Luxury B&B Magazine February 2019 Issue

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BATHROOM BEAUTY

GUESTROOM AMENITIES

Make a difference by pampering guests with super-premium brands

LUXURY PRODUCTS IN THE BEDROOM BOOST YOUR REVIEWS

PLUS! OUTDOOR SAUNAS

SAFETY AND REGULATION FACTORS TO CONSIDER

UK’S FIRST

LUXURY

B&B MAGAZINE WWW.LUXURYBBMAG.CO.UK • ISSUE 35 • FEBRUARY 2019

STAY FULLY CHARGED WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED Introducing the HW4, a Qi wireless charging Bluetooth audio bedside stereo alarm clock with speakerphone. With two high-powered USB ports and a wireless charging pad, guests can charge up to three devices at once. Alarms are easy to set and the Single Day Alarm feature means they won’t be disturbed by the previous guests’ settings. For more information, contact Chris Brunt at hotelorders@hoteltech.com, 00 1 888 744 6835, ext. 370 www.hoteltechnologies.com

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Welcome /X[XU\ % % RZQHUV DUH HTXLSSHG ZLWK D FRPELQDWLRQ of devotion and creativity. This leaves them able to withstand and rise above the endless and unwelcome market and regulatory challenges that are thrown at WKHP OLNH WKH IDOOLQJ ERPEV RI 6SDFH ΖQYDGHUV 2Q SDJH % % $VVRFLDWLRQ FKDLUPDQ 'DYLG :HVWRQ ZDUQV RI WKH SHULOV WKDW OXUN LQ WKH IDFW WKDW QRZ \RX FDQ EH KHOG FULPLQDOO\ OLDEOH IRU UHFRPPHQGLQJ D SURGuct or service to your guests if things go wrong. Meanwhile concerns about the ongoing access to DYDLODEOH VWDÎ? WR KHOS RXW ZLWK WKH VPRRWK RSHUDWLRQ RI % %V LQ SHDN VHDVRQ DUH JURZLQJ IXHOOHG E\ WKH XQFHUWDLQW\ VXUURXQGLQJ *UHDW %ULWDLQȇV GHSDUWXUH IURP WKH (XURSHDQ 8QLRQ SDJH ΖQ KHU FROXPQ RQ SDJH 7LQD %RGHQ JLYHV VRPH KHOSIXO LQVLJKW LQWR SXWWLQJ VRFLDO PHGLD WR JRRG XVH DV a way of countering the negative forces in your busiQHVV 6KH DGYLVHV WKDW LI \RX DUH QRW SDUW RI D ORFDO FRQVRUWLXP DVVRFLDWLRQ RU LQIRUPDO JURXS RU D )DFHERRN JURXS RU IRUXP WKDW DOORZV \RX WR FKDW ZLWK RWKHUV LQ the industry then make sure you address this now. 2WKHU WLSV RQ UDLVLQJ RFFXSDQF\ OHYHOV DQG UHYLHZ VFRUHV FDQ EH IRXQG LQ WKLV LVVXH ZLWK D ZDUQLQJ IRU H[DPSOH QRW WR RYHUORRN WKH LPSRUWDQFH RI SURYLGLQJ KLJK HQG EDWKURRP SURGXFWV IRU \RXU OX[XU\ JXHVW URRPV 0HDQZKLOH ZH DUH LPSUHVVHG E\ WKH KLJK VWDQGDUG RI entries coming in for our inaugural Excellence in Luxury 6HUYLFH DZDUGV SDJH /X[XU\ % %V DQG VXSSOLHUV VWLOO have time to get their entries in ahead of the deadline RI 0DUFK

NEWS

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Industry news from around the UK

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COMMENT B&B Association chairman David Weston

COMMENT B&B business advisor Tina Boden

PROFILE Sheila and Robert Mitchell have run Cambridge House LQ WKH <RUNVKLUH 'DOHV IRU Č´YH \HDUV UDLVLQJ LW IURP Č´YH VWDU WR Č´YH VWDU JROG

GUESTROOM AMENITIES 3URYLGLQJ OX[XU\ VWDQGDUG WHD DQG FRÎ?HH ZLOO KHOS UDLVH your online ratings

WIRELESS CHARGING :H ORRN DW WKH DGYDQWDJHV DQG FKDOOHQJHV RI SURYLGLQJ wireless charger technology for your guests

OUTDOOR SAUNA Overcome regulation and safety issues and an outdoor VDXQD FRXOG ERRVW \RXU % %ȇV RFFXSDQF\ UDWH

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Bill Lumley

Editor

16 26

- News -

EDITOR

Bill Lumley bill.lumley@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739 507 | 07710 271 099 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Caroline Sargent 07076 362082 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Matthew Attwood 07710 271 099 NORTHERN IRELAND EDITOR

Francis Higney 07710 271 099 SALES MANAGER

Frankie Butler frankie.butler@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739524 | 07590 297 877 DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Stuart West stuart.west@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739 526 PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

Helen Richmond helen.richmond@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739 523 | 07765 008 507 No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. We regret we cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any solicited or unsolicited material. Contributors are advised to keep copies of all materials submitted. The opinions and views expressed in Luxury Bed & Breakfast are not necessarily those of JLD Media. Being subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines in place at the time of going to press, all data submitted by advertisers and contained in their advertising copy is accepted by JLD Media in good faith. Luxury Bed & Breakfast is available on subscription. UK & Ireland ÂŁ65; Overseas ÂŁ98. Luxury Bed & Breakfast is published monthly. Printed by Stephens & George Ltd

Luxury Bed & Breakfast JLD Media, 29 - 31 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LS www.luxurybbmag.co.uk

First two sponsors announced for Excellence in Luxury Service Awards Out of Eden and Vision Support Services have EHHQ DQQRXQFHG DV WKH Č´UVW WZR VSRQVRUV IRU WKH LQDXJXUDO ([FHOOHQFH LQ /X[XU\ 6HUYLFH $ZDUGV Next month’s deadline of 31 March is fast approaching for awards entries. Entries are invited both from UK luxury B&Bs and inns and from industry product and service suppliers, ranging from Best Luxury Seaside B&B to Best Website Provider. The ultimate purpose of the awards is to recognise and promote excellence in luxury across the high-end UK B&B market and thus help raise even higher the existing bar on standards. The winners will be announced at a central London awards ceremony on 9 May at the Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell, on the edge of the City of London. Awards judge, David Weston said: “I was delighted to be asked to be a judge in Luxury Bed &Breakfast PDJD]LQHȇV Č´UVW DQQXDO DZDUGV

“I hope the new awards will complement established awards such as those run by the AA and eviivo, and add a new, luxury-focused element to the national awards scene, and new opportunities for the owners of high-end properties to showcase their businesses.â€? Fellow judge and winner of this year’s Vision Style award for Picture Perfect B&B The Chapel owner 0DUN +LQFKOLÎ?H DGGHG ȊΖ DP GHOLJKWHG WR EH LQYLWHG to be appointed as a panel judge for the 2019 Luxury Bed & Breakfast awards. These awards will help keep the high-end B&B market on its toes when it comes to enhancing its luxury appeal.â€? Details and entry forms for the range of awards ranging from Best Luxury B&B to Best Luxury Supplier across multiple categories can be found at: http://www.luxurybbmag.co.uk/the-2019-luxurybed-breakfast-excellence-in-luxury-service-awards/

Four in five world’s best B&Bs are in the UK 7KH %RXWLTXH OX[XU\ % % LQ 7RUTXD\ KDV ZRQ the accolade of World’s Best B&B in the TripAdviVRU 7UDYHOOHUVȇ &KRLFH DZDUGV 7KH Č´UVW SUL]H ZLQQHU 7KH LV D VL[ EHGURRP Č´YH VWDU SURSHUW\ D SURČ´OH RI ZKLFK IHDWXUHG LQ Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine in June 2018 when it was formally recognised as the best B&B in the UK. Owners Andy and Julian Banner-Price said they were both “thrilledâ€? to win the award for world’s best B&B. The bedrooms feature cutting-edge design technology, including voice-control for the air conditioning, lighting and televisions. )RXU RI WKH WRS Č´YH % %V DQG LQQV DUH ORFDWHG in the UK and include Bindon Bottom B&B in West Lulworth, The Grange Bed & Breakfast in Fylingthorpe and Swallows Nest Bed & Breakfast in Brigstock. Bed & Breakfast Association chairman David Weston told Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine: “We are thrilled that our members Andy and Julian %DQQHU 3ULFH RI 7KH %RXWLTXH % % KDYH EHHQ crowned ‘Best B&B in the World’ in the 2019 TripAdvisor Awards just announced. Congratulations to them on their well-deserved success! “We are also delighted to see that four of the :RUOGȇV WRS Č´YH DQG Č´YH RI WKH WRS DUH %ULWLVK Č‚ and especially proud that two of those top four are B&B Association members! ČŠ7KHVH RXWVWDQGLQJ UHVXOWV Č‚ EDVHG RQ PLOOLRQV RI

UHYLHZV IURP JXHVWV ZRUOGZLGH Č‚ DJDLQ VKRZ WKDW Britain’s brilliant B&Bs are world-beating in their individuality, warmth of welcome, local knowledge, and home-cooked breakfasts. Well done all!â€? “Lovely and clean, great decor with modern facilities and felt very homely the minute we stepped foot into the property,â€? says one review. “The little touches from the entertainment service to the homemade complimentary goods , the ethical approach to sourcing local ingredients for Breakfast, toiletries and the environmental controls, the personal service and attention given by the hosts and the comfort of the room made this an amazing night away from home and I couldn’t recommend highly enough,â€? says another.

All rights reserved Š JLD Media 2019

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 4 - February 2019

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- News -

European hotel website developer launches push into UK B&B market %DUFHORQD EDVHG KRWHO ZHEVLWH GHYHORSHU Amenitiz has announced a major push into WKH 8. JXHVWKRXVH PDUNHW The company has appointed a team dedicated to UK B&Bs. It provides a website builder, booking engine, channel manager and SEO optimisation. Founder and CEO Alexandre Guinefolleau VDLG Ȋ:H ȴJXUHG RXW WKDW QRW RQO\ ZHUH RXU websites very good for hotels, but they also work very well for B&Bs and gites.�

He told Luxury Bed & Breakfast the company has adapted its existing system for smaller operations and is selling it to B&Bs in the UK for one third of the price. “It’s not like a dumbed down version of what we usually sell for hotels: it’s the exact same one, but targeted at a smaller hospitality organisations.â€? 6RPH RI SRWHQWLDO JXHVWV ZKR Č´QG D B&B on OTAs will go to its website to check it out, he said. “If in spite of this the majority of your bookings do not come from your own website, it makes sense to change,â€? he said. The Amenitiz system enables Bed & Breakfast owners to create a website designed by conversion specialists. Guinefolleau told Luxury Bed & Breakfast magD]LQH ČŠ:H Č´JXUH WKDW KRWHOV DUH PRUH XVHG WR dealing with agencies, which is also the case for B&Bs. When we started talking to them it was clear they did not want to farm out the website development to someone for whom the development was not a priority. It made sense for the B&B to control his own website. “Just because they are smaller than hotels does not mean that they should not get the same level of service that a hotel would get. “When we began contacting B&Bs, the immediate response was that the ability to control

their own website was welcome. That is when we decided to target B&Bs. Although we began RXU EXVLQHVV WDUJHWLQJ ZLWK KRWHOV VRPH RI our clients are now B&Bs and cottages.â€? The three company founders are French. Although the company is based in Barcelona its initial target market was France. “The natural PDUNHW IRU XV ERLOV GRZQ WR IRXU RU Č´YH FRXQtries led by the UK then France, Spain and Italy. “The UK is a priority for us. We have had amazing responses,â€? he said.

