It's Back

The marine layer has returned to much rejoicing. Not for long, though, so enjoy that free AC while it lasts.

Beach weather just around the corner.

Heat Wave

It's hot as the dickens out there. We're all just trying to find a cool spot.

Another Bountiful Week

And a hot one here in lovely California. Hope you're finding a way to stay cool.

Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival

The creme de la creme of Northern California arts festivals continues all day today in Old Mill Park.

Amazing artists. Redwoods. Music. Activities for the kids.

Heck, there's even a free shuttle.

What's not to like?

A Reprieve for Some Troubled Inns

A very reasonable step, in my humble opinion.

Of course, that's probably no surprise to most regular readers.

Stories of the Coast

Coastwalk has introduced a series of free 10-minute podcasts.

While the series will eventually include the entire California coast, the introductory podcasts are related to two spots close to my heart: Point Reyes and Bodega Head.

The podcasts have an almost nostalgic feeling, narrated by the sometimes quivering voices of the activists whose roles were instrumental in saving these spots.

The first, The Story of the Hole in the Head, is aptly summarized on their website:

Standing at the site of the Hole in the Head, overlooking Bodega Bay, Bill Kortum tells us the history of the Hole, and how it ignited the environmental movement in California, leading to the formation of the California Coastal Commission, the end of nuclear power on Bodega head and a whole new view on coastal advocacy

The second release, Life in the Upwelling, tells a different story. Its narrator starts out with this:

"Standing out here at Point Reyes and feeling the ocean around you, the coolness of it, it helps you to understand California."

I'd agree with that, wholeheartedly.

Both are great tools for innkeepers along the coast. Both are fabulous.

But don't take my word for it. Go on over there and check them out yourself.

Finally

Fall and, with it warm weather has arrived. It's just glorious out.

Birds, birds everywhere.

Smart

Consolidation and partnerships are, for better or worse, the new game these days. Hotels of all sizes are available for sale at bargain rates, so somebody with deep pockets was bound to see this as a brand new opportunity altogether.

Of course, Sir Richard Branson would be right there at the front of the line. And, as usual, he's looking to fill just the right niche: tech-savvy, young, hip, metropolitan. He knows travel and, better yet, has shown an abiding respect for travelers.

No hotels yet but that's about to change. Virgin Hotels is looking to buy up to $500 Million in properties in the next 3 years.

And they're open to partnership opportunities that could be the saving grace for many struggling midsize urban hotels.

Very, very smart.

Fabulous Hotel Blogs

Innkeepers spend a lot of time these days on social media but, in my opinion, none has more potential to impact their bottom line more than the humble blog.

Not only does a good blog provide a constant conduit of information for guests, it also can greatly enhance an inn's online placement.

So what makes a great blog? The good folks at LondonHotelInsight have dissected the best London hotel blogs and have come up with some great tips. Do go over and read the whole thing. The tips are valuable across all hotel segments and have special importance to small inns.

Then get going. Guests are out there searching for information for their next vacation. You want them to find your inn, don't you?

Thinking of Buying One of Those Foreclosures?

I know, I know. All those brokers keep saying there's nothing to be afraid of.

Sure the price is half the inn's value and, for some, that might be considered a warning sign. No financials available. No info available at all, for that matter.

But at half-price, what's to lose?

Well, it turns out, plenty.

Sure, you have an attorney. And, of course, you have title insurance. But if the lender didn't have title to the property - and many don't right now - that title insurance may be worthless.

Yep, you might be buying an inn that the bank doesn't actually own.

I don't know about you but, for me, that's plenty to be afraid of. At any price.

Rainy Sunday

Our first winter storm came today. Okay, it's not winter yet and it wasn't really much of a storm but hey, it's California and it rained. In September.

It's not supposed to rain in September so we don't really have a word for that.

Well, we do actually have a word for that. But it is Sunday, after all.

So as they say, ain't no use complainin'. Only one thing to do: cookie extravaganza time!

The winning cookie during the last winter extravaganza was a simple sugar cookie, substituting coconut oil for most of the butter and heavy on the brown sugar. It was a chewy sensation.

Hmmmm. I think that's going to have to be the first cookie up.

Migration

It's that time, again. And, oh, what a wonderful time it is.

Please Do Not Even Think of Going There

I've hesitated to get involved in what's apparently become an ongoing discussion within the innkeeper community: sharing of blacklisted guest lists.

My hesitation has only been because it's rather mind boggling to me that this is even up for discussion by anyone with a brain. But several innkeepers have now asked me to weigh in on this so here's my answer.

No. Under no circumstances whatsoever. No. Never.

Not shared with your friends on some online forum. Not shared with your local B&B group. Not shared with one innkeeper's crazy idea to create a database.

And since this has become an issue that continues to be discussed, let me explain really quickly why. Not that any explanation should be necessary.

Protecting guest privacy should be considered paramount to any innkeeper worth his or her salt. That means not sharing any information whatsoever about that guest to anyone the guest hasn't authorized you to share that information with - unless, of course, there's a warrant. No warrant, no info.

What will happen to those innkeepers who foolishly share information about disruptive guests? You think they're disruptive now, just wait. In America, we have this nifty tool to keep people from doing stupid things like that. It's called litigation.

Share that blacklist and that litigation will be coming to an inn near you soon. Trust me on this one. Do not even think of going there.

Okay, now can we go back to discussing issues that ought to be up for discussion? Because this is not.

Not by anyone with an ounce of sanity, that is.

