Every once in a while, I have to share (and brag just a bit) one of the many kind letters or emails that we recieve from our guests. In this case, it was not a guest who stayed with us, but one who recognized the effort that we make for every call, email, and inquiry that we receive at Utah Vacation Homes. Our team really is invested in providing the best experience possible. At times we make mistakes, but we always have our heart in the right place. The following letter represents our pride in doing our best to help people. Thanks Lisa for your great service. And thanks Stefanie for your kind words - they put a smile on my face and power in my spirit! p.s. I LOVE Sundance Resort. I know you will love it too!

“Hi Lisa,

We did make a decision. We found a cabin in Sundance that fit all of our needs. Thank you for following up - even though we didnt go with your place, your service has been very good (in a world where it is often lacking) and I appreciate it. I will recommend Utah Vacation Homes to others if they are looking for lodging in Utah.

Thanks again.

Stefanie”

As the fall semester started, the Labor Day weekend seemed to be a farewell to summer time. For several weeks my friends and I had planned a trip to Park City for the long weekend. However, finding a place that could hold our large group of 16 was not easy. Golden Bear Retreat was our best choice and it met all of our needs, game room with pool table, large dining area, BBQ grill, hot tub and areas to hang out.

A convenient Park City location, Golden Bear is just 5 minutes from Park City’s Main Street and 10 minutes from Tanger Outlets Mall. It is a 5,000 square ft home with fully-equipped kitchen, fine dining room, BBQ, deck, private outdoor hot tub, game room and comfortable bedrooms. The views of Park City mountains from our rooms were fantastic. We were able to completely relax and escape from our daily routines as we sat around the hot tub drinking ice cold beer and chatting with friends under the sunset. It was a perfect stay in paradise for our long weekend and was a great place to stay with friends and family. We loved this great place and would gladly stay there again in a minute.

Check-out our video of our vacation on You Tube.

labor-day-@-Golden-bear-retreat

Looking for a “silver lining” in the Great Recession of 2009 can be difficult for those of us in the travel and hospitality industry.  But a recent guest review gave me cause to smile. 

A few weeks ago, I received a call on our after hours emergency phone line.  A kind woman, Nalani R.  apoligized for the “non-emergency” call.  She explained that her extended family had put off getting together for a family reunion due to the uncertainty of the economy and family budget resources.  As a result, none of her family had planned to take a vacation during the summer.  As the spring and summer dragged on, aunts and uncles, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and cousins felt the longing of seeing each other.  Finally, the economy bottomed out and the family felt comfortable spending money for a reunion. 

But getting the buy-in was only the first step.  Next, Nalani had to find a suitable home for the family.  It was a challenge not only because they needed a wheelchair accessible home, but because they needed it IN FIVE DAYS!  Yes, she was calling on a Saturday hoping to check in Thursday.  One might think that this is extreme, but we have had many families in similar straits call us with last minute booking requests.  In fact, we have had dozens of people call looking for a home rental for that very day.

Well, long story short, after speaking with me Nalani booked our Silver Star Park City  home online through our online booking website.  The private elevator accommodated the wheelchair and the fabulous luxury setting accommodated the hopes and dreams of their family reunion. 

Accompanying her exit survey was this kind feedback message, ‘Please help us to serve you better! Is there anything else we should know about your stay?’ 
“We really loved it!  The general manager helped us out on a weekend to get the reservations and everything went really smooth.  We would love to come to this property again.  The elevator really helped out for one who was in a wheelchair and made it so that he could be with the rest of the family at any time and on any floor.  I was very impressed with Utah Vacation Homes and the way they handled things.  We had a great experience and would love to return!”

Utah Vacation Homes is in the business of helping families establish and re-establish the ties of meaningful relationships.  Each time that we succeed in doing our part, we hope the lives of these families are improved through an increase in understanding, happiness, and joy.  In truth, we are not a hotel or home selling business - we are a good experience business.  Feedback from  Nalani suggests that we fulfilled her expectations and provided the location, service, and amenities to enable a great family reunion experience. 

