Tag Archives: bed and breakfast

Wine Lovers

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Is your bed and breakfast located in wine country?  If so, do you invite wine lovers to your bed and breakfast for private wine tastings and tours of vineyards?  Perhaps offer a Wine Lovers Package and assist your guests in arranging their wine-tasting itinerary depending on the date and the time of year they visit.

Recommend some wine-related activities that you think your guests will love! Perhaps pair the wine with cheese or even chocolate.  Seasons play a role in the events that are offered, but there may be something ‘wine-related’ that is always happening nearby your inn.  Your guests could experience an exceptional wine tasting at some of your region’s premium, award winning wineries.

Whether your guests are a wine aficionados or just want to try a new experience, they will discover the complexities of the vineyard, the artistry that takes place in the cellar, as well as the joys of tasting the end result: elegant wines for every taste!

If they are leaving your bed and breakfast for their wine tasting, provide a tour guide and/or chauffeur to help them experience some of the premium wines your local area has to offer. Give your wine lovers the best wine tour they will ever experience!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Activities, Food, Guests, Promotion

Awesome Yoga Retreats

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Does your bed and breakfast offer awesome yoga retreats?  The bed and breakfast owners who do, emphasize the peacefulness of their quiet location, the beauty of their scenic nature, and the transformation in body and mind that can come with yoga.

You can encourage guests of all experience levels to challenge themselves in your safe and comfortable setting. Highlight the benefits of their coming: a place for them to strengthen and relax their body, free themselves from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and grow in creativity.

You may designate specific times of the year for these retreats.  Some B&B owners offer weekend yoga retreats. You can put together a yoga retreat package for your guests.

If no one on staff is an expert yoga instructor, you could find a yoga professional in your local area who is willing to conduct these retreats and pay them a reasonable fee per participant.

Be sure to promote your yoga retreats on your website, in your blog, and through social media.  You may be attracting a whole new clientele of guests to your inn.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Activities, Blog and Social Media, Events, Guests, Promotion

Hosting Honeymooners

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hosting-honeymooners

Did you ever think of putting together a Honeymoon Package for you bed and breakfast? Bed and breakfasts can be very romantic–especially for the newly married.  Depending upon your B&B’s amenities, you could offer any of the following:

  • Beautiful fresh cut flowers in your own room
  • Choice of a chilled bottle of champagne, wine, or sparkling juice.
  • Box of chocolates by their bedside
  • Chocolate covered strawberries
  • Scented candles
  • Two luxurious robes
  • CD’s of romantic music
  • Romantic movies the couple can choose from for viewing in the privacy of their own room
  • Complimentary snack basket
  • Pampering that comes with a “his and her” massage
  • Relax at a spa and enjoy a facial and manicure
  • Private couples mineral bath
  • Gift certificate to local restaurant and/or local shopping
  • 2 tickets to a local popular attraction
  • Dessert served in the dining room by candlelight
  • Rose petal turn-down service (silk rose petals scattered on your bed)
  • A luscious gourmet breakfast served in your suite or the dining room

If you have a Honeymoon Suite or even a private cottage, you can let your guests stay there. You can even make the package “a la carte” and let them decide which services they would like to you to provide.  

When they make an online reservation, have them specify in one of the comments boxes on the confirmation page. Be sure to feature this package on your website, in your blog, and on social media.  You can help make their honeymoon be filled with treasured memories!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Amenities, Blog and Social Media, Guests, Promotion

The Business Traveler

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Have you thought about promoting your bed and breakfast to the business traveler? Your B&B may be in a quiet area that is not too far from major companies.  You can offer a discounted rate to corporate business people.  One bed and breakfast called their promotion code “BIZRATE”.