Hospitality sector braced for staff challenges B&Bs and hotels are among the sectors of hospitality most vulnerable to projected labour shortages this year according to a series of reports published this month ahead of the UK’s departure from the European 8QLRQ DW WKH HQG RI 0DUFK Hospitality businesses need access to labour in order to keep pace with projected growth, UKHospitality has warned. The warning follows the news that UK employment has reached a record high of PLOOLRQ With levels of employment historically high, businesses are concerned about their DELOLW\ WR DFFHVV ODERXU DQG Č´OO YDFDQFLHV DQ issue that is likely to worsen if migration is seriously reduced following Brexit. Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “Histor-

ically low unemployment and high employment is driving labour shortages in sectors like hospitality. Our members are reporting WKDW WKH\ DUH Č´QGLQJ LW LQFUHDVLQJO\ GLÉ?FXOW WR Č´OO YDFDQFLHV %XVLQHVVHV DUH FRQFHUQHG WKDW WKH\ ZLOO QRW EH DEOH WR Č´QG WKH HPSOR\ees they need to continue to grow. The UK hospitality sector is highly reliant RQ (8 QDWLRQDOV ZLWK EHWZHHQ DQG RI WKH VHFWRUȇV ZRUNIRUFH PDGH XS RI (8 PLJUDQWV DFFRUGLQJ WR Č´JXUHV IURP WKH %ULWLVK Hospitality Association. In addition, current unFHUWDLQW\ DURXQG D %UH[LW GHDO DQG VXEVHTXHQW implications for free movement are pushing wages up in the short to medium term. In the longer term, the supply of workers is highly OLNHO\ WR EH DÎ?HFWHG IROORZLQJ %UH[LW $QG SUREOHPV ZLWK UHFUXLWLQJ QHZ VWDÎ? DQG

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 6 - February 2019

UHWDLQLQJ H[LVWLQJ VWDÎ? LV WKH ELJJHVW FKDOOHQJH for UK hotel general managers according to EY research. Christian Mole, head of hospitality and leisure said: “Retaining and attracting VWDÎ? UHPDLQV XQGHUVWDQGDEO\ WKH ELJJHVW challenge for hotel general managers and, particularly with Brexit moving closer, a shortage of migrant labour is an overwhelming concern not only for hotels but the hospitality industry as a whole. “This isn’t, however, to say Brexit is solely WR EODPH IRU ULVHV LQ VWDÉ?QJ FRVWV WKH introduction of the national living wage and apprenticeship levy continue to have an impact and, with room rate growth at regional UK hotels in particular slowing down, the ability to pass on these costs to customers LV EHFRPLQJ GLÉ?FXOW Č‹ KH VDLG

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luxury bed & breakfast and innkeeper

DATE - 9 May 2019 VENUE - Crypt on the Green, London DRESS CODE - Black Tie Following much preparation, we are proud to announce the official launch of the inaugural Excellence in Luxury Service awards incorporating Luxury Bed & Breakfast and Innkeeper magazine. The awards span categories both for B&B owners and Innkeepers as well as suppliers ranging from Best Luxury Seaside B&B to Best Luxury Breakfast Product. The awards aim to recognise and promote excellence in luxury across the UK B&B and Innkeeper markets, thus helping raise the existing bar on standards even higher in the high-end UK B&B and Innkeeper market. We are also delighted to announce the judges of the awards. The panel comprises Inn Places managing director David Hancock; Bed & Breakfast Association chairman David Weston; B&B business adviser Tina Boden of the B&B Keeper and the Tiny Troubleshooter; owner of The Chapel luxury B&B in Harrogate Mark Hinchliffe; Be My Guest event director Diane Lloyd; B&B coach Yvonne Halling; and Luxury Bed & Breakfast /Innkeeper magazine editor Bill Lumley. The winners will be announced at a central London awards ceremony on 9 May at the Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell, on the edge of the City of London. David Weston said: “I was delighted to be asked to be a judge in the first annual Excellence in Luxury Service awards.

WWW.LUXURYBBMAG.CO.UK

“I hope the new awards will complement established awards such as those run by the AA and eviivo, and add a new, luxury-focused element to the national awards scene, and new opportunities for the owners of high-end properties to showcase their businesses.” Diane Lloyd, event director for Be My Guest Events, said: “We are delighted to support JLD Media, Innkeeper and Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine on their inaugural Award series in 2019. It will be the perfect showcase for owners up and down the country who are committed to delivering customer service of the highest order and delightful guest experiences. We can’t wait to read the entries and to see the winners awarded their deserved accolades.” Fellow judge and winner of this year’s Vision Style Award for Picture Perfect B&B The Chapel owner Mark Hinchliffe added: “I am delighted to be invited to be appointed as a panel judge for the 2019 Excellence in Luxury Service awards. These awards will help keep the high-end market on its toes when it comes to enhancing its luxury appeal.” HOW TO ENTER Submitting your entry is straightforward. Go to luxurybbmag.co.uk/awards and complete the online form. Deadline for entries is 31 March 2019. A shortlist of nominations for the awards will be announced in April, ahead of the awards ceremony in London 9 May.

WWW.INNKEEPERMAGAZINE.CO.UK

JUDGES

Tina Boden Founder The Tiny Troubleshooter

David Hancock Managing Director Inn Places

Yvonne Halling Consultant B&B Business Coach

Mark Hinchliffe Owner The Chapel, Harrogate

Diane Lloyd Event Director Be My Guest

David Weston Chairman Bed & Breakfast Association

CATEGORIES INCLUDE Best Overall Luxury experience Best Luxury Seaside B&B Best Luxury Rural B&B Best Luxury Urban B&B Best Luxury Romantic Getaway Most Inspired Design Best Culinary Experience Best Luxury Renovation Best Use of Locally Sourced Produce Best Events Facility Best Wow-Factor

Best E-Commerce Website Best Excellence in Customer Service Best Room Booking Software Best Luxury Cleaning Product Best Luxury Bathroom Product Best Luxury Bedroom Product Best Luxury Breakfast Product Best Rural High-Speed Internet Provider Grand Prix

AWARD SPONSORS

PARTNER SPONSORS

- Com Comment ommen men nt / Bed & Bre B Breakfast akf kffast As Assoc Association so iat soc ation at ion -

Did you know that "recommending" a supplier can make you 100% liable?

Recommending a specific supplier to your guests could leave you liable, says David Weston Chairman of the Bed & Breakfast Association.

Luxury Lu Lux L u uxxury xu urrryy B ury Be Bed ed & B Br Breakfast rea eak e akkffas a fa asst a st - 10 10 - Fe F February eb brru bru ruary ary ar ry 2 20 2019 019 19

- Comment / Bed & Breakfast Association -

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s our members already know but other readers may not be aware, you need to be careful now when UHFRPPHQGLQJ D VSHFLČ´F VXSSOLHU to your guests, or when "adding value" to your stays (by including another element). The former may make you 100% legally liable for that supplier, and the latter may now be illegal unless you have protected your guests' payments (for example, by taking out insolvency SURWHFWLRQ RU DUUDQJLQJ D Č´QDQFLDO ERQG In July 2018 the Package Travel regulations (PTRs) were completely revised. Originally dating from 1992 and designed to protect holidaymakers travelling abroad from the risk of their tour operator going bust, the PTRs are QRZ PXFK ZLGHU DQG GR DÎ?HFW % %V LQ FHUWDLQ circumstances. We and many industry bodies (especially the Tourism Alliance, of which we are members) tried vigorously over the last couple of years to persuade the Government to modify the UK regulations from the EU directive they are based on - but to no avail. So we are left with a ridiculously disproportionate set of laws that will no doubt be "honoured more in the breach than the observance". We regret that these laws now bind us - but as your trade association, it is our duty to inform you that this is now the law of the UK.

PENALTIES FOR "ADDING VALUE": If you "add value", by combining another elHPHQW ZLWK D VWD\ DW \RXU % % IRU H[DPSOH E\ DGGLQJ D ORFDO JUHHQ IHH WR PDNH D JROČ´QJ break - that may create a "package", which means that you (as the package "organiser") must have insolvency insurance, a client "escrow" account or be "bonded" like a tour operator. Selling a package without such protection can make an organiser liable to criminal prosecution (yes, criminal). The Government has been telling our industry that a priority should be to "add value" to innovate our product and increase our sector's productivity - yet the PTRs actively discourage adding value.

PENALTIES FOR "RECOMMENDING": If you "recommend" a particular supplier - for example, a local pub or restaurant - the PTRs may make you 100% liable for that supplier's performance, as if you were providing it yourVHOI %ULHČľ\ WKDW GRHVQȇW DSSO\ WR D PHUH OLVW of local pubs in your guest information pack, but it may well apply if you have negotiated D VSHFLDO RÎ?HU IRU \RXU JXHVWV DW D SDUWLFXODU pub (for instance). Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 11 - February 2019

If you are a member of the Association, you ZLOO Č´QG QHZ DQG GHWDLOHG JXLGDQFH GRFXments on both the above issues on our member pages, which explain the full details of the 375V DQG KRZ WKH\ ZLOO DÎ?HFW \RXU EXVLQHVV If you are not yet a member, simply join us, then login to our member pages using your member password to view the full guidance documents on this and on many other rules and regulations. It pays to be aware of the risks you may be taking, and how to minimize them! %HVLGHV LQIRUPLQJ \RX RI WKH ODZ DV LW stands, we are of course continuously lobbying the Governments in Westminster and Edinburgh, the EU and regulators to cut red tape where possible, and make the rules fairer, simpler, more practical and less onerous for small businesses. A never-ending challenge! The Bed & Breakfast Association is the UK trade association for B&B, guest house and independent hotel owners, and exists to inform, support & represent owners. Membership costs ÂŁ60 a year. The Association is a non-profit organization with no shareholders, dedicated solely to the interests of its members. www.bandbassociation.org

Build your crowd; Create the power of plenty Tiny Troubleshooter's Tina Boden, offers advice and guidance on the use of socia media when business gets tough

