Experience is the heart and driving economic force of our special segment of the hospitality and tourism industry. If we can all agree on this statement, in some form, our success should be based on the ability to expand and elevate the experience of guests as they start the research and booking process, through their time on property, and then as we work to continue a connection that drives repeat bookings and a steady clip of referrals. Of course, this concept is often discussed and the realities of our daily lives have a way of creating barriers to steady, ongoing development.

We posed the following question at a recent gathering of Select Registry owners and operators at the Association of Lodging Professionals Conference and Marketplace:  

What was the best thing you did in 2022 to elevate the guest experience? 

While the answers were varied, they reflected the need to evolve or else be judged against properties far inferior to the ranks of the independent and established Inns, B&Bs, and unique lodging properties that define our industry. Four answers rung out amongst the list that may inspire you to plan or reconsider your next improvements and the impact they will have on your guests wellbeing in the short and long term. 

Property #1 upgraded their Wi-Fi. 

Even before the so-called age of the mixed business and leisure travel (“Bleisure” being the latest portmanteau to describe this trend), the importance of strong and steady wireless internet connectivity was key. It still boggles the mind that certain hotel chains charge a fee for a signal that supports HD streaming capabilities. 

Property #2 gutted and upgraded all 10 of their guest baths. 

Notwithstanding the swift return on investment and the ability to command and defend a substantial rate increase, experience in our daily lives starts and ends in a grand soaking tub, spa shower, feet touching radiant heated tile floors, as we ready ourselves for a day of adventure in business or in purely pleasure-seeking pursuits. When was the last time you packed an overnight bag and laid out your toiletries to embody your guest’s experience in the space you are recommending to them in the highest possible terms? Considered improvements to your guest rooms and bathrooms should occur on a regular schedule. A particularly successful, long term owner renovated rooms on a three year schedule and, when the time came to sell, the focus on business growth supported the price they desired and left little room for potential purchasers to nickel and dime.

Property #3 added a complimentary guest ice cream fridge. 

How many of us constant travelers seek “the best” and “most local” food-driven experiences? At times this requires significant forethought and planning but, in other cases, owners can bring the local hits into their respective properties and, in doing so, become true ambassadors to their communities and provide the best and most local way to stay. This was a practice of a particular hotelier during the pandemic who saw the need to comfort guests with a famous local ice cream brand. We have also seen this play out in myriad Vermont Inns that offer hyper local craft beers, ciders, and health tonics on an honor system. How do these properties afford such complimentary or trust-based amenities and services? Consider the overall quality of the experience you are offering, the cost (rates) required to support your ongoing work and the constant improvement to the asset, and the fact that your guests should, in the best case, be clearly aligned with your brand. These key ingredients should provide you with ample opportunity to enhance your brand and its connection to your local market while working to improve the top and bottom line. 

Property #4 shared a guest preference survey. 

When your best laid plans for improvements and procedure for satisfying guests are not landing as they should, your past, current, and future guests are your greatest resource. Enlightened hospitality experiences are, at their core, created by guests feeling seen and heard at every stage of guests booking and experiencing your property and individual approach to hospitality. Your recognition of their position as travel experts in their own right will create an even stronger sense of connection and should provide you with data to inform your ongoing enhancements and support your success personally and professionally. 

Now, since we presume our readers include some of the most driven and capable operators in this industry, we will pose this question to you:

What improvements or enhancements are you considering as you work to elevate the guest experience at your property? 

Thanks for listening and sharing your thoughts that will carry us all into the future, 

Eben Viens

While the changes may appear inconsequential on the surface, they are a clear response to the monumental shift in the way guests engage in the booking process, offering options for longer stays and a streamlined process for booking extended stays to multiple destinations.

Airbnb Categories. The first update focuses on broadening the perspectives of travelers in the discovery stage. This development promises to drive bookings outside of established destination locations, using categories such as amazing views, bed and breakfasts (!), creative spaces, design, iconic cities, tiny houses, and more, to challenge users to book properties that were not otherwise on their radar.

