After selling their courier business, David and Susan asked themselves, “What’s next?” Their answer was to convert a late 19th-century mansion in the Scottish Borders into a hotel. Following 18 months of dedicated renovation, the luxurious retreat opened its doors. Over time, David and Susan have expanded their offerings, adding two lodges and creating pet-friendly rooms.
BOOKED ONLINE
OF DIRECT BOOKINGS
The challenges before eviivo
David and Susan knew that opening a hotel in a historic building was ambitious, and they needed to get up to speed fast. They were determined to:
- Use OTAs to attract first-time guests, with the goal of converting them into direct bookings on repeat visits.
- Learn how to manage the hotel’s day-to-day operations with a small, hands-on team.
- Streamline guest communications and track performance across all channels.
The solutions implemented with eviivo
David and Susan’s web designer recommended eviivo Suite™, which they have now used for nearly eight years. The platform was easy to learn and has helped them manage their growing business efficiently. It gave them all the critical pieces they needed for their business in one simple package, and they found it unbelievably easy to learn and quick to implement. The reporting and guest analytics also helped their decision making as they launched the business.
The results
- A 57% increase in the value of direct bookings
- A 33% rise in total room nights booked online
- A 4% improvement in their ADR (Average Daily Rate)
- More than 10% of their guests now come from international markets, thanks to the hotel’s expanded online reach via OTAs. Automated review requests have also boosted their reputation, with excellent ratings across booking platforms
Conclusion
With eviivo Suite as their trusted partner, David and Susan transformed their ambitious vision into a thriving boutique hotel that continues to grow year after year, attracting both repeat and
international guests.