Get started with your Free Copy of “Customer Service for Independent Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts” Studies
Have you ever thought of opening your own Bed & Breakfast?
Do you know what is required to operate a Bed & Breakfast?
It’s the beginning of a new year and we wanted to start the year by being a little more specific with our podcasts.
So we are going to start by talking specifically about bed and breakfasts.
So you’re thinking; I live in a nice house, a lovely location and I am interested in making a little extra money.
I should open the Bed & Breakfast.
Before you start you should ask yourself a few questions.
Is my home really in a suitable location?
What makes my home unique or captivating?
Is my family ready to have strangers stay in their house?
To do is you have to do objectively look at it from the travellers or tourist’s perspective. Ask friends and family for the opinions.
Do I have the money needed?
Will there be renovations required in your home to make sure the operation works well for you, your family and your guests?
Are the rooms going to be theme designed or with a certain furniture style?
You might need new or more furnishings?
Do I have the time and skills needed?
A good idea to talk with other bed and breakfast owners or experts in the hospitality industry to get a feel of what is undertaking might entail.
Do I like being with people?
Are you a good host, enjoy conversing and have strong listening skills?
Do I take pleasure in keeping a tasteful and clean home?
You know what it’s like when you go into to somebody else’s home and you see dirt the corners or clothes piled up. It’s not very appealing and a good way to lose return clientele.
Am I organized?
And what I mean by this are you able to:
• keep up reservations
• design and keep schedules
• managing, accounting and bookkeeping
• understand and do marketing
• research the demand and competition
Do I have realistic expectations?
You have to know, this is not get-rich-quick operations and the hours can be long.
These are the first basic questions you should ask and answer before moving forward.
Please do not look at these questions as a deterrent but instead a way to set reasonable expectations into what can be really fun and rewarding career.
Okay this is our first look at a B&B's.
Over the next few weeks will go into a little more detail of the operating of a bed-and-breakfast.
If you have any interesting stories about the operating of a bed-and-breakfast and would like to share or have any questions or feedback you can leave them in the comments section of the show notes.
A pdf of each episode as well as today, a pdf of the checklist can be found in the show notes:
Let’s continue to work together to put heads in your beds.
Until next time, have a fun day.
Keystone HDC
keystonehospitalitydevelopment.com
Get started with your Free Copy of “Customer Service for Independent Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts” Studies
