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (THE YELLOW TICK) ABOUT MY WHAT'S WRONG WITH STAR RATINGS FEATURE, PUBLISHED IN AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLER MAGAZINE OVER TWO YEARS AGO, I HAVE REMOVED IT FROM MY WEBSITE.

THE THRUST OF MY ARTICLE WAS THIS - DO VARIOUS RATINGS SCHEMES ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF GUESTS AND RAISE THE OVERALL QUALITY AND STANDARD OF TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION IN AUSTRALIA? I MUST LEAVE IT TO ACCOMMODATION OPERATORS AND GUESTS TO FORM THEIR OPINIONS ON THE VALUE OF STARS, TICKS, AND INDEED, SMILEY FACES OR LACK THEREOF.

MY INTENTION IS TO HELP IMPROVE THE OVERALL STANDARD OF TOURIST ACCOMMODATION WITHOUT LEGAL OFFENCE TO ANY PERSON OR ORGANISATION. I BELIEVE THE CORRECT TACTIC TO ACHIEVE BETTER TOURISM ACCOMMODATION IS TO INITIATE OPEN AND FRANK DISCUSSION BETWEEN PARTIES.

 

PETROL AND TRAVEL DON'T MIX???

As one very successful B&B owner put it, doom and gloom pervades the accommodation industry in Victoria. A very sweeping statement indeed... but accurate in many instances.

Economic woes have hit the industry very hard, with inflated interest rates and huge rises in fuel prices leading the way. Costs of running luxury accommodation have risen sharply all round, and the short break market in Australia now has to compete with ever-cheaper (relatively) airfares to the Asia/Pacific region. 

Many of the top B&Bs in Victoria are on the market or have recently sold. Several have been on the market for over a year, and in some cases the selling price has been reduced to little more than the real estate value.

I firmly believe that the best operators can ride out the current industry woes and find themselves well positioned for renewed interest in the short break market. One of the most important aspects is maintaining exposure to the right market, not just in their websites, but the print media. Since travel magazines and supplements in the daily press have been reduced dramatically, courtesy of the internet, hard copy exposure of B&Bs has been reduced to almost zero.

With this in mind, I have created a new print project called 52weekends. It will be a large format card pack in a presentation case with a luxury feel. 52 of Victoria's best accommodation properties will be selected to feature in the first edition, and at the expected retail price of $9.95 it will easily outsell any other accommodation publication. Contact me if you have any comments or queries about 52weekends.

B&B news

The Bank in Beechworth was sold in January 2008, for what I think was a bargain price. The new owners are revamping the property, including the guest rooms, and intend re-opening about August, complete with restyled restaurant and menu. Looking forward to it!!!

Andre's @ Buller is for sale.

Emeu Inn at Heathcote has been for sale for some time.

Finches of Beechworth is for sale.

Beechworth House, according to my sources, is for sale or will be soon.

Craigielea Mountain Retreat has been sold and no longer operates.

The popular Gobles Mill House at Port Fairy is for sale.

Lindenwarrah at Milawa has "expressions of interest invited"

Mt Rael in the Yarra Valley "expressions of interest" by April this year.

Harvest Home Hotel, foodie retreat at Avenel, for sale early this year.

Blue Ridge Inn, Mt Macedon, will be passing to new hands by year's end

Holmwood Guest House at Cowes is for sale.

Others with operating position unknown -

Tooram on the River near Warrnambool

Quamby Homestead, Woolsthorpe,

Silverwater, almost new resort at San Remo

Etan House at Echuca was for sale some time ago and the current position is unknown.

Kinross, Beechworth

Keebles of Clunes

Some of these top B&Bs will hopefully sell to enthusiastic, competent and thoroughly professional hosts who can ensure the fine reputation of most Victorian B&Bs is maintained.

And now, looking on the brighter side...

Beautiful historic house Koendidda, at Barnawartha South (north of Beechworth) is now operated by Sharon Cook who capably ran The Bank Restaurant and Mews in Beechworth for the last couple of years. There are moves to further upgrade the level of comfort here. Sharon has already cast her chef skills to the satisfaction of guests, and I firmly believe Koendidda will again prove to be one of the finest country house experiences in Victoria. The grounds are superb, despite the drought.

Reviews

I have continued to review and re-visit B&Bs, and to offer my suggestions for improvement.

Koendidda Country House has been included as a full review. .

Publicity:

The Pantry, much favoured by the "in" crowd of Brighton, has re-launched its little magazine. The June issue will feature Waves at Port Campbell, with a giveaway prize of 2 nights accommodation. Great publicity for Australian Places and Waves.

Australian Traveller magazine in June featured my extensive feature on the Australian Outback. Look out for it at newsagents.

Site optimisation:

australianplaces.com.au ranks extremely well on Google searches - first page on at least 18 search criteria now. Over 60 pages fully indexed. This is fantastic!!!

 

2007 newsletter archive: April/May  June/July   Aug/Sept   Oct/Nov  

2008 newsletter archive:  Jan/Feb

If you would like your B&B reviewed for possible inclusion on this site, need professional photography, or guidance on how to achieve success in the B&B business, just contact me.