Behind the Scenes of Running a B&B with Kate O’Donovan | Bed and Breakfast Academy

In this episode, I’m joined by Kate O’Donovan, owner of Maple Bank B&B in the stunning UK Lake District and a graduate of my B&B Academy course. Kate shares her journey from corporate life to running a thriving seven-room B&B and offers practical insights for aspiring and current B&B owners.

Whether you're dreaming of starting your own B&B or looking for inspiration to improve your guest experience, this episode is packed with valuable advice and honest reflections on what it’s really like to run a bed and breakfast.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction:

• My background and experience running a B&B and training owners since 2006.
• Introducing Kate O’Donovan, her background, and the story behind Maple Bank B&B.

Choosing the Right Location:

• Why Kate and her mum chose the Lake District for their B&B.
• How location impacts year-round business opportunities and guest demographics.

Creating an Exceptional Guest Experience:

• The importance of focusing on how guests feel during their stay.
• Practical ways to make guests feel at home, from thoughtful touches to dog-friendly amenities.

The Realities of Running a B&B:

• Managing guest expectations and setting clear boundaries to protect your time and well-being.
• Strategies for dealing with negative reviews and unexpected challenges.

The Importance of Work Experience:

• How real-world experience can help aspiring B&B owners decide if the lifestyle is right for them.
• Kate’s new mini work experience programme for potential B&B owners.

Lessons Learned:

• Why it’s critical to delegate tasks and focus on what you do best.
• Kate’s advice for balancing the financial and emotional demands of running a B&B.

Connect with Kate:

Choosing the Right Online Booking Platform for Your B&B | Bed and Breakfast Academy

Join me as I chat with Heather Scott from the International Booking Engine Platform,  Freetobook, about the key considerations when selecting an online booking platform for your bed and breakfast.

Heather shares her wealth of experience as a former B&B owner and current account manager for Freetobook, offering practical insights for B&B owners at every stage.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction:

• My background and experience running a B&B and training owners since 2006.
• Introducing Heather Scott, her experience as a former B&B owner and her current role at Freetobook.

What is a Booking Engine?

• Differences between booking engines, PMS (property management systems), and channel managers.
• How a booking engine manages bookings, payments, and guest communications.

Why You Need a Booking Engine:

The essential role booking engines play in guest convenience and business profitability.

Why not having an online booking system could hurt your business.

Key Features to Look for in a Booking Platform:

• Online booking capability for customers.
• Payment processing and security (GDPR, multi-factor authentication).
• Channel management to sync with platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb. Communication features to build guest relationships.
• Reporting and analytics for managing occupancy, pricing, and more.

How to Choose the Right Platform:

• Practical tips for researching booking engines, including seeking recommendations and testing user experience.
• Understanding pricing models—monthly fees, pay-as-you-go, and hidden charges.
• Key questions to ask potential providers, such as support availability and flexibility with online travel agents (OTAs).

Connect with Heather and Freetobook:

Join me as I share my experience on creating a memorable welcome basket for your B&B guests. With over 17 years of experience running my own B&B and training hundreds of B&B owners since 2006, I provide practical tips and ideas to enhance your guest experience, ensuring they become loyal and repeat customers.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction:

• My background and experience in the B&B industry.
• Transition from in-person to online training.

Why a Welcome Basket?

• Importance of making guests feel special.
• How welcome baskets can enhance guest experience and encourage repeat visits.

What to Include in a Welcome Basket:

• Homemade treats like lemon drizzle cake and shortbread.
• Local produce and goodies.
• Options for guests with dietary restrictions.
• Examples of non-food items: toiletries, postcards, and local guides.

Tailoring Your Welcome Basket:

• Adjusting offerings based on guest type and stay duration.
• Considering your budget and pricing.

Reviewing and Updating Your Basket:

• Importance of guest feedback.
• Regularly updating the basket contents to keep them fresh and appealing.

Offering Different Tiers:

• Creating special incentives for email subscribers and repeat guests.
• Examples of added benefits: early check-in, late check-out, and special treats.

Charging for Extras:

• Balancing free items with optional purchasable extras.
• Encouraging guests to buy additional items without detracting from the overall experience.

Resources Mentioned:

Welcome to the B&B Academy podcast.

I'm Karen, the founder and owner of Bed and Breakfast Academy, helping aspiring and existing B&B owners to create a B&B lifestyle you'll love living with guests who become loyal fans and keep returning.

Welcome to the B&B Academy podcast.

I'm Karen, the founder and owner of Bed and Breakfast Academy, helping aspiring and existing B&B owners to create a B&B lifestyle you'll love living with guests who become loyal fans and keep returning.

In today's episode, I share practical steps to take control of your B&B marketing in 2024. Learn more about how you can make more effective use of your website to get more direct bookings.