Holiday accommodation facilities

snoozeboy

Hello all

I bought an apartment in the centre of Chatel, Portes du Soleil about a year ago and, having sold out for rental during this ski season, I'm looking to make it more attractive to mountain bikers for the summer season.

I'm not a die-hard mountain biker myself, I just started taking up trail riding again since buying in Chatel, for something to do in the summer and to make the most of the areas excellent facilities. This, after an absence of 20 years (I still have my original 25 year old Muddy Fox Seeker in the garage for town commuting).

So, I'm looking for suggestions on what I can put in the apartment to make it more bike-friendly. Obviously, as it's a modestly-price, self-catering apartment (see my website) I can't put a swimming pool in, there's one in walking distance anyway, but I'd like some tips of things to equip the apartment e.g. secure bike storage, track-pump etc., to make it more attractive to bikers.

Also, it would be helpful if admin could tell me what I can and can't do on here. I don't want to be a bore, constantly touting that I have a great apartment for holiday rent, but I have noticed several requests for information regarding Chatel and the Portes du Soleil and I'm beginning to know the place quite well, so I'm probably in a good position to answer.

Thanks in advance

SB

bluechair84

Indoor bike storage - the last chalet I stayed in the guy told us he had 'secure bike facilities'. We turned up to find a thin bike lock around a tree. I told him that wouldn't stop someone wanting 4k+ of bikes. He replied with, 'nah, it'll be fine'. We had a falling out after I told him we'd store them in the utility room.
A hose pipe
A BBQ
A ping pong table
A beer fridge
Do you have a minibus for taking people to the lifts? You should mention that you can do bike friendly transfers to the airport (Geneva?).
A fully stoked tool box would mean people can fly to you and not have to bring their tools. You could have a stock of inner tubes and cables for people to plunder at cost as the tubes in Morzine are a thorough rip-off. Little things like that will make people leave very impressed that you've been thoughtful.
Loo roll. I don't know if this is normal, but the last chalet I stayed at, the guy didn't provide loo roll. So I used his kitchen towel. We had a falling out over that...

snoozeboy

Thanks for this, very good advice...

Indoor bike storage - this is in very short supply in apartment-type accommodation, in the Alps, because apartment space is very limited. At my place, there's plenty of space to store and lock bikes on a covered balcony. It's secure, in that nobody's going to scale a wall that high to get your bikes, which are out of sight anyway. Generally, there's very little pilfering in Chatel and when you think of all the expensive equipment left around unattended, especially skis in the winter (really easily pinched and valuable), it's remarkably little. That said, it probably does happen, MTBs are very pricey and you need peace of mind.
A hose pipe - will add one, though Chatel's bike parks and the village all have free pressure washes IIRC.
A BBQ - done
A ping pong table - er no, sorry. All that bending over to pick the ball up drives me nuts, anyway.
A beer fridge - yes, the fridge holds beer.
Do you have a minibus for taking people to the lifts? - No, but it's not really necessary. The apartment is in the centre of chatel, so it's minutes from Super Chatel and there are bike-friendly free shuttles from the village centre to the bike park at Pre la Joux and back every 15 minutes or so.
You should mention that you can do bike friendly transfers to the airport (Geneva?). - I don't but I can outsource this. Good point.
A fully stoked tool box ... inner tubes and cables. - Very good point, easily done and I expect would be much appreciated.
Loo roll. I don't know if this is normal, but the last chalet I stayed at, the guy didn't provide loo roll. So I used his kitchen towel. We had a falling out over that...
> In self catered accommodation managed by agencies it's normal for the cleaners to strip the place at the end of the week - cleaning products, tea, coffee, bog roll, it all disappears, a perk of the job. My place is independently managed (by me). I make a point to my cleaners to leave non-perishables such as bog roll and tea, coffee, olive oil, pasta etc for the next guests to make use of. There's nothing worse than arriving after a long journey than having to go back to the supermarket just for the sake of a cup of tea. That said, I'd have no problem with your using kitchen towel, just as long as you flush it. Oh, you meant, "the kitchen towel" as in dishcloth, rather than "kitchen towel".

Thanks again for taking the time to provide such a comprehensive answer. It really is appreciated.

SB

gregwari

snoozeboy wrote:

So, I'm looking for suggestions on what I can put in the apartment to make it more bike-friendly. SB

Chalet girls.... and lots of them....

danlikesbikes

Think bluechair84 covered it pretty well TBH.

Cleaning - understand that local bike parks have pressure washers, but it will make it much easier if renters can wash their bike at their leisure especially if over a cold beer and BBQ.

Storage - depends on how high up you are but if you have no issues you could always get some wall hangers for the balcony. Whilst I understand you think its not likely to be accessed unless spider man is in town, it will make renters feel much better knowing its an option to lock their bikes if they are out & makes for good PR when advertising. Wall hangers with locking points are cheap to buy (or make if your handy with a welder) and you only need to get the wheel hangers where the bike hangs down as are unobtrusive when not in use.

Bus service - understand if you don't want the expense of getting a mini bus yourself. You could always get some quotes for airport transfers again good for PR & find out the details of the minibus services & private transfers. At least that way any potential renter knows what the cost is and makes them think you are more bike friendly. Again only takes a small amount of work & not long to add to your website.

bluechair84

Danlikesbikes wrote:

Storage - depends on how high up you are but if you have no issues you could always get some wall hangers for the balcony. Whilst I understand you think its not likely to be accessed unless spider man is in town, it will make renters feel much better knowing its an option to lock their bikes if they are out & makes for good PR when advertising. Wall hangers with locking points are cheap to buy (or make if your handy with a welder) and you only need to get the wheel hangers where the bike hangs down as are unobtrusive when not in use.
.

You could always just wrap a lock around a part of the balcony, and hanging it from the wall might make it more visible.