| Opening a bed and breakfast is a challenging task | | | | You'll need to set your prices to stay competitive |
| and not for everyone. If you've always dreamed | | | | and you may find a way to get an edge by |
| of having your own B&B, make sure you | | | | offering services they don't. |
| know what's involved so your dream doesn't turn | | | | 7. Be realistic about your marketing costs when |
| to a nightmare. Follow these steps: | | | | creating your marketing plan. They can be |
| 1. Assess whether or not you have the | | | | expensive. Find ways to get free press - press |
| personality to be a good B&B host. You need | | | | releases, articles in travel magazines, editorial |
| to be outgoing and friendly at all times. You need | | | | coverage of your special events, etc. |
| to be on call 24/7. Talk to some bed and | | | | 8. Put up a website and get your B&B listed |
| breakfast owners. Ask about their day-to-day | | | | in all the guides and directories. Keep an eye on |
| activities. Is this the kind of life you're prepared to | | | | the competition's advertising. What's working for |
| lead? | | | | them could work for you. |
| 2. Find a location that is not only a place you'd like | | | | 9. Hire staff as needed. At first you'll need a |
| to live and work, but is also a place visitors would | | | | housekeeper for sure. As your bed and breakfast |
| come to. This might be in or near a popular | | | | grows more popular, you may need to add a |
| tourist spot, or it might be an out-of-the-way | | | | cook, a bartender, a waiter and a gardener. |
| corner where passers-through can stop for rest | | | | 10. It's a good idea to hire a reservation service, |
| and good food. Make sure there is something | | | | like B&B Midwest Reservations. This will not |
| distinctive and alluring about the surroundings. | | | | only reduce your workload, but it will eliminate the |
| 3. Check the zoning laws in the area. Be aware | | | | need to get and pay for a credit card merchant |
| that not all cities allow bed and breakfasts. You | | | | account and it will expose your B&B to a |
| must also check if there are any food service | | | | wider audience of potential future guests than |
| restrictions. If you're remodeling or restoring an | | | | you could do on your own. It's somewhat costly, |
| older building, make sure you comply with all local | | | | so use your judgment and don't forget to take |
| building codes. Your contractor should be handling | | | | these fees into consideration when setting your |
| this for you, but it's your responsibility, so check | | | | prices. |
| on him. | | | | 11. Set up the rules of your bed and breakfast. |
| 4. Create a business plan. You need to know as | | | | Things to consider include hours of check-in and |
| closely as possible, what your costs will be in | | | | checkout, whether or not pets will be welcomed, |
| order to set your prices. Talk to other bed and | | | | cancellation and late arrival policies, whether |
| breakfast owners, who may be willing to share | | | | children and smoking will be allowed. |
| their numbers with you. You can also contact the | | | | 12. Plan the details that will keep your guests |
| American Bed and Breakfast Association (ABBA, | | | | returning - a good wine list, excellent food, |
| or a similar organization in your country) for any | | | | spotless rooms, tours of local attractions and |
| guidelines they may have. | | | | those special personal touches. |
| 5. Determine the number of guests you'll have at | | | | 13. Join ABBA and other useful organizations like |
| any one time. If you have more than five guest | | | | your local chamber of commerce. This will |
| rooms in the U.S., you'll have to comply with the | | | | increase awareness of your business in the |
| Americans with Disabilities Act. This may entail | | | | community. |
| installing wheelchair ramps and other handicap | | | | Follow these steps carefully and turn your bed |
| conveniences and providing handicap parking. | | | | and breakfast dream into a reality. |
| 6. Check the competition in your chosen area. | | | | |