Private vs ensuite

[EmptyNest]

I would NEVER book a room with a bathroom across the hall or anywhere but ensuite. I get up a lot at night and there is no way I put on a bathrobe and trek even a few feet outside the bedroom. If there is any way you can do it, knock down walls or whatever, you MUST get ensuite bathrooms. Sorry that is just the way it is today..

Let me understand this, because this is what you want, everyone wants it? I have more than half my rooms without ensuite and the rooms all get booked. I'm sorry, but I don't see why you need to discourage someone because of what you want. I respect your choice, book elsewhere. But there are plenty of people who will book without it being ensuite.
.

I agree with Jon. It depends on (1) your market; (2) HOW you market your inn; (3) what you provide as service - and how. I started offering the flexible breakfast time to compensate for the shared bath.
I made it for 10 years with 3 with shared. BUT the revenue never went above a certain point AND the market was changing to the private ensuite. FINALLY I was able to convince Himself to sign for a loan (it is MY business but he owns half the house) after I figured out how to do it. So I still have and always will have 2 with a shared unless I go to 2 rooms - but then, the room that would get the door into the bathroom would be my smallest - ain't happening. I am not fancy but I do things nice. And my rates are higher than some of the hotels but I do things like book 3 or more nights and the rate for the 3rd night is (in 2012 when my house hit 100) $19.12; (2013 - my State was 150) it was $18.63; this year it is $20.14. I have to think of a hook and a rate for 2015. It just hit - we will have our 40th anniversary so the 3rd night rate will be $19.75. It HAS resulted in some longer stays AND has brought reservations here because over the 3 nights, I was less expensive than the hotel where the family reunion was held.
Your market - now that may evolve to something entirely different from what was thought to be. Originally I thought rail-trail who would not be a picky about bathrooms. That soon proved to be what was in the beginning, but soon disappeared as they went to other new rail-trails. So monitor who is your guest and watch for changes so you can change with them.
.

You all know very well first and foremost... PEOPLE WANT ENSUITE PRIVATE BATHS! It is just not me

Yes those of you who have private baths across the hall, deal with it and do what you have to do. But you all know the desired norm these days is private bathrooms ensuite.

 

[Madeleine]

We have one room that is not en suite. I know what you're saying.
It is not the last room to book because we make it attractive price-wise. It is at least $20 less than the en suite rooms.
It is a pain because no matter how clear we are on the website, in the confirmations, on the phone ONE of the guests in the room was not told in advance.
This happens a lot.
It happened last week and the guest tried finagling an en suite room by saying, "they gave me this room..." As if he didn't make the Rez himself. He was moved but he had to pay extra.
You can only do what you can do. Be clear. Tell them they get the key.
Provide a floor plan on your website that shows how far away the bathroom is. Take photos from the room to the bathroom door.
Our plague room pays for itself and in peak season it is one of the first rooms to book. It does go empty off season when our prices go down. But it's earned its keep for 4 months so we keep it going. ;-)

 

[Madeleine]

Make sure it's very clear to them that each room has its own bathroom. And that each room has a key dedicated to only their bathroom.
Then raise the price on the en suite room.
It's hard, but it's doable.
It's like camp for adults. Or something like that. Odd that people at campgrounds will hike clear across the camp at night and use a port a potty and then a communal shower.

 

[2cat_lady]

We have one room that is not en suite. I know what you're saying.
It is not the last room to book because we make it attractive price-wise. It is at least $20 less than the en suite rooms.
It is a pain because no matter how clear we are on the website, in the confirmations, on the phone ONE of the guests in the room was not told in advance.
This happens a lot.
It happened last week and the guest tried finagling an en suite room by saying, "they gave me this room..." As if he didn't make the Rez himself. He was moved but he had to pay extra.
You can only do what you can do. Be clear. Tell them they get the key.
Provide a floor plan on your website that shows how far away the bathroom is. Take photos from the room to the bathroom door.
Our plague room pays for itself and in peak season it is one of the first rooms to book. It does go empty off season when our prices go down. But it's earned its keep for 4 months so we keep it going. ;-).

