Tips for Booking Your Perfect Campsite
We took over the campground more than 30 years ago. Reservations often came in envelopes through the mail with a SASE. We wrote each reservation onto a huge grid of cardboard. Then we mailed back confirmations. How I wish we had saved one of those monthly grids just for the curiosity factor! But those huge poster boards got so grimy by the end of the summer that it was a pleasure to watch them burn in a bonfire when we no longer needed them.
We are frequently asked why we don’t follow the trend of online reservations system. This trend completely circumvents the need to talk with me or anyone else on the reservation desk. The advantages are clear. You look at what’s available, choose as best you can and then arrive on the appointed date. Quick, easy and efficient. But we believe your precious vacation days deserve more attention and we want to give it to you.
Our campground was developed on a 19th century farm. We enjoy a lovely mix of old pines and towering oaks. There are also sunny garden sites. We believe that taking reservations is an art form. We treat the reservation grid with as much attention to detail as any wedding planner would for a formal dinner. We choose sites to maximize serenity and compatibility for everyone. We ensure not too many dogs are in any one area. We avoid placing toddlers on sites where they could bound toward the ocean in a blink of an eye. We also avoid choosing a site with great shade but shallow-rooted pines for someone with a cane or wheelchair…you get the idea.
As long as we’re able, we’ll continue to ask guests to send us an email. In season you can also give us a call during office hours. This way, we can work with you to choose the perfect spot. Please use the email option during the October to May time frame…you’ll get better service 😉 [email protected]
There’s a real skill to asking for the reservation that you really want. I wanted to share this e-mail from Kristen…she’s a genuine communications pro!
—–Original Message—–
From: Kristen
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2019 4:08 PM
Cc: a friend
Subject: Reservation Request July 13-20, 2019
Hello there!
We came across your campsite during an online search and it looks wonderful!
We would like to request 2 neighboring campsites with an oceanfront or an ocean view for July 13-20. We both have pop-ups. Our info is as follows:
Family #1
Mike and Kristen
Madison age 18
Keelin age 15
Address: 51 HollyRock
NH 03333
Email: thanks for the reminder
Family #2
Eric and Becky
Emily age 14
Dakota 10
Address: 66 Horses Gallup
Notyouraveragedairy, NH
Email: Beckys e-mail address
A couple questions…
The 3 girls (ages 18,15,14) may want to sleep in a tent on our site. Is that allowed? Is there an extra fee.
We like to face our pop-ups toward each other if possible. Is that allowed? I saw it was possible for pull through sites but I’m assuming that’s for big RVs. We both have the wheel on front which makes them pretty easy to swing in place by hand.
Would you possibly allow both campers on one site if we park both trucks on the other?
*Having an ocean view is more important than any of the above things, so even if there are sites elsewhere that we can do some or all of the above things we’d prefer to see the ocean.
From pictures I found on-line we really liked site 2 if it makes a good neighboring site with 1. We trust your judgement though if you think there is a better pair of sites for us.
I’ve “CC’d” Becky on this do she may have other questions I haven’t thought of.
Kind Regards,
When you’re looking for a reservation with us or anyone else, providing this level of detail saves so much guess work. It also prevents a multitude of e-mails. When any of us are planning vacations, we all have a vision of perfection. Tell us all of that when you’re making the reservation so that we can be your ally. Sometimes we can give you exactly what you ask for. Other times, we need to describe what’s possible. We’ll collaborate to make the best possible arrangements. Then, when you get here, ask if there are other options you can consider…we’re happy to give you a list.
