ISSUE #48
APRIL 2021
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GABLES POD GLAMPING MONKSTADT 1745 PORTHMINSTER VIEW
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LBNB EBOOK: CHAPTER 2B LBNB AWARDS 2021 WINNERS
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Juliet Horner Editor If you have any experiences you'd like to share, please email me editor@luxurybbmag.co.uk or connect with us on Instagram: @luxury_bnb
We have a lot of brilliant content lined up for you in this issue! To kick off our Four in a Bed special, we spoke to Gables Pod Camping, who won the popular Channel 4 TV show at the end of 2020 (page 17). To learn more about the Four in a Bed application process, we spoke to the Exectuive Producer of the show to discover what they look for, their expectations and advice for the businesses who wish to compete (page 36). We are also anouncing the winners for our LBNB Excellence in Luxury Service Awards in this issue! (page 47). If your business has a rich history, Monkstadt 1745 tells us how they used their own heritage as inspiration to create a story for their guests to find throughout their stay. This issue also features Port Lympne Safari Park, Chapter 2B of the LBNB Ebook, and content from a number of industry experts on a variety of topics. Happy reading!
CONTENTS || APRIL 2021
WELCOME
EDITOR Juliet Horner editor@luxurybbmag.co.uk
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Dominic Johnson dominic@miramedia.co.uk 01892 711 144 MEDIA SALES Audrey Williams 01892 671 913 audreyw@spacemarketing.co.uk Kirsty Farrow KirstyF@spacemarketing.co.uk Lisa Ebdy 07799886115 lisaebdymedia@outlook.com CONTRIBUTORS Tina Boden tina@tinaboden.com Karen Thorne karenjthorne@yahoo.co.uk
Yvonne Halling yvonne@yvonnehalling.com Abbey Warne abbeywarne07@gmail.com Neil Fraser neil@neilfraserphotography.com Simon Williams National Bed Federation simon@bedfed.org.uk Andrew Thorpe Sleepeezee katy.stollery@multiplyagency.com
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IN THIS ISSUE 4 || NEWS
19 || GABLES POD CAMPING
50 || LBNB EBOOK 2B
6 || TINA BODEN
26 || HOSPITALITY PHOTOGRAPHY
53 || LBNB AWARDS WINNERS
8 || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI
31 || MONKSTADT 1745
59 || SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT
18 || KAREN'S COLUMN
40 || FOUR IN A BED
61 || EMOTIONAL CONNECTIONS
Industry news and analysis from around the UK
Tina's April 2021 Q&A discussion column
Discover unique accommodation and tips for marketing strategies
Karen considers bookings and b&b dogs
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Discover what it's like to participate in Channel 4's Four in a Bed
Introduction to Neil Fraser and hospitality photography
The luxury B&B making the most of their rich historical ties
Top tips and advice from the Executive Producer of Four in a Bed
The next installment of the LBNB ebook
Winners of the LBNB Awards for 2021
Top tips for creating the perfect sleeping environment
Yvonne Halling considers importance emotional connections April 2021 || || Luxury BnB || 3
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IN BRIEF || NEWS
THE RISE OF THE STAYCATION By Mike Hardman at Alliance Online With the introduction of the government enforced holiday ban, travelling abroad seems unlikely this year. As a result, Alliance Online have been analysing the likelihood of Brits journeying to U.K. hotspots as an alternative. As restrictions are set to last until earliest 30th June, families across Britain are leaning towards a break much closer to home. According to research put together by Holiday Cottages 84% of U.K. residents are planning to take a staycation in Summer 2021, which is a far cry from research found in 2019 stating Brits on average took 1.9 holidays abroad every year. In addition to this, Wyndham Hotels recent survey found that 44% of respondents plan on visiting a U.K destination they’ve already been to, while 39% plan on visiting a new British destination. Locations were also ranked in order of
where they sit on Brit’s bucket lists. At the top of the staycation list with 48% is Cornwall, followed closely by The Scottish Highlands (43%) and Cumbria/Lake District (41%.) With such an increase of custom set to take place this summer, it’s crucial to stand out within the hospitality and rural accommodation industry. Setting yourself apart from the masses can be the difference
between being fully booked and not. Whether you’re flaunting your eco-credentials, enhancing client experience with complimentary gifts, or just reassuring guests that your safety and hygiene procedures are second to none, it will be well worth the preparation for potentially the busiest Summer ever for the U.K tourism sector. URL: allianceonline.co.uk
REOPENING - OUR "ASKS" OF GOVERNMENT 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 BnB are not necessarily those of Miramedia. 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 Miramedia in good faith. Luxury BnB is available on subscription. UK & Ireland £19; Overseas £98. Luxury BnB is published bi-monthly. Printed by Mixam Printers www.mixam.co.uk Luxury BnB Magazine Miramedia 29-31 Monson Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1LS www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk All rights reserved © Miramedia 2020
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By David Weston, Chair of the Bed & Breakfast Association After over a year in crisis, much of it in closure, B&Bs and guesthouses are now at least planning for reopening – on 26 April in Scotland, and 17 May in England. And the best have good forward bookings for Summer. But it is patchy across the UK, and of course there is a short season left and a huge financial hole to fill for most. The B&B Association have made these key asks of Governments as we move out of lockdown: • To make sure remaining financial support is paid without further delay by central Governments and local authorities • The clearest and fullest guidance for accommodation owners around reopening • Remaining restrictions on tourism to be lifted as soon as safely possible (and ideally co-ordinated between the various UK nations)
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For other leisure sectors like attractions and events to be reopened as soon as possible (as these are often the reasons our guests come to stay with us) A well-funded national communications campaign around reopening, to encourage guests to get out and stay in British B&Bs and guesthouses The last point is vital, as a year’s saturation coverage discouraging movement and contact will need to be countered by positive messages promoting (safe) tourism, and encouraging guests to stay in Covid-secure B&Bs and guest houses.
Our best wishes for a strong Summer and Autumn season! www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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IN BRIEF || NEWS
THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING OUR 2021 MARCH READERS SURVEY The LBNB Team would like to thank those who completed our survey at the end of last month. We received a total of 60 responses to our survey! We really appreciate all the amazing feedback we had concerning the new branding and the wonderful comments about our content. There were plenty of excellent suggestions for future content and the LBNB team are currently working through them to see how we can incorporate these ideas into future issues of the magazine. In the meantime, should you have any further comments or suggestions for future content, don't hesitate to reach out and contact the LBNB team. You can contact Juliet Horner, the editor via email: editor@luxurybbmag.co.uk Thank you!
Entries for the Luxury BnB Excellence in Luxury Service Awards 2022 are now OPEN. Go to the link below to enter the 2022 awards: luxurybnbmag.co.uk/2022awards-entry-form The winners of the LBNB Awards 2021 are announced in this issue on Page 47
2022 ENTRIES OPEN NOW
Insurance and business claims update By Gary Hodgson at Hodgson Insurance Services It’s been a long 12 plus months of lockdown for many hospitability businesses. One of the areas businesses have looked to help assist with losses incurred is through their business insurance policies. Although most policies include Business Interruption cover for losses occurred from physical damage to their property, very few included cover for disease or pandemic related losses. Some policies had vague wording in respect of disease related occurrences and these were rightly taken to the courts by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to get complete clarification for customers and also insurers. On 15th Jan this year the Supreme court handed down their judgement of the various test case wordings. Clarity was given, and some policies have now had to settle their customers losses, we are probably seeing about 15% of insurance policies that have to settle claims, unfortunately for the other 85% there simply isn’t any cover, even though media reports came across that all businesses could claim, this was false. However, insurers at the end of March 21 have paid or have agreed to pay nearly £500 million worth of losses. If you originally made a claim for Business Interruption losses and you have not heard from your insurer, loss adjuster or broker since 15th January then we’d recommend you contacting them as
soon as possible to get an update on whether your policy should settle your claim. Even if your claim was originally declined in 2020, please go back and check, as some insurers that are now paying did originally decline claims. If you didn’t make a claim originally but now realise you have sustained quite large losses, it’s not too late to claim. Speak to your insurance broker or the provider from March 2020 and they should be able to confirm quite quickly if you are eligible to claim for losses. Getting Ready To Open Back Up. There’s light at the end of the tunnel and we seem to have a fairly clear path when the hospitality industry can start to open. Many guest providers are having to review the way they trade though, some are introducing kitchenettes to bedrooms, some are stopping providing breakfasts, or offering guests access to a shared kitchen. Some guest houses are opening up to the public by bringing in outside seating to cater for the latest Covid rules. You may have to bring in extra staff, so cover for employees is required. These are all major risk factors to an insurance company so if the way you trade is going to be changing to the way you run it before lockdown, speak to your insurer or broker, let them know your plans and they should be able to adjust the insurance policy for your new way of trading and avoid future issues should you need to make a claim. URL: hodgsoninsurance.co.uk
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Talk It Over With The Tiny Troubleshooter
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY TINA BODEN FROM THEBANDBKEEPER.COM
Please send us your questions: m tina@tinaboden.com T @MicroBizGirl F The B and B Keeper E @thebandbkeeper
Tina Boden is certainly no stranger to The hospitality industry - it has been a part of her life since the age of 2. As The Tiny Troubleshooter, Tina works one-onone with business owners, providing virtual assistance and marketing support. As one of the Bs in the B and B Keeper, Tina will step in to run your BnB, Guest House, small Hotel or Inn while the owner is on holiday. And then as Co-founder of #MicroBizMatters Day Tina is one of the leading voices for micro business in the UK. Please email your questions to tina@ luxurybbmag.co.uk
Q
Turning our thoughts to re-opening we wondered what would happen if we have too self-isolate when we are open. What would we do if guests are on route or even worse already staying? Do we need to take out insurance to cover us for this? We know that our renewed business interruption insurance no longer covers any closure related to covid. Should we be taking out an additional insurance and if so what kind?
