en en en en en en mk tr en en es en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en hbs_lat en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en en en en zh en en en en en en en en en zh en en en en en en en en en en en en hbs_lat zh en en en en zh zh en en en en zh en en en en en fr en en en en hbs_lat en en en en zh en en fr en en en en zh en en en en en zh zh en en en hbs_lat zh en en en zh en en en en en en hbs_lat en en en en en en en en zh en en en en en en en
I recently got in touch with my uncle and aunt that have property in Culebra. They both have houses there on prime property, the scene is unbelievable. Perfect size for a bed and breakfast minus a few adjustments. Both homes are practically new. I would like to see if I could get some feedback on this idea because I'm really interested in pursuing this. I think it would be a lucrative venture because I know the area there. Thoughts please....Thank You
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Where is the general location? Does it require your guests to rent a car in order to get around? If so, that could hurt your business because car rental in Culebra is not cheap. Most people go to Culebra looking for an inexpensive vacation.
If you're within reasonable walking distance of town, that could be a real advantage.
I've found in my travels throughout the US over the years that people who own homes in beautiful locations that are outside of town tend to rent them out as vacation homes. But if the home is close to town and conveniences, they tend to make them into a B&B.
If the houses are practically new, then you'll probably have to charge a pretty high nightly rate in order to cover the mortgage and expenses. And B&Bs take a lot of time and attention.
I've also found that very few B&B owners make a lot of money. Rather, they rely on the the appreciation of their property values so as to later sell to the next couple who has a dream to own and operate a B&B.
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Hmm...good points. I had thought that even maybe part of the B&B package the taxi service could be included. I know that they're house is not "new" so as to say new construction, but they have been upgraded and are very nice. I'm in the process of seeing at what point their houses are regarding financing. I know that their homes aren't too far from town, I've walked it before. But not everyone will walk it. Thanks for your insight.
You could always offer a couple of bicycles as part of the package! (and sturdy locks). If the B&B is an easy bike ride into town, then that will be a big selling point because they can ride their bikes to the ferry dock and take publicos to Flamenco (and consequently Carlos Rosario, etc).
If someone wants to explore more of the island, they can always rent a vehicle. But most people will be fully satisfied with publicos, Flamenco, and all the amenities in town.
Excellent Idea...thanks. Yeah, that would be a very nice bike ride because its along the bay.
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Hola! Check out Casita Tropical's website. It will give you an idea of what great things to offer besides lodging. They offer so much besides lodging in their price that it made it was worth the price. The owners do live on sight, which is great if you ever run into any problems. They also pick you up upon arrival at the pier and drop you off on your departure day. They also offer to take you to Flamenco during your stay if they are going that way. They also offer free bicycle use, beach equipment, Kitchen facilities, BBQ, etc. Great for your money plus the hosts, Molly and Jerry were very nice, which is a big plus in my book. Happy travels! J
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Let's vote on services that Tony's B&B should provide!
I'd like to propose massages!
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Personally I prefer a plain vacation rental to a B&B. Breakfast has to be a disappointment for at least one of the many cultures that come to Culebra. It's impossible to please everybody and stock everything! Have a communal kitchen with a fridge, like Villa Boheme ..
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Tony Aponte (---.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
What do you mean a disappointment? Are you saying no one has a good breakfast to offer or variety or what?
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Culebra MJ (---.coqui.net)
B & B's are a very cool idea, if you don't mind living in what I used to call the velvet prison. Yes, you get to experience cool guests (I had the 97.3 rule...97.3 percentage of people are wonderful, a delight, a pleasure to meet with...the leftover percentage are from hell and nothing you do will make them happy; with experience you can figure them out as they walk through the door and you will become adept at suggesting they go to another place - they think you're wonderful and you think you've been spared the bad karma you induced by kicking that dog once when you were 15), who make the island feel *bigger* because you are constantly interacting with people outside the daily crew we all see all the time. That part is way big fun.
There is the other side of it being that you are there 24/7, literally, to help make your guests' visit a good one - clean everything, dead lightbulb changed, fridge not cold enough, roach in the sink, overflowing toilet, hair found in the shower, no pan big enough to cook __________ (well, that's how I did it...I've been called neurotic a few times...even broke up a relationship once "you never can go out when something is going on" because when something is going on, you are greeting arriving guests, etc), picking up, dropping off (and remember, this means picking up whenever the ferry or plane arrives, NOT when they are scheduled to arrive).
