Recent content by Samster

I wish you the best of luck! Moving is hard work under the best of circumstances & now there are other challenges. I'm glad I finally convinced my husband to retire then, as we couldn't afford to build this house now with the boom here in our new state/city, rising prices, and bidding on lots...

I agree in spirit. After I closed my B&B, I watched our historic district really become overrun with unhosted short term rentals. It has affected the area in a myriad of ways. The remaining inn advertises on those sites. Fortunately, that city at least wised up to collect hotel taxes on them...

I helped guests with their luggage to avoid banging up the walls. We had a lot of stairs in our 1908 house but two landings - people didn't complain because they could rest, twice! Haha! We built our new home with an upstairs. A bunch of folks in our 55+ community said we were cRaZy because...

Petitdejeuner - As a *retired* innkeeper, my best advice is to work at a place for experience if you can before you commit your personal resources. I had done this and it was helpful to learn what NOT to do. Even then it won't be the same as being the owner/innkeeper. Secondly, nail down the...

Flag House, my brother lived in Annapolis and I'm a Maryland girl. You have a lovely inn. Used to go back to MD often to visit him and spent a bit of time in your city. One of my fave spots for an innkeeper break when I had my inn. Since he retired here to SC (and I lost my other brother in...

Not traveling these days but I never asked for a discount as a former B&B owner. Sometimes it's been offered and I declined. I know how hard these folks work!! When the discount just appeared on the bill or innkeepers insisted on it, I'd leave a much bigger tip. Sometimes I would send a thank...

@Eugee I had a very valuable, beautiful, and comfortable antique sofa that was in a guest room damaged by "acrobatic"? guests perhaps. From that point on, I removed anything and everything from the guest rooms that was valuable, monetary or sentimental. I went out the next day and bought two...

Welcome back! I've been a phantom for quite some time myself. Cheers to you for the good, sorry about the bad. Hang in there!

Absolutely!

I had all white linens for our Southern inn and liked that look. I had lighter weight white or cream "coverlets" for Summer and in the Winter I'd put comforters at the foot of the bed. Knowing how hard I worked to maintain and store all that, I'd definitely do it differently now. :) I love...

My innkeeper friend where I now live has several rooms in the main house and several in a detached large *cottage*. She has gone to in-room very simple breakfast delivery for the main house rooms (3) as each of those rooms has a place to sit and enjoy breakfast. The cottage rooms have been...

Morticia, sorry to hear biz is not going well. Think of you often! Glad for this opportunity to re-connect. You can message me. We're retired and in South Carolina now.

I'm so sorry to hear that about your hubby. My sincerest condolences. I see your avatar includes several friendly faces.

Welcome, Tarah! I met the original owner of your beautiful inn probably 100 years ago (haha!) when an aspiring innkeeper. This is a great bunch here!

Glad this happened because I got an email & am soooo happy to say "hi"!