All the tools to start and run a profitable B&B--and have fun doing it In the United States there are over 27,000 professionally run, fully licensed bed and breakfasts, which serve more than 55 million guests annually. Running a Bed & Breakfast For Dummies provides professional advice for those interested in starting and operating a successful B&B or inn. For entrepreneurs and small business owners as well as individuals seeking to semi--retire and earn a living as a B&B owner/innkeeper, this comprehensive guide covers everything from finding the perfect location to establishing a budget to handling maintenance issues. It helps readers decide how many rooms they should have to match their target occupant and income needs, what rates to charge in accordance with the amenities provided, and if and when to hire a staff. There are also tips on decorating, marketing, and selecting amenities to offer. Mary White (New York, NY) is President of BnBFinder.com, one of the most informative and easy--to--use B&B sites on the Web. She has been involved in marketing and promoted B&Bs online for more than ten years.

About the Author

Mary White is the go--to source in the bed & breakfast industry for opinions and advice. A noted expert on B&B travel, she has been involved in promoting and marketing B&Bs on the Web for more than a decade and has appeared in dozens of media outlets. Her site, BnBFinder.com, is hailed by professionals and consumers alike as the most informative B&B site on the Web.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part I: Inn the Beginning. Chapter 1: So You Want to Open a B&B. Chapter 2: Deciding on the Location and Style of Your B&B. Part II: Transitioning from Inn Goer to Inn Owner. Chapter 3: Creating the Plan for Your Business. Chapter 4: Purchasing an Existing B&B. Chapter 5: Starting a New Inn from Scratch. Part III: Getting Ready for Guests. Chapter 6: Organizing Your Record--Keeping. Chapter 7: Setting Rates and Establishing Policies. Chapter 8: B&B Marketing 101. Chapter 9: Furnishing Your Inn. Chapter 10: Making Breakfast a Memorable Meal. Part IV: Up and Running: Day--to--Day Operations. Chapter 11: Communicating with Potential Guests and Taking Reservations. Chapter 12: Taking Care of Guests. Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Inn. Chapter 14: Getting Help When You Need It. Part V: Taking It beyond Breakfast and the Basics. Chapter 15: Assessing Your Success and Building on It. Chapter 16: Keeping Your Most Important Asset (You) Fine--Tuned. Chapter 17: Looking into Your Future. Part VI: The Part of Tens. Chapter 18: Ten Cleaning Tips to Save Time, Money, and Your Inn. Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Guarantee a Return Guest. Index.