Now we're well into December (we've got our Christmas Party at Nottingham Playhouse this week – a blog will follow!) we're beginning to look back and reflect on the last 12 months. And it's been another fantastic year!
As a business, of course the financial side of things is important and there is clearly a BIG (and increasing) demand for high quality short-term lets outside Nottingham city centre – our turnover has grown this year, as has our profit, and occupancy is at an all-time high. By May 2016 we had 21 properties, now we have 28 so it's fair to say that business is booming. We haven't felt any ill effects from the Brexit vote and, as we have such strong ties with businesses and Universities throughout Europe and the rest of the world, leaving the EU (if it ever happens!) shouldn't affect us too badly.
But even more importantly than our growth on paper is the feedback we get. We never let any of our success go to our heads and it feeds our desire to provide the best luxury short-term accommodation in the area – with a difference!
As a business, of course the financial side of things is important and there is clearly a BIG (and increasing) demand for high quality short-term lets outside Nottingham city centre – our turnover has grown this year, as has our profit, and occupancy is at an all-time high. By May 2016 we had 21 properties, now we have 28 so it's fair to say that business is booming. We haven't felt any ill effects from the Brexit vote and, as we have such strong ties with businesses and Universities throughout Europe and the rest of the world, leaving the EU (if it ever happens!) shouldn't affect us too badly.
But even more importantly than our growth on paper is the feedback we get. We never let any of our success go to our heads and it feeds our desire to provide the best luxury short-term accommodation in the area – with a difference!
Nook and Cranny get the job done in an extremely professional manner with a bespoke service making you feel like you're their only client. 5/5 stars
- Paul Eaton, Titanium Project, Nottingham
And that difference is the extra effort we put in.
I live in West Bridgford and I personally make sure that every property is perfect and ready before our guests arrive. Last year, I talked about my aim of providing a service that's the complete opposite of the dehumaising experience many people experience when they relocate or travel for business. We want our visitors to feel part of the community they're staying in the moment they arrive, so we make sure they do by finding out exactly what they need during their stay (whether that's a gym, a cot, information about local schools or any other help with relocating).
I live in West Bridgford and I personally make sure that every property is perfect and ready before our guests arrive. Last year, I talked about my aim of providing a service that's the complete opposite of the dehumaising experience many people experience when they relocate or travel for business. We want our visitors to feel part of the community they're staying in the moment they arrive, so we make sure they do by finding out exactly what they need during their stay (whether that's a gym, a cot, information about local schools or any other help with relocating).
Lovely little house in West Bridgford with all the necessary amenities. Katie was an excellent host - very welcoming and nothing was too much trouble during our stay.
– Matt Barnes, Melbourne, Australia (January 2016)
Earlier this year one of our visitors wanted to send her luggage to us before she arrived. Now, if you stay in a hotel they'll usually let you leave your suitcase there for a few hours before you fly. But three days before you arrive?? Probably not! That's the sort of thing we can do for our clients. When it happened the property was occupied before the guest was due to arrive so I took her luggage in and looked after it until she arrived.
Wow. This truly is a 5-star experience. My family of 4 and I have been to several hotels and Airbnb's throughout the UK and we've never felt as comfortable and spoilt as we did at Katie's! Every detail was spot on. The house is fully furnished and renovated with new and modern styles, including the kitchen and all bathrooms.
– Ameen (September 2016)
It's not just the customer care that makes us different, we do lots of things differently! For years I've believed in supporting the local economy, so we work with local suppliers who take care of several aspects of the business as varied as the plumbing, decorating, accounting, blogging, cleaning and Google! We're helping small local businesses but it helps us too. As our partners become friends we all help each other out. And with nearly 30 properties to look after it's worth being friends with everyone just in case you need to call them on a Sunday evening (it has happened!) – because you're friends you get a response straight away!
Things seem to go wrong at weekends so I've had to call out an electrician on a Sunday morning – who else gets that kind of service? – and when a freezer in one of our properties broke (one Saturday night) I was more than happy to move our guest to another flat while the problem was fixed (which I managed to do. Amazing given my limited electrical knowledge but luckily it was only a blown fuse!).
Things seem to go wrong at weekends so I've had to call out an electrician on a Sunday morning – who else gets that kind of service? – and when a freezer in one of our properties broke (one Saturday night) I was more than happy to move our guest to another flat while the problem was fixed (which I managed to do. Amazing given my limited electrical knowledge but luckily it was only a blown fuse!).
We pay our invoices and bills before they're even sent to us and I'm sure that's one reason why we get such amazing service. We all enjoy working together, which is better for business but also better for our visitors as we always provide an amazing service. And that's what it's all about.
Katie's flat was exactly as described and more! It was absolutely stunning and completely spotless when we arrived! Prior to arriving, Katie responded to emails/questions immediately which of course put me at ease having booked a flat abroad. The location was perfect for us being in West Bridgford and just a short walk to the shops, restaurants, and cafes. As my husband and I travel frequently to the UK staying in a hotel with parking fees is quite pricey so I must say that we really enjoyed the secure, assigned parking space.
– Erin, Philadelphia (January 2016)
We've had a fantastic year and we hope you have too. We intend to keep growing on our success and carry on providing the best short-term accommodation around! If you'd like to check out our luxury apartments and experience our customer service for yourself please get in touch. And don't forget to come back soon and read about our Christmas Party!
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