at a reasonable rate is important because as travellers themselves, they understand that many people are still trying to recover from lost wages and business closures from the pandemic, plus the overall economic struggle that many are finding themselves in with rising costs for everything. “Affordability needs to be there for people to be able to take their family on vacation and also enjoy it,” she said. “If we overcharged it wouldn’t bring me any joy. I want our guests to be happy and keep coming back.” Direnzo acknowledged that there may be a point in time when they will have to increase their rates, that is just an unfortunate part of business, we are very confident and trust that they will continue to be a reasonable and affordable lodging option for many years to come. There are several amenities to keep guests coming back to Smiths Cove Cottages. One of them is the beautiful, heated pool. The pool was in place when Agnes and Ray took over the property, but the heat pump and new filter system are both recent upgrades they have made. “It’s nice to know you can get into a pool that isn’t ice cold,” she said. “Our next step is to do some exterior maintenance because it is a relatively older pool. But the view from the pool is spectacular,” she described. More amenities at Smiths Cove Cottages, particularly for families with young children, include two playgrounds. “One is best suited for small children and the other for older children,” Direnzo explained. The playground for older children does include a swing set. They also offer outdoor games for families to take part in, communal and private fire pits, and a trail at the back of the property. Smiths Cove Cottages is a dog-friendly place and offers an off-leash dog park, so the four-legged family members can enjoy the vacation as well. Direnzo said they do encourage ATV and side-by-side enthusiasts to come to enjoy the old railway trail and other nearby trails close to the property as well.
“Affordability needs to be there for people to be able to take their family on vacation and also enjoy it,” explore as well. “We love to travel in our free time and explore the different lighthouses and beaches so we can pass that knowledge on to our guests,” Direnzo explained. As Agnes and Ray are fairly new to the area, sometimes they learn from the guests instead. “When our guests have come across something super fun, they let us know. And then I can pass it on to future guests,” she said. The more Agnes and Ray learn
Guests typically wish to explore the area during their stay. Agnes and Ray can relate as they love to travel and
56 SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • VOL 24 ISSUE 1
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