Tregarthen’s Hotel
Tregarthen’s Hotel on St Mary’s was the first hotel on the Isles of Scilly when it was set up by seafarer Captain Tregarthen in 1848.
Continuing the spirit of innovation, it was also the first wireless broadband hotspot to be set up in Scilly as soon as broadband became available on the island.
Hotel Manager, Ben Jakes, says ‘ Broadband is a vitally important facility for guests. Nowadays many people want to keep in touch with the office or family and friends when they are away. It gives our hotel a competitive edge.’
Tregarthen’s has also created a new website including a full online booking facility and webcam views of the town and beach.
Ben says ‘Since the new website with online booking went live, we have experienced a dramatic uplift in sales. We are also using search engine optimisation and email newsletters to reach out to new customers.’
‘Because of broadband, we can respond to customer enquiries instantly, which means we are providing a higher quality customer service.
‘With broadband, it is so quick and simple to source supplies online . Because we are on an island, ordering supplies online has made a huge difference to us. It has allowed us to improve quality and buy at more competitive prices.
‘What’s more, broadband has revolutionised the way we work. For example, because of broadband, I can work flexibly from home some of the time, just as efficiently as if I were at the office PC. Equally, when I am away on the mainland, I can continue to manage the hotel, using Wi Fi hotspots to stay in touch.
‘Broadband has transformed the way the hotel operates and is allowing us to reach out to new customers and communicate with them in fresh ways. It has opened up a new era for the hotel and for the Isles of Scilly.’