A
Your question will certainly be on more than one B & B owner’s mind I am sure and my answer is certainly longer than most to ensure we cover the different parts of it. The Government website for the United Kingdom has a specific section on ‘Managing guests who have confirmed or suspected Covid-19'. The first sentence reads ‘You should ensure you have a policy in place which covers what to do if there is a case of COVID-19 in your guest accommodation facility’. You can find the complete guidance here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/workingsafely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/hotelsand-other-guest-accommodation#sec-3-5 If you are not a member of your local Destination Management Organisation (DMO), some may know them as Tourism Associations, might I advise you join. They are likely to keep you updated on guidance changes which saves
w READ ONLINE & SHARE >>
you scrolling the Government website. Alternatively, the B & B Association in the UK is a fantastic source of support and knowledge. If you have a policy in place to cover what will happen if a guest tests positive for COVID-19, either prior or during their stay, I would suggest you add a section that covers what will happen if you, the owner, tests positive prior or during a guest’s stay. Make sure a guest is either sent the document or a link to it on your website as part of their booking confirmation so they have this crucial information before their visit. With regard to insurance, I spoke to Gary Hodgson at Hodgson Insurance Services to get his expert knowledge and thoughts. ‘From an insurance point of view there is no new insurance cover that would cover customers having to cancel bookings should they have to go in to isolation’ Gary advised me. 'As the B & B owner asking the question clearly states, insurance companies at renewal time have amended policy wordings to specifically exclude future losses caused from Covid or pandemics’ Gary added. ‘Potentially if the customer was with an insurer who settled or is settling original Covid losses from March 2020, it could be classed as a continuation from that outbreak, but that is the only potential way there could be for any upcoming losses’ Gary told me that the insurance industry suspects in the future there will be some sort of central pool set up where everyone contributes for future pandemics. He believes however this is probably a long way off yet, as different solutions are still being discussed at government and insurer level.
luxurybnbmag.co.uk/tina_april21
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Let’s talk more about it... Spread Booking This month I want to talk a little bit more about the customer habit sweeping across areas of the hospitality industry, spread-booking. For those of you blissfully unaware of spread-booking, it is the act of booking multiple B & B’s, hotels, restaurants or pubs for the same time period before deciding at the last minute which one to go to and cancelling the others. Earlier this month a journalist wrote an article for The Telegraph Travel, here in the United Kingdom, encouraging people to book multiple holidays, if they could afford the deposit, and choose which one to go one when the time arrived before re-scheduling the others. He pointed out the travel industry was desperate and those wanting to book could take advantage of this. I wrote an article in response to this irresponsible attitude that you can find here: https://www.yourbusinessandyou.net/stop-spread-booking/ As B & B owners you are more susceptible to spread-booking if you do not charge a deposit or pre-authorise a card payment. I know many owners have changed their policies to give guests more flexibility should they be affected by the impact of COVID-19. What we do not want to see is a rise in spread-booking because of the understanding nature of business owners. It is important we work together to stamp out the last minute let downs caused by spread-booking. We need to talk about it more to raise awareness and help stop it impacting the wellbeing of both a business and the business owner. Helpful URLs: hodgsoninsurance.co.uk bandbassociation.org www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/hotels-and-other-guest-accommodation#sec-3-5
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PORT LYMPNE
Safari Park
Explore the amazing safari park which has recently introduced brand-new accommodation ahead of its reopening. Port Lympne reveals how they help guests make the most of their stay and what they do to maximise their marketing opportunities. By Abbey Warne w READ ONLINE & SHARE >> luxurybnbmag.co.uk/ portlympnesafari21
Europe’s only animal focused holiday destination is closer than you think. Situated in Port Lympne Safari Park, the Wild Animal Reserve and Hotel, provides a new level of luxury stays and fantastic visitor experiences, which you can take inspiration from. The award-winning visitor attraction includes a beautiful selection of luxurious accommodation, fascinating sights, and exotic restaurants, promoted by their marketing teams’ incredible efforts. Port Lympne Safari Park is also home to some endangered animals and is owned by The Aspinall
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Foundation, which has projects both in the UK and abroad which aim to protect rare species. Their sister park, Howletts Wildlife Park, is also based in Kent and owned by the foundation. Together, both of the parks are among the UK’s most popular wildlife sites. Accommodation Port Lympne is the only one of the two attractions that includes accommodation. Their hotel has an unbelievable selection of luxury, overnight stay options; from lodges, cottages and glamping to unique treehouse www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
suites. There is something suitable for everyone. Sales, Marketing and Fundraising Commercial Director, Samantha Bailey, started working for them just over a year ago. However, for over six months within the past year, the site has been closed. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Samantha is passionate about promoting what the park has to offer, including their en-suite pods, which guests can look forward to when the park reopens its doors. “Our entry-level accommodation is the Pinewood Pods, and we’ve just upgraded some of those to be en-suite, which is fantastic,” said Samantha. The park has a jaw-dropping 14 different types of on-site accommodation, which have seen increased success in the last year, with the rise of staycations. “I think going over the whole market, we saw a similar trend when we went back last year after the last lockdown,” explained Samantha. “People could travel so we did really well in short breaks, and it was really brilliant for us.” A stay at the park that is definitely worth mentioning, is The Mansion House, a stunning eight-bedroom, 20th Century former entertainment venue, which has seen its fair share of famous faces. “It’s a 1917 mansion and the rooms are named after people like Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, Lawrence of Arabia stayed there, it’s steeped in wonderful history, and it’s beautiful.” Accommodation at the park has witnessed some significant developments over the years, which is certainly something to take inspiration from, especially if you want to change up your own business. “I think it was only seven or eight years ago, we were literally just using the hotel. Our first accommodation, Giraffe Lodge, was opened in 2011, and then each year we’ve just built on more and more,” said Samantha. More recent additions to the park’s accommodation include Tiger Lodge, which opened in April 2017, and Lion Lodge, which opened in February 2019. These have been very popular with guests and Samantha said: “There’s a massive waiting www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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"We did really well in short breaks, which was really brilliant for us!" list. There’s literally just a handful of dates left. Weekends have gone already.” This year, when the park re-opens, they will be opening a new type of accommodation, their much-anticipated Leopard Creek. Samantha said this includes the Wigwams, Cabins and Cubs. Accommodation Interiors Victoria Aspinall, the wife of The Aspinall Foundation’s chair, Damian, designed the interiors of these gorgeous lodgings. “She’ll do a mood board and design all the rooms, but all are different. So, if you go into the treehouses, they’re similar, but there will be artwork on the walls,” said Samantha. April 2021 || Luxury BnB || 9
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Leopard Creek
"There's something for everybody here." “High end, luxury quality is the look she’s going for.” The Cubs are ideal for couples and have been designed with comfort and great views in mind. “We’ve got two units of Cubs. They sleep two and are cosy, luxurious, shepherd huts with panoramic views, underfloor heating, en-suite bathrooms, and a wood-burning stove.” Meanwhile, the sister accommodation to the Cubs are Port Lympne’s Cabins which have luxurious modern facilities, perfect for families. “We have three units sleeping four each. Luxurious cabins with modern amenities, a cosy mezzanine nook for the children to sleep in, with wild neighbours and views across the park,” said Samantha.
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The park also hosts glamping experiences for visitors in the Pinewood Pods, Giraffe Lodge, Bear Lodge and more. www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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SAMANTHA'S 5 TOP TIPS 1. Communicate with customers to understand their needs 2. Know your audience and keep on top of the trends that your audience follow, e.g. using locally sourced produce 3. Stay in regular contact with your media contacts and send regular updates 4. Consider hosting a media breakfast 5. If you invite celebrities and influencers for a free stay, make it clear what you expect from them in return
IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
Inside the Leopard Creek Hideout
Itineraries When visiting the Safari Park, Port Lympne goes above and beyond to help visitors construct their itineraries, so that they can make the most of their stay. “We use ‘GuestJoy’ and they send our guests an email saying ‘Would you like to book your animal encounters and experiences?’ So by utilising that workflow via the emails you get, you can start building up an itinerary,” explained Samantha. She added that their customer service team calls guests before their stay if they have not yet booked an experience, or to see if they have any additional requirements or needs. “And then the same for families. We just make sure that, for example, if someone has got a dietary requirement or special needs, making sure they tell us about that and then we can direct them in the right way or the right restaurants to book into.” Samantha emphasised the importance of communicating with customers to ensure they have an itinerary that perfectly suits their needs. The park has a range of activities for visitors to enjoy, suitable for a wide range of people, from families to couples, and kids to adults. Some of which include golf buggies, safaris and more. “There’s something for everybody,” said Samantha.
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Garden Room April 2021 || Luxury BnB || 11
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Lion Lodge
Pinewood Pod
“Then for the families for example, there’s different encounters that you can do for the younger children; You can do a VIP safari with a ranger and you can have your own ranger for the day amongst other things.”
“We send out emails to our database of existing bookers. Once they’ve booked, they get an email with special offers and details, or we might do a spotlight encounter experience and tell them what’s included.”
As well as having their fair share of accommodation, the park is home to some amazing restaurants, one which they have just revamped.
Of course, their social media and PR connections are vital elements of running the business.
“The Garden Room is a beautiful setting in our Aspinall suite that we’ve literally just refurbished,” said Samantha.
“We use our social media platforms to encourage people to visit the park. We use all digital channels in order to do that,” said Samantha.
Marketing
“We also have a PR agency that we work closely with and if we were launching something new, for example, the new Leopard Creek accommodation, then maybe we can do a leopard experience.”
The park also has its very own marketing department, dedicated to making sure people come back.
The park also hosts competitions on their social media platforms to engage with potential guests.
“We have an in-house marketing team,” explained Samantha.
“It’s thinking about all the different aspects of your business for use on your social that isn’t
But if you don’t fancy the Garden Room, guests can visit one of Port Lympne’s other eateries and even just “go for a pizza”.
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IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
just ‘Book a room here,’” she explained. “It’s thinking about offers, working out who you’re trying to attract, and then finding out the route to market and trying a little bit of everything.” Samantha explained the crucial publicity tasks they complete when something new is launched, which include writing press releases, doing interviews and even hosting their own ‘media breakfasts.’ “We also do a media breakfast, which is really important for any venue to do. “It allows you to mix your local contacts that you work with, helping you push local stories as well as encouraging your national contacts to get the story out.” The park pushes out teasers every so often to give their guests a taste of what’s coming up and encourages visitors to buy care packages for animals, to help keep their audience engaged. “You can buy care packages for our animals whilst we’re closed and don’t have any income coming in. You can also buy lunch for a lion, so that’s quite nice,” said Samantha.
