Newbie

Hello all, I am a new B&B owner in Barbados. I have 6 rooms and have the house listed as a self catering villa and as a Bed & Breakfast. Wanted to know how you guys deal with the kitchen/cooking if all rooms are rented as a B&B. Obviously you can't have lots of people in the kitchen at once trying to do their own thing so any suggestions? I do not want to have to hire a full time housekeeper as I don't have the space to do so. I am not sure I want to have to tell them they cannot use the stove etc. Do you allow them to store/put stuff in the fridge etc? What is manageable? Thank you for any assistance you can offer.
Ann-Marie

Here the Health dept says no one in kitchen except me. I think you need to decide which you are - a B & B (you can do the cooking) or self caater. Unless you have 2 kitchens, you have to be one or the other - but that is just my opinion.

time slots?

I think as a b&b you are supposed to be in the kitchen cooking breakfast. You can't expect b&b guests to make their own meals. Self-catering, yes. B&B, no.

To me Bed and Breakfast (and to most people the world over) means the host makes breakfast of some description and if I booked your property as a B&B I would expect that. To me if you are not going to personally be there while they eat breakfast you have 2 choices
(1) put out a Buffet - ie cold stuff that can be left out and they help themselves
(2) just be self catering and don't do breakfast and only let out as a whole house booking.
I very much doubt your insurance will cover guests cooking

We don't let guests in our kitchen.
Each room has a mini fridge. There is a microwave and coffee machine in the common breakfast room.

Oh no you misunderstood, my apologies for not being clear. I do cook breakfast, only me but I had a couple from Italy who started cooking in the evenings and being in my kitchen and was storing groceries in the fridge etc. How do I deal with something like this without being rude? Thanks

Hiddengembnb said:

Oh no you misunderstood, my apologies for not being clear. I do cook breakfast, only me but I had a couple from Italy who started cooking in the evenings and being in my kitchen and was storing groceries in the fridge etc. How do I deal with something like this without being rude? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Are they there as B & B or self-cater? Self cater - you are stuck. B & B - You tell them the Health Department, State Laws, AND your insurance prohibit anyone in the kitchen other than yourself or your employees.
Unless you have cooking facilities in the self-cater part of your business, you cannot mix them. They are totally different obviously.

Hiddengembnb said:

Oh no you misunderstood, my apologies for not being clear. I do cook breakfast, only me but I had a couple from Italy who started cooking in the evenings and being in my kitchen and was storing groceries in the fridge etc. How do I deal with something like this without being rude? Thanks.

Click to expand...

We state quite clearly in our website that there are no kitchen facilities available. When we do our tour to show the guests to their room we show them where they are allowed to go.
Perhaps the guests were confused? Maybe they thought they booked the self catering instead of the b&b?
You have to be quite clear with some people. That's not being rude, that's being assertive.
We also have two signs telling guests to keep out of the kitchen and the fridge. If your kitchen doesn't have a door that locks you may need to put up a screen to block access.
If you find guests in the kitchen, after you've told them no, then you have to tell them to leave the kitchen. Remove their food from the fridge after you've told them not to use it.
Just make sure it's clear to the guest what they have booked - self catering with kitchen access, or b&b with no access. Send that in their confirmation.

gillumhouse said:

Hiddengembnb said:

Oh no you misunderstood, my apologies for not being clear. I do cook breakfast, only me but I had a couple from Italy who started cooking in the evenings and being in my kitchen and was storing groceries in the fridge etc. How do I deal with something like this without being rude? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Are they there as B & B or self-cater? Self cater - you are stuck. B & B - You tell them the Health Department, State Laws, AND your insurance prohibit anyone in the kitchen other than yourself or your employees.
Unless you have cooking facilities in the self-cater part of your business, you cannot mix them. They are totally different obviously.
.

Click to expand...

They are there strictly as a B&B, it is only self catering when a group, usually 10`12 book the entire house. When rooms are rented, it is as a Bed & Breakfast where I cook breakfast. That is listed clearly on my page

Hiddengembnb said:

gillumhouse said:

Hiddengembnb said:

Oh no you misunderstood, my apologies for not being clear. I do cook breakfast, only me but I had a couple from Italy who started cooking in the evenings and being in my kitchen and was storing groceries in the fridge etc. How do I deal with something like this without being rude? Thanks.

Click to expand...

Are they there as B & B or self-cater? Self cater - you are stuck. B & B - You tell them the Health Department, State Laws, AND your insurance prohibit anyone in the kitchen other than yourself or your employees.
Unless you have cooking facilities in the self-cater part of your business, you cannot mix them. They are totally different obviously.
.

