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We’ve collaborated with Karen Thorne from the Bed and Breakfast Academy to bring you a series of blogs that are full of helpful ideas and advice for your B&B. In a recent blog, Karen advises on several considerations to think about when it comes to creating a finishing touch that your guests are sure to remember.
With many years running her own B&B, Karen states “One of the most frequently praised aspects in my bed and breakfast guest book is our attention to detail. Guests often highlight the thoughtful extras like the fridge stocked with fresh milk, lemon drizzle cake, and homemade shortbread. They frequently comment that "The room had everything they could possibly need." In this blog Karen shares those little touches that guests might not consciously notice—until they're missing! These minor details can be the key to preventing negative reviews.
Karen’s Tip I always recommend that B&B owners sleep in their own rooms regularly, especially before hosting your first guests. When we set up our third room, the Barn Room, it wasn’t until we spent the night in it that I realized what was missing!
In her 17 years of running a bed and breakfast, Karen always left a box of tissues in each room. Despite their presence, no guest ever mentioned them in reviews—unlike the lemon drizzle cake, which was frequently noted!
However, Karen once ran out of tissues due to poor stock control and didn't place any in one of the rooms. That was one of the rare times a guest left a note of complaint. Her only issue? No tissues! Tissue boxes aren’t always attractive, especially the branded ones from the supermarket but these unbranded boxed tissues offer a stylish option, or you could use a tissue box cover for a nicer presentation.
The VisitBritain Assessor, also known as the
Hotel Inspector, required five wooden coat hangers per person in the wardrobe.
Guests often left behind their wire hangers and sometimes even entire outfits,
necessitating a wardrobe check with each changeover.
Karen says “While I dislike security coat
hangers when I travel (I prefer hanging clothes in a steamy bathroom to get rid
of wrinkles), they can be useful if guests frequently take your hangers.”
Leaving a pen and notepad in the guest bedroom is a thoughtful touch that guests often appreciate. They can use these to jot down messages, reminders, or feedback for the B&B. This simple addition can help prevent guests from turning to Tripadvisor to leave feedback, and it’s useful for noting down directions or phone numbers. Karen’s Tip Personalized pens with your B&B contact details make a nice marketing tool, and you can encourage guests to take them home!
Most guests expect a decent hairdryer in their
B&B room these days. An extra touch is to provide a heat-proof mat for hair
straighteners, which also protects your dressing table.
If you run your B&B in the UK, you likely don’t have air conditioning. Providing a fan for heat waves or guests experiencing hot flushes is a great idea. Karen mentions “Several of my guests use them year-round.”
Luggage racks reduce the risk of guests placing dirty luggage on your bed and are more convenient than placing luggage on the floor. No space for a folding luggage rack? Don’t worry, you can compromise with a handy luggage mat that goes on the bed and keeps your bed linen clean. When not used it rolls up neatly and can be stored in the wardrobe. Karen’s Tip Luggage racks are also useful when organizing laundry and folding towels and sheets. I still use my B&B ones for this purpose today!
“While mini-fridges are great for guest rooms,
if you don’t have the space or budget, consider providing milk in an insulated flask to keep it fresh and cold longer. These were very popular with guests
before we invested in room fridges” says Karen.
Many guests prefer not to drink tap water from the bathroom. Karen was always surprised by the number who asked if the water was safe to drink. Providing mineral water bottles or a more environmentally friendly refillable glass water bottle is a great option.
If you have blackout curtains or live in a
rural area, it can get very dark in a B&B room. Motion sensor safety lights
can prevent guests from tripping in the dark and double as an emergency torch
if the power goes out.
Karen advises “Providing a facecloth, or flannel, is a nice touch that I miss when it's not available during my travels. Consider using black makeup flannels to protect your white towels and pillowcases from makeup stains.”
Karen’s Tip If your towels or flannels get stained, soaking them in Napisan is an excellent way to restore them to their pristine condition!
Karen concludes, “It's often the small details that make a big difference to a guest's experience. From tissue boxes and coat hangers to pens and notepads, these seemingly minor items can significantly contribute to a guest's comfort.”
“Remember, it's about anticipating your guests' needs and making their stay as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible. By sleeping in your own rooms, you can better understand what might be missing and what could enhance their stay.”
“As they say, the devil is in the details, and
in the hospitality industry, it's these details that can truly set you apart
from the competition."
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So far so good - prompt deliver and good fit & comfortable to sleep on. No experience with how it washes or wears yet.