According to the press release, “Airbnb Categories organize homes by what makes them unique, which helps people discover places they wouldn’t have otherwise found. This can help alleviate over-tourism by redistributing travel to new locations beyond the same popular destinations.”

AirDNA’s April 2022 Market Review notes that demand is up 25% over 2019, Average Daily Rates (ADRs) are up 33.9% over 2019, and Revenue is up 67.4% over 2019. While occupancy is the one statistic that is down, this has been linked to an increase in the nightly supply of rentals in destination/resort markets and small cities, not from systematic weakness in demand. At the same time, inventory is clearly limited in markets, with many owners of vacation rentals using them more frequently. This is a clear case of keeping the consumer’s gaze fixed on the platform to protect and nurture the company’s revenue stream.

Split Stays encourage guests to “discover more” of a particular market or region. This feature was clearly data-driven, with Airbnb noting that “in the last three months, nearly half of nights booked on Airbnb were for trips of a week or more.” This nudge, which is also driven by the new Airbnb Categories, seeks to inspire longer travel.

In reading this segment, I was reminded of the growing appeal of “146 Routes du Bonheur, itineraries to discover the world“, the concierge and benefit-driven program of Relais & Chateaux. One of these itineraries, “New Englands Most Beautiful Spots”, transports guests from Bedford, New York, through the Connecticut countryside, up to Woodstock, Vermont, and concludes with sea views and fine dining at Castle Hill Inn. Like member Inns, Innkeepers all have different tastes, standards, and styles, and our individual “Roads to Happiness” should be discussed with like-minded professionals and Innkeepers. Maybe there is an opportunity for collaboration before the journey ends.

AirCover is Airbnb’s “comprehensive protection included for free with every booking.” Without getting into the details (there aren’t many) or sparking a heated debate around the merits of the program, it is enough to state that AirCover is a catch-all confidence booster with the desired effect of driving bookings heading into the summer season.

According to the release, the package protects guests from last-minute host cancellations, misrepresented accommodations, the inability to check in to your hosting property, and access to a 24-hour safety line “if you ever feel unsafe.” While these are very reasonable and welcome protections, it’s important to note that protections are often (always?) created in response to clear and present danger, not as a preemptive act.

These musings are not meant as a criticism of what has effectively become the world’s largest hospitality collection (with over 7 million listings worldwide), but rather as a recognition of the way that tech companies are analyzing consumer habits and harnessing that knowledge to shape the future of travel.

While consumer spending was up approximately 1% in April driven by demand and inflation, a review of 2022 financials across hospitality segments shows continued growth over previous years, but, in most cases, stabilization from the heights of 2021. The current climate has kept this James Garfield quote top of mind in recent months:

“I have seen the sea lashed into fury and tossed into spray, and its grandeur moves the soul of the dullest man; but I remember that it is not the billows, but the calm level of the sea from which all heights and depths are measured.” 

Happy Memorial Day to all and best wishes for busting bank accounts as we continue our march through 2022!

Eben Viens

It’s a common trend in our industry that the overarching macro news obscures counter trends among niches or segments of the larger picture. While it has been difficult to ignore the tell-tale signs of a red-hot real estate market during Covid times, there are critical nuances that require interpretation in the Inn and Bed and Breakfast industry.

First off, the Inn, Bed and Breakfast, and boutique iteration of hospitality remains a vibrant segment of the greater hospitality industry. The increasing interest in the market of tech driven hospitality groups is a clear indicator of the opportunity that truly independent properties offer both guests and owners.

At the start of the pandemic, the larger hospitality market was faced with publicized declines in occupancy and average daily room rates. (Hotel and resort properties rely heavily on business meetings and business travel.) The falloff in activity is complicated by a record number of rooms coming online due to expansion planned in a flourishing pre-pandemic world.

Metro area and airport hotels suffered the greatest economic turbulence at the height of Covid, with a veritable tsunami of closures that touched some of the highest-flying brands. The developments of New York and Los Angeles iterations of NoMad were difficult to ignore.