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- Comment / Tina Boden -

hether you are in the luxury B&B industry or an independent business owner in another sector, this time of year can be a challenge. The start of 2019 does however seem to be harder than normal for those in the hospitality industry. Dry January, constant media hype in the UK about grim weather and the other headline-hogger beginning with B that has people clutching tighter than ever to their purse strings has not encouraged guests old or new to book as they may have done in the past. The change in booking habits brought about by short cancellation terms introduced by larger chains and online booking agents DGGV IXUWKHU IUXVWUDWLRQ 3URMHFWLQJ FDVKČľRZ is hard enough, and none of the above factors KHOS WKLV GLÉ?FXOW WDVN Building your crowd and then keeping in touch with them is an important part of modern business. Following a few key steps will help you do this

FIND YOUR NICHE As business competition grows, you need WR Č´QG \RXU QLFKH LQ WKH HYROYLQJ KRVSLWDOLW\ market that you can build and grow your reputation around. Walkers and hikers, Shoppers, Dog owners, Single guests, Young people or Theatre goers? The list is endless, but you need to base it on something for which you have a knowledge or passion, so that you can sell it well to those you want to attract. Working hard to become known for that niche is essential; sitting back and resting on your laurels is not an option. Customers are the No. 1 at the front RI \RXU FURZG 7KH\ ERRVW \RXU FDVKČľRZ DQG ZLWKRXW PRQH\ ČľRZLQJ WKURXJK WKH YHLQV RI your business there is no business. Look at what your competitors are doing, and if you have a good working relationship with them then consider collaborating. You can have your own niche while promoting that of others, resulting in a village, town or city that people want to visit because it has so PXFK WR RÎ?HU Č‚ D QLFKH RI QLFKHV

IN THIS TOGETHER )DFHERRN JURXSV RÎ?HULQJ VXSSRUW IRU WKRVH running B&Bs, Guest Houses and small hotels seem to have a larger-than-average number of posts relating to slow business and lack of forward bookings. Some comfort can hopefully be gained from the number of comments under each post from people that are clearly experiencing the same problem. Unfortunately being part of a trend does not pay the bills, nor does it relieve the stress and anxiety growing in the business owner while the phone is not ringing and the email is not pinging. It is important that we support each other in business, and my advice is this: if you are not already a member of a local consortium, association. informal group or a Facebook group or forum that allows you to chat with others in the industry then make sure you add joining one to your To-Do list, and do it soon. Sharing knowledge, experiences and an XQGHUVWDQGLQJ HDU FDQ PDNH D ELJ GLÎ?HUHQFH to both yourself and others. We need to support each other to make life in self-employment easier: this support network is a key part of our crowd, and its members are the ones that help keep you sane when the going gets tough. Joining online groups is easy and convenient, but meeting up with people in your community is really important. Getting out, sharing ideas and collaborating can reap great rewards for your business.

GET SOCIAL It never ceases to amaze me the number of micro and small business owners in customer-facing industries that tell me they are not using social media for their business, or who admit they are doing it badly. You do not have to be an expert you just have to be effective. If you are not confident in promoting your business across Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, or any other platform your customers are engaging with, then number two on your to-do List is ‘Book a place on a social media course for the hospitality industry’. You may not even have to leave your B&B to do this, as a number are available online. Building a massive crowd on social media is not essential. It is not about the numbers but the engagement. Encourage guests to follow you and ensure you are sharing news, stories and useful information about things going on in your area regularly. Doing it properly is like sending a newsletter, something that has become a little restricted thanks to GDPR. One thing is for certain: building your crowd is vital, comprising those that support you, those that promote you and most of all those that buy from you. Work on the ‘If you build it, they will come’ theory, an adaption of the quote for the 1989 movie ‘Field of Dreams’. Embrace the quiet periods in your business to look at how your crowd can help you.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 13 - February 2019

Tina Boden is no stranger to running micro and small businesses, the importance of customer service or the hospitality industry. It has been part of her life since the age of two, when her parents gave up the security of employed life and bought a pub in North Yorkshire that become their first of three hospitality renovation projects. Tina went on to study Hotel, Catering & Institutional Operations when she left school before joining the family business. At the age of 21 she bought her first business with her Mum, a property letting and management agency, that she owned for over a decade. Working with micro businesses to guide them with development and growth is the key focus g^ LafY k \Yq lg \Yq da^]& O`]l`]j ogjcaf_ one to one with the business owner, providing virtual assistance, offering marketing support or stepping in while they take a break, Tina Boden, The Tiny Troubleshooter and The B and B Keeper, ensures the wellbeing of the micro business, and al k gof]j$ ak Yk _gg\ Yk al [Yf Z]& The Tiny Troubleshooter The B & B Keeper Co-founder #MicroBizMatters Day m tina@tinaboden.com N +44 7515 288307 T @MicroBizGirl F Tina Boden The Tiny Troubleshooter A @thetinytroubleshooter w www.thetinytroubleshooter.com w www.thebandbkeeper.com w www.microbizmatters.co.uk

- Comment / Guest Feature -

Top marks Providing short-term accommodation for students, parents or college employees is an effective way of securing occupancy throughout the year. Unistay provides a guide to promoting your B&B and building up great relationships with local universities

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orn in early 2015, Unistay focused on giving visiting friends of students the choice to stay at B&B’s, this then progressed to working with the University to help market this idea, through their various marketing channels. The target market then grew to parents, PhD students and university employees. This a rough, sped up outline of how the idea came to be. We are an online company designed at promoting Bed & Breakfasts such as yours

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 14 - February 2019

to a market that many large companies don’t have access to: Students, students’ relatives (e.g. parents), PhD students and employees working for the University. On average 50,000 people, be it students or parents attend university open days, many will need a place to stay for two nights at least. When there aren’t open days many students will want to visit IULHQGV ZLWKLQ D GL΍HUHQW XQLYHUVLW\ FLW\ WKDW city could be yours and the place they stay could also be yours.

- Comment / Guest Feature -

WHY USE UNISTAY? Only you as an owner can answer that question, but here a few reasons why people have chosen us. Our vison at UNiSTAY has a social mission in mind by re-attracting guests to the B&B, many guests opt for hotels where they can spend a few nights in a nice but bland environment. Staying at a Bed & Breakfast you can experience a comforting and homely feel which a hotel couldn’t give you, as a guest you can meet some wonderful owners such as yourselves and even learn about where they’re visiting. A Bed & Breakfast is the personal touch in accommodation. Unistay is about giving the potential guest a choice of what type of accommodation to choose, not the choice between which hotel. Many large OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) are fantastic to use but they have always seemed to neglect the Bed & Breakfast. Picture a website that only promotes Bed & Breakfasts – no competition with hotels or hostels, a website that only

focuses on promoting your Bed & Breakfast, a whole page on your Bed & Breakfast with no advert clutter, just your Bed & Breakfast and the guest, the way it should be. That’s how we view UNiSTAY. For you as an owner, we want to help show what your Bed & Breakfast has to RÎ?HU ZKHWKHU LWȇV \RXU ORFDWLRQ IULHQGO\ hospitality or impeccable scenery, UNiSTAY wants people to see it. With the ability to work with universities close to you we can be closer to your customers. No one knows more about your Bed and Breakfast than you, we would like to share that knowledge with our collective customers and provide a real alternative to hotels.

BENEFITS OF UNISTAY • Both a close and a direct link with customers • Great local links with the University near you • A high level of ongoing support if needed • Access to a continuous flow of potential customers

WHERE WE ARE NOW? With just over 500 Bed and Breakfasts registered with us here at UNiSTAY, the best way we can help you as a Bed and Breakfast attract from this unexplored market of university cities our website will be live from 10th February. We are currently registering interest from Bed and Breakfasts such as yourselves on our current site to be contacted once we go live. It is an exciting time for both us here at UNiSTAY and for Bed and Breakfasts in general as technology has allowed you to advertise and secure bookings that once weren’t possible, however with our access an even greater opportunity is now available, take advantage of it. To register your interest or to see how UNiSTAY works visit unistayuk.co.uk For any questions, queries or to find out more please do not hesitate to contact us at info@joinunistay.com

‘Providing Short Term Accommodation for Students, Parents or Friends, A Great Way To Fill Rooms All Year Round, What Does Yours Offer?’

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 15 - February 2019

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 16 - February 2019

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A walk in the park Cambridge House is a luxury five-star gold B&B in the village of Reeth in the heart of Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Reeth has an impressive array of craft shops, a folk museum and historic inns.

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JAMES HERRIOT &DPEULGJH +RXVH LV VLWXDWHG LQ -DPHV +HUULRW FRXQWU\ DQG LW ZHOFRPHV JXHVWV IURP DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG 7KH SURSHUW\ FDQ EH VHHQ LQ WKH FORVLQJ VFHQHV RI WKH 79 VHULHV $OO &UHDWXUHV *UHDW DQG 6PDOO DQG WKH RSHQLQJ VFHQHV ZHUH ȴOPHG MXVW XS WKH URDG ZLWK 5REHUW +DU G\ DQG &KULVWRSKHU 7LPRWK\ ODXJKLQJ GULYLQJ Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 21 - February 2019

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- In Depth / Guestroom Amenities -

Bedroom hot drinks service A high-quality tea, coffee or hot chocolate drink in the bedroom can boost an online rating. Bill Lumley talks to Drury Coffee’s Marco Olmi

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 22 - February 2019

- In Depth / Guestroom Amenities -

L

DVW PRQWK /RQGRQ EDVHG FRÎ?HH roaster and tea blender, The Drury 7HD &RÎ?HH &RPSDQ\ DQQRXQFHG the launch of a new hot drinks selection designed for guesthouse and hotel bedrooms, lounges and bar service. 7KH WKUHH WLHUHG V\VWHP FRPSULVHV 'UXU\ȇV S\UDPLG WHDEDJV LWV DOO LQ RQH KRW FKRFRODWH PL[ DQG D IUHVKO\ JURXQG FRÎ?HH EDJ 7KH JXHVW GULQN SURGXFWV DUH SUHVHQWHG LQ D SUHPLXP PDQQHU VXLWDEOH IRU OX[XU\ % % JXHVW URRPV LQGLYLGXDOO\ ZUDSSHG LQ DUW GHFR GHVLJQ SDFNDJLQJ 7KH\ DUH QRZ DOVR DYDLODEOH with a neat wooden tray with dimensions to match the three drink ingredients. 'UXU\ KDV EHHQ GHYHORSLQJ WHD FRÎ?HH and hot chocolate for a number of years. Commercial director Marco Olmi says: “We VWDUWHG RÎ? ZLWK RXU S\UDPLG WHDEDJV ZKLFK LV a high-quality leaf tea in a bag. You have the TXDOLW\ RI WHD IURP D WHDSRW ZLWK WKH FRQYHQLence of a tea bag.â€?

