How to Run a B&B | 5 Innkeeper Secrets
Ever find yourself wondering how to run a B&B? We asked Vermont innkeepers Dan and Penny Cote to share their words of wisdom.
By Ian Aldrich|Nov 11 2019|
The front of the Inn Victoria in downtown Chester, Vermont.
Credit: Ian AldrichThe front of the Inn Victoria in downtown Chester, Vermont.
Credit: Ian AldrichCredit: Ian Aldrich Dan and Penny Cote are among the lucky ones. For the last seven years they’ve operated the Inn Victoria in Chester, Vermont, an 8-room B&B in the heart of the Okemo Valley. We profiled the Cotes in 2013 to show the challenges (18 hour days) and rewards (new friends for life!) of what it was like to live the life of an innkeeper. We recently caught up with couple again to learn more about what it takes to run a B&B. What they have to say may surprise you.
How to Run a B&B | 5 Innkeeper Secrets
Get Handy or Go Broke
Just because you have a plumber or electrician on speed dial, doesn’t mean you should call them. “If I had to pay a person to come out here every time I needed them, I’d go broke,” says Dan. Knowing how to fix stuff, or make do with certain fixes, is essential. Adds Penny: “Changing a light bulb might actually be a three- or four-day job because it might not just be a burned out a bulb. It could be the wire running down behind the wall that’s bad.” If it is, you may need to know how to get at it and address the issue on your own dime.Roll With It
It’s going to happen. Guests are going to be difficult or at the very least, finicky. Don’t ever lose your smile, says Penny. “You have to be the good host because your goal is to make your guests happy,” she says. “But sometimes there’s nothing you can do to make them happy. Most of your guests, 99.9 percent of them, are great. But you will get that .1 percent where you’ll try to accommodate them and nothing helps. You’re just like, why did you go on vacation?” Along those same lines, Penny says that as an innkeeper you need to be a versatile cook. “People are gluten free, dairy free, egg free—I joke that I’ve learned how to cook everything except air,” she says.Sweat the Small Stuff
It can be all about the details. How the bed is made, whether flowers are real, and did you welcome guests with enough gusto when they first walked through the front door? Those are the kinds of things guests remember, says Dan. They pass it on to their friends, or insert it into their online reviews for all the world to read.
As owners of the Inn Victoria in Chester, Vermont, Dan and Penny Cote do it all.
Credit: Ian AldrichCredit: Ian Aldrich
You’re Sort of Running a 24-Hour Business
Potential guests call or even drop in at any time of night. “It’s pouring rain and we’ve gotten a knock on the door at two in the morning from a couple who are in the middle of a camping trip and they suddenly need a place to stay,” says Penny. Or there’s a call from a frantic mother who needs a place for her daughter to stay because her car just broke down. “You don’t want to pick up the phone but you know if you don’t they’ll take their business elsewhere,” she says. Or, sometimes a call comes late at night from someone who wants to talk about having their wedding at the inn. “That’s happened, too,” says Penny.Learn to Live with (Your Own) Mess
The inn should look pristine, but don’t stress if your living quarters don’t. Why? Time to keep up the residence simply isn’t there. Penny and Dan make their home in a small apartment in the back of their B&B. It’s a crowded space of papers and laundry that needs to be put away. “You end up putting your money and energy into the part of the house that makes money for you,” says Penny. “You have to let go of the things that aren’t important. It’s like living in a tiny house. You have to give up on the material things you treasure.” Have you ever wondered how to run a B&B? Is it something you’d ever consider doing? Let us know in the comments! This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated.
I have actually stayed at this B and B and it was great. I personally know I would be great at running a B and B. You have to consider your family that would be living with you there and that concerns me.
Debbie and I had a wonderful, but all too short stay with Dan and Penny, I’ve stayed at several B&B’s over the years, and they do an amazing job as hosts! It was mid October and fall color was at Its peak. Dan mapped out a route that covered half the state with the best viewing. We couldn’t get to all of it but it was a memorable day. We hope to visit them again. They truly helped make memories that will last a lifetime.
My husband and I ran a B&B for 5 years. It was the most wonderful experience, and the most exhausting, but was well worth it. We met such interesting people, and we felt good about what we were doing. We did realize, however, that most people have a very unrealistic view of life as an innkeeper. My husband wrote a book to try and tell both sides (Notes from an Innkeeper’s Journal), while running our inn, and it was fun to get some of our funny stories out there while also telling it “like it is”. Our advice: do your homework before you choose this lifestyle. It’s great for some, but not for everyone.
My husband & I spent 3 wonderful days at Dan & Penney’s inn. It was a time we will never forget! Their hard work and efforts are so appreciated…it was a 1st class experience!
My husband and I owned and operated The Inn at Sandwich Center several years. When he became ill we sold and moved. I cannot tell you how much fun and how interesting all the guests were. I have so many tips and fond memories of our Inn. It was a lesson in life! Loved it and I miss Cape Cod.
Louise, I am on the verge of purchasing an Inn and would love to touch base regarding any additional advice you might have regarding this endeavor!
Pretty spot on! We have owned The Parsonage Inn in East Orleans, Cape Cod for the past 5 years and this is a great summary. You need to be able to turn your hand to DIY , we place a great emphasis on the detail, look for trends, for example organic, lighter healthy breakfasts. It also reminds us of the hard work, last summer was four months without a day off, but so many wonderful guests and memories to last a lifetime. Perhaps the most important for us is that it’s our business, we make the decisions that effect it, and enjoy the benefits and its rewards.
Owning a bed and breakfast can be great if you are prepared for the reality of it. As a former B&B owner, I agree with most of what is included in this article. However, I believe it is essential to create boundaries (such as turning off the phone at a specific time) in order to prevent burnout in the long run.
My wife and I have been running Taraden B&B in VT for, now, 11 years. The article is pretty accurate – especially the DIY Part. I would also further the observation that the personalities of the hosts are very important. Over all the time we have operated, we have really had almost no “guests from hell.” In fact, we have made fast friends with some very interesting people…which makes for much repeat business.
Es ist fast sieben Jahre her, dass wir bei Penny und Dan waren und wir denken immer noch gern daran zurück. Der erste Moment, als wir zufällig in das Inn kamen, war schon toll und wir wussten gleich: we would like to stay here for several days. Penny and Dan made out stay in Vermont perfect and we would really like to come back.
Several years ago I thought about buying a B&B in Iowa. The price which I thought was unbelievably low included the Victorian house and all the antiques. This is just my style, but what do I know about running a B&B? Nothing. Too good to be true? Probably, so I passed up the opportunity.
My husband and I have been running Then Sealark B&B in N.J. for 5 years now. We love it. The article was really accurate. But we do turn off the phone at a certain time. We have a lobby door bell that rings in our apartment. You never know when a guest will loose or forget their key! And form sure you can’ please all the people all the time.
Hi all!
Late adapter here! 🙂 Writing to you from the Netherlands. We have just bought a small (4 guest rooms) B&B and I am reading up. Love your article and your picture. Is there no forum somewhere where aspiring B&B owners can humbly request for seasoned B&B magicians such as yourselves.. the Yoda’s of B&B, to dispense their hard gained knowledge in our general directions?
If not maybe there should be one! 🙂
Ok, so question is: do you know of a B&B owners forum?
Thank you! And to all good luck!