It’s a different story for Inns, B&Bs, and independent properties, in particular those properties in reach of active metro areas. With international travel out of the question consumers sought readily available alternatives. A Tuscan retreat was replaced with an extended trip to the Hudson Valley, Costa Brava became coastal Maine, North Carolina, or California’s Lost Coast. It is clear that the convenience and economy of “drive to” vacations versus “fly to” luxury trips became an undeniable trend over the last two years. For those Inns able to capture and curate experiences desired by weary, pandemic-worn guests, the economic benefit was palpable.

The general report from Inns and B&Bs in 2021 was positive with most well-marketed properties experiencing record income and occupancy. Inns we engage with on a regular basis report booking pace in 2022 that shows continued growth in both occupancy and average daily rates (ADR). One explanation for growth – in addition to the ongoing ‘pent of demand for travel’ – is the virtuous cycle of repeat business that has been a long-term driver of occupancy in our market.

At the same time, millennial travelers seem to have discovered Inns during the pandemic, and many are intrigued, if not enthralled, with a model that speaks to their unrelenting desire for the authentic, the subjective, the unique, the shareable. Of course, peer review sites (Google/TripAdvisor) remain the gateway for guests, ensuring that they are investing in an experience that supports their worldview. Forget ornamental expression and exposition – guests want facts and personal contact with Innkeepers and other likeminded individuals. And when their needs shift in a different direction, they want recognition of that fact. Remember, the majority of good review focus on Innkeepers (and so do the bad ones).

Other factors bode well for Inns and their owners. The focus on romantic travel of yesteryear has given way to interest in activity, adventure, education. Guests want a menu of opportunities that speak to their personal interests and stretch their limits in like kind. Smart Innkeepers are developing packages and marketing experiences, visually and otherwise, that reach beyond roses and champagne and focus on connecting with guests on a personal plane. The time is now for Innkeepers to continually push the bounds, reaching younger demographics while appealing to the needs of all travelers for the new. We all need to talk about what that constitutes – far more than we are today.

All of this points to a very bright future for our segment of the hospitality industry – far brighter than the threadbare prognostications of the greater industry that is just now sharing notes of optimism as travelers “learn to live” with Covid and its related ills.

There remains positive news for both aspiring Innkeepers and those long-term residents of the industry who are looking towards retirement or other ventures. While the Fed will continue to raise interest rates to stave off inflation, they remain at a very bankable level, offering an open window to Buyers who are serious about making the jump into the Innkeeping lifestyle. For Sellers, a lack of inventory of viable Inn business puts emphasis on any property that is well established, well marketed, and defensibly priced.

While the simple answer is that we are operating in a Seller’s market, a benefit of entering and inhabiting our industry is that reason comes into play in even the most fantastical real estate markets. Numbers must be put to perceptions and banks remain the backstop, helping to separate the facts of business lending from the folly of greater market trends.

Whichever side of the fence you are on – and especially if you are straddling the spikes – we are here to provide support and share in the heights and depths of our evolving industry.

Thanks for listening,

Eben Viens

The Innkeeping world has lost one of its pioneering members with the passing of Bill Oates on Monday, November 22. Bill’s influence on the industry is immeasurable, and his legacy is carried on by industry professionals, consultants, brokers, and the countless Innkeepers who were his colleagues and close friends.

I had the great pleasure of knowing Bill not only as a mentor and “the Innkeeping guru,” but as a grandfather and partner in travel from before I could distinguish one lodging property from another. Later on, as Bill’s Parkinson’s Disease limited his mobility, I was called on to traverse the country by his side and was constantly reminded of his passion for the Inn business and, more so, the guests and Innkeepers who make the Inn experience so truly transformative. As a celebration of Bill’s life, I wanted to share a few guiding principles gleaned from our time working together.

