We were very excited to see The Grace Manor in Richmond, Virginia and BnBFinder featured as a way to save money and getaway this summer. Innkeepers Albert and Dawn Schick did an amazing job explaining why B&Bs are the getaway of choice this summer. Thanks to Amy Lacey at WRIC in Virginia for this fantastic story. Please take a second and have a look at this wonderful news piece, and innkeepers make sure you let us know about your creative specials.

One of the best things about working in the B&B industry, is the amazing stories, facts and tidbits that I hear from innkeepers. Sometimes we feel the need to share them immediately with you, which is where our blog comes in. A few days ago, we received an email from Florence Tarbox, the innkeeper at the Battlefield Bed and Breakfast.

Florence’s Inn is actually ON the battlefield at Gettysburg, PA which caught our attention right away. There really aren’t many B&Bs located on battlefields. Usually, it’s my pleasure to write on and on, but in this case I’d like share Florence’s description of her inn:

When you stay at Battlefield Bed and Breakfast, you are staying at an original Civil War farm on the Gettysburg Battlefield. We specialize in Civil War history and include a history presentation given by a costumed reenactor every morning before breakfast. Guests may be able to fire a Civil War musket, try on uniforms, or gather around the piano for some rousing 19th Civil War singing. During the summer season, we have many enthusiastic families who eagerly join in the history demonstrations. The beautiful Pennsylvania farm setting with nature trails, ponds, and woods appeals to everyone from romantic couples to home school families. Our inn offers a unique opportunity to experience Civil War history in Gettysburg.

Each morning with your breakfast, you’ll have the chance to learn about a different aspect of the Civil War, many of them with hands on demonstrations. Visiting the Gettysburg Battlefields is a very popular stop for history buffs, but only by staying at a B&B can you spend the night. The Battlefield B&B is just another way to wake up someplace special.

Over the last few weeks Earth Day has been foremost in our minds here at BnBFinder. We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about all the ways that B&Bs are contributing to the recovery and health of the planet, and absorbing wonderful tips on being green from innkeepers all over the country. One easy to implement suggestion many innkeepers discussed with us was making the switch to Earth Friendly cleaning products. We know that cleaning is an obsession among many innkeepers, and we want to share this fun recipe for making your own air freshener without any damaging chemicals.

This recipe is simple, and easy to follow but leaves a lot of room to show off the personality of your B&B with a signature scent.

Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with water in a spray bottle. Next add 10 drops or so of your favorite essential oil like Pine,Frankincense or Cedarwood. Shake well and spray. The baking soda will absorb the odor and the essential oils will add a unique scent to the room.

Essential oils are made from natural plant and herb ingredients, and they smell wonderful. You can experiment with mixing several different oils to create a signature smell for the rooms at your B&B. This is a nice to way to have guests remember the wonderful time they had staying with you whenever they come across a similar scent in their daily lives.

Please take a second to leave us a comment if you try our recipe, or have a favorite scent we should know about.

I’ll be up front; I’m a big architecture nerd. One of the things that really endeared the whole concept of the B&B to me is the concept that you can actually spend a night or two in a wide variety of places with architectural significance. You can relax on the porch, have a drink and play some games in the parlor. For a little while you can pretend to live a bit like the people the home was built for. At most famous buildings you aren’t even allowed to take photos, never mind climb into the beds.

Walking around Bear Run or Philip Johnsons’ Glass House are really moving in different ways, but we can all agree that these homes were meant to be lived in, not toured. It’s something of a well kept secret that B&Bs comprise a vast network of architecturally gorgeous homes which can be experienced as their architects intended them. In some cases you can spend a few days living in a landmarked historic home or a private residence that was never meant to be seen by the public. I’m always impressed by how much history and drama innkeepers are able to discover about their homes.

