How to Open a Bed and Breakfast Inn

A bed and breakfast inn can be a great tourist destination.

If you are a "people person" who doesn't mind being on the job 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a bed and breakfast inn might be the right kind of business for you. Like any business, there are certain things you should consider before you decide to open a bed and breakfast.

Instructions

1. Determine if you have the right type of personality to run a bed and breakfast. You must be friendly at all times, even if you don't feel like it or are having a bad day. Tourists will be guests in your home during all parts of the year. If you are not a very outgoing person, opening a bed and breakfast might not be for you.

2. Decide if your current location is a good place for a bed and breakfast. According to Power Home Biz, opening a successful bed and breakfast is difficult if you are not currently living in a tourist destination. If you are not living in a tourist area, you will probably have to move to be successful.

3. Research zoning and other laws in the area where you want to open your bed and breakfast. Make sure to consider food service laws since you will be serving breakfast. Hire a contractor or inspector to ensure that your building is in compliance with all regulations and building codes.

4. Compile a list of features you would like to offer your guests. In addition to a room and breakfast, many bed and breakfast inns also offer tours of the local area and other services that set them apart from standard hotels. Anything you can offer your guests that will make your bed and breakfast stand out will be useful for marketing and attracting guests in a tourist area.

5. Decorate and remodel any rooms of your home you intend to use for serving guests. The rooms your visitors will be using should be cozy and have an inviting feeling to them. Most travelers who choose to stay at a bed and breakfast instead of a hotel are looking for a very home-like environment.

6. Advertise your bed and breakfast. When your business grows large enough, you will have many guests visiting based on word-of-mouth. Promote your bed and breakfast heavily when you first open it. This is crucial in obtaining guests in the early stages of your business.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to be flexible and quickly respond to any type of situation. You will probably encounter a few bumps when you first open a bed and breakfast inn.

References

• Power Home Biz: How to Start a Bed-and-Breakfast Business