sunnyd

[quote user="Benjamin"]There is, possibly, a very sceptical scenario that could be unfolding for your friends. Estate Agent loosely tries to explain what could happen under French law and advises your friends that, to avoid any possible repercussions, they should allow him to market the property at the price they paid for it plus a reasonable percentage that would avoid your friends having to pay over some of the profit to the previous owner. Result - house goes on the market at less than current market value and sells very quickly. Agent trousers his commission and receives only a bit less than he would have done if it had sold for the true market value. Only a thought. Benjamin [/quote]   I had this happen in the last month. The agent that sold us the property was asked to mandate it for its sale again, they said that it was worth the same as we paid for it (without leaving their desk or mention the price scenario), simply said that property prices had not moved in the area. Yet, two seperate valuations showed us that the property is now worth 110,000 Euros more than we originally paid. We knew it was a bargain when we bought it but the difference is remarkable. We moved into the house 1 year ago but signed the compromise 2 years ago November coming. Hopefully when a buyer is found, the Notaire will take into account that the compromise was actually signed (therefore the property sold) 2 years ago November coming. We have done no renovations to the property except re decorate and clean it, properly How can it be deemed that a sort of foul play has been comitted by the current owner as to the price paid, surely the dispute should be with the agents that must have valued it well below market value originally. Are there any other implications to this scenario that we as sellers cannot see? What if the seller wanted to sell the property under a certain value for their own tax reasons? (would they then still be willing to claim "lesion", I doubt it). So, it begs that the scenario above could indeed be in force.

[quote]Be my guest, sue me then ! How's it going to read ? The person with no name sues Miki, well at least you would have to break cover and then we will find out about you!!"Your comments re internet and w...[/quote] "" Oh and another thing...read my text, I don't want your help, never did, never asked (only in jest)I give help freely, something you simply would not do and that is just selfish. "" Ouf of context, i will help anyone at any time, but Internet promotion and website optimisation you should be aware of is a very costly business and no one, thats no one, will part with their knowledge on that count. Be aware, you where and are the exception to my offer of free help made to all earlier, you have it all already and doesnt everyone know it, keep up the good work but be happy

[quote]SunnyD, My guess would be that you are targeting a particular niche in the market. Nothing wrong in that of course, but it's just the feeling I get from reading your posts. I could easily be wro...[/quote] Thanks, a voice of reason does exist here........ But you suggest it is just me that could be doing that. I have never said anything less than what I do, but others think I should be doing it their way only for it to be correct. They also should know from experience, different areas of France have different rules and regulations. In France, nothing is black and white, hence confusion making a big grey area in the middle where mis understandings come into play. You cannot tar many things in france with the same brush.  

[quote]SunnyD, My guess would be that you are targeting a particular niche in the market. Nothing wrong in that of course, but it's just the feeling I get from reading your posts. I could easily be wro...[/quote] "“The term "Guest" should be refrased into "Paying customer" - Thats what they are, you have advertised and encouraged their custom, if they are paying, please appreciate that major fact.”" "That’s not a comment surely, that is more a command to see something that we think we might just already know." Not a command by any means, you shoose to see or take it that way, your choice. "“It appears that most B&B owners here, want the monies but not the anaomlies of folk, this should of been thoroughly thought through before the £/€ signs appeared in their eyes.”" QThat was a comment aimed at people who know their trade, from someone with a room or two to let, whilst the rest of us have worked out how to tat the clienst well enough to have a good business, we are accused of just wanting the money without the problems, what are we then stupid and just do it to annoy our clients. We have been in the game a long, long while, and we think we may just have it right by now! Your post tells us we should have known how to run it before we started, well sorry….only experience means anything in this business and I will accept no other way." It was a comment aimed at people that cannot or did not expect to oddities of paying customers and yes, of course with experience you learn. Then you too know and accept the anomolies of folk, if you choose to complain about it, you still have not accepted it even with experience. The a little classic : “…What has another income got to do with running an accommodation business????? I fail to see any corelation to this subject. If you are running a business, you run it right to the best of your ability.” It has a lot to do with it, how handy to have some interest accruing annually behind you and a nice capital in the bank ! Sure makes it easier to run any business. “….I do not have another income, and as said earlier, it would of been a mistake originally to buy a property too large that would require needing guaranteed business income. People have a choice to cut the cloth to suite their needs and live with that descision” ""Oh and here’s another of your quotes saying how long you had been here doing B&B “I also think the assumption here is that I have just moved to France last week, I have lived here 5 years and have all of the experience that brings 2 There’s that word again…experience, yet you have said I have educated you, really is a bit worrying that part. For someone who has done so much, 5 years is enough to teach you most of what you need to know, surely ? "" Whoops here we go again, NO INCOME, ones little stash simply forgotten eh ? do you also tell the Impôts that you have no other income ? Or just for our benefit."" I thought you new all of the rules and regs in France....... All of the above is pure drivvel. I do not have another income, my property is not where I chose to keep my funds, others do and have to work hard to keep up a certain standard of living, there choice.  I use my past assets for now, others choose to keep it in bricks and morter for cashing in in later in life, I again, because of my artners two heart attacks chose to make the most of that monies now. Very simple to understand really. Appologies to all who are tired of this thread but I will not be misunderstood and meanings put into those words by someone    