Some of my favorite buildings in Manhattan and Brooklyn are products of Stanford White, and the architecture firm of McKim, Mead and White. If you’re familiar with E.L. Doctorow’s novel Ragtime, or the movie adaptation of the same name, you’ll recognize White as one of the principal characters. The Washington Square Arch in Manhattan, is considered one of the greatest triumphal arches in the world, along with the Arc De Triumphe. The epic Doric Column of the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument in Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn is one of the most inspiring memorials to fallen soldiers anywhere in the world. Here at BnBFinder, we’re lucky enough to be right up the block from what is arguably McKim, Mead and White’s Beaux-Arts masterpiece the Manhattan Municipal Building, crowned by the statue of Civic Fame. I’ve gone out of my way to visit nearly every McKim, Mead and White building located anywhere near NYC, so I was delighted to discover that The Stanton House Inn in Greenwich, CT was remodeled by Stanford White in 1899. When the property was purchased by Greenwich notables Edward and Susan Brush, White was selected to renovate the home into a private showplace. Since 1985, the Pearson’s have run the property as The Stanton House Inn, after restoring the home to a perfect state.

It’s a pretty rare opportunity to see the inside of a Stanford White Home. Although he was a prodigious architect, his life was cut short when he was murdered by Harry K. Thaw, a jealous husband, on the roof of one of his own buildings, the old Madison Square Roof Garden. The legal brouhaha that followed was dubbed the ‘Trial of the Century’ by the New York papers, and White’s murderer was acquitted by reason of insanity. Many of White’s private residences have been torn down, or have become landmarked showplaces, where visitors are welcome but overnight guests aren’t allowed. B&Bs provide access to architectural gems you would otherwise never get to see and experience as their designers intended them to be .

It’s hard to have a conversation without someone bringing up the economy. Are things better than we think? Are they worse? Is there no clear answer? It seems everyone has an opinion on the matter. If you’re an innkeeper, we’d love to hear your first hand experience. We’ve created a poll to find out what innkeepers are seeing as the summer approaches.

Some innkeepers are telling us the current state of the economy is actually increasing bookings. They feel more folks who would normally travel out of the country are saving money by staying closer to home, and staying at a B&B. Other innkeepers have told us they have more vacancies than at this time last year, which presents an opportunity for the traveler. As innkeepers, there is no one in a better position to explain what’s going on in your local region so if you’re an innkeeper we’d love to hear your opinion. Please take a moment to participate in our innkeeper poll and also post a comment below.

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BnBFinder.com’s eco friendly bed and breakfasts are sharing years of green experience by conducting seminars to send their guests home with time tested tips to save the planet this Earth Day. Many bed and breakfasts are forward thinking members of the environmental community who have spent years finding the most efficient ways to reduce the carbon footprint and the use of chemicals, water and fuel at their inns. The skills, ideas and tips that guests take home after a weekend stay are practical and easily implemented at home. In just one or two days guests can learn to make small changes in their lifestyle that will pay green dividends for a lifetime. Guests can learn about eco friendly changes they can make in their own lives, while they spend a relaxing few days in some of the most beautiful settings on the planet.

At Melitta Station Inn and Spa in Santa Rosa, CA innkeepers Jackie & Tim Thresh have made many large and small green changes to their property, including a 2 kilowatt solar array which provides all the power for their Sonoma Valley B&B. The innkeepers lead a 2 day/1 night seminar aimed at the home or small business owner, that covers many methods of producing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The course offers an overview of energy savings, alternate energy and methods of auditing your energy bill from people who have made it viable. Local energy consultants will drop by for an open discussion where guests can address concerns specific to their particular situation. The seminar is available at no additional cost to any party of three or more who book two nights at Melitta Station from Sunday through Thursday; just mention it when you make your reservation.

http://www.bnbfinder.com/melitta

http://www.bnbfinder.com/shambhala

Innkeepers Stuart & Tara Marcus of the Shambhala Ranch in Ukiah, CA take particular pride working in harmony with the surrounding environment. The lodge was built with timber milled on the land and is kept warm with clean hydronic heat. The Shambhala Ranch uses native plants for landscaping while maintaining the surrounding lands in pristine condition. The ranch is solar powered, and provides all its own utilities completely off the grid. Tara, a body therapy specialist with 15 years of experience, offers a discussion class to help you remove chemicals and toxins from your life. After a few days of relaxation in the hills of Mendocino county, guests leave refreshed and with the knowledge to reduce their own environmental impact when they return home.

