Volume 94, Issue 1 February, 2012

Newsletter

Love is In the Air So Should Your Inn!

You have promoted your B& B as the perfect place to celebrate Valentines, have you set the stage for romance? Setting the “stage” might include candlelight in each guest room, romantic music by way of a CD player and of course, a beautifully presented beverage and snack tray of cookies or crackers and cheese, perhaps a bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice, or a hot pot of cocoa or tea or flavored coffees and a homemade Valentine just from them from their Innkeeper. (And maybe a chocolate heart on the pillow!)

Vintage-style Valentine’s Day cards add a classic touch to your Valentine’s décor. Stand them up across a fireplace mantle or on your dining table, or tape them to the bathroom mirror. Fresh flowers should be reserved for the common areas, not in the guest rooms as many people are bothered by pollens as they sleep.

Have a list, and perhaps discount coupons, for local restaurants that are celebrating Valentines in your area. Be prepared to suggest special entertainment that might be going on in the area. Maybe a place for dinner and dancing!  Also, point out romantic walks or rides your guests might enjoy during their stay. Just make sure your list will be equally enjoyed by both genders and has something for all ages.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - Nature Inspired Beverage Services
Spring is coming soon and these lovely creations can inspire a welcome to the fresh season!

This can be found and ordered on our website: www.bbamenities.com, click on Guest Room Amenities at the top of the home page and then select ‘Nature Inspired Beverage Services’ from the listing on that page.

INNKEEPER'S TIDBIT   Planning Your Calendar for 2012

The second week in January is typically the busiest airline booking week of the year, as leisure travelers’ start planning spring break and summer vacations, and business travelers return from the holidays and plan their initial trips in the new year. Airline heads such as US Airways, Southwest Airlines, Delta and JetBlue, agree that the new year has seen a step up in business demands as well as high volumes in leisure travel bookings in general - beating analysts' estimates.

It is important this year, to watch for reliable statistics on the travel and hotel industries to keep your business on-top-of-the game. If you plan around the last couples years of downward trends, you could smother opportunities; but too-much-too-fast could hurt as well. Prioritize spending as to what will bring the fastest return/growth. Spend on advertising for quick responses, where you have control over when and when not to advertise. Use vendors with fast turn-around times and low minimums so you do not over spend on things that may not work out as well as you expected. Take control of your business spending, don’t let others try to control you. Quantity discounts may leave you with “quantity” and extra monies spent. Some commodities have a “shelf-life” and you don’t want to be stuck with expired product due to your “quantity discount” buying.

RECIPES  Strawberry Heart Pillows

Serve these on a pretty silver platter or tray that is lined with a pink or red paper napkin or doily. Ready-made puff pastry and whipped topping are the shortcut ingredients in these darling pillow treats.

• 1 frozen puff pastry sheet (1/2 of 17.3 –oz. pkg.) thawed)
• 1/3 cup strawberry jam or preserves
• 1 cup thawed frozen whipped topping, divided
• 4 large strawberries, each cut into 4 slices
• 1 square Semi-Sweet baking chocolate (or chocolate chips) melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unfold pastry. Cut into 16 heats with a 2-inch shaped cookie cutter. Place on ungreased backing sheet. Bake  20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Cut each heart horizontally in half. Spread 1 tsp. of the jam onto bottom half of each heart; top with 1 Tbsp. of the whipped topping and strawberry slice or two (depending on size of berry). Cover with tops of hearts. Drizzle with chocolate. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours. Makes 16.

Note: If desired strawberries and strawberry jam can be substituted for another berry such as raspberries.

Customizing Bath Amenities with Your Logo

Personalize your bath amenities with a customized label just for your own Inn or Country Club. BB Amenities will put your name and logo on all amenities with a minimum order of only 250 pieces (25 units). We can do color or black and white. Send us your logo and we will send you a custom sample label before you order. This is the ultimate in personalization and communication to your guests.

BB Amenities looks forward to serving you for all your bath and guest room amenities. If there is something we do not presently offer, we will be happy to try and source it for you.

BB AMENITIES NEWSLETTER

BB Amenities supplies that special touch your guest love so much! Each month BB Amenities will publish a new Newsletter with ideas and shared ideas from other B and B and small inn proprietors. If you have ideas to share please send them to sandra@bbamenities.com. Thank you.