I'm wondering if...

So my DW and I have been talking about a possible change for this Winter. We have been going very strong and with little to no days off for months. We have also been helping take care of 2 mothers both with cancer. So I'm wondering being that we lower our rates in the Winter, is it ok to lower services provided? We normally do a full sit down home made breakfast each morning. But in the Winter everyone expects cheaper rates. I'm not really looking forward to lowering rates and working just as hard for the Winter months. We have a separate building with snacks, coffee, drinks and such. Could we just serve fruit and donuts, maybe toast. We are thinking to just do this during the week and discount the rooms. Weekends we could keep our regular rates and cook a full breakfast. If we lower rates I think it's only fair to lower services but maybe I'm not thinking correctly. My DW says that a lot to me.

Do make sure you are very, very clear when you do this. I recall others mentioning having issues when they changed things up!

I have tossed similar ideas around in my head regarding reduced breakfast but decided that was really not the best laid plan for ME. Our reviews seem to highly mention breakfast over any other part of their stay. So if that is what is driving good reviews and repeat guests, that is the one thing I should stick solid.

I have been thinking hard about this. Coffee and donuts puts you down with that place that leaves the light on. I think I would still do breakfast with the reduced rate, just not as elaborate as you usually do. More into the casseroles, easy to do a lot of but not a lot of work type dishes, Save those luscious waffles and stuff french toast for the full rate and do things you can do in the oven in a big pan for week days. Things that are quick and easy, but look great. Look at the recipe for the baked pineapple toast - I can do that in a 9x13 pan or larger if I needed (or 2 9x13 pans) with little fuss & mess. Looks great on a plate or instead of plating, serve family style. Scale back, not diminish/demean your product.

My take on this, for what it's worth. Why not just keep your rates the same, have a few less reservations which will give you some down time, but you'll make more money per room and just do a little less business. Just because others around you lower their rates doesn't mean you have to. B&B expenses can be greater in winter with increased heating, etc.

Just in my humble opinion, I would not be happy if I came to a B&B and got coffee and donuts for breakfast, reduced rate or not. We reduce our rates during the week, but they get the same quality of breakfast and everything else. I agree with Breakfast Diva that if you want a break, just keep your rates the same. To me, lowering rates is a marketing tool to get more reservations. I wouldn't lower my service standards just for lower rates.

If you want to be open this winter, instead of taking time off to gather your resources, why not keep the rates high and keep your full meal plan? Then you self select out the folks who only wanted a deal.
(Just an aside, but you're in an awful spot right now. Having just been there, I can say that I shut down in our peak season to go to see my mother. I'm trying to make some of it up now, but it was better for me to be with her than make the money. Sometimes you have to choose with your heart instead of your purse.)

Something else to consider is limiting the days you TAKE reservations. Take nothing Tuesday and Wednesday for instance to give yourselves time to breathe. Make it a regular scheduled blocked days. That way if the Mothers (for those who do not know, are both delightful ladies) have doctor appointments or needs, they can be scheduled for blocked days, removing some of the stress.

I am here to point out the elephant in the room again. A diff elephant this time. Because you know I love you Hillbilly, and your family.
Instead of cutting back in that way, perhaps consider cutting back by allocating days off per week this winter. Midweek, ie mon-tues-wed and we know you would still be working, but you could have more family time, more down time, and even sleep in a morning or two.
I am here to say if I could turn back time that is exactly what I would be doing, and yes it would mean to take a loss in revenue. No amount of money is worth what you give up in return.
Why do we think we need to be on 24/7? Weekends, go gangbusters, as usual.
I saw this today and it was another good reminder for me personally...

You all need to be pampered. Plan a little getaway (HERE)! You let me know when your coming, it would do you a world of good.
PS I owe you. Will be looking forward to your call.

Ok, so I was hoping you all would of agreed with me. But deep down you are all correct. I think it would be best to just take a few days off during the week. Things have been so crazy. Being an Innkeeper we don't like to sit and do nothing for long. But we all need to take a break. I haven't had much time to visit with all of you. I miss you guys! Thanks for all you do!

Temp Innsanity said:

I am here to point out the elephant in the room again. A diff elephant this time. Because you know I love you Hillbilly, and your family.
Instead of cutting back in that way, perhaps consider cutting back by allocating days off per week this winter. Midweek, ie mon-tues-wed and we know you would still be working, but you could have more family time, more down time, and even sleep in a morning or two.
I am here to say if I could turn back time that is exactly what I would be doing, and yes it would mean to take a loss in revenue. No amount of money is worth what you give up in return.
Why do we think we need to be on 24/7? Weekends, go gangbusters, as usual.
I saw this today and it was another good reminder for me personally...