Tiger Lodge
“That’s a really nice way to help the park. It’s all great content and keeps building the narrative.
The Bubble www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
Treehouse Suite
“It’s not just about selling our accommodation or selling our experiences. It’s also a nice sort of charity angle.” Samantha emphasised the importance of reaching out to local journalists, and the publicity that it can bring to the table.
"Consider their audience and whether they are right for you."
“Reach out to your local contacts. Here we have Inside Kent, Kent Life etc. We keep in touch with local Journalists and make sure we are always reaching out to them with stories. “We always want to push when we’ve got offers on too,” said Samantha. “So things like short break sales or boxing day sales. Then in-between those, we push for actual sales and give them lots of content. “Like when the baby cubs were born, we invite the media down,” she explained. The park welcomes the media, along with bloggers, influencers and celebrities to stay in their various accommodations, knowing they will write about them online or post on social media. Samantha said: “We invite local bloggers, influencers, celebrities, and local media to 14 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
URLs aspinallfoundation.org/ aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/ aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/short-breaks/ aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/restaurants/ aspinallfoundation.org/howletts/
Treehouse Suite
come and stay and eat in our restaurants. If appropriate, we’ll offer them a free night stay if they’re going to write some editorial.” Port Lympne believes offering free overnight stays is worth it, but only when the people coming to stay have the right audience for the park, who will gain great publicity in return. “Definitely, 100% it is worth offering free stays. If you get an enquiry from a celebrity or an influencer, you need to look at their reach and remember it’s not always about size,” said Samantha. “It’s about who they’re in front of and if they’re the right audience for your business to get in front of.” Port Lympne’s marketing strategy is very successful, evidenced by their accommodation being booked fast, as well as some of the influencers and celebs who have visited the park. “We’ve had Millie Mackintosh, who was on Made in Chelsea. She was fabulous. “Rio Ferdinand came with Kate, which was brilliant. Alesha Dixon came here too... www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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Garden Room
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IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
So, we’ve been really lucky. And because they’ve had such a great time, they post about it and tag us in the posts which helps to widen our reach.” The park also has their very own media packs, which could be something to consider for your own business. Media Packs tell writers and influencers exactly what they can expect from you during their visit and what you would like in return. “We always give them a little heads up about what we want,” explained Samantha. “We outline what we want them to post and what we want them to tag us in on social media.” A final piece of marketing wisdom
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Lodge Lodge
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IN PROFILE || PORT LYMPNE SAFARI PARK
from Samantha, for owners of hospitality businesses, is to know your audience so that you can attract the right people to promote your stays. “If it’s a couple, consider who are the sort of hot celebrities or influencers you want to come and stay, because it would be their target market who see and read about you,” she said. “When they post on social media about their stay with you, that will encourage the people within their own audience.” Samantha believes that even working with just one influencer can create a range of opportunities for your business in the future. “Through working with one [influencer/celeb] you tend to get loads of others enquiring off the back of those who stayed here, also requesting to come and stay. “I’d say that 99% of the time, it was them reaching out to us,” said Samantha. “Once you’ve got their contact details, it’s about making sure that you look after them. “Send them updates, pictures, and things that they can post on their platforms even when they’re not staying,” said Samantha. Lion Lodge - Bathtub
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WWW.BANDBACADEMY.CO.UK
@BEDANDBREAKFASTACADEMY @BEDANDBREAKFASTACADEMY @BANDBACADEMY Karen Thorne has ran Hopton House B&B in Shropshire for over 16 years and the Bed and Breakfast Academy for over 14 years. Through the B&B Academy, Karen trains aspiring B&B owners in how to set up, buy, run and market their own B&Bs. Karen runs monthly online courses and has recently launched a B&B Marketing membership for existing B&B owners, so she can help them to organically and authentically market their own B&Bs. Read Karen's blog to discover more about bookings, being a dog owner in the hospitality industry and more about life as a B&B owner: bandbacademy. co.uk/blog
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Karen's Column
NOT EVERYONE'S CUP OF TEA... It’s taken me 17 years in business to be comfortable with the fact that you can’t run a B&B that appeals to everyone. For every guest who loves your B&B, there’ll be another who just doesn’t get it.
I showed them round, then they left saying they’d check the other B&Bs and call me.
I was very much reminded of this by some of my favourite repeat guests, who had an unusual approach to booking.
They became some of my favourite guests; staying 5 nights, at least 3 times a year. Ex hoteliers, they showered me with praise “this really is the best b&b we’ve ever stayed at”.
It’s 12.30pm on a changeover day; both the house and I are a total mess, when the doorbell rings, accompanied by loud barking. Answering the door, I tried hard to muster a smile and not blurt out the “check in is at 4 and you didn’t tell me you were bringing a dog” welcome. But it wasn’t my guests. “Hello, we want to visit Shropshire, so we’ve driven down to check out some B&Bs."
5 minutes later they were back, making a booking.
One day they turned up, unannounced again, this time with a friend - another day trip - so they could show her the B&B. Afterwards they told me she’d hated the B&B and couldn’t see what the fuss was about. How lucky they’d bought her for a day trip first!
BED AND BREAKFAST DOGS The B&B dogs and I are currently enrolled in an online Naughty But Nice Dog Bootcamp.
admiring our view, and I stood next to her husband by the door.
Saffy and Ralphie are our latest rescue dogs. They are 85% nice, but the 15% naughty part barking at night and jumping up people they can’t wait to meet - is affecting their ability to be the perfect B&B dogs I envisioned.
Suddenly he jumped, turned to me with a look of horror on his face and said “Well really!”
Our last generation of B&B dogs, Mitsi and Murphy, weren’t perfect. But as time passes, any memory of naughtiness is fading, and I’m often accused by Mr B&B of polishing their halos. Whilst it was Murphy who was the one normally getting into scrapes, Mitsi had her moments too…. One day I showed a couple of repeat guests to their room - a pair of dog loving retired vets in their 70s. The wife was by the window,
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Unsure what had happened, I turned to see that, unnoticed by any of us, Mitisi had sneaked up stairs and pushed her nose firmly between his legs. At this point, any semblance of professionalism on my part went out of the window, and I collapsed into uncontrollable giggles, shortly joined by his wife when she learned what had happened. He was not so impressed … If you have a guest-goosing B&B dog too, or are planning to get one, I’ve written a blog post on the ups and downs of owning a dog and running a B&B. www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
06/04/2021 11:08
IN PROFILE || GABLES POD CAMPING
GABLES POD
Camping
Discover the peaceful glamping site that won Channel 4’s Four in a Bed at the end of last year and find out what it’s like to compete on the popular tv series By Juliet Horner Instagram: @the_gables_podcamping @fourinabed @studiolambert
Those of you who are fans of Channel 4’s much loved series ‘Four in a Bed’, may recognise this relaxing retreat in County Durham. Gables Pod Camping is owned and operated by Sue Brierley with the help of her husband Mike. In November last year, they appeared on one of Channel 4’s most popular TV series to showcase their business and ultimately claimed their spot as top-dogs. We spoke with Sue to find out what it was like to have your business scrutinised on camera and gaining national media coverage. Applications Four in a Bed began their search for the next set of competitors early last month, encouraging business owners to get in touch and fill out an application form.
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But surprisingly, that’s not how Sue and Mike ended up appearing on the show. April 2021 || Luxury BnB || 19
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“It wasn’t something we had considered, really,” said Sue. “I was very dubious at first, because [the Four in a Bed team] contacted us via Facebook Messenger in November 2019, asking if we would like to be on the show. “At first, I thought it was just a wind up!” Once Sue realised it wasn’t a hoax and received all the information she needed via email, she and Mike were asked to create an audition tape. “It was so they could see what we were like and what it would be like if we participated,” explained Sue.
“Then they came out to see us in February 2020 to film all the interviews that you see at the start of the show.” Filming Sue and Mike spent two weeks filming in March 2020 alongside the Four in a Bed team and their competitors. “It was brilliant,” said Sue, “An absolutely brilliant experience!” She added: “We didn’t know if [the other competitors] would embrace the glamping, but they did!”
“It was a brilliant experience.” Where some businesses may scrub every inch in preparation for filming, Sue said didn’t do anything special and prepared the same way they would for any other guests. She said: “For us, we just treated it as another normal day. “That is what our site looks like all the time and if you read our reviews, they all say that the pods are sparkling clean.” If you are thinking about applying for Four in
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IN PROFILE || GABLES POD CAMPING
a Bed, Sue’s experience as a competitor may give you an idea of what to expect and some helpful advice to keep in mind when filming. “We went in with an open mind. You’ve just got to be yourself and showcase what you do on a normal day-to-day basis,” said Sue.
“You can't please everyone all the time.”
“You have to take the criticism that’s thrown at you, but don’t take it personally. “It’s their interpretation of your business and for us, we tried to be ourselves and what you see on screen is what you get.” Sue explained that she continually looks for ways to improve the business. “You’ve got to be critical of yourself so that you can preempt the negative criticism that will potentially come your way,” she said. “It’s hospitality. You can’t please everyone all the time. “You’ve just got to keep analysing yourself all the time to keep your standards up.” Luckily, Sue said the feedback she received on Four in a Bed didn’t seem too picky in comparison to feedback received by other competitors.
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“I was quite surprised actually,” said Sue, “but hats off to them. They all embraced the glamping and they loved it!” Sue explained that Justin, one of the competitors, said that Sue and Mike had introduced him to the whole new world of glamping; One that he wouldn’t have considered previously. “Some people haven’t even heard of glamping, let alone experienced it,” said Sue, “and whether you like it or not, we’ve got a beautiful site and it’s tended to with love and care.” She added: “We just want people to come and enjoy it.” The Four in a Bed team made everyone feel at ease, making the experience really enjoyable for everyone. Sue said: “When we first started filming, it was quite nerve-wracking, but the one thing I can say is, hand on heart, the crew were absolutely amazing. “They were fantastic and put everyone at ease. You don’t even notice the camera and it’s a real credit to the crew.” She added: “We’ve never done anything like this before in our life, but it was great!
