ROCKAWAY, N.J. -- Warner Holidays, an owner and operator of hotels
converted from historical homes and castles in Britain, is
expanding into the U.S. market with a new vacation package product
called Warner Vacations.
The new packages represent an extension of what Warner has been
offering its British clientele -- and with which it claims to
maintain 90% occupancies year-round.
Warner Vacations initially will offer two Warner Holidays'
products: Historic Hotels of Britain, which are independent hotel
packages, and Riches of Britain, which are escorted motorcoach
tours. The tour groups will include both U.S. and British
guests.
At the core of both packages are Warner's hotels, six of which
are historical properties under the protection of the government.
The selection includes Georgian mansions, Tudor manor homes,
Victorian halls and a medieval-style Welsh castle built during the
Victorian era.
The tour product is designed to combine a four-star hotel
experience with a competitively priced tour.
"Not every client wants to jump in a car or a train," said
Martin Thomas, vice president of sales and marketing. "We pick you
up at Gatwick or Heathrow [airports]. We have complete
itineraries.
"The uniqueness of what we are offering is that you are not
staying in a typical hotel."
Seven-night land tours are priced from $1,199 per person,
double; 10-night plans are from $1,799; and 14-night tours are
$2,399.
Three-night weekend stays start at $299 per person, double, in
March ($598 per room) and $339 during July and August in the
Ambassador rooms. The double rate still applies if a single stays
in the room.
High-end rooms, called royal suites, cost $806 for a three-night
stay. Full English breakfasts and three-course dinners are
included. All packages are commissionable at 10%.
Warner targets the mature market. Children are not permitted to
stay at the hotels, and business functions are not booked at the
properties.
"We don't allow open availability whenever a client wants to
come," said Thomas. "We restrict it to three-night weekend stays or
four-night midweek stays. You can't come to our properties and just
have a room. You come for the whole leisure experience."
If the program is successful, Warner Holidays is perched to
expand further into the U.S. market. One possibility under
discussion is a package product for U.S. destinations.
To make reservations, call (866) 850-5452.
More information is available at the company's Web site, at www.warnervacations.com.