I do make these rooms cheaper and I've actually started marketing two of these rooms as Ocean View and that's helped with the online bookings. I guess my problem is that I still don't sound confident enough when I try and 'sell' these over the phone. I need to get my sales pitch just right.

 

[2cat_lady]

Make sure it's very clear to them that each room has its own bathroom. And that each room has a key dedicated to only their bathroom.
Then raise the price on the en suite room.
It's hard, but it's doable.
It's like camp for adults. Or something like that. Odd that people at campgrounds will hike clear across the camp at night and use a port a potty and then a communal shower..

We're definitely on the same page Madeleine. I'm raising the price on my ensuite for the next season but I'll keep the private rooms the same. Maybe they'll look like more of a bargain.

 

[Generic]

We have one room that is not en suite. I know what you're saying.
It is not the last room to book because we make it attractive price-wise. It is at least $20 less than the en suite rooms.
It is a pain because no matter how clear we are on the website, in the confirmations, on the phone ONE of the guests in the room was not told in advance.
This happens a lot.
It happened last week and the guest tried finagling an en suite room by saying, "they gave me this room..." As if he didn't make the Rez himself. He was moved but he had to pay extra.
You can only do what you can do. Be clear. Tell them they get the key.
Provide a floor plan on your website that shows how far away the bathroom is. Take photos from the room to the bathroom door.
Our plague room pays for itself and in peak season it is one of the first rooms to book. It does go empty off season when our prices go down. But it's earned its keep for 4 months so we keep it going. ;-).

I often say things like "the room that you chose is....". And "the room you booked is just upstairs..." So that it's clear in their mind and harder to object later because they could have corrected you at any time.
Sure, I lose some phone calls this way. People call and when I tell them that it's shared or not-ensuite they say goodbye. That's perfectly fine with me. They aren't my clientele. It's just them telling me that they aren't a good fit for us... not the other way around.
And Maddie, you do realize that he knew perfectly well what he booked and he was just trying to get away with getting a free upgrade. I'm glad you held your ground.

 

[Madeleine]

We have one room that is not en suite. I know what you're saying.
It is not the last room to book because we make it attractive price-wise. It is at least $20 less than the en suite rooms.
It is a pain because no matter how clear we are on the website, in the confirmations, on the phone ONE of the guests in the room was not told in advance.
This happens a lot.
It happened last week and the guest tried finagling an en suite room by saying, "they gave me this room..." As if he didn't make the Rez himself. He was moved but he had to pay extra.
You can only do what you can do. Be clear. Tell them they get the key.
Provide a floor plan on your website that shows how far away the bathroom is. Take photos from the room to the bathroom door.
Our plague room pays for itself and in peak season it is one of the first rooms to book. It does go empty off season when our prices go down. But it's earned its keep for 4 months so we keep it going. ;-).

I do make these rooms cheaper and I've actually started marketing two of these rooms as Ocean View and that's helped with the online bookings. I guess my problem is that I still don't sound confident enough when I try and 'sell' these over the phone. I need to get my sales pitch just right.
.

Yup. That could be your problem. You have to try to sound like it's no big deal. The location of the inn is gorgeous. Most guests don't mind but if they do, they can upgrade to the en suite room.
Do you have bathrobes and all that? Play that up.
You're still not going to get everyone but you could get a few more.
DH makes sure he plays up the lower price for the same other amenities. The description of the rooms also need to play up their strengths. Largest room. Best view. Quietest room. Biggest bed. Whatever.
Our plague room used to have a double bed and a twin. We took out the twin and put in a queen and lowered the price. Bingo. Right combo.

 

[2cat_lady]

We have one room that is not en suite. I know what you're saying.
It is not the last room to book because we make it attractive price-wise. It is at least $20 less than the en suite rooms.
It is a pain because no matter how clear we are on the website, in the confirmations, on the phone ONE of the guests in the room was not told in advance.
This happens a lot.
It happened last week and the guest tried finagling an en suite room by saying, "they gave me this room..." As if he didn't make the Rez himself. He was moved but he had to pay extra.
You can only do what you can do. Be clear. Tell them they get the key.
Provide a floor plan on your website that shows how far away the bathroom is. Take photos from the room to the bathroom door.
Our plague room pays for itself and in peak season it is one of the first rooms to book. It does go empty off season when our prices go down. But it's earned its keep for 4 months so we keep it going. ;-).