Click to expand...

They are there strictly as a B&B, it is only self catering when a group, usually 10`12 book the entire house. When rooms are rented, it is as a Bed & Breakfast where I cook breakfast. That is listed clearly on my page
.

Click to expand...

That settles it. Kick them out of the kitchen citing what was said above.

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

RELAX!!! I have been doing this since 1996.I do not cook gourmet. I slap it together and put everything in the oven for cooking so I can do things like do the fruit. I have 3 rooms and do everything. We each do what we do - our own way.
I have a dorm-size fridge and microwave in the hall upstairs for the guests (thanks to a guest who bought them and left them for me) to use. None in the guest rooms (my rooms are not big enough for in the rooms).
I used to go to Assoc meetings around the State that always seemed to be in mansions. I came home, looked around and did the Bette Davis - What a dump! Then one day, as I looked around atthe beautiful crystal chadaliers in the hall, the dining room, and the parlor, the beautiful fretwork in the rooms, I found myself thinking - "I am soooo glad I do not have to CLEAN this place!" I came home with a whole new appreciation for my B & B.
We ALL went through the learning curve.

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

Firstly, what is a standard breakfast where you are? I'm picturing a lot of fresh fruit, light foods, not heavy breakfasts. Can you set up a buffet?
What we have is an area set aside in our common area where we have a small fridge with freezer, microwave, plates, silverware, napkins, glasses, coffee cups, tea fixings, coffee machine for guests to use whenever they want. Not in the rooms. We don't want to worry about cleaning all of that in every room. Plus bugs and rodents!
We have 7 rooms and what gets used the most are the fridge and coffee machine. Not a lot of guests cook, they go out.
We make one of those big breakfasts you mentioned. But, you're new so you can do what you want!

Morticia said:

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

Firstly, what is a standard breakfast where you are? I'm picturing a lot of fresh fruit, light foods, not heavy breakfasts. Can you set up a buffet?
What we have is an area set aside in our common area where we have a small fridge with freezer, microwave, plates, silverware, napkins, glasses, coffee cups, tea fixings, coffee machine for guests to use whenever they want. Not in the rooms. We don't want to worry about cleaning all of that in every room. Plus bugs and rodents!
We have 7 rooms and what gets used the most are the fridge and coffee machine. Not a lot of guests cook, they go out.
We make one of those big breakfasts you mentioned. But, you're new so you can do what you want!
.

Click to expand...

Morticia & Gillumhouse,
thank you so very much for your kind response. It is much appreciated. I live in Barbados and there are only 3 B & Bs here, one has 3 rooms, I have 6 and the other has 10 plus acres of land so they have privacy and seclusion. My hall area is like a U so not much space for both a microwave and fridge. I have coffee stations in the rooms, bottle of water with two glasses. I do fruits, local when in season, juice, coffee, sliced breads, muffins, croissants, waffles or French toast, with eggs and bacon. Have to learn to change it up so I’m not cooking the same thing everyday. Currently cleaning myself because the cleaners come and I still have to go behind them and clean smh. What am I paying for???? Hopefully I won’t lose my mind anytime soon lol. Thanks again

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

Hiddengembnb said:

Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms.

Click to expand...

I have mini fridge, microwave, coffee and a lamp on a stand I built in each of our rooms, it is small doesn't take up a lot of space. We are a tiny motel and don't serve food to guests.

Hiddengembnb said:

Morticia said:

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

Firstly, what is a standard breakfast where you are? I'm picturing a lot of fresh fruit, light foods, not heavy breakfasts. Can you set up a buffet?
What we have is an area set aside in our common area where we have a small fridge with freezer, microwave, plates, silverware, napkins, glasses, coffee cups, tea fixings, coffee machine for guests to use whenever they want. Not in the rooms. We don't want to worry about cleaning all of that in every room. Plus bugs and rodents!
We have 7 rooms and what gets used the most are the fridge and coffee machine. Not a lot of guests cook, they go out.
We make one of those big breakfasts you mentioned. But, you're new so you can do what you want!
.

Click to expand...

Morticia & Gillumhouse,
thank you so very much for your kind response. It is much appreciated. I live in Barbados and there are only 3 B & Bs here, one has 3 rooms, I have 6 and the other has 10 plus acres of land so they have privacy and seclusion. My hall area is like a U so not much space for both a microwave and fridge. I have coffee stations in the rooms, bottle of water with two glasses. I do fruits, local when in season, juice, coffee, sliced breads, muffins, croissants, waffles or French toast, with eggs and bacon. Have to learn to change it up so I’m not cooking the same thing everyday. Currently cleaning myself because the cleaners come and I still have to go behind them and clean smh. What am I paying for???? Hopefully I won’t lose my mind anytime soon lol. Thanks again
.