Seek Adventures. It was a somewhat circuitous path that carried Bill from his early years as a student of Southeast Asian History writing a dissertation on a peasant revolt in East Java to years spent in artist enclaves in Greensboro, Vermont, to his years as a “hippie” and natural food store owner to his final role as a country business broker turned Inn-consultant. Bill was a true iconoclast and carried his passion for all things through his many professional careers.

Seek Education. Bill was a longtime supporter of the myriad Innkeeping organizations, including the now named Association of Lodging Professionals and Select Registry. Education and camaraderie with like-minded individuals were some of his “key ingredients” for success in this industry. In moments of industry fragmentation, Bill saw (and filled) the need to create markets to keep the Innkeeping trade alive. He was often discovered with both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times under his questioning gaze. (His recommendation: if you avoid the op-eds, you can typically steer towards some truth!)

Seek controversy. Bill did not shy away from controversial topics or positions. In fact, he welcomed controversy and viewed it as a way to transform ways of thinking and used that position to guide the Innkeeping industry forward. To his mind, controversy was the genesis of open and meaningful conversations which were often the source of great progress.

Seek Stories. Bill found the greatest joys in working with Innkeepers and seeking stories in financial statements. For him, “The Numbers” were a vast historical manuscript that, if held under the right light (or set of eyes), could tell the story of a life well-lived (or in need of guidance) in a series of figures, decimals, and percentage points.

Above all else, Bill had a loving and passionate personality. It did not take coaxing for him to share his methodology or expertise with others. He looked at this sharing of information – with competitors as much as partners – as a method for sharpening his perspective and own business approach. For those who knew him well, Bill was exact and had equally high standards for his partners and associates.

Those of you who knew Bill will have your own stories to tell or keep close to your heart. Others need only look to the vibrant expressions of hospitality at most active Inns, and you will find Bill’s influence, his vision, and his passion at play.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at River Garden Marketplace in Brattleboro, Vermont, on Saturday, April 25th, from 2 PM – 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to groundworks collaborative in Brattleboro, Vermont, or to your local area hospice.

Warm regards,

Eben

The B&B Team / Inn Partners LLC

The two questions most resounding in my life since late last year: Where have you been? And what do you envision for the future of The B&B Team®?

From a distance, the first question can be answered plainly. I have not sat still over the course of the pandemic. In fact, even before I took over the reins of The B&B Team® in December, my work with current and aspiring Innkeepers led me from California to Michigan to Florida to Maine (with quite a few stops in between).

While all my conversations during these trips were colored by the pandemic, most were surprisingly familiar in nature. There were Innkeepers driven by the age old “grandparent syndrome” looking to gracefully trade their career in hospitality for unadulterated time with family. Others were simply looking for a temperature check on their business in an effort to improve their profit margins. A turn to Virtual Seminars in early 2020 led to one of our most active years of aspiring Innkeeper workshops, with well over 150 attendees joining us for this new iteration of our long-time entrée into the world of Innkeeping. Clearly, the appeal of the Innkeeping lifestyle (at least in its theoretical form) was only buoyed by the pandemic.

With a few exceptions, we found that there was a pervasive positive energy driving most current and future Innkeepers through the perils of the pandemic and keeping their focus on the constant stream of guests seeking care at their Inns.

Les yeux qui ne voient pas, the eyes which do not see the beauty of individual, selfless acts of hospitality will never truly recognize how bright and bold the future of our industry should be!

An Innkeeper in Maine recently described her small coastal community as a town of true iconoclasts. The comment was well taken, and I believe reflects most members of our tight knit coalition of Innkeepers and hospitality professionals. At their best, we fit some similar, yet indistinguishable mold of craftspeople, caretakers, cooks, cleaners, healers, designers, spiritual guides, and marketing mavens. And in this highly choreographed scramble of our daily lives, we somehow remain highly attuned to the needs and desires of others. These acts of transcendent hospitality make hospitalitarians (to quote restaurateur Danny Meyer) out of former teachers, attorneys, pilots, nurses, professors, accountants, engineers, senators, builders, and beyond. Seeing these acts unfold is what makes our lives as guests and Innkeepers so profoundly rewarding.