I do make these rooms cheaper and I've actually started marketing two of these rooms as Ocean View and that's helped with the online bookings. I guess my problem is that I still don't sound confident enough when I try and 'sell' these over the phone. I need to get my sales pitch just right.
.

Yup. That could be your problem. You have to try to sound like it's no big deal. The location of the inn is gorgeous. Most guests don't mind but if they do, they can upgrade to the en suite room.
Do you have bathrobes and all that? Play that up.
You're still not going to get everyone but you could get a few more.
DH makes sure he plays up the lower price for the same other amenities. The description of the rooms also need to play up their strengths. Largest room. Best view. Quietest room. Biggest bed. Whatever.
Our plague room used to have a double bed and a twin. We took out the twin and put in a queen and lowered the price. Bingo. Right combo.
.

Doing my best. Had a guest this summer that used to be a project manager for the Four Season chain for over 25 years. He didn't tell me that until after I gave him the grand tour and then when I found out I almost felt sick. Turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me. Gave me some suggestions that I'll implement over the quiet season. And then I'll do those new pictures and new descriptions. Thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

 

[JBloggs]

I have been to your website now.
You are not telling anyone it is detached, they are detached, you are saying private bath.
This is a huge error, your rooms all look the same with the same exact shot of the bed, and lay out appears the same, so photos need to be added of course and of the bathrooms, would really help. Every room, as you have named them differently should have their own photos. Sharing their uniqueness.
I am giving some advice now, please take it for the extreme value and care that it is given: If someone created your website and you just filled in the photo spots, okay, if they created it and are marketing it for you, fire them!
Why are you telling us here about the view and NOT THEM? The guests? The ones you want to attract and hand over their credit cards? Literally on your website.
Photo gallery my butt. Web52.jpg is a caption on a photo with a magnificent view? Or web51.jpg? Hold on, I NEED TO USE ALL CAPS ON THIS!
Please, spend some time on is forum, please see the forest through the trees. Your place is about the view and location? Shout it from every page on your site, from every room photo, from that breakfast room! SHOUT IT! Be bold! Use the force luke...get those photos big and bold and in your face, write wit ty captions:
"Picture yourself here"
on the breakfast room image, not web51.jpg
Your website is your storefront. It is the first impression. It is not enough to dangle a hook on the line, bait that hook!
All that to say, you have a beautiful place, and i look forward to seeing the most important part, the online marketing hook baited, and people proclaiming that those detached baths did not matter one iota as the inn is so fabulous!
If your hubby is the webmaster or leading the marketing, tell him he's fired. Just kidding, send him on over to the forum.
All the best. This advice was given with the best intentions possible.

 

[Generic]

I would NEVER book a room with a bathroom across the hall or anywhere but ensuite. I get up a lot at night and there is no way I put on a bathrobe and trek even a few feet outside the bedroom. If there is any way you can do it, knock down walls or whatever, you MUST get ensuite bathrooms. Sorry that is just the way it is today..

Let me understand this, because this is what you want, everyone wants it? I have more than half my rooms without ensuite and the rooms all get booked. I'm sorry, but I don't see why you need to discourage someone because of what you want. I respect your choice, book elsewhere. But there are plenty of people who will book without it being ensuite.
.

