Customer Reviews

How to Start & Run Your Own Bed & Breakfast (How-To Guides)

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I just read a library copy of this book, and now I'm buying my own copy for future reference. It was filled with essential information about innkeeping, and not just for those who want to start a two to three bedroom B&B in their house. Most of the information was applicable to small inns and hotels, as well. It is definitely the best book I've read on the subject so far (out of about six books).

While this book seems fairly complete as a guide, it certainly is for total novices, not only to B&Bs but to those running their own business as well. Much of its information is common business sense in its foundation and offers little that one would not realize on one's own-unless they had never run any sort of business in the past. Even an individual who has operated a business for someone else, especially if that business were in the service industry, would know much of the basics found here. Most obviously lacking is any discussion of the value or how-to of Internet marketing, research, promotions, reservations or purchasing. Secondary to that is a lack is discussion on yield management, rate versus occupancy managment and adapting one's room rates to current occupancy and market room-availability and other market forces. The author also provides no discussion of purchasing principles or the advantages of economies of scale that can be gained with co-oped or group purchasing ventures.

Tells the nitty gritty of running the business aspect of a B&B without going into the details of how someone should decorate. With running one so hard it was nice to see the bery clear and well laid plans to help keep an inn running smoothly from taking care of guests to taking care of yourself at the same time. I would recommend this book before someone lays out any money and gets themselves neck deep in trouble from inexperiance.

I am loving this book. B&B is a dream of mine and this book is a great introduction to someone who has never owned a business. It doesn't go into great details however it is simple and gives great information on what to look for, how to start, how to deal with issues and most certainly where to get more information. It touches on many different subjects and gives an aspiring innkeeper a better idea of what it takes to run a B&B. They have great information about marketing, web sites, zoning and more. As I said though, it just touches on the basics. This is a great introduction book to read if you're interested in the subject.