As with all lasting works of architecture, the future of The B&B Team® is based upon historical practices driven by integrity, honesty, and a quality approach to all of our work on behalf of aspiring and current Innkeepers. We plan to build upon this strong foundation to not only guide the transition of Innkeepers and hospitality owners in our community, but to do so in a way that moves our industry forward and keeps the conversation around the Innkeeping trade vital, self-possessed, and enticing to the droves of travelers seeking authentic, subjective, shareable, and safe experiences.

Bigger has never equated to better in our industry and there are thankfully thousands of aspiring, current, and emeritus Innkeepers and professionals that give cause for constant celebration.

I look forward to carrying forward the mantle of The B&B Team® and our affiliate organizations and continuing the conversations that will ferry us all into the future.

Kindest Regards,

Eben Viens

In the beginning of the twentieth century America started to dream of independent travel in the automobile. Anyone who could afford a car could also afford leisure travel. Mr. Ford made the affordability more accessible. Family vacations on the open roads expanded tourism to become the nation’s largest industry.

The automobile became a symbol of success and expanded the freedom of movement. Roadside country inns, motels and campgrounds flourished in the early days of automobile travel. Mom and Pop guesthouses that eventually became our B&Bs. Highways developed and byways paved. National and statewide systems of numbers were established to help travelers from getting lost. Roadmaps and AAA and Mobil Travel Guides, the list goes on, all to establish…

Open Roads.

As innkeepers a large part of your guests may be ‘drive by or drop ins’ as well as planned road trips. That 50 to 250 mile radius from your location is essential to your business. In these times of limited air travel and other public transportation, the freedom of automobile travel is a benefit we may have taken for granted in the past.

Fall is an excellent time to travel the open roads. The September issue of Yankee Magazine listed 85 Best Things to Do In New England. Sometimes all you need to do is read an article like this, pack your bags, and hit the road. But…

TRAVEL NOTE: Since many businesses and venues are adjusting their operations in response to COVID-19 health concerns, please contact them directly or check their websites before making travel plans.

Many B&Bs have been doing an excellent job of informing travelers of their aggressive approach for making a stay at their inn safe and clean. If travelers feel confident in your message, they will come. A personal phone call to reassure a potential guest is always welcome, for you and for them.

ALP’s August/September Inn Ovations magazine Heather Turner’s article, What Does Your Messaging Say (Or Not Say)?The following are quotes from the article.

As a lodging owner you have. ”a golden opportunity to capture the market of people who are leery of traveling and are very concerned for their safety. While most B&Bs and other lodging properties are making a point somewhere on their websites of mentioning what they are doing to keep guests safe, Some are not. That needs to be fixed, especially if your property is implementing additional safety standards. Your potential guests won’t take the time to inquire, they will just go elsewhere.”

If your property is taking the extra time and added expense to enhance your cleaning and safety standards, please let your guests know about it. They want reassurance and you can advertise that you care, but you need to let them know you do in ways they will see and remember.

~Heather Turner, ALP Marketing Director

Select Registry has a campaign called Select Safe. In their recent newsletter they wrote:

“A survey conducted by AHLA in August, showed that… improvements to health and sanitation protocol at U.S. hotels would have considerable impact on guests’ comfort levels staying there, with the top three including face coverings for employees (87% a lot/some impact) and guests (85%), suspending daily housekeeping of rooms (86%), and utilizing technology to reduce direct contact (85%).   Eight out of ten (81%) respondents said that “they feel comfortable staying in a hotel that has implemented… enhanced cleaning and safety protocols”.

In addition to improving guest comfort level with booking a stay in the first place, according to Rick Wolf of The B&B Team, participating in a safe stay program has an additional benefit that shows up in your online reviews.  “The value is that you can have safe, happy and satisfied guests who are more than happy to share their observations with other prospective guests who may be unsure about staying at a particular inn.  It is of course important for the inn’s site to clearly spell out their Covid policies and procedures, but the ‘unvarnished’ comments from guests is the key to more guests!”  

