Running a Bed and Breakfast for Dummies

By Mary White

Book Overview

Learn to: Choose a location and make it your own Create a profitable business plan Decorate and renovate your property Market your property for maximum occupancy

All the tools you need to start and run a profitable B&B

Do you dream of owning a B&B? This friendly, practical guide shows you how to make your dream a reality, with expert advice on everything from writing a business plan and finding the right location to handling situations you will encounter as an innkeeper. You'll make your guests feel at home, keep your inn in tip-top shape, and ensure your long-term success Understand B&B basics -- get an overview of the business and see if you have the skills (and the desire ) to succeed Find a place to call home -- choose the location, style, and size of your ideal B&B Transition from visitor to owner -- create your business plan, secure financing, make an offer, and protect your investment Get ready for your guests -- organize your recordkeeping, set room rates and policies, furnish your inn, and market your services Set the breakfast scene -- decide the style of breakfast to offer, accommodate guests' needs and restrictions, create signature dishes, and serve refreshments and snacks Handle day-to-day operations -- take reservations, make your guests feel welcome, hire employees, and maintain your inn Take your business to the next level -- assess your success, expand your market, increase profit, and prevent burnout

Open the book and find: How to transition an existing B&B or start from scratch The biggest problems new B&Bs encounter -- and how to avoid them The best ways to furnish your inn Tips for saving time cleaning and preparing breakfast What you must know to design and update your Web site Tried-and-tested sample menus and recipes Ways to guarantee a return guest How to get extra help when you need it

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0470426829
• ISBN13: 9780470426821
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 346 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies

What a great resource for the Bed & Breakfast industry! I have been an Innkeeper for 14 years and have had the position of Administrator for the past 9 years for our State Association. All the information in Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies is right on target for aspiring Innkeepers as well as seasoned Innkeepers. Mary has spelled everything out in plain language that everyone can understand. I will definatly recommend Mary's book to people inquiring about starting a Bed & Breakfast. Sandy Timmermann/Timmermann House Bed & Breakfast Illinois Bed & Breakfast Association/Administrator www.timmermannhouse.com www.illinoisbnb.com

I am so happy that I don't have to write this book!

I have been an Innkeeper and now an Inn Consultant for 15 years. One of the things on my to do list was to put together all of my thoughts and blog articles into a book on Innkeeping which updated all of the prior ones that are no longer available. Now I am just thrilled that Mary White has written the definitive work on Innkeeping, and, of course, now I don't have to do it. We tell our prospective innkeepers in our Seminars on Innkeeping a lot of the information that Mary has compiled, but here it is all in one place and easily accessible to everyone. Nothing left out and a clear understanding that Innkeeping is a 24/7 job with a lot of sacrifices. It is not retirement, and it is not Bob Newhart in a cardigan sweater. Mary lays it all out for the reader, clearly and with all of the downsides, as well as the joys of sharing your lives as innkeepers with some of the greatest guests that you could every hope to meet. We always said that they came as guests and left the Inn as friends. Mary has shown us all the way to do this effortlessly and with good humor. This book will be a must read for innkeepers and prospective innkeepers alike. Great job, Mary!

Well researched and easy to understand- a must read.

There are many books for aspiring innkeepers but this is one of the few, that pulls from many resources within the innkeeping industry, to offer a comprehensive view of what it takes to start and maintain a Bed & Breakfast business. It's also appropriate for the innkeeper who has been in business for awhile to jump start enthusiasm with new ideas and tips.

Great book for Aspiring Innkeepers

This is a FABULOUS resource for aspiring innkeepers. Although, I am not an innkeeper, I do work in the industry and have a good relationship with thousands of innkeepers. I have looked at many how-to books and this is one of the best! It really covers all that "you need to know"... from finding a property, funding, running the inn and so much more. It is also a terrific book for experienced innkeepers who want a refresher course on innkeeping. Mary does not hold back when enlightening an aspiring innkeeper in what is ahead on purchasing and running an inn.