I'd like to welcome Monique Martel our newest ibbp.com innkeeper for L'Etoile Verte B & B from Montreal, Quebec.
Welcome Monique! We are happy to welcome you to the ibbp.com innkeeper comminity. In order for guests to get to know you can you answer a few questions?
Why did you decide to open a B&B?
A: Having finished my university degree and being faced with having to find work, I decided to do a skills assessment and to make those skills fit a type of work that would make me want to get up in the morning instead of dreading Monday to Friday mornings. I have always been an entrepreneur, I put a lot of emphasis on the conservation of the environment and lived on an organic farm for 10 years. I love to entertain, love to cook, have training in Interior Design, am an avid reader, adore traveling and am fascinated with different cultures and their way of doing things. I also desperately wanted to write.
I'm sure you can already the pattern forming. I found a home in the Plateau Mont-Royal last May, the most vibrantly multi-cultural center of Montreal, as well as being close to the Parc du Mont-Royal and the Parc Lafontaine, and being within walking distance of Vieux-Montreal (25-30 minutes), downtown (35-40), and the Quartier Latin (15 minutes). We are also 3 minutes to St.Denis St. which has numerous terraces, Quebec designers, and big name stores. And 5 minutes to The Main, which is the Boulevard St-Laurent, where the cultural beat is as powerful as the nightime one. As if all of this isn't enough, we sit on a quiet, treed street, one house from the renowned restaurant filled Duluth St.. Not only is the food amazing in these restaurants, but in most of them, you bring your own wine!
Can you tell me about your B&B?
A: The house itself was an old triplex that the previous owner had turned into a duplex: with an apartment on the 3rd floor. With the geothermic heating/cooling on the first 2 floors, and the terrace, deck and backyard in the back, as well as 2 balconies at the front, the house seemed perfect. It also has lots of wood and lots of brick. We renovated the whole 3rd floor, insulating everything, putting in a new bathroom, fixing the one already there, organized a sitting area, and put an antique window between the smaller bedroom and the sitting area (the bedroom also has a window to the outside).
WoW! Sorry, got away with all that. I think you can sense my enthusiasm.
As far as more particular questions, I have not had any paying customers yet, only friends and relatives have stayed, since I have only had my sign up about 1 month and you were the first online organization that I joined, apart from a placement agency.
What advice would you give to would be innkeepers?
A: What advice would I give? With my limited experience, I'd say give yourself time to get things ready before having guests come. Also, depending on your area, you will need a lot of time to get all the paperwork, etc. done up. Have patience and persist.
Do you have a favorite place to recommend travelers visiting Montreal?
A: Everyone should spend at least a few days in the Plateau. This is where you can see, feel, taste and enjoy life that is Montreal: St.Denis St., Avenue Mont-Royal, St-Laurent Blvd., Carre St-Louis, these are all incredible places to get a sense of what Montrealers are about.
If you would like to contact Monique for additional information, please visit:
L'Etoile Verte B & B
WEBSITE: www.letoileverte.com
PHONE / RESERVATIONS: 514-842-7943
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Meet our New Innkeeper from Montreal Quebec
Meet our New Innkeeper from Capitola, California
I'd like to welcome our newest member, Tina Distad, innkeeper for The Jewel Box Bed and Breakfast in beautiful Capitola, California.
Tina, welcome to IBBP.com. Can you tell me why you decided to open a bed and breakfast?
A: My personal travel experiences along with working as an Innkeeper helped guide me along the path to becoming a B&B owner and operator. I have tailored the Jewel Box B&B to reflect these experiences and to provide a relaxing environment for my guests.
Capitola is located on California's northern coast. Can you tell me what you like best about your city?
A: Capitola and the greater Santa Cruz area holds many outdoor activities from its beautiful sunny beaches to the amazing redwood groves and a vibrant historic downtown.
What is the best experience you have had as an innkeeper?
A: The best experiences are simply noticing someone enjoying the little things you have created.
It seems like a lot of people would like to try their hand at innkeeping. Do you have an advice for would be innkeepers?
A: If you love your home, and want to share it with others, it is a treat. (with alot of rewarding work).
