Strategic Resort Management

Strategic Resort Management
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Executive summary
A resort is a place frequently visited for a vacation, relaxation or a specific purpose. In the U.S, there are many resorts each with distinctive features. Resorts are common among travellers, tourists, families and other people who like visiting new places for recreational or vocational purposes. With the continuing growth of economy of the country, the hospitality industry in the U.S is becoming more attractive for investors as more people are becoming fond and able to afford visiting places such as resorts. Although many resorts may seem to provide similar amenities and hence becoming difficult to differentiate them, investors considers various issues in order to make well-informed decision of whether to invest in a certain resort or not. Besides amenities offered by a resort, other factors deemed important when making such an investment decision, include the issue of operations, marketing and management of a particular resort. This paper analyses the investment attractiveness of two resorts in the U.S, the Paradise Guest Ranch and KD Guest Ranch.
The Paradise Guest Ranch is a suitable place for horseback riding and golfing. The cabins are fully furnished to meet the needs of every guest. The activities offered in the ranch include hiking, fly fishing, lunch rides, talent shows, horseback riding and guided trips. There are varied facilities and adult activities that include a bar, live music, a program for fishing and horseback riding. The ranch offers babysitting services for families that come to the ranch with young children (Miller 2010, p.103).
KD guest ranch is a great place for gathering and congregating with old pals while meeting new acquaintances. The ranch has many facilities and they include a spa, exercise space, general store, conference rooms, library, kitchen, dining rooms and a game room. The ranch promises a western vacation mixed with old-fashioned entertainment. The other activities that take place at the ranch include roping lessons, horse riding lessons that are done privately for every individual who is interested, mountain biking, horse painting, feeding of horses, berry picking, rides on the antique tractor and bucking barrel.
Table of Contents
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Executive summary  PAGEREF _Toc416796333 \h
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1.0 Introduction  PAGEREF _Toc416796334 \h
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2.0 Amenities and operation of KD Guest Ranch  PAGEREF _Toc416796335 \h
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3.0.Amenities and operation of Paradise Guest Ranch  PAGEREF _Toc416796336 \h
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4.0 Overview of the Hotels on an Investment Perspective  PAGEREF _Toc416796337 \h
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4.1 KD Guest Ranch  PAGEREF _Toc416796338 \h
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4.2 Paradise Guest Ranch  PAGEREF _Toc416796339 \h
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4.3 Management of the Two Resorts  PAGEREF _Toc416796340 \h
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4.4 Marketing strategies used by the two resorts……………………………………………………………11
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5.0 The Best Resort for Investment  PAGEREF _Toc416796341 \h
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6.0 Conclusion  PAGEREF _Toc416796342 \h
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7.0 Recommendations  PAGEREF _Toc416796343 \h
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References  PAGEREF _Toc416796344 \h
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Strategic Resort Management
1.0 Introduction
A resort is a place that is popular for recreational activities and other specific purposes. There are many resorts located in the United States that guarantee clients the best services. Besides attracting customers such resorts attract potential investors who are interested in getting some share of profits from the lucrative hospitality industry in the U.S (Jinko 2013, p.56). In order to make good investment decision, it is important to compare the investment viability presented by different available alternatives. The Paradise Guest Ranch located in Wyoming is a suitable place for horseback riding and golfing. The cabins are fully furnished to meet the needs of every guest. The activities offered in the ranch include hiking, fly fishing, lunch rides, talent shows, horseback riding and guided trips. There are varied facilities and adult activities that include a bar, live music, a program for fishing and horseback riding. The ranch offers babysitting services for families that come to the ranch with young children (Miller 2010, p.103). The other resort worth one’s time in US is the KD Guest Ranch located at the south side of Cleveland. The stay at this ranch starts with a lesson on horse manners, horse behaviors and basics on horse-back riding. This in-depth orientation makes the stay at the ranch worthwhile and comfortable. The ranch is located in an area that can be used for other activities such as hunting, fishing, horse riding, and mountain biking. In identifying the best resort for investors to invest in, it is necessary to analyze the two resorts in terms of the amenities they offer, their operations, marketing and management strategies.