The Holladay House in Orange, VA has made a strong commitment to providing green lodging, and is a member of the rigorous Virginia Green Lodgings program. Holladay House has made extensive green improvements, practices water & energy conservation, composting and uses energy efficient appliances. Most of the food cooked for guests comes from within a 100 mile radius of the inn, and nearly every facet has been made environmentally friendly. Hospitality specialists Sam and Sharon Elswick can explain many of the energy and resource saving methods guests will see in action during their stay. Guests have the rare opportunity to experience very green living in a home setting, and witness first hand methods that can easily be tried and applied when returning home.

http://www.bnbfinder.com/holladay

Mary White, president of BnBFinder.com
explains, ‘It’s so important to pitch in wherever we can when it comes to improving the environment. I’m especially proud of the fact that many of our inns and B&Bs also educate their guests with tips they can take home and use to improve their own conservation efforts.’

BnBFinder.com offers an exclusive advanced search feature which allows visitors to find green and eco friendly bed and breakfasts and inns. On the BnBFinder.com website, visitors can click Advanced Search, Extras and choose the ‘Eco Friendly’ option to search for green lodging anywhere in the US, Canada and Europe. Many B&Bs and Inns on BnBFinder.com also offer gas, money and planet saving specials for Earth Day and all year round, which can be found on the home page under ‘Specials’.

Everything is an Asset

 - Occam’s Razor is a simple principle; all other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best. This applies to many things, and promoting a B&B is no exception. It can be a challenge to let people know how wonderful your Inn is, and we all know that talking through the static and reaching potential guests can be a complicated operation. It doesn’t have to be. By applying Occam’s Razor to your marketing plan, you ‘ll save yourself time and money by promoting what you already have, and what you already know. There’s no reason to create anything from scratch or purchase anything new, just take a penetrating look into your business and connect the dots. It’s easier than you think. Use the skills, materials and advantages you have on hand.

Many Innkeepers have excellent marketing instincts, and create unique packages based on the MacGyver Method. Use what you have in a new and clever way. Taxes are almost universally decried, but at the same time they are almost universally paid. Below, I’ve compiled a few fantastic, creative marketing ideas from several inkeepers that manage to tie together taxes and B&B’s. It’s an odd combination, but that’s the point. Anything can be used to your advantage if you are willing to put in some thought. Below you’ll see how a few innkeepers have used their creativity to turn their skills, situations and taxes into popular specials that attract guests. Posting your new and creative specials and packages on BnBFinder.com is a wonderful way to let the world know what sets your Inn apart.

As Sure As…Take Tax Day Off or Skip the Taxes Altogether

The tax man cometh. Nothing is assured but death and taxes. You can’t run from the IRS. Like mothers, taxes are often misunderstood, but seldom forgotten. When it comes to cliches, references to paying taxes are certainly leading the pack. Most people don’t associate getting away to a B&B and taxes, unless they’re actually on the run. You don’t have to be a fugitive from the Feds to combine your taxes with your spring getaway, because here at BnBfinder.com we’ve done all the legwork for you and come up with some inspiring packages to chase away the April 15th blues.

At the Deer Creek Inn in Nevada City, California Innkeepers’ Ken and Eileen Strangfeld, host their ‘Tax and Relax’ special for world weary taxpayers. The words ‘Tax and Relax’ don’t often appear in the same sentence, unless an attorney is speaking, but Ken and Eileen have found a way to make doing your taxes enjoyable and less expensive. Ken is licensed by the California State Board of Accountancy and has over 25 years of experience preparing corporation, partnership, estate, and non-profit and individual tax returns with a special emphasis on non-profits and individual returns for both small business and the self-employed. They invite guests to take a little vacation while Ken worries about completeing your taxes. Guests who make arrangements in advance can spend a night at the Queen Anne Victorian Deer Creek Inn for free, when they have their taxes done by Ken. The cost of your travel expenses may also be deductible as well! One way or another, you need to file your taxes, so why not try to make it fun?

If you’ve just had it with taxes all together, a trip to stay at a B&B in Montanna or New Hampshire might be just the escape you need. It really is an escape, because News Hampshire and Montanna lack a state sales tax, and the gorgeous scenery is free to look at.

