How to Start & Run a B&B BandBED2eBook-1 | Page 70

Local information is very useful to guests, and contributes to the official star rating
assessment. Do collect leaflets and brochures from your local tourist office and from
local attractions, and make them available to guests. We find that the “Sherborne
Shopping Guide” produced by the local Chamber of Trade and tourist office is excellent
– it has a simple map of the town and details of all the shops, cafes, restaurants etc. as
well as attractions like the Abbey, museum and the two castles. We put one in each
room, along with leaflets on local walks, and other attractions nearby and within easy
reach for a day out – for example in our case, Bath, Stonehenge, the “Jurassic Coast”,
Salisbury, the Fleet Air Arm Museum etc. Think this though carefully – you may want
to use a folder or ring binder in each guest bedroom, with leaflets and also with your
own local recommendations for eating out, perhaps.
Tea and Coffee Trays
This is another feature that increases your assessment under the star rating scheme,
which will take into account its quality and range. Indeed, if you do not provide a tray,
you must offer a hot drinks service morning and evening. We recommend putting a
tray in every room, with:
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a kettle
cups or mugs
tea, coffee and sugar in sealed packs or lidded containers
spoons
a small dish for used teabags
biscuits and/or chocolates in sealed packs
The kettle must not be on the floor of the bedroom, and we recommend it is a mod ern
plastic kettle, safer and less liable to burn your guests’ fingers.
Other equipment we recommend you include: a hairdryer (these are very inexpensive
now), and of course a TV. At The Pheasants, we have colour TVs with integral video
players in each bedroom, and have a bookcase of video films available for all guests free
of charge – these include children’s films to keep the younger guests amused.
Breakfasts
We have spent a huge amount of time on the “bed” side of B&B; luckily the second part
of the duo is much more straightforward, if no less important.
Virtually every guest you have will take breakfast, and most look forward to it as the
highspot of staying in a family B&B. Your rooms or public facilities may not match up
to a hotel, but your breakfast can easily beat the low quality ingredients and tired
“buffet” offered by most hotel chains.
This is your chance to shine! A good breakfast will make up for imperfections in other
areas, and mean that your guests come back again, and recommend you to their friends.
How to Start & Run a B&B
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