Reviews (2)

The B&B Trade
The authors of S&R a Profitable Bed and Breakfast know the in's and out's of the B&B business. As they say in the introduction, "we were blissfully unaware of the many pitfalls and problems we would face." In this book, the authors cover the good and bad in the B&B trade, creating a thorough understanding for those interested in running their own B&B. Topics include: finances, business licenses and inspections, customer service, advertising and promotion, and much more. The "sweet" recipes at the beginning of each chapter, are an added bonus. Also included are worksheets to help you plan your B&B. If you want to open your own B&B and do it right, I recommend you pick up a copy of this book first.

Reviews (5)

On my shelf for 10 years
I read this wonderful book 10 years ago while planning to become an innkeeper. Now that I am a successful innkeeper, I refer to it constantly and am incredibly grateful to the authors. I credit the information learned in this book as a reason for our success. It helped us ask the right questions, particularly about whether or not we had the personalities to make it in this diffficult business. Also, it was invaluable in creating our business plan. Don't open a B & B before reading this.

Submitted by the author of: "I'm Living Your Dream Life: The Story of a Northwoods Resort Owner."

So - You want to be an innkeeper?
You betcha!!! My middle name is Innes (no joke!!!!!) but it might as well be "inns"(!!!!!), that's how much I wanted to be an innkeeper, and Mary Davies' book is "inn" (!!!!!!) the right place "inn" (!!!) my bookshelf. No, but seriously, with my sense of humour and my wife Marjorie's overly solicitous manner and ability to project her prurient judgmentalism and dissaproval wordlessly, we had a headstart in that we were the perfect couple to run a Bed-and-Breakfast. Even the best need a hand though, and this book is a must-read for those who don't want to make a dog's dinner of this rewarding career.

Reviews (1)

Reviews (4)

Well-Written, Easy Read
This book is a good introduction to the Bed & Breakfast business; I'm glad I read it first.It contains useful information and the tone is pleasant and light.But it is just a little dated (almost 10 years old), and you need to read several more books to get all the information you need (such as The Complete Idiot's Guide. . .)

Folksy, Practical . . . Very Sweet
The tone of this book is as lovely as I'm sure the author/innkeeper is. She's experienced at her business and her craft of teaching the art of owning a Bed and Breakfast.

This is one of many books you should purchase/read if you are interested in this field. Look for others (So, You Want to Be An Innkeeper, for example) for more hard-core business advice.

Reviews (4)

Excellent advice before you start
If you are interested in running a B&B or are investigating the possibilities of converting your home into one (or buying a property, etc.), I would recommend this book-its value is in its witty, human, and occasionally quite cynical look at the trials and tribulations of having guests in your home.They are the object of your business, they pay your bills, they are your customers, and they can be vermin!

Barbara Notarius begins her description of 'our Dream House' with, "when my ex-husband and I bought our house". Does running a B&B propel you towards the divorce courts?The answer is ... possibly.Running a B&B is very demanding psychologically, emotionally, and physically.It can also impart a major financial strain as you try to ready your home to pass inspection by fire officers, environmental health officers, tourist board representatives, the bank manager, etc., etc.

Notarius & Brewer explore how to start a B&B business.The point they get across is that you must start by seeing it as a business.It's not just a way to earn some pin money-you are handing over your house to strangers who will be unforgiving about the quality of service you provide.This is a business, you are providing a service, and your own home is part of the product you are selling!It's a business, first and foremost.

Notarius & Brewer provide a well-paced, highly readable, very human but very professional introduction to the challenge of opening a B&B. They provide much practical information which applies equally inside and outside the USA- checklists, how-to advice, ideas, marketing advice, and a perspective on the human interaction which will take place within the walls of your business.

They are, indeed, particularly good on customer relations and marketing.Relate your product to the area in which you live!Who comes here?What are they looking for?Tie your business into the needs of walkers, or surfers, or climbers, or sales reps, or whatever.Your customers are your business-you want them to come back, you want them to recommend you to their friends ... and you'd love to be in a position to choose which ones you allow back through your front door.

Excellent advice, but you will need to supplement it with specific local information from your Tourist Board, Council, etc.If you're wanting to start in the B&B business, read as widely on the subject as you can (do a search on Amazon), absorb the business aspect as thoroughly as you can, but do look at Notarius & Brewer for their human understanding.

A good starter-kit for those who are interested
Ignore the crabby reviews of this book. I really doubt such people ought to go into a public-contact home-based business!

My copy arrived from a thrift store, the original (1987) edition; I bought it mostly out of curiosity. I consult for entrepreneurs, & Barbara Notarius has come up with a book that manages to be brief yet thorough. As it was written almost 20 years ago, I am pleasantly surprised how useful it could be in answering the questions of someone who hasn't made the leap but is giving it serious thought.

Sure, it's not a turnkey guide!! You still have to enjoy people, especially strangers; you still have to have some grain of business sense (or be ready to hire someone who does); you still have to have a nice residence with some reason for guests to come looking for you; you still ought to retain an attorney to go over all the local licensing, inspection, & tax considerations.

This book is something you can read in a few evenings. It walks you through serious considerations, everything from your emotional temperament & your cleaning habits, to how well you know your own community & what you should make for breakfast -- I'll probably never have a B&B or inn, but I've swiped some of the recipes.

Of course, you ought to get the newest edition you can (it's up to its 4th) if your dead-set on opening a B&B in the near future. But if you find an older copy for a few pennies, it's a very good way to start examining everything from your furnishings to your motivations before you put too much effort or cash into something you aren't suited for.

Reviews (3)

Fairly complete beginners guide
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.

Describes the business well
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 aninn running smoothly from taking care of guests to taking care of yourselfat the same time.I would recommend this book before someone lays out anymoney and gets themselves neck deep in trouble from inexperiance.