Friday 29 July 2011

Enjoy walking around Fermanagh

Red Squirrel Week and Fermanagh’s Walking Festival
Florencecourt, Sliabh Beagh & Castlecoole , 08 Oct - 10 Oct 2011

FERMANAGH WALKING FESTIVAL 2011
8th - 10th OCTOBER 2011
2011 will see the 5th annual Fermanagh Walking Festival taking place and we want you to come out and enjoy the fantastic Fermanagh countryside. Fermanagh District Council is planning a diverse FREE weekend walking programme based at a number of beautiful locations around the Cuilcagh, Florencecourt and Sliabh Beagh areas of the County. This is an opportunity for all to come out and enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of Fermanagh’s landscape.
The variety of walking available in County Fermanagh makes it is an ideal venue for walkers. Its vast array of terrains, mountains, forests and castle walks ensure that there is a walk to suit people of all strengths, abilities and interests. The locations for this year’s walking events will be carefully selected to provide walkers with an opportunity to experience some of the most spectacular and diverse scenery in County Fermanagh.
The Fermanagh Walking Festival includes a weekend walking programme with different grades of walk taking place at different locations in both East and West Fermanagh. It is envisaged that on each of the days three grades of walk will be available; these are a Family walk, Intermediate walk and an Advanced walk. An Inclusive walk on Monday 10th October at Castle Coole Estate is also planned as part of the festival. Therefore, regardless of your level of fitness or ability there is sure to be a walk that will cater for you allowing you to explore the spectacular landscapes of County Fermanagh.
To find out more informaiton please email grainne.oconnor@fermanagh.gov.uk or call 028 66325050

Register on this link for the Fermanag Walking Festival...

Thursday 21 July 2011

How do managers protect their Hotels?

Over the last number of years for a number of reasons we have had to introduce a credit card preauthorisation policy at the Belmore Court & Motel. Thankfully 99% of people respect their hotel bedroom and pay their bill before they leave.
Unfortunately a few people have caused damage or noise distrubance to other guests - although we try to deal with this as best we can at the time of a compliant the better thing to do is to try and avoid these problems happening at all. The way some people have left their room is disgraceful.

At the Belmore Court & Motel we have invested £2.5 million in our new rooms and are looking at investing £150,000 in our standard rooms over the next 12 months. we need to ensure that we protect these rooms and avoid any disturbances to other guests.

In 2006 we introduced a credit card preauthorisation policy to help reduce these situations. Many other Hotels around the world have a similar policy. This involves;
  • A credit or debit card number should be provided when booking the room. This card may be pre authorised for the first nights stay and/or and address check verified. A confirmation email or letter will be sent stating the booking details and terms and conditions.
  • Our standard cancellation terms are 3pm - 2 days prior to the day of arrival. This means that if you have booked for a Friday night; There will be no cancellation fee if you cancel before 3pm on Wednesday. Any cancellation after this time or a non arrival would mean the first nite will be charged for and the booking released.
  • On arrival a swipe of the credit/debit card is required to preauthorise and amount for the balance owing, plus £50 for any additional charges - telephone, breakfast, noise, damage, etc. At this stage nothing has been debitied from card but a hold has been placed for this amount. This may result in you being unable to access this amount for the 5-7 working days. it may also show on your statment.
  • Only on checkout do we complete the credit/debit card for the final amount after discussing it with the card holder.
  • For those people who do not have or use a credit/debit card we can accept a cash deposit for the same value which is returned on checkout.
These procedures have helped reduce the number of complaints from guests regarding noise and disturbances from other guests. There have been very few instances where we have had to charge additional costs to these preauthorisations for any problems arising.

We are committed to ensuring that our guests have a safe and enjoyable stay and that all guests should respect the rooms and are staff.

If you have any comments about the above it's would be great to hear them/