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    How to Open a Bed & Breakfast
    How to Open a Bed & Breakfast
    How to Open a Bed & Breakfast
    Ebook113 pages1 hour

    How to Open a Bed & Breakfast

    By Gerry MacPherson

    ()

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    About this ebook

    It is obvious to me, you are serious about taking the correct steps to successfully opening a bed and breakfast.

     

    Before you open your doors and start welcoming guests, you should have all your ducks in a row. This book will give you the proven professional advice you will need before you open your bed & breakfast.

     

    This book includes:

    • Starting a Bed & Breakfast
    • 33 Benefits of Owning a Bed and Breakfast
    • The Complete Authoritative Bed and Breakfast Business Plan
    • Buying a Bed and Breakfast Checklist
    • 14 Guidelines to Design a Bed and Breakfast Effectively
    • Buying Furniture for Your Bed & Breakfast 
    • Best Bed and Breakfast Breakfast Ideas
    • 12 Steps to Get Guests To Your Bed and Breakfast
    • 16 Customer Service Techniques For Your Bed and Breakfast
    • What Do Hospitality Property Evaluators Look For
    • The techniques you learn WILL save you many future problems, time, and money.
    • This knowledge will help you start your new business on the right foot.
    • It is obvious to me, you are serious about taking the correct steps to successfully opening a bed and breakfast.
    • Before you open your doors and start welcoming guests, you should have all your ducks in a row. These tutorials will give you the proven professional advice you will need before you open your bed & breakfast.
    • This book includes:
    • Starting a Bed & Breakfast
    • 33 Benefits of Owning a Bed and Breakfast
    • The Complete Authoritative Bed and Breakfast Business Plan
    • Buying a Bed and Breakfast Checklist
    • 14 Guidelines to Design a Bed and Breakfast Effectively
    • Buying Furniture for Your Bed & Breakfast 
    • Best Bed and Breakfast Breakfast Ideas
    • 12 Steps to Get Guests To Your Bed and Breakfast
    • 16 Customer Service Techniques For Your Bed and Breakfast
    • What Do Hospitality Property Evaluators Look For

    The techniques you learn WILL save you many future difficulties, time, and money.

    This knowledge will help you start your new business on the right foot.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKeystone HPD
    Release dateJul 3, 2019
    ISBN9781393763352
    How to Open a Bed & Breakfast
    Author

    Gerry MacPherson

    Gerry MacPherson is a travel authority with decades of hotel, resort, inn and bed & breakfasts visitation experience. He has spent 1000's of nights in properties of all sizes and classes worldwide, conducting countless site inspections for a number of world-class tour and travel companies, as well as received feedback from 100,000's of customers. This knowledge has given him a unique insight into the wants, needs and requirements of individual and group travellers, as well as management and employees.

    Read more from Gerry Mac Pherson

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      Book preview

      How to Open a Bed & Breakfast - Gerry MacPherson

      Legal Disclaimer

      The information presented here is based on years of experience and does contain some of our own personal feelings and practices. The contents are not the only way to operate a hospitality property but we would highly recommend looking at this information as guidelines and food for thought.

      We understand you are serious about the operation of your property, this has been proven by your purchase of this book and asks that you honour our efforts by abiding by our copyright guidelines.

      Copyright

      This book and any content contained within it is not to be resold or given away for free. Copyright and illegal distribution of this book will be prosecuted. This content is solely intended for Keystone HPD members who have purchased this book. (Our lawyer said we had to put this in, hope you enjoy.) 

      http://www.keystonehpd.com

      ––––––––

      Copyright © Keystone Hospitality Property Development

      All rights reserved

      Starting a Bed and Breakfast

      A picture containing text, outdoor, sign Description automatically generated

      What does it take to start a bed and breakfast and do you have the necessary traits to be successful?

      In this book, I’ll look at what you need to succeed..

      Most people associate a bed and breakfast with a gentle host or hostess serving guests coffee while they chat about the nearby nature trails.

