Thankful for Rain

La Gaîté Lyrique from La Gaîté Lyrique on Vimeo.

We're having a bit of a rainy day here today. And I, for one, couldn't be happier about that.

For one thing, it means that the splendid green hills that surround us will remain green for at least a few more weeks.

It's also great excuse to stay inside and catch up on that pile of paperwork on my desk.

And find some indoor adventures to brighten our day.

This afternoon: a cupcake extravaganza!

How about you? What fun do you create on rainy days?

Just How ADA Compliant Does A Small Inn Have to Be?

Jim Butler has a guest post by Marty Orlick up over at Hotel Law Blog that raises some interesting questions. I highly recommend that you head over there to read the whole article.

Marty addresses the issues raised in a particular case

A paralyzed guest filed a federal lawsuit against an Akron, Ohio hotel after he was "banned" for accidentally soiling his linens because his colostomy bag failed while he was asleep. Though he paid for the linens and left the maid a hefty tip, he was told by a night desk clerk that he was "banned for life" by the hotel manager when he attempted to stay at the hotel again. He is now suing the hotel under the Americans with Disabilities Act for discrimination against the disabled.

I have to admit that I was a bit surprised by this comment by Marty. He says hotel employees have:

not been generally trained to handle human waste, but the situation also presents hazardous public health issues for staff and other guests.

Say what?

I don't know about you, but when I'm managing an inn, my staff are most definitely trained to handle waste. It's an ugly aspect of the industry but it's reality all the same.

Housekeepers should not only wear gloves, they should know that blood and other body fluids are potential biological hazards, and understand their responsibilities in protecting themselves as well as future guests from contamination.

Since the innkeepers are often doing the laundry in small inns, their understanding of the potential hazard is imperative.

So how much compliance is necessary and how much is overboard?

I can't tell you how many small inns I know who agreed to settlements regarding ADA compliance for issues that, because of their size, they were not required to comply with at all.

Were they following bad legal advice? Maybe. Or perhaps making a business decision as to whether going to court was a worthwhile endeavor as opposed to settling the issue once and for all.

As for banned guest lists, one would hope that most innkeepers would not ban a disabled guest for a one-time accident that was both embarrassing and paid for.

I agree with Marty that the best way to ensure compliance is to speak to an attorney. I think all small inns would be wise to know their responsibilities.

But I also think that all of us would be wise to remember that accidents happen and that banning a guest should be a last resort for a disruptive guest, not a means to exclude disabled guests.

It is simply good business to ensure all staff are well-trained to handle everyday hazards as well as the unexpected emergency. One thing we know for sure about guests: accidents happen. Good innkeepers are prepared for that reality.

There's a reason we are called the hospitality industry and it's not about making it easy for us. It's about ensuring a positive guest experience for all guests, regardless of disability.

That said, the article does indeed raise some interesting points. As Marty says,

It is important to remember that hotels are not hospitals or nursing homes. Hotels have a responsibility to individuals with disabilities to ensure that they receive the privileges that the facilities offer as fully as possible, but not when the need fundamentally alters the nature of the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations being offered or places an undue burden on hotel staff.

Agreed. But we're talking an accident here, folks, not a request for personal assistance. Very, very big difference, in my humble opinion.

Like I said, go on over and read the whole thing.

And if you don't know whether your inn is compliant with all the laws applicable in your state, this would be a good time to find out.

On that particular aspect, I wholeheartedly agree with both Marty and Jim. When in doubt, get legal advice.

Enjoy Your Weekend!

There's a world of color and new life out there.

Hope you'll find time for a wee break.

There's magic everywhere.

BLUE BUTTERFLY from Dikayl Rimmasch on Vimeo.

A New Kind of Tasting Room for the North Coast?

When I think of Humboldt County I think of the Great North Coast.

Towering redwoods, the old grand dames of Victorian B&Bs, quiet days on windswept beaches.




Sure, it's true that the perhaps more prevalent view of Humboldt as a pot-growing mecca is never far away.

But my mind always drifts to the close-knit communities and the warm-spirited people living within them.

I have to admit, though, that when I first heard that the effort to legalize marijuana in California actually made it to the ballot, my first thought was "I wonder what they think about that up in Humboldt." Or Mendocino, for that matter.

