Be a web Savvy accommodation business

This is an older volume now but would be a good place to start if you didn't know anything about the internet and the accommodation industry. Susan Briggs the author writes in an easy to read non technical style which is accessable to all. I would point out that as an update to her books she has a web site called www.tourismknowhow.com which has free classes and worksheets on and is much more up to date.  ISBN 9780709584315
www.Soyouwanttorunabedandbreakfast.com

"May I Help You?"

Book Review - I was recommended to read this book by the folk at BandB Edition and found it a fun read. Its full title is Thank you very much a book for anyone who has ever said "May I Help You?"  by Holly Stiel. This is a small volume so if you are a busy hospitality owner you will easily find time to slot in the quotes and sections betwee customers! Holly Stiel worked on the front desk in a large hotel for 16 years and rose to the high rank of Concierges and now works as an inspirational trainer and speaker. This book is full of quotes both serious and amusing about front desk service life and is handy as a pick me up for those days in which everything goes horribly wrong. It reminds us all of what we are all striving for and what makes a difference to the lives and experiences of our customers. ISBN 0-89815-673-4

Holiday Trade or Business Traveller?

this is one of the things you have to be clear on when setting up your policies ie business trade usually needs an early start, holiday people prefer a lie in. Business travellers will need stong wi-fi and preferably in their room so they can work in the quiet. If you have conference trade like I do I have to have all my people through for breakfast by a set time (ie all have to be at an event at the same time) and so on. This will also affect how you market and what upselling opportunities you will have. I would say business people's needs and holiday people generally overlap but I would say business people tend to be more demanding of their facilities where are holiday people tend to be more demanding on your time.

Trip Adviser Attractions

Just this week took a look on Trip Adviser to see what attractions were showing -ie attracting people to my town and there was hardly any , 5 of which are pubs apparently! So have spent all this week applying for attractions to be accepted which now shows a lot better for example our theatre, museums, art gallery etc. I am also now getting anyone with a trip adviser account who has been to any of our attractions to review them to give a good accounting of their displays etc. If you have a B&B etc take a look at your town you will be shocked what is missing!

The Joy's of Building Work

This is the finished result! However some advice - 1. things never run to time or plan. 2 - Everything makes twice as much muck as you think it will. 3 - anybuilding over 10 years old will have been tinkered with by cowboys at any given time and you will hit these problems one at a time as you do work. (ie we found our sewage pipes were held together by Duct tape when we did some digging at the back) 4 - Not only will a ton of dust be produced it will get through any dust sheets, coverings and into rooms where the work isn't being done so plan for it. 5 - No work man ever cleans to your standard so whatever they say don't expect it. 6 - No work will ever be up to your standard there will always be a loose end or unfinshed part - so please don't be surprised. 7 - try and build a crew of trusted workmen and ask others for recomendations you can't always guarantee that they won't let you down even so but it does make for better odds.

Some more pics as the work progresses!

cos I can never have too much building work going on! lol

How we are getting on?

Day 1 of the new windows going in! there is a ton of muck every where. While we are shut we are deep cleaning everywhere and all the curtains are going to the laundry. Its a good opportunity to pull everything right out and do all the jobs. Will keep this updated with photos as we go along.