At the Paradise Getaway B&B in Emigrant MT, you can wander off into Yellowstone Park, fish in the Missouri River, but most importantly, not have to think about your tax burden. Nothing helps clear your mind likesome time in the mountain air, and some tax free bargains. https://www.bnbfinder.com/gatewayBB

At the Adair Country Inn in Bethlehem NH, enjoy some tax free shopping at the local stores in nearby Bethlehem and Littleton. If you are really interested in making the most of the NH shopping, it’s a short drive to North Conway, known as the ‘Outlet Mecca’ of NH. North Conway has over 100 name brand and designer outlets all selling items tax free and at a discount. Adair Country Inn also provides guests with maps that highlight the local shops and attractions to maximize your savings. https://www.bnbfinder.com/Adair

True story. Last summer we were staying at a small Inn outside of New Paltz New York, and decided to go out somewhere nice for dinner. After securing directions to a raved about vegeterian restaurant a few towns over, we had a nice drive through the Shawangunks as the sun was setting.  Dinner was fantastic, and by the time we walked around the vintage main street of the little village, eating homemade rock candy and ogling the gingerbread Victorians, it was pitch black. Driving back to the Inn for the night, we became irretrievably lost. Upstate New York is lightless after 10 o’clock in the summer, and cell phone reception is nonexistant. Many of the streets were unmarked, and the landmarks we used on our way out were no longer visible (other than a sad looking gas station we passed at least 8 times going in two different directions).  What took us half an hour earlier, had turned into a two and a half hour  Odyssey, minus the harpies, but we did see swine a plenty sleeping in their pens.   By the time we saw the sign for our hidden little inn, the wine we bought was near boiling and we were much too exhausted to take advantage of the pool for a night swim like we’d planned.

It’s happened to every traveller at some point.  You’re lost. You’re in a completely unfamiliar area, you don’t recognise the landmarks and possibly you don’t recognise the language. Your friendly innkepers were kind enough to draw you a map of the local atractions, but you left it at that cafe during lunch, time is running short and there are so many things to see.

Bed and Breakfasts are known worldwide for their individual charm and personal service,  but  sadly your innkeepers can’t guide you around their neighborhood, as much as they’d like too. The next best option available for the savvy traveller is to bring a GPS unit along with them, which can guide you from place to place and highlight the best attractions, restaurants and scenic areas.  A GPS system (Global Positioning System) is about the size of an mp3 player, with a large, easy to read screen and a few buttons. A GPS unit will pinpoint your position anywhere in the world, and place you on an electronically updated map, chart your progress and give you simple directions whether you are driving or walking.  It’s easy to plan your day via GPS by selecting the destinations you’d like to visit, and creating a self guided tour for yourself, without the problem of getting lost.

GPS units can be quite pricey.  If you travel just a few times a year, renting a GPS unit is an economical solution. BnBFinder.com  has partnered with GPSPlanet to provide rental GPS units, delivered to the B&B you’ll be staying at, for use on your vacation.  After you’ve decided on your favorite Inn through BnBFinder.com, just click on the GPS link below,  and then you’ll be all set to have the perfect tour guide at your fingertips for your trip. 

It’s simple to get started, just click here. Select your travel dates and destination, then select Rent a GPS CTguide for your trip.  Choose where you’d like your CTGuide sent.  It’s guaranteed to arrive at your home, office or the Inn you’ll be staying at on the day you choose.  After you’ve travelled, and are finished using your GPS guide, just place it in the pre-paid mailer, and enjoy your vacation memories. That’s it.

A GPS CTGuide is like an interactive travel guide that never goes out of date.  The touchscreen allows you to search a large database of Points of Interest, mark them, and plan the most efficient or scenic route for your sightseeing. The CTGuide’s feature multi-lingual voice navigation, voice prompt navigation and easy to read graphics which make walking or driving simple, quick and safe. Most of the world is covered by the maps stored in the unit which are constantly updated and include USA (Including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico); Canada; Central America; Western and some of Eastern Europe, Middle East, Australia.

