Post by High Priestess on Mar 1, 2016 4:03:44 GMT
This was originally posted on HOsting 911 in November 2014:
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-19600
Maggie shared 2 years ago
Thanks Wendy!
Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes Wendy! Can you tell me how you manage breakfast please. Do you decide what you will serve each day or ask guests ahead of time, and how do you time your breakfast serving? Do you serve it or let guests help themselves? Do most guests eat breakfast? I am struggling with breakfast and have it available on request but not many people are taking me up on it.
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Wendy
Wendy2 years ago
PROBLEM: How to offer BREAKFAST
SOLUTION:
1. Have a basket of breakfast foods handy in the kitchen or dining area.
2. Include: Cold cereal, instant oatmeal, dried fruit, nuts, pasties, etc. Can put milk/juice on ice. (this is a self serve breakfast) - provide coffee maker, coffee packets, and toaster.
3. Make breakfast - have a menu (written or spoken).
I offer anything the guest wants as it averages out over the year. I offer toast, muffins, pastry (sometimes for the next day if I don't have it in stock). I also make pancakes or waffles (regular or gluten free), sometime baked donuts! I also make eggs how they like them. Sometimes cheese, yogurt (I buy in a large glass jar), and always fresh fruit, cut up --oranges, pineapple, berries, etc.) I stopped buying juice since my new philosophy is "It's time to be container free!") I don't eat pork so I don't provide bacon--and no one misses it!!
3.
Reply Like 1 reply
Leah
Leah2 years ago
I offer continental breakfast as I think it adds value. Most people have some coffee and a piece of fruit then jam off to work. Oh well. Some people aren't big eaters so get things that you will eat too in case nothing was desired and nothing would go to waste.
Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Thanks Wendy. I think I will do the self-serve breakfast for the first morning then ask if they would like something different for the consecutive mornings and at what time.
Reply Like 1 reply
Wendy
Wendy2 years ago
Your welcome--just stay within your comfort zone! I do it (make breakfast because I enjoy it, not because I feel obligated to do it. I also find breakfast is a great time to visit with the guest(s) without infringing on their travel / sight-seeing time.
Julie
Julie2 years ago
I used to do a "help yourself" breakfast when I owned a B&B but I ended up wasting a lot of perishables. Then I switched to a custom ordered breakfast menu. It was a continental breakfast, but guests really liked being able to choose their carbs, fruit/juice, and beverages. It allowed me to better manage my food inventory and people had an opportunity to feel like they designed a breakfast that was perfect for them. It also allowed them to tell me about certain food allergies and dietary restrictions. I also set out the breakfast out all of the time in a guest-only kitchenette. I was warned not to do that, that people will eat it around the clock and eat me out of house and home, but I found that not to be the case.
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Milu
Milu2 years ago
I designate a shelf in the fridge as the breakfast shelf, and I also have various cereals, two types of bread, coffee, tea and eggs if they are on special....I just had a young couple check out today and they took full advantage of eating a very hearty breakfast every single day, and I had to restock three times during their 10 day stay....and of course other guest barely eat toast and a cup of tea. In our other listings, where we don't live, I do the same but in order to make it a bit more fun I usually do a 'waffle party' once a week. It gives the guests an opportunity to socialize and trade stories, and I have a chance to see how everyone is doing and give all the guests some personal attention.
I often debate whether I should even include breakfast, as it never seems to be a deal breaker. I may cut back to just coffee/tea/toast in the new year. I haven't raised my prices in a few years and I'd prefer to cut costs rather than raise prices.
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Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Julie, at what stage do you hand out the menu and then get it back in order to shop for the chosen items?
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Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed2 years ago
Try different things until you find your comfort zone. I started with no breakfast, then I started offering "continental breakfast" which to me means cereal, bananas, toast, butter, jam, and tea or coffee. I sometimes bought bagels (because Airbnb suggested them!) and nobody ate them. Then, following someone else's suggestion, I asked my last guest what she would like. She had a long list of expensive items (almond butter, brown rice bread...) i bought those things for her, I think she had a nice stay, but she didn't even write a review!!! To me, reviews are very important. I have decided that, for my next guest, I will go back to the "continental breakfast" and not buy ANYTHING that I would not be happy to eat myself, in case they dont eat it. (Just FYI, I offer a guest bedroom in my own house, so the kitchen is shared, and I work full time so I'm usually gone by the time the guests get up).
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Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Juliet - no one seems to eat bagels at my place either!! When I make muffins in the morning often guests will grab one or two as they go out the door. I think I will just offer breakfast as an extra option and go with a simple fare. It is hard for you as you need to leave in the morning. Thanks for your comments and it is interesting to ponder all the different ideas.
Reply Like 3 replies
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Ha, I just got bagels for my guest, an airbnb employee. I will be curious if he or his girlfriend ate any! :-P
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed2 years ago
Leah - he better! Let us know!!
