Shared Bath - your experience?

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TheBeachHouse

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A woman in my town is turning her empty nest into a B&B. I like her very much and wish her all the luck in the world. The town can support more B&B's. We are a tourist destination with a quaint, old fashioned vibe.
I saw the description of her house and was surprised to see she is offering a shared bathroom. Three bedrooms, one with a private bath and two sharing the other bathroom.
Her draw is her breakfast. She is an excellent cook and is marketing herself on the breakfasts. Which I expect will be fantastic.
The Question - do people rent shared bathroom rooms anymore? I know I wouldn't. But I don't know everyone.
 
It wouldn't bother me in the least. I would have said it would be a deal breaker for DH, but recently we stayed at an old lodge with only two baths and two separate showers for the entire floor. He loved the lodge and wants to stay again. One of the few places he'd like to return to ( we usually always stay somewhere we've never stayed before ). But normally no private bath means no stay for us. Just too easy to find 'somewhere else'. One B&B in a nearby town had two rooms with the shared bath in between. Two out of four rooms. A hotel reopened. The B&B closed.
 
here yes - but they expect it to be MASSIVLY cheaper for "their inconvenience"
 
We had no problem in the past renting shared baths at B&Bs. Those days are gone. We also had no problem with a detached, but private, bath. Those days are gone also.
Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wanting more creature comforts. :)
However, there's probably still a demographic out there that wouldn't mind a shared bath IF it was kept meticulously clean and there were other wonderful draws for a property.
 
We have a tough time renting the detached, private bath. It would work for a family situation, tho.
She could charge a premium to make it a private bath.
$xx for shared bath
$xxx for private bath (only the one room will be rented)
For the sake of clarity:
Each room of the shared set rents for $100 each. To have a private bathroom, one room of the set rented at $150. She might find she gets more takers that way.
 
I have shared bath. We keep it spotlessly clean and I'll be honest with it, it scares away a certain clientele.. and sometimes I'm thankful for that. Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath. But then again, they pay for that privilege by paying me more money and by having a smaller room.
Plenty of people have no problem with shared bath if the price and amenities are right. We are clear everywhere about the shared bath. We never hide it, we celebrate it. We make sure it's clear and that no one is surprised by it.
But then, we aren't trying to sell ourselves as upscale... we provide great amenities for a great price with great service. Some people like to think of our smallest rooms as the way that they can still stay here and get everything that everyone else is getting for a less expensive price.
Remember, it's all in the pricing... one year we were too low and we got backpackers. Another year we became people's "one night splurge" which wasn't good either.
We now rent two of the rooms together for $20 off, it becomes a private detached bathroom, but you can sleep 4 and up to 6 if needed. And for some families that's great, the parents actually get some privacy from their kids while on vacation.
 
My first 10 yers I wa 3 with shared. I was never able to break a certain revenue level - no matter what. In 2006, after Himself made his comment that backed HIM into a corner to sign the loan papers, I created 1 private bath. My revenue went up by 1/3 the first year - and it was not ALL due to the rate increase.
Unless they are looking for budget, the private bath rents first. I DO offer one of the shared rooms (now it is your choice since they both have queens) as a private bath for $5 less than the ensuite (because it is detached) and will not rent the third room. This has been done more than a few times.
If I have families or friends traveling together the shared bath works well for them. I once had 2 rooms rented (the second knowing it was a shared bath and left it as that) and the last room - then a full - was booked for the wedding night of a wedding in town (booked by the groom) knowing it was shared.
It really depends on the kind of guests prevalent in the area. Because of my location I get all kinds (except those who patronize Mort), the high end passing through, trail users, horse people, families... SINCE she has one private bath, she will be OK - that will be the busiest room. She will not be as busy as the all private baths, but will not be empty.
Robes in the closets is a must have - and I suggest she have chamber pots under the bed or the dresser, not really to be used but to be able to say "and we have emergency facilities....." THAT got me the second chuckle that got the reservation. The first chuckle came when I said "we know it may be a disappointment to some, but no streakers are allowed. There are robes in every closet." After while I found those on the other end of the phone line had no clue what a streaker was.
Since someone spoke prices: Private ensuite is $149.75; both shared now have queens but they used to have a $15 difference when they were queen/full. One has more floor space and is now $125 and the other is $115 but as a private bath would be $145.
 
