BED AND BREAKFAST: A HOME-STYLE BUSINESS

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AND THE BEST PART OF ALL . . .

Our guests began arriving in late October. On the first weekend two couples (the wives were sisters) drove from Buffalo, New York and Detroit, Michigan to stay at our home in southern Maryland for three days. We charged each couple $38 per day (the service that referred them had set that price), and we received a full fact sheet of information on each couple before they arrived. The service took a 15% commission ($34.20), and we received the remaining $193.80 . . . which much more than compensated us for our annual B & B membership fees.

When our visitors showed up, we placed cut flowers in the bedrooms, offered maps and tourist information, and —after they'd settled in—tried to be generally accessible for conversation without being intrusive or bothersome. (Such little touches, we believe, hell) assure our travelers a pleasant stay.)

As the year went on, we discovered that our guests would typically send us warm letters of thanks, and we even exchanged greeting cards with some of them during the holiday season.

Now, as we approach our second year as hosts, we understand the business much better. We've developed good working relationships with the referral groups arid become better at promoting the service ourselves.

Setting up our home as a bed—and—breakfast retreat for travelers has—my wife and I agree—been one of the best (and most gratifying) decisions we've ever made. It's brought a lot of satisfaction into our lives, and we hope into the lives of our guests as well.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Robert Bensen of Burlington, Vermont has published a directory that lists 90 bed-and-breakfast referral services located throughout the United States, Canada, and the British Isles. The compendium sells for $3.95 and can be ordered—from Robert R. Bensen, Dept.

TMEN, Box 118, Burlington, Vermont 05401. As an alternative, you can contact the Bed and Breakfast League, Ltd., Dept. TMEN, 2855 29th Street N.W., Washington, D. C. 20008 for membership, information and listings. (Please include a self addressed, stamped envelope.

MOM's staffer Mary Jo Padgett shares her summer experiment in hosting B & B guests.

IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

Although we were aware of the national and local bed-and-breakfast organizations that have sprung up in tire last few years, n iv husband and I decided to go the independent route when trying our luck at the "extra room"business.

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