To ask for your b&b / guest house experiences?

[FlyingElbows]

We're thinking of offering part of our house (separate groom's house but attached to the main house) for b&b to both normal people and people who could bring their horses. We've got the horses needs covered but what do we need to do for their humans? What do you expect and what do you definitely not want (and where do I get vegan food for London people ?!) ? What horror stories do you have to share

Are you doing it through Air BnB?

I think with that you need to provide far less.....

You may get more help from this forum too
www.laymyhat.com/

I'm easily pleased but all I ask for is that it is clean, warm, but not too warm, decent shower, good breakfast and a warm welcome.

Comfy clean bed and bedding.
En-suite with shower at least (make sure it's usable for tall people) - a bath would be a big bonus.
TV with freeview and a inbuilt DVD player.
Somewhere to sit and write.
Nice views would be a bonus.
If it's an isolated place then somewhere to get a drink in the evening.
Some current magazines.

If you don't want to cook for your guests you could do a self catering option.
Just have a hamper for when they arrive and they can do their own.
If you are going to do breakfast then a decent choice.
Yogurts, cereals, patries, meats, cheese and some rolls.
A couple of juices, still and sparkling water.
Tea and coffee (I'd like to have this facility in the room as well)
Nice cooked breakfast using local produce if possible.
My DD stayed at one over the weekend and they had a pool which they loved.
A nice outside area of my own. So a terrace or balcony.
I don't want much - honest

1. Curtains that block out the light.
2. Comfortable bed
3. Working shower

Also

• clean
• choice at breakfast
• somewhere in bathroom to put out washbag and stuff
• towels larger than a handkerchief

Just from my own experience; it's nice if breakfast can be offered for longer than half an hour....stayed at a B&B in Oxford last year and breakfast was between 8 and 8:30! On a Sunday morning! Not yet having any DCs, I wasn't aware that this time existed on Sundays....!

I'd watch a few 'Hotel Inspector' B&B episodes.

Think about who your accommodation would appeal to and make sure that you focus on your target market, whilst still being able to provide a general good stay.

Do you need this to make X amount of money? You need your pricing spot on. Have you worked out what it would cost you to provide everything, your insurances, repairs, smoke, carbon monoxide alarms , safety/hygiene certificates, Accountancy etc.

You need to be very clear on the hours that you will be available, the protocol for the horse boarding/parking.

My Auntie ran a B&B and you can end up with no life, during the main seasons.

People have been at breaking point when they've called in The Hotel Inspector.

I forgot Marketing, promotional Website.

nice big bed.
ability to heat / cool the room.
clean and modern.
refreshments including bottled water (not everyone drinks hot drinks) or soft drinks.
really good shower.
lovely hosts.
fridge never actually had this but always think would be useful
bar.
if you say pet friendly mean it e.g. somewhere to eat with pet dog.

tbh when i pay to stay somewhere i like it to be on par or if possible better than home. that's probably a good thing to keep in mind.

Do not get a bed with an 'end' to it! Tall people hate them. I can never say in a B&B that has a stupid end on the bed with DP.

Curtains that actually block the light fully.

Decent pressure and hot shower.

King size bed not a normal double.

2 bedside tables with lights and handy plug sockets.

A towel rail in the bathroom and somewhere to actually put down your wash bag and make up bag that isn't the toilet seat.

For your listing - take really good photos of everything, the bed, the bathroom, all facilities etc.

what are you doing about horses and vaccinations and worm counts??? do you have your own horses adjacent who will use the same grazing afterwards? what about insurance for the horses in case they trash your fencing / jump out and eat your garden (and scrape themselves badly in the process)?

people - blackout curtains, bathmat, spare pillows in the cupboard, a radio

Large bed with cotton sheets, good shower, tell people you have these. Say what you offer in the way of meals, eg hamper for continental breakfast or there's a cafe 5 miles away for a full English. People hate the unexpected.

I think you can dip a toe in the water with AirBnB, see how YOU find it; you can control the availability via an online calender.

Also you can provide any standard of accommodation and service as an AirBnB, as long as you clearly describe it - I've seen places with the toilet across the yard, for example, or composting toilets; the accommodation was quirky enough to still be attractive.

I stayed with my elderly mum in someone's house recently via AirBnB. Very short-notice and very cheap.

The lady stores stock for her home business in the bedroom she lets; the bathroom is not ensuite. She doesn't provide breakfast, but was happy for us to use her kitchen and its contents (we microwaved sachets of porridge that we bought).
The cottage was very tastefully decorated and she and her dog were friendly. My mother and I loved the experience - we are not high-end hotel people though.

Best B&B I stayed at (and most expensive) welcomed with a home made mint julep and cookie on arrival, lovely room with comfortable bed and black out curtains. Invest in a good bed and bedding! A good tea tray (inc decaf and biscuits) is a must with fresh milk. Nice toiletries and loo rolls. Finally breakfast should be amazing, if you want to be a serious B&B - again my fav B&B did a 4 course breakfast with homemade cakes, savouries, soufflé, fresh fruit etc. For that B&B (in the USA) we paid £150 a night and it was worth every penny & I would go back again!!!

All I ask for is a shower that doesn't seemingly have only 2 temp settings - ice and burn.
A comfy bed
Blackout curtains
Clean
A bit of space for clothes changing and such without banging elbows on random cabinets and such

Thats it tbh. Rarely find anything fitting my recommendations though, despite not asking for much