The end of the 2024 season and planning for 2025
Uncategorised | Nov 29, 2024
How has 2024 been for you? My last blog was our experience through the two years of Covid, written in 2022, but don’t know about you, that experience seems a lifetime ago now! Times have changed hugely since then with our mantra then being when we reach the ‘new normal’. I think we all knew that life would probably never be the same again but we all held on to the optimistic hope that things could only get better!
From our perspective, running the B&B, it was lovely to get back to welcoming guests warmly again (without the compulsory two metre gap!), reopening shared spaces including out beautiful guest lounge, a full dining room at breakfast and of course no face masks! But some of the changes made through necessity have continued – our fragrant hand sanitiser is still available for additional reassurance and our breakfast is still offered a la carte, rather than buffet. The guests have loved it, especially the online ordering system so why change?
The 2024 season, and the way that guests tend to book now, has certainly changed to a new normal. We have noticed many more last minute bookings, rather than before when guests would often book their breaks in January for later in the year. Of course we understand completely the reasons behind this change. Leaving Covid behind soon followed with the cost of living crisis – higher mortgage rates, higher food costs, higher utilities, all resulting in less money to spend on the pleasures in life. Add in the very untypical weather that we all experienced this year, all contributing to guests deciding much more carefully when to take a break in the UK.
But it certainly hasn’t been all doom and gloom! Weymouth continues to be a number 1 holiday spot in the UK – the beautiful beach, the picturesque harbour, the history and culture, the award winning restaurants and some of the best weather that the UK can offer – we do have our own micro climate! We have welcomed guests from all around the world and welcomed back many returners that have made a visit to Weymouth, especially St John’s a ‘must do’ in their diary. And for this we are extremely grateful.
So what will next year bring? One of our guests said as they left – “please don’t ever change a thing’. And that mantra rings in our ears constantly. Our welcome is still warm and personal, passing on all of the information you need to make the most of your stay. Our rooms are still comfortable with fresh linen, fluffy towels, treats in the tea box and toiletries that you all love.
Lynne still cooks her tasty breakfast fresh to order with quality products and of course served by Andy with all his wit (usually at Lynnes expense!) and humour and useful chat to set you up for the day. We still ensure all guests can park their cars safely and close by for easy daily use or peace of mind if left during your stay. Any changes made are only ever done to enhance your stay. We have even added an honesty bar, available in the dining room for your pre-dinner tipple or night cap.
So one change that is less of a change and more of an enhancement, is the release of our beautiful house as a holiday home. Imagine having the whole house, exclusively for you and your family or friends? Just for you, so kick your shoes off at the front door, choose a bedroom and settle in for a comfortable stay. Come and go as you please – across to the beach, down to Lodmoor, a bus to West Bay or just wandering along for dinner in the harbour. The whole house rental is on a self-catering basis with a large drinks fridge in the dining room and SMEG fridge in the kitchen. Some recent guests cooked a Christmas dinner for 15 and served it in the dining room downstairs. 
It includes seven en-suite rooms – sleeping up to 15, all bedding, toiletries and towels. Rates start at £450 per night in the quieter seasons, which equates to only 30 per person per night. If you are celebrating a special occasion then afternoon tea may be available at £20 per person. This would need to be booked at the time of booking the house. For all details take a look here.
Remember once we have B&B bookings then the house isn’t available and vice versa, so if you have any specific dates, make sure you book early! And always book direct for the very best price, even if you think it may be cheaper elsewhere!
So have a very healthy and Merry Christmas and may 2025 be all that you wish for.
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