Appointment setting

bluedragonflyinn · Mar 24, 2017

Hello, everyone! My husband and I just bought a house that was used as a B&B previously, and we're bringing it back. It's been my dream to own and run one, his dream to semi-retire to the mountains, so we did both! As newbies, we will most likely have several questions, so to start: what software/appointment books do you recommend?
And for anyone who has helpful information and tips, we would love to hear from you!
Thank you all for creating this site and we look forward to your responses!
Sincerely,
Erin

TheBeachHouse · Mar 24, 2017

Welcome and congratulations.
We use Webreserve.

Morticia · Mar 24, 2017

Do you mean reservation software? So guests can make online reservations?

Lee2014 · Mar 24, 2017

Welcome!

EmptyNest · Mar 24, 2017

Welcome. If you just use the search section you will find we have discussed just about every topic imaginable here. Take some time to read and learn. You are referring to reservation software correct? Alot here use reservation Key.
If you have not taken as aspiring innkeeper class I suggest you make it the first thing on your list...After you have checked with your town zoning to see if you can reopen the place as a B & B .
Good luck

user 26 · Mar 24, 2017

Welcome! That's great.

You definitely want online reservations ... I'd recommend reservation key.
How many rooms do you have?
I brought back an old eight guestroom place. It needed a lot, but had great 'bones'.

Arks · Mar 24, 2017

Reservation Key manages my booking, occupancy records, including taking online reservations. It's web based so I can take reservations and payments and manage it all from any computer, even my iPhone.
I use Quicken to keep up with the money and tax info.
I created and manage my website with WordPress.
Advice:

Find an aspiring innkeeping course. Not online. I mean drive to a bed and breakfast that offers this service and spend several days in classes with them.
Read read read, both online and with books like Running A Bed and Breakfast for Dummies. It's 8 years old, so much of the stuff on websites and directories is bound to be out of date, but it's a great start for the basics.
Finally, spend days, WEEKS!, studying the Innspiring website from cover to cover.

JimBoone · Mar 24, 2017

Sounds like a plan, we did much the same 25 years ago, still love the life.
When I found this site a few years ago I think I read all the old posts, cover to cover, lots of good information available.
We use Reservation Key for online booking, began about a year ago on advice from this forum, other half doesn't like computers and still feels the need of the old paper system, but we are making progress.
For accounting I've used Microsoft Money over the years as we take cash or credit and don't normally bill for services, this program has been discontinued, at one point a "sunset edition" was available for download. I put income and expensed into that system and takes the results to our CPA at tax time.
Welcome, you can make lots of good friends on the forum.

gillumhouse · Mar 24, 2017

Welcome

InnDebt · Mar 25, 2017

Welcome!
Ditto for what ARKS said. Also, brush up on your accounting or find an accountant with B&B experience!

Copperhead · Mar 25, 2017

Welcome Erin!

Agree with the others here on the beginnings.
Best wishes.

Baygirl · Mar 26, 2017