Please take all these wise recommendations to heart. Open roads may be more limited today, but they are not closed. People want to travel, to experience the thousands of majestic open byways our country is known for. Most every state has a National Park and all have state parks.

Look ahead and stay positive and your guests will feel the same.

To end I will quote a famous open road advocate.

“Nothing behind me, everything ahead of me, as is ever so on the road.” — Jack Kerouac

Thanks for Listening,

Janet Wolf,  The B&B Team

Have you been rethinking your guest experience during these troubled times?

It is and always has been the mantra,’ put your guests’ needs and wants first’. Now more than ever.

There is a new wave of customer. Someone who is more cautious, more discerning in their choices, especially when travelling. But they are willing to take a leap of faith if they feel safe and well taken care of by the innkeepers. Think concierge service on steroids!

In the marketing world, CX means customer experience. I am going to use my spin on this, GX, guest experience.

Here is a good example of innkeepers who are striving to think outside the box when creating unique GX.

The Devonfield Inn, Lee, Massachusetts in the Heart of the Berkshires

Innkeepers Doug and Jim have been hard at work in the last few months during this pandemic crisis. They gave a great deal of thought on what they could do to create unique GX. What would help bring them customers, but more than that. What would their customers need now more than ever?

The opportunity to get out in nature and experience the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts. Doug had been wanting to create walking and hiking trails on their property since they purchased the Inn. Now was the time. As Jim said; “It was a labor of love.”

PLEASE take the time to view this video, New Hiking Trails. You will be inspired, trust me.

In addition, Doug and Jim have created their own Summer Concert Series. Another brilliant GX. With Tanglewood’s summer live music concerts cancelled, Doug and Jim wanted to bring music back to the Berkshires. The Devonfield Inn sits on 32 acres that includes  large expansive lawns, perfect for a social distance group to sit and enjoy an outdoor concert. Free to all, guests and a very grateful community.

Again, please take the time to view the short video. Summer Concert Series video

You can also view the videos on their Facebook page.

Thank you Doug and Jim for letting me share your GX. It is wonderful to see this kind of innovation that puts customer’s wants and needs first. But I am sure these innkeepers would be the first to admit, they enjoy their creations as much as their guests. Just look at the smiles on their faces in the videos.

Going to end with a quote from a blog, ‘5 things to Consider When Rethinking Your Customer Experience’, Marketing Insider Group.

“Leading a business during a global pandemic may make you feel like you’re constantly in crisis mode. But don’t forget to look at the silver lining in terms of the chance to rev up your customer base. Brand loyalty’s up for grabs. You could end up with a larger portion of the pie, simply by focusing on CX.”

The B&B Team welcomes all interested folks that desire to become innkeepers and experience what Doug and Jim have. Creating an environment of enjoyment for their guests with passion and creativity.

Give us a call.

Thanks for Listening,

Janet Wolf

We all want to be recognized for who we are.  Blogging for your bed and breakfast helps you to be seen and heard out there in the internet ether.

“As a small business, your content strategy is the key to getting yourself seen. It drives traffic to your site, increases conversions, and strengthens your brand.” Marketing Insider Group

As a small hospitality business owner, YOU know the top attributes of your property (your brand) and your location. Blogging can be one of the key platforms to inform the rest of the world the who, what and where you are.

Some quick down and dirty tips from Marketing Insider Group.

• Speak directly to the area and community in which you do business. Create content specific to them.
• Do not focus on text length for SEO. Figure out what works best for you and your readers.
• Keep your content fresh, current, and relevant.
• Enhance the visibility of your images in organic search with image SEO.
• Optimize your blog posts for featured snippets. These can give you quick wins (and traffic) from the SERPs.

What is SERPs? Search Engine Result Pages.

