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- May 22, 2008
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It is 24/7 for 365 because during the "down time" we are still working on the house improving it, you are still trying for guests and even in the down time will get a few here and there - especially if you have something in planning stages, you are always working on marketing.thanks. The place we're negotiating for has 10 rooms, all with private baths and the current owners run it themselves, and we plan to as well. But, I know they have busier times and slower times. They're open all year and get some ski business, and some business from business travelers. They're busiest months are Aug. and Oct. Lots of vacationers in Aug. and leaf-peeping in Oct.Is it me or are there a lot of newbies this week? As a full time crazy woman I love my work but then I have a full time chamber maid who works 7 days a week who helps me as well as my parents to sit in for free if I want a night off. The people who get burn out the fastest are the ones who don't realise how much work it is and think it is like being a hotel owner and you spend you time doing a bit of breakfast and swanning about. It isn't it is 24/7 365 days a year and you have to wear a million different hats every day. It is about learning to delegate and training and retaining good staff to help even if it is part time. If you don't mind me asking how many rooms?
If it comforts you any I have been in the hotel/B&B biz for 20 years and still love it but I always say to people thinking of getting into the biz it will be the hardest work you will ever do but it will also be the best laugh you ever have as well..
What I don't understand is why is it 24/7 365 days/year if there is only a 30% occupancy rate. I would think there would be "downtime" from playing hostess...not that there isn't always work to do, but we always find that there is work to do i the house we live in...so how is it different?
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It is 24/7 when you have guests - and you cannot predict WHEN you will have guests, just when you will not. To do that, you block the rooms on your online reservations and tell callers, "I am sorry but we are booked for those dates" - you are, you are booked IN somewhere!
We really are not trying to discourage, just trying to give you the facts so you go in with eyes wide open and a true understanding of what an innkeeper is. It does no good for the industry to have "rose-colored glasses" become unhappy and have guests because they HAVE to make the mortgage, etc but now really hate what they do. That will taint the impression of what a B & B is - a place of wonderful hospitality nd comfort and FOOD that is fantastic!
I only have 3 rooms and trust me, a 4th would kill me. If there are 10 rooms - do NOT go in to this thinking you can do it all. Go in to it with the knowledge that you will either be sending out the laundry or having housekeeping help. That size - in my not very humble opinion, you will burn out quickly trying to do it all yourselves.
We are magicians - our knock their socks off trick is making what we do appear effortless to the guests.