Well, it seems, not everyone is so fond of the idea. Just like the moonshiners didn't like revenuers, turns out some of the North Coast's growers aren't too keen on the idea of paying taxes.

Or having competition.

Some folks, though, are trying to get everyone aboard with the possibility that this just might happen and it just might influence the underground business going on throughout both counties.

In typical Northern California fashion, that means getting all sides to the table to talk it out and come up with solutions. I like that.

What are some of those solutions? Embracing the idea and finding ways to capitalize on it.

And, as you might imagine, some interesting ideas are being floated.

”Once we remove the stigma of it being illegal, I don't know what it will do -- no one does. Imagine the possibilities,”

California NORML member Ellen Komp said to the crowd.

Komp, echoing the discussions of several growers and business people, mentioned following a wine business model, which includes her longtime dream for weed tasting rooms.

Yes, she said weed tasting rooms.

Who knows. Maybe a whole new tourism slant will come to the North Coast.

As for me, I'll still go for the same ole same ole.

Nature's most majestic perfection with some good old-fashioned hospitality thrown in for good measure.

That's enough for me, thank you very much.

Whales, Seals, and Wildflowers

When spring has struck and wildflowers are blooming, there's one hike that is, to me, something of a pilgrimage. With over 60 varieties of wildflowers at Chimney Rock, the spring display of colors never disappoints.



If there's a more beautiful spring hike in all of California, I have yet to find it.


A few weeks ago, the Elephant Seals had considerably less room to themselves than they do right now. In a few more weeks, they'll all be gone until next winter.

Chimney Rock has it all. Spectacular views. Wildlife. Flowers. Peace.

Got a glimpse of a few spouts but no whales close enough to see much more action that that. The northern migration of gray whales will peak in a few weeks, right around the time the wildflowers do.

But we had plenty of nature to enjoy.


Seriously, how can you not feel relaxed when you're witnessing laziness like this?

It turns out I'm not alone in thinking that. On a Tuesday afternoon in March, the parking lot at Chimney Rock was almost completely full.



Knowing there's plenty of room to spread out across the bluff, that didn't daunt us. Everyone we ran across seemed equally bliss-filled. There was much dawdling, many public displays of affections, and peaceful expressions everywhere.



We, though, were on something of a reconnaissance mission. Were the flowers at their peak?

Flowers were stunning. But knowing how they'll literally carpet the bluff with colors in a week or two, we also know they haven't yet peaked.



They'll grow more and more beautiful each day for the next few weeks.

We'll be back.



Because even an early reconnaissance mission can become something of a religious experience.

One I hope to repeat several times over the next few weeks.

The Mantra Holds True

Regular readers know that my biggest frustration with the financial crisis has been witnessing the race to the bottom.

Pressure to fill rooms has led to a price war that will continue through 2010. The ridiculously low rates of the bigger hotels has led to lower rates for smaller hotels and lower rates at B&Bs.

The problem is, competing on price, repeat after me,

Does. Not. Work.

My mantra for profitability has always been a simple one.

ADR equals Profit.

The lower ADR, the lower the profit. Get it low enough and there is absolutely no possible way to maintain profitability, no matter how many beds you fill.

Sadly, though, some inns still panic and lower rates to non-profitable levels. Even more astoundingly, many inns don't even know at which point they're not profitable. And if you don't know, managing profitability becomes a throw of the dice.

Cornell University's Center for Hospitality Research (CTR) just released its European study of rates. What did they find?

Unsurprisingly, they found that,

Rates are the key factor in maintaining revenues, rather
than occupancy

Or as Cathy Enz of CHR says,

"Hotels that maintain a higher price position than their competitors record relatively higher RevPARs, even though their average occupancy is relatively lower. We are well aware of the current pressure on hotel managers to drop their prices, and we cannot speak to a specific hotel or market situation—each hotel has to determine its own position. But what we do know is that relative demand does not seem to respond sufficiently to offset relative price changes within a competitive set. Plus, our new analysis shows that the pattern holds regardless of hotel size or the presence or absence of chain affiliation."

Take a look at the full report. The research included 8,000 observations and, according to Enz, the results held true in good times and in bad.

So now, please, repeat after me.

ADR equals Profit.