Click to expand...

My mocrowave sits on top of the fridge - I do not have space either. there is a small stand next to it with salt & pepper shakers, more a place to set something down than anything else. IF I go upstairs today I will try to take a photo.

Hiddengembnb said:

Oh no you misunderstood, my apologies for not being clear. I do cook breakfast, only me but I had a couple from Italy who started cooking in the evenings and being in my kitchen and was storing groceries in the fridge etc. How do I deal with something like this without being rude? Thanks.

Click to expand...

(1) can you lock that door - if so do - or get a lock on - preferably a combination lock so its not another key
(2) In the UK its food hygine I have to be able to track anything and everything that comes through my kitchen/fridge ie if there was a problem I have to be able to say which shop it came from where it was stored.
- answer - to guest (1) food hygine (2) insurance (3) local regulations - none of this has to be true but do practice saying it so it sounds to them like its a standard thing ie "I'm terribly sorry but for insurance reasons we can't allow you to cook I am sure you are very responsible but a lot of people arn't" and so on
Trouble is because you are a B&B and because of the online travel agencies and home away etc - its is a very blurred area for the customer what they have booked and are getting (also they don't read)

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

We have a mini fridge for guest use. We don't allow cooking. If they can't live with that, then that's their problem, not yours or mine.
As for breakfast, I'm the cook and chief bottle washer. Nothing to worry about, make a nice breakfast that you are proud to serve and stop worrying about a hotel. If they wanted a hotel, they would have stayed in a hotel. Fruit starter or yogurt/milk starter, breads and muffins, cereal and oatmeal, coffee and tea and one nice hot dish. Most people love an omelette, anything more is just padding.
Different countries have different traditions, Italians are usually sweet for breakfast, so are the French. But they are there to experience YOUR country. Make something that has a local flavour.

gillumhouse said:

Hiddengembnb said:

Morticia said:

Hiddengembnb said:

Soo I told my guests due to insurance reasons they could not use my kitchen or store stuff in my fridge and they have decided to leave so that's that but I feel good about it. (they were my second "official" guests). In from Italy.
Can I have a survey of how many innkeepers/B&B owners have mini fridge and Microwave in their rooms. I am still learning, have been opened since July 2017 but am now starting to get busy and have had my first official guests from canada here for 9 days and currently have guests and a few bookings. Any advice or suggestions you may have will be greatly appreciated. I am scared and nervous and don't know what I am doing. Cant find a cook so currently doing it all. I see everyone doing these big fancy breakfasts and I haven't got a clue. Help!!.

Click to expand...

Firstly, what is a standard breakfast where you are? I'm picturing a lot of fresh fruit, light foods, not heavy breakfasts. Can you set up a buffet?
What we have is an area set aside in our common area where we have a small fridge with freezer, microwave, plates, silverware, napkins, glasses, coffee cups, tea fixings, coffee machine for guests to use whenever they want. Not in the rooms. We don't want to worry about cleaning all of that in every room. Plus bugs and rodents!
We have 7 rooms and what gets used the most are the fridge and coffee machine. Not a lot of guests cook, they go out.
We make one of those big breakfasts you mentioned. But, you're new so you can do what you want!
.

Click to expand...

Morticia & Gillumhouse,
thank you so very much for your kind response. It is much appreciated. I live in Barbados and there are only 3 B & Bs here, one has 3 rooms, I have 6 and the other has 10 plus acres of land so they have privacy and seclusion. My hall area is like a U so not much space for both a microwave and fridge. I have coffee stations in the rooms, bottle of water with two glasses. I do fruits, local when in season, juice, coffee, sliced breads, muffins, croissants, waffles or French toast, with eggs and bacon. Have to learn to change it up so I’m not cooking the same thing everyday. Currently cleaning myself because the cleaners come and I still have to go behind them and clean smh. What am I paying for???? Hopefully I won’t lose my mind anytime soon lol. Thanks again
.

Click to expand...

My mocrowave sits on top of the fridge - I do not have space either. there is a small stand next to it with salt & pepper shakers, more a place to set something down than anything else. IF I go upstairs today I will try to take a photo.
.

Click to expand...

Hello and thanks for your comment. I have a fridge I will put out but no microwave.. will try to sort it out within the space I am working with.