2.0 Amenities and Operation at KD Guest Ranch
The guests who come to the ranch are normally received by a guide who takes them through the orientation program. The guests are taught on how the horses are trained, and how to saddle and groom them. This is done because horse-back riding is the major activity that is done on this ranch. The lodge is a great place where old friends can congregate comfortably and one is also able to meet new acquaintances. The amenities available in their lodges include kitchen, general store, game room, office, saloon, library, exercise area, massage and spa as well as access to conference rooms. The ranch has been reported to offer a western-type of vacation filled with fun in an old fashioned way. The rooms are fully furnished with modern conveniences like mini-fridge, air conditioner, coffee pot, micro wave, and all towels and linens.
The cabins are different in terms of layout and they are able to accommodate one to six guests with a total capacity of 15 persons. The ranch offers excellent meals for the guests and these are served three times daily. The meals come in varied appealing styles and they include buffet, family style and plated. The ranch does not allow the guests to be hungry at any moment because there are snacks and drinks offered at any time of the day. The ranch offers a unique place for empty nesters with no children at home and would like to take a vacation and spoil themselves.
The ranch offers an agenda that is action packed and this keeps the guests busy throughout the day, leaving no room for boredom. The guests are all welcome to participate in the activities that take place in the ranch. A sample week at the ranch is made up of the following but this can vary or be altered from time to time. The meals are served at 8.30am, starting with breakfast; lunch is served at 12.30 pm and dinner at 6.30 pm. The bar is opened at 5.00 pm with appetizers and drinks.
On Sunday, the check-in starts at 4.00 pm with a slideshow after dinner. This involves an explanation of the local attractions and the history of the ranch. There is also an ice-breaker so that the guests can get acquainted with each other including the ranch staffs. This is important as it creates a good rapport between the staff and the guests, enhancing communication and cooperation for good services. On Monday, an orientation is done after breakfast, on how the horses are trained, how to ride and saddle the horse together with its psychology. Then, horse-riding starts and the guests are taken on a tour of the whole ranch. On Tuesday, after saddling up, one is taken for another ride. This is followed by team penning by the cowboys. The day ends with poker game, which starts after dinner. The rails are hit again after breakfast on Wednesday and then everyone heads to Spiker’s pond to have lunch. The afternoon is spent playing volleyball, rowing, swimming, fishing or just relaxing while enjoying the view. The hay wagon takes the guests to the lodge for dinner and one can relax afterwards in the game room or the bar. Thursday starts with team penning after breakfast and then a trip is taken to the nature reserve. The evening is spent watching a movie and taking popcorn. Friday morning is spent taking a walk or a trail ride and then one can take part in ‘dude rodeo’ and this are fun games played in the arena. Saturday marks the last day where one can hit the trails as part of the last activity in the ranch. The guests leave at their own time but the checkout time is officially from 12.00-1.00 pm.
There is a brochure of varied prices that are offered at the ranch with discounted prices. A group of six guests and more gets a 10% discount. This is one of the best promotion and marketing strategies that have work for the organization. The cabins at the ranch can be rented for hunting season and this is in November, October, January and December. There are many hunting areas located within a half an hour drive and it contains both fishing grounds and public hunting areas. The ranch is suitable for holding special events like family functions, rehearsal dinners and holiday parties. There are many local attractions that surround the ranch and one can partake if they wish. Zanesville has many historical sites and recreational activities for non- cowgirls and cowboys. The rich history of the area can be learnt by visiting Zane Grey museum or roaming around the varied shops of pottery. Longaberger baskets and largest baskets in the world are held in Dresden. The guests can visit the manufacturing campus, Dresden streets or the homestead of Longaberger. There are six golf courses that are located near the ranch and it takes only 45 minutes drive to get there. This includes green valley golf course, wildfire, Longab...