PYRAMID TEA BAGS )DFWRUV DERXW WKH GHVLJQ VWUXFWXUH DQG VKDSH RI WKH S\UDPLG EDJV GLÎ?HUHQWLDWH WKHP IURP conventional tea bags and give rise to the GLÎ?HUHQFH LQ WDVWH DQG ČľDYRXU KH VD\V %HFDXVH RI WKH ZD\ WKH V\VWHP ZRUNV RZLQJ WR WKH VKDSH RI WKH S\UDPLG EDJ WKH IDFW WKDW LW LV QRW SDSHU EXW D PHVK WKHVH GLÎ?HUHQWLDtors are what give the tea a highly satisfying taste akin to a freshly

EUHZHG SRW RI Č´QH TXDOLW\ UHZHG SRW RI Č´QH TXDOLW\ tea, ea, he says. “This ability to serve erve high-quality tea in a bag ag means that we can exSHULPHQW ZH FDQ XVH ODUJH OHDI HULPHQW ZH FDQ XVH ODUJH OHDI teas, eas and we can get really interesting and JRRG WHDV LQWR D S\UDPLG EDJ Č‹ KH WHOOV Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine. ČŠ0RVW SHRSOH ZDQW D JRRG FXS RI EUHDNIDVW WHD DQG RI WKH WHD ZH KDYH SURGXFHG XVLQJ S\UDPLGV LV EUHDNIDVW WHD 7KDWȇV ZKDW ERWK WKH %ULWLVK DQG YLVLWRUV WR %ULWDLQ ZDQW :KDW ZH SURGXFH ZLWK WKH S\UDPLG WHD EDJ LV D UHDOO\ JRRG TXDOLW\ %ULWLVK WHD <RX GR WDVWH WKH GLÎ?HUHQFH Č‚ LWȇV DVWRXQGLQJ Č‹ KH VWUHVVHV 6LQFH ODXQFKLQJ WKH S\UDPLG WHD EDJ 'UXU\ KDV UHFHLYHG KLJKO\ SRVLWLYH IHHGEDFN KH VD\V ČŠ7KH FRPSDQ\ GHYHORSHG WKH SURGXFW and achieved modest success with it to begin with. There were a few central London hotels where the teas were featured both in the restaurants a and then in the guest rooms, where they received receiv very good feedback,â€? he adds. Pyramid Teabags come with a choice of HLJKW GLÎ?HUHQW WHDV DQG LQIXVLRQV LQGLYLGXHLJKW GLÎ?H DOO\ SDFNHG LQ DWWUDFWLYH IRLO HQYHORSHV HDFK DOO\ SDFNH ZLWK D GLÎ?HUHQW $UW 'HFR GHVLJQ 7KH VHOHFZLWK D GLÎ? WLRQ FRPSULVHV %ULWLVK %UHDNIDVW ΖPSHULDO WLRQ FRPS (DUO *UH\ &DPRPLOH :KLWH 7HD ZLWK 5RVH (DUO *UH\ DQG 3RPHJUDQDWH 3HSSHUPLQW D /HDYHV &KXQ 0HH &KLQD *UHHQ 7HD /HPRQ *LQJHU ΖQIXVLRQ DQG 5HG %HUU\ ΖQIXVLRQ 5

PREMIUM COFFEE REVOLUTION PRE ΖQ UHF ΖQ UHFHQW \HDUV DV OX[XU\ % % RZQHUV KDYH EHHQ FUDIWLQJ D Č´QHU JXHVWURRP KDYH E H[SHULHQFH IRU WKHLU YLVLWRUV WKH\ KDYH H[SHU increasingly been investing in high qualincre LW\ FRÎ?HH PDFKLQHV IRU WKH EHGURRPV LW\ F (see Luxury Bed & Breakfast December (se ΖW LV EHFRPLQJ PRUH DQG PRUH FRPPRQ WR Č´QG D 1HVSUHVVR PDFKLQH FR Luxury B Bed & Breakfast - 23 - February 2019

DPRQJ WKH IDFLOLWLHV RQ RÎ?HU LQ WKH today. bedroom today However, Marco says that such PDFKLQHV DUH DQ H[SHQVLYH LQYHVWPHQW VR they are not a universal facility by any means. $QG KH VD\V ȊΖI \RX GRQȇW VXSSO\ VXFK D FRÎ?HH PDFKLQH WKHQ LW LV KDUG WR SURYLGH JRRG TXDOLW\ FRÎ?HH IRU \RXU JXHVW EHGURRPV Č‹ Meanwhile, he says he found guest house DQG KRWHO RZQHUV ZHUH SODFLQJ HYHU\GD\ FRÎ?HH VDFKHWV QH[W WR KLJK TXDOLW\ S\UDPLG WHD EDJV +H VD\V ČŠ7KLV LV Č´QH EXW HYHQ WKRXJK WKHUH LV JRRG LQVWDQW FRÎ?HH DYDLODEOH RXW WKHUH LW LV VWLOO QHYHU JRLQJ WR EH DV JRRG DV UHDO FRÎ?HH Č‹ ΖW LV WKLV LGHD WKDW OHG 'UXU\ &RÎ?HH WR WKLQN about what it could do to address this and SURGXFH D JRRG LQ URRP FRÎ?HH WR PDWFK WKH standard set by their revolutionary teas. He says while a solution in the form of a bedURRP FRÎ?HH PDFKLQH WLFNHG WKH ER[ WKHUH DUH SUREOHPV WKDW FDQ PDNH LW LPSUDFWLFDO ȊΖ NQRZ WKHUH DUH VRPH H[FHOOHQW OX[XU\ % %V Ζ have stayed in over the years whose owners KDYH WULHG WR RÎ?HU FDIHWLÂŞUHV EXW WKH\ FDQ EH SUREOHPDWLF 7KHUH DUH PDQ\ LVVXHV QRW OHDVW LQFOXGLQJ GRVDJH 7KH\ DUH PHVV\ WKH\ SRVH a danger of scalding the guest, and they are relatively high maintenance," he says. “That led us to look around the market. We IRXQG WKDW WKHUH ZHUH FRÎ?HH EDJV WKDW KDG been around for years, but that had been just focussed on the retail market. So we SURSRVHG GHYHORSLQJ D KLJKHU TXDOLW\ EDJ WR SXW DORQJVLGH WKH S\UDPLGV Č‹ 7KH FRPSDQ\ WKXV GHYHORSHG *URXQG &RÎ?HH %DJV WKH ODWHVW DGGLWLRQ WR LWV SRUWIROLR ȊΖW RÎ?HUV DOO WKH WDVWH RI JURXQG FRÎ?HH ZLWK QRQH RI WKH PHVV VLPSO\ EUHZ LW DV \RX ZRXOG D WHDEDJ Č‹ VD\V 2OPL 7KH FRÎ?HH EDJV DUH

- In Depth / Guestroom Amenities -

DYDLODEOH LQ WZR EOHQGV D $UDELFD FRÎ?HH IURP 5DLQIRUHVW $OOLDQFH &HUWLČ´HG IDUPV DQG D 6ZLVV :DWHU 3URFHVV GHFDÎ?HLQDWHG FRÎ?HH 7KH VW\OLVK SDFNDJLQJ IHDWXUHV DQ $UW 'HFR GHVLJQ Feedback has been o overwhelmingly er helmingl SRVLWLYH KH VD\V 7KH FRPSDQ\ KDV VLQFH GHYHORSHG D VL]H RI FRÎ?HH EDJ WR Č´W LQ ZLWK the rest of the bedroom hot drinks system, DQG ODVW PRQWK LW WRRN WKH Č´UVW GHOLYHU\ RI WKH ODUJHU VL]HG VDFKHWV 'UXU\ &RÎ?HH KDV DOVR UHGHYHORSHG LWV ZRRGHQ WUD\ WR DFFRPPRGDWH WKH ODUJHU VL]H ČŠ7KH SURGXFWV ORRN QHDW DQG VW\OLVK ZKHQ GLVSOD\HG RQ RXU 'UXU\ EUDQGHG wooden tray,â€? says Olmi. These are available for ÂŁ5 each but they are available free to UHJXODU SXUFKDVHUV KH DGGV ȊΖW LV D SURSHU SURSHU FXS RI FRÎ?HH Č‚ LW LV GHOLFLRXV Č‹ KH FRQWHQGV ȊΖ WUDYHO RQ EXVLQHVV and always take enough sachets with me to ODVW WKH WULS EHFDXVH WKHQ Ζ NQRZ Ζ DP JRLQJ WR KDYH D GHFHQW FXS RI FRÎ?HH HDFK PRUQLQJ Č‹ ΖW LV HDUO\ GD\V EXW DOUHDG\ WKH FRPSDQ\ LV VXSSO\LQJ WKH FRÎ?HH WR D QXPEHU RI KLJK HQG % %V DQG D YDULHW\ RI VPDOO DQG PHGLXP VL]HG KRWHOV +H VD\V ČŠ$W OHDVW RQFH D ZHHN ZLWKRXW IDLO ZH KDYH UHFHLYHG D SKRQH FDOO IURP D PHPEHU RI WKH SXEOLF ZKR KDV H[SHULHQFHG RQH RI RXU FRÎ?HH EDJV LQ WKHLU URRP DVNLQJ if they can buy it for their home because they want to take it with them when they themselves go away, often stressing you can seldom get a GHFHQW FXS RI FRÎ?HH LQ WKH EHGURRP RI D KRWHO or guesthouse. “Sales have subsequently sky-rocketed through our mail order site and our retail

VKRS Č‹ KH VD\V referring to the comSDQ\ȇV VPDOO UHWDLO SUHVHQFH LQ SDQ ȇV VPDOO UHWDLO SUHVHQFH LQ &RYHQW *DUGHQ LQ /RQGRQ ČŠ7KHUH WKH FRÎ?HH LV VLPSO\ Čľ\LQJ RXW RI WKH GRRU Č‹ KH VD\V ȊΖW SURYHV WKHUH LV LQGHHG D JDS LQ WKH PDUNHW WKDW WKLV YHU\ QHDWO\ Č´OOV Č‹ KH DGGV

HOT CHOCOLATE 7KH ODVW SLHFH RI WKH MLJVDZ WR WKH UDQJH LV UDQJH LV WKH VXSSO\ RI D GHFHQW TXDOLW\ FXS RI RI KRW FKRFRODWH :H GRQȇW PDQXIDFWXUH WXUH it ourselves but it has relatively high gh coca solids and good quality, delicious,â€? ious,â€? says Marco. The result is Luxury Hot ot Chocolate, an all-in-one hot chocolate late mix LQ D VDFKHW -XWV OLNH WKH $UDELD FRÎ?HH WKH Î?HH WKH EUDQGȇV FRFRD LV VRXUFHG IURP 5DLQIRUHVW QIRUHVW $OOLDQFH &HUWLČ´HG IDUPV ČŠ$OO \RX QHHG WR HHG WR do is add hot water for a smooth, rich and decadent taste.â€? The sachets also IROORZ WKH $UW 'HFR WKHPLQJ ZLWK DQ DQ $OSLQH VFHQH