You can emphasize all the reasons why traveling employees want to stay with you:

  • Their own desk area with comfortable office chair
  • Wi-fi
  • Fax machine
  • Alarm clock
  • Located near a copy store like Kinko’s
  • Peace and quiet
  • Free parking
  • Flexible check-in times
  • Adjustable breakfast arrangements (including “to go”)
  • Lenient cancellation policy (ex: no penalty for canceling by noon on the day prior to your scheduled arrival)

Some B&B’s choose to limit this offer to specific rooms or do not make this promotion available at certain times of the year.  As an innkeeper, you can offer the traveler a certain percentage off their room.  One bed and breakfast offers 20% off the first night and 33% off all other nights.

You can emphasize that they will receive the same great breakfast, same wonderful service, and they are staying at an awesome place.  Be sure to discuss this promotion on your website, in your blog, and through social media. You may even contact local area major corporations to let them know their out-of-town employees and customers can stay at your bed and breakfast.  Be sure to take advantage of your closeness to major businesses.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Blog and Social Media, Guests, Promotion

Parents of College Students

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Is your bed and breakfast located near a college or university?  You should attract the parents of college students who live in your area.  Specify what schools their students must attend in order for their parents to receive the discount.  You may decide to blackout certain dates such as graduation weekend or holidays.

One bed and breakfast offers college parents who stay six nights, to have the seventh night for free.  Discounting the room rate or taking a certain dollar amount off are other ways to provide value to their parents.

You can advertise your bed and breakfast discount in a university magazine or newspaper as well as list it on your website, blog, and through social media. This is a great way to get repeat visitors since their son or daughter will likely attend the school for several years!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Blog and Social Media, Guests, Promotion

Senior Citizen Discount

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Have you ever thought about attracting seniors to stay at your bed and breakfast?  They are a group that generally has more free time and less responsibilities at home because they have grown children.  Seniors may also have a more limited budget.  By extending a senior citizen discount, you are welcoming them to visit your inn.

You can specify:

  • Age (ex: 60+)
  • Time of week (ex: Sun-Thurs.)
  • Discount (percentage off or flat rate off)

You should state that you require they show proof of age upon arrival.  You may want to exclude holidays or other peak times.  Sometimes bed and breakfasts accept AARP discount cards.  Your willingness to lower your prices can earn you more money because you have more guests visiting your bed and breakfast.  Be sure to promote this on your website, blog, and social media.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Blog and Social Media, Guests, Promotion

Murder Mysteries

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Do you know that you could host murder mysteries at your bed and breakfast?  Not real ones of course!  Many bed and breakfasts invite guests to participate in a who-did-it type murder mystery.

The variety of murder mystery options include any of the following:

  • Using written kits with script booklets.
  • Assigning roles ahead of time and providing each guest with lines.
  • Some of the murders occur in previous eras such as the 1920’s.
  • Providing wardrobe options including outfits, hats, and scarves. 
  • Hosting a meal during the mystery.
  • Having participants look for clues in pairs.  
  • Encouraging guests to take pictures to prove their alibis.
  • Having your staff act as characters in the mystery. 
  • Spreading the scenes of the mystery out over the weekend.
  • Solving the mystery in one evening.

Advise your guests:

  • Arrive in plenty of time to settle in and participate.
  • If applicable, to bring their scripts.
  • They can bring clothes and props for their roles (if they know it ahead of time).
  • Inspire your guests to question or point to others with motive and opportunity.
  • Assure your guests that you will not let them fall out of character.

You can market your murder mystery weekend(s) on your website, in your blog, on social media, and through your associations.  Some bed and breakfast owners even offer a promotion code for guests to get a discount on their room. Your bed and breakfast does not necessarily have to be historic or haunted in order to offer this type of event.  The bottom line is that your guests thoroughly enjoy themselves in the process of solving the murder mystery!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Activities, Blog and Social Media, Events, Promotion

Are You Media Friendly?

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Are you media friendly?  Why not make it easy for a journalist or reporter to do a story on your bed and breakfast? Have a press kit on your website.  Consider asking, “Are you a journalist working on a story about inns or bed and breakfasts? We would love to help you with your story or article.”