Not all families can jump on five days notice.  We hope to do our part for the many other families that are still calling, looking for Fall and Thanksgiving reunions to make up for the experiences lost this summer.  For some, an Autumn visit to the colorful Utah mountains could top a summer trip.  For others, this Thanksgiving Holiday may be the right time to gather.  In any case, the vacation homes and reunion experiences are just waiting for your family.  So make the calls to relatives.  Gather the group.  And take a piece of the “silver lining” that can spread into a bright new perspective.

mTrove Partners in Action

Business executives are all too familiar with business travel and the pros and cons of hotels. But not enough road warriers have experienced the advantages of renting a vacation home. Vacation Homes can serve as a competitive Home Base that helps to stage successful achievement of sales, conference, training or other goals.

In the summer of 2009, mTrove- a marketing, metrics, messaging research and consulting firm providing a complete, data-driven solution for Marketing Intelligence, either utilizing data a client may already possess or compiling data where not previously available, chose to use a vacation home as a base of operations to serve clients on a project basis. Several team members gathered from across the US at Canyon Racquet Club B4 near downtown Salt Lake City.

The cost of the four bedroom condo, around $200 per night, equaled the cost of one hotel room.  

They were surprised at the comfort and effect that this home had on their progress. Partners marvelled that they had never tried this setting before. In addition to the great cost savings, the home provided a private setting with all of the needed amenities to support each team member. A founder of the company noted that they felt more comfortable, relaxed, and less distracted in the home setting.  And the private Hot Tub didn’t hurt either. This feeling translated into better performance. He stated that they will definitely choose a vacation home for upcoming business trips and company strategy retreats.

Power Lunch Redefined

Creative Business Juices Recharge in Home Setting

4 Bedrooms for the Price of One Hotel Room

Pre and Post Presentation Hot Tub Conferencing

Zion Ponderosa Pool and Activities Barn

Zion Ponderosa ranch was a great destination for our company retreat. We rented two homes in order to accommodate our staff. We shared meals, meetings, and down time together. We also enjoyed the many activities, restaurants, and amenities that the ranch resort has to offer. The horses were a favorite.

Family Reunion Group Returning from Trail Ride

Zion served as a great location for our company to get away and relax.  But before the relaxing, we also had time to focus on our business.  We met in the living room of a beautiful home to hold our strategy session.  The comfort and “out of box” setting helped us focus on our goals.  Then, after the work was done we played!  Rock Band at night, activities during the days, and a memorable visit to Zion Nation Park narrows rounded out the complete trip.  Many thanks to the great team at Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.  Their staff, location, accommodations, and activities enabled our company retreat to be a huge success!

I just returned from Portland, Oregon where I attended the Western Conference for VRMA, Vacation Rental Managers Association.  It was a fantastic event, well worth the time, money, and effort to be there.  I’m very excited with the direction of the association.  Alex Risser, Steve Trover, VRMA Executive Staff, and the other board members have worked incredibly hard over the last eight months to produce results that make a difference.

Alex Risser, Vacation Rental Managers Association President and Steve Trover, VRMA Vice-President and Discover Vacation Homes website and campaign founder

The best news was that of the new branding campaign for the industry.  A recent PhocusWright survey found that only 10% of Americans have stayed in a vacation rental home in the last few years.  We see a huge market to capture.  One of the tools to brand our product is www.DiscoverVacationHomes.Com.  The Discover Vacation Homes website serves to tie in all marketing efforts of the industry.

This and other initiatives produced great energy and enthusiasm for the opportunities that exist for companies and guests alike.  We look forward to helping the public learn who we are and what product we provide.  We believe that families depend on our management to maximize their vacations in a home rather than a hotel.  And we constantly receive feedback that their goals were exceeded.

I count myself priveledged to be part of a business that re-connects friends, families, and other groups.  I strive to manage my business in a way that enables the joy of relationships to flourish.  And I love reading the kind letters sent by our guests detailing the joys, fun, and successes of these groups who have stayed in our vacation homes.  I look forward to working with these leaders to expand the possibilities of families, friends and other groups everywhere.