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Update, yes, they ate the bagels. They also ate a whole box of granola cereal, which they must have preferred and the Greek yogurt. :-)
Julie
Julie2 years ago
Hi Maggie - whenever I got a reservation, I sent out a confirmation and I attached the menu to the confirmation of their reservation. The deal was that if it was returned within 48 hours of their check-in, I'd guarantee their items, but if they gave it to me with just a day or two notice, it would be "catch as catch can". In the 3 years I did it this way no one complained. Also, I had an apothecary jar of "anytime snacks" of whatever I could get super cheap at any time: granola bars, mini bags of microwave popcorn, cups of applesauce/pudding. People really liked the grab and go snacks. I also left a copy of the menu they completed in the kitchen, taped to the shelf, in case they couldn't remember what they ordered...and also to avoid their eating someone else's breakfast.
reakfast choices – Rebecca and guest
Carbs: choose up to two:
X assortment of cold cereals w/milk:
X assorted varieties of oatmeal w/milk
□ bread w/ butter & jam
□ muffins (minimum two people for this one)
Fruity Juice & Juicy Fruit: choose up to three:
□ orange juice
□ yogurt
X variety of chilled fresh fruit cups in juice (with no sugar added)
□ microwaveable fruit and crumble mix (great add-in to oatmeal!)
Protein:
□ fresh eggs (egg cooker provided in kitchen for guests to prepare poached, medium cooked, or hard boiled eggs)
Drink Drinks (always included: sugar & creamer): choose as many as you’d like:
□ coffee – regular
□ coffee – decaf
□ tea – assorted varieties available
□ hot chocolate – assorted varieties available
X milk
□ soy milk
Special instructions and/or notes: ____
Reply Like
Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Julie, thanks for your great reply - you are very helpful and given me some good ideas to try out. I like the grab and go snack jar idea. If I was busier I think it would be easier in a way because I wouldn't feel I was wasting food by buying it and it not being eaten but a menu is a great idea to avoid this. Leah let us know if the bagels get eaten!!
Reply Like
Nora
Nora 2 years ago
Since we have a standalone unit (cottage), we don't offer breakfast. They can prepare their own.
Reply Like
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Same as me. I just stock it with some basic food items for them the make themselves.
Reply Like
Yvonne
Yvonne2 years ago
Same here. We have a standalone, 2-bedroom unit with stove and refrigerator and don't offer breakfast. We do supply basic condiments, including coffee, seasonings, cooking oils, etc., that is available for guests' use.
Reply Like
Deborah
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-19600
Maggie shared 2 years ago
Thanks Wendy!
Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes Wendy! Can you tell me how you manage breakfast please. Do you decide what you will serve each day or ask guests ahead of time, and how do you time your breakfast serving? Do you serve it or let guests help themselves? Do most guests eat breakfast? I am struggling with breakfast and have it available on request but not many people are taking me up on it.
12 comments
Follow
Like
Wendy
Wendy2 years ago
PROBLEM: How to offer BREAKFAST
SOLUTION:
1. Have a basket of breakfast foods handy in the kitchen or dining area.
2. Include: Cold cereal, instant oatmeal, dried fruit, nuts, pasties, etc. Can put milk/juice on ice. (this is a self serve breakfast) - provide coffee maker, coffee packets, and toaster.
3. Make breakfast - have a menu (written or spoken).
I offer anything the guest wants as it averages out over the year. I offer toast, muffins, pastry (sometimes for the next day if I don't have it in stock). I also make pancakes or waffles (regular or gluten free), sometime baked donuts! I also make eggs how they like them. Sometimes cheese, yogurt (I buy in a large glass jar), and always fresh fruit, cut up --oranges, pineapple, berries, etc.) I stopped buying juice since my new philosophy is "It's time to be container free!") I don't eat pork so I don't provide bacon--and no one misses it!!
3.
Reply Like 1 reply
Leah
Leah2 years ago
I offer continental breakfast as I think it adds value. Most people have some coffee and a piece of fruit then jam off to work. Oh well. Some people aren't big eaters so get things that you will eat too in case nothing was desired and nothing would go to waste.
Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Thanks Wendy. I think I will do the self-serve breakfast for the first morning then ask if they would like something different for the consecutive mornings and at what time.
Reply Like 1 reply
Wendy
Wendy2 years ago
Your welcome--just stay within your comfort zone! I do it (make breakfast because I enjoy it, not because I feel obligated to do it. I also find breakfast is a great time to visit with the guest(s) without infringing on their travel / sight-seeing time.
Julie
Julie2 years ago
I used to do a "help yourself" breakfast when I owned a B&B but I ended up wasting a lot of perishables. Then I switched to a custom ordered breakfast menu. It was a continental breakfast, but guests really liked being able to choose their carbs, fruit/juice, and beverages. It allowed me to better manage my food inventory and people had an opportunity to feel like they designed a breakfast that was perfect for them. It also allowed them to tell me about certain food allergies and dietary restrictions. I also set out the breakfast out all of the time in a guest-only kitchenette. I was warned not to do that, that people will eat it around the clock and eat me out of house and home, but I found that not to be the case.