I agree with Jon. It depends on (1) your market; (2) HOW you market your inn; (3) what you provide as service - and how. I started offering the flexible breakfast time to compensate for the shared bath.
I made it for 10 years with 3 with shared. BUT the revenue never went above a certain point AND the market was changing to the private ensuite. FINALLY I was able to convince Himself to sign for a loan (it is MY business but he owns half the house) after I figured out how to do it. So I still have and always will have 2 with a shared unless I go to 2 rooms - but then, the room that would get the door into the bathroom would be my smallest - ain't happening. I am not fancy but I do things nice. And my rates are higher than some of the hotels but I do things like book 3 or more nights and the rate for the 3rd night is (in 2012 when my house hit 100) $19.12; (2013 - my State was 150) it was $18.63; this year it is $20.14. I have to think of a hook and a rate for 2015. It just hit - we will have our 40th anniversary so the 3rd night rate will be $19.75. It HAS resulted in some longer stays AND has brought reservations here because over the 3 nights, I was less expensive than the hotel where the family reunion was held.
Your market - now that may evolve to something entirely different from what was thought to be. Originally I thought rail-trail who would not be a picky about bathrooms. That soon proved to be what was in the beginning, but soon disappeared as they went to other new rail-trails. So monitor who is your guest and watch for changes so you can change with them.
.

You all know very well first and foremost... PEOPLE WANT ENSUITE PRIVATE BATHS! It is just not me

Yes those of you who have private baths across the hall, deal with it and do what you have to do. But you all know the desired norm these days is private bathrooms ensuite.
.

Thanks for being helpful and supportive of a person who has come here asking for some real help as an innkeeper.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

I just took a look at your website and couldn't find anywhere, on any page that the baths are 'private' or that you have 1 'ensuite'! That's a very easy change you can do on your website right now. Don't wait until they call you, then you inform them. You have your 4 rooms listed with amenities and they are all described the same.
I know the thread is not about this, but online reservations are a must.
We tend to get on the website bandwagon here and I know you've not asked for input on your site, but when you do, we'll have lots of ideas which will help you get more guests. Right now, the first thing that needs to be done is to get your bath information on your rooms page...each room.
ok, now I see that private bath and ensuite bath are on the list of each room. I think you already know it's not enough. I swear I looked at those lists and didn't see it. Your guests are not seeing it either.
Please listen to what Joey Bloggs says in a post higher up. Sometimes it's difficult to hear that your 'baby' needs some help, but hang in there with us. You now have the resources of many, many experienced innkeepers, web designers and people who want you to not only succeed, but to thrive. You've only been up and running a year, innkeeping and web design is a marathon, not a sprint. Fix the things that will bring in happy guests and make your innkeeping life easier.
Hang in there with us!

 

[2cat_lady]

I have been to your website now.
You are not telling anyone it is detached, they are detached, you are saying private bath.
This is a huge error, your rooms all look the same with the same exact shot of the bed, and lay out appears the same, so photos need to be added of course and of the bathrooms, would really help. Every room, as you have named them differently should have their own photos. Sharing their uniqueness.
I am giving some advice now, please take it for the extreme value and care that it is given: If someone created your website and you just filled in the photo spots, okay, if they created it and are marketing it for you, fire them!
Why are you telling us here about the view and NOT THEM? The guests? The ones you want to attract and hand over their credit cards? Literally on your website.
Photo gallery my butt. Web52.jpg is a caption on a photo with a magnificent view? Or web51.jpg? Hold on, I NEED TO USE ALL CAPS ON THIS!
Please, spend some time on is forum, please see the forest through the trees. Your place is about the view and location? Shout it from every page on your site, from every room photo, from that breakfast room! SHOUT IT! Be bold! Use the force luke...get those photos big and bold and in your face, write wit ty captions:
"Picture yourself here"
on the breakfast room image, not web51.jpg
Your website is your storefront. It is the first impression. It is not enough to dangle a hook on the line, bait that hook!
All that to say, you have a beautiful place, and i look forward to seeing the most important part, the online marketing hook baited, and people proclaiming that those detached baths did not matter one iota as the inn is so fabulous!
If your hubby is the webmaster or leading the marketing, tell him he's fired. Just kidding, send him on over to the forum.
All the best. This advice was given with the best intentions possible. .

THANK YOU! This is the kind of stuff I want to hear. I need constructive criticism because everyone just keeps saying nice things about my place and my website and now I'm really going to give everything a third and fourth going over. My season is pretty much done now. Most attractions like museums and touristy stuff is now shutting down until next year so I've got a lot of work ahead of me until then. Photos I have by the hundreds of all sorts of scenery and I want to restage the shots of my rooms. By all means, pick me apart , lol. That's why I joined this site. And I love hearing everyone's stories about your guests. I can feel the love, ha ha.

