Sunday, December 28, 2008

Gites 2009

With the New Year just a couple of days away it’s time to sort out the advertising for the coming season. With the major advertising having already been commissioned and sorted out it’s time to re-tune the website and tinker with the smaller external sites that we use, which includes PPC (pay per click-adwords) and free websites. On our www.gites-with-pools.co.uk website we are going to try to improve the general first impression and usability, the most important change will be an improvement in the number and the quality of the videos available on the site, to this end we intend to host them all on an external server. One of the problems this year has been that some of the videos have not always run when requested. This has been partly due to our own inability to set the videos up properly and partly because of the different ways that the browsers are set up on customers’ computers. I have just returned from a short break, but while I was away I used a cyber cafe to check my email, and any problems with the website. I tried 8 different computers and virtually every one showed me something slightly different on the screen, sometimes it was the spacing, sometimes it was the fonts, sometimes the videos opened and at other times they didn’t. It would be possible to host the videos on "Youtube" (check out our video http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=WXf-I7Wi6pM ) but the quality is often poor and the loading slow) this is especially true if you don’t provide it in a format that is really compatible with their system.
It will take time to re-make my existing videos suitable for the new hosting system but when completed at least they will open every time and in a good quality.
When these improvements are complete I will notify you, in the mean time have a Happy New Year.

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Gite adverts and the crunchJust when you thought things couldn’t get any worse in steps Murphy waving his law at you. Yes the pound has continued its

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse in steps Murphy waving his law at you. Yes the pound has continued its free fall and yesterday I was given just 95p for a euro. Will it fall any further? I hope not. On the optimistic side I feel like many in the trade that it won’t stay this low forever or for too long, there are sharks out there and they will make a killing soon by forcing the price up, they are just manipulating the market to make money.
Hopefully with the traditional peak in holiday inquiries just about to commence we will see a change in our fortunes, there a few things that we can do to help. Firstly make sure our adverts are up to date and with the best photos available. Secondly if you are going to discount (though I feel that it’s a little too early for that) display it where it catches the eye. Thirdly look for more places to advertise, try some of the free sites like www.gites-france.org.uk . Fourth and most importantly answer you potential customers main questions, what’s in it for me? Why should I choose your property over all the others out there? To do that you have to understand what holidays are all about, a break from the normal drudgery of life, a chance to recharge the batteries, a chance to life a different life even be it for a short time, a touch of luxury, these are some of reasons, so let them know what is special about your property, what your strengths are, it’s a very competitive world out there so take up the challenge and meet them head on.
Good luck.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

5 Bedroom Gites.

5 Bedroom gites in the Vendee


5 Bedroom Gites offer accommodation for the larger family or two or more families who wish to share. It has become an essential part of every holiday to have use of a swimming pool whether as a stand alone property or on a complex, our two properties offer these choices plus in surroundings that are relaxing and beautiful.

Our Le Cedre Gite is a stand alone. A large spacious farmhouse that has been converted to meet the needs of the holidaying family with an enclosed swimming pool which includes a separate children’s pool. The house retains all the rustic charm of traditional French living yet with all the modern comforts.

Ardoux Gite This large 5 bedroom farmhouse is part of the La Grange Gites complex. Modernised to today’s standards it offers accommodation in 5 bedrooms of which 3 have en-suite facilities.
The advantages of being on the complex are the huge amount of facilities and activities on site which include a heated indoor swimming pool as well as a large outdoor pool, a games and sports hall unrivalled in this part of France and beautiful landscaped gardens and of course other children and their parents to play and socialise with.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

4 Bedroom Gites

CHENE 3 bedrooms sleeps 6 changeover Thursdays.




Chene Split level, 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 9, Changeover THURSDAYS.

Entrance Hall on the split level has armchars and settee.

Ground Floor American style open plan lounge, Kitchen/diner.
Bedroom and bathroom with washing machine,
patio doors to terrace.

First Floor 3 bedrooms and second bathroom.

Kitchen Large fridge freezer, gas cooker with 4 rings and oven, double sink, micowave , large work surfaces and cupboard space and ample pots pans and utensil.

Dining area Large table and chairs for all the family.

Lounge. large corner settee and arm chairs.

Bedroom 1 off the lounge area has two single beds,bedside table and
wardrobe.

Bedroom 2 on the first floor has double bed, bedside tables and wardrobe.

Bedroom 3 two single beds, bedside tables, wardrobe and chest of draws.

Bedroom 4 single bed and a set of bed bunks,bedside table and wardrobe.

Bathroom 1 on the ground floor has walkin shower, washbasin, toilet and
the washing machine.

For more information including,pictures,on-site facilities, prices and booking.
With more and more people travelling to the Vendee by air we have added a new page where you can see all the flights to the Vendee.