Are You Ready for Peak Season?

Peak season is important to a Bed & Breakfast’s annual income and can make or break your full year.  Are you ready for it?

This Blog will remind you of a few helpful points to plan ahead and make the most of your peak season.  With Fall and the holidays just around the corner, many B&Bs see an increase in business due to leaf season, fall festivals or local events that bring guests to your area.  As the Innkeeper you need to identify your peak weeks, months and quarters to plan how you will increase your occupancy and revenue while you are still maintaining your excellent service standards and providing all guests with an exceptional experience.

Some of the action items you may want to consider doing now to get yourself ready for your busy season:

1. Spruce up your Property:  Put together a maintenance checklist to make sure all common areas and guest rooms are in top shape.  This means touching up pain, re-grouting bathroom areas, putting fresh batteries in remotes, trimming frayed rugs, and addressing anything that shows signs of wear that needs to be fixed or replaced.  Walk your entire property and make sure the common areas, exterior, landscaping and parking areas are all exceptional for guests to see.  Check the rooms to make sure the bedding it appropriate for the season.  Is it time to add a blanket or heavier comforter to the bed?  If there is a fireplace in the room, is it cleaned, inspected, and ready for the guests to enjoy? 
2. Staffing and Preparing Your Team:  You’ll want to make sure everything runs smoothly by having enough staff and having the right staff at the right times.  Your team needs to understand the importance of your B&Bs peak season and what their role is in the process.  Your consistent communication to your staff will make them a part of the process.  Ask if there is anything they need to complete their job properly and if they have any suggestions or ideas to help things run smoother.  Keep your staff happy and motivated.
3. Social Media Presence:  Prior to the peak season is a great time to reach out to your repeat guests and make a plan to reach new guests that you want to attract.  Your newsletter, blog, booking engine or social media posts all need to build and focus in on what your area has to offer during the peak season and why they should choose to stay at your B&B versus others.  What makes your property special and unique?  Show off your beautiful rooms and amenities that you offer your guests.
4. Seasonal Menu and Decorations:  Many B&Bs focus in on using local seasonal products that represent the area they are located in.  For example, a peak fall season may mean apples are used in breads and baked products or breakfasts.  A peak summer season may mean berries are the star of your breakfasts and baked goods.   Peak season is the time to look at your menus and add in the seasonal products that you’ll want your guests to be enjoying and talking about.    It’s also a time to look at and plan what decorations are appropriate for the holidays and season.  From the simple welcome wreath on the front door, decorated mantels, or full out Christmas decorations, many peak seasons revolve around holidays and guests that are traveling and want to experience the holiday feeling.  Does your B&B represent the holiday and provide your guests with the feelings they are looking for?
5. Website and Booking Engine:  Last but not least,  your rooms need to be priced appropriately for the peak season well in advance. You’ll need to consistently monitor your bookings and make adjustments in your booking engine as needed.  Typically during peak season you’ll have minimum night requirements and by closely monitoring your bookings daily you will be able to maximize room availability by opening up available rooms for guests to book.  Your website can be updated with additional seasonal pictures and package deals to entice your guests to book their stay.

The peak season can be a hectic and stressful time for you, but with additional preparation in the months prior to the onset of season, your business will run smoothly and more profitably.  A little preparation will earn your establishment a lot of loyal guests and provide a more enjoyable season for you, your staff and guests!