 

[gillumhouse]

Listen to JB and Empty Nest on web site suggestions. They know their "stuff". My suggestion - for what it is worth, would be to have a page for each room with photos of the view from that room as well as more photos of that room. I agree with the others - private (detached) bathroom - will help weed out the guests you do not want. I just got a great review from a girl who stayed here in 2012 (yes, it took her a while) - it was glowing - the overall was 4 bubbles and she gave us 3 bubbles on the room. She had the queen with the shared bath and during the 2 weeks she was here, I think I kept it as private for her. She even said it was not luxurious by any means but was adequate. I will take it - luxury is not me so I am happy to have it said.
Your online booking appeared to be an e-mail request. I suggest you look into ReservationKey for "real time" online reservations. They even have a waiting list option when you show full for guests to sign in with. THAT feature has given me at least 4 reservations - one with a same day that I do not allow online (you get an e-mail about the waiting list) and the others when I had all rooms blocked off but was able to accommodate them anyway (the last one I told him the door will be unlocked, where his room was, and that I would see him Sunday Morning) I am cheap and ReservationKey is affordable, has all sorts of bells & whistles, and it is soooo nice to wake up to a message that you have a reservation.

 

[Generic]

I have been to your website now.
You are not telling anyone it is detached, they are detached, you are saying private bath.
This is a huge error, your rooms all look the same with the same exact shot of the bed, and lay out appears the same, so photos need to be added of course and of the bathrooms, would really help. Every room, as you have named them differently should have their own photos. Sharing their uniqueness.
I am giving some advice now, please take it for the extreme value and care that it is given: If someone created your website and you just filled in the photo spots, okay, if they created it and are marketing it for you, fire them!
Why are you telling us here about the view and NOT THEM? The guests? The ones you want to attract and hand over their credit cards? Literally on your website.
Photo gallery my butt. Web52.jpg is a caption on a photo with a magnificent view? Or web51.jpg? Hold on, I NEED TO USE ALL CAPS ON THIS!
Please, spend some time on is forum, please see the forest through the trees. Your place is about the view and location? Shout it from every page on your site, from every room photo, from that breakfast room! SHOUT IT! Be bold! Use the force luke...get those photos big and bold and in your face, write wit ty captions:
"Picture yourself here"
on the breakfast room image, not web51.jpg
Your website is your storefront. It is the first impression. It is not enough to dangle a hook on the line, bait that hook!
All that to say, you have a beautiful place, and i look forward to seeing the most important part, the online marketing hook baited, and people proclaiming that those detached baths did not matter one iota as the inn is so fabulous!
If your hubby is the webmaster or leading the marketing, tell him he's fired. Just kidding, send him on over to the forum.
All the best. This advice was given with the best intentions possible. .

I just went to the website as well....
You are in a location where you likely don't have that much competition, but you don't want people disappointed either, so you definitely need to work on the website. Whoever the website guy is, there are a few things that need to be done...
The logo for Interac is square, not rectangular. You can get in trouble for using their logo incorrectly, it's part of your merchant agreement. Get that fixed.
Fix up the room pages. If you are selling the view, we need pictures of it. Less pictures of the house and dining room... more of the room. And get some that are well lit. Don't worry about paying someone to do them, you can get them professional another time. Get someone who knows how to use a big camera, even a student to do them. (Make sure you have all rights to them.) Make sure they are well lit and represent your room. The more they take the better your choice to put up later. You want the bed clearly. Play up your daylight.
Get online booking. Really. Answer this question honestly, would you want to email for a reservation and wait for a day in hopes that they have a room, or do you want to know they have a room NOW?
Does Air Canada sell all the seats on the airplane for the same price. Put up a price guideline, but sell rooms at different prices based on amenities, different days, seasons, etc.
Clearly say "Private Bathroom (detached)" or "Private Bathroom (across hall)". Nothing worse than a guest who is suprised. Honestly, with your location it should be less of an issue, but they need to know.