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
 
We had no problem in the past renting shared baths at B&Bs. Those days are gone. We also had no problem with a detached, but private, bath. Those days are gone also.
Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wanting more creature comforts. :)
However, there's probably still a demographic out there that wouldn't mind a shared bath IF it was kept meticulously clean and there were other wonderful draws for a property..
Samster said:
We had no problem in the past renting shared baths at B&Bs. Those days are gone. We also had no problem with a detached, but private, bath. Those days are gone also.
Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wanting more creature comforts. :)
I am, also thinking being the only detached bath kinda makes you feel awkward like everyone knows when you go in and out of your room, like getting up in the middle of a show and walked to the restroom - you know everyone sees you...vs a bunch of people using an outside bathroom.
Creature comforts aside, people have issues. I mean physical and bodily, and for that reason, some just need to have a private in-room bathroom.
I remember one place we stayed that had a bathroom door at the end of the hall (yes previously on this forum too) and DH was petrified to go in and make any sort of noise as it would carry down the hallway, and nearly ended up with a bowel obstruction over it. Yes, JB is being funny again.
shades_smile.gif

Every single guest we have demands a private bath. Really. No one wants a shared, no one is willing to endure a shared to stay here. But, having said that, we aren't overlooking the Giant's Causeway or something. If you had touristy stuff then people would make do. ('scuse the pun)
 
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro..
Joey Bloggs said:
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
You would be surprised at how flexible and grateful those who choose shared bath are. Of course we get great guests in all rooms. But let me tell you the honeymooning couples that get the smallest room in the house with the shared bath... many of those are extremely dear to our hearts... so grateful they can manage to stay here on their budgets and so happy to be here. Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
 
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro..
Joey Bloggs said:
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
You would be surprised at how flexible and grateful those who choose shared bath are. Of course we get great guests in all rooms. But let me tell you the honeymooning couples that get the smallest room in the house with the shared bath... many of those are extremely dear to our hearts... so grateful they can manage to stay here on their budgets and so happy to be here. Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
.
Jon Sable said:
Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
That's us in a nutshell. We'd take the smaller room with the ensuite.
 
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro..
Joey Bloggs said:
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
You would be surprised at how flexible and grateful those who choose shared bath are. Of course we get great guests in all rooms. But let me tell you the honeymooning couples that get the smallest room in the house with the shared bath... many of those are extremely dear to our hearts... so grateful they can manage to stay here on their budgets and so happy to be here. Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
.
Jon Sable said:
Joey Bloggs said:
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
You would be surprised at how flexible and grateful those who choose shared bath are. Of course we get great guests in all rooms. But let me tell you the honeymooning couples that get the smallest room in the house with the shared bath... many of those are extremely dear to our hearts... so grateful they can manage to stay here on their budgets and so happy to be here. Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
Grumpy now?
Jonno, you are too funny.
Let me be frank, I would not share a bathroom with you and your fella, I don't even like to share a bath with my own! And I am not the least bit grumpy about it. :)
If you had a view of Kilimanjaro I may consider sharing a bathroom (and I would try not to be grumpy)
Grumpy.jpg

 
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro..
Joey Bloggs said:
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
You would be surprised at how flexible and grateful those who choose shared bath are. Of course we get great guests in all rooms. But let me tell you the honeymooning couples that get the smallest room in the house with the shared bath... many of those are extremely dear to our hearts... so grateful they can manage to stay here on their budgets and so happy to be here. Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
.
Jon Sable said:
Joey Bloggs said:
Jonno I am going to call you on this remark, and I will in fact say it is rubbish:
"Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath."
I say it in love, because you know I adore you bro.
You would be surprised at how flexible and grateful those who choose shared bath are. Of course we get great guests in all rooms. But let me tell you the honeymooning couples that get the smallest room in the house with the shared bath... many of those are extremely dear to our hearts... so grateful they can manage to stay here on their budgets and so happy to be here. Grumpy people do tend to want the private bath though... not saying all are... but those very few grumpy people... usually won't even contemplate shared bath :)
Grumpy now?
Jonno, you are too funny.
Let me be frank, I would not share a bathroom with you and your fella, I don't even like to share a bath with my own! And I am not the least bit grumpy about it. :)
If you had a view of Kilimanjaro I may consider sharing a bathroom (and I would try not to be grumpy)
Grumpy.jpg

.
Did I say EVERYONE? I just said that that is where the people who are grumpy decide to stay. In 100 reservations, I may get 2 grumpies.. but I can bet you that they are in the room with the private bath.
I don't share a bath with any guest and it's not about choice, it's about government regs and scores. It's also now about accessibility, since we now have owners quarters and don't live in the guest space... though we did at one time.
I have rooms that are 2 rooms to a bath and I have private bath. My private bath pay more and get a smaller room. They also book first. But my shared also fill and book. As I said, it's a matter of price, amenities and temperament.
 
It wouldn't bother me in the least. I would have said it would be a deal breaker for DH, but recently we stayed at an old lodge with only two baths and two separate showers for the entire floor. He loved the lodge and wants to stay again. One of the few places he'd like to return to ( we usually always stay somewhere we've never stayed before ). But normally no private bath means no stay for us. Just too easy to find 'somewhere else'. One B&B in a nearby town had two rooms with the shared bath in between. Two out of four rooms. A hotel reopened. The B&B closed..
I agree. I have no problem sharing a bath. After all, that is what you doing at work, at the store, the gym, and other places...
 
