Working in the bed and breakfast industry, we were looking forward to viewing the Three in a Bed series on Wednesday nights on Channel 4. After last night’s programme, we’re not so sure.
This programme seems to be more about ratings than about the bed and breakfasts themselves. Sure, it makes for good viewing but it’s a shame it is not showing the industry in a better light. Bed and breakfast accommodation is coming of age. Guests can expect charm instead of chintz and some bed and breakfasts can rival the accommodation and luxury of a 5 star hotel, as we have seen already in this series.
It's worth mentioning that we don't agree with John’s comment about guests “not coming to see him”. Owners are as much a part of the bed and breakfast experience as the breakfast, beds and baths. A warm welcome, friendly face and helpful host can ensure not only return customers but also recommendations to friends. As any business knows, word of mouth and personal recommendations are worth their weight in gold.
The three properties last night did have something in common – high standards. Clean rooms, tasty breakfasts and charming hosts are all key factors in running a successful business and ensuring guests enjoy their stay. That’s what bed and breakfasts are about – not TV ratings.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Three in a bed
Three in a bed? This Channel 4 programme wasn't nearly as contentious as its name suggested however it did throw up some interesting thoughts on the bed and breakfast
industry.
Firstly, what IS a bed and breakfast? There is clearly a lot of room for debate here but our view, at The Bed and Breakfast Club, is that a bed and breakfast is a private home where paying guests are welcomed.
Our criteria for the properties we market places a strong emphasis on "private home". For instance, a converted private residence, as with "The Kildare" in the TV programme, doesn't fit the bill for us. It has 11 bedrooms and, interestingly, it is actually called "The Kildare Hotel" and the owners, Joyce and Ray, frequently referred to it as such.
Likewise, although it has only three bedrooms, we would class "Number One", the Blackpool establishment, as a small boutique hotel.
Finally, do bed and breakfasts need accreditation? We don't think so. The key ingredient in running a successful bed and breakfast is a genuine interest in meeting all types of people, a pride in your home, and high standards of accommodation and service. A successful bed and breakfast business builds its reputation on the hospitality and accommodation it provides, not on the number of stars, rosettes or other awards an "official" agency may hand out. We don't, however, condone Roger's B&Q rosettes either!
industry.
Firstly, what IS a bed and breakfast? There is clearly a lot of room for debate here but our view, at The Bed and Breakfast Club, is that a bed and breakfast is a private home where paying guests are welcomed.
Our criteria for the properties we market places a strong emphasis on "private home". For instance, a converted private residence, as with "The Kildare" in the TV programme, doesn't fit the bill for us. It has 11 bedrooms and, interestingly, it is actually called "The Kildare Hotel" and the owners, Joyce and Ray, frequently referred to it as such.
Likewise, although it has only three bedrooms, we would class "Number One", the Blackpool establishment, as a small boutique hotel.
Finally, do bed and breakfasts need accreditation? We don't think so. The key ingredient in running a successful bed and breakfast is a genuine interest in meeting all types of people, a pride in your home, and high standards of accommodation and service. A successful bed and breakfast business builds its reputation on the hospitality and accommodation it provides, not on the number of stars, rosettes or other awards an "official" agency may hand out. We don't, however, condone Roger's B&Q rosettes either!
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