[quote]Crikey , What a thread !!!! I thought Sunny D was a drink, with artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives, I do know it has a funny taste,,,yuk... Has this got anything to do with this, ...[/quote] Nought to do with the drink, Shas ;-) It was how I was feeling, off the top of my head when I signed up..........Obviously as you have read, that taste is now decidedly sour..........

[quote]OK sunnyd, I will admit that I don’t want or need any help from you.So now I am asking you to help others who may well need your help. Tell me where you are and I will tell only those hours away from ...[/quote] Now I am childish as well as a liar and whatever else you have already branded me on here. You, thus far have managed to bludgeon a new members honesty, business skils etc etc and told me what I can and cannot do with my business and available earned skills. So I am supposed to just take it on the chin and offer you advice free gratis after all of the above and mores abuse hurling. Get real, thats not childish, think again about your actions and accusations in a public place (which believe me (once at least), that is still seen as slander). At this point again I will echo my last obviously childish and unhelpful offer " if someone contacted me privately, I would see if there were glaring problems with their website, that though would not include any detailed remedies per say " Your comments re internet and website help does show that you know very little about this particular side of promotion. It is nothing to do with any competition, as I have already clearly stated once. It is a practice that can be applied to any business therefore any given help at all is beneficial to not only accommodation owners. That is why it costs so much to have the job done by any proffessional, even then, they would do the work for you or recommend what to do but not tell you exactly the reasons and logic behing it for you to apply it elsewhere. Once again, third or fourth time of asking- " I joined here to give comments as well as take them, not to be questioned and constantly branded as a liar. " 

[quote]>>>Words now fail me at the ineptitude to accept another's word and to accuse them of lying point blank. Get on and get over it, some people do it differently, have different views and it works just g...[/quote] Gay, please re read the thread, what comments have I made that have "Judged" anyone? Again, I have told how I run things, never once have I "Told" anyone they "should" be doing the same. Yes, I did work in website promotion and optimisation, successfully, previously I worked for 20 years on a reatail shop floor business, which was my own business. If that does not convince you of my people experience, maybe a letter from my Parents may help? I have no worries about competitors or anyone stealing as you put it (people walk with their feet at all times). What I am not prepared to do is give out information that can be applied to promote any business or company, careless of what type. Its a little naieve to think or even ask someone to do that in all honesty. But, if someone contacted me privately, I would see if there were glaring problems with their website, that though would not include any detailed remedies per say.......

