Synopses & Reviews
Experience the joyand profitsthat come from managing your own bed and breakfast!
Whether you already know the magic that comes with owning a B&B or you are at the planning stage, the fourth edition of Open Your Own Bed & Breakfastnow updated with everything you need to know about online marketingguides you through this special world. Barbara Notarius, one of Americas most widely recognized and respected B&B experts, shows you how to make your dream a reality. Some of the essential information provided in this book includes:
- Your responsibilitiesand those of your guests
- Financial considerations
- Advertising, the Internet, and working with a reservation service
- Evaluating your homes assets and liabilities
- Conforming to the ADA
- Legal, tax, and insurance issues, including recent changes in the tax code
- Interviews with successful hosts
- Lists of B&B associations, guidebooks, and B&B reservation services
This new edition is an informative update of every aspect you need to know in order to run your B&B smoothly and successfully. Combining a meticulous business approach with a sincere appreciation for the pleasure that comes with running a B&B, Open Your Own Bed & Breakfast is an invaluable resource.
Synopsis
Have you ever dreamed of running your own bed and breakfast?
Barbara Notarius, one of America's most widely recognized B&B experts, provides all the information you need to turn your dream into a reality in this thorough and practical guide. Whether you already run a B&B or are in the planning stage, you'll find this handy guide an invaluable resource on:
- Your responsibilities—and those of your guests
- Purchasing an existing inn vs. converting your home
- Evaluating your home's assets and liabilities
- What to charge your guests
- Seminars and internships
- Conforming to the ADA
- Increasing profitability
- Advertising and promotion
- Employee management
- New AAA guidelines
- Legal, tax, and insurance issues, including recent changes in the tax code
- Preventing B&B burnout
Plus, this Third Edition includes a section on new marketing strategies for your B&B, and a new appendix of industry suppliers. Informative interviews with successful hosts, hospitality checklists, and a directory of reservation services, state associations, seminars, and apprenticeships make this the most complete guidebook available.
About the Author
BARBARA NOTARIUS is a lecturer and consultant on operating a B&B. She is founder and publicity director of Bed and Breakfast Reservations Worldwide, the only nonprofit trade association in the B&B industry. In addition, she runs her own B&B, the Alexander Hamilton House, in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
GAIL SFORZA BREWER is a professional writer and lecturer.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments.
Introduction: America Is Waking Up to Bed and Breakfast.
Bed and Breakfast Defined: Basic Principles.
Is Bed and Breakfast for You?
Evaluating Your Home's Assets and Liabilities.
Financial Considerations.
Starting Up.
Public Relations and Advertising.
The Internet.
Working with a Reservation Service.
Operating Smoothly: For Hosts Who Market Themselves.
Increasing Profitability.
Specialty Bed and Breakfasts.
Construction.
Best Breakfasts.
Interviews with Successful Hosts.
Appendix A: Bed and Breakfast Reservation Services.
Appendix B: Publications.
Appendix C: State Bed and Breakfast Associations.
Appendix D: Sources.
Appendix E: Online Directories.
Appendix F: Reservation Software.
Index.