The Shoreline Inn in Grand Marais has experienced an influx of new business after it began using Expedia to help them gain new bookings. General manager De J De Jong said many people are now using their phones and computers to find spots to stay, and signing up with Expedia has paid big dividends for Shoreline Inn.
Expedia, a leading online travel company, has named Shoreline Inn in Grand Marais as their number 1 North Shore destination for the month of March and first half of April.
Since late February the 29-unit hotel located on Lake Superior next to Artist Point has gained 126 new reservations, said manager De J De Jong.
“Many of these people are first timers to the area. We have never had them in our data base before,” he said.
Expedia used four criteria to come up with their rating: search results, property views, bookings, and conversations. Added together, Shoreline Inn surpassed all of the other 30 Expedia clients it works with on the North Shore.
“Most of the bookings were done by younger people who are used to doing business on the web,” said De J De Jong. “They were brought up using computers and today they can do business using their cell phones. It’s remarkable what a person can do today just with their phones.
“We explored the option of getting Expedia in the past, but their upfront costs were either too high or their monthly fees too much. Not long ago they announced a shift in the way they do business and we found a nice fit for us,” said De Jong.
The Skoog and Joynes family built the Shoreline in 1952. George Peet, who passed away last year, purchased the business in 1959 and always loved the lakefront property.
Many years ago George and his son Barrney formed the Grand Marais Hotel Company, which today owns five properties: Aspen Lodge, Aspen Inn, Shoreline Inn, Spruceglen Inn and Snowflake [located in Cooper, Colorado]. The company, is headed up locally by general manager Mark Sandbo, who also manages Cobblestone Cove and Terrace Point.
“All of this was built on George’s and Barrney’s shoulders,” said De Jong. “But of all of the properties, George loved Shoreline the best.”
De J and his wife Debbie took over managing the Shoreline last September. “We had been coming here the last 23 years on vacation and always stayed here. We love the Shoreline and have appreciated the chance to work here and see its business grow and improve.”
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