Hi!

Is anyone, or has anyone in the past, run a bed and breakfast from their homestead? It would seem like this tyupe of business would be compatible with homesteading. Any thoughts or ideas?

Chris

-- Chris Sedlak (csedlak@juno.com), August 05, 2000

Answers

Chris:

There is an item on this in my e-book - see previous post. Actually, I think the Amish are missing out on this opportunity. A guest cottage, living their lifestyle for a couple of days, etc.

-- Ken S. (scharabo@aol.com), August 05, 2000.

Actually Ken a few of the amish families near us in Ohio are taking advantage of the tourist trade by using their douty haus as a B&B. I've got the name of a good one if anyone is interested. It would make a nice vacation. As well as farming, he also does workwork crafting on the side. Matter of fact he makes quilting frames which are sold in the Lehman's catalog. My wife bought a set at his farm, top notch.

-- Rob Shipe (RShipe1046@aol.com), August 05, 2000.

We have owned an operated a very successful bed and breakfast (Fairlea Farm B&B) for 8 years. I can't say that we are homesteaders even though we live on a farm and raise a variety of things.

Being a working cattle and sheep farm is a big attraction for the people who decide to visit us.

Bed and breakfasts have become very upscale because that is what people demand. People who stay in B&Bs aren't just looking for a bed or a breakfast. They are looking for an experience.

Operating a bed and breakfast is a lot of work, very rewarding and provides a great sense of personal satisfaction.

-- walt (longyear@shentel.net), August 06, 2000.

Chris, We owned a 21 unit Mom & Pop Motel we operated as a B&B / and we are friends with MANY others who own B&B's if you want to work for the public & share your home with all types/ are able to put up with virtually NO PRIVACY--work every week end for sure/ not be able to ever leave home unless some one is there---everything you own the public thinks is theirs--- then think about the positive side/ if the first negatives are not for you-- don't even consider it! If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them--if you are serious about this/ volunteer to help out those people who would love to escape from their business for awhile--or need help! Or stay in several & get to know the owners SO WELL/ they will be truelly honest about their experiences with you! When I hear someone say --when I retire /to have a little something to do-- I think I'll buy a small motel or B&B---- I DIE LAUGHING AS THESE FOLKS HAVE NO CLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I can answer any questions I would be glad to help--but most folks don't have a clue about operateing one---when my friends told me/ before we had ours-- I thought those stories would not pretain to me--that was just problems they had---well those stories WILL PRETAIN TO YOU! It isn't a bad business--it is just haveing NO PRIVACY & everone thinks you were there only to entertain/& wait on them--let alone rent them a room. Sonda in Ks.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), August 06, 2000.