It’s nearly time to say goodbye to the chilly winter months and get ready for everyone’s favourite time of year, summer! We’re fast approaching the busiest season for the accommodation industry, so it’s important to ensure every aspect of your property is looking spic and span for the holiday crowds!

It’s no secret that we’re an outdoor bunch here in Australia, so as we move closer to the warmer months anyone managing a resort, hotel/motel, Airbnb or holiday house needs to prepare their outdoor amenities for summer.

Pools

This might seem like an obvious one, and if you have a pool guy you’ve got it covered, but if you manage a holiday house or Airbnb property and maintain your own pool, it’s time to get your pool summer ready.

Your winter pool maintenance may have been put on the backburner over winter, but now it’s time to make sure it’s healthy, clean and balanced.

Here is a great step-by-step guide to pool maintenance from one of our favourite stores, Bunnings.

Also, if your pool towels are looking a bit shabby, now is great time to replace them with some soft, luxurious new ones from National Hotel Supplies.

Balconies

There’s nothing better than kicking back on a balcony in the summertime, except maybe kicking back with a wine in hand and a few sausages on the BBQ! Sadly, there’s a big chance your balconies have been a little neglected over the cooler months, so maybe it’s time to spruce them up!

Are they dirty, could they do with a pressure clean? Is it time to update your outdoor furniture? Did your plants survive winter, or do they need to be replaced or re-potted? If your balcony areas have seen better days, give them some love and turn them back into a space that your guests will love!

BBQ areas

If your resort, hotel or motel has a BBQ area it’s time for a spring check-up. Ensure your BBQs are clean, tidy and in good working order. Also, it pays to check your gas bottle supplies, so your guests don’t run out of gas mid cook-up!

Tennis courts

If your property has a tennis court it’s going to see a lot of traffic throughout the warmer months. Guests love to get out and about in the fresh air to exercise and soak up Vitamin D. Give your court a good tidy up, repair any nets, grass, fencing and ensure all your equipment is in good working order.

Signage

When was the last time you updated the signage around your property? With guests spending more time outdoors during summer it’s a good time to replace any broken or faded signage.

At National Hotel Supplies we offer a variety of different signs, available in bright colours, with bold text and intuitive pictograms to ensure that the communication is easily understood. All signs are compliant with the latest Australian standards and regulations too.

Air-conditioning systems

Air-conditioning units may be indoors, but they still need to be summer ready!

Imagine this. Your guests go to switch on the air-conditioning system in their room on a steamy summers day, and EEK, they press the button and nothing happens! Or worse, only hot air comes out! There’s a big chance your air-conditioning units haven’t been used in a few months, so now is a good time to give a specialist a call to organise a service. Whether it’s a simple filter change, or just a clean, it pays to have your air-conditioning units summer ready to avoid disappointing your guests on those sweltering hot days.

GREAT, now your accommodation service is summer ready and you can concentrate on giving your guests the ultimate summer holiday experience to ensure they come back the same time next year!

Did you know that Instagram has over 800 million monthly active users, and Facebook has over 2 billion monthly active users?

What can we say; in this digital age it’s essential for anyone in the accommodation industry to have a social media presence. If your property isn’t on Instagram or Facebook, get it on there now!

Whether you manage an Airbnb, a hotel/motel, or a large resort, social media is one of the most effective ways to engage your target audience and promote your accommodation service to the world.

We see so many of our clients kicking goals in the social media arena, but we know that not everyone is so confident, so here are our tips to get social media savvy, and create a successful social media profile.

Be smart

So you’ve decided to manage your own social media accounts? The first step is to get educated and learn how it works. Jump online, enrol yourself in a short course or sit down with a friend who is social media savvy. Check out your competitor’s accounts and see what they are doing and what works for them. The more knowledge you have under your belt, the better!

Be engaged

Never forget that social media is a two-way street. Posting content is only half the job. Engagement is the key, and how you interact with your audience is the secret to holding their attention. Like their comments, reply to their questions, and be active and present.