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“We really enjoyed the whole process!” If you haven’t done anything like this before, Sue said you should “just listen to the crew”. “Listen to what they’re telling you, especially if they give you instructions about the mics,” she said. Her final piece of advice for anyone considering taking part in Four in a Bed was to be yourself and “don’t go in with any preconceptions”. “Take it at face value, go in there and be yourself,” she said. “Just enjoy it.”
“Listen to the crew. Just enjoy yourself.” Marketing When they began filming in early 2020, Gables Pod Camping was only just coming up to two years old, so Four in a Bed offered a perfect opportunity to advertise their glamping business. “We were told that the sites who appear on the show tend to do really well, and we were a bit different to what they usually have on Four in a Bed because we’re a Glamping site,” said Sue. “We filmed in March last year, but the show was aired in November and we had over 63,000 people want to book a pod! “We got a call off the people who run our booking software. They take all the bookings and they sent us a report showing us the number of requests being made. “It was unbelievable! Over 63,000 people were looking at us.” Laughing, Sue said: “We didn’t expect the response we got, let’s put it that way! “It was totally mind-blowing.” Sue received “thousands” of messages enquiring about their glamping site. Some just wanted the Gables Pod Camping t-shirt that she wore whilst filming. “There’s a big fan club for Four in a Bed and they like to collect memorabilia,” said Sue.
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IN PROFILE || GABLES POD CAMPING
SUE'S TOP TIPS 1. Be yourself and enjoy the experience 2. Listen to the Crew 3. Don’t take the criticism personally “I actually got some key-rings made by a local lady who burns wood and we sent them out to the people who asked for them.” She added: “I still get messages now because some people watch it on catch-up.
4. Go in with an open mind 5. When it’s your turn to have people stay, treat it like any other day 6. Remember, you can’t please everyone
“They message me to say well done and they can’t wait to stay here. And that’s months after the show aired! “We were just completely overwhelmed!” Cancer Retreats Sue was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and has undergone chemotherapy as well as multiple operations. “I’m crippled with joint pain, but I do this as a break,” said Sue, “It’s always been something we wanted to do, and running Gables Pod got me out of the ‘rat race’ so to speak. We did this for us.” Sue regularly provides free cancer retreats for people who have been recently diagnosed or those who are receiving treatment. Even those who have finished treatment and just need a break, Sue offers a relaxing retreat for them to escape to.
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URLs thegables-podcamping.co.uk studiolambert.com studiolambert.com/take-part.html channel4.com channel4.com/programmes/four-in-a-bed
“I work with the local cancer charity and they can send people to me,” she said. “It’s free accommodation, totally on me, and that’s my way of helping somebody else who is going through cancer and needs to get away from it all for a bit. It’s my way of giving back to the charity. “If they want to chat with me, they can, because of my history. And speaking from experience, when I had cancer I wanted to talk to somebody, but the last place you want to go is another hospital setting.
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“We had over 63,000 people want to book a pod! It was mind blowing!”
“I can provide that perfect setting and maybe give them an afternoon tea in the tipi. People can come here and have a chat and maybe I can give them a bit of hope. I was really poorly and now I’m doing this, even after everything I’ve been through. “It gives them hope.” If you would like to learn more about Four in a Bed, visit studiolambert.com or watch the show on weekdays at 5pm on Channel 4, or Catch up on All4. If you should ever find yourself wanting to apply for Four in a Bed, you can submit an application on the Studio Lambert website: studiolambert.com/take-part Or you can contact them via their Instagram: @fourinabed or email them at: fourinabed@ studiolambert.com
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NEIL FRASER|| HOSPITALITY PHOTOGRAPHY
Neil Fraser is a professional photographer of interiors, architecture and design. His passion for high quality imagery has taken him all over the world. His work has featured in a number of magazines, reports, brochures and various marketing materials. Can't afford a professional photographer? Neil has a wealth of knowledge concerning holiday home photography. Neil will be contributing to the next few magazines to provide insight and experience to help you with your own holiday home photography skills.
Neil will be providing helpful top tips so you can produce high-quality images without paying for a professional photographer. To help you get to know him, here are eight of his favourite hospitality shots - examples of what you could reproduce with your own business. By Juliet Horner
FB: Neil Fraser Interiors Photography IN: @neilfraserinteriorsphotos www.nfp.photo
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Neil said: "I tend to come across a lot of shepherds huts and many look very similar but I particularly liked the sheep-themed decor in this one! They are small and cozy which makes them difficult to photograph. It is however their main selling point. The trick is to make them look snug and inviting. A place for a couple or single person to get away and relax. To make your photos feel warm, switch on the lights and maybe add some sparkle with fairy lights. If you know what you’re doing with photography software add a subtle warming filter. If you have a wider lens for your camera this is where you’ll need it. I timed this shoot for golden hour, shortly before sunset, so that I could get some deep blues in the sky outside. This wasn’t totally successful due to a big bank of cloud moving in. You just can’t rely on the UK weather." babettet@btconnect.com
NEIL FRASER || HOSPITALITY PHOTOGRAPHY
Starlight Cottage Shephards Hut
Chateau de Montoussel Neil said: "This beautiful chateau in the heart of the french countryside near Toulouse was possibly my favourite shoot. They had three gîtes to photograph, each with very distinctive decor. The owner had worked in fashion so knew the value of subtle styling when it comes to www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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capturing engaging images. The object of this shot is not to simply show the space but to show genuine features and, through subtle styling, humanise the space and have the viewer aspire to be there." gites-chateaudemontoussel.com
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Boutique Gites Neil said: "This gîte located between Bordeaux and Toulouse was a joy to photograph. The owners were on hand to help out whenever needed and, very important this, had cleaned, so the place was spotless. It may seam odd that this is one of my favourite shots from the shoot. It’s not an image that gives much information of what the rooms are like or the layout of the building. It does however, when used alongside images that do, add plenty of atmosphere. It was a bright and sunny French summer’s day but this part of the house was north facing. There was no direct sun resulting in lovely soft light, which, in conjunction with the ajar door adds a sense of mystery. The viewer wants to know what lies beyond." boutiquegitefrance.com
Madam Butterfly Neil said: "This former keepers cottage was a local job for me so it was easy to arrive early and work out the best angles to photograph the property from. The building is tucked away on its own in the Sussex countryside with no neighbours, which is obviously a huge selling point. I needed an image that placed the property in its surroundings. I did this by taking a wider shot and setting the tree and foliage in the foreground to frame the building. It’s one of my favourite images because everything fell into place, from the composition to the morning light, showing off the wonderful setting." pomoliver@aol.com
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Neil said: "This was another of the gîtes at the chateau. I love the warm and inviting colour palette of these two photographs. Again the styling is not in-your-face but subtle and understated. The props are towards the back of the table in order to not dominate the photo or look deliberately placed. I have matched the colours of the props to the distinct gold, brown and green colour palette of the room." gites-chateaudemontoussel.com
NEIL FRASER || HOSPITALITY PHOTOGRAPHY
Chateau de Montoussel
Brasses Farm Neil said: "Sometimes less is more. This small converted barn near Bodiam Castle in East Sussex had a beautifully designed interior with very graphic lines and shapes. The classic design of the chair would have been hidden had I added a prop blanket, as I often do. The cushion mirroring the red of the picture is all that was needed. Switching on the lights makes the hall behind the stairs warm and inviting rather than it looking dark, shadowy and cold. The conversion was very recent so there were no scuffs and scratches on any of the walls which makes my life much easier." lynnepageuk@hotmail.com www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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Hause Hall Farm Neil said: "I love the Lake District and this photo showcases one of its many incredible views as seen from this stylish converted farm house. I took this image for the property owner and also the hot tub rental company. Shot on a very cold and crisp January morning the model, on this occasion my wife, was brave to make it to the tub along an icy path in her swimsuit. She was very happy once she was in though and didn’t want to leave when we’d finished! When setting up the shot light was key. This is why we were there early to catch the sun rise. Sunrise/sunset is when the light is at its most dramatic and also doesn’t cast such strong shadows. Meaning you retain information in the shadow areas of the picture. I had worked out from which direction the sun would rise/set prior to arriving so that I would be shooting at the perfect time." www.therowleyestates.com
Castle Cottage Neil said: "Castle Cottage B&B is a fantastic rental, consisting of a large converted summer house, a converted barn and a really impressive tree house. The tree house could easily have just been teleported from Africa. This shot of the converted barn shows a lot of busy detail. I enjoy the shabby chic aesthetic but when there is a lot of clutter, it does tend 28 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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to make it harder to ensure there’s nothing unwanted in the frame. The image shows both key architectural and decorative details as well as giving a good idea of the space." castlecottagebarn.co.uk
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06/04/2021 11:21
IN PROFILE || MONKSTADT 1745
MONKSTADT
1745
Explore the Isle of Skye’s luxurious Monkstadt 1745. We spoke with the owner, James MacQueen, to find out how they utilise Monkstadt’s colourful history to improve their guests’ experience By JULIET HORNER Tucked away on the beautiful Isle of Skye, there lies a luxury hospitality venue offering uninterrupted views of the jaw dropping Trotternish Peninsula. Not only is Monkstadt 1745 surrounded by stunning Scottish scenery, but it’s dripping with historical significance and boasts a rich heritage. James MacQueen’s father bought the ruins of Monkstadt 1745 over 40 years ago before passing it on to James’ brother, who developed and restored a lot of the cottages and externals of the house.
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James finished his father and brother’s work when he took over three years ago, and is now the proud owner of the historic house and it’s additional five luxury self-catering cottages.
“It’s been a real effort from three different parts of the family,” said James. Monkstadt House was originally built in the 1700’s and James’ family have spent the last 40 years developing and restoring the buildings to recreate the original building as best as they could whilst also introducing what James described as a “modern and contemporary” feel to create the luxury accommodation provider it is today. James said: “Fortunately there was listed drawings that were done around 1916 and they recorded the building and all the internal finishings before it deteriorated to ruins.” Most of the windows were boarded up due to window tax not long after the drawings had been made and this was soon followed by removal of the roof in the 1950’s. April 2021 || Luxury BnB || 31
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IN PROFILE || MONKSTADT 1745
“The owners couldn’t afford to pay the rates on it,” said James.
explained James, “so they moved here, and it was actually the first slate roof on Skye.”