And to those who want to see their inns make it through this economic crisis, please stop the race to the bottom.

It. Will. Not. Work.

Les Fetes

La Fete (HD - 2010) from Malcolm Sutherland on Vimeo.

Thanks, Malcolm, for granting permission to share this fabulous animation that so brilliantly captures the spirit of the village fete.


Great festivals going on all over the West Coast.

An incredible 5,000 people turned out in San Diego yesterday for Floatopia, more than double the expected crowd!

Seems like everyone is ready to get outside and have some fun with their neighbors.

Sonoma County's Barrel Tasting Festival continues today and it's not too late to get up to Fort Bragg for a taste of chowder and microbrews at the annual Whale Watch Festival.

Hope you're finding some time to enjoy your community in this beautiful weather.

There's something going on for everyone it seems.

Why not get on out there and give your neighbors a hug?

They've been missing you.

The Tourists

The Tourists (2007) from Malcolm Sutherland on Vimeo.

They're coming!

Have a great weekend.

Hope your guests bring you lots of smiles.

You Know It's Bad Out There

when McPaper starts talking about it.

A brief article, it provides a good overview of the situation in the hotel industry as well as some seemingly contradictory viewpoints.

Of course, I think the contradiction, as regular readers already know, is really only a result of who is still in denial and who is not.

Some of the interesting facts that regular readers already know include

•In January, U.S. hotels had a record-low 45.1% occupancy rate — the lowest January rate since industry statistician Smith Travel Research began tracking data in 1987. Last year's rate — 54.8% — was the lowest ever recorded by the company.

You'll remember that I never bought STR's spin last fall that we'd rounded a bend. Some bend. Jesusmaryandjoseph.

Most interesting factoid:

"Banks don't want to take back the keys to distressed hotels in most situations," says Paul Heney of the trade publication Hotel & Motel Management. "They seem to be doing everything they can to negotiate with the ownership groups — to ride out the rest of this economic stress."

Closing a hotel is a huge risk, Heney says. Some believe "that the day a hotel closes its doors, it is worth 50% of what it was worth the day before," he says.

Silliest quote:

Despite the industry's deep financial woes, William Marks, managing director for San Francisco-based JMP Securities, says he doesn't believe the industry has been permanently altered.

"We are just experiencing the cyclical nature of the industry," he says. "Unfortunately, this is a more powerful downturn than normal."

Oh yeah, Dude. Just hang on to that denial as long as you can. Jeeeez.

Wouldn't have anything to do with the actual value of those securities he's sitting on? No, I didn't think so. Of course not.

Folks packaging securities definitely want the folks buying them to be fully informed. Right? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Hmmmmm.

Besides the super low rates out there, what are frequent guests noticing?

many frequent travelers who say they see the tangible effect that the recession has had on the nation's hotel industry. Among them: run-down rooms with fewer bathroom amenities, closed club lounges, fewer concierge staffers, slow room service, reduced hours at restaurants and bars, and infrequent airport shuttles.

Who seems to be most realistic about what's going on?

Unsurprisingly, it's the discounters.

"Despite early signs of a recovery toward the end of last year, few properties expect to raise prices," says Scott Booker, vice president of Hotels.com. "This could be another year of significant values for both business and leisure travelers worldwide."

What can small inns do?

Give guests what they're missing elsewhere: perfect service, thoughtfully designed and well-maintained rooms, inspired breakfasts, meaningful concierge assistance. In short, all the things we do well.

Because if guests are looking for a bargain, they don't need to come to us.

If they're looking for a perfect getaway, though, without the cutbacks they're finding elsewhere, small inns are the ticket.

Increasingly, it seems, small inns are the only players who remember what this whole hospitality thing is all about.

Tasting Spring

Heading out to taste the colors of spring myself.

Wildflowers are just screaming around here!

Beannacht

In memory of
Willie Mahoney 1910-1989 & Maggie Mahoney 1912-1989

Thank you for the invisible cloak.


Green blessings to all.

Sharing the Season's Bounty

Does your inn have its own organic garden?

Have you ever thought of teaching an organic gardening class for your guests but didn't know where to start?

Good news.

The folks at Appalachian Feet have done it and are sharing their simple plan for a 15-30 minute class with the world.