Be proactive

This is not the time to wing it. This strategy might work for a while, but you’ll soon run out of ideas. Take the stress out of it and create a social media schedule in advance, taking into account any special dates, holidays or upcoming promotions you’d like to implement.

Be a realist

Don’t feel like you have to post 10 times a day. One successful post is better than 10 that don’t connect with your audience. If one post a day is all you can commit to at the moment, don’t sweat it. You can build on this as you get more comfortable in the social media arena. Think quality, not quantity.

Be consistent

If you commit to one post a day, stick to it. With social media it’s out of sight, out of mind, so maintaining a consistent presence will help keep you in the front of your audiences’ minds.

Be creative

Don’t be scared to push the boundaries and think outside the box. Every post doesn’t have to directly promote your accommodation service. Have fun, mix it up with images, videos and quotes, and get creative.

Try to maintain a consistent look and feel. Maybe your theme is fun and quirky, or luxurious and indulgent, obviously dependent on your accommodation service. Having a loose theme like this will give you more direction when creating content and make it easier for your brand to stand out from the rest.

Don’t forget to collaborate! For example, if you offer a welcome gift on arrival, why not post an image and tag in the company that creates the gift. Maybe they’ll return the favour and promote your property in return. Cross-promotion is an awesome tool, so try to connect with other businesses in the area to run promotions or giveaways and tap into a whole new audience.

Be accountable

Both Instagram and Facebook have tools to track and analyse your efforts. Find out what works, and what doesn’t, and use this information when generating future posts.

Laundering towels and linen can be time consuming and inconvenient, that’s why so many businesses choose to use commercial laundry services to help them wash and dry their commercial linen. Laundry services are more convenient, save you time, and ensure your linen and towels are professionally cleaned every time. Commercial laundries have the equipment and products to get the job done right and take the hassle out of washing and drying your hotel linen.

But what should you look for in a professional laundry service? Here are our tips.

Speak to nearby businesses and read reviews

Seek testimonials and reviews. Reputation is everything, and word of mouth spreads like wildfire when someone is doing a good, or bad job. It’s a great way to find a reputable commercial laundry, a company that consistently delivers a reliable and professional service to other members of the local community. Read reviews on the Internet and speak to as many people as you can to get a feel for the laundries in your area.

Drop in for a visit

Organise a time to take a look around, check out their equipment and learn more about their policies and procedures. Are their machines tired and old? Do they professionally handle all the linen? It’s a good idea to meet the owners in person, after all, this is a business you’ll come to rely on day-in-day-out.

Are you a match?

Do they offer a delivery service? What do they charge per item? What are their hours of operation? Do they offer sustainable practices? How is their customer service? What extra services do they offer? These are all questions you should ask before you start using a professional laundry service.

Once you’ve settled on a laundry, there are a few things to watch out for.

Regularly check your linen for:

• Discoloration
• Stains
• Frayed edges
• Cleanliness
• Loss

If you have any other tips on what to look for when hiring a professional laundry service we’d love to hear from you! Email us on info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au

We all know that cleanliness can be a deal breaker for guests, and entering a dirty property will leave a terrible first impression. Nobody wants to stay in an unclean property; it’s unhygienic, unsanitary and a total turn off. It creates an uncomfortable environment for your guests, and they won’t want to return anytime soon.

Your role as a manager or owner is to ensure your property is properly cleaned, and guests’ expectations are met and exceeded. Your property needs to look its best at all times, and it should be sparkling clean whenever new guests arrive, and after every housekeeping service.

Unfortunately, even when you employ professional housekeeping staff, one person’s expectation of cleanliness is different to another’s. The benchmark is high for holiday accommodation, so all your housekeeping staff need to be on the same page. This is where a cleaning checklist will come in handy. It will outline what needs to be done in routine turnover cleans, and for those less frequent deep cleans.