“So, by the time we came along, there was nothing left. Just the shell of the building, so we had to work from these listed drawings and we’ve restored it as close as we can to them.”
The stonework of the house also has historical significance.
As well as owning Monkstadt 1745, James has a construction company which came in handy for the restoration work. “Restoring the buildings is really important to me,” said James. “The history is so important and although I wanted to make it very luxurious, I want the guests to notice the history of the place and look at this structure that’s been here for nearly 300 odd years.” Historical Ties and Interior Design The history of Monkstadt 1745 is certainly a colourful one. The original estate was built in the 1730’s by the MacDonalds when they moved out of Duntulm castle, and as a result, it became the new clan seat of Clan Donald. “They moved here when living in castles started to sort of, go out of fashion,” 32 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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James said: “Some of the stonework for Monkstadt House came from Duntulm Castle.
"I want the guests to notice the history of the place." “When they built the house, they took stone from the castle and brought it by sea to build it into Monkstadt House.” He added: “For example, there was a doorway that was hidden for years which we exposed and it’s now the door to the kitchen. “It has this big indentation in it which was used for sharpening swords and knives in the past.” Returning to the family who built the house, James explained they also played a part in the famous story of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
URL: monkstadt1745.com Instagram: @monkstadt1745
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IN PROFILE || MONKSTADT 1745
James said: “They were here during the 1745 Jacobite uprising and Bonnie Prince Charlie came through here on his escape from the English Militia.” Flora MacDonald, the foster child of Lord Alexander and Lady Margaret, saved Bonnie Prince Charlie’s life by taking him to Skye in a small wooden rowing boat. “Lord Alexander MacDonald was conveniently not here at the time, but his wife, Lady Margaret, was a keen Jacobite supporter and allowed Bonnie Prince Charlie, who was dressed as an Irish maid, to stay here overnight,” said James. Due to Monkstadt’s important role in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape, the Jacobite time period was the inspiration behind the luxury accommodation provider’s interior design. James said: “It’s very carefully designed. We’ve tried to tell a story with the building, but it’s one that guests have to look for. “We’ve themed it around the Jacobite period and sort of ‘Jacobite Secrets’. “It’s very luxurious but we’ve hidden faces and Jacobite symbols throughout the house.” James had the help of an interior designer when recreating the historical theme. “There’s lots of hidden symbols, like acorns or butterflies, that would have signified you www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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as a Jacobite supporter, or faces hidden in lampshades,” he said. “The carpet is bespoke too, designed with distinctive patterns that follow the same theme. “But none of it is in your face. You have to look for it.” James described the historical connections hidden by the interior design process as a “treasure hunt” for his guests. “There’s actually quite a modern, contemporary feel to the inside of the house, but it’s giving you those hints of what’s happened in the past,” he said. The suites inside the main house are named after historical figures tied to Monkstadt House and even the self-catering cottages are named after people who used to live there. Another historic story that’s had an influence on the renovations and design of Monkstadt 1745, is a tale of true love and courage. “There’s a very famous and romantic story about a girl who climbed out of a window using sheets that had been tied together to meet MacDonald from Monkstadt,” said James. 34 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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“They had a court case because when she escaped, she was betrothed to another man who she couldn’t stand, so she ran away from home with MacDonald. “Her father wanted to marry her to a very wealthy man and there was a court case about MacDonald abducting her from the house.” The two characters then emigrated to Australia and raised a family of their own. Years later, the fourth generation of their family visited Monkstadt 1745. With the estate absolutely dripping with history, James enlisted the help of an interior designer to ensure they made the most of their heritage. “I think using an interior designer was really important,” said James. “Making the choices ourselves would have been quite a difficult task.” James explained that even though it was costly and they went over the budget, it was worth hiring a designer.
ROOM NAMES • • • • •
Lady Margaret’s Suite Sir MacDonald’s Suite Flora’s Room Lt. Macleod’s Room Alexander’s Suite
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"We've tried to tell a story with the building, but it's one that guests have to look for."
Stamped timber wall
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TOP TIPS 1.
Hiring an interior designer will help you create the perfect experience and is worth the extra money
2.
Subtlety is key. You don’t want your theme to be too in your face because it could put people off
3.
Guests like the surprise connections, so don’t give away all the secrets online
4.
Remember to highlight the historical significance of your surroundings too, not just your property
5.
Make use of historical elements that are already there (e.g. stonework) as well as the elements you create to signify the heritage (e.g. historic symbols hidden in your wallpaper)
“I enjoy it every time I come into the building,” he said. “It was important to me to spend more, rather than thinking ‘Oh, we should have done this’ or ‘We should have done that’.” James says one of his favourite features is the timber cladding in the Alexander Suite. “We wanted to put a stamp on it to signify my input and the MacQueen family’s input into the building,” he said. “So that timber framing reflects that journey of restoration using Scottish materials. And then the stamping and staining adds texture and signifies the work.” Further historical ties are subtly hidden in Monkstadt’s dining room. Stonework from Duntulm Castle
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"We've followed the historic records of who sat where." “Pre-Covid, we had this very big table and the idea was that guests would sit at the ‘Lord’s Table’ to eat,” said James. “You know, Lord MacDonald would have had a big table in there and sat at the head of it.” The dining room was where Flora MacDonald was questioned at length by a Red Coat concerning Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape. James added: “All the chairs around the table are significant with who sat at that table the night Bonnie Prince Charlie visited.” www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk 031-039_LBB_April21_Monkstadt1745.indd 35
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He said: “Throughout the design, we have followed the historical records of who sat where and they are all upholstered in a significant tartan except two of them: the red chair and the MacDonald chair, which are important to the story. “It’s not in your face and when you explain it to people, they love it.” Advice
Hidden Faces
Throughout the restoration and designing process, James has learnt a lot about how Monkstadt’s historical ties could be used as a unique selling point to enhance his business and entice guests. “I think the biggest tip I can give to someone who’s doing a similar sort of renovation, is that getting an interior designer really helped,” said James. James was passionate about preserving the heritage of Monkstadt 1745 and kept this at the forefront of his work. “You have to know and follow your passion,” he said. “We’re quite high end, so we needed to get everything right and we need to provide a very good experience. “The old building has been restored and updated to provide luxury accommodation for our market, but it still retains that very interesting history.”
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IN PROFILE || MONKSTADT 1745
James expressed how important it is not to be over the top when incorporating the history of your property into the design. “It’s a bit like a treasure hunt. It’s not in your face and it’s a nice surprise for our guests when they get here,” said James. “Once the guests find out the house has all these little secrets everywhere, it really intrigues them.” In the future, James plans to produce a brochure for guests staying at Monkstadt 1745 which highlights the history of the estate, including the colourful stories and nearby locations. “We want to show the hidden Skye,” said James. “Skye’s become a really popular tourist destination and you’ve got the big, main points of interest like the Old Man of Storr and the Fairy Pools, but there’s an abundance of beautiful places that a lot of people don’t see. “So much of Skye has important historical connections and we would love to promote that history even more than what we already do at Monkstadt 1745.” www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk 031-039_LBB_April21_Monkstadt1745.indd 37
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
FOUR
in a Bed
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
Mark James, Executive Producer of Channel 4’s much loved show ‘Four in a Bed’, gives us a glimpse behind the scenes. Discover the inner workings of the popular tv series and find out what the producers look for when reviewing applications submitted by business owners like you By Juliet Horner
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Channel 4’s much loved show ‘Four in a Bed’ released a brand-new series last month featuring brilliantly entertaining hospitality businesses. If you’re a fan of the show, you may have noticed that Four in a Bed also began their hunt last month for the next batch of businesses to take part in the popular tv series. As one of Channel 4’s most watched shows with a peak audience of 1.3 million, featuring on the televised competition can do wonders for your business. But what can you expect if you submit an application? What can you expect during filming? How does it all work? We spoke with Four in a Bed’s Executive Producer, Mark James, to find out all you need to know if you’re considering submitting an application. “I’ve worked on the show on and off since 2013,” said Mark, “and I’ve now been in charge of the whole series for just over a year and I absolutely love it!” He has “hundreds” of funny filming anecdotes, but he said one of his favourites was when he “directed a block where a father and son combo found a DVD of an adult variety on top of a wardrobe and their reaction had the whole crew in tears of laughter”. As the Executive Producer, Mark is involved with “every stage of the production process” and has a lot of knowledge and advice to pass on to potential competitors.
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Applications Filling out an application form of any kind can be daunting, but Mark reveals the process behind the Four in a Bed application process to explain that it’s not as cut-throat as you might think. “We look for everything,” said Mark. “We like to showcase a whole range of diverse places, from the traditional B&B, to pubs with rooms and amazing glamping sites. It’s not just strictly a bed and breakfast competition. “We’ve had to diversify,” he explained. Mark stressed that you shouldn’t be put off by the application form. “The applications are more about alerting us that they are interested. If someone applies, they will always get a call from our casting team.” Previously, the team would go out to meet applicants in person and film a little casting video to get a feel for the owners and their business but because of COVID it is done more remotely.
"We like people who have opinions and aren't afraid to share them!" April 2021 || Luxury BnB || 41
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
Participants of the Four in a Bed episodes airing the week commencing April 5th: (From Left to Right) Owner of Johnny Dough’s, owner of The Royal Oak, Owners (x2) of The Dovecote Inn, Owners (x2) of Nightsky Glamping
But what will increase your chances of a successful application? Mark said: “The more they can show us and tell us about themselves and their business the better. “We also like people to have opinions and not be afraid to share them. At the end of the day, the show is all about opinions.” Due to the nature of the show, anyone considering applying for Four in a Bed should have at least three rooms available for the other business owners taking part. Mark then explained it’s not all about the application form.
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For example, Sue Brierley at Gables Pod Camping was approached by Four in a Bed without ever handing in an application beforehand. She said she originally “thought it was a joke” and then went on to win their block of the show.
"Just be yourself and own what you do!"
“Some of the contestants, you look at them and think, would they fill in the application form? Probably not. But then you’d miss out on that type of character,” he said.
