Case Study
Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel

Hotel websites are not a set it and forget it project. Web standards and guest expectations evolve. Having worked with Leonardo since 2018, Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel knew that Leonardo would be there to help them when they needed a full digital refresh. For this website project they needed:

• A modern design that could fully showcase their unique rooms and suites
• A full SEO refresh and audit
• A system that didn’t require outside help—or added costs—for simple updates

“We don’t have an in-house IT person,” explains Tracy VanLaar. “We wanted a hands-off website that kept shoppers engaged and staying on the site, but that was also easy to launch without a lot of back and forth—and that we could make quick, seasonal updates without having to pay every time we wanted to post a special.”

Our Live CMS website solution combines professional, conversion-driven design on a custom platform built specifically for hoteliers, all backed by truly responsive support and service every step of the way.

Columbia Cliff Villas made the move to Live CMS earlier this year. The switch gave them a more flexible content management system that’s intuitive, fast, and tailored to the needs of independent hotels.

“The transition was one of the most seamless technical experiences I’ve ever been part of,” Tracy says. “When we said go, it just went—and it worked. It was easy, the communication was clear, and the team was patient throughout.”

From early design discussions to the final launch, the Leonardo team worked closely with Columbia Cliff Villas to get the details right. Leonardo took into account their design preferences, room type configurations, as well as local information and necessary landing pages.

“Our account manager, Luisa, is so easy to work with. The team is supportive and never made us feel like we were out of our depth. They were focused on what works best for us, not just their own ideas. It felt truly collaborative.”

Today, the hotel’s website is more dynamic and an essential part of their business strategy. With a revamped SEO foundation and a design that keeps guests engaged, Columbia Cliff Villas can compete with OTAs and maintain control of their direct booking experience.

“The bounce rate is great. People stay on the site because it looks beautiful and works well,” says Tracy. “The team takes care of regular, larger updates and when I need to launch a special—say, to target some upcoming sunny weekends—I can get it live quickly. Every interaction has been professional and responsive. That’s essential for a hotel. Things move fast, and you need a partner who can keep up.”

As a hotel in a high-demand destination, the team at Columbia Cliff Villas Hotel need a solution that takes the burden of website management off their shoulders. They can deploy quick changes as needed, but the overall maintenance and upkeep of the site is handled by their dedicated Account Manager, as well as an experienced team of copywriters and SEO specialists.

Working with Leonardo means more than just a website build—it’s a responsive partner who understands hospitality. Leonardo has provided the tools—and the team—to help Columbia Cliff Villas stay focused on what matters most: delivering a great guest experience.