Turnover cleans

Maintaining a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness within your property is essential. Bad news travels fast, and if your property gains a reputation for being dirty or unclean, you’ll soon find your bookings dwindling and repeat business dropping off.

Turnover cleans need to be consistent, thorough and all your housekeeping staff need to be on the same page. This is especially important if you have a lot of repeat business, to ensure you are providing your guests with the same experience time after time.

Here’s a simple downloadable turnover clean checklist.

Deep cleaning

Deep cleaning is more than just your normal run-of-the-mill clean. The staffing required for this type of clean goes beyond your everyday housekeeping staff, and some jobs are just too complicated, or require specific industry specialists.

This could include:

• Pressure cleaning/outdoor cleaning
• Elimination of nasty odours that just won’t go
• Carpet cleaning
• Air conditioner cleaning
• Gutter/roof cleaning
• Tile/grout cleaning
• Upholstery, mattress or fabric cleaning

After the September school holidays is a great time to carry out a deep clean on your property, in preparation for the influx of guests over the upcoming summer holidays. Here’s a downloadable guest room deep clean checklist.

At National Hotel Supplies we stock a range of housekeeping supplies including in-room detergents, garbage bags, replacement sanitary bags and toilet strips which can be all ordered in bulk online before the start of the holiday season. Check out or range online, call us on 1300 557 415 or email info@nationalhotelsupplieswa.com.au

Spring is almost here and the Christmas holidays are fast approaching, which only means one thing for everyone in the accommodation industry; it’s time to freshen up your beds and get them looking spic ‘n’ span for peak season.

In the lead up to Christmas commercial linen and towelling is in especially high demand, it’s even common for Australia to run out of some lines of high quality hotel bed linen and towelling! So to avoid the stress of last minute ordering, and the risk of running out of hotel supplies when you really need it, you can start preparing your property for the holiday season right now.

Ask yourself this. When was the last time you refreshed your bedding? Will your guests be treated to a luxury sleep experience or does your bedding need a makeover? Will your guests rave about your bed, or will they complain it wasn’t up to scratch? One of the best ways to check your bedding is to test it out yourself and experience it from a guest’s perspective. Get in, snuggle up and see how it feels. Inspect every element of your bedding, from the sheets, to the mattress protector.

Sheets

How comfortable are your hotel sheets? Do they feel soft and crisp, or are they in need of replacement? While quality commercial bed linen has amazing longevity and durability, it doesn’t last forever. National Hotel Supplies can help you select the best bed linen for your property, so you’ll be prepared for the influx of guests during the Christmas break and won’t be caught short.

It’s also important to give your hotel linen the right love and care. The way you wash, dry and make your beds can impact its longevity and durability.

Pillows

Are your pillows still fluffy and luxurious, or do they feel a little drab and lifeless? Ensure you impress your guests with a plush sleeping experience with pillows that are comfortable, plentiful and indulgent. Pillow protectors are also a great way to increase the longevity of your pillows and protect them against marks and stains.

Mattress protectors

When was the last time your mattress protectors were replaced? Mattress protectors are great for maintaining the quality and cleanliness of the mattress, but they’re often overlooked because they have such a long life. Remember, old mattress protectors can impact the quality of your guests’ sleep, so it’s important to replace them as soon as they start showing signs of age.

Blankets

We may be approaching the warmer summer months, but light cotton blankets still come in handy when the temperatures rise. When they’re not being used they can be folded and packed away easily in a cupboard or drawer. They can also be used as a stylish bed runner or throw, making them dual-purpose.

Towels

Hotel towels need to be soft and lush, after all, there’s nothing better than stepping out of a hot shower into a luxurious bath towel or bath sheet. Towels need to be absorbent and fast to dry. We don’t recommend using fabric softener, regularly, as it can affect a towels’ absorbency. Towels should be washed in hot water with a good quality commercial detergent, and then tumble-dried on high to maintain that soft, fluffy texture we all adore.