Mark explained: “You may even be targeted by our casting team. So if you receive a phone call or email about the show, it could genuinely be us and not a joke!”
“I would never get rid of somebody based on an application form. We’ve got an amazing farmer guy at the moment and I love him. He’s hilarious and I just can’t see him sitting there and filling out an application!”
When searching for businesses to appear on the show, Mark said they look for people who will “embrace the experience” and “enjoy the show for what it should be”.
He added: “How well you fill out an application form isn’t a reflection on how well you will do on the show.” 42 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
Sometimes, rather than waiting to receive applications, the Four in a Bed team reaches out to potential applicants.
“It’s a lot of fun whilst at the same time using the experience to point out where other people can enhance and better their business,” said Mark. www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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“Just be yourself,” he said, “own what you do.” “Use it as an opportunity to showcase your business to its best potential.” Commitments If you are successful in being chosen to appear on Four in a Bed, there’s a couple of commitments the crew ask you to make. In terms of time commitments, Mark explained that the competition element “takes two weeks” to film. “We keep in touch with the competitors frequently by phone prior to filming,” said Mark.
“During filming, we require the owners to either close or get cover.”
IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
For businesses who are successful in gaining a place on Four in a Bed, Mark’s advice was to “enjoy the experience”.
Participants are also expected to keep the results of the show to themselves until the show is aired. “We speak to [the competitors] regularly after filming to ask how they found the experience and let them know when their block of the show will be on tv,” said Mark. “Then we speak to them after the show has been aired to see what they thought about it and find out how things are going. Like with Mike and Sue at Gables Pod Camping who had so much interest I think they broke the system!” He added: “The main commitment is the two weeks of filming.” Filming Before Mark explained what participants can expect during the filming process for Four in a Bed, he touched upon the preparations of some of the participants. “Some of our [competitors] have a refreshing ‘take us as you find us’ approach, whereas others will scrub every last centimetre clean,” laughed Mark. “It’s entirely up to them as to how they prepare.” The Four in a Bed crew - which is made up of a Producer/Director, three cameramen and a team of researchers - have a lot of content to record during their ‘filming season’.
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If you should ever find yourself wanting to apply for Four in a Bed, you can submit an application on the Studio Lambert website: studiolambert. com/take-part Or you can contact them via their Instagram: @ fourinabed or email them at: fourinabed@ studiolambert.com
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
“We usually start filming in late February until November with a six week filming break in the summer holiday,” explained Mark. “There’s a lot that needs to be filmed for each visit, so our schedule needs to be run with military precision.”
Instagram: @fourinabed @studiolambert
Mark explained they don’t need access to anything in particular when filming, just the hosts and their properties. “We film for full days, from early in the morning until late at night, but we do try and make the experiences as much fun as possible for our competitors,” said Mark. “We try and make all the competitors feel a part of the Four in a Bed family as much as possible. “We like to get to know them as much as their business. Usually one of the team will stay at the property during filming, just in case we need to film something overnight.” The researchers on the team are the “glue that puts everything together”. “They’re the ones who pull the activities together, like where we are going for dinners and drinks,” explained Mark. “They are the ones filling the holes in the schedule and they keep things running. They’re all over the logistical side of things, but we’re keen to get them more involved in the editorial side.” The Four in a Bed team shoot one block of a series over just two weeks, spending two days filming in each location. Mark explained that they don’t group competitors and film in one region. “Years ago we used to travel all over the place,” said Mark. “We would start in Scotland and finish in Cornwall and we’d spend a lot more time travelling than filming.”
"The main commitment is two weeks of filming." Nowadays, Mark makes sure the team spends a bit more time in each location to get better shots and enjoy the activities. 44 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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Mark describes filming time as being scheduled to military precision, however, “they aren’t always being filmed”.
“We like the diversity. So we try to have, for example, a seaside B&B, one in the countryside and one in a city centre,” said Mark.
“For example, we only film one of the room inspections at a time and they get downtime during the day, whereas we are constantly filming,” said Mark.
“We love the diversity in the businesses and also the people who run them.
“They are long days, but there is downtime as well. Like if they’ve done their room inspections and we don’t need them for a couple of hours, some of the contributors like to go out and explore the area and it actually feels like a trip away. Some might even prefer to do a bit of work.
“We try and mix it up so it’s as different as possible.” But how can you compare and judge properties against each other when they are so different? “It’s a value for money competition,” said Mark, “and that’s what people lose sight of sometimes.” He said: “How can you compare a stately manor house against a pub with rooms? You can’t. You’re comparing it through value for money.” Mark explained that having different properties forces the participants to judge purely on value for money. “Mixing it up also helps to keep the contestants and the viewers interested,” he said. “If we went to four very similar places who do very similar things, it would get pretty dull. So we like to mix it up as much as we can.”
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
He explained that they strive to have a range of properties appearing in each block of a series.
“Either way, they aren’t being filmed 24/7. The second day of filming is always a lot more relaxed.” Mark explained that the busiest filming days to expect are arrival days when competitors move to a new location. Due to COVID-19, the Four in a Bed team had to adapt the way they filmed the series. “Elements of the show have changed to adhere to COVID protocols and I think some of the elements have actually made the show better,” said Mark.
"You have to keep in mind that this is a value for money competition."
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
“It’s made it a bit fresher and more real. Rather than going out for a meal, we might have drinks in the pub with the owners which is something you might actually do. It just feels more natural. “Obviously COVID has had its drawbacks, but I think it’s helped us to improve in some ways.” Mark also explained that competitors can expect a couple of mishaps at some point. “There are always little glitches,” he said. “Sometimes there’s been a breakdown in communication and you’re waiting for food or the cameras all go down. “These things happen!” laughed Mark. He added: “We had a camera fall off the side of a boat last series, which wasn’t helpful.” Luckily, mishaps like that are rare, but the competitors understand when something doesn’t go to plan and it all works out well in the end. Mark’s Advice Having spent a lot of time working on Four in a Bed, Mark has met some very interesting characters and has a lot of advice to pass on to those who may be potential competitors in the future. Mark said: “Just embrace it. “The people that get the most out of the show are the people that don’t overthink things. It’s key to give honest opinions and do everything you can to show off your business to its full potential.” 46 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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It’s important that competitors understand the show is all about opinions and that it’s important to be honest. “If you don’t want to give an opinion then you won’t feel comfortable on the show,” said Mark. “You’ll get asked a lot about ‘How do you feel about this?’ or ‘How do you feel about that?’ so you need to have an opinion. “You need to know what you like and what you don’t like.” He added: “The people that enjoy this show are those who don’t overthink it and just take it for what it is. The majority really enjoy the two weeks they spend with us.” Four in a Bed also helps to highlight the harder side of the hospitality industry. Viewers are privy to how difficult it can be dealing with complaints and tough guests and everything else that comes with trying to run a successful business.
TOP TIPS FOR APPLICATIONS 1. Don’t be put off by the form if you don’t think you tick all their boxes 2. Tell them as much about yourself and your business as you can 3. Don’t be afraid to showcase your differences 4. If you receive a call or email claiming to be from the Four in a Bed team, answer it! It’s most likely NOT a joke 5. Be honest and be yourself in your application
“You do need to be prepared to potentially receive criticism from your fellow contributors,” said Mark. www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
URLS: studiolambert.com studiolambert.com/take-part
“It doesn’t always sit well with some people when they receive negative feedback.” He added: “Things can get feisty. People can take things very personally because their business is a part of them. It’s like one of their children and if somebody said something bad about your child, you’re not going to be happy about it. “Emotions run high, but it doesn’t go too far because it’s not that type of programme. “We let them discuss it and in the end they have to agree to disagree.” You need to remember that what works for some, doesn’t work for others and Mark says the important thing is to “know your market and make sure what you provide fits that audience”. After Filming The Four in a Bed team keep in touch with the businesses who appear on the show, not only to see how they found the experience, but to see whether the show had an impact on their business.
What can Four in a Bed lead to? Another b&b that has done well after appearing on Four in a Bed is The Salutation Hotel in Sandwich, Kent. You may recognise the owners, Steph and Dom, from another popular TV series... GoggleBox! Appearing on Channel 4's Four in a Bed can lead to a variety of opportunities, so don't be afraid to apply! URL: the-salutation.hotelskent.com
"You need to be prepared to potentially receive negative comments from your fellow contributors." “Not all winners take home a plaque,” said Mark, “You can get so much out of this show just by being yourself. The viewers like that and tend to want to stay at those places.”
Watch Four in a Bed, weekdays, 5pm on Channel 4. Catch up on All4
There have been many success stories for those who appear on the show, but Mark says they can’t promise anything. “It puts places on the map,” said Mark.
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IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
TOP TIPS FOR TAKING PART 1. Don’t be afraid to express your opinions 2. Be prepared to receive both positive and negative feedback Gables Pod Camping -Winners of Four in a Bed at the end of 2020
3. Be yourself and enjoy the experience 4. Showcase your business to its best potential and make sure you know your market/audience 5. Remember it’s all about value for money 6. Prepare to commit to a busy two weeks of filming and understand that you will have to close or find cover during that time
URLS: studiolambert.com studiolambert.com/take-part
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“They were lots of fun and brought the light to a slightly feistier block and then they got rewarded for it.”
He added: “It’s always great to see owners getting an uplift in bookings after the show has aired.”
Even though the team checks up on their contributors to see how being on the show impacted their business, Mark says there are other things you can do to capitalise on taking part in the show.
An example of one winner who did extremely well after appearing on the show was Gables Pod Camping who won the series that aired at the end of 2020. “Not even a week after the show aired, I think their site was constantly crashing because they had so many people wanting to book,” explained Mark. “They were great contributors. They were in a particularly spiky block and it can be so easy to just sit back and let people argue and be petty, but they still had a voice and got their opinions in.
IN PROFILE || FOUR IN A BED
“It shows the viewers areas that they’d never normally consider and the variety that’s on offer.”
“They can do interviews with the local press which we can help guide them through,” said Mark. “And there’s nothing stopping them from using their own social media accounts to create a buzz around the show and their business.” He added: “Just enjoy the experience, be yourself and showcase your business to its best potential.”