A ROUNDED SELECTION +H DGGV Ȋ$OO WKUHH SURGXFWV KDYH FRPH WRJHWKHU ΖI Ζ WXUQHG XS DW D JRRG TXDOLW\ OX[XU\ % % Ζ H[SHFW WR PDNH P\VHOI D QLFH FXS RI WHD :KDW Ζ GRQȇW ZDQW WR VHH LV WKH FKHDSHVW SRVVLEOH JHQHULF EUDQGHG GXVW ȴOOHG EDJ %XW ZKDW UHDOO\ Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 24 - February 2019

EXJV PH LV VWD\LQJ LQ DQ H[SHQVLYH OX[XU\ KRWHO DV Ζ GLG UHFHQWO\ ZLWK D YHU\ HDUO\ VWDUW the next morning around 5.30am for ÂŁ180 D QLJKW DQG ZDQWHG D FXS RI FRÎ?HH Č‚ WKH FKHDSHVW SRVVLEOH LQVWDQW VWLFNV

Ζ WKRXJKW WKDW LV XWWHUO\ XQDFFHSWDEOH LI \RX DUH EHLQJ FKDUJHG WKDW kind of money.” $W SHQFH SHU EDJ 'UXU\ &R΍HH ZRUNV RXW DW DURXQG WKUHH WLPHV WKH FRVW RI WKH FKHDSHVW LQVWDQW VDFKHW VD\V 0DUFR ZKR DGPLWV LW LV QRW FKHDS %XW KH VD\V Ȋ:KHQ \RX DUH VSHQGLQJ PRUH WKDQ e D QLJKW WKH TXDOLW\ RI FR΍HH LQ WKH URRP FDQ UHVXOW LQ WKH GL΍HUHQFH EHWZHHQ D IRXU DQG D ȴYH VWDU UDWLQJ 3HRSOH GR QRWLFH WKRVH little touches,” he stresses. ΖWȇV QRW MXVW WHD DQG FR΍HH Ȃ WKHUH DUH ORWV RI OLWWOH WRXFKHV SHRSOH FDQ GR WR LPSURYH WKH JXHVW H[SHULHQFH EXW Ζ GR WKLQN DV D QDWLRQ ZH OLNH RXU WHD DQG FR΍HH DQG IHHO WKDW VLPSO\ SURYLGLQJ JRRG TXDOLW\ WHD DQG FR΍HH VDFKHWV OLNH WKLV FDQ ERRVW WKH DSSHDO RI % % Ȋ(VSUHVVR FR΍HH PDFKLQHV IRU HDFK EHGURRP SURYLGH D QLFH WRXFK EXW RXU FR΍HH EDJV DUH VR PXFK OHVV H[SHQVLYH DQG PRUH HɝFLHQW FOHDQHU OHVV WLPH FRQVXPLQJ WLGLHU DQG \LHOG HYHU\ ELW as good a result,” he says. ΖI WKH %ULWLVK XQGHUVWDQG RQH WKLQJ LW LV WKH WHD EDJ KH VD\V Ȋ7KLV FR΍HH EDJ V\VWHP MXVW PDNHV VHQVH Ȃ SHRSOH NQRZ ZKDW WR GR :H SXW WKH LQVWUXFWLRQV RQ LW EXW SHRSOH NQRZ KRZ WR PDNH WKH FXS RI FR΍HH (YHQ Ζ FDQ EH FRQIXVHG E\ WKH FRPSOH[LWLHV RI WKH ZD\ D FRIIHH PDFKLQH PD\ ZRUN Ζ GUHDG WR WKLQN KRZ PDQ\ SHRSOH KDYH WR SKRQH GRZQ WR UHFHSWLRQ DVNLQJ KRZ WKH FR΍HH PDFKLQH ZRUNV 7KH\ GR PDNH D GHFHQW FXS RI FR΍HH EXW WKH\ DUH QRW ZLWKRXW WKHLU SUREOHPV ȋ 'UXU\ 3\UDPLG 7HDEDJV DUH SDFNHG LQ V DQG KDYH D OLVW SULFH VWDUWLQJ DW e RU S SHU FXS +RW &KRFRODWH FRVWV e SHU FDVH RI RU S SHU FXS &R΍HH %DJV SDFNHG LQ V VWDUW DW e SHU FDVH IRU WKH 5DLQIRUHVW $OOLDQFH EOHQG IURP S SHU FXS Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 25 - February 2019

- In Depth / Wireless Charging -

Wireless charging If you are looking for ways to add to the guest experience you might consider wireless phone chargers in your rooms. Just look out to make sure the product you buy suits your guests’ needs.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 26 - February 2019

I

- In Depth / Wireless Charging -

n many homes and businesses there is a box or drawer that hosts a collection of some or all of the following: phone cords, audio leads, chargers, HDMI cables, computer leads and a variety of adapters. The plethora of phone chargers in daily use may have shrunk in recent years, but packing and retrieving the right one can be time-consuming. If cords are at the bottom of a guest’s suitcase then rummaging around and pulling RXW WKH ULJKW RQH FDQ WDNH WKH HGJH RÎ? WKH VWDUW to an otherwise tidy and orderly trip away. But with the advent of wireless charging, the conventional mobile phone charger may soon become a thing of the past.

4L LV &KLQHVH IRU HQHUJ\ ČľRZ DQG PHDQV that you only need to place the phone on the special mat or stand for it to charge, UHPRYLQJ WKH FXPEHUVRPH QHHG WR Č´QG DQG plug in the right cable. While wireless charging is not always faster WKDQ LWV FRXQWHUSDUW WKHUH DUH GLÎ?HUHQW VSHHGV available rated in wattage between 5W and 10W that alter how quickly your phone powers up. What's more, there are options that can convert your phone into a home hub, connected to Siri, Alexa or the like that allow you to change the music, convert your phone into an interactive picture frame and more through voice control.

INDUCTIVE CHARGING

From the perspective of a B&B owner, one of the main advantages of the wireless charger is the convenience of having guests turning up and simply being able to drop their phone onto the spot and have it immediately begin charging. Most of the new phones on the market today from the top manufacturers are capable of wireless charging. &KDUJLČ´ KHDG RI PDUNHWLQJ ΖUYLQ *UD\ VD\V “These devices are seen increasingly in places where people go when they are away from home VXFK DV FRÎ?HH VKRSV KRWHOV % %V DQG EDUV DQG in due course they will become a feature that people we will get used to seeing and using, without having to carry around power chargers with wires. “When you are talking premium luxury B&B DFFRPPRGDWLRQ LW LV D SUHPLXP RÎ?HULQJ IRU the guest bedroom as a convenient amenity.â€? There are other ways in which you can make that spot a trigger point for the room if it has smart lighting or temperature control, he says. “As the electronic functions of rooms become increasingly controlled by mobile devices, hotels and guest houses are more and more moving away from having a dedicated iPad in the room, and they are leaving the control up to the guest in the room to use his or her own device with which they are familiar to operate those systems via an app. And, of course, the phone neds to be charged as well.â€? From a management perspective, one of the EHQHČ´WV WR WKH % % RZQHU LV WKH GHYLFHȇV DELOLW\ to connect the user to the cloud, he claims. “The cloud management software platform ensures your spots are always live,â€? he says. “If there is minor problem, such as the Wi-Fi being down, an update taking place over the air RU D UHVHW LW FDQ EH UHFWLČ´HG RYHU WKH DLU ZKLFK negates call-out costs, and if not then the probOHP FDQ EH LGHQWLČ´HG LQ DGYDQFH ZLWKRXW WKH person coming to you, enabling you to provide

GUESTROOM AMENITY Wireless charging, also known as inductive charging, replenishes power to mobile phones or other devices through electromagnetic induction. This means that there is no need to bother with a cable. In fact the wireless charger is expected by many to become the new norm in phone technology. The latest models of smart phones are factory produced to be compatible with the universal standard for wireless charging, Qi. The new models to which this applies include the iPhone 8, X and the newer models as well as the Samsung Galaxy S line and Google phones, so there is a high chance your guests will have a phone that can be wirelessly charged. ΖW WKHUHIRUH PDNHV VHQVH WR RÎ?HU D ZLUHOHVV charging facility to guests in your luxury B&B. Although wireless charging has been around for a few years it can still be considered in its infancy as manufacturer standards DUH VWLOO DOLJQLQJ 2QH VXFK FRPSDQ\ &KDUJLČ´ ZDV ODXQFKHG Č´YH \HDUV DJR DW DURXQG WKH WLPH WKH Č´UVW ZLUHOHVV FKDUJHUV ZHUH EHFRPing available on the market. Its focus was LQLWLDOO\ RQ XVH LQ FRÎ?HH VKRSV EHIRUH LWV RZQers found the potential to provide the devices for guest house bedrooms.

STANDARDS ADAPTATION Since last year with Apple adopted the Qi standard in 2017, which led to all the other manufacturers following suit last year, there has been a latent demand and most users are now bestowed with this functionality in their phones. Last September a report produced by Newzoo claimed that of the 3.6bn smartphones in use as at June 2018 the most popular brand was Samsung with 893 million active devices and a market share of 27% compared with Apple’s share of 24%. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 27 - February 2019

- In Depth / Wireless Charging -

WIRELESS CHARGING MODELS AVAILABLE IN THE UK

1

1. NATIVE UNION DROP Featuring a non-slip silicone tread, this wireless charger is capable of recharging a range of phones including Sony, Nokia, Samsung and Apple through a case of up to 3mm thick. It also features thermal protection to avoid over-heating.

2

2. GOOGLE PIXEL STAND This device powers all Qi compatible devices and turns the Google Pixel 3 into a Google Home Hub. 3. BELKIN BOOST UP The Boost Up provides charging of up to three times the speed of the industry standard. Its fanless design makes it blissfully quiet. 4. IKEA WIRELESS CHARGING LAMP The base of this energy-efficient work lamp doubles up as a wireless charger and would work well in a guest room with a desk frequented by those guests who like to take their work with them. 5. ANKER POWERWAVE Anker PowerWave is a sleek, non-slip pad that offers highspeed 7.5W charging through 5mm thick phone cases.

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6. MOPHIE POWERSTATION WIRELESS This device offers wireless charging on the go, with the capacity for five additional full charges. 7. SENEO QI CHARGER This wireless charger has an ultra-slim design, while also being able to charge your device through a 5mm case for added ease. 8. SAMSUNG GALAXY WIRELESS S CHARGING STAND Designed for the Galaxy S9 or S9+ as well as all QI-enabled devices, this wireless charger has a dual al function that acts as a stand for your device.

