Travel Inn Journal

More and more innkeepers are discovering the value of Facebook and Twitter.  Keeping up with friends and family via social media is easy and fun, but consider following your favorite restaurant, boutique or B&B.  What you can learn from Facebook is not only fun…it can be informative and profitable.  You never know when you will find the perfect spot for your next romantic getaway or the perfect spot for a family reunion.  Visit these 4 reasons to follow your favorite B&B on Facebook.

1.  Enjoy the view.    Most inns or Bed and Breakfasts are located in beautiful spots and afford views that most of us only dream of.  Travel through Washington and enjoy the natural beauty, post by post.

2.  Recipes.  Innkeepers are experts at creating beautiful, bountiful breakfasts, and they are always willing to share their favorite recipes.  Facebook is a great place to check out a photo of their newest creations….and follow a link to the recipe.  In this case, check out their YouTube Video with instructions….right on Facebook!

The Shepherd’s Inn Bed and Breakfast   

Enjoy making fruit filling just like this for crepes or pancakes with your favorite fruit!

3.  Weather  Miss the snow?  Wonder what Orcas Island looks like covered in 12 inches of pristine snow?  Wind, rain, waves, rainbows, stormy sunsets…Better than a weather report.  Let innkeepers share their seasons with you.

4.  Latest Special, Deals or Values   Everyone likes to save money, and Facebook gives innkeepers the chance to let you know about upcoming holiday packages and also those great last minute money saving deals.  If you have a favorite B&B, follow them on Twitter or “Like” them on Facebook.  More and more innkeepers are connecting with their guests through social media.

A Hidden Haven Special! Book Two Nights Get Third Night Free! Not to include holidays. Call toll free 1 877 418 0938 mention facebook. Offer ends December 31st 2011.

If you weren’t on Facebook you missed this one time offer from Sleeping Bulldog offered last fall.

Sleeping Bulldog Bed and Breakfast

The viaduct is closing for nine days on Friday. For those in West Seattle who want to avoid the traffic how about a stay vacation here!?! 20% off for those who live in West Seattle. Two night minimum stay required.  (Sorry, this offer has expired)

The most efficient way to keep up with the very best Bed and Breakfast Inns in Washington is by visiting  http://wbbg.com/. Find a bed and breakfast, inspected and approved and reserve your next getaway online right from our website.  Wanna learn more about our innkeepers, hear from their guests and see what they have to offer?  Visit our inns on Facebook and “Like” the best of Washington, one inn at a time.

Join small business owners on Saturday, November 26 and support your local economy.  On the busiest shopping weekend of the year, visit a local small business and help make a difference.  Many of us think of the small gift shop or specialty clothing store, but don’t forget all the other choices you have: the hardward store, the pharmacy, the pizzeria or corner bakery…buy flowers from the local florist…there are a number of ways to participate.

Join small business owners on Saturday, November 26 and support your local economy.  On the busiest shopping weekend of the year, visit a local small business and help make a difference.  Many of us think of the small gift shop or specialty clothing store, but don’t forget all the other choices you have: the hardward store, the pharmacy, the pizzeria or corner bakery…buy flowers from the local florist…there are a number of ways to participate.

If you plan to make a weekend of shopping, then consider a short getaway.  Visit a local bed and breakfast and enjoy the personal service, great food and all the small special touches you find when you choose to avoid the “chain” hotels.

Why a small business?

1.  They are people just like you. They live, work and raise their families in your community.  They pay taxes, employee your neighbors and they often shop for everything from organic eggs, fine linens and tasty coffee from other local small businesses.  When you support one small business, you are often supporting a number of others with this “waterfall” effect.

2.  Small business supports your community.  Look at the logo on the back of your son or daughter”s soccer league jersey.  Read the “Thank You” notes tacked to the wall at your corner pizzeria from the local boy scout troop after the generous donation to their fundraising drive.  Consider how often you bid on a weekend getaway donated by a local bed and breakfast to your favorite non-profit organization.  Small businesses get involved.