The first bullet. For a local retail store you would write for the community. You are writing your blog for the large traveling public. You would create informative content that would include everything from a popular activity or event to your new culinary offerings. Quoting guest reviews on these subjects would also be helpful. In addition, writing about your inn’s improvements, fresh decor can be interesting to your returning as well as future guests.

The second bullet refers to the length of your blog. At minimum, blog posts should have 300+ words. 1,000 is a good goal for maximum number of words. A longer post may be good for Google, but your readers may opt out if your blog is too wordy.

Third bullet. Blogging two to three times a month with current information helps your SEO and keeps it fresh. Some ‘experts’ recommend two to three times a week. First, innkeepers do not have that kind of time. Second, too many blog posts can become irrelevant and you want relevant content for your readers and future guests.

Fourth bullet. Tag your photos. Here is some good information about the use of photos in your blogs.

Fifth bullet. Refer to the Marketing Insider Group blog to help explain this one!

If this information is still confusing and a blur, you can get help in blogging for your bed and breakfast.

On The B&B Team’s WordPress platform we have Yoast SEO WordPress plugin. It has been a tremendous help for me in the blog writing learning process. Talk to your website designer/marketer for help and information on Yoast.

Hope this information helps. The main takeaway, blogging for your bed and breakfast helps your SEO with fresh content on your website. Fresh and organic is good for your breakfasts, also for your website.

Thanks for Listening,

Janet Wolf

“At the speed of walking the human body is at its most comprehending state. Sight, smell, hearing, feeling of our physical environment. All are functioning at the most natural intensity.”

This is a quote from a short composition my father-in-law, J. Robert Wolf wrote many years ago. It started with a walk he took around his neighborhood. There was a realization that speed can block the senses of observation. A walk can give you time for thinking, for understanding, for consideration.

I have been walking a lot in the last 10 plus weeks. I am sure many of you have done the same. Observing the bright early spring green in the curling ferns and budding leaves. Wind, bird song and pure quiet! It has been a wonderful addition to a daily routine.

A large number of Inns have land with extended trails, short peaceful garden walks or designated outside quiet spaces.

All can be a bonus for guests that will be seeking a much needed getaway, a place to reflect. A place to take a walk among nature’s beauty.

Time to take a walk trough your property and identify your designated social distancing spaces, nature and garden walks.

The Villa at Saugerties in the Hudson Valley of New York has some of the most spectacular gardens and peaceful oasis spaces for their guests. From a recent newsletter.

“Recently, many of you have reached out to ask about much needed extended stays, and we think the timing couldn’t be more perfect. The Villa is still a tiny luxury Bed and Breakfast — a truly special place for a true escape while being treated with the greatest care.”

“With just four bedrooms in total, most with French Doors to private outdoor spaces, in addition to widespread seating or lounging in the dining garden and at the pool, effortless social distancing abounds!”

Ocean House Bed & Breakfast on the Oregon coast. Offers ocean views, a trail from their cliffside location to the beach. Here is their recent message.

“Getting away to focus on health and mental wellbeing in times as uncertain as these is important. Our property will continue to offer the same exceptional accommodations and hospitality as always and serves as a healthy alternative to larger and more crowded hotels.

The safety and comfort of our guests is our highest priority and we genuinely appreciate your trust here at our bed and breakfast. We look forward to welcoming you to Ocean House soon.”

Your social media messaging is especially important in these unusual times.

If your return and new customers feel they can easily socially distance in a clean and safe environment. They are more persuaded to book a future stay.

Camden Maine Stay Inn in their recent newsletter has made it truly clear in their messaging.

As we all know, the pandemic has forced upon everyone an all-encompassing new normal. It is within this strange context that we will strive to provide you with the same wonderful B&B experience that is the Inn’s tradition and hallmark. At the same time, we are committed to taking new, advanced health and safety precautions to provide you and everyone else with not only a safe, sanitary environment but also peace of mind.” 

If you have not started messaging your guests with a positive and welcoming invitation similar to these three inns, it is time. Take a walk through your property, a walk trough your area’s trails and open spaces. Experience your surroundings like a guest would. Even better, take a video while you walk and voice your message. Take the time now because things will open up, hopefully with a better appreciation of what beauty we have in our physical environment.

