Building from scratch or renovating?

If you have the opportunity to build from scratch or renovate an existing space here are a few things that A A A looks for (and dings you for not having):

• closets
• extra blankets/pillows
• cabinetry in the bathroom (ie- no free standing sinks)
• flooring in the bathrooms (don't know why we get dinged on this we have ceramic floors)
• amenities (soaps, etc)
• shelf space in the bathroom must be extensive
• lighting
• mirrors (multiple, lighted mirrors)
• TV's (there is a check box for TV's in the bathrooms, but a B&B wouldn't get dinged for that but they do need to be in the rooms)

Other guides are not as picky but if you want the A A A inspection then pay attention to these things! Of course I have never seen a guide for the owner so they know what to install.

I thought you had to have ceramic in bathrooms for AAA approval?
We looked at it one year and decided not to bother.

One other I recall on the list was deadbolts, am I right?

copperhead said:

I thought you had to have ceramic in bathrooms for AAA approval?
We looked at it one year and decided not to bother.

One other I recall on the list was deadbolts, am I right?.

Click to expand...

It's not on my list of things she checked for. I remember that, too. It's supposed to be unkeyed, as well. Next year we do the rooms' 'jewelry' so I am removing the ugly door hardware and replacing with something pretty. There will only be one lock at that point, now I have two.

Not going keyless. This is an antique house and we have antique doors and doorknobs. I don't want to alter the antique character of the house in order to upgrade with technology.
I think the details are the charm.
However, one of the first things we did when we moved in was put tables in all the bathrooms. They all have very small sinks and no counterspace.

copperhead said:

I thought you had to have ceramic in bathrooms for AAA approval?
We looked at it one year and decided not to bother.

One other I recall on the list was deadbolts, am I right?.

Click to expand...

Very early on in our existence we heard the AAA rules at a Conference. We did not qualify because #1 - we did not have enough rooms (Min 4 required) and #2 - private baths only (at that time we only had a shared) BUT deadbolts were also required and that one we thought was a good one - so we put deadbolts on all guestrooms AND the shared bath with me having the ONLY key to the bath.

TheBeachHouse said:

Not going keyless. This is an antique house and we have antique doors and doorknobs. I don't want to alter the antique character of the house in order to upgrade with technology.
I think the details are the charm.
However, one of the first things we did when we moved in was put tables in all the bathrooms. They all have very small sinks and no counterspace..

Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Not keyless as in electronic. No keys as in no one can access the room if the guest has used the deadbolt.

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather....

white pine said:

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather.....

Click to expand...

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.

I absolutely would not stay at a place without a TV in the room, but I guess men aren't the ones doing the booking most of the time, and we're afraid to complain.

Madeleine said:

white pine said:

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather.....

Click to expand...

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.

Click to expand...

I think you are cutting off your nose to spite your face without tvs in all your rooms.
I disagree with that comment 100%, people expect TVs. Unless you are on the shore and there are waves crashing outside and you are sitting on the veranda in a fluffy white robe sipping a sangria... (oh that sounds nice right now)
The sound proofing IS THE TV.
I do not wish to listen to other people's conversations, or "other". I don't need to hear them in the loo, in the shower, talking over the hair dryer, on their cell phones, etc. Old people TALK LOUD.
I am going to be bold and say this would prevent me from staying at a B&B.

white pine said:

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather.....

Click to expand...

white pine said:

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather....

Click to expand...

You are a destination location, so quiet is nice, but quiet out by the lake and in a canoe is where I would expect to enjoy nature sounds. People enjoy tv's, watching the weather channel, and more. This is what we do. I would keep them. They can turn them on or leave them off. Give them a choice. (my 2 cents)

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Not going keyless. This is an antique house and we have antique doors and doorknobs. I don't want to alter the antique character of the house in order to upgrade with technology.
I think the details are the charm.
However, one of the first things we did when we moved in was put tables in all the bathrooms. They all have very small sinks and no counterspace..

Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Not keyless as in electronic. No keys as in no one can access the room if the guest has used the deadbolt.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Not keyless as in electronic. No keys as in no one can access the room if the guest has used the deadbolt.

Click to expand...

Gotcha. I think I would be nervous leaving my stuff in a room with no lock. We have old fashioned locks. A key for the room and a key for the front door of the house. Of all the things we want to upgrade, the door locks didn't even make the list.

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze.

TheBeachHouse said:

Madeleine said:

TheBeachHouse said:

Not going keyless. This is an antique house and we have antique doors and doorknobs. I don't want to alter the antique character of the house in order to upgrade with technology.
I think the details are the charm.
However, one of the first things we did when we moved in was put tables in all the bathrooms. They all have very small sinks and no counterspace..

Click to expand...

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Not keyless as in electronic. No keys as in no one can access the room if the guest has used the deadbolt.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Sorry, I wasn't clear. Not keyless as in electronic. No keys as in no one can access the room if the guest has used the deadbolt.

Click to expand...

Gotcha. I think I would be nervous leaving my stuff in a room with no lock. We have old fashioned locks. A key for the room and a key for the front door of the house. Of all the things we want to upgrade, the door locks didn't even make the list.
.

Click to expand...

I've stayed in two places with no locks. Both times I was by myself! One place had a thumb lock but I didn't know that.
The other place I put a chair under the door knob.
But both places I had to leave my stuff untended all day. Both innkeepers said someone was always there. But they're not always upstairs now are they?
Not that I travel with the crown jewels but I don't like the idea of someone poking around in my stuff.
We have both a deadbolt and a doorknob lock. When we get rid of all the brass hardware we'll only replace those with one lock.

TheBeachHouse said:

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze..

Click to expand...

I will say you will probably have a tougher time selling no a/c than I have selling no TV. You'll get folks from places were it is just hot and they won't believe you that you don't need a/c all the time.
Some of our a/c units are permanent, others are in the windows. If you can get a whole house unit that would be best. No noisy units turning on and off all night. I can't sleep with the a/c on so I just have a fan.
You might want to try with just having fans this first summer. The tall floor models work well and are quiet.
We got them last year because it was just painful in the dining room. Worked well.

TheBeachHouse said:

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze.

Click to expand...

Is humidity an issue there? That is the reason I want a/c, not so much for the cooling, but zapping that humidity. I cannot stand indiv room units of any kind, but others love them and prefer them to sleep by.

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

white pine said:

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather.....

Click to expand...

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.

Click to expand...

I think you are cutting off your nose to spite your face without tvs in all your rooms.
I disagree with that comment 100%, people expect TVs. Unless you are on the shore and there are waves crashing outside and you are sitting on the veranda in a fluffy white robe sipping a sangria... (oh that sounds nice right now)
The sound proofing IS THE TV.
I do not wish to listen to other people's conversations, or "other". I don't need to hear them in the loo, in the shower, talking over the hair dryer, on their cell phones, etc. Old people TALK LOUD.
I am going to be bold and say this would prevent me from staying at a B&B.
.

Click to expand...

We arranged the rooms so that no two share a wall. Each side of the hallway is one suite. Was just hoping to keep the kids and tv's out in the motel, and allow the Lodge guests a different experience.
Will rethink this as in room tv apparently appears to be the norm. Will mean we get to pay for another 20 TV's (min. commercial rate for the satellite here ARGH, year round for a seasonal business!).

Joey Bloggs said:

TheBeachHouse said:

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze..

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze.

Click to expand...

Is humidity an issue there? That is the reason I want a/c, not so much for the cooling, but zapping that humidity. I cannot stand indiv room units of any kind, but others love them and prefer them to sleep by.
.

Click to expand...

Joey Bloggs said:

TheBeachHouse said:

When we bought the place, there were no tvs. Now, every room has a tv. They are all small and some are not flat screen, but they work. Network and basic cable only. No movies or pay per view.
I'm having the noise disagreement with my husband. He wants air conditioning in each room. I say the guests want to hear the waves and have a sea breeze.

