Volume 55, Issue 1 August, 2008

How to Attract the Perfect Guest

With Fall just a head of us and our busy tourist season soon winding down, it is time to turn our thoughts to attracting our favorite guests back again for their fall and winter travels. As it has been researched, and found that the largest majority of B & B guests are over the age of 50, a group no longer traveling with children who need to return to school. It is logical, therefore, that the coming season guest will fall into this category, and a good time to focus on the “dream guest” who love everything: the inn, the staff, breakfast, their amenities, and your suggestions. Many return year after year (sometimes more frequently) and request to stay in”their” room. They take advantage of special offers, add-ons, and packages. Best of all, they are “evangelists” for you, referring other Perfect Guests to your inn. There are also fewer of the “nightmare guests” that take too much time effort and patience's.

The key to attracting your Perfect Guest is knowing what makes someone perfect for you – what are the distinguishing qualities that make them who and what they are. For this you need to brainstorm a long list that describes your current model for the Perfect Guest – what are their likes and values and how they behave in contrast to the Nightmare Guest. The extraction can read in a general way, such as their appreciation on fine living, luxurious linens, home cooking or gourmet foods, pretty amenities, beverages in their rooms, and intelligent conversation. Their demographic qualities; for example, well-educated professionals, over the age of 50 or under the age of 35! After you have made these evaluations, and reviewed the idiosyncrasies of the Perfect Guest, such as stripping the bed, traveling with their own sweetener, complementing your bath amenities or requesting coffee pots or hot pots in their rooms; cross off anything what isn't desirable or important to your target. Next, review the list and think about ways your Perfect Guest could be more perfect = come more often! See if there are ways to “invite” them to spend more time with you, such as emails of special attractions and activities in your area; additions to your amenities, recipes of some of your specialties served at your B & B, special packages for your regular or returning guests.

You have spent many of your resources creating a business that you love and you should not have to put up with anything less that exactly what you want. Just because it isn't always cut-and-dry how to change the problems of the nightmare guest, doesn't mean it cannot be done. When you see them coming, make sure you have put in place strict boundaries such as policies and rules, clearly communicating your expectations of those you're serving. By doing this you will find many problems clear immediately and the rest of the nightmares fade away over time. Spending time “breaking your back” to accommodating these trouble makers rather than pleasing your Perfect Guests, is not business wise. Nightmare Guests are unhappy and don't come back – Perfect Guests do, time and time again.

As always, if there is anyway BB Amenities can help you attract the Perfect Guest, do not hesitate to give us a call: 281-693-6046 or email us at: Sandra@bbamenities.com.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - Macintosh Red Apple

With the back to school theme, why not treat your guests to “an apple on every pillow” for the month of September, just to get the season on to a “sweet smellin' start”! We can add your Inns' logo to each bar, no minimum on number of units!


MacIntosh Red Apple soaps- a fresh, ripe and delicious red apple scent with a dark pink color. The bars are sold in units of 5 for $5/unit.

Don't forget the rest of our terrific line of handcrafted soaps!


Products Provided y BB Amenities – www.bbamenities.com , click on Bath Products then select and click on Handcrafted Soaps, or call: 281-693-6046

INNKEEPER'S TIDBIT – Sometimes the Best Business is in our Own Backyard

As we continue to see the woos of the ever climbing gas prices, it is presents more and more of an impact on our purse-strings as entrepreneurs of the travel industry. As many travelers are pulling in the rein of distances traveled this year as Innkeepers it is time to focus on potential travelers that may live only out 100 miles rather than across the country. It might be a good time to investigate low cost advertising on web pages in the next city over, look into service clubs that may like to use your establishment for a convention or activities' meetings, if there is a golf course or club near that hosts tournaments to regional competitors, be sure you have your brochure in their lobbies (with their permission of course!). Try to reach customer potential that might be just around the corner.

RECIPES – Home Grown Treats

Our local book club is presently reading ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MIRACLE A Year of food life, by Barbara Kingsolver; an inspiring account of a family utilizing local farmers' and growers' market wares and finding ways to stay on top of keeping food we bring to the table healthier for our bodies and for our local economy. Here are 2 of several great recipes that use ingredients fresh and direct to market – or as it is called: from the Hot List for the month of August 

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
2 cups strawberries, halved
3 cups rhubarb, chopped
½ cup honey
Mix together thoroughly and place in an 8-by-8-inch ungreased pan.
½ cup flour
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup brown sugar (or a bit more, to taste)
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
1/3 cup butter
Mix until crumbly, sprinkle over fruit mixture, and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden

½ cup sugar
1 egg yolk

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 egg, beaten
½ cup butter, softened
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup honey
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Combine in large bowl.
1 cup white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
½ teaspoon backing soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Combine in a separate, small bowl and blend into liquid mixture
1 cup finely shredded zucchini
12 ounces chocolate chips

Stir these into other ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees 10 to 15 minutes, Makes 4 dozen. These are moist cookies and stay well for several days or over a week if refrigerated; they also freeze well.

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 200 pieces (20 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 bbamenities@entouch.net. Thank you.

BB Amenities (281)-693-6046

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