 

[Arks]

As long as we're off the ensuite subject, I'll give a compliment. The photos on the About page are great! So many websites won't give a photo of the innkeepers. The photos make it clear you'll be staying with a vibrant, jolly couple. That's very good!
I'm sure you get some Basil Fawlty jokes!

 

[gillumhouse]

As long as we're off the ensuite subject, I'll give a compliment. The photos on the About page are great! So many websites won't give a photo of the innkeepers. The photos make it clear you'll be staying with a vibrant, jolly couple. That's very good!
I'm sure you get some Basil Fawlty jokes!.

Arks - thank you for mentioning that. I thought those were great also.

 

[2cat_lady]

I have been to your website now.
You are not telling anyone it is detached, they are detached, you are saying private bath.
This is a huge error, your rooms all look the same with the same exact shot of the bed, and lay out appears the same, so photos need to be added of course and of the bathrooms, would really help. Every room, as you have named them differently should have their own photos. Sharing their uniqueness.
I am giving some advice now, please take it for the extreme value and care that it is given: If someone created your website and you just filled in the photo spots, okay, if they created it and are marketing it for you, fire them!
Why are you telling us here about the view and NOT THEM? The guests? The ones you want to attract and hand over their credit cards? Literally on your website.
Photo gallery my butt. Web52.jpg is a caption on a photo with a magnificent view? Or web51.jpg? Hold on, I NEED TO USE ALL CAPS ON THIS!
Please, spend some time on is forum, please see the forest through the trees. Your place is about the view and location? Shout it from every page on your site, from every room photo, from that breakfast room! SHOUT IT! Be bold! Use the force luke...get those photos big and bold and in your face, write wit ty captions:
"Picture yourself here"
on the breakfast room image, not web51.jpg
Your website is your storefront. It is the first impression. It is not enough to dangle a hook on the line, bait that hook!
All that to say, you have a beautiful place, and i look forward to seeing the most important part, the online marketing hook baited, and people proclaiming that those detached baths did not matter one iota as the inn is so fabulous!
If your hubby is the webmaster or leading the marketing, tell him he's fired. Just kidding, send him on over to the forum.
All the best. This advice was given with the best intentions possible. .

I just went to the website as well....
You are in a location where you likely don't have that much competition, but you don't want people disappointed either, so you definitely need to work on the website. Whoever the website guy is, there are a few things that need to be done...
The logo for Interac is square, not rectangular. You can get in trouble for using their logo incorrectly, it's part of your merchant agreement. Get that fixed.
Fix up the room pages. If you are selling the view, we need pictures of it. Less pictures of the house and dining room... more of the room. And get some that are well lit. Don't worry about paying someone to do them, you can get them professional another time. Get someone who knows how to use a big camera, even a student to do them. (Make sure you have all rights to them.) Make sure they are well lit and represent your room. The more they take the better your choice to put up later. You want the bed clearly. Play up your daylight.
Get online booking. Really. Answer this question honestly, would you want to email for a reservation and wait for a day in hopes that they have a room, or do you want to know they have a room NOW?
Does Air Canada sell all the seats on the airplane for the same price. Put up a price guideline, but sell rooms at different prices based on amenities, different days, seasons, etc.
Clearly say "Private Bathroom (detached)" or "Private Bathroom (across hall)". Nothing worse than a guest who is suprised. Honestly, with your location it should be less of an issue, but they need to know.
.

I'll be looking at online booking now that a few have mentioned it. And I'll have to talk to my web page designer. I was his first bed and breakfast so I think he did a great job but I think it can be better. Definitely setting up an appointment to go over some things and with a new set of pictures. Just waiting for some new lamps to come in. Mine are too small.

 

[2cat_lady]

As long as we're off the ensuite subject, I'll give a compliment. The photos on the About page are great! So many websites won't give a photo of the innkeepers. The photos make it clear you'll be staying with a vibrant, jolly couple. That's very good!
I'm sure you get some Basil Fawlty jokes!.

Don't you know it! I tried to get him to watch th e show we me once but he fell asleep. Said it was boring and he loves British sitcoms. Maybe with this season under his belt he might give it another go.