The bed is the most important element in the room and if you give it the love and attention it deserves you can be sure your guests will appreciate it.

If you have any questions about our range of hotel linen and towels please call us for a chat on 1300 557 415 or email us on info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au

As an accommodation provider you have an incredible opportunity to help the planet. By purchasing products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, you’re helping to reduce the environmental impact your property has on the planet.

Environmentally friendly: Not harmful to the environment. (Cambridge dictionary)

At National Hotel Supplies we’re passionate about helping you, help the environment, that’s why we offer an extensive range of environmentally friendly guest amenities. Over the years we have built strong relationships with some amazing suppliers, who are equally devoted to paving the way to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, while minimising the impact we have on this beautiful planet of ours.

Each product range we stock has been hand-selected, and chosen for their commitment to the environment, environmentally friendly ingredients, their sustainable practices, and of course, their quality.

When selecting a range of guest amenities for your property it’s important to consider the footprint you are leaving behind on the planet, as well as the price, your demographic and the type of service you provide. In the competitive holiday accommodation industry guest amenities provide a great point of difference, with guests often taking the products home as a small token and memory of their stay. By choosing an environmentally friendly range of guest amenities you’re showing that you have a strong environmental conscience and your business cares about the planet.

We think the eco.logic* range is pretty special, not only is it the first guest hair and body care range to be certified Fairtrade, it’s also packaged in a bottle made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. They are made from 100% recycled Anchor Light Proof™ milk bottles. Awesome!

When it comes to environmentally friendly guest amenities, the name Natural Earth says it all. This hair and body care range has recyclable packaging, and contains active Manuka Honey, a beautiful indulgent addition.

The stunning Wallawa range of botanical skin and body care products are made with Indigenous Australian cosmetic flora extracts. The range is packaged in 100% recyclable plastic, and the ingredients are biodegradable, which means they will naturally breakdown when exposed to the elements. Also, a portion of all profits goes to Corporate Connect AB to assist Indigenous communities in Australia. So everyone wins, your guests, local Indigenous communities and the planet!

The Bathe Marine Skincare range of guest amenities is just divine, but also environmentally friendly. The products are made with biodegradable ingredients and have 100% recyclable packaging, so it’s not only fantastic for your guests’ skin, but for the planet too.

It’s also great to know that all these guest amenities use sustainable palm oil, are paraben free and are not tested on animals. We love it!

If you’d like to know more about our range of environmentally friendly guest amenities, give us a call on 1300 557 415 or email your question to info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au

Taking photographs of your property might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s not as simple as you think. It’s not as easy as snapping a few iPhone photos, you need to carefully consider each image and the features you’d like to emphasise.

So often we see photos that don’t reflect the true quality of a property, and it’s normally because the photos have been taken in bad light, from a bad angle, or with mess or clutter lying around. CRINGE! Remember, you want to make a great first impression and make people fall in love with your property.

Whether you do it yourself, or hire a professional, here are our top photography tips to capture awesome photos of your property.

Declutter, declutter, declutter!

This is SO important! Decluttering your property before you take photos is ESSENTIAL and one of the best things you can do to make your photos look amazing! There’s nothing worse than photos of messy, cluttered rooms. Clutter will make your house look smaller, and sometimes even dirtier. You should remove all unnecessary clutter to show off the space and the size of your property.

Get cleaning

You might think that you can get away with doing a quick clean before you take photos, but it pays to be thorough! Dirty mirrors and glass stand out like a sore thumb in photographs, and smeared benches are not attractive. Ensure all areas are clean, paying special attention to the kitchen and bathroom. Don’t forget to change your bed linen too!

Embrace natural light

When it comes to photography, natural light is your best friend! It can transform a dull, small space, into a bright, vibrant and tranquil haven. Natural light will add colour and life to your photos, so before you start taking snaps consider the time of day, the direction of light, and if you should open the curtains or blinds to let in some sunshine.