[quote]Once again sunnyd, no answers and nothing to back up your claims. I know what we call people like that.................OK, assume we are all doing no good then and, we are all totally jealous of someo...[/quote] What backing of the truth, what makes you think that you even have the right to ask for such a thing? None, my word is my bond, trite but take it as read or disbelieve and accuse of being a liar as you obviously will...... "OK, assume we are all doing no good then and, we are all totally jealous of someone with a 99% rate occupancy, so please help us to find the way to fill all our humble abodes to that percentage." You are doing everything correctly anyway...........or have I stupidly missunderstood all of your remarks and accusations "What could me more generous than to help fellow members of LF ?"...... Maybe you should of thought of this in your responses to my honest comments and this total farce of a thread could have taken a completely different route for all. I joined here to give comments as well as take them, not to be questioned and constantly branded as a liar. Please go back to my previous responses asking you to quote my telling everyone and anyone how to run their businesses, as yet you havent cared to back up such accusations

[quote]Come on Sunnyd!!! We have all been open with our details and websites are you ashamed of yours? Or if its so good we may all want to pack up and get B and B s there! If it is so good and wonderful a...[/quote] Hi Lizzy H, Sorry, but as you will be well aware, trade secrets do not come under the loosly used "Honesty" lablel in the real world. Many years of hard work have led to my knowledge, it cannot be parted with that easily. I would never stoop low enough to pay for any paid inclusions, my money is valuable to me, you do not have and cow and go out and buy milk! There is far more to website promotion and optimisation than just keywords. I know that is why others choose to go via a large advertising website, fighting for customers out of many hundreds. I would offer to look over your website and give advice, but, as you will be aware on this forum, someone would tell you that "I cannot legally" do that without a registered business! I really do not see why you view me as being in a hole of some kind, if you think also that I have "lied" (unless you knew all about me, I assume that frustration of others success would bring that analogy out) or told others how they should run their businesses, again, please quote me exactly in context. The weather is brilliant here again today and the guests are out signing the "compromise" for their new French property they viewed yesterday.

[quote]Iam not worried about you in the sligtest, waht doe sconcern me is how nothing seems to ring true, you say one thong one minute, then move the goalposts and say something completely contradictory to w...[/quote] "" Be interesting Ejc to see if you get an answer ? Surely sunnyd, it would help you to get some feedback on your site, I know the rest of us have looked at each others places and often had some good advice given, we even have our own site, kindly donated by Arnold, where most of us can be found but as that was your game before (IT) then you will know you have got it bang on I guess. "" The conceit of it all! Believe me, as stated before, that was my previous job in the UK, you now want me to let you tell me how to do it, come on........Shot and foot come to mind As you well know and cannot put here in print, I have never told anyone how to run there business, purely pointed out my "Personal" opinion on what I do. Again you cannot or will not believe tha FACT, that I am in a great tourist village, with not one other accommodation within it. There are pleanty of gites with pools on the periphery but the majority I find, do not want to spend that amount of money to utilise only a small part of it. The property was very inexpensive as stated (Under 100,000 Euros) and needed hardly any work, yet still you cannot believe that either. Some people can still grab a bargain you know,again, as said before, right place right time. Words now fail me at the ineptitude to accept anothers word and to accuse them of lying point blank. Get on and get over it, some people do it differently, have dfferent views and it works just great

[quote]You’re right, there are some real dogs in the 1 & 2 star hotel category but it is entirely possible to find a charmer! I like the exclamation mark dewima !! Yes it is difficult isn't it !Charm, comfor...[/quote] Miki..........You really are going overboard about my own personal views, and to give an answer, in the same manner as your own, what are you worried about? There must be something for you read what you like into others views. I have never said at any time how anyone SHOULD run their ownbusiness, purely how I see things. If I have never said "You should be doing this" as you have, or, "You cannot do that" or "You are violating the codes", if I have please quote them contextually correctly. You on the other hand, are directly telling me what I can, cannot and should be doing. I am not here to try and drum up business by posting my website url at every given chance, I do not need to, it is already Google, Yahoo, MSN etc etc No1 for my particular search terms. I have never needed to advertise on a major site competing against hundreds of properties (creating and promoting websites WAS my business in the UK). The hosile response to personal views, that were not orders, as you see want to interpret them as, shows me that I am right not to post my website URL here ever, because there would obviously be something wrong with that too. I will run my business as I see fit, you and everyone else will run theirs in the same manner, if it works for you and them, great. I doubt that I am the first to face a tirade of "Liar" etc etc from you and no doubt will not be the last. As you should also be aware, most French Law is ambiguous, different areas require different criteria to be met. Be assured, all of mine are met for my area. In fact, the local Tourist office asked if we were with any other organisation and it did not make one jots difference to them. That may be because they are desperate for my accommodation here, if it were somewhere that has reached overkill, the need and criteria I could understand, may well be different. I enjoy what I am doing, am not stressed and really do have very happy guests, the latter being THE most important factor.