 The Abner Adams House  B&B in the Finger Lakes region of New York also offers  Geocaching Weekend special, for anyone who really wants to use GPS to do some serious exploring. You’ll have the opportunity to go on a treasure hunt, using your GPS unit as a treasure map while  exploring this beautiful area of upstate New York.  GPS users find a multiple locations of caches within 25 miles of the inn.  You also have the option of walking out the Inn’s Out  front door for a multi-cache “Walk through Bloomfield History” GPS tour.  This cache takes you on a walking tour of part of the historic village of Bloomfield, NY.  Get your family and friends together for this outdoor hobby. The Abner Adam House will also supply full access to a computer and printer to help you map your way in your explorations. 

It’s no secret that bad, missing, incomplete or botched directions are the number one cause of bickering on vacation. OK, I don’t know if it’s the number one reason, but it has to up there. Getting away to a Bed and Breakfast is all about relaxing, and enjoying yourself, and renting a GPS unit can help remove any stress or worry about getting lost on your trip.   Time is always short when you’re on a vacation, so with a bit of careful planning and GPS magic, you can make the most of your time away from home. 

 It’s easy to rent a GPS unit with BnBFinder.com.  After booking the perfect inn to stay at, just click on the link to rent a GPS Unit.

St. Patrick’s Day is for romance? I can almost hear the peanut gallery now, ‘I think they must be a few weeks behind things, Valentines Day was last month!’ The Irish invented the honeymoon, and Mead, the honey wine which brought about the name. This makes St. Patrick’s Day the real holiday for lovers. We have put together some travel destinations to celebrate the idea of the originals lovers’ getaway. Wake up somewhere special with mead, mystery and quiet time together, with these untraditional alternatives to celebrate March 17.

St. Patrick’s Day has become the new holiday for romantic getaways thanks to an ancient Irish ritual. Tradition explains that after being married, newlywed couples would be sent somewhere secluded together, with a supply of Mead, a potent fermented honey wine mixed with herbs, and thought to promote fertility. Honeymoon came to refer to the period, often 30 days or one moon cycle, in which the new couple would get to know each other by imbibing the romance inducing beverage provided by their families. St. Patrick’s Day is the best time to spend a romantic weekend getting to know someone special, and many Inns and B&B’s run specials that make reenacting this ancient rite with a modern twist a new reason to getaway.

For the authentic mead experience in the United States, spend some time at the Springhill Winery and Bed and Breakfast in Bloomfield, Kentucky. Here you can sample homemade Harvest Mead, as well of other varieties of vino which are created at the onsite winery.
The Springhill Winery has this to say about the mead they create, ‘This traditional Celtic wine is said to be “Man’s oldest drink” and gives life, wisdom, courage, strength and fertility. Springhill’s Honey Mead is the essence of Kentucky’s summer fruit and flowers. A delicious wine you’ll love.’ Vist the Spring Hill Winery here www.bnbfinder.com/springhill .

The Failte Inn in Athens, PA offers canoodling guests complimentary Mead in their rooms to set the mood. Voted Most Romantic Hideaway twice by Innkeeper magazine, The Failte Inn has been featured on the PBS show ‘West of Clare’ and is a supreme oasis of privacy for couples. Relax in the outdoor spa or sneak away to the Inns private pub, housed in a former speakeasy. Visit the Failte Inn Bed and Breakfast here www.bnbfinder.com/failte .

The Rose Villa in Galway, Ireland offers endless views along the scenic Coast Road, and unforgettable sunsets of romantic Galway Bay. You can fully relax with Gourmet country breakfasts, bird watching and the chance to take a stroll along the ancient Cliffs of Moher for the perfect lover’s escape. Visit the Rose Villa here www.bnbfinder.com/rosevilla .

“You Light Up My Life” has a whole new meaning at the Abendblume Inn in Leavenworth, WA where a 24′ sign was brilliantly lit against the backdrop of a snowy field and Christmas carols. Like fairytale magic, the groom brought his soon to be fiance up to the balcony of the Abendblume Inn where they listened to Christmas carols and when the last song ended he got down on his knees and against the back drop of a snowy field, the innkeepers lit a 24′ proposal (that they made especially for the couple). And she said YES….