Click to expand...

Is humidity an issue there? That is the reason I want a/c, not so much for the cooling, but zapping that humidity. I cannot stand indiv room units of any kind, but others love them and prefer them to sleep by.

Click to expand...

It can get very humid during the summer. In this town, there is usually about 2 weeks a year when air conditioning is 'needed.' Most of the time, we have a nice sea breeze.
I think we will go for the more expensive stand alone ac's for the two rooms on the third floor and small window units for the second floor rooms that can be installed easily on demand.

white pine said:

Joey Bloggs said:

Madeleine said:

white pine said:

I am thinking of not having TV's. We have them in the rooms in the motel, in the lodge we were thinking of book shelves, (and we have wifi). Thinking someplace where quiet might be prime... May convert one room in the back hall to a "mini-theater" with a dvd player and antique theater seats for the bored in bad weather.....

Click to expand...

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.
.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

We have one room with a TV and one in the common room. Yes, we lose business on big sports weekends. We would lose more if everyone had to listen to a TV running all night as the rooms are not sound proofed.

Click to expand...

I think you are cutting off your nose to spite your face without tvs in all your rooms.
I disagree with that comment 100%, people expect TVs. Unless you are on the shore and there are waves crashing outside and you are sitting on the veranda in a fluffy white robe sipping a sangria... (oh that sounds nice right now)
The sound proofing IS THE TV.
I do not wish to listen to other people's conversations, or "other". I don't need to hear them in the loo, in the shower, talking over the hair dryer, on their cell phones, etc. Old people TALK LOUD.
I am going to be bold and say this would prevent me from staying at a B&B.
.

Click to expand...

We arranged the rooms so that no two share a wall. Each side of the hallway is one suite. Was just hoping to keep the kids and tv's out in the motel, and allow the Lodge guests a different experience.
Will rethink this as in room tv apparently appears to be the norm. Will mean we get to pay for another 20 TV's (min. commercial rate for the satellite here ARGH, year round for a seasonal business!).
.

Click to expand...

That's a big issue here - the expense, but not the ultimate reason. First, for A A A the TV's have to be flat panels, not old TV's. Then for an additional 6 TVs we need to upgrade and get another satellite and have the whole house wired. We'd need more outlets. And placing them so they were not on adjoining walls to other rooms is another problem. Our rooms are tiny compared with what I've seen elsewhere.
So I deal with the lost bookings due to no TVs on big game weekends.
Like you, we'd be paying year round for something that would mostly be used in March and 4 months in the summer.
Personally? I hate the noise. It hate traveling with DH because the TV will be on the minute he wakes up till he falls asleep and I turn it off. No time for thinking or relaxing. Constant noise. Can't read. Can't think. Can't talk.
That's my big reason for not having TVs. JB says guests will use them or not but a lot of times it's one guest will use them and the other half of the couple will be stressed because they can't get away from it.

We stayed once at a b&b that had no tv in the room. They had 1 in the common living room. Never again will it happen!
When we were in the common room, it felt like we were back home, visiting Mom & Dad, and we were the only ones in the living room watchin. I was uncomfortable. If I'm paying, I don't want to feel that way.
My DH is like Maddie's DH. Has to have the tv on at all times. We even have to fall asleep with it on a sleep timer. Maddie, I'm like you...I like peace and quite. I want to read and enjoy my peaceful surrounding. Let me tell you that spending that 1 night without the tv and a VERY restless DH made for the longest night of my life. In hind site, I would much rather deal with the non-stop tv than my non-book reading husband restless and uncomfortable the entire stay.
So, here's my take on tvs. We all want to fill our rooms up, so why limit the demographics by not offering tvs. Yes, you might want a quiet place to think and read, but the majority of couples want a tv. Just because you hear from a guest every now and then that they appreciated not having a tv, how many couples just take it for granted that it will be there and will never say anything to you because in this day and age, they are everywhere.