.

Click to expand...

That's a great saying... And is very true. I have thought about you often and hope you and your family are doing ok...we do pray for you guys.

gillumhouse said:

I have been thinking hard about this. Coffee and donuts puts you down with that place that leaves the light on. I think I would still do breakfast with the reduced rate, just not as elaborate as you usually do. More into the casseroles, easy to do a lot of but not a lot of work type dishes, Save those luscious waffles and stuff french toast for the full rate and do things you can do in the oven in a big pan for week days. Things that are quick and easy, but look great. Look at the recipe for the baked pineapple toast - I can do that in a 9x13 pan or larger if I needed (or 2 9x13 pans) with little fuss & mess. Looks great on a plate or instead of plating, serve family style. Scale back, not diminish/demean your product..

Click to expand...

This is a great idea and I think we will try this. Thanks so much for the idea.

Copperhead said:

Do make sure you are very, very clear when you do this. I recall others mentioning having issues when they changed things up!

I have tossed similar ideas around in my head regarding reduced breakfast but decided that was really not the best laid plan for ME. Our reviews seem to highly mention breakfast over any other part of their stay. So if that is what is driving good reviews and repeat guests, that is the one thing I should stick solid..

Click to expand...

I would get much of a break if I had to respond to bad reviews. So your correct. Probably not worth it.

Hillbilly said:

Ok, so I was hoping you all would of agreed with me. But deep down you are all correct. I think it would be best to just take a few days off during the week. Things have been so crazy. Being an Innkeeper we don't like to sit and do nothing for long. But we all need to take a break. I haven't had much time to visit with all of you. I miss you guys! Thanks for all you do!.

Click to expand...

Hillbilly said:

Ok, so I was hoping you all would of agreed with me. But deep down you are all correct. I think it would be best to just take a few days off during the week. Things have been so crazy. Being an Innkeeper we don't like to sit and do nothing for long. But we all need to take a break. I haven't had much time to visit with all of you. I miss you guys! Thanks for all you do!

Click to expand...

Had you been talking sense we would have agreed with you. ;-)
Trying to run multiple different businesses at the same time is not the best idea in the world. Opt to run the best business you can and take time off to be with your families.
If I had to calculate the lost income + the gas + the hotels + + + it was pretty high $$$ wise ($20k or more). Missing those last months with my mother had I chosen the money? Doesn't bear thinking about.

Well, I am way late to the party, but...
1) Keep rates up or (oh boy this is crazy) think about raising them and adding something you think winter guests might want.
2) Close the door on the three days you are historically least busy.
3) Always add, never subtract

Keep the same rates and same service. Do not give any discounts and you will get less guests = more time for you.

If you are full all the time, they like what you are selling. Don't put down your rates and see how your occupancy changes. There will always be people who will fight you on your rates and that's fine. But if your product is different, people will appreciate it. Being less busy and still making good money beats being super busy and making less.
Another way to look at it is this....
$100 a night for 5 rooms for 30 days is (150 room nights) =$15K
$150 a night for 5 rooms for 20 days is (100 room nights) =$15K
It's the same money for 2/3rd of the work. Let your price determine how full you are. If you aren't full enough, then adjust your rates. Occupancy over 90% is usually an indication that you may be too cheap.

Hillbilly - THANKS for bringing up the topic!

With all the great minds of this group we can tackle any dilemma!
As we say here 'Work smarter not harder'

Hillbilly said:

Ok, so I was hoping you all would of agreed with me. But deep down you are all correct. I think it would be best to just take a few days off during the week. Things have been so crazy. Being an Innkeeper we don't like to sit and do nothing for long. But we all need to take a break. I haven't had much time to visit with all of you. I miss you guys! Thanks for all you do!.

Click to expand...

In the winter we typically don't have many guests midweek. I once lowered the rates by $25 a night and it made no difference at all in bookings. So we decided that in the winter that we'd take every Tues/Wednesday off. It's fabulous!!! I would so much rather have me time than take care of guests at a reduced rate. And I'm not even dealing with all you have been. Take the days and do something (even if it's just a tiny little thing) for yourself. Good luck.

We lower the rates simply because it is off season and rooms are not in such high demand. But I find service in the winter MORE stressful since there are few restaurants and things to do that are even open in the area. Plus we worry about heat and rattling windows and shoveling snow.
hmmmmm. Maybe we should raise our rates in the winter for the additional service we provide. THAT would give us days off.
I agree with most that if you generally have low numbers during the week, simply close. Take your days off and manage your family. And give your mothers each a big kiss.