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9. YOOTECH WIRELESS CHARGER ER The case friendly charger has an LED indicator lightt that flashes for only 16 seconds once the device iss connected so as not to interrupt your sleep. 10 .SAMSUNG WIRELESS INDUCTIVE QUICK QI CHARGER R If you know a significant proportion of your guestss tend to arrive at your B&B with recent Samsung modelss then you could save on the unit cost and spend less ss than £30 on a manufacturer-specific device such ass the Samsung Wireless Inductive Quick Qi Charger, which ch is also compatible with the Samsung Galaxy. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 28 - February 2019

- In Depth / Wireless Charging -

7

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an uninterrupted dedicated service,” he says. Another particular advantage of the charger for hotels, although perhaps to a lesser extent B&B, is its ability to provide anonymised guest behaviour data, enabling you to start to get a clearer picture of the realistic extent to which people are in their rooms or are using certain spaces in the business. “If you have a bar or F&B area that is popular. you can analyse behaviour and get people to that place. You can also make personalised R΍HUV WR WKHP DQG FUHDWH OR\DOW\ SURJUDPPHV This means that in addition to the reliability factor of the charger there is the capability of hooking in to guest experience and data.” But what of those users whose mobile phones don’t have wireless charge capability? It will presumably take a lot of time and HQHUJ\ IURP WKH % % RZQHU ȴUVW WR HVWDEOLVK that the advertised facility doesn’t work and secondly to explain this to the user. Gray says: “The one thing we do to get around that, while the market is in a period of transition, is to have a QR code on the spot which guests can scan with their phone’s camera to establish if their phone is compatible.”

CHARGING TIME

9

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Charging times vary from device to device as well as from phone to phone. It is unrealistic to assume that a few minutes with a wireless charger will replenish a phone’s battery for the day. Gray says: “The remote units typically take longer than a conventional cable battery charge. They vary by phone and by charger. “It isn’t as fast as a wired charge, but the idea is that guests would have access to these spots in their room and bar area in all the places they might frequent through the day. It’s a bit like drinking water. they will put down their phone and get a bit of a charge to keep them going till the next time they need to charge. It’s not really about fast charging,” he says. 7KH FRVW IRU D &KDUJLȴ XQLW LV KLJKHU WKDQ WKH typical high street device at around £100 per spot. Furthermore, there is an additional subscription fee for the cloud software, although there are volume discounts available which may apply should a B&B owner choose to buy one for each of guest room. Gray says: “All our products are sold through managed service providers so you would buy this in a similar way to which you buy Wi-Fi for your B&B.” The device currently allows only one device DW D WLPH WR FKDUJH EXW *UD\ VD\V &KDUJLȴ KDV recently partnered with Belkin which allows more than one device to charge. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 29 - February 2019

WIRELESS CHARGING – A HISTORY In the late 19th century Nikola Tesla, known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system, wrote of a device that would be able to transmit electrical power from one conductor to another without the need for wires. However, the work of the Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and futurist failed in to make such a device, owing largely to engineering and financial limitations, and power cables soon became the commonly-accepted means of transporting electricity across distances. Now more than a century later the widespread adoption of small, portable devices with batteries in need of constant recharging is turning people’s attention once again to the opportunities for wireless power. Wireless chargers have been available now for a number of years. In 2013 Google and LG launched the Nexus 5, which supports inductive charging with Qi. The following year Samsung launched the Galaxy S5 that supports Qi wireless charging with either a wireless charging back or receiver.

- In Depth / Saunas -

Safety first Installing an outdoor sauna can do wonders to your occupancy, but before you invest in such a facility it is important to check what regulations apply.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 30 - February 2019

- In Depth / Saunas -

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COMPLIANCE CHECK

PLANNING PERMISSION

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- In Depth / Saunas -

SENSIBLE SAUNA USE • It is important to ensure none of your guests stay in the sauna for too long. A period of 15 to 20 minutes at a time is generally considered the sensible maximum, although up to 30 minutes should be acceptable. The length of time the body can tolerate will vary from person to person. You should advise guests that if they are sensitive to heat, they should start off with a short stay. • Guests using the sauna should be advised to rest for at least ten minutes afterwards to let their body recuperate. • They must rehydrate. Encourage those who use the sauna to drink plenty of water both before they enter and afterward. They may also want to eat something salty afterwards. • Encourage people to go in pairs or groups. This means that if problems do occur, someone else is on hand immediately to assist. You can stress that sauna is a social affair. • Suggest guests cool down after their sauna. There is a Finnish tradition of going straight from the sauna into the snow. A less extreme way for guests to cool down is to take a cold shower. This has the added bonus of removing any impurities that the body has expelled and prevents their reabsorption. • The heat of a sauna makes the heart work harder. Advise your guests to avoid using the sauna if they have heart problems. • Never allow guests to drink alcohol in the sauna and advise them not to go in straight after a large meal or after strenuous exercise. • Saunas can burn and too much time in the sauna at a too high temperature can lead to blistering. Your guests shod be advised that if their skin starts to sting, they should get out. The average sauna temperature is about 85C though it can range anywhere between 60C and 110C. It was at the upper end of this range that the Russian participant perished in the sauna world championships, so seek advice from the supplier on means to restrict the heat levels. • Guests using your sauna facility should be warned ahead of time that If they start to feel dizzy, nauseous or have a headache, they should leave immediately. There is no point in taxing the body to extremes – especially not in the name of wellness. • Moderation is key.

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 32 - February 2019

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- In Depth / Saunas -

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- In Depth / Bathroom Beauty -

Sumptuous beauty High-end bathroom beauty brands are not cheap, but failing to provide them in all your guest rooms can end up damaging your five-star reputation. Bill Lumley reports

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 34 - February 2019

- In Depth / Bathroom Beauty -

A

s a luxury B&B owner you habitually go out of your way to strive to provide the highest quality luxury experience for your guests while in SXUVXLW RI D UHSXWDWLRQ IRU DFKLHYLQJ WKH Č´YH star recognition your business deserves. There are certain blind spots however, points within your business that are often overlooked when in fact they are calling for attention to detail. Among these is bathroom supplies. Guests SD\LQJ OX[XU\ UDWHV IRU Č´YH VWDU VWDQGDUG rooms rightfully expect attention to detail in the form of high-end supporting brands that help to elevate the luxury experience. )RU H[DPSOH ZKHQ \RX WDNH D ČľLJKW LQ Č´UVW FODVV \RX ZLOO H[SHFW WR Č´QG EDWKURRP SURGXFW EUDQGV VXFK DV Č´QG (VWÂŤH /DXGHU DQG Chanel in the lavatory. /LNHZLVH D OX[XU\ % % RZQHU \RX DUH charging a premium rate for your rooms, so it makes sense that you should ensure the highest expectations of your guests are met throughout their stay. Of course, your overheads will rise since the unit costs of luxury bathroom beauty brands are so much higher than mid-range hospitality brands, but it is a near certainty that in providing such brands in guest bedrooms you will help anchor your guest UHYLHZV WR Č´YH VWDUV HYHU\ WLPH 6R WKH LQYHVWment should be a no-brainer.

A EUPHORIC FEEL It may seem obvious, but one consideration often overlooked by high-end guest houses is the fact their owners must look higher up the chain than supermarket-brand shampoo. There are plenty of high-end brands, each with their own identity and characteristics out there that suit you and your typical clientèle. If you are after a luxury review guests may not oblige if the products in the bathroom came from respectable mid-range bathroom brands that you may have seen for example in a four-star hotel, but which do not provide a wow factor.

and lotion, hand creams, hair care, bath salts and oils, body scrub and hand lotions. Given the tendency of guests to leave with such products having found their way into their luggage it is also worth buying a comfortable minimum of each. On the plus side the fact is that bathroom toiletries must be kept to a minimum. There few easier ways of reducing a look of luxury and elegance than by clutter. You may choose to buy a small range of lesser-used beauty SURGXFWV VXFK DV WDQQLQJ VWXÎ? DQG NHHS WKHVH expensive products aside for those occasions when guests request them.

LUXURY BATHROOM BRAND CHOICE For style and aroma you can opt for something high end from the high street or airport GXW\ IUHH VWRUH VXFK DV (VWÂŤH /DXGHU -R Malone or Molton Brown. When these premium brands feature in the guest bathroom of a B&B they clearly indicate a determination of the proprietor to live up to the word luxury. However, there are lesser-known luxury brands of bathroom beauty product available that scale the heights of luxury but may only be available from excusive ultra-premium stores. One such brand is Noble Isle, which is used by luxury B&B &DPEULGJH +RXVH ZKLFK LV SURČ´OHG LQ WKLV LVVXH SDJH &R RZQHU 6KHOLD 0LWFKHOO VD\V she and her husband Robert were introduced to the high-end brand Noble Isle by one of the WRXULVW ERG\ LQVSHFWRUV 6KH VD\V ČŠ7KH SURGucts are organic and are very high-end and

MINIMALIST LOOK Besides deciding on a particular bathroom beauty brand, you must also determine what overall range of products you should provide in the guest bedrooms. There are numerous product luxury bathroom beauty product types to consider from the mandatory bath & shower gel and luxury soaps, to body cream Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 35 - February 2019

they are not tested on animals. They can be ERXJKW IURP VWRUHV VXFK DV +DUURGV /LEHUW\ and Fortnum & Mason. Ȋ$V D EUDQG 1REOH ΖVOH WKHUHIRUH UHDOO\ ticked the boxes. They don’t overstretch themselves by spreading themselves out HYHU\ZKHUH VR LW LV D ELW RI D 863 IRU XV 7KH\ are a luxury, high-end brand,� she says. 1REOH ΖVOH LV D ȴQH IUDJUDQFH EDWK ERG\ brand inspired by the natural and cultural riches of the British Isles, featuring extracts sourced from local celebrated producers, inFOXGLQJ 5KXEDUE IURP (QJODQG 6HD 2DN IURP ΖUHODQG %DUOH\ IURP 6FRWODQG DQG %HHWURRW from Wales. Marketing manager India Hyslop tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast PDJD]LQH Ȋ$OO RXU products at Noble Isle are designed to showcase the very best of the British Isles. We use natural extracts in all our products and we make sure that they are ethically and sustainably sourced. "Noble Isle products are made in the UK from natural extracts sourced from local celebrated producers from around the British Isles. Our products are free from sodium lauryl sulfate and parabens, as well as being vegan, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. We are an environmentally aware and ethically conscious company. All of our packaging is recyclable, we minimise waste wherever possible and we keep our carbon footprint to a minimum. We are keeping abreast of the changes in packaging and are ready to adapt as soon as possible,� she adds.

- In Depth / Bathroom Beauty -

LUXURY BATHROOM BEAUTY BRANDS AVANT GARDE Dayton Ohio-based Lanvin produces high-end pleat-wrapped soap, shampoo, conditioner and body gel. The brand was founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin who some 35 years later opened her atelier de parfums in Paris, giving birth to a world of olfactory delights. Les Notes de Lanvin continues the fragrance legacy with refined collections for bathroom beauty “for the utmost hospitality experience�. According to Lanvine, each perfume note has been inspired by the “timeless elegance and avant garde spirit of Lanvin developed to create the senses of discerning men and women around the world�. HIGH-END LUXURY Baylis & Harding is another brand that aims to appeals to the higher end of taste in luxury. With a certain flamboyance to its description: �Let’s squeeze in the ginseng and the black pepper, the sweet mandarin, the midnight fig and the pomegranate.� A spokesman for the brand says: “The products are beautifully packaged, beautifully made and beautifully fragranced. That’s what makes us smile. You see, we’re not just selling soaps and sprays. CALMING BODY CREAM Another high-end bathroom brand to consider is Comfrey & Calendula. The two parts of the brand name start with allantoin-rich Comfrey, a great skin healer that actively combats dryness and soothes the appearance of irritated skin. The product is suitable for skin that is prone to eczema. Calendula meanwhile is known as a natural antiinflammatory that helps to calm the appearance of skin. ESSENTIAL OILS Winner of the InStyle best body wash award, the REN Moroccan Rose Otto body wash is a delicately fragranced bathroom beauty product made with Moroccan Rose Otto oil, said to be one of the world’s most expensive and revered essential oils. The scent of rose is known for its stress relieving properties.