[quote]What are we comparing dewima. Shall we start comparing basic Inns to say the Negresco in Nice. At some point we all have to accept that there are many forms of lodging available to the public. We do ...[/quote] If I state I have no other income, it means exactly that, I HAVE NO OTHER INCOME. You will choose to believe what you will and see what you want to see within my comments. For your info, and you have no right to question, the current property is a new one, 2 months in and in a different department (historical Town cente, 300 yds from the tourist office ;-) and our ideal), hence, just starting again. An example that you may well understand, please try hard ;-) - If I had bought a property with 8 bedroom, to let 5, how much would it have cost me in a great location? 7-800,000 Euros -more + the upkeep? Instead, I CHOSE to buy a smaller one, in the same said great location for under 100,000 ready to go, right place right time, Hoorah...........Brilliant business savvy. I still have all of the left over monies earning interest, I do not have work myself silly to recoup. That is cutting your cloth, everyones choice as said afore. If you are happy at home, with your partner etc etcas I am, you really do not miss socialising with people that you have nothing in common with except being a local expat, we choose our own company and our guests. They are 99% of the time, full of life, full of excitement and certainly not bitching about Mary down the road. Sad, I dont think so by a long chalk. Of course, a new area and new french friends are in the making, they too will know the score re the working of our accommodation and they will be more than welcome to visit us anytime.  

[quote]Sunny D. Is your business actually registered with anyone ? I am a little concerned by this, solely because I wouldn't want any new readers to be mislead>>>My seasons will not be full to bursting as I...[/quote] Yes, Gay, the accommodation is registered with the tourist office 300 mtrs away. Now you are taking the suggestion of staying in all day to the extreme. The idea was that people should be out of their paid accommodation from around 10am to early evening or whenenver the owner returned from whatever they wanted/needed to do. I have never intimated that these "room" persons would not go out at certain times for a walk and for their meals. I do not prepare food for guests at any other time, breakfast only.  Of course if someone is ill in their room, the Doctor will be called, that stands to reason.

[quote]hi all! I have been watching this thread with interest and sometimes sheer amazement! I'm not into long drawn out arguments but on this occasion I felt as though I had to acknowledge my support for M...[/quote] This drawn out thread has been made longer because people are not willing to see or discuss sensibly any other point of view. Which is what it is, a point of view. Firstly.....What does B&B stand for exactly, thats B&B not Td'Hote or Hotel, B&B Bed and Breakfast. I am not talking about any other accommodation or the rules that apply to them. My thoughts on the size of accommodation and what that should make it in my eyes etc are my own, you dont have to like them or agree with them. " This part of the forum is for B and B owners to discuss our buisness and get advice from each other not to pull peoples advice apart! " Neither is it to pull peoples opinions apart on other accommodation types because those opinions differ from the "norm". My opinions are up for discussion just as much as the next mans. If the idea is to agree all of the time on everthing, what a bore that would be, yet you intimate that my feelings are not welcome here. Sorry, they are here and am sure a lot of people are learning a lot from the thread. That is the idea I assume? " Also I have found people who have no experience in the trade and don't work in it have the habit of telling us our jobs just cos they have stayed in a b and b once! I would 'nt go to your place of work and tell you your job would I! " And if you would care to READ my previous comments you would not be assuming that I have no experience in B&B I am not trying to tell anyone there job, I believe that people should have the option to stay in their B&B accommodation all day if they choose.

