Oh the Emerald Isle

If you think the real estate crash in America is bad, take a look at the land of my people.

Zombie hotels, 60% of hotel loans in distress. Lloyds, the biggest lender to hotels in Ireland, is pulling out of the country altogether.

Yes, there are steps that can be taken to pull us out of this slump. No, those steps don't involve austerity measures.

In fact, if you want to see how well austerity measures work, I suggest you take a look at how that's working out for Ireland.

And no, we'll never again fill all the hotel rooms that will sit empty around the world. It's a whole new game out there, folks.

Batter up.

As the man says,

"It's a game of last man standing."

Although, who knows. Maybe last woman standing?

Smile

Indian Summer is just around the corner. What a wonderful time to be in Northern California. Warm days, cool nights.

Come on out.

The Marine Layer Returns

We had a 2-day break from the summer's thick fog. Went from breaking cold temp records to breaking high temp records overnight.

If there's one thing we know here in the Northern California coastal region, it's that the hotter it gets, the thicker the fog. And today, waking up to chilly temps, that truth was in the forefront of all of today's activities.

Bundle up out there. It's going to be chilly for the next few days.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm pretty happy about that. All my favorite outdoor activities are made much easier by the free air conditioning that fog provides.

Heading out right now to enjoy a bit of it, in fact. Hope you are, too.

Newsflash: Guests LOVE Self Check-In

One issue that constantly comes up with innkeepers, whether they're just starting out or have been around for quite some time, is what to do about late check-ins.

To me, the answer has always been clear. Develop a self check-in system for late arrivals. Make sure it's secure, discreet, and easy to use. Make sure any guests arriving late know what to expect, how to get in, and where to go. Make sure there's a number to call just in case they have a problem.

And then get some rest yourself. Tomorrow morning will arrive whether you're tired or not.

After all, the biggest threat to successful innkeeping is burnout, made only worse by unrealistic goals or an inability to impose limits.

The good news? Of all of the inns who have followed my advice and established a self check-in system over the past few years, not one of them is looking back. Why? It works.

And here's another great reason. Guests LOVE it.

Now, thanks to those innovative Frenchies, self check-in is spreading big-time across Europe (and making an appearance in North America, too) as the big guys find more ways to mimic the small inn industry.

And no, my system does not involve a kiosk. Still, the kiosk system works for a larger hotel system and you gotta hand it to them for finding a way to save money and make guests happy all in one fell swoop.

While the system I generally recommend involves lock boxes, there are many options. Each small inn is unique so a unique approach is always required. I'm convinced, though, that there is a self check-in system that will work for every inn, regardless of size.

Whatever system you use, free yourself from the tyranny of waiting for hours for late arriving guests. Give them what they want: independence.

And then enjoy a little independence yourself. You deserve it. And your guests deserve an innkeeper who is refreshed and happy to see them in the morning, no matter what time they arrived last night.

The Cliff is Always More Fun on the Way Up

News that home sales fell off a cliff last month have sent shock waves around the country today.

Personally, I'm shocked at the shock. But maybe that's just because I'm paying attention. Newsflash: when people don't have jobs, they can't buy houses.

And, by the way, no B&Bs aren't selling either. At least not until the bank takes them over, drops the price down to the magic million dollar mark regardless of the appraised value.

How are those auctions and fire sales impacting the price of inns with good financials, great locations, and everything going for them?

They're dropping the realistic selling price to a level that most owners can't go.

Most current owners that is. You know, the folks who love their inns, made their dreams come to life, gave their all with the expectation that they'd get their compensation when they sell.

That's certainly what their broker told them and that's certainly what they learned when they went to those aspiring seminars. And you know those people didn't have any reason to say that if it wasn't true. Right? Right?

Sigh.

Soon we'll meet the new crop of inn owners. It'll be fairly easy recognize them by their carpet-covered bags.

No, they don't know diddly-squat about running an inn but they're planning to go to those helpful and informative seminars led by folks who don't want to be innkeepers themselves anymore.

No, it's not really a dream of theirs and no, they don't really care about the guests. But they do have cash.

Funny how that works.

Or doesn't. It all depends on your point of view, I suppose. And the carpet on your bags.

Just Lay Those Thoughts To Rest

Recently an inn owner asked me if I thought we had really cleared an industry-wide hurdle, as the Pollyannas-With-Conflicts-Of-Interest keep suggesting.

Of course, I told her that if she'd ever read my blog she would know the answer. I then went on to tell her that she can put those thoughts to rest.

As much as I'd like to give great news to B&B owners everywhere, I've long been of the mindset that truth is important. Friends don't let friends fool themselves all the way to the poorhouse.

No, sadly, the worst is still ahead.

The survivors will be those who know that now and take steps to deal with reality.

What about pretending? Well, if you want your inn to end up selling for half its value after the bank takes it over, then have at it.

If you want to survive, stick around. No Pollyannas here. And no fairy tales either.

Risky Business

The thing about traveling abroad is that large luxury hotels often create an illusion of safety.

The reality is that large luxury hotels are not only a target for the rich foreigners.

They're also a target for the folks who want to do bad things to those rich foreigners.

We're All Boutique Now

So Reuters tells us that the big guys are all into boutique lodging these days.

Hmmmm.

Well, yes, since guests much prefer the personal touch and thoughtful design and all that, I can see why everyone wants to go boutique.

