Tips on Being A Good Host

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It is not necessary to have a large sum of money or experience in business or hotel management to start a bed and breakfast operation in your home. However, a key ingredient is the ability to get along with all types of people who will be staying at your bed and breakfast. When you operate a bed and breakfast, you become the host--not an owner--who greets and welcomes guests--not clients.

Hospitality is your business. A successful bed and breakfast operation builds its reputation on the hospitality it provides. Repeat business and referrals often come as a result of your interactions with your guests. Guests who frequent bed and breakfast homes usually seek the enjoyment of getting to know their hosts and often develop close friendships with them.

Here are just a few "tips", hosts can try to increase their guest's satisfaction levels during their stay.

Hosts should always provide a warm, friendly welcome at the front door.

Take care of business transactions within the first 20 minutes of your guests' arrival. This will include such things as collecting payment, signing guest register,and giving guest a receipt. This allows you to then concentrate on making the stay a pleasant experience without having to worry about payment.

Show guests to their room and give them an opportunity to settle in. If they have not had a long trip, you may also want to give guests a quick tour of your home.

Offer a beverage and/or a light snack after guests have had some time to settle down from their trip. Check with guests to see if there is anything else they need.

Be a "fountain of information" for your guests. As hosts, you should be able to answer questions about your area and mention nearby attractions and places of interest.

Provide guest with an information fact sheet about common questions and answers concerning your area.

Collect brochures and maps on sightseeing for your area as well as nearby areas of interest. Make these available to your guests at no cost.

Collect menus from local restaurants. You may put these in guest rooms or leave them in your lounge area so that people may browse through them at their leisure.

Offer "special touches" that will appeal to a variety of guests. Perhaps a breakfast in bed for newlyweds or for special occasions.

Always have coffee made early. Find out when guests arrive what they would prefer as a beverage in the morning. A pot of freshly brewed coffee outside the door in the morning will be a treat for the true coffee drinker.

Be sure to provide a variety of beverages so that guest can choose from a good selection. Coffee should be of the best quality. Never instant! Experiment with the many different blends available.

Offer-- "for an extra fee"-- to make special picnic baskets for lunch or dinner so that guest may enjoy a special outdoor location. This will depend on local food service rules and regulation.

An umbrella stand with loan umbrellas near the door may come in very handy for the guest who isn't prepared for bad weather.

Set up a special corner in your public lounge area with a variety of games, cards, books and magazines. A variety of reading material in each room is also welcomed.

Have extra sample size toilet article on hand for your guests. Things such as shampoo, hand lotion, toothbrushes, razors, toothpaste will be appreciated by your guests. If you wish, you can have a special supply ordered with your logo/name and use to promote your bed and breakfast.

Always have liquid soap or the small individually wrapped soaps available in the bathroom so no guest has to use someone else's soap. Liquid soaps can also be used in the shower as well as a special liquid shampoo dispenser.

A special guest "welcome tray" in each room can include fruit, cookies, or candy. Provide disposable drinking cups in each room as well as tissues etc.

Have an area which is easily accessible to guests where they can always find a beverage or snack of some kind.

Keep an extra hair dryer, make-up mirror, curling iron, iron and ironing board available for guest use.

Provide local newspaper as well as one with large circulation such as USA TODAY.

Be able to provide your guests with a local map. Mark your home on the map as well as restaurants and other attractions.

Keep copies of articles of special interest from your local paper in a notebook for your guests.

Collect discount coupons from local restaurants, fast food chains as well as other nearby attractions for your guests'use.

Leave a notecard or flyer telling guests where they can order a pizza if they wish. Let your guests know it's all right to eat in their room or on your deck or patio.

Help your guests feel comfortable in your home. Make sure they know that they should ask if there is something they need--extra towels, more pillows, iron and ironing board etc.

Some hosts put together a collection of their favorite recipes to share with guests. You will need to decide whether or not to charge a few for them.

If you have a special hobby or interest, invite your guests to watch you if they wish.

If you have an historic home, your guests may want to know more about it. Some hosts keep a scrapbook of pictures and documents detailing the history and/or renovations and restoration of their home. This can be placed in a public area, or if you wish, duplicate it and place in each room.

If your community has a walk-it-yourself tour, you may want to provide guests with a copy and make suggestions of things to look for along the route.

Provide a list of churches in the area along with worship service hours. Be sure to keep the list up to date to avoid embarrassment for your guests should they happen in during the middle of a service.

Be sensitive to your guests' need for privacy and space. Be available for those who want to talk to you, but just in touch enough for the guest who wants to be left alone.

Bed and breakfast establishments often attract couples looking for that romantic get-away. If you home setting conveys that feeling, play it up. Offer guests some privacy in front of a fireplace, use a romantic decor for a special honeymoon or anniversary room. Special touches such as candlelight, satin sheets,soft music, a decanter of liqueur or brandy all add to the romantic mood. (Be sure to check the dram laws of your state BEFORE providing alcoholic beverages to your guests.)

If guests want to get to know you better, do so. You are a unique individual. . .your way of life, your home, your town. . .all make the visit very special to your guests. The "extras" you provide go a long way. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to attract more guests and repeat visitors, so make a positive impression.