[quote]Just a quick question - would you then leave guests in your home while you go out to shop etc? I would guess that this would invalidate most insurances. If not - then it means completely arranging you...[/quote] I would like to be informed what I have suggested, exactly, that you think contravenes the GdF code? There is no point to your views if you do not share them properly and give the right information within its text to back your thoughts. I must have a chance to answer your claim precisely. No, I do not leave my property unatended at any time but at the same time do not dance attendance to any guests. I live in my home, I do not view it as a workplace that I need to get away from like many others obviously do. My partner and I share the trips to the supermarket etc when we need to go. As for a social life, our clients fullfill that need, we are out again tonight by invitation. We have no wish to get into the local expat scene for socialising, that descision was born from very early experience. Therefore we feel that we miss nothing because of our labours, we love it, strange but true I also think the assumption here is that I have just moved to France last week, I have lived here 5 years and have all of the experience that brings.

[quote]Now I understand...In the past, when we travelled in France, our family would eagerly seek out small signs that indicated “chambre” or interesting looking gites or CDH. We were always in search of th...[/quote] Hi dewima I honestly think that the system may be ok, just that the deffinitions of certain accommodation be clarified more clearly as what to expect. As you have read, I do not hold the view that a "Paying" client should not always be expected to be out all day and therefore, I assume, I would not be alone with that thought. People are all different and expect different things from each situation. If a hosts ideas were more clearly known there would be no need for the "feeling guilty" that some people do obviously feel. As clearly stated by others, if someone were to be ill or need to stay n their room for certain reasons, they would not object. My reasoning is that not everyone wants to be out all day, or to go sightseeing etc etc and should be allowed the choice. Some people think that this is not the "Norm" for a B&B business, some accommodation owners have always had this analogy, some not. I cannot speak for other types of busnesses but for me, it works and I know it is appreciated, especially in the winter months

[quote]Wow, this thread has taken off again!! Funny that, believe it or not, our first guests arrived at 8 and love our hospitality and what we offer B&B. SunnyD, do you mean by this statement your f...[/quote] " I hope your B&B is a success but if tonight's guests are truly your first, it will be interesting to hear your views the same time next year or the year after, following a couple of busy seasons when you cannot call your time or your home your own.  Having said all that, it is good fun and I thoroughly enjoy the lifestyle.  I also worked in the tourism industry before for several years, in the ultimate hotel situation where guests NEVER go out...... luxury cruise ships - but as Miki said, there is plenty of staff to provide 24/7 service to customers and still allowing the workers their own free time. " I am sure it will be as it is not my first letting experience and as you and Miki state, experience does count. My seasons will not be full to bursting as I control the bookings, my premises do not need an English equivelant income for success. Buying the right property in the right place and at the right price is a personal matter and think some people run businesses that take too much out of them and their finance (a typical mistake by UK buyers in France). A sound business plan to begin with is paramount to avoid the feeling of the business running you. That said, any business takes a little more out of you than you anticipate.  

[quote]Just as I thought, another know all who has never done anything like it in France had his first guest in at 8 and had to ask him if he was doing it right !! Beam me up !!"I asked the chap about stayi...[/quote] No, I did not ask the new client immediately he crossed the "very welcome" mat, it came up in conversation over a welcoming drink of T. Opening night here maybe, but not my first B&B, sorry to inform you that my opinions about service and customer care are not totaly unfounded as you would relish. ""....I have two bedrooms only, not the 6 you mentioned earlier"" "What’s that about, no one mentioned you had 6 bedrooms, you said 2 or 3 I believe." This was in reference to me doing my homework re accommodation -ie-I do not have or wish to offer such vast hotel type accommodation and had not looked into it as a possibility. Therefore asking you the question re the difference between yourself and a hotel. You answered,"the number of rooms". Said for you to realise, that I would not know about your type of business as I have never enquired about them. You assume everyone should for some reason, even those not interested or anticipating opening one. " Yep, plenty of work makes Miki very happy but on the other hand, quite sad to know that another B&B hopeful with just two bedrooms and "big" ideas is on the slippery slope to ruin, unless as I said, you have other income but, your resistance to answer any Questions suggest another Brit whose next step will be with the CMU. " What has another income got to do with running an accommodation business????? I fail to see any corelation to this subject. If you are running a business, you run it right to the best of your ability. I do not have another income, and as said earlier, it would of been a mistake originally to buy a property too large that would require needing guaranteed business income. People have a choice to cut the cloth to suite their needs and live with that descision. From your terminology and use of the term "Brits" on a public forum, I get the feeling that you may well be feeling a bit of the " Not in my back yard" syndrome or " Not another offering accommodation in France". Lets hope our businesses continue to flourish and we can all live happily ever after in the Shengen    

