Running a bed and breakfast
Travelers in European countries long have enjoyed lodging in comfortable and economical places for a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast the next morning.
Today many Americans take in paying guests and provide all the comforts of home in an overnight stay at their Bed and Breakfast.
Class acts : service and inequality in luxury hotels
Rachel Sherman.
Berkeley : University of California Press, c2007.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 325-339) and index.
Opportunities in hotel and motel careers
Shepard Henkin.
New York : McGraw-Hill, c2006.
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-194).
- An overview of the field -- Education and training -- The job search -- The front of the house: guest services -- The front of the house: business department and management -- The back of the house: food service, housekeeping, and maintenance -- Appendix A: Educational programs in hotel and hospitality management -- Appendix B: Professional associations.
The growth strategies of hotel chains : best business practices by leading companies
Onofre Martorell Cunill.
New York : Haworth Hospitality Press, c2006.
This first-of-its-kind textbook presents a balanced overview of hotel chains' growth strategies. With real-world examples in every chapter, it explains how and why the largest worldwide hotel chains have gained their present international status and shows how to forecast future developments. Charts, tables, and figures make complex information easy to access and understand. Book jacket.
As you plan for the start-up of your bed and breakfast, there are some decisions you will need to consider in order for the experience to be profitable for you and enjoyable for your guests.
Do you have the skills to be a perfect host? Perfect hosts like meeting new people and are open minded. They are well organized and have good communication skills. Opening a B&B can help supplement your income. Bringing in guests can help with mortgage payments.
Visit bed and breakfasts in your area and check out the competition. Find out what type of services they offer and learn the rates. People who stay at bed and breakfasts are looking for quality lodging and service as well as the uniqueness of each host.
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House Rules to consider
Establish house rules before receiving your guests.
Is smoking permitted?
Do you accept children?
Can guests bring pets?
Can guests use your phone?
What other rooms are open? |
Breakfast can be served while guests sit in your kitchen and watch you prepare the meal or you can set up a buffet in your dining room. For that romantic touch you could deliver breakfast baskets to guests room and let them have breakfast in bed.
A special treat for your guests can end the perfect day. Set a candy dish or a plate with homebaked cookies at their bedside.
People operating a bed and breakfast should enjoy their guests. Lasting friendships can form as these guests become frequent visitors and serve as a major source of word-of-mouth advertisement.
Article by: St. Louis Public Library staff.
