One Drake Road is an award-winning independent accommodation operator based in Devon and Cornwall, UK. Co-owned by husbands Iain and Jack, the business has grown from a single B&B into a distinctive mixed portfolio of eight properties, spanning boutique B&B rooms, self-catering apartments, and character holiday homes.
The couple carefully restored the original property in historic Tavistock, dating back to 1752, with the aim of immersing guests in Devon’s rich heritage. Today, each property has its own personality, layout and style of stay – from hosted B&B experiences to independent apartment stays.
DAILY ADMIN
IN BOOKINGS
AVERAGE DAILY RATE
(ADR)
The challenges before eviivo
As One Drake Road expanded, managing the growing portfolio became increasingly complex. Iain and Jack deliberately run the business without dedicated reception or administration staff, making operational efficiency essential.
They needed a single solution that could:
- Support all their inventory as one connected estate
- Centralise bookings across multiple properties and OTAs
- Reduce the time spent manually managing calendars, payments and guest communication
- Provide clear visibility of occupancy, revenue and overall business performance
The couple found that most booking systems they evaluated were designed for either hotels or holiday rentals. However, recommendations from other accommodation businesses assured them that eviivo could provide the flexibility their portfolio needed.
The solutions implemented with eviivo
- Centralised operations: Room- and unit-based inventory is managed through one calendar and rate grid, providing a single operational view across the portfolio.
- Unified guest communications: One inbox centralises messages from Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia and direct bookings, eliminating the need to switch between OTA extranets.
- AI and automation: Automating routine guest communications, payment processing and daily administrative tasks has significantly reduced workload.
- Actionable insights: eviivo’s Key Figures dashboard provides instant visibility, supporting faster, more informed decisions.
This allows Iain and Jack to focus on welcoming guests, sharing recommendations, and creating memorable experiences. As Iain states: “Automation hasn’t made our hospitality less personal. It’s allowed us to become more personal.”
The results
- 83% reduction in daily administration, from up to three hours to around 30 minutes
- 58% growth in bookings over the past three years
- More than 60% increase in room nights sold
- Over 30% increase in ADR
- External recognition, including Gold for Best B&B at the Devon Tourism Awards 2025–26 and Silver for B&B and Guest House of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026
One Drake Road has also recently received Green Tourism Gold accreditation, which recognises environmental performance alongside digital communication and administrative practice – two areas where Iain believes eviivo has made a measurable difference.
Conclusion
With day-to-day operations running more efficiently than ever across their portfolio, Iain and Jack can focus on enhancing the guest experience by continually improving their properties and blending heritage with exceptional hospitality.
“Our ambition isn’t necessarily to become much bigger. It’s to become even better. The right technology allows us to maintain exceptionally high standards while continuing to deliver the very personal experience that guests remember.”