Work the angles

It’s not just a matter of point and shoot! Where you shoot from can make a big difference to the end result. Think about the space. How can you make the room appear larger and more spacious? How can you show off the property’s best features?

Keep snapping

Don’t be shy to take a gazillion photos! Digital cameras give you the flexibility to take as many photos as you like. The more photos you take, the more chance you have of nailing a great shot. If you’re hiring a professional they will take hundreds of photos and choose the best ones for you.

Decorate

Giving your property a fresh makeover doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Stores like Kmart and Target are awesome for decorating on a budget and adding that special finishing touch to your property. Fresh flowers are great for adding colour, as are cushions and throws. Beds should always look luxurious, so layer your pillows and cushions and make your bed look like it’s fit for a king or a queen!

Finishing touches

Don’t have Photoshop? Find a friend who has! If you’ve taken the photos yourself it pays to give them a simple touch up. Brightening the image, or fine-tuning the colours will make a world of difference to the end result. But, please don’t over edit, fake photos are spotted a mile away and you don’t want people to be surprised when their expectations aren’t met when they walk through the front gate.

Overall you want the photos to show off your property in the best light and entice people to inspect further. Whether you’re taking the photos yourself, or hiring a professional, follow these simple tips and you’ll be thankful you went that extra mile.

Are you thinking of becoming an Airbnb host? Do you own an Airbnb property and would love to hear some awesome tips and tricks to improve your service?

We recently had a chat with the Director of Holiday P.A., Natalie Sheather, to find out how you can provide the ultimate Airbnb guest experience in today’s competitive holiday rental market.

Holiday P.A. was established to support out-of-town holiday homeowners who wanted a local to call on to check their property, organise maintenance or cleaning, or to do something as simple as bringing in the bins. Since then Holiday P.A. has grown into a successful co-hosting service that allows hosts to maintain control of their profile and bookings, while Holiday P.A. takes care of the rest. If you can’t be at your property they’ll meet and greet your guests, provide a turn down service and give your guests ongoing support during their stay.

Here are Natalie’s top 5 Airbnb hosting tips:

1. Great communication

Responding to your online requests as soon as possible should always be your priority as an Airbnb host. Guests will send out several enquiries at a time and often book with the first host to confirm availability. Get in first to secure the booking!

Always be honest in your property profile, and disclose anything that may concern guests, or impact upon their stay, for example noise from a nearby building site or if your property is located on a busy street.

2. Clean twice

Clean the entire property from top to bottom, then after preparing the linen, clean problem areas again, such as the bathroom and kitchen. Also, don’t forget to check under the couch cushions and behind beds, I once found a dog bone in-between the couch and I often find used tissues and lolly wrappers.

It’s always important to extend your clean beyond the common areas, you’ll be surprised where people tend to look, particularly if they’re searching for a power outlet to charge their phone.

It always helps to pretend you’re a guest in your own home, or even better, get a second opinion from a friend or relative.

3. Offer free WIFI

Free WIFI is a huge selling point for any property. In this day and age everyone likes to be connected, even if free WIFI is not something that you see value in, a lot of people do, so providing free WIFI is a considerate gesture that will attract a larger market.

4. Make it interesting

Themed Airbnb’s are proving to be very successful and tailoring to a niche market is a great way to stand out from the rest. The Star Wars bnb in North Melbourne is a great example of how a fun obsession can lead to a very profitable bnb.

That’s not to say that everyone should convert their houses into Disneyland, but you could offer an interesting selection of books, a wood fire pizza oven with some of your personal recipes left out, or an infuser with a guide to essential oils and some samples for your guests to use.

5. Invest in luxury bed linen

High quality bed linen is not only luxurious and comfortable for your guests, but it has a longer life, which is important because linen in bnb’s is washed so regularly.

If you have any other hints or tips on how to get an Airbnb property ready for market, or would like to share the story of how you became an Airbnb Superhost we’d love to hear from you! Email info@nationalhotelsupplies.com.au.

Can you believe that it’s nearly that time of year again!

