Feeling Optimistic
The first day of spring is like a fresh start. Hopefully the weather is starting to get better, plants are starting to flower and it lifts our mood, making us feel optimistic for the future.
Monday I had my first Covid-19 vaccination (yes I am really that old), which increased my positive attitude. Boris says we are still on track for re-opening on 17th May.
I can start planning and cleaning and getting the Rose Dene ready to accept guests again.
It is surprising how much better you feel when things are positive. One of the reasons I try to look for the positive in every situation. (This has not always been possible over the last year).
We have notice an increase in the number of bookings coming through for the summer. So I am obviously not the only one feeling positive. Some dates are fully booked. People are starting to think of the summer and what they want to do to make the most of their new freedoms.
The Open Air theatre is busy shuffling current artist dates about to accommodate the lockdown restrictions. Once these are confirmed I believe there are more artists to be announced. Hopefully people who have dates changing are able to re-book accommodation for the new dates.
I know people are looking for refundable bookings as there is nothing certain, it seems that people do not consider holiday insurance for UK, but would not go abroad without it. Apart from a flight, what is the difference? It would certainly cover most situations and give them piece of mind.
Once upon a time all deposits on whatever you were securing were non-refundable. That was the point. This meant the seller had payment if you changed your mind that covered them for the not being able to sell the product or service or selling at a reduced price to recoup something.
For example Fred is working late on Friday, so he books Saturday and Sunday night. No problem there, deposit taken. Three months later he rings to say he can't come as he has to work the Saturday now. In the mean time we have received other bookings for Wed, Thurs, Fri of that week and somebody else books 5 nights starting the Monday. This means when Fred cancels his booking we are left with a 2 night gap. Most of our weekend bookings are Fri/Sat, it is more likely we are left with these dates the nearer we get to the event. We could loose out through no fault of our own, yet we are expected to waiver the cost yet it would be accepted had it been abroad.
All that said we know it is a different situation this year. If we are unable to open due to restrictions, we will fully refund direct bookings or move the date. If you need to cancel, bookings are fully refundable this year to 7 days before your stay. We do prefer you to move the booking if possible. If it is less than 7 days, there is no refund, but if you do not show up you will be charged the full amount of your stay, so please let us know. We may be able to let you move the date or use at least part of the deposit towards another stay with us.
Relax, the best thing to do is decide when you want to come, the difficult thing is to decide which room you want. Then if you change your mind we will just change your booking for you.
The worst thing you can do is wait to see what happens and then find all the dates you want have gone.