Funny that, believe it or not, our first guests arrived at 8 and love our hospitality and what we offer B&B. I mentioned the annology regarding staying in rooms to the Gentleman and he agreed with me regarding the topic this thread was started on before the "my brother is bigger than your brother" scenario started, they do not expect to have to be out all day if they choose not to. So, first customer survey report  is in......... I have no interest in what you do, officially, I have neither looked at that option nor will I. Therefore, your comment about my lack of knowledge regarding your type of business is correct. You have educated me should I ever want to expand my B&B. I have never suggested that going the extra mile would involve rustling up meals, just that some clients may wish and expect to be able to stay in their rooms. Not to be frog marched out to survey the scenery they may not have interest in. My homework is done, I have two bedrooms only, not the 6 you mentioned earlier and my guests "Actually" share my house, not totally seperate part of it. Please desist in worrying about me, for what I wish to make financially I will enjoy my time wisely and not be overstretched. You seem to have enough on your plate presently and plenty of time to spend on the net too.......Ahh! what "A life"  

[quote]".....Then it is obvously worth all of the hard work you put in, evening meals also to me do not make a B&B, it maketh a hotel"No, it just shows me (and other I am sure) that you do not actually have ...[/quote] " By the way, how are you actually going the extra mile, if you won't even feed your people, who may well arrive thirsty and starving ? Seems a funny way to be helping your guests if you simply send them down the road to a resto, where at least one of them, will not able to have a nice drink. I don't mind others who don't do TdH but you have been the one who has categorically said they would go the extra mile..........." Out of context, this was refering to people stopping in their rooms.......also, as said before, a B&B is a bed and breakfast and people book accordingly. Not sure what you are trying to get at here. Obviously if people require evening meals, they will book elsewhere or be in a B&B with great local facilities at hand ;-) " No, it just shows me (and other I am sure) that you do not actually have a clue about how it really works here, we are actually a CdH who do table d'hote and are registered as such. We are also, as I said before, members of Gîtes de France, whose banner do you come under and what has" So, what specifically is the difference between your own business and a hotel? I still fail to see any differencs from the services offered. Is it purely down to the No of rooms offered and not the services?

[quote]I know, I started the thread !! and we will always still feel that we want people out in the day and allow us to get on with what we need to do. Oh no it isn’t misconceived, one thing you have to real...[/quote] " sorry but that did make me laugh, look at this ; May, June, September, October large occupancy and often full for long periods, July & August totally full for the better part, March & sufficient trade to make it worth opening at certain times, April and early November can be very busy at certain times. (I hasten to add I am not alone on those figures, others on here have posted the same) Now, as you can see, we are pressed very hard to keep up with all that goes with changing beds for up to 15 persons each day or hopefully folks will stay longer, giving us some comfort ! but I hope you are getting my drift, oh, then evenings up to 15 eating, not occasionally but often for many days on the bounce and over the full season. Now tell me, do we earn a living by doing it correctly or do I act unprofessionally and shut, thereby possibly turning away potential regulars and by doing that, your point goes up the spout surely, hard to go the extra mile when one is shut to the very people you are meant to be open for !! " Then it is obvously worth all of the hard work you put in, evening meals also to me do not make a B&B, it maketh a hotel. "A life".........If you are not prepared to close, not prepared to have your property manned 24/7, your spoils are your life. You seem to have nothing to complain about to me and most readers alike I would assume...... PS-Is Forum Guru , an accolade or self invented?