Reply Like
Milu
Milu2 years ago
I designate a shelf in the fridge as the breakfast shelf, and I also have various cereals, two types of bread, coffee, tea and eggs if they are on special....I just had a young couple check out today and they took full advantage of eating a very hearty breakfast every single day, and I had to restock three times during their 10 day stay....and of course other guest barely eat toast and a cup of tea. In our other listings, where we don't live, I do the same but in order to make it a bit more fun I usually do a 'waffle party' once a week. It gives the guests an opportunity to socialize and trade stories, and I have a chance to see how everyone is doing and give all the guests some personal attention.
I often debate whether I should even include breakfast, as it never seems to be a deal breaker. I may cut back to just coffee/tea/toast in the new year. I haven't raised my prices in a few years and I'd prefer to cut costs rather than raise prices.
Reply Like
Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Julie, at what stage do you hand out the menu and then get it back in order to shop for the chosen items?
Reply Like
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed2 years ago
Try different things until you find your comfort zone. I started with no breakfast, then I started offering "continental breakfast" which to me means cereal, bananas, toast, butter, jam, and tea or coffee. I sometimes bought bagels (because Airbnb suggested them!) and nobody ate them. Then, following someone else's suggestion, I asked my last guest what she would like. She had a long list of expensive items (almond butter, brown rice bread...) i bought those things for her, I think she had a nice stay, but she didn't even write a review!!! To me, reviews are very important. I have decided that, for my next guest, I will go back to the "continental breakfast" and not buy ANYTHING that I would not be happy to eat myself, in case they dont eat it. (Just FYI, I offer a guest bedroom in my own house, so the kitchen is shared, and I work full time so I'm usually gone by the time the guests get up).
Reply Like 1 like
Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Juliet - no one seems to eat bagels at my place either!! When I make muffins in the morning often guests will grab one or two as they go out the door. I think I will just offer breakfast as an extra option and go with a simple fare. It is hard for you as you need to leave in the morning. Thanks for your comments and it is interesting to ponder all the different ideas.
Reply Like 3 replies
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Ha, I just got bagels for my guest, an airbnb employee. I will be curious if he or his girlfriend ate any! :-P
Juliet and Ed
Juliet and Ed2 years ago
Leah - he better! Let us know!!
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Update, yes, they ate the bagels. They also ate a whole box of granola cereal, which they must have preferred and the Greek yogurt. :-)
Julie
Julie2 years ago
Hi Maggie - whenever I got a reservation, I sent out a confirmation and I attached the menu to the confirmation of their reservation. The deal was that if it was returned within 48 hours of their check-in, I'd guarantee their items, but if they gave it to me with just a day or two notice, it would be "catch as catch can". In the 3 years I did it this way no one complained. Also, I had an apothecary jar of "anytime snacks" of whatever I could get super cheap at any time: granola bars, mini bags of microwave popcorn, cups of applesauce/pudding. People really liked the grab and go snacks. I also left a copy of the menu they completed in the kitchen, taped to the shelf, in case they couldn't remember what they ordered...and also to avoid their eating someone else's breakfast.
reakfast choices – Rebecca and guest
Carbs: choose up to two:
X assortment of cold cereals w/milk:
X assorted varieties of oatmeal w/milk
□ bread w/ butter & jam
□ muffins (minimum two people for this one)
Fruity Juice & Juicy Fruit: choose up to three:
□ orange juice
□ yogurt
X variety of chilled fresh fruit cups in juice (with no sugar added)
□ microwaveable fruit and crumble mix (great add-in to oatmeal!)
Protein:
□ fresh eggs (egg cooker provided in kitchen for guests to prepare poached, medium cooked, or hard boiled eggs)
Drink Drinks (always included: sugar & creamer): choose as many as you’d like:
□ coffee – regular
□ coffee – decaf
□ tea – assorted varieties available
□ hot chocolate – assorted varieties available
X milk
□ soy milk
Special instructions and/or notes: ____
Reply Like
Maggie
Maggie2 years ago
Julie, thanks for your great reply - you are very helpful and given me some good ideas to try out. I like the grab and go snack jar idea. If I was busier I think it would be easier in a way because I wouldn't feel I was wasting food by buying it and it not being eaten but a menu is a great idea to avoid this. Leah let us know if the bagels get eaten!!
Reply Like
Nora
Nora 2 years ago
Since we have a standalone unit (cottage), we don't offer breakfast. They can prepare their own.
Reply Like
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Same as me. I just stock it with some basic food items for them the make themselves.
Reply Like
Yvonne
Yvonne2 years ago
Same here. We have a standalone, 2-bedroom unit with stove and refrigerator and don't offer breakfast. We do supply basic condiments, including coffee, seasonings, cooking oils, etc., that is available for guests' use.
Reply Like
Deborah