If you should ever find yourself wanting to apply for Four in a Bed, you can submit an application on the Studio Lambert website: studiolambert.com/take-part Or you can contact them via their Instagram: @fourinabed Or email them at: fourinabed@studiolambert.com
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LBNB E-BOOK || CHAPTER 2B
GETTING STARTED IN HOLIDAY RENTALS
Chapter 2B For each issue in 2021, we will be serialising a section of our Luxury BnB E-Book for those looking to set up their own hospitality business. By Abbey Warne and Dominic Johnson
Welcome to Chapter 2B, which will introduce you to the financial aspect of setting up a BnB. It might seem like a complicated process but hopefully the content in this chapter will make it easier. In this chapter we will take you through the different types of borrowing available when it comes to finance, and how you can get the best support possible.
Contents:
TYPES OF BORROWING AVAILABLE This section will introduce you to the types of borrowing available, including information on business loans and the steps to consider when it comes to arranging business finance. INFORMATION FROM MATT BRYANT AT ZIGZAG ACCOUNTANTS Mortgage
1A: Intro to holiday rentals
A mortgage is one of the most popular means of financing a Bed and Breakfast start up.
1B: Intro to financial considerations
•
2A: BUSINESS PLANS & LEGAL ENTITY >> 2B: FURTHER FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
•
Be wary of the risk of over-borrowing, do not overestimate the amount of business that you will attract during the year. Take into account any out of season periods.
Already have a suitable property? 3A: Interior - furnishings and tech • 3B: Operations - provisions, access & storage • 4A: Booking operations
You may need to re-mortgage it to obtain the cash for conversion or modification work. If this is the case, you will need to inform your current lender that you intend to run a B&B.
4B: Management - staff & planning
Business Loans
5: Checklists
• •
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In the past, businesses would have contacted a high street bank for a business loan. Whilst this option is still popular, there are now more lenders willing to lend finance.
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GETTING THE RIGHT SUPPORT All of the topics mentioned above need to be considered when starting and running a Bed and Breakfast business. This section will introduce you to the financial support you can get for your BnB. Why is finance important? Whilst the financial side can seem daunting and time consuming, without it your business is more likely to struggle.
STEPS TO CONSIDER RESEARCH •
Different lenders have different criteria as to what they consider a feasible finance plan.
DETAILED BUSINESS PLAN • • •
A strong business plan is a must; it is the backbone and starting point for any business. Make sure your projections are realistic, show you know and understand the sector. Numbers are key to a business plan.
STABILITY • •
Understand and show a lender that you will be able to repay your debt. Show that your business is viable and that you will be able to meet the lenders requirements.
BE HONEST • •
Be upfront with your current situation and the money needed. Be realistic; don’t overestimate revenues and understate expenses.
READ THE SMALL PRINT •
Understand terms of the loan and the repayment plan.
CREDIT HISTORY • •
All lenders will check your credit history. Your credit history could have an effect on the availability of obtaining finance.
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SHOULD YOU INVEST IN AN ACCOUNTANT? • You need to spend time on running your business and doing what you do best. • Therefore, you need to invest in an accountant to help with the financial side. • It is up to you how much time and cost you want to spend on this. A proactive accountant should provide the following support: 1. Business Growth - help and advice to help your business grow 2. Business Plans 3. Ongoing Support - Bookkeeping, Payroll Services, VAT 4. Management Information - Regular Management Accounts and meetings 5. Raising Finance - Assistance and advice on financing 6. Tax advice - Tax planning for business owners, wealth management, Capital Allowance claims. 7. Compliance – Statutory accounts and tax returns MORTGAGES AND FINANCE Can you get a buy to let mortgage? • It is not possible to get a Buy To Let mortgage because you are renting to more than 1 person. SELF INVESTED PENSION (SIP) • You can do an SIP - Self-Invested Pension. • This is where you take money from your pension and invest it in a property. • Borrow against another property. BUSINESS LOAN • Earning ratio - banks are worried about getting their money. WHAT IF YOU GET NO BOOKINGS? CAN YOU PAY THE BILL? • We took out a 15 year business loan for 65% of the property value, an extension to our home mortgage for the balance. • We then used savings to carry out the work.
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LBNB E-BOOK || CHAPTER 2B
Business Loan • • •
Lower setup Similar terms to a standard personal mortgage Can lend to a partnership - i.e. you can create a Limited Company but you don’t need to.
Creating a Limited Company (Benefits and Drawbacks) • •
Drawbacks of creating a limited company are that you need to produce audited accounts (costly). The advantages of creating a limited company (protection) are not valid as all business loans are secured against the owners of the business.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM MATT BRYANT AT ZIGZAG ACCOUNTANTS FINANCE • • •
Finance A potentially major headache for those owning a B&B is money. Just getting started can be incredibly tough, but with the correct foresight, planning and preparation, it is possible.
Extra business loan information
HOW MUCH WILL I NEED TO SPEND?
•
The cost of starting a Bed and Breakfast will vary depending on if you:
• •
Bank will normally need at least a 30% contribution, lower than a standard mortgage. Advantage: you can make larger paybacks (normal mortgage is 10% per year) there is no limit to paybacks and no penalty clauses. Bank will look at the serviceability of the loan including the amount of income you’d expect to draw from the business.
Equity release from another property •
Possibly the cheapest option
• •
Already own a suitable property Are aiming at the budget end of the market
Or • • •
The cost can be considerably higher if you have not yet purchased the right property and are looking to offer a high-end experience. These costs can very easily get out of control. Whatever your particular starting circumstances are, they should be factored into a business plan.
WEBSITES KEY WEBSITES YOU MAY FIND USEFUL gov.uk/set-up-business gov.uk/vat-registration/how-to-register gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return gov.uk/write-business-plan
SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 2B We hope this chapter has helped introduce you to the financial aspects of running a BnB, including borrowing and support. Admittedly, they’re definitely not the most exciting part, but they are crucial steps that need to be completed in order to run a Bed and Breakfast that you’ll be proud of.
FINAL TIPS •
•
Don’t just plan for the initial start-up of your B&B. Plan with the next 5 to 10 years in mind.
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The next Chapter (3A) will introduce you to interior design configuration and renovation, soft furnishings and technology.
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2021 AWARDS || WINNERS
THE LUXURY BNB TEAM WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THE 2021
The Luxury BnB team would like to say a massive thank you anyone who took the time to enter our 2021 Excellence in Luxury Service Awards. The judges really had their work cut out for them and really enjoyed debating about the wide variety of properties that entered. Due to COVID-19, the judges were unable to visit the properties and the awards process was conducted online. Despite not being able to taste the breakfasts or experience the venues in person, the judges worked hard to judge all venues fairly via the available platforms online. Despite difficult judging methods, the team thoroughly enjoyed their lengthy discussions and wish to give every entrant praise for perservering during the pandemic. We look forward to seeing you all enter the 2022 awards!
WINNERS
ENTRIES FOR THE LBNB AWARDS 2022 NOW OPEN
MEET THE JUDGES
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Yvonne Halling
Dominic Johnson
David Weston
Tina Boden
Mark Hinchliffe
Andy BANNER-PRICE February 2021 || Luxury BnB || 53 Februarywww.luxurybbmag.co.uk 2021 || Luxury BnB || 53
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BEST BREAKFAST TORRDARACH HOUSE
WINNER OWNERS: Graeme & Susanne GRAEME'S COMMENTS: • • •
•
• • •
“We pride ourselves on our breakfast." "Our menu mainly contains locally sourced products, which we take very seriously. We source all of our products within a 50 mile radius." “There are no melons, pineapples or avocados on our breakfasts. Local fruits such as pears, apples and plums are brought in from local farms and orchards." "All the other berries such as raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries and rhubarb, are all picked from our garden. All of these wonderful items go into our home-made fruit compotes." "Susanne makes her own marmalade and is also known to have a go at her own granola, which is amazing." "We have won awards in the past for our breakfasts. This award from Luxury BnB is the (local) cherry on the cake for us!" "Thank you for this accolade. All that remains is for you to come by and taste it for yourself."
TORRDARACH HOUSE JUDGE'S COMMENTS: •
•
•
“Torrdarach have a great cross-section of dietary requirements. They clearly state what is vegan, what is vegetarian and what is gluten free and that ticks my boxes.” - Tina Boden | The B and B Keeper “They have a wide choice and organic selection and the menu is written up really well. I just want to go and try it for myself.” - Mark Hinchcliffe | The Chapel Boutique B&B “Amazing scores on TripAdvisor and lots of fantastic comments about their breakfasts. It's great that everything is locally sourced and they are supporting local businesses in that way." - David Weston | Chairman of the B and B Association
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MOST ROMANTIC GETAWAY DOME HOUSE
WINNER
DOME HOUSE JUDGE'S COMMENTS: •
• •
“Incredible views and it's more like apartments so it's a bit more private which lends itself to the romance." - Dominic Johnson | Publishing Director LBNB Magazine “The oversized bath, log fires, big sofas and views make this one of my favourites for most romantic." - Andy Banner-Price | The 25 Boutique B&B "It's adult-only and nice and self-contained. Lovely balcony to sit on and look out over Lake Windermere." - Tina Boden | The B and B Keeper
OWNERS: JOYCE & PHIL JOYCE'S COMMENTS: • • • • • •
“Thank you so much to the LBNB Judges!" "We're both thrilled to receive this award." "Dome House is a labour of love for the two of us and we're over the moon that this has been recognised." "We are delighted and still shocked." "We love romance, as the many engagements we have had here would attest!" "We look forward to welcoming everyone back this summer so you can experience it for yourselves."
URL: DOMEHOUSELAKES.CO.UK | LOCATION: WINDERMERE, CUMBRIA www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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LUXURIOUS INTERIOR DECOR BLACKWELL HOUSE
WINNER OWNERS: JOYCE & STEVE STEVE'S COMMENTS: • • •
• •
“We are delighted to have been chosen as the winner of the Luxurious Interior Decor Category." “We focus very hard on ensuring the interior design is of the highest standard." "We pride ourselves on a mix of modern, antique, and family pieces, together with carefully chosen wall coverings and soft furnishings that sit comfortably together, yet are understated." "Each room has been carefully and meticulously designed, with strong attention to detail." "To be recognised by the LBNB judges is extremely rewarding."