3.  Get a deal!  Don’t overlook the small business for the best deal.  Sometimes the deal is price, but often it is service.  When dealing with a local business….they want you to return again and again.  They want to be sure you are happy.  They want to give you the best product, best service, best experience possible.  They want more than just your money…they want an ongoing relationship.

So, how can you become involved.  First, visit  http://smallbusinesssaturday.com/  a site created by American Express, the sponsor of Small Business Saturday and learn more.

Next,  ”Like” this and support through Facebook.  Share the link with your friends and get them involved.  http://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday

Watch this video and learn why we are celebrating Small Business Saturday again this year.  http://youtu.be/wBJJUWt47rk

Doom and gloom.  It is everywhere…cable news, local tv, magazines, newspapers and every genre of radio.   Even blogs will tell you just how bad the economy is.  Many small businesses are suffering.  Many will not survive.

I talk to a lot of innkeepers, all across the United States, and for many of them, business is good.  Yes, many have seen better years,  but for a large segment of the Bed and Breakfast industry, business is good….and getting better.   Although a number of innkeepers report a slow and disappointing spring 2011, they are thrilled that summer business did pick up and guests are returning and new people are discovering the delight of staying in a bed and breakfast.

So, in today’s doom and gloom economy, why are our innkeepers staying busy, when other businesses are closing, laying off employees or cutting back in 2011.

1.  Local travel.  Considering the escalating costs of air travel and the average price at the pump fluctuating daily, many people are choosing to travel local, often times driving less than 2 hours from home.  Guests are discovering the beauty and charm that is literally “in their own backyard.”  Local travel is less stressful, more cost effective and promotes your local economy.  Bed and breakfasts are located in some of the most beautiful small towns, bustling urban centers and pastoral centers in the country.

2.  Personal service.  After wading through refinancing their mortgages, performance reviews at work, balancing and re-balancing the family budget, people want personal service.  They want someone to help:  help make room choices or dinner reservations.  After making countless critical decisions in day to day life, they want someone to hand them a map, offer helpful hints and assist them with a stress free getaway.  Innkeepers chose this business because they love to help.  Introducing guests to their local restaurants, parks and favorite spots is a favorite task of bnb owners.  They are the experts and want to share their best with you…and they won’t charge you extra for it.

3.  Exceptional value.  Bed and breakfasts have always  offered real value for your hard earned dollar, but today, more than ever, they strive to make your trip “worth it”.  These are hard working, small business people that understand how important every dollar is. Innkeepers take great time and care in creating your breakfast, preparing your room and having plenty of local information at your fingertips.  They work hard to make your stay not just enjoyable, but memorable.

Speaking of all those $$$…. Although you will find that many innkeepers offer last minute values or special packages, you probably won’t see the same type of deep, deep last minute discounts offered by large hotel chains.  Remember, a bed and breakfast is just one inn, usually family owned and operated.  Every dollar counts to them….just like it does to you.  They can’t depend on the profits of one set of 100 hotels in one part of the country offsetting losses in another.   There is no big corporate office to manage profits and losses across 1000 hotels.  They work hard daily to offer you freshly brewed coffee, delectable breakfast offerings,  unique amenities and truly personal service. This is their job and oftentimes their only source of income.  One big difference between your local bed and breakfast and a chain hotel…if you have a question, need something special or just aren’t pleased with some part of your stay, you don’t need to send an email to customerservice@a majorhotelchain.com.   Just ask the innkeeper.  Just tell then what you need.  Give them your opinion.   Ask them for information.  They are there, ready and willing to make your stay more than just a value.  No far off corporate office here.  At a bed and breakfast you always know that your are valued by those “at the top”….the owners!

In today’s world, people need a break.  In today’s economy, more than ever, they need a value.  Visit a local bed and breakfast.  Take a break and discover real value.  Discover why there is no doom and gloom at your local bed and breakfast.  The pillows are fluffed, the coffee is fresh and hot and the cookies just popped out of the oven.  What are you waiting for?