How To Run A Bed And Breakfast And Get Your Guests To Come Back Again And Again

A comfortable bed, a good simple breakfast made with locally sourced ingredients, clean rooms and a smile

Find out what your guests want from your B&B

I do a target market exercise on the course and I think this is one of the most important things to understand before starting. If you are in the middle of nowhere on a famous long distance walk, your chances are that your typical host is a serious walker who wants a bath, a comfortable bed and a good cheap home cooked meal, all at a price. reasonable. Provide these and you have happy customers. If you have set up a luxury B&B at affordable prices with a minimum stay of 2 nights and without walking boots, you could be in trouble

Add some luxury (if that's what your market wants)

Use white (ironed) quality bedding and tops with a throw and some matching pillows. Make sure your towels are fluffy and soft.

Create a home from home

Many people come to a B&B because of the personal touch and interaction with the owners. They want a place like home but better! Nice pictures on the wall, some ornaments, maybe flowers or plants in the room. If they want a hotel room, they will book a hotel.

Add the extras

One of the most frequent comments in my guestbook is "All the little extras make a difference". Provide conditioner, shampoo, shower gel and pleasant shower gel. Provide mineral water in the room and a small plate of chocolates (these are always eaten)

Pay attention to detail

Another frequent comment concerns my attention to detail. If it is dark when guests arrive, the lights will be on, the curtains drawn and some soft classical music in the background. The kettle will be full and fresh milk supplied in a flask. The shower gel bottle and shower gel will be full and a new roll of toilet paper will be placed on the holder.

Welcome your guests

Guests will come first because of the way you marketed your B&B and how close it meets their needs. They will come back because of the way they have been treated while they are with you. So make them feel welcome but don't be too intrusive, if they want to chat, do it but watch out for signs that say "we want to be left alone!"

Go to stay in some B & Bs and borrow some ideas!

Every time I go on vacation or for work I take a new idea that I take up to incorporate into my B&B. I took classical music advice from an Oxford hotel where we stayed. It was a miserable and humid December day and I had made a horrible journey, so it was nice to enter the room with soft lights on and classical music that I played on the radio.

Keep reviewing and improving

I am always looking for ways to improve my B&B and improve the customer experience. People's experience and travel expectations continue to grow, so you will have to keep reviewing and improving what you offer. Ask your guests what they like about you and what they would like you to do differently.