Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Enjoy the, erm, holiday (?), s-d-w.

Tell us about the highlights!

Well the first highlight was my husband at the ferry Terminal at Bilbao (although it's actually at Santurtzi).

He had been talking to some guys there and ogling their motorbikes for about half an hour.

Then he decided he'd get back in the car.

Only trouble was, it wasn't our car. It was a lot smaller (ours is a Seat Alhambra), and was dark bue instead of silver!. I think his head was still full of motorbikes.

The woman sitting in the passenger seat told him 'Any time'.

He came back to our car in a fluster!!

droopsnout

LOL!!!

Pretty cool lady to say that, though!

seven-day-weekend

droopsnout wrote: »

Pretty cool lady to say that, though!

I think she frightened him to death!

frenchie_2

Not sure if this is the right place to post my query but you all seem seasoned travellers - even though it appears to be to spain? I have a B&B in France that I advertise through websites etc., and local tourist boards. But only ever get french visitors. I've been out of UK too long and have lost touch - what is the British impression of french B&B? Do they use them? Or is it only gites? What sites/magazines do they use? Does anyone know? I really need to boost my income (due to OH losing his job) so really need to find more clients - any ideas?

seven-day-weekend

Hi Frenchie, welcome to the Forum.

It's not only Spanish expats here : Droopsnout is in France and Francophile too - so they may be able to help you. I'm in Spain and don't rent out, so don't have that knowledge, but I do know that there is a site called https://www.ownersdirect.co.uk which someone from our village advertises on - they seem to get people from that - have a look and see if it suits you!

Once again, welcome to the forum.

frenchie_2

Thanks for that SDW! Checked out the site and they do have some other renters there who are nearby me, though they are mainly gites owners rathr than B&B. Plus I guess it's not an awful lot to pay out for advertising for a year. I have been rather strict on trying to keep it to free web sites and my own (which again is free) plus facebook etc., in order to keep the outgoing costs down. I don't have a pool which tends to limit me to one nighters and that limits my client base to mainly french people coming for the jazz. Not sure how I can persuade brits to come and stay and discover this area. The cost of living has risen enormously here and the house is far too big to not use so I should do more with it.

What do people look for in a quick break these day's? I was thinking of offering Gourmet Breaks with luxury food and wine with free wine tasting at a local Chateaux who would offer special deals on buying their wine (for my guests). But I guess that these day's no one can afford anything other than basic? .. what to do... what to do....

droopsnout

Hi, Frenchie, and welcome.

The B&B market in France is very variable. If you're in a tourist area (like near the Normandy beaches - must mention them this weekend) then you've always a good chance of a satisfactory occupancy. On the other hand, I live away from the most popular tourist areas, and occupancy round here is limited largely to July and August.

I don't do B&B but a close friend here does, and so does one of my language students. (We tried it for a while, but to be honest, we didn't enjoy the experience). My friend's house is about 6km from the nearest large village, and he relies on advertising to bring in his clientèle. My student has a B&B right in that same village, and she picks up a lot of passing trade due to her central position.

As for where to advertise, there don