SMOOTH, TONED AND COMFORTABLE Molton Brown’s Ylang-Ylang Comforting Body Polisher is a blend of micro-exfoliating black vanilla grains, antioxidant-rich yuan zhi extract and relaxing ylang-ylang and cedarwood oils. With a reputation for offering a real pampering treat, this body polisher will refine your skin ensuring a smooth, toned and comforting feel. MOOD BOOST Green People Quinoa and calendula shower gel is an SLSfree body wash that gently boosts the skin’s hydration and vitality. It’s made with 82% certified organic ingredients including aloe vera, quinoa, calendula, yucca, orange, lemongrass and ginger. Quinoa, it is claimed, locks in moisture, while the natural healing properties of calendula soothe and calm the skin. Yucca meanwhile gently foams to remove impurities without irritating the skin, and sweet orange and ginger essential oils boost your mood. ALMOND SHOWER OIL Almond is well-known for its ability to soften the skin. L'OCCITANE has harnessed the exceptional toning power of almond from the South of France and integrated it in body treatments and toiletries that it describes as both deliciously tempting and wonderfully effective. The indulgent Almond Shower Oil in 500ml format transforms into a light, milky, foam that cleanses the body gently and lovingly, without drying. Enriched with almond oil and nourishing lipids, the oil respects the skin’s hydrolipidic film and leaves a subtle, delectable perfume. FINE FRAGRANCE Noble Isle is a fine fragrance bath & body brand inspired by the natural and cultural riches of the British Isles, featuring extracts sourced from local celebrated producers, including Rhubarb from England, Sea Oak from Ireland, Barley from Scotland and Beetroot from Wales.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 36 - February 2019

PERSONALISED RANGE Many luxury B&Bs, hotels and spas are now looking for a more personalised and considered range of products for guests and visitors WR XVH DQG HQMR\ DFFRUGLQJ WR 3HEEOH &R IRXQGHU 6DUDK 0F&XEELQ 7KH FRPSDQ\ VSHcialises in bringing to life unique own-branded FRQFHSWV IURP WKH ZRUOG RI Č´QH IUDJUDQFH luxury candles, bath & body care, high-performance and organic products. McCubbin tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast PDJD]LQH ČŠ7KH GHČ´QLWLRQ RI OX[XU\ LV VKLIWLQJ WRZDUGV SHUVRQDOLVHG RÎ?HULQJV WKH DUW RI discovery and the desire to seek out individual niche brands. ČŠ&RQVXPHUVȇ NQRZOHGJH KDV LQFUHDVHG VLJQLIicantly, they are demanding the same level of HÉ?FDF\ GHVLJQ DQG VWRU\ WHOOLQJ IURP KRWHOV amenities as the products they use at home.â€? $PHQLWLHV DUH D UHČľHFWLRQ RI KRZ KRWHOV treat and value their customers, she argues. ČŠ7KH ZD\ FXVWRPHUVȇ SHUFHLYH D EUDQG FDQ DOVR EH LQČľXHQFHG E\ WKH TXDOLW\ RI WKH DPHQLWLHV Č‹ 6KH FRQFOXGHV ČŠ7KHUH LV QR EHWWHU ZD\ WR sell product than have a customer experience it, which is why a bespoke amenities FROOHFWLRQ FDQ RÎ?HU KRWHOV DQG JXHVW KRXVHV a lucrative and additional revenue stream as guests and customers look to take home a piece of their experience.â€?

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- In Depth / Sustainable Luxury -

The year of sustainable luxury

From fluffy towels and complimentary toiletries to crisp white linen, nothing says luxury more than the extra touches you provide in your B&B. But now more than ever there’s also a drive to keep things green, so how do you find the right balance? Holly Alderson, Content Marketing Assistant at Out Of Eden.

A

menities such as toiletries are a great way to reflect your business values, and with January seeing the launch of our 2019 Winter Spring catalogue, we’ve got some brand-new toiletry collections to share with you as well as an exciting single-use plastic tackling scheme that you can get involved with…

BIGGER AND BETTER Following the popularity of our travel-size Cole & Lewis Orangewood & Neroli toiletry collection and a demand for decreasing plastic waste, our Orangewood & Neroli collection now comes in bigger and better bottle sizes. With a 480ml capacity, the smart, slimline bottle requires far less frequent refilling than our 300ml bottles, while using up to 60% less plastic per ml than conventional travel-size toiletries. To save on plastic even further, this growing collection also has accompanying Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 38 - February 2019

3-litre bulk refills, allowing you to refill your 480ml bottle up to six times with ease. You can use the bottle time and time again, and when it’s time to replace, it's made from 100% recyclable PET plastic. We know that what’s on the inside is just important as the outside, though, which is why our fully biodegradable, beautifully scented formula has been clinically and dermatologically tested to ensure suitability for all skin types, while being free from parabens, mineral oils and phenoxyethanol.

NEW AND IMPROVED EDEN RANGE The new year always brings a perfect opportunity for a refresh of rooms, pricing and branding for many businesses, and our products are no exception. This month, our bestselling toiletry range Eden is having a relaunch after a complete redesign, and we’re giving you an exclusive sneak peek. The collection isn’t just greener in appear-

- In Depth / Sustainable Luxury -

DQFH EXW JUHHQHU LQ YDOXHV WRR $V ZHOO DV WKH PO SODVWLF ERWWOHV WKH FROOHFWLRQ DOVR FRQVLVWV RI UHF\FODEOH PO VWDQG XS SRXFKHV DQG PO VDFKHWV IXUWKHU VDYLQJ RQ SDFNDJ LQJ DQG WKHUHIRUH VLQJOH XVH SODVWLF ZDVWH (QULFKHG ZLWK QDWXUDO LQJUHGLHQWV QDWXUDO ERWDQLFDO H[WUDFWV ZLWK VXEWOH IUXLW DQG ȵRUDO notes, the collection consists of conditioning VKDPSRR D QRXULVKLQJ KDQG DQG ERG\ ORWLRQ DQG UHIUHVKLQJ ERG\ ZDVK FRPSOHWLQJ D VW\O LVK D΍RUGDEOH UDQJH IRU \RX DQG \RXU JXHVWV

A GREENER, CLEANER CONSCIENCE 2QH RI WKH ELJJHVW FRQWULEXWRUV WR SODVWLF ZDVWH in the hospitality industry especially, is none RWKHU WKDQ PLQL WUDYHO VL]H WRLOHWULHV VXFK DV WKH RQHV ZH VXSSO\ ZLWK RYHU PLOOLRQ WUDYHO VL]H toiletries and over 70 million hard soaps going WR ZDVWH HDFK \HDU )LQGLQJ D VROXWLRQ WR WKH LVVXH LV XQIRUWXQDWHO\ QRW DV VWUDLJKW IRUZDUG DV UHF\FOLQJ WKH HPSW\ ERWWOHV JLYHQ WKDW D ODUJH TXDQWLW\ DUH RIWHQ VHQW VWUDLJKW WR ODQGȴOO KDOI XVHG RU FRPSOHWHO\ XQXVHG DQG DURXQG WRQQHV RI WKH VDPH SRO\PHU DUH UHTXLUHG IRU H΍HFWLYH UHF\FOLQJ $V PDQ\ ERWWOHV WXEHV OLGV DQG FDSV DUH FRQVWUXFWHG IURP GL΍HUHQW SRO \PHUV WKLV EHFRPHV D VRPHZKDW XQSUDFWLFDO

FKDOOHQJH DQG RQH WKDW IUDQNO\ LVQȇW ȴQDQFLDOO\ VXVWDLQDEOH ORQJ WHUP 6R IRU WKRVH RI \RX DVNLQJ ȆZKDW LV WKH EHVW VROXWLRQ"ȇ RXU DQVZHU LV &OHDQ&RQVFLHQFH ΖQ VWULYLQJ WR GR DOO ZH FDQ WR NHHS SODVWLF RXW RI ODQGȴOO DQG WKH RFHDQV ZHȇYH EHHQ ZRUNLQJ LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK &OHDQ&RQVFLHQFH D 0DLGHQKHDG EDVHG FKDULW\ ODXQFKHG E\ *ZHQ 3RZHOO LQ 7KURXJK UHSURFHVVLQJ UHGLVWULEXWLRQ DQG UHXVH *ZHQ DQG KHU WHDP DUH DEOH WR ȴQG D QHZ SXUSRVH HQWLUHO\ IRU WRL OHWULHV KDUG VRDS DQG WKH SODVWLF SDFNDJLQJ $Q\ XQXVHG OLTXLG LV UHSXUSRVHG IRU &DUH.LW WRLOHWU\ SDFNV IRU ZRPHQȇV VKHOWHUV DQG UHIX gee camps, while the hard soap provides an RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU SHRSOH DEURDG WR JHQHUDWH DQ LQFRPH 7KH OHIWRYHU SODVWLF LV WKHQ LQFLQHUDW HG UDWKHU WKDQ HQGLQJ XS LQ ODQGȴOO DQG WKH HQHUJ\ LV WKHQ SXW EDFN LQWR WKH JULG 2XU VFKHPH WKHUHIRUH R΍HUV \RX WKH RS portunity to get involved in this great, green FDXVH DQG GLVSRVH RI DOO PLQL VLQJOH XVH SODV tic toiletries in a way that is safe and sustain DEOH ZKLOH EHQHȴWWLQJ WKH ZLGHU FRPPXQLW\ WHQIROG )RU DOO LQIRUPDWLRQ RQ KRZ \RX FDQ WDNH SDUW YLVLW RXU SDJH www.outofeden.co.uk/ clean-conscience IRU PRUH GHWDLOV

01768 372 939

sales@outofeden.co.uk www.outofeden.co.uk

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 39 - February 2019

Making tax digital If your business is VAT registered then you are to be among the first to submit returns to HMRC under the new ‘making tax digital’ regime. Bill Lumley reports

