Open Your Own Bed and Breakfast

This is an excellent and informative book on purchasing, setting-up, opening and running a successful Bed and Breakfast. Ms Notarius has put her experiences and knowledge to good use for the inspiring innkeeper, and the what-to-do's and what-not-to-do's of the business. This book was well worth the expense to purchase, and should become the bible of the Bed and Breakfast industry.

I gained a lot of knowledge about starting a B & B from this book. The author goes into great detail about everything you need to do or think about before you start this venture. The information is just a little out-dated, but still pertinent.

Ignore the crabby reviews of this book. I really doubt such people ought to go into a public-contact home-based business! My copy arrived from a thrift store, the original (1987) edition; I bought it mostly out of curiosity. I consult for entrepreneurs, & Barbara Notarius has come up with a book that manages to be brief yet thorough. As it was written almost 20 years ago, I am pleasantly surprised how useful it could be in answering the questions of someone who hasn't made the leap but is giving it serious thought. Sure, it's not a turnkey guide!! You still have to enjoy people, especially strangers; you still have to have some grain of business sense (or be ready to hire someone who does); you still have to have a nice residence with some reason for guests to come looking for you; you still ought to retain an attorney to go over all the local licensing, inspection, & tax considerations. This book is something you can read in a few evenings. It walks you through serious considerations, everything from your emotional temperament & your cleaning habits, to how well you know your own community & what you should make for breakfast -- I'll probably never have a B & B or inn, but I've swiped some of the recipes. Of course, you ought to get the newest edition you can (it's up to its 4th) if your dead-set on opening a B & B in the near future. But if you find an older copy for a few pennies, it's a very good way to start examining everything from your furnishings to your motivations before you put too much effort or cash into something you aren't suited for.

Author gives good advice on what to expect in the process of starting a B & B .