But I guess it comes down to just what the big guys think is boutique:

Hotel experts add it is difficult to duplicate or even define the boutique hotel segment. Such hotels can range from around 100 rooms to 1,000 and from two-star to five.

"You can insult someone by saying their hotel is not a boutique and they think it is," said Robert Mandelbaum, director of research with Colliers PKF Hospitality Research.

I don't want to insult anyone so I guess I shouldn't tell you that I don't consider any 1,000 room hotel to be boutique anything. They might have a boutique in there but it's not the lodging.

Heck, if I wasn't so concerned about possibly insulting someone, I'd probably tell you that I don't consider any 100 room hotel to be boutique.

Maybe that's just me. Oh, wait.

Sausalito Houseboat Tours Coming Up

Don't miss it.

With advance tickets priced at just $35, this year's tour, on September 25th, is a real bargain.

And what a lovely way to spend a fall afternoon.

If Only You Believed in Miracles

The history of rock and roll in the sixties and the history of Marin County are so intertwined that sometimes it's difficult to even imagine separating the two.

No place in the county are there more famous rockstars (as well as former homes of rockstars) than Mill Valley. In Mill Valley, privacy is not only possible for the very famous, it's a natural part of town life.

The cabins and former lodges that hide in the redwoods and peak out onto views of Mt Tam are rarely shown to the public so this glimpse into one of those homes is as wonderful as its kitchen collage.

Summertime

And the living is easy.

Enjoy your weekend!

Here Come The Brides

How cool is that?

A Century of Celebrating Apples

Say Sonoma County and most folks think of grapes. And it's true that grapes do love the Sonoma climate.

But the area around Sebastopol is also especially good for apples. Gravensteins in particular.

This weekend, the 100th annual Gravenstein Apple Fair takes place at Ragle Park in Sebastopol. You don't really know apples until you've been to the Gravenstein Fair. It promises bushels of fun.

And apples. Sweet, crisp, Gravenstein Apples.

Go Green On Vacation in One Minute Or Less

Great tips to pass on to guests on simple steps they can take themselves to travel responsibly.

Another great clip from WhatYouCanDo365.com

H/T Sonya at Traveling Greener

Here's the Basic Problem

Until this gets fixed, expect more of what we've been seeing since the bubble started to burst.

August Fog

August always brings fog to Northern California. Free air conditioning, those of us who live here count it among our blessings.

This year, though, the fog came early and doesn't want to lift. It's a very dense marine layer that just won't quit, it seems.

Nothing to do about that but enjoy it. Just bundle up. Temps are running at least 10 degrees below normal.

It's lovely out. But chilly. Leave those shorts at home.

Box Show Starts This Weekend

Give 150 of West Marin's best artists each one simple wooden box with one agenda: create a unique work of art to be sold at the Box Show. The resulting show is always breathtakingly wonderful. Every single year.

Gallery Route One's biggest annual fundraiser is also one of West Marin's most endearing traditions.

This year's show starts this weekend with an opening reception on Sunday. Be there or be square. The show continues until the weekend after Labor Day when the ongoing silent auction comes to an end with a closing reception.

Maybe it's my Irish luck but I manage to get my favored box just about every year. Get to Gallery Route One this weekend to pick yours. And keep visiting over the next few weeks to up your bid.

You'll just have to hope you don't pick the same one I do. Like I said, I'm lucky that way.

Wedding Bell Blues

The world eagerly awaits the decision from Judge Walker about just how soon all those weddings can begin in California.

Meanwhile, smart innkeepers are getting ready for the deluge.

Cake anyone?

Love Wins

Hate lost. Actually if you read the transcripts of the closing arguments, it would be fair to say that hate was eviscerated.

We all win when love wins.

If you're in the San Fran area, whatever your orientation, I think you'll find the Castro to be pretty lively place tonight.

You can avoid the traffic there altogether or you can follow my advice: join the celebration.

Bubbly will be flowing freely. As well it should.

A proud day for all Californians.

And a busy day for innkeepers. Just think of all those weddings just waiting in the wings.

Sustainable Accolades

Among the many choices of wineries in St Helena, the lovely Hall winery shines. From the LEED certification to their sustainable growing practices, there's much to like. And that's before you even taste their delightful bordeaux.

So it's no surprise that they're being honored for that. Congratulations to all the good folks at Hall.

And to the rest of you - stop in and see them next time you're looking for a fabulous wine with a unique distinction.

15 Million So Far

And that's a lowball estimate.

McEvoy Ranch Tour This Friday

If it's summer, it must be time for the much loved annual farm hikes and tours sponsored by Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT).

This week's tour: Nan McEvoy's fabulous olive farm, just a few miles outside of Petaluma. If you're in the area, I highly recommend trying to get into this tour.

But don't worry. If you can't make it to McEvoy Ranch, there's another tour coming up later in August in Chileno Creek Valley: Gale Ranch. Sally Gale is a 5th generation West Marin rancher. Her husband Mike will lead hikers on a tour of their family farm. You'll pick heirloom apples and enjoy with local cheese. Who can resist that?

If I had to choose between these 2 tours, it would be a toss up for me. The only solution? Tour both. You won't be disappointed.

Another Cool Week

Here in beautiful and foggy California. Bundle up and enjoy the crisp air.

Perfect weather for a nice long hike.