ALT-2 Nonprofit Service Sector
Owning an Inn is a dream for many people, I have been mentally planning my Vermont Country Inn for nearly 15 year now, although I refuse to have a lazy, whiny housekeeper and three Daryl's next door at a Road Kill Caf. Bob Newhart certainly did make it look easy, while in his spare time he wrote many How-To books. Sorry folks, "How to Run an Inn" was not one of them, so I hope the list I have complied will help you out.
Start up books
There are many books that focus on how to start an Inn that include your business plan, making the most of your location and even Insurance issues.The following three books will cover every area of starting your Inn.
"So-You Want to be an Innkeeper" This book is recommended by the American Bed and Breakfast Association. It is an instructional text and workbook that includes copies of business plans, budgeting, renovating, decorating, laws, marketing, meal planning and even how to be a host. It's in its twelfth edition and online classes and seminars can be found that use this book as there guide. Highly recommended
"How to Start and Operate your own Bed and Breakfast" By Martha Murphy. This book addresses issues such as; Rules and safety measures, rates and reservations, meal planning, activity ideas for your location, policies (cancellations and check in and out times), employees and again how to be a good host.
"Start and Run your own Bed and Breakfast" By Ripley Hotch and Gail Glassman. Contents in this book include business plans, where to look for loans, local competition, marketing and promoting, record keeping, employee wages and benefits. It also has a chapter on how to greet and deal with difficult guests.
Decorating your inn
Guests are looking for two things when staying at an Inn the bed (room) and the breakfast. Whether you choose to have themed rooms or a basic room you need to make them feel and look comfortable and welcoming. The next two books will help you do just that.
"The Romance of Country Inns: A Decorating Book" By Gail GnecoThis book includes photographs from over 25 Inns with instructions, patterns, room planning guide, color schemes and checklists, just to name a few of the chapters.
"Charming Guest Rooms: Decorating Secrets from Country Inns" By Mickey Baskett and Phyllis Muellen. This large book includes photographs, numerous decorating ideas from the curtains to arranging complementary toilettes in a folded towel made to look like a swan. Added bonus section on inexpensive welcoming gifts for your guests. This book is a must have.
Dining room decorating
This is the second most important room in the Inn, where breakfast will be served. Whether you plan on serving a sit down breakfast or a buffet style breakfast your guests will need a dining room to eat it in.
"What Goes With What" By Lauren SmithThis book will teach you how to combine your furniture and what colors will create the atmosphere you're looking for, bright colors for a quick breakfast, pastels for a more relaxing longer breakfast. It also includes what dishes go best with what silverware and other numerous other things you may not have thought of.
"The Dining Room" By Diane BergerThis is a book of decorating ideas with hundreds of photos to create different meal settings. From bright to candlelight. If you plan on serving more than breakfast or having cocktail welcoming parties this is a good book to have,
Breakfast recipes
The most important meal of the day. My list would not be complete with out a few cookbooks.
"The Bed and Breakfast Cookbook" By Martha MurphyOver 300 recipes collected from Inns all over the country.
"Just Inn Time for Breakfast" By Tracy and Phyllis Winters90 pages of just breakfast recipes, including baked goods, beverages, Quiches and seafood Souffl's.
Another good way to learn and decide what you want for your Inn is to visit a few Inns and Bed and Breakfasts.
