Starting your own country inn or bed and breakfast is an exciting undertaking! There’s never a dull moment when opening and running a small inn. Taking some time to consider some practical concerns can help to ensure that your business runs smoothly and guests recommend you to their friends.Â
Find the Right LocationÂ
While many bed and breakfast owners seek out a quiet, remote spot to open their bed and breakfast, choosing a location for your business is more complicated than simply picking the most peaceful property. While guests do often choose to visit a bed and breakfast to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, it can still be a difficult decision whether to open up within the bounds of a small town or out in a more remote area in the country. When considering where to open your business, you’ll need to think both about the demand for a country inn in various locations as well as more practical considerations about the feasibility of opening a bed and breakfast there.Â
Is This Property Right for a Country Inn?
There’s a lot to consider when you’re on the market for a property for your new bed and breakfast. While on the hunt, it can be easy to fall in love with a location without fully considering the practicality and cost. For instance, if a property is on a private road in a remote area, you might have to pay a considerable amount for high-speed internet to be installed and for routine road maintenance. Consider these factors when weighing any potential property:
- Cell Service: Do most major cell phone providers have service in the area? Is cell service spotty? Is there high-speed internet access in the area? Guests might come to escape the hustle and bustle, but most will still want to be able to use their phones and laptops.
- Road Maintenance: Are the roads near the property well-maintained? If the property is on a private road, who is responsible for plowing and maintaining the road in the winter? Consider whether you’d be able to perform routine upkeep on your road, driveway, and parking area.
- Water and Sewer: How is the water quality? What is the sewer system for the property? If you decide to open outside of a town, you may be responsible for your own septic system.
Marketing Your New Business
One of the most important aspects of a plan for a new bed and breakfast is how to market and advertise the business. Before you open, make sure you’ve thought through your branding and marketing to get the word out about your country inn. This is particularly important if you’re opening in a more remote area, because your property might not be visible to potential visitors driving by. Bed and breakfasts tend to be the most successful when they cater to a niche and focus on attracting those customers. Find your niche by thinking about the kinds of amenities that your country inn offers to potential customers.