 

[EmptyNest]

I have been to your website now.
You are not telling anyone it is detached, they are detached, you are saying private bath.
This is a huge error, your rooms all look the same with the same exact shot of the bed, and lay out appears the same, so photos need to be added of course and of the bathrooms, would really help. Every room, as you have named them differently should have their own photos. Sharing their uniqueness.
I am giving some advice now, please take it for the extreme value and care that it is given: If someone created your website and you just filled in the photo spots, okay, if they created it and are marketing it for you, fire them!
Why are you telling us here about the view and NOT THEM? The guests? The ones you want to attract and hand over their credit cards? Literally on your website.
Photo gallery my butt. Web52.jpg is a caption on a photo with a magnificent view? Or web51.jpg? Hold on, I NEED TO USE ALL CAPS ON THIS!
Please, spend some time on is forum, please see the forest through the trees. Your place is about the view and location? Shout it from every page on your site, from every room photo, from that breakfast room! SHOUT IT! Be bold! Use the force luke...get those photos big and bold and in your face, write wit ty captions:
"Picture yourself here"
on the breakfast room image, not web51.jpg
Your website is your storefront. It is the first impression. It is not enough to dangle a hook on the line, bait that hook!
All that to say, you have a beautiful place, and i look forward to seeing the most important part, the online marketing hook baited, and people proclaiming that those detached baths did not matter one iota as the inn is so fabulous!
If your hubby is the webmaster or leading the marketing, tell him he's fired. Just kidding, send him on over to the forum.
All the best. This advice was given with the best intentions possible. .

I just went to the website as well....
You are in a location where you likely don't have that much competition, but you don't want people disappointed either, so you definitely need to work on the website. Whoever the website guy is, there are a few things that need to be done...
The logo for Interac is square, not rectangular. You can get in trouble for using their logo incorrectly, it's part of your merchant agreement. Get that fixed.
Fix up the room pages. If you are selling the view, we need pictures of it. Less pictures of the house and dining room... more of the room. And get some that are well lit. Don't worry about paying someone to do them, you can get them professional another time. Get someone who knows how to use a big camera, even a student to do them. (Make sure you have all rights to them.) Make sure they are well lit and represent your room. The more they take the better your choice to put up later. You want the bed clearly. Play up your daylight.
Get online booking. Really. Answer this question honestly, would you want to email for a reservation and wait for a day in hopes that they have a room, or do you want to know they have a room NOW?
Does Air Canada sell all the seats on the airplane for the same price. Put up a price guideline, but sell rooms at different prices based on amenities, different days, seasons, etc.
Clearly say "Private Bathroom (detached)" or "Private Bathroom (across hall)". Nothing worse than a guest who is suprised. Honestly, with your location it should be less of an issue, but they need to know.
.

I'll be looking at online booking now that a few have mentioned it. And I'll have to talk to my web page designer. I was his first bed and breakfast so I think he did a great job but I think it can be better. Definitely setting up an appointment to go over some things and with a new set of pictures. Just waiting for some new lamps to come in. Mine are too small.
.

Its pretty obvious who ever did your site doesn't have a clue about B & B sites. You need to take a good hard look at some forum member sites and learn from them. You absolutely MUST HAVE on line reservations. Use Reservation Key for sure.
Here are links to a few sites you can get some good ideas from. Here's: 1, Here's 2: Here's 3. And there are plenty of others. Just click on featured inn.

 

[Madeleine]

As long as we're off the ensuite subject, I'll give a compliment. The photos on the About page are great! So many websites won't give a photo of the innkeepers. The photos make it clear you'll be staying with a vibrant, jolly couple. That's very good!
I'm sure you get some Basil Fawlty jokes!.

Don't you know it! I tried to get him to watch th e show we me once but he fell asleep. Said it was boring and he loves British sitcoms. Maybe with this season under his belt he might give it another go.
.

Don't you know it! I tried to get him to watch th e show we me once but he fell asleep. Said it was boring and he loves British sitcoms. Maybe with this season under his belt he might give it another go.

Guests ask if this is like the Newhart Show and I tell them it's more like Fawlty Towers. We're regularly Basil and Sybil. Pretentious, moi?