has anyone run a bed and breakfast?

**forestdale** · 03-01-2004, 12:43 AM

I've been seriously thinking about using our house as a B & B when my son moves out.; DH thinks it's a great idea Has anyone else done this or know anything about it? We live in a tourist area about five minutes from Steve Irwin's (Crocodile Hunter) Zoo and 10 minutes from beautiful beaches and mountains. We have a big bedroom with a two person spa ensuite and a private entrance. I think it would be viable, I'm just not sure I would like people in my house.

Any thoughts?

**Darlene** · 03-01-2004, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by forestdale
I'm just not sure I would like people in my house.
Any thoughts?

That means you'd have to be nice to them Bethany.

On one hand you'd get to meet people from all over the world & spend more time with them than you do at the store. Also get to share with them all the beauty of your home and sites to see.

On the other there would be strangers in your house. I couldn't do it, I don't like being nice all the time.

**Mom23boys** · 03-01-2004, 12:38 PM

Hmm, I don't think I would like people walking all around in my house, but then again they would be paying me to walk around in it....

I have always wanted to stay at a bed & breakfast, so when you finish yours.....maybe I can come visit.

**forestdale** · 03-01-2004, 02:06 PM

Darlene, that's the bit I have the most doubts about. If anyone is rude to me I generally just serve it right back to them. We have a few rude people come in the store, however, the vast majority are nice, or are giving the impression of being nice.

Michelle, you'd be welcome anytime.

I'd have to get locks on the internal doors so that potential guests couldn't just walk around the house if they felt like it. I'd welcome them in the kitchen for breakfast and we'd have a TV, DVD and stereo in the bedroom for their entertainment.

I think most people would come for the attractions around here and therefore wouldn't spend a lot of time in the house. Of course they'd be here at night but I've stayed at a few B & Bs and the hosts weren't part of the entertainment. DH and I went out at night or just watched telly.

What I would like to do is to sell the shop and to make the most of our home by making money from it, if we could. This is the only thing I've thought of doing so far.

**guest2** · 03-01-2004, 03:54 PM

I would think that you would really have to enjoy having complete strangers inyour home to do this. My Aunty Barbara runs a B&B booking agency in Hawaii and she has extremely high standards on who she will represent. She also is very careful about the way she markets each property, be it total seclusion, romantic getaway, cozy farm house, etc.. The hosts must be abvoe reproach at all times, even to guests who are not very pleasant. Most guests are very nice people, but you do run into a few....

**forestdale** · 03-01-2004, 06:26 PM

Hi Deb, you're right, marketing is the key thing. I've already asked and I can link to the crocodile hunter website and I thought I'd register with a B & B site and go from there. I think my main guests would be international visitors wanting to visit the croc hunter zoo - and we would be the closest B & B to that, or couples wanting a weekend away from our state capital, which is about an hour's drive from here.

I know I'd be polite and accommodating, as would DH. We have a lot of practise being pleasant to people at our store. It would take some getting used to having people in my home though. On the other hand, offering hospitality and friendship to our international visitors appeals to me.

I'm getting more interested in this the more I discuss it with you ladies.

**guest2** · 03-01-2004, 08:39 PM

Bethany,
Remember that you can control things such a quiet hours and which days you are open.

You can also block out certain dates to give you a break from being a hostess all the time. Can you tell I was raised in the hospitality business????

**voodidit** · 03-02-2004, 01:56 AM

Okay, now I have a place to stay when I get to make one of my dream trips, Bethany's Bed and Breakfast!

**CatherineID** · 03-02-2004, 02:58 PM

I like staying in B&B's but I'd never run one. My personal rule is to never have a career where I have to work nights and weekends.

If you like to travel, though, you could think about joining one of those house exchange programs. Someone comes and stays in your house while you're away and you get to stay in theirs. Cool deal!

**Mom23boys** · 03-02-2004, 04:39 PM

Thank you Bethany. I would love to visit Australia and see all the sites! I bet it is beautiful there!

**Katybird** · 03-03-2004, 01:45 PM

I think it would be a great experience. You already have the experience of running the shop so you have the background of having your own business and you would make the rules as to what would be expected from your guest. You could always give it a shot and if you find that you hate it, you will still have your home and you can just go back to being private home.