      That’s a wonderful image but, running a bed & breakfast is often hard work, but it can also be rewarding. Owners have to do many things around the property to keep it running smoothly. These range from simple tasks like cleaning rooms and welcoming guests, to more intensive jobs like fitting out one of the rooms with furnishings or preparing a special meal.

      Do you have to be an entrepreneur to be a successful bed and breakfast owner?

      What is an Entrepreneur?

      Entrepreneurs are so much more than business owners, they're the ones who spot a gap in society and come up with ingenious ways of making it right.

      Plenty of people think an entrepreneur is just someone who really likes starting a business, but in reality, it’s about having an idea that could change the world around you. Entrepreneurs are persistent in their pursuits to fill the needs they see around them. They want to make things better than they are.

      Personality traits of a bed and breakfast owner

      Bed and breakfast owners are considered an extension of the establishment because they are typically the ones with customer contact. Providing a commitment to customer service, as should any business owner, is especially important in this industry.

      Starting a bed and breakfast means a lifestyle commitment.

      Effective B & B owners who are in the business for the long haul take great pride in introducing guests to the beauty and awesomeness of their region, and to be successful to require these personality traits:

      Strong communication skills

      An outgoing nature

      A multitasker

      Creativity

      What does a day of a bed and breakfast owner look like?

      As a bed and breakfast owner, you’ll wear many hats, and no two days will look alike. This is why it can be a great choice for individuals who love variety in their day-to-day lives.

      Here’s a typical day at a BnB:

      Say goodbye to departing guests

      Check that rooms are cleaned and prepared

      Meet and greet new guests

      Develop the staff schedule

      Plan a new menu

      Answer customer questions

      Handle customer complaints

      Update of social media platforms

      Manage the budget

      Coordinate maintenance services with contractors

      Order supplies

      Do payroll

      Manage employee benefits

      Bed & breakfast owners are really busy, and not all have staff to rely on.

      Some owners will find themselves doing a lot of the work including, laundry, cleaning, handling phone calls and booking rooms as well as cooking.

      Can starting a bed and breakfast be profitable?

      One can make a living off running a bed and breakfast, but when starting out, there are some things to take into consideration.

      The more rooms available and nights booked, the more income you’ll be able to make. However, not every night will have every room booked, so try to think in terms of having enough business for the whole year.

      You have to keep in mind in certain regions, location affects the amount of tourist traffic, making them seasonal. Weather and convenience to other attractions all play a role.

      Financial factors for B&B owners

      The financial aspects of starting a bed and breakfast can be immense. Aspiring bed and breakfast owners should plan their startup and operating budgets carefully.

      The budget for initial supplies, furniture, and renovations, in addition to the monthly running costs in terms of utilities, food items and staff wages can present a significant obstacle for those who are on a tight budget.

      Every successful bed and breakfast needs a generous rainy day fund in case the furnace needs to be replaced, the roof leaks or the season is slower than expected.

      How to Attract Guests to your property

      Marketing your new bed and breakfast can be a daunting task. There are many ways to market your business and attract guests from around the globe. They include:

      Start by creating a website for your business and make sure it is mobile-friendly, has good-quality images, and has a professional layout.

      Include information about your property's amenities, rates, availability, location, directions, check-in/check-out times, etc.

      Create an online presence on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter

      Use Google Adwords to reach out to potential guests in other countries

      Create an SEO strategy with keywords that will attract people looking for accommodation in your area

      What an innkeeper wants you to know about bed and breakfasts

      This list was a rebuttal to an opinion piece written by a guest swearing of BnB’s due to a bad experience. It was written by the owner of the Historic Silver Thatch Inn, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

      If communal meals aren't your thing

      Please, do your homework to ensure separate seating at breakfast (and dinner, if applicable) is available. Most B&Bs have quiet nooks throughout the first floor, in the parlour or on the front porch, where meals can be taken semi-privately. Goodness knows the other guests would probably appreciate it too.

      Our rooms vary in size and bed type

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