“There is always time for a sunset.” J. Robert Wolf 1939

The B&B Team is ready to continue our education for future innkeepers and connecting clients with our Inns for sale. We are here for you.

Thanks for Listening,

Janet Wolf

Innovative. One definition is originality.

Survival. One definition is persistence.

Innkeepers who have embraced a survival mode and been persistent and innovative. We applaud you all!  I will proceed to feature a few Inns that are examples of innovative innkeepers during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Inn at Pleasant Lake, New Hampshire.

Here is a clip from their latest newsletter.

“Our team got to work right after the government shut us down.  We began with stripping the wallpaper off the wall only to find many layers of it!  Next, we painted, applied wainscot moldings, made new trim, custom designed ceilings, then put new wallpaper on. We started with the first floor hallway and did not stop there.  With the continued shutdown we moved to the second floor and then third floor.  We now have all new hallways!  Next, we are moving to the outside for some exterior painting.  Scott as the foreman rounded up our team servers, housekeepers and cooks and we turned the team into an amazing renovation team – now with skills no one knew they had.  The team made noise, they got paint all over themselves, they learned how to glue wallpaper, and they left time-capsule messages to future generations about our endeavors.  This team is ready to welcome you back to the inn and show you everything they have accomplished (and get back to their primary occupations!).”

They went on to describe their mandates for safety once they at able to open lodging. Their restaurant will be able to open May 20.

As you may well be aware, some states have opened for lodging and restaurants. Whether open now or in a month or two, some innkeepers are promoting ‘staycations’ for current or future bookings. Travelers who want to stay close to home but also feel safe at the places they stay and dine. It is important to state your safety policies. Be noticeably clear about what you will be doing to ensure your guests safety and what you expect from your guests as well.

Fairview Inn & Restaurant in Mississippi is offering a Mother’s Day Staycation Special.

Staycation-Enjoy a getaway down the street.

All the rooms at the Fairview right now are available for $179/night + tax. It is the perfect excuse to get out of the house, plus we are taking necessary precautions to ensure the cleanliness of the property. Breakfast is even delivered to your room in the morning!

North Carolina lodging is currently open. Bed and Breakfast at Tiffany Hill put this out in their recent newsletter.

A Few New Things at Check in…

• Touchless payment processing
• We will ask if you would like breakfast brought to your suite or if you would like to join us downstairs.
• Also, at check in, we will inquire if you would like your suite freshened daily during your stay & will respect your wishes.

With restaurants not fully open, we will provide a Local Dining Guide to help.

A Few New things at Breakfast…

• In the Main Dining area, we will practice social distancing by dining inside & out.
• Our beverage bar will look a bit different. We will be serving your beverages directly to your table.

A message from the Hawthorn Inn, Camden Maine

Thinking of you in these uncertain times.

We wanted to reach out to you – our beloved guests – during these uncertain times. We hope this email finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone everywhere who has been impacted by COVID-19. The human tragedy brought on by the pandemic is unspeakable in both the loss of life and financial hardship. In difficult times such as these, we are reminded of our shared humanity. It doesn’t matter where you are from, we are all in this together.

The innkeepers then went on to update Maine’s mandates on lodging openings. Then continued to describe their inn updates.

We have been using some of our downtime in creative and productive ways. We have retained most of our staff and are sprucing up the property, such as paint touch-ups, garden preparation, and deep cleaning, all in preparation for your return. To experience Hawthorn Inn from your perspective, we’ve also been sleeping overnight in each guest room. As a result, we have been fixing issues we discover and implementing changes based on your suggestions.

I believe all these examples show creative innovation and persistence with the kindness and caring innkeepers are known for. With a positive attitude thrown in the mix.

A big thank you to all the innkeepers that are striving forward. I wish I could feature you all. Virtual hugs to you all!

Thanks for Listening,

Janet Wolf