BLACKWELL HOUSE JUDGE'S COMMENTS: • • •
“I really like this. It's stunning. Each room is different and it's very luxurious.” - Yvonne Halling | Bed and Breakfast Coach “The very mixed decor caters for different tastes. I love how each room is styled differently." - Tina Boden | The B and B Keeper “Design is so subjective so I love that every room is uniquely different. They also seem to pay a lot of attention to detail" - Andy Banner-Price | The 25 Boutique B&B
URL: BLACKWELLHOUSE.CO.UK | LOCATION: NORTHERN IRELAND 56 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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MOST EFFECTIVE MARKETING & USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA DERRYBEG B&B
WINNER OWNERS: MARTIN & ANDREA MARTIN'S COMMENTS: • • •
DERRYBEG B&B JUDGE'S COMMENTS: • •
•
“It has a very clear customer journey through the website, which is great.” - Yvonne Halling | Bed and Breakfast Coach “They have links to their social media on their website which allows customers to learn more about them." - Mark Hinchcliffe | The Chapel Boutique B&B “They are regularly active on their social media platforms which is brilliant. Nice clear website which is easy to work through and find the booking button." - Dominic Johnson | Publishing Director LBNB Magazine
• • • • •
“We are absolutely delighted to win this award." "It's obviously been a very challenging time for our business. "We've not stopped communicating with our loyal guests and followers with regular social media posts and newsletter updates." "Continual marketing and frequent social media posts are such important tools in today's competitive marketplace." "We try to keep guests engaged, informed and hopefully even entertained!" "To be recognised for our effort and tenacity has been incredibly encouraging and uplifting for us." "We would like to thank all of the 2021 judges for the Most Effective Marketing & Use of Social Media award." "Thank you to the Luxury BnB Magazine for recognising our efforts in this area."
URL: DERRYBEG.CO.UK | LOCATION: PITLOCHRY, SCOTLAND www.luxurybnbmag.co.uk
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LBNB 2021 EXCELLENCE IN LUXURY SERVICE AWARDS DERRYBEG B&B
WINNER OWNERS: MARTIN & ANDREA MARTIN'S COMMENTS: • • • •
• • •
“We are very excited and honoured to hear we are the overall winner!" "To receive such a prestigious award like this from a panel of industry experts has given us a huge boost to our motivation in such difficult times." "Operating a B&B in today's highly competitive market place, amongst tough competition, gets more and more challenging every day." "Guests, quite rightly, have very high expectations in terms of the service, quality and experience they receive wherever they go and whatever they do." "Attempting to meet and exceed these expectations is a never ending challenge." "It's especially rewarding to get such a prestigious and much appreciated 'external pat on the back' like this." "Thank you very much to all the judges and to the team at LBNB Magazine for this award and congratulations to all of the other winners."
URL: DERRYBEG.CO.UK | LOCATION: PITLOCHRY, SCOTLAND 58 || Luxury BnB || April 2021
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Perfect Sleeping Environment
Top tips from industry experts on how to create the perfect sleeping environment for your guests By Juliet Horner Wondering how you can give your guests a great night's sleep? Well look no further! We spoke to two leading industry experts to find out how you can create the perfect sleeping environment, to provide the best night’s sleep you can for your guests. Simon Williams is the Marketing & Membership Manager for the National Bed Federation, the recognised trade association representing bed manufacturers and suppliers in the UK. The NBF provides professional and unbiased advice on everything you need to know about beds. Andrew Thorpe is the Divisional Contracts & Export Director for Sleepeezee, one of the UK’s most wellknown bed manufacturers, producing handcrafted luxury beds and mattresses. Sleepeezee work closely with hotels, B&Bs and other hospitality businesses to provide premium bed options. Andrew and Simon have put together a helpful list of top tips on how you can create the perfect sleeping environment for your guests.
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FACILITIES || SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT
CREATING THE
TOP TIPS FOR CREATING THE PERFECT SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT 1. Blackout Curtains • Simon Williams said: “Ensure the room can be made as dark as possible for sleeping. You can use blackout curtains or blinds, or you could even buy some inexpensive eye-masks for your guests.” • Andrew Thorpe said: “Make sure it can really be ‘lights out’. Installing blackout curtains is important to ensure guests can enjoy undisturbed sleep.” 2. Lighting • Andrew said: “Use soft lighting and dimmer switches to allow guests to adjust the lighting before bedtime.” • Simon said: “Avoid anything with an LED display, including clocks. This type of light makes it hard to fall asleep and be disruptive.” 3. Temperature • S: “Make sure the room isn’t too hot or too cold. If anything, keep it slightly cool. Overly hot rooms are one of the major complaints in hotels.” • A: “Sleeping hot is one of the leading causes of insomnia so allowing guests to set the temperature between 16 and 20 degrees is ideal.” 4. Quality Feel • A: “Your body is in near-constant contact with the sheets. Providing high-quality, soft and breathable sheets will keep your guests cool whilst adding that luxury feel.” 5. Sound • S: “Make the room as sound-proof as possible as noise is a major sleep disruptor. Double glazed windows are a necessity if the room is near a busy road. Also think about the sound insulation of the April 2021 || Luxury BnB || 59
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FACILITIES || SLEEPING ENVIRONMENT
•
6. • •
7. • 8. •
•
9. • 10. •
•
room, for example, fit a good quality door to reduce noise from other guests.” A: “Eliminating noise is important. Guests are in unfamiliar surroundings so rooms need to be quiet and peaceful. Invest in double glazed windows and lined curtains to reduce noise levels.” Colour A: “Harness the power of colour to ensure the decor is calm and neutral so that guests aren’t distracted.” S: “Avoid bright colours, such as reds, which are quite stimulating and less conducive to a good night's sleep. Use muted and pastel colours which are more calming.” Furnishings S: “Keep the room clutter free and minimally furnished. Cluttered and untidy bedrooms won’t help a good night's sleep.” Smells A: “This is one of our most powerful senses, with links to memory, mood and energy levels. Some studies have shown that lavender lowers blood pressure and heart rate, which induces a calming effect. This is why some of our customers use lavender scents in their rooms.” S: “Some smells can make you feel more relaxed and calm. Use diffusers or sprinkle potpourri with essential oils like lavender or geranium.” Decor S: “Putting some artwork, plants or flowers in the bedroom can help your guests feel more relaxed.” Invest in the Right Bed S: “Make sure you offer a good quality, comfortable and supportive bed with decent pillows. The bigger the better too, for less partner disturbance. Spend as much as you can afford on your bed; It’s where your guests will spend the majority of their stay.” A: “Invest in the highest quality mattress you can afford, as well as mattress protectors which help to keep the bed as clean and hygienic as possible.”
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The Luxury BnB team are in the process of creating a guide to ‘Picking the Best Bed’ with the help of industry experts. Keep an eye out for our August Magazine where you can learn what you need to look for when purchasing new beds.
URLs bedfed.org.uk sleepeezee.com INSTAGRAM @sleepeezee
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Industry expert Yvonne Halling considers how to create an emotional connection with your guests and why it matters
Yvonne Halling is no stranger to the hospitality indusrty. In 2001, Yvonne opened her B&B in the Champagne region of France, running her B&B for 17 years. Yvonne is now the Bed and Breakfast coach, offering owners and managers in the B&B industry helpful training and masterclasses. Yvonne helps B&B owners make 25% more more whilst actually working less. If you're looking for a coach and mentor, Yvonne offers free 30 minute consultations to talk about your business and your dreams. You can join Yvonne's Facebook group at: http://bit.ly/ BandBgroup If you have any questions, email Yvonne at yvonne@ yvonnehalling.com FB: Yvonne Halling TW: @yvonne3030 IN: @bedandbreakfastcoach bedandbreakfastcoach.com
w READ ONLINE & SHARE >> luxurybnbmag.co.uk/ yvonne_connections
In this world of technology, we seem to be more connected than ever. We can Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp our friends, family and even our guests anywhere in the world, and you’d think that it would bring us closer together. The truth is that although we are technologically connected, studies show as human, we’re increasingly becoming emotionally disconnected. Increase in suicide rates, depression and declining mental health are constantly laid before us, so why is this so? Humans have a need for human to human connection, in ways that soothe our senses, touch, taste, hear, see and smell. The good news is we can use the technology to create that, if we understand what we’re doing Emotional connection is a basic human need, and if we ignore it, then we’re missing a trick. So how do you do this in your business, especially in a post covid world where touching has almost been outlawed? Here’s 3 ways you can create an emotional connection with your guests, whether you greet them in person or remotely. #1 Never under-estimate the value in them seeing your face and hearing your voice, no matter what you think you look and sound like. A reassuring video that lets them know you’re real and they haven’t been scammed will go a long way to meeting their emotional need for connection. #2 Your guests need reassurance every step of the way from the moment they booked with you, to the moment they step through your door. You’ll need to be reassuring them that they made a really great decision in booking with you. Not just once, but over and over, especially if a significant other is present. A well-crafted email campaign can do this very well for you. #3 Ask them to connect with you on social media, by being your friend, liking your page, and then send them a private message, again
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CONTRIBUTOR || YVONNE HALLING
EMOTIONAL Connections to let them know you value them, so they can feel special. You need to be on multiple social media platforms with a solid reputation that people can trust. If you start implementing at least one of these three tips, you’ll find that your guests will be more relaxed, cancellations will diminish and loyalty will be increased, meaning your guests will talk about you to their friends. A win/win for everyone. Maya Angelou once said "people will forget what you said, and forget what you did, but will never forget how you made them feel”. If you don’t do any of this, you run the risk as being seen the same as everyone else, who doesn’t do this, and then you’ll find yourself competing on price, or being asked for discounts, and no-one wants that! Use technology to enhance the human connection and watch your business thrive.
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CLASSIFIED DIRECTORY Bathroom Amenities & Products
A BUYERS GUIDE Bed & Breakfast Insurance
Furniture Supplies
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Entries for the Luxury BnB Excellence in Luxury Service Awards 2022 are now OPEN. Go to the link below to enter the 2022 awards: luxurybnbmag.co.uk/2022awards-entry-form The winners of the LBNB Awards 2021 are announced in this issue on Page 47
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