What is the one place you always tell guests to visit when they stay with you?
A: The Shadowbrook Restaurant. They have a cable car that takes you down to the restaurant.
Thanks Tina. And welcome to our community.
If you would like to learn more about this bed and breakfast, please see:
The Jewel Box Bed and Breakfast
Tel. 011-1-831-295-9035
WEBSITE: www.jewelboxbnb.com
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Meet our New Innkeeper from Haarlem Noord Holland Netherlands
I'd like to welcome Barbara Ferri to IBBP.com. Barbara is the innkeeper for Il Limone in Haarlem Noord Holland Netherlands. Haarlem is located in the center of Holland, just 10 miles from Amsterdam and is best known as the historical capital of the Holland earldom, the countytown of North Holland province, and the birthplace of Frans Hals.
Welcome to International Bed and Breakfast Barbara. Why did you decide to open your home to visitors?
I decided to open a bed and breakfast as I like to be in contact with people from all over the world. I speak four languages and I like the idea of running a business from home.
What is your favorite thing about being an innkeeper?
My favorite thing about being an innkeeper is the (relative) freedom I have while running an enjoyable business.
A lot of folks imagine themselves in your job. What advise would you give to would be innkeepers?
I usually recommend a channel boat tour, the Teyler´s Museums and the Frans Hals Museum.
Can you tell us a little about Haarlem?
I live in Haarlem, one of the most ancient towns in Holland. Beautiful buildings and ideal location. Haarlem is situated close to the north sea beaches, close to Amsterdam and the Schiphol airport.
Do you have a favorite spot or spots that you recommend to your visitors?
I usually recommend a channel boat tour, the Teyler´s Museums and the Frans Hals Museum
If you would like more information on IL LIMONE, please contact:
Il Limone
Haarlem Noord Holland Netherlands
Tel. 0031612139932
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Meet Our New Innkeeper from Ireland
Meet Michael and Nuala our newest innkeepers. Their B&B is located in Curraghlea, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Ireland. Before opening their B&B in Ireland they ran a B&B in America 14 years. It was called The Shamrock House. After returning to Ireland they named their B&B the Pennsylvania House B&B.
Hi Nuala and welcome to IBBP.com. So after all of your experience in innkeeping can you tell me why you chose to run a bed and breakfast?
I enjoy meeting interesting people and what better way than with a B&B.
What is the one thing you enjoy most about living in your bed & breakfast in Curraghlea?
It's my own design and decor and I enjoy the spacious rooms. I also love the majestic panoramic views of the countryside, the privacy, and peacefullness.
I know a lot of people dream about owning a b&b. What would you say is your favorite thing about being an innkeeper?
I think my favorite would be being my own boss and sharing my home comforts with the people who enjoy the added extras that my home has to offer and making our guests feel at home.
Have you had an interesting experience with guests sharing your home?
We had two couples from Canada who had never met each other before. While they were having breakfast together and during the course of discussion one of the guests was doing family research discovered that they and the other guest were related. What a small world we live in!
What is the most memorable experience to date?
We were asked to make our B&B totally available to an English family who's daughter was marrying an Irish man. It was always the bride's dream to get married in Ireland so I agreed. What excitement I had in preparing for a bride. It was an early spring wedding, so I gathered wild flowers to make the front door entrance and all around the house nice for the bridal pictures and decorated a garden bench for the bridal groupe to take advantage of the panoramic views. This was my best experience to date.
Do you have any advise for someone looking to start a B&B?
My advice to anyone who was thinking of running a B&B is to make sure you enjoy meeting new people and are willing to share your home and time with total strangers many of which become good friends and return time and time again its very rewarding.
Do you have a spot that you think anyone visiting Donegal should see while staying with you?
If they like castles and gardens, one of Donegal's most mentioned and visited places is Glenveagh National Park which is only 10 miles away from our B&B. I also recommend a drive around Inishowen route 100 for breathtaking scenery.
Pennsylvania House
Curraghlea, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Ireland.