They include not only the handout they used in their own class but tips on where to go for additional information.

The handout has great down-to-basics for beginners including

Gardening is not spraying… almost everything you need to do is to your SOIL, not your plants.

Four steps for a healthy garden:

* Loamy soil (6″ or more deep with lots of compost & a mulch of some sort)
* The right spot (6+ hours of sun)
* The right plant (Disease resistant, etc.)
* Plenty of water (Soil the consistency of a wrung-out sponge)

DON’T STEP IN YOUR BEDS. Use paths and stepping stones ONLY.

Spring is in the air and organic gardeners everywhere are preparing beds for planting.

Maybe it's time to incorporate that bounty of future abundance into a special for your inn.

Just think of the trend you might be starting.

Spring at Last

Finally spring is actually creeping out from the shadows.

Wildflowers are popping out all over Northern California.

Winter storms are dissipating. Whales are just starting their migration up the coast, mothers with calves in tow.

What a great time for a quick break to enjoy it all.

Specials abound at small inns this March and deals are everywhere you look.

Some inns have found some especially creative ways to capitalize on their most precious commodity: themselves.

One of my favorite specials this month is from the talented innkeepers at Sonoma Orchid Inn, Dana Murphy and Brian Siewert. For folks heading to the Russian River, they've got a special that's sure to keep spirits revived long after guests get home.

Sure, you'd think they might like orchids with a name like the Sonoma Orchid Inn. You might even think they know something about orchids.

But how about a package that includes saving your own orchids? Now that's special:

Stay any two nights and bring your orchid with you. We'll help you figure out what's right, what's wrong, and repot and possibly divide the orchid in appropriate orchid medium. Any type of orchid will do. We know about all common orchids and many exotics.

Yep, I'd say they know something about orchids alright. An
orchid-spa getaway. Love it.

Of course, if it's a deal you're after this season, they're out there in abundance.

The trick as an innkeeper, of course, is to tie those specials to longer stays while coming up with something new to catch a potential guest's eye.

The innkeepers at the fabulous Gingerbread Mansion in Ferndale have an ongoing range of specials that are particularly unique in their approach. Each of the 4 innkeepers has their own special posted each season.

This month, my favorites are Juli's stay 3 nights for $300 and Sue's hot weekend special, 2 nights for $300. Seriously who could resist at those great rates? I'm so there.

Of course, the guys at the Gingerbread Mansion are not to be outdone at all. Turns out they're both romantics. One's even a hopeless romantic. So Vince and Robert are offering specials that are all about the add-ons: champagne, flowers, chocolate. Perfect moments are their specialties, it seems.

For the frugal getaway or the hopeless romantic on a mission to create the perfect moment, there's a special that makes the whole plan easy.

That's some real teamwork.

Ready for Spring?

Ready or not, here it comes!

Need an Office Getaway?

Finding room at the inn for a quiet place to catch up on paperwork, plan specials, and just generally get away from interruptions is not always easy.

Precious space usually goes first to income-generation. Innkeeper space for contemplation is almost always last on the list.

But if you've got a quiet corner on your property, you might have room for an office getaway. The simple ModPod shown above retails for around $3,000 and might be just the ticket.

After all, we all need a getaway every now and then.

Finding space for a daily getaway right in your own backyard might be easier than you think.

And wouldn't it be fun to have a little place to escape to every now and then?

H/T Shedworking

Fasten Your Seatbelts

Anyone who believed the myth held out late last year that rates in 2010 would stabilize won't find comfort in this.

Arthur Frommer shares with us his takeaway on presentations by hotel discounters last week at the NY Times Travel Show. It's not good. Or as Arthur says,

"a certain Sam Shank of Deal Base, appeared on yesterday's Travel Show presented by my daughter and myself, eagerly describing all the colorful ways in which travelers can slash their hotel expenses by making use of his popular site. His was a dramatic presentation of a hotel industry in bad trouble."

And Arthur, of course, is absolutely right. The race to the bottom is a manifestation of "a hotel industry in bad trouble" indeed.

The price war is not only continuing, it's deepening. It's getting "more colorful" as the battles intensify.

For travelers, it's all about deals.

Like $85 for deluxe room in a waterfront boutique hotel, the lovely Hotel Griffon in San Francisco.