The press kit can include:

  • Media contact‘s name, phone number, e-mail address (owner, innkeeper, public relations person for your B&B)
  • The history of the bed and breakfast: location, year it was built, original owners, type of architecture, date it became a bed and breakfast, etc.
  • Information about the innkeepers/owners: where they are originally from, their career history, their hobbies, pets, kids, etc.
  • Awards you and your B&B have received: from bed and breakfast associations, cooking contests won, your AAA rating, your Better Business Bureau grade, etc.
  • Press coverage: list of and link to articles in newspapers, magazines, online attention
  • High resolution photos of the inside including the rooms as well as the outside of the bed and breakfast as well as the best breakfasts and other food you serve
  • Map of area and nearby attractions
  • Videos made about your B&B or ones that you have had filmed to promote your bed and breakfast
  • Amenities: private hot tub, fireplace, library, spa, garden, etc.
  • Current promotions: such as special packages and upcoming events like weddings
  • Online guest reviews: share positive guest testimonials
  • Your blog

Anything that you think will enhance your reputation as providing exceptional hospitality, this is your opportunity make it accessible for the press to report on it.  Even curious potential guests will be impressed by it when they see it.

If you do not mind members of the press coming to your bed and breakfast to interview you and/or make a video, then be sure to state that on-site tours can be arranged.  There is nothing better than free publicity!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Amenities, Associations and Ratings, Blog and Social Media, Food, Promotion

Is Your B&B Green?

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Is your B&B green? Would you like to know a way to possibly reduce your costs and be environmentally friendly? A “green” bed and breakfast has the goal of promoting the sustainability of the earth’s natural resources.

There are four main areas of green initiatives:

  • energy efficiency
  • conservation of water and other natural resources
  • waste reduction
  • education

Some practical applications of this include:

  • encouraging guests to re-use their towels and linens
  • using soap dispensers instead of individually wrapped bars of soap
  • low-flow shower heads and toilets
  • using green cleaning supplies with safe cleaning agents
  • replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact flourescent light bulbs
  • re-insulating your bed and breakfast
  • installing solar panels on the roof
  • having an energy efficient furnace
  • installing a rainwater collection system to redirect the water to your inn’s garden
  • composting everything possible
  • recycling and purchasing recycled products

You can proclaim your inn’s commitment to protecting the environment by implementing these practices.  In the long run, this could save you money with lower energy bills.  If you belong to a state bed and breakfast association, they may be able to endorse you as a green bed and breakfast if someone evaluates your green practices.  You can promote to your guests that you are a green bed and breakfast.

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Associations and Ratings, Gardening and Lawns, Guests

Bed and Breakfast Spas

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Your guests like to receive special treatment.  Bed and Breakfast Spas deliver just that.  If your B&B does not have a spa, an easy alternative involves scheduling massage therapists to visit your guests’ rooms at your bed and breakfast.

Reasons for Spa Services:

  • Beauty treatments
  • Cleansing
  • Detoxification
  • Exfoliation
  • Improve complexion, circulation, and flexibility
  • Relaxation
  • Relieve aches, pains, and tension
  • Youthful appearance

Services:

  • Aromatherapy: relaxing with enjoyable aromas
  • Facials: including masks, exfoliating scrubs, acne treatments, etc.
  • Hair removal: waxing any unwanted hair
  • Manicure: finger nails and hands given royal treatment 
  • Massage: such as deep tissue, Swedish, prenatal, etc.
  • Pedicure: toe nails and feet given ultimate attention
  • Sauna: hot and steamy relaxation
  • Stones: strategically placed stones–hot to relax or cold to heal

Packages include a combination of services done on the same day.  Some B&B’s let their guests decide for half day or whole day treatments.  They can be pampered all day long!  Couples love couples massages.  All guests will love receiving care from the outside in!

 

Image by Marcus Berg of Unique Angles Photography

Posted in Activities, Amenities, Guests, Promotion
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