WEBSITE: www.accommodationdonegal. com
PHONE / RESERVATIONS:
074 9126808, Int Code: +00353 74
FAX: 074 9128905
Monday, March 10, 2008
Meet Our New Innkeeper from Wayland Orchard
Today's blog introduces David Wayland, innkeeper of Wayland Orchard Bed and Breakfast in Crozet Virginia. We welcome this new
bed and breakfast to our guide.
So David, what made you decide to open a bed and breakfast?
There were several reasons we began the B&B. We always wanted to do something like that, we had the mother-in-law suite which was perfect for a B&B, and we enjoy people and getting to make friends out of strangers. Also, we have a wonderful site with mountains and lakes around us and we are close to Monticello and University of Virginia.
What is the best part about living in Crozet?
We live in my childhood home with wonderful memories and are close to the amazing small city of Charlottesville, ranked the best in the nation!
If you had to name one reason, why would you say you like being an innkeeper?
Our favorite thing about B&Bing is meeting wonderful guests and it is a great way to add to our income!
Do you have a memorable moment while running your bed & breakfast?
I'd say having guest drive up for the night and us not realizing there was a reservation for that date; we sent them to a winery while we made up the bed, cleaning the room, and got food. They had a great time tasting wine and we were forgiven.
Do you have any advice for others thinking of becoming an innkeeper?
Stay in at least six B&B's and take notes. Operate it to reflect your own tastes, not someone else's. Read a good book on the subject, such as How to Open and Operate a Bed and Breakfast. Get as much advertising as you can afford.
Wayland Orchard Bed and Breakfast
6474 Apple Green Lane
Crozet Virginia United States 22932-2510
www.waylandorchard.com
Visiting the Original Starbucks in Seattle
I was recently in Seattle for a few days. I wondered down by the waterfront and visited the original Starbucks. It was interesting in that they still have their original logo and you can get a feel for their humble origins. It is located on Pikes Place across from the famous Pike Street Market. The market is also worth a look. If Starbucks isn't enough caffeine, try the Turkish coffee at the Turkish Cafe.
And of course if you need a place to stay, check out our Seattle and Seattle area inns.
Have fun!
Yvonne
Meet and Innkeeper from Paris, France
Lisa Quin is the innkeeper for Dormouse House Garden Bed and Breakfast located just outside of Paris, France. She shares how she became an innkeeper.
As most people know about Paris or what they want to see here, I will share a few funny stories...
I moved to France nearly 10 years ago just to have a change(!!!) in my life. I was unmarried, no longer teaching high school (English, French, and Spanish) due to some health problems and had just lost my mom. I just decided to 'up stakes' and move here, taking all my stuff (enormous!). This included three animals and even a car. Eventually I found an apartment not too far from Paris. I did not want to live in Paris as it can be noisy, expensive, crowded, and difficult for an elderly dog to negotiate. Plus, it would be impossible to park and no private gardens! Ao i was happy to be NEAR paris instead.
Eventually I met my Scottish husband, got married in 2000, and we built Dormouse house two years later. In 2003 we started offering B&B accommodations so we could share our lovely house and garden and meet interesting people from all over! We love being hosts!
I have had many women guests exchange emails with me and say, you could be my twin!! - as we have so much in common. Ironically, I HAVE a twin (fraternal) and we are totally different!
Here are a few funny stories. We had one nice couple from Texas recently, and as most of you know,Texans can be big people. Don was telling us how he had broken several office chairs in India on his recent trip to his company's office there... He then sat down to dinner at our table...and broke through the seat!!
We had another big American male guest dine here - he ate very well and was very full but did NOT break the chair, but then went to sit on the folding chair outside and broke through THAT, ending up on the ground. no one was hurt and we all laughed! of course, we have replaced all these seats!
Recently we got an email from a woman in California who had seen our site on ibbp.com and she booked for June...later she read her Lowell High School alumni magazine (San Francisco) and saw...ME! With an update telling everyone where I was and what I was doing! This woman, linda, is a teacher (as am i) and decided to bring another woman friend to stay at dormouse house, who ALSO is an alumni! small world!
The first thing I ask myself when a potential guest writes is, what do we have in common? this is always a good opener and way to become friendly, and it is one of the things we love about having 'new friends' in our home!
Lisa Quinn
lisa.dormousehouse@gmail.com