And the deals aren't limited to hotels. No, once the price wars start, it seems everyone wants in, including B&Bs.

There's the second night FREE special at the Green Gables Inn in Pacific Grove, bringing the nightly rate down to $92.

Or the similarly priced special at the Gosby House Inn, also in Pacific Grove, bringing its rate down to just $90!

Get ready. It's going to be one tough season.

Movable Vertical Garden

Regular readers know I have something of a passion for living walls.

I've always loved the way a vertical wall can transform even the smallest of passageways into elegant life-filled spaces.

Recently I've also been fascinated by those used to filter air through HVAC systems in larger spaces.

Here's an idea for a vertical garden that seems tailor made for small inns.

A movable green wall allows space to be defined at whim, creating a cozy wedding area or the ability to partition off a private outdoor spa area.

The potential uses are as endless as an innkeeper's originality and vision.



What a brilliant concept from the creative folks at Maximize Design.

H/T Gavin at Living Walls and Vertical Gardens

Unacceptable

This is the kind of thing that gives all hospitality associations a bad name.

Kudos to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau for swiftly taking action.

Shame shame shame on the Tennessee Hospitality Association for not doing the same.

Why does this man still have his name anywhere near that organization?

An apology will not be enough.

UPDATE: March 8, pm. Finally.

Close at Hand

The Fabulous Frenchie is a big fan of pies of all kinds. So we have lots of them around our house. Savory pies, fruit pies, any kind of pie will do.

When we want a pie in a hurry, I'll often make a galette, which can be put together in just a few minutes with ingredients I always have on hand.

Apple Galette Receipt

1 pate brisee (the basic pie crust of 1 cup flour, 1 stick butter cut into tiny bits, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sugar cut together with a wee bit of ice water added gradually to keep the butter cool)

4 or 5 organic Pink Lady or Granny Smith apples
1/4 cup sugar
a pinch or 2 of cinnamon to taste

Peel and core apples. Cut into thick slices.

Mix sugar and cinnamon, toss apples in the sugary mix

Roll out pastry dough into a 12-14 inch circle. Arrange apples in crust, leaving a 1-2 inch margin all around. Roll up dough edges over the apples.

Bake in hot oven (400 degrees) for 45 minutes.

Try your best to let it cool before the Fabulous Frenchie sees it. It never lasts long around here.

Generally not even long enough to photograph.

Sold!

The news that bedandbreakfast dot com has been sold to HomeAway Inc, an Austin-based company that specializes in the vacation rental market, sent more than a ripple of shockwaves out to worried B&B owners.

But is there reason for concern? I doubt it.

HomeAway Inc. is a savvy and well-funded company with a history of smart acquisitions.

Chances are that they'll leave the bedandbreakfast site and offerings relatively unchanged.

They'll likely end up promoting the use of Webervations and Rezovations programs substantially on their other sites and, in the process, ensuring their continuous improvement and ongoing success.

Besides that, what can we expect? More teevee advertising for B&Bs perhaps and that would be quite an improvement.

Who are they?

Remember this Super Bowl ad?



And yes, word is that there are more ads featuring the Griswolds in the works.

My prediction? Innkeepers will quickly lose their fear of the unknown when HomeAway Inc starts shelling out the big bucks for ads focusing on B&Bs.

Me? I'm not worried one bit.

I think that, all in all, this is very good news for small inns.

The Year of the Tiger Has Arrived

And what a joyous arrival.



Celebrated with a day that's all about family gatherings.



Including many impromptu gatherings for photos to
commemorate the day's good luck.



There was no shortage of photographers trying to capture the moment and who could blame them.



The pride of the many contingents, over 100 this year, was as obvious as it was deserved.



Chinatown is always awash in color and filled with a conglomeration
of sounds and rich aromas.



On this day, though, that vibrancy was multiplied many times over.



Lion dancers worked hard to scare off any evil spirits.
I think they got them all.



Some of the dragon dancers got close enough for me to touch the dragon's shimmering silk, so I'm pretty sure my luck for this year is all set.



All in all, a wonderful celebration that seemed to almost guarantee good fortune.



Welcome, tiger.



We are ready for you.



Thanks, as always, to the Fabulous Frenchie for the wonderful photos.