We had no problem in the past renting shared baths at B&Bs. Those days are gone. We also had no problem with a detached, but private, bath. Those days are gone also.
Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wanting more creature comforts. :)
However, there's probably still a demographic out there that wouldn't mind a shared bath IF it was kept meticulously clean and there were other wonderful draws for a property..
Samster said:
We had no problem in the past renting shared baths at B&Bs. Those days are gone. We also had no problem with a detached, but private, bath. Those days are gone also.
Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wanting more creature comforts. :)
I am, also thinking being the only detached bath kinda makes you feel awkward like everyone knows when you go in and out of your room, like getting up in the middle of a show and walked to the restroom - you know everyone sees you...vs a bunch of people using an outside bathroom.
Creature comforts aside, people have issues. I mean physical and bodily, and for that reason, some just need to have a private in-room bathroom.
I remember one place we stayed that had a bathroom door at the end of the hall (yes previously on this forum too) and DH was petrified to go in and make any sort of noise as it would carry down the hallway, and nearly ended up with a bowel obstruction over it. Yes, JB is being funny again.
shades_smile.gif

Every single guest we have demands a private bath. Really. No one wants a shared, no one is willing to endure a shared to stay here. But, having said that, we aren't overlooking the Giant's Causeway or something. If you had touristy stuff then people would make do. ('scuse the pun)
.
Joey Bloggs said:
Samster said:
We had no problem in the past renting shared baths at B&Bs. Those days are gone. We also had no problem with a detached, but private, bath. Those days are gone also.
Maybe it has something to do with getting older and wanting more creature comforts. :)
I am, also thinking being the only detached bath kinda makes you feel awkward like everyone knows when you go in and out of your room, like getting up in the middle of a show and walked to the restroom - you know everyone sees you...vs a bunch of people using an outside bathroom.
Creature comforts aside, people have issues. I mean physical and bodily, and for that reason, some just need to have a private in-room bathroom.
I remember one place we stayed that had a bathroom door at the end of the hall (yes previously on this forum too) and DH was petrified to go in and make any sort of noise as it would carry down the hallway, and nearly ended up with a bowel obstruction over it. Yes, JB is being funny again.
shades_smile.gif

Every single guest we have demands a private bath. Really. No one wants a shared, no one is willing to endure a shared to stay here. But, having said that, we aren't overlooking the Giant's Causeway or something. If you had touristy stuff then people would make do. ('scuse the pun)
Even at the Giant's Causeway, they all have en suite baths now. They've seen the light. The vast majority of travelers won't stay with a shared bath. On our trip of Northern Ireland & the Republic, everywhere we drove, we saw they added additional signage on their existing sign that said "En Suite Baths". Some of them you could barely squeeze into, but they were private.
 
It wouldn't bother me in the least. I would have said it would be a deal breaker for DH, but recently we stayed at an old lodge with only two baths and two separate showers for the entire floor. He loved the lodge and wants to stay again. One of the few places he'd like to return to ( we usually always stay somewhere we've never stayed before ). But normally no private bath means no stay for us. Just too easy to find 'somewhere else'. One B&B in a nearby town had two rooms with the shared bath in between. Two out of four rooms. A hotel reopened. The B&B closed..
I agree. I have no problem sharing a bath. After all, that is what you doing at work, at the store, the gym, and other places...
.
Sorry undersea..it is not the same thing. We want our privacy in our own bathroom. Do NOT want to walk down the hall in the middle of the night etc etc. NO SHARED BATHS!
 
I have shared bath. We keep it spotlessly clean and I'll be honest with it, it scares away a certain clientele.. and sometimes I'm thankful for that. Some of our worst guests are the people who insist on private bath. But then again, they pay for that privilege by paying me more money and by having a smaller room.
Plenty of people have no problem with shared bath if the price and amenities are right. We are clear everywhere about the shared bath. We never hide it, we celebrate it. We make sure it's clear and that no one is surprised by it.
But then, we aren't trying to sell ourselves as upscale... we provide great amenities for a great price with great service. Some people like to think of our smallest rooms as the way that they can still stay here and get everything that everyone else is getting for a less expensive price.
Remember, it's all in the pricing... one year we were too low and we got backpackers. Another year we became people's "one night splurge" which wasn't good either.
We now rent two of the rooms together for $20 off, it becomes a private detached bathroom, but you can sleep 4 and up to 6 if needed. And for some families that's great, the parents actually get some privacy from their kids while on vacation..
Yes, totally different when you're sharing it with family. I would be comfortable renting it that way.
 
It wouldn't bother me in the least. I would have said it would be a deal breaker for DH, but recently we stayed at an old lodge with only two baths and two separate showers for the entire floor. He loved the lodge and wants to stay again. One of the few places he'd like to return to ( we usually always stay somewhere we've never stayed before ). But normally no private bath means no stay for us. Just too easy to find 'somewhere else'. One B&B in a nearby town had two rooms with the shared bath in between. Two out of four rooms. A hotel reopened. The B&B closed..
I agree. I have no problem sharing a bath. After all, that is what you doing at work, at the store, the gym, and other places...
.
undersea said:
I agree. I have no problem sharing a bath. After all, that is what you doing at work, at the store, the gym, and other places...
Not bathing, however. And then there are those who hold it and won't go in those places.
cry_smile.gif

 
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