Be Careful What You Wish For

I just had these 2 girls from New York stay at the hotel that just raved about my blog and were really sad I have not been posting.  It is so weird to feel like you actually have fans.  I did not know what to say except that I promised them I would get busy and publish something.  So here I am...

I guess the main reason I have not published a piece in so long is that I have been basically working from dawn to well past dusk.  I had no idea that a small hotel was this much work.  We have a complete compliment of staff (13 in total) , yet it still seems to demand almost all the waking hours I have for a day.

In hindsight there are a few key things that I underestimated in taking on this project. 

1) Not knowing how much work it was.  I really thought we would lie in a hammock with a cordless phone and tell people the key was in their room, help themselves to drinks and pay us on the way out.  Hell, we have even had clients cook us breakfast.

2) I did not realize it would be such a challenge to find qualified staff.  It appears that tasks like replying to email is a specialized qualification.  It did not dawn on me that people would not even know how to use a North American style washer, let alone a computer.  It just shows how out of touch I am with reality outside of North America even though I espouse to be worldly.  I mean why would people know how to respond to email.  Apart for working for people like us what really is the need and Tico style washers work just fine.

3) I had know idea that we would be this successful this fast.  We have absolutely no experience in running a hotel apart from staying in a few budget style places in my lifetime.  Many local expats thought we were crazy and were supposed to budget for 1/3 occupancy rate.  We are currently running at about 80% for the past 6 months (last 3 months, almost 100%).

4) Having worked in almost isolation and virtual enviroment, I forgot what it was like to deal face to face with general public.  We are fortuneate that given our location and my blatant website, we screen out the average traveller and 95% of our clientel are great.  But, that one person that is hard to please can really take it's toll on you despite efforts to not let it get to you.

5) I got totally carried away.  Our idea was this was supposed to be a Key West style guest house.  May be 8 rooms with a cozy atmosphere.  Well, I started to run the economics, we realized that we needed more rooms to make the numbers work.  Also, I have stayed in such ugly cramped rooms in many places in Costa Rica, I wanted ours to be spacious and look like someone had paid attention to decorating them.  So, our building cost on the project almost doubled.

6) How little profit there was.  Despite our success, I am surprised that there is little money left over at the end of the month.  Because of both of our neurosis to make everything look nice, we keep spending money on fixing up the hotel with no end of projects in site.

Regrets? None!  I am still happy to say given a choice of doing anything I want and living anywhere I want, I can't think of anywhere I would rather be.  I can not remember feeling like that for most of my life.  Life always seemed greener somewhere else.

Comments

[Sean Clare]

Keep up the good work Collin!

[Rahul Sanghrajka]

Hey Colin!

Great post, glad to see that you're posting your blog again. Best of luck down there, hope everything's going well. Stay +

[jack jones]

So many people that are thinking of going into business don't imagine what it takes to actually run the business. Thanks for a detailed, heart-felt discussion of the effort involved in running a business, even one that you love.

Michael Gerber (e-myth) and others discuss how to standardize and specify certain processes in your business so it's easier to teach your staff how to do them well.

This also gives you more time to do the part of your business that you love the most.

Meanwhile, sounds like you could use a good massage! I saw a reference in a blog post at Costa Rica HQ to a massage school (http://www.costaricahq.org/costa-rica-massage-school/)

Hey. Maybe you or your partner or one of your staff could get some training in massage and offer that as a premium service to your guests.

Hang in there!

[clint]

Hey!!

Good to see a pic of you. You look good. I'm doing well! Cheers Clint.

[c pearson]

hi Colin, glad you finally posted something new, I am a fan of your blog too, great picture of you. When I get back to CR I will come and check out your new hotel.
Cheryl From the Sunshine State

[Amy]

Hi Colin,

I'm a big fan of your blog!! My boyfriend and I are heading down to stay at your hotel in a few days... I can't wait!!!! :)

[joyceyoj]

Hi! What a great blog it is worth reading for people like me who plan to go for a trip to Costa Rica we'll definitely stay at your hotel seems cozy with marvelous interior and exterior design! I so love the Howler Monkey Sweet Bathroom very unique! Can't wait to be there. A really cool way to enjoy nature.

also after checking the link above CostaRicaHQ.org me and my boyfriend are excited to go there and experience that Costa Rican massage. Such great suggestion enjoying a relaxing massage near the beach.

Looking forward for more updates on you blog. Wishing you all the success!

[Hugh Peck]

Dear Colin you are looking great. I am so pleased that you have had a good season. It is good that the hard work is being recognized. Looks like you will have to stop with the Rolex watches as parting gifts for all your guests. That will cut down some of the costs. I would deffy dump the Bentley and chauffeur. The caviar and smoke salmon for happy hour just has to go. That big smile on your face Must stay. I love it. Big Hug to you and Roberto.
Saluto Amigos
Hugh

[Carmen and Robert]

Colin and Roberto, great to see that you guys are doing great, you deserve it! You truly inspired us to follow our dream to build our place in Punta Uva, I hope that some day you'll sent your overflow guests our way.

Love, Carmen and Robert

[Robbie]

Hey Colin,

I thought owning a hotel would mostly be lounging around in a hammock,too!

When I was looking to buy mine, I stayed at a hotel in Manuel Antonio and the two owners were two middle aged guys who DID loungearound in a hammock all day bossing around the cute young girls that worked for them...I thought I would do the same with cute young guys hovering around as well.

When I figured out that owning a hotel was more stressful than my 20 years as a headhuntress, I was shocked! Headhuntresing is supposed to be way up there on the stress charts...A hotel goes off the charts.

But you done good. Your place looks great it has a nice atmosphere and I enjoyed the visit when I came down with John to meet you. If you remember me, I am the one who came through Barry....

And since I stayed with Frank, across the street from the NOISY disco, you can count on me staying with you in the future! That was simply too much.

I am waiting for Mario and Fabio to call and tell me we are off to Puerto Viejo again soon. We will see you then!

Hugs,
Robbie