[quote]>>As read in this thread, yes READ, some people come away to Bonk, to read, to write, to make up, to save a marriage etc etc etc. Not everyone goes away or rents accommodation to view the scenery........[/quote] But in business, you cannot market your accommodation purely for those you want, it takes all sorts and you will surely get them, thats the point in being flexible in business. No good stomping your feet like a child because they wont play ball........Expect the unexpected "" If you require somewhere that has someone there all day to allow for comings and goings then its a hotel you should be aiming for. "" Or come to mine ;-) I will co operate with my clients, not lamblast them for not following my perfect ideal. We is all diferent and have different expectaions, obviously.

[quote]"....Well, judging by most posts, why are you still doing it if it isnt "All That"?"One must earn a crust in the best way one can, simple really !"....Many people come to France, without retail/public...[/quote] You run any business the way it feels right to the individual, this thread was started regarding people who would not go out during the day and their own "Need" to do the rooms daily(their choice). I see no problem with that at all if someone wants to remain in their room. "...A misconception is - what kind of area would one living in, that guests would not want to go out all day to see all the places of interest ?" Can you explain that further please, I cannot understand what you mean by "misconception". You are assuming all people coming to stay with you want to view/sight see the local area, this is a generalisation, misconceived. We have had one client that stayed in their room and read books all week, their perogative, they are doing no harm. "...Earning an honest crust, is one thing, being prepared to run, take responsibility and make a successful business with the general public as many are finding out, is a totally different ball-game. True to a point but maybe best equated to hotels in France, rather than the more ordinary CdH business." The above is your choice for any business and is not Hotel specific in any instace! For the purposes of my comments and thoughts, I regard a Chambre d'Hote as a private house with a max of 3 letting bedrooms. I view anything larger as a hotel by implication that the m2 space taken over for letting accommodation ,99% of the time is more than a 50% of the total m2 of the property. Appologies if that rankles, just my personal conception. At the end of the day, having "a life" outside of your business is in your hands. It is you in total control of your bookings, set aside certain times monthly, weekly even yearly when no bookings are taken. If the property is large and therefore financially needs to be full all of the time, then it may not of been the best of choices originally. Hampton Court eh.........Now I feel like a local on here too, thats my original neck of the woods

Well, judging by most posts, why are you still doing it if it isnt "All That"? Many people come to France, without retail/public experience and start their B&B/accommodation without thought to what they can expect and contrary to your implication, I am not one of those by any stretch. With over 20 years experience in the UK of running a successful public related business, you know that "Your life" is secondary to the business and you will have to make sacrifices. If you are not prepared for it or to do it, dont bother because you will not like it. Earning an honest crust, is one thing, being prepared to run, take responsibility and make a successful business with the general public as many are finding out, is a totally different ball-game. France is awash with B&B's and every other type of rental and accommodation, you have to go the extra mile if you are serious about succeeding long term. You see, being a newby, obviously DOESNT make one naieve ;-) A misconception is  -  "what kind of area would one living in, that guests would not want to go out all day to see all the places of interest ?" As read in this thread, yes READ, some people come away to Bonk, to read, to write, to make up, to save a marriage etc etc etc. Not everyone goes away or rents accommodation to view the scenery..........

[quote]I think you're confusing hotel accomodation with B&B. If I paid hotel rates I would expect to stay in as long as I wanted - but with B&B in France especially the small places where there's onl...[/quote] By default, B&B is for the room also, not just the bed and the breakfast, otherwise the "Guest" would be asked to remove their belongings in between these times. You pay extra (normally) in Hotels only for the availability and facilities of food being available morning, noon and evening (whether you eat in or not). The terminology for a "Hotel", simply means accommodation that also serves food on the premises, it doesnt state anywhere that you can use the room all day either. So, in reality, A B&B guest is only really welcome/allowed on the premises between the hours of ? Please let me know the official time so that I can let them know and also inform them that the front door will be locked internally between such times. I wonder how many "Paying" clients a B&B/Hotel would attract if the above was stated clearly on the accommodation details. A major factor deciding a businesses success has to be flexibility and understanding.