Thanksgiving at the Inn

Thanksgiving is perhaps the best Holiday at a Country Inn.  It is the one time that the Innkeepers get to really share their Holiday time with the guests and neighbors and to show their thanks for both a bountiful season and the joys of Innkeeping.  I know that we looked forward to this Holiday every [...]

Read Full Post »

Operating a Bed & Breakfast – Complacency Spells Trouble!

The most recent news from the Hospitality Industry is not good for Innkeepers.  Hotel REIT giant, LaSalle Properties announced it was cutting 20% from its hotel staffing (mostly run by large hotel management companies) and has rescinded its 2008 guidance to the stock market.  LaSalle reported that its Revpar (revenue per available room) decreased by [...]

Read Full Post »

Buying a Bed and Breakfast? SBA Loans in Trouble

The SBA Loan Programs in 2008 have shriveled up, and that has caused both buyers and sellers of Inns real problems in making deals happen. The SBA has this week taken steps to make loans available again. Now we have to wait and see if these very important changes will solve this problem. Without this [...]

Read Full Post »

Tip Envelopes at Bed & Breakfasts

We realize that many people reading this article may not have their own Bed & Breakfast at this time. However, it is never too early to start collecting information for what you do and DON’T want to have when you do purchase a property. There are many things to consider, but the following is one [...]

Read Full Post »

Running a Bed & Breakfast: Discounting Room Rates Does Not Work!

In troubled times like today, Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers have an overwhelming feeling that the best way through this downturn (say recession!) is to put their room rates on sale. Isn’t that just what the retailers do at Christmas time to survive a bad season? The answer is that discounting in the travel business not [...]

Read Full Post »