This is why most people go for a holiday home manager. Someone here that does the job for many people's homes and takes the hassle out of it for the homeowner, for the most part. Yes, it has a price. Doesn't everything we choose to have someone else do instead of ourselves?
I'm just being the devil's advocate here. For the right type, a B & B is a great way to live in a beautiful place, even if you are busy most of the time.
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
No one should go into the Caribbean lodging business until they have read "Don't Stop the Carnival". You'll thank me later.
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
We stayed in Ceiba last week in a B&B type place, and we both lamented that the owners never got a break. They were there to greet us when we arrived in the afternoon, and when we returned after our trip to the rain forest at 8pm, they were there to serve us one last drink (bar was open until 9pm). We were up for breakfast at 7am, so that we could catch the 9am ferry to Culebra. You would literally have to close your business or hire a manager in order to get some down time. Or not take reservations for a week or so, I guess. Anyway, it would not be my cup of tea.
The breakfast, I must say, was right up our alley - cereals, fruits and homemade breads (poppy seed and banana nut). YUMMY!
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
These are all great points. The one thing I've noticed with B&B owners that the hours are VERY long. Most of the owners close down for one part of the year and that's when they have their fun and get away, but the rest of the year they are 100% tied to the B&B.
I've rarely seen a young couple operating a B&B, though it sometimes happens. It's usually middle aged folks (and often older).
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
(MJ waits for the encounter between Mort and Terry & Mark...and plans to shout out OLD PEOPLE next time they drive by the cart).
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
LOL MJ! You can also shout it out as we're running or biking by (Mark's training for a triathalon-see more or sponsor him here: http://trainforhumanity.org/sponsor-us/sponsor-mark-hayward/) !
The Palmetto's slogan: "for the active visitor to Culebra" & of course you are as "old" as you feel!
When people ask, "When do YOU get a break?" we say "Septemeber! It's the only month with some down time...then again that's not exactly true as we're taking full advantage of this slower month to do maintenance & upgrades (painting, landscaping, etc!) that you just don't get the chance to do the rest of the year.
We also took 10 days & went to Nicaragua in Aug. & closed. It was some nice r & r! Otherwise it is a 7 day a week job :)
Palmetto Guesthouse, Culebra Puerto Rico
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
I certainly meant no offense. EVERYONE seems old to me since I'm only 13 (though I look much older).
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
13 happens to be my favorite # & Mort you were very funny in the other post re: what is avail. at MJ's cart!
Palmetto Guesthouse, Culebra Puerto Rico
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
Hmm...I missed something here...what IS available at MJ's cart? Was it the llama burgers??? Mort, dear heart...we've all seen you naked in the streets, we KNOW you are only 13.
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Zing! I do believe that last dart was tipped with habanero squeezings...
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
I've matured a lot since you saw me, MJ, if you know what I mean.
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
Of course I know what you mean. You almost got arrested for pulling that girl's pigtails last time and you don't do that stuff anymore. Maturity is a beautiful thing, and we're all proud!
Why, if I ran a B & B, I'd consider renting a room to you in off season (please follow the seque to your right, to your right, to your right).
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
I have some apartments in NY and some in Vienna that I run as Vacation Rentals. And I am not there a big part of the time. That's what I mean about the breakfast part. And the pickup part and the being there all the time. It would be a prison!
What you do need is a very reliable and good cleaning person. That, even if you are there gets really old really fast - IMHO.
Also imagine you put aout all the cereals, fresh fruit etc. and the people start asking you about the fresh croissants and the espresso? Food wise it is much harder to please than having a clean space ..
Reply To This Message
Re: Bed and Breakfast biz idea
Author: Culebra MJ (---.prtc.net)
I have to say I never, ever, had a person ask for anything different for the breakfast part. Of course, it was a continental breakfast and it was always really good croissants, muffins and fresh fruits, with coffee and teas. We also had a happy hour, great cheeses, crackers, free pina coladas, honor bar. No one complained, though we did have the occasional guest who, I think, made those freebies their meals for the day! Sometimes I wanted to smack a hand and say, Didn't you get taught that sharing is nice?
If I was hoping to write a cook book off of it, I might have gone the full breakfast route but that would be more difficult and quite a bit more expensive. Most people just wanted to get to the beaches with a light breakfast anyway.