A Detente of Sheep

Cathy Holmes over at Hotel Law Blog has a short but sweet post up with great tips on how to make a joint venture work. We are in the days of creative financing solutions for many small inns, so I highly recommend that you go on over and read the whole thing.

Multiple owners of a small inn can spell disaster if done carelessly. Sadly, most end up badly. The truth is, though, that multiple owners don't have to mean trouble.

Some regular readers know that I spent many years guiding organizations and movements, large and small, to cohesion. To folks unskilled in organization development tools, the entire process can often look like herding cats. In fact, if done badly, that's exactly what it is.

The good news is that it just doesn't have to be that way. And, yes, having a skilled OD consultant to pull it all together certainly helps. But here's a little secret. It's not always necessary. Yes, the sheep can herd themselves much of the time, especially if given some boundaries.

What does it take to succeed? While Cathy's post focuses on 4 keys for success (and I agree with all of them), it's really simple. Get it all out there. Put it all on the table. Reach agreement on how this whole thing is going to work.

No, I'm not just talking about the money although reaching firm decisions on spending and investing is critical.

No, I'm talking about everything. Conflicts. Pecking order. Financial rules. Operating systems. Exit plans. The whole ball of wax. And yes, put it all in writing.

Can't reach agreement on those things? Don't do it, then.

Joint ventures can work, if all the parties play by the same rules. If they can't even agree on the rules? No. No. No. Just don't go there at all.

After all, herding sheep is easy if you're the shepherd. Just don't try getting your neighbor's sheep to follow your commands.

Vichyssoise

Be warned. Although this is definitely a lower fat version than the Vichyssoise I made for years, this is not a low fat soup. Undoubtedly that's why it is so wonderful. But for an elegant soup that always brings in the oohs and ahhs, it's a remarkably simple soup to make.

The original soup was made with cream; I now use half-and-half instead. Although it took a little experimenting on the portions of the veggies to get that same rich flavor, I think I finally got it right a couple of years ago.

Versatile, it's a great first course for just about any dinner. Pairs well with a nice Sancerre.

3 summer leeks chopped
1 sweet onion chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup thinly sliced yellow potatoes
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup half and half

Wilt leeks and onion in butter. Add broth and potato slices, simmer 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Slowly add half and half and gently simmer 5 minutes.

Blend until smooth. Refrigerate overnight. Serve chilled. Serves 6-8.

If you're looking for me for the next half hour, I'm sitting on a deck in the redwoods, enjoying an afternoon bowl of soup, the sunshine, and the perfect fall air. Glass of Sancerre nearby, of course.

Hope there's an afternoon break on your schedule, too.

All's Quiet

Here on the Western Frontier.

That's Not Good

Hotel Stock Index down 6.7% in August, according to the good folks at Baird/STR.

The money quote:

"The key issue facing investors in hotel stocks is the strength of the economy," said David Loeb, managing director of Baird's hotel research platform. "During the last month, investors have become nervous about the sustainability of the economic recovery, and hotel stocks have been hit hard as a result. We expect hotel shares to remain volatile near term until a clearer consensus emerges about hotel demand trends for the rest of 2010 and 2011."

Of course, if you're looking for some of that old-fashioned Pollyanna news, there's always this. Yep. The good news is all about who gets more time to pay those debts they can't afford to pay.

Sorry but that's just about as Pollyannaish as it gets today.

Perfect Fall Day

Here in Northern California.

Sure hope you're out there enjoying it.

Gute Nacht Bärbel

Bärbel Bohley
May 24, 1945 - Sept 11, 2010

"Don't Let the Foreclosure Scare You"

After all, it's been reduced down to that magic one million dollar price that all foreclosures in California seem to favor these days.

Call me a skeptic, but I'm not buying the "closed for renovations" thing.

Jeeeze.

And Every Memory Will Seem Like Make-Believe

There Is No Box

The wonderful thing about the Box Show, besides the artists and the boxes, is that it's a double-reception exhibit.

Yes, that's right. If you missed the Opening Show for Gallery Route One's Box Show, just do what the locals do. Go to the Closing Show.

This Sunday afternoon in Point Reyes Station. Be there or be square.

After all, how are you ever going to beat me out of my favored bid if you don't even try.

Right Place, Right Time

Hope you're finding time for some contemplative moments this holiday weekend.

Ah Indian Summer

It's almost here. That time of year when the insanity of summer tourism slows down just enough for an innkeeper to catch her breath.

Here in the West, it's also when our best weather arrives.

Time to put food away for the winter, taste the last few bites of fresh tomatoes, and savor warm daytime breezes.

Ahhhh.

Labor Days

Bridging the different labor days in our family is just one cross-cultural game that never ends.

In France, where just about everything is a good excuse for a strike or work-protest and holidays are a good excuse for giving flowers, Labor Day is a mix of just that.

French Labor Day means strikes/protests and expressions of affection. Children give dog-rose flowers to elderly ladies. Workers strike. It's the perfect French holiday.

Of course, Labor Day in France comes early. Before summer. May Day is Labor Day.

Here, no such traditions. We Americans have never had a day just for striking. We're not really a striking bunch, it turns out.

That suits me just fine as long as we find other means of making our grievances known, which we seem to find our own ways of doing. It seems to me, as an American, that holidays are for fun not for work.

Besides, the end-of-summer tradition of a cookout at the beach with no other requirements whatsoever strikes me as the perfect tradition.

But then again, maybe that's just my American nature.

And oh yes, about those flowers. I think I count as elderly these days, so I should get them. Non? Oui.

I think oui wins. Don't make me strike about that.