- In Depth / Finance -

M

aking Tax Digital (MTD) is a fundamental change to the administration of the UK tax system. It ZLOO DÎ?HFW KRZ EXVLQHVVHV DQG other organisations, agents and individuals maintain their accounting and tax records and how they transact and communicate with +05& 07' WUDQVIRUPDWLRQ SURMHFWV DUH EHLQJ UXQ E\ +05& EXW VKRXOG EH VHHQ DV MXVW RQH HOHPHQW RI WKH GLJLWDOLVDWLRQ RI EXVLQHVV According to HMRC, the requirements under the new reporting rules form a key part of the government’s plans to make it easier IRU LQGLYLGXDOV DQG EXVLQHVVHV WR JHW WKHLU WD[ ULJKW DQG NHHS RQ WRS RI WKHLU DÎ?DLUV +05&ȇV DPELWLRQ LV WR EHFRPH RQH RI WKH most digitally advanced tax administrations in the world. However, the reality is that many EXVLQHVVHV DUH QRW UHDG\ IRU PDNLQJ WD[ GLJLWDO ZLWK FRPSDWLEOH V\VWHPV LQ SODFH ΖW LV D UHTXLUHPHQW IRU EXVLQHVVHV WR PDLQWDLQ GLJLWDO UHFRUGV DQG VXEPLW WKHLU 9$7 UHWXUQV WKURXJK IXQFWLRQDO FRPSDWLEOH VRIWZDUH 7KHUH LV QR FKDQJH LQ WKH ZD\ \RXU 9$7 return is made up. It simply concerns the way that data is transmitted to HMRC: they will UHTXLUH LW WR EH VHQW E\ DQ $3Ζ OLQNHG SLHFH RI software rather than through logging onto a JRYHUQPHQW JDWHZD\ DQG HQWHULQJ \RXU ER[HV WR Č´JXUHV DQG WKH JRYHUQPHQW JDWHZD\ ZLOO FORVH GRZQ DQG FHDVH WR EH D OHJLWLPDWH PHDQV RI VXEPLWWLQJ UHWXUQV ZKLFK ZLOO KDYH WR EH GLUHFWO\ WKURXJK \RXU DFFRXQWLQJ VRIWZDUH RU WKURXJK D EULGJLQJ WRRO ΖW LV WKH JRYHUQPHQWȇV Č´UVW VWHS WRZDUGV gathering real-time tax information. It follows the move with payroll realtime information reporting a few years ago. It is coming LQ IRU 9$7 QRZ DQG ZLOO FRPH LQWR IRUFH IRU other taxes in time. ΖW DSSOLHV WR DOO 9$7 UHJLVWHUHG RUJDQLVDWLRQV ZLWK D WXUQRYHU DERYH WKH 9$7 UHJLVWUDWLRQ threshold of ÂŁ85,000. If you are registered voluntarily it won’t apply to you and you will continue to use the government gateway. Any exceptions to this are extremely limited, for example if for religious reasons you can’t use a computer. +05&ȇV EHOLHYHV LW LV ORVLQJ DURXQG e EQ D \HDU WKURXJK DYRLGDEOH HUURUV DQG PXFK RI WKDW ZLOO EH UHGXFHG E\ JHWWLQJ ULG RI KXPDQ intervention so there is no manual transmit-

ting of data. HMRC is expecting its revenue WR ULVH E\ e P WKURXJK WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI WKLV WR 9$7 It wants the digital journey formed so the information they receive from you is digital and they will communicate with you in a digital manner. They contend this will make it HDVLHU DQG PRUH HÎ?HFWLYH IRU \RX WR JHW \RXU WD[ ULJKW 7KH UHDVRQ LW LV EHLQJ LQWURGXFHG LV they contend to help you spend more time IRFXVHG RQ UXQQLQJ \RXU EXVLQHVV UDWKHU WKDQ doing your taxes.

TIMELINES An initial pilot started in April 2018 and a VHFRQG SLORW ZDV ODXQFKHG ODVW 2FWREHU ΖW JRHV OLYH IRU PRVW EXVLQHVVHV IRU 9$7 SHULRGV starting on or after 1 April this year. If your 9$7 SHULRG VSDQV WKDW IRU H[DPSOH LI \RX KDYH D TXDUWHU HQG RI $SULO LW ZRQȇW EH XQWLO your next quarter starting 1 May that you will QHHG WR EH FRPSOLDQW ZLWK WKLV 7KHUH DUH VRPH FDWHJRULHV RI EXVLQHVV WKDW KDYH EHHQ GHIHUUHG LQFOXGLQJ DQ\ QRW IRU SURȴW RUJDQLVDWLRQV WKDW DUH QRW LQFRUSRUDWHG ZLOO QRW EH DSSOLFDEOH 7KH PDLQ FDWHJRU\ LV EHLQJ GHIHUUHG WR 2FWREHU ΖQ WKH ȴUVW \HDU RI RSHUDWLRQ IURP $SULO WKHUH ZLOO EH D VRIW ODQGLQJ SHULRG IRU ZKDW PXVW EH LQ SODFH 7KH PDLQ FKDQJH LV WKDW WKH 9$7 EHLQJ WUDQVPLWWHG WR +05& QHHGV WR EH WUDQVPLWWHG GLJLWDOO\ $Q\ V\VWHPV RXWVLGH \RXU DFFRXQWLQJ V\VWHP IRU H[DPSOH DQ (326 system in your restaurant or a guesthouse management system that has data that feeds LQWR WKH DFFRXQWLQJ V\VWHP PXVW EH GLJLWDOO\ OLQNHG <RX FDQQRW PDQXDOO\ FRS\ GDWD EHWZHHQ the two systems or manually key data in. $ GLJLWDO OLQN UHVHPEOHV DQ ([FHO VSUHDGsheet. If you are downloading documents from one system and importing them into DQRWKHU WKHQ WKDW LV ȴQH EXW HVVHQWLDOO\ WKH\ are just trying to remove that human element RI WUDQVPLWWLQJ GDWD EHWZHHQ WKH WZR 7KDW VRIW ODQGLQJ SHULRG RI D \HDU LV DOVR WR HQDEOH you to have time to get those digital links in place. The main thing HMRC are asking for from day one is simply the electronic transPLVVLRQ RI WKH 9$7 UHWXUQ Form April 2020 HMRC will start looking at other taxes as well including corporation tax DQG VHOI DVVHVVPHQW 7KHUH LV \HW WR EH PXFK Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 41 - February 2019

information on their plans in this regard. 7KH SHQDOW\ UHJLPH ZLOO EH D SRLQWV EDVHG UHJLPH ZLWK D FHUWDLQ QXPEHU RI SRLQWV IRU D ODWH VXEPLVVLRQ LI HUURUV DUH IRXQG RQ D 9$7 UHWXUQ DQG WKH PRUH SRLQWV \RX JHW WKH higher the penalty in interest and surcharges. 7KHUH ZLOO EH D \HDU RI VRIW SHQDOWLHV EHLQJ DSSOLHG DQG PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ ZLOO EH UHOHDVHG from HMRC in due course.

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ON THE MARKET Welcome to "ON THE MARKET", the new section of Luxury Bed & Breakfast PDJD]LQH VSHFLȴFDOO\ GHVLJQHG WR VKRZFDVH WKH EHVW % %V IRU VDOH DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ (DFK LVVXH ZH DLP WR KLJKOLJKW VRPH RI WKH ODWHVW DQG JUHDWHVW % %V FXUUHQWO\ DYDLODEOH ΖQ DGGLWLRQ WR WKLV RXU QHZ % % IRU VDOH VHFWLRQ LV DOVR XS DQG UXQQLQJ DW www.luxurybbmag.co.uk, which ZLOO KDYH IXUWKHU UHJXODUO\ XSGDWHG SURSHUWLHV IRU \RX WR YLHZ ΖI \RX ZRXOG OLNH WR UHFHLYH WKH ODWHVW SURSHUWLHV IRU VDOH VWUDLJKW WR \RXU LQER[ VLPSO\ KHDG RYHU WR www.luxurybbmag.co.uk DQG VLJQ XS WR RXU QHZ ZHHNO\ H QHZVOHWWHU IRU WKH ODWHVW QHZV IHDWXUHV DQG SURSHUWLHV IRU VDOH $OWHUQDWLYHO\ FRQWDFW RQH RI RXU VXEVFULSWLRQV WHDP RQ subscriptions@jld-media.co.uk W ΖI \RX DUH ORRNLQJ IRU D % % IRU VDOH LQ \RXU ORFDO DUHD EXW FDQ W ȴQG ZKDW \RX UH ORRNLQJ IRU KHUH RU RQ RXU ZHEVLWH GURS WKH Luxury Bed & Breakfast WHDP DQ HPDLO ZLWK \RXU UHTXLUHPHQWV R DQG ZH FDQ JHW LQ FRQWDFW ZLWK RXU QHWZRUN RI HVWDWH DJHQWV WR VHH LI ZH FDQ ȴQG \RX \RXU QH[W GUHDP % %

LOOKING TO SELL YOUR CURRENT B& B? WHY NOT CONTAC T US ON SUBSCRIPTIONS@ JLD-MEDIA.CO.UK . WE WILL BE MORE TH AN HAPPY TO DISC USS AVAILABLE OPTION S WITH YOU.

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@ :12,14/8@ @ 549-498@ @ :814-88@ 49-77:69154@ 5;-7@ @ :*21+@ @ 3625>-78@ 1)*1219>@ @ :814-88@ -/)2@ =6-48-8@ 5;-7@ ? 5<@ =+-88@ 57@ 2)138 ? & @$0-.9@ @ ++1,-49)2 )3)/-@ >@ :-898 ? @"-+:719>@ 54,191548 Running a B&B or guest house is hard work and ringing around for days on end getting insurance quotes can be hassle and stress you don’t really need. Hodgson Insurance Services are an independent family run insurance broker based in Bude, Cornwall. We have been insuring guest houses all over the UK for over 40 years and understand the needs and insurance requirements of the modern-day B&B owner. You won’t ever be dealing with a call centre, you will always be speaking ZLWK WKH VDPH RU WUDLQHG VWDÎ? PHPEHUV (YHU\ EXVLQHVV LV GLÎ?HUHQW VRPH RÎ?HU D IXOO EUHDNIDVW RWKHUV allow guests access to cooking facilities. Some provide an element RI KROLGD\ OHWWLQJ PD\EH XVH RI D KRW WXE VRPH HPSOR\ VWDÎ? :H take time to understand how you run your business, as independent brokers we don’t just use one insurer, we have access to a number of specialist guest house insurance schemes and will search the market

WR Č´QG WKH EHVW PDWFK for your business, so you don’t have to. We don’t just sell on price, we make sure the covers are adequate for your needs. All guest house schemes have GLÎ?HUHQW WHUPV VRPH require security on doors & windows, some don’t, some include full Theft By Guests and some RQO\ RÎ?HU WKHIW FRYHU by forcible or violent entry. What excess do you have to pay in the event of a claim? All policies vary!! A burst pipe causes water damages to rooms which you can’t now rent for 6 months, will the policy compensate you for lost business?? An insurance broker should always fully explain the main conditions of a policy to ensure it meets your requirements. As general insurance brokers we don’t just do guest house insurance, although hospitality is a large part of our operation and we can look at quotes for holiday homes, restaurants, public houses etc, we also insure many landlords, shopkeepers and private motor vehicles. For more information or advice on your insurance needs please contact our brokerage.

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