Owning and managing a successful bed and breakfast business is every B&B owners dream.
Many people successfully do this every day, sadly however, a large percentage of business owners in this industry suffer from 'burn out' after a few years.
There is a wealth of information, both free and paid, available to owners, which can help you achieve your goals.
It may be that you already own a B and B or that you are interested in buying one.
The following offers a few tips and questions to get you thinking about having the most successful B&B you can.
Do you already Own & Manage a Bed and Breakfast Business? If you have an established B&B already and, like all business owners, want to ensure you are doing everything possible to run a successful establishment, then check out the following helpful tips.
Think how you can capitalise on these factors: Location - Can you associate any local attractions and landmarks with your bnb? Lots of travellers are attracted to towns and regions based on tourist attractions and activities.
-Are you marketing your bed and breakfast based on its location? If you are rural based you could be targeting people who are looking for weekend getaways offering peace and tranquillity.
If in town you may want to appeal to the business / corporate travelers who require accommodation convenient to where their meeting will be taking place.
Decor / Atmosphere -What are the aesthetics of your bed and breakfast like? Do your room rates reflect this? Could an upgrade in terms of renovating and/or decorating allow you to add value to your guest rooms / house, and as a result charge a little more? Bookings / Enquiries -Do you ask potential guests sufficient questions during the booking process that allows you to cater to their needs and leave a fantastic first impression? Things like enquiring about their nutritional needs so that you can prepare particular meals and such like are all questions that show you care about them as your guest.
If you have a website booking system think about extra thoughtful points like this, to include as part of the guest reservations form.
Are you Looking to Buy a Bed and Breakfast Business? It may be that you are in the market for buying a B&B, in this case take a read of the following tips and questions to help you during your search.
-When looking for a currently operated B&B for sale, make sure you pay particular attention to the furnishings, decor and vibe that the bed and breakfast hosts have created and ask yourself this question : "Does it fit the atmosphere I wish to create for my guests?" - Check to see if the business has future bookings, read their visitors book for positive experiences, ask if they have guests who regularly stay when in the area.
-How many rooms would you like to offer and does the size of the Inn/s you are looking at support the income you wish to make from the business? Aim to create an unforgettable experience for your guests and remember that all those small yet significant things will keep guests coming back time and time again.
Plus you never know who they will refer your wonderful hospitality to - you can't beat positive endorsements from people who have stayed at your establishment and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.