Indie Motels Rock Economic Recovery

I cannot make heads or tails of the City of Yuma's general development plan. I sometimes wonder if there is one. Why would the City approve 900 or so new hotel and motel units when the city already has so many - that run about 50% occupancy during 8 months out of the year? It is slightly annoying to this existing, long time lodging property owner. Well, I suppose more than slightly annoying, but I tend to loathe people with negative outlooks, so I will try to analyze this from a positive angle.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Don't be afraid to stay with an independent hotel or motel, especially if they are AAA approved. They can offer better service and a unique experience for much, much less!
  

On a recent visit I drove around town, all the way to the recent Cocopah development to the Hilton site on the riverfront, in order to assess all the massive new development approved in Yuma. Aside from the new mall, it appears that most of the development is in the form of new hotels.

What struck me the most was the seemingly senseless mass of hotels being built or already built, as the economy slowly collapses. It may appear to some that the little guy is getting crushed on all sides, and odds are against us. We were finally recovering from 9/11 when the economy collapses. Travel once again goes on the back burner for most. Then swine flu hits, with travel warnings to avoid Mexico, and here we are on the Mexican border. Meanwhile, the government planning in Yuma includes a massive increase in hotel lodging units! How much can we take? (Oops! I promised to be positive!)

All this does not bode well for "mom and pop" family owned motels and hotels, like me. Or, does it? The little guy has to try harder I suppose. We have to strive to be number one in something or several things. Here's our plan to rise from the ashes of 2008 and 2009 and outshine the competition, despite the government shun:

(1) We have personality and we boast it! Our bones might be older, but they still shine. Did you know we are the only hotel with balconies in all of Yuma? From curbside I think we are pretty appealing, with lots of landscaping, and well, cuteness. All the new hotels are cut from the same cloth, and look like the same old drab architecture, with no unique design features. I personally think all the new hotels resemble military barracks. (Oops, that's not nice!)

(2) We learn your name and treat you like family. We guarantee your satisfaction and go that extra mile to make you smile!

(3) We offer the best prices in all of Yuma and will beat our competition at least by $1.00 every time. (For details, pop on over to our Price Beat Guarantee). You won't believe the value until you see it. We are not strapped by high construction loans, and hefty chain pay outs, so we can undercut anyone in Yuma.

(4) We're independent. We can do things for you that a chain can't, because we are not laden with their rules. We make our own! Our new website is a perfect example of how we can be creative, and even better than the standardized, institutionalized, predictable, wholly owned competition.

I'm just sayin'! Given a chance, I think indie motels are going to rock the economic recovery!

What is Yuma Cabana's Price Beat Guarantee?

To put it simply, our value cannot be beat! The Yuma Cabana Motel is a leader in price consciousness in Yuma, Arizona. This is the first ever PRICE-BEAT guarantee policy in all of Yuma. The YC strives to do whatever it can to keep business sound, and yet offer the best value possible. Even though the YC offers so much more for the price than some other properties listed below, the YC is very conscious of the need to keep prices as low as possible during this economic downturn. So take advantage of the best rates ever, undoubtedly making the YC the best value in all of Yuma, Arizona! (Please note: The Price Beat Guarantee does not apply during special events, to weekly rates and cannot be combined with any other discounts.)

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Join the YC Blog to keep track of our periodic specials and coupons. You can also follow the YC on Twitter!

How does Yuma Cabana’s Price–Beat Guarantee work?
If you find a lower price anywhere else in Yuma at another AAA rated establishment, the YC will not only match that price, but lower it by $1.00! Guaranteed!

How do I know which establishments are AAA rated?
Please check AAA’s website or consult its “Tourbook.” As of the date of this publication, the following establishments in Yuma, Arizona are rated by AAA:

One Diamond Rated
Motel 6 Yuma East

Two Diamond Rated
Yuma Cabana Motel
Best Western Coronado
Comfort Inn
Days Inn
Howard Johnson
Microtel
Oak Tree Inn
Quality Inn Airport
Shilo Inn
Yuma Super 8

Three Diamond Rated
Best Western Innsuites
Clarion
Fairfield Inn
Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn/Express
La Fuente
Radisson
Springhill
Towneplace
Wingate

Are there any establishments not rated by AAA that you will price-beat?
Yes! Even though AAA offers comfort to guests that a certain minimum quality and standard has been met, there is competition from other non-AAA rated properties that are part of a chain. As such, as an exception to the rule, the YC will price-beat the following chain properties that are not AAA rated as of the date of this publication:

Knights Inn
Ramada
Rodeway
Travelodge

How do I prove the rate at another establishment is lower?
The YC keeps abreast of the best rates for you, and generally the YC's rates already beat everyone else, and in most cases are much, much lower than the properties listed in the Price-Beat Guarantee policy. If you know of a rate that is lower than the YC, let the front desk know and it will be verified for you at the time of booking by calling the property to confirm. However, if you are referring to an internet special rate, the front desk clerks will not, and cannot verify this for you. You must bring a printout from the properties’ website (not a third party website) with you at the time of check-in for the dates in question. (Third party rates are not accepted. Please see what is not included in our price-beat below). Most properties differentiate between 1 and 2 bed rates. The YC will match any 1 bed rate for a 1 bed room at the Yuma Cabana Motel, or a 2 bed rate for a 2 bed room at the Yuma Cabana Motel, subject to availability.

• YC TRAVEL TIP: Join the YC Blog to keep track of our periodic specials and coupons. You can also follow the YC on Twitter!

What is not included in the Price-Beat Guarantee?
The YC will not price-beat any properties not listed in AAA, and not listed as an exception in the policy as an acceptable chain for the price-match guarantee. The YC will not price-beat any third party advertisement or third-party internet price (i.e. hotels.com, yahoo, expedia, etc.) All internet special rates offered by another properties’ website must be verified by the front desk clerk at the time of booking by bringing a printed page from the properties’ website with the rate for the dates in question. The front desk clerks cannot check internet rates for you. The YC cannot price-beat on our Suites as there are only four and they are extra large one-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens, incomparable to any other hotel room. But, the rates on the suites still remain quite low. The YC charges extra for pets, roll-a-ways, and adjoining kitchens. All rates are subject to tax. The price beat policy does not apply during special events, does not apply to weekly rates, and cannot be combined with other discounts.