Higher rates and improved conditions are coming to the rental cottage at Holiday Beach Conservation Area.
The cottage and its rates were debated during last Thursday night’s meeting of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA). Nightly rates during the peak season will climb from $275 to $367.25 and weekly rates go from $1,800 to $2,373. Winter season nightly rates go from $200 to $265.55 and winter season weekly rates go to $1,685.
Other fees include cleaning, extra people, a damage hold among others.
“Cottage rental revenues declined markedly in 2024 and upon site inspection in mid-January, it was observed that many furnishings were either worn beyond repair or outdated and that cheap and inappropriate replacements had been made recently, for broken appliances, significantly altering the perception of an upscale vacation rental, as originally marketed,” stated ERCA’s chief financial officer/director of financial and corporate services Shelley McMullen in a report to the board of directors.
McMullen noted a property “refresh” is underway with that to be completed by March 1. That was necessary, she said, to “not only restore the property to its original state, but with a small additional investment, now has features which will enhance its attractiveness to other types of rental groups, that had declined or were underrepresented (ladies’ get-aways, wedding parties, etc.). Administration is currently developing a more fulsome package for weddings at HBCA, and the cottage will be integral to that.”
McMullen also stated there had not been an analysis of rental price for comparable properties since 2017, the year the cottage opened.
“The recent replacements and upgrades of furnishings, décor, appliances and
exterior features, support at-market or higher pricing, based on available properties with similar or equivalent features and furnishings,” she stated.
McMullen’s report added: “The recommended new fee schedule now shows maximum nightly/weekly published rates, which allows for more pricing flexibility (dynamic pricing strategy) to stimulate bookings when necessary, including discounts of up to 10%, for stays of seven (7) nights or longer. As has been customary in the past, discounts may be extended to staff, board members, donors, and regular guests, at the CAO or CFO’s discretion. The cottage rental operations produce a surplus that subsidizes the primary HBCA park operations, which is non-mandatory and additional surplus is beneficial as it will be directed to the park conservation efforts and maintenance reserve.”
McMullen told the board of directors last Thursday the cottage could be booked more than it has been in the past. While it has shown a surplus, she believed it can bring in even more revenue to enhance conservation efforts in Holiday Beach Conservation Area.
Improvements, rental increases coming to Holiday Beach cottage
By Ron Giofu
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