Even if you have an amazing accountant that takes care of everything at tax time, you’ll still need to do some kind of preparation. As a small business owner it’s important to work closely with your accountant, and have everything ready so you can get the maximum out of your tax return. After all, we all want to save money right?

Here are a few simple ways to get your small business tax ready.

Know the important dates

If you have a great accountant they will know these dates, but it helps if you know them too. Speak to your accountant and note down the specific ATO due dates that relate specifically to your business.

Maximise your deductions

Have outstanding invoices? Pay them before 30 June if you want to maximise this year’s deductions. Get in touch with your suppliers and ensure you have all invoices in advance. Find your receipts and have them ready for your accountant.

If you rent out your property through Airbnb or a holiday accommodation office, and don’t use accounting software like MYOB or Xero, there are some great apps available to help you keep track of your expenses and receipts.

Expensify – Apple – Android
Shoeboxed – Apple – Android
Smart Receipts – Apple – Android
Receipt Bank – Apple – Android
ATO MyDeductions – Apple – Android

Know your assets

It’s important to stay on top of the value of your depreciating assets and talk to your accountant to find out your options.

Changes in legislation

What has changed in the 2016/17 financial year? If you have a good accountant they’ll know all relevant legislation changes, but it’s a good idea to keep up to date with the changes yourself so you don’t miss out on anything that will save you money in the long run!

Are you happy with your accountant?

Finally, were you happy with last year’s accountant? Do they know your finances inside out? If you weren’t entirely pleased with your accountant last year maybe it’s time to move on and find another one. Speak to your friends, family and other small business owners and ask for their recommendations.

Don’t forget, get your National Hotel Supplies orders in before 30 June so you can claim your deductions this financial year.

Our EOFY sale starts commences today! To see where you can make some extra savings this financial year click here

Winter is just around the corner, so it’s the perfect time to prepare your holiday house, hotel, motel room or Airbnb property for the cooler months.

Getting your property winter ready is a great way to go that extra mile to impress your guests. But how do you create the ultimate winter escape? With just a few extra hotel supplies it’s easier than you think!

Winter treats

Everyone loves to indulge when the temperature drops, so why not let your guests enjoy a few treats while they keep warm at your property.

Spoil them with wintery treats like our One Fairtrade Drinking Chocolate or Cocoa Naturally Drinking Chocolate. But why stop there, stock your holiday rental or Airbnb property with marshmallows, Tim Tams or our Aussie Biscuits, the perfect treat on a cold, wintery night.

Extra blankets and throws

Get your bedrooms ready for the cooler months with extra blankets, they don’t have to be on the bed, but have them ready so your guests know where they are if they need them.

It’s also nice to leave a couple of blankets or throws in the lounge room for those fresher nights when your guests want to curl up in front of the TV. Try our new 100% cotton blankets, perfect for a relaxing afternoon on the couch.

Robes and slippers

Keeping a supply of luxurious bathrobes and slippers at your property is a lovely way to show your guests you care. After all, is there anything better than stepping out of a steaming hot shower into a pair of slippers and fluffy bathrobe in the wintertime?

Brighten up your gardens

Just because the weather is cooler, doesn’t mean your garden has to look cold and drab! Make it look like it’s the middle of spring by freshening up your garden with bright colourful flowers, but remember to choose plants that thrive in lower temperatures.

Family fun

It’s nice to have a collection of fun board games on hand for those cooler days or nights when your guests would rather stay in. Keeping a few popular board games in the cupboard can turn a quiet night in, into a fun family get together!

Takeaway menus

On colder nights your guests might not feel like venturing out for dinner, so offering them a collection of menus from the most popular restaurants in the area can be super helpful.

Heating

If you know your property gets a little chilly in the winter, ensure you have adequate heating and that it has been cleaned and serviced before the weather cools down. If your property has a fireplace, remember to stockpile plenty of wood and have a sharp axe available in case your guests need to chop extra.