I would stay there! I'm an adventurous traveler but also middle-aged. Less of a backpacker than I used to be, more of a flashpacker. So that sounds perfect.
Great...we're trying to work out the right amount of luxury that people want...and would pay for. The key is our view and the serenity, and we're not trying to be a 5 star place, but we also want people to be really comfortable and to have time here to really chill out. Is a bigger room and more space in an apartment something you'd pay more for?
If I were traveling with my daughter I would prefer a separate bedroom for privacy. Otherwise I'm not sure that space is a priority for me. Hope that helps.
Yup...our mezzanine floor will have a little lounge that doubles as an extra bedroom with a really good sofa bed for just such eventualities! I hope that'll do it. We have one two bedroom place already and had plans for more, but changed it for a larger suite and mezzanine. Hopefully that's the right decision!
Well with all ventures you have ups and downs and moments of doubt about the future and your own abilities to bring things to fruition. You have to be determined enough to get through such periods and have a back up plan should something unexpected happen, such as how can you limit the problems of a difficult builder! I hope everything does fall into place for you and you make a great success.
I know it isn’t easy attracting ‘paying guests’ and they can be incredibly difficult, too difficult for me that I gave up any further thoughts of renting out our villa in Brazil……it was too much trouble! On the other hand I know a Belgium lady that made quite a good success of marketing and attracting Europeans to her ‘pousada’ in a remote part of Bahia but she was much better at interacting with people than I am. She was a presenter on Belgium radio in a former life ( one she has just resumed after many years in Brazil. Anyway, attracting people to a ‘remote area’ in Portugal as got to be a lot easier. And many British people live Portugal ….. so if you are determined then I think you have a good chance of success.
Thanks so much for your thoughts Adrian - it is a rollercoaster ride...especially as we find ourselves firefighting so much of the time, but we're learning so much all the time...if it wasn't for the endless bureaucracy we might be less stressed...but I think everyone battles with that! Onward and upward!
Hi Alastair, as a traveller ( ex tour operator ) with her wings clipped at moment, I love reading your blogs, thank you. As part of my work I was often in remote places ( in Southern Africa) and the small owner run properties in the midst of nowhere were a treat with true travellers. Simple style reflecting the interior decor of the country, simple but comfy furniture , an en-suite, a patio with chairs .... and as mentioned by another , a side room where by a second member of family or indeed two ladies travelling together but not wanting to share a room can sleep without incurring double room charges . Are you planning to offer meals so your guests can dine with you and feed on the gastronomic pleasures of the area ?
I’ve already opened up the map and tried to figure how to get to you and where would I contrast a stay with ! Being part of a circuit of similar properties helps creative planning for independent travellers. Dual promotions between 2 or 3 lodges. ....
Thanks for all these great ideas...we're putting in mezzanine floors with a really good sofa bed (and king sized beds which can be split into twins). We will have a restaurant for breakfasts...we may do occasional dinners though as well...there is so much good local food - the fresh fish, the black pork and the percebes (goose neck barnacles) which our visitors are mostly afraid of...until they try them! BBQs will be a feature I think and Ana has some really good bistro-style favourites we could offer. We're close to some great restaurants, but not that close...so perhaps we might have to offer more meals than we were initially thinking...perhaps good picnics could be a winner for trips to the beach. We need to decide how to introduce people to local produce and the Montado (wild pigs, cork oaks and acorns).
We are meeting other lodge owners and people who are building at the moment and hope that we can fit in with what they offer. We'll do wine tasting and live storytelling to start with, but we have friends focussing on horses and yoga. There are a lot of retreats in this area and we hope to host some of those...authors who can write through the winter, artists. Did you see the link to roughly where we are? https://goo.gl/maps/JJ2kk7cNw8hShkNL6
The coastline is a stunning attraction, as are walks or bike rides in the countryside...what have you found? Should we try to get people to stay with us for a week or work on a combination...perhaps a few days in Lisbon first and then down here!? All thoughts much appreciated!
Hey there - thanks for getting in touch. I think we are looking for people who want a bit of adventure, who love nature and serenity and who want to discover and learn about a new part of Europe. We think the combination of staying in an off-grid remote rural spot...but yet close to the wild coastline and the hidden beaches (which are empty even in the height of summer) will be an attraction - along with the hiking and biking trails. But we want to pass on what we are learning about nature and local produce and wine and history and astronomy...if you think people will be interested? What would bring you to this part of Portugal? https://goo.gl/maps/JJ2kk7cNw8hShkNL6
I would stay there! I'm an adventurous traveler but also middle-aged. Less of a backpacker than I used to be, more of a flashpacker. So that sounds perfect.
Great...we're trying to work out the right amount of luxury that people want...and would pay for. The key is our view and the serenity, and we're not trying to be a 5 star place, but we also want people to be really comfortable and to have time here to really chill out. Is a bigger room and more space in an apartment something you'd pay more for?
If I were traveling with my daughter I would prefer a separate bedroom for privacy. Otherwise I'm not sure that space is a priority for me. Hope that helps.
Yup...our mezzanine floor will have a little lounge that doubles as an extra bedroom with a really good sofa bed for just such eventualities! I hope that'll do it. We have one two bedroom place already and had plans for more, but changed it for a larger suite and mezzanine. Hopefully that's the right decision!
Well with all ventures you have ups and downs and moments of doubt about the future and your own abilities to bring things to fruition. You have to be determined enough to get through such periods and have a back up plan should something unexpected happen, such as how can you limit the problems of a difficult builder! I hope everything does fall into place for you and you make a great success.
I know it isn’t easy attracting ‘paying guests’ and they can be incredibly difficult, too difficult for me that I gave up any further thoughts of renting out our villa in Brazil……it was too much trouble! On the other hand I know a Belgium lady that made quite a good success of marketing and attracting Europeans to her ‘pousada’ in a remote part of Bahia but she was much better at interacting with people than I am. She was a presenter on Belgium radio in a former life ( one she has just resumed after many years in Brazil. Anyway, attracting people to a ‘remote area’ in Portugal as got to be a lot easier. And many British people live Portugal ….. so if you are determined then I think you have a good chance of success.
Boa sorte meu amigo
Thanks so much for your thoughts Adrian - it is a rollercoaster ride...especially as we find ourselves firefighting so much of the time, but we're learning so much all the time...if it wasn't for the endless bureaucracy we might be less stressed...but I think everyone battles with that! Onward and upward!
Hi Alastair, as a traveller ( ex tour operator ) with her wings clipped at moment, I love reading your blogs, thank you. As part of my work I was often in remote places ( in Southern Africa) and the small owner run properties in the midst of nowhere were a treat with true travellers. Simple style reflecting the interior decor of the country, simple but comfy furniture , an en-suite, a patio with chairs .... and as mentioned by another , a side room where by a second member of family or indeed two ladies travelling together but not wanting to share a room can sleep without incurring double room charges . Are you planning to offer meals so your guests can dine with you and feed on the gastronomic pleasures of the area ?
I’ve already opened up the map and tried to figure how to get to you and where would I contrast a stay with ! Being part of a circuit of similar properties helps creative planning for independent travellers. Dual promotions between 2 or 3 lodges. ....
Thanks for all these great ideas...we're putting in mezzanine floors with a really good sofa bed (and king sized beds which can be split into twins). We will have a restaurant for breakfasts...we may do occasional dinners though as well...there is so much good local food - the fresh fish, the black pork and the percebes (goose neck barnacles) which our visitors are mostly afraid of...until they try them! BBQs will be a feature I think and Ana has some really good bistro-style favourites we could offer. We're close to some great restaurants, but not that close...so perhaps we might have to offer more meals than we were initially thinking...perhaps good picnics could be a winner for trips to the beach. We need to decide how to introduce people to local produce and the Montado (wild pigs, cork oaks and acorns).
We are meeting other lodge owners and people who are building at the moment and hope that we can fit in with what they offer. We'll do wine tasting and live storytelling to start with, but we have friends focussing on horses and yoga. There are a lot of retreats in this area and we hope to host some of those...authors who can write through the winter, artists. Did you see the link to roughly where we are? https://goo.gl/maps/JJ2kk7cNw8hShkNL6
The coastline is a stunning attraction, as are walks or bike rides in the countryside...what have you found? Should we try to get people to stay with us for a week or work on a combination...perhaps a few days in Lisbon first and then down here!? All thoughts much appreciated!
Great blog Alastair, but I wonder what sort of clientele you will attract?
Great location!
Robert and Mallory Stockfis
Hey there - thanks for getting in touch. I think we are looking for people who want a bit of adventure, who love nature and serenity and who want to discover and learn about a new part of Europe. We think the combination of staying in an off-grid remote rural spot...but yet close to the wild coastline and the hidden beaches (which are empty even in the height of summer) will be an attraction - along with the hiking and biking trails. But we want to pass on what we are learning about nature and local produce and wine and history and astronomy...if you think people will be interested? What would bring you to this part of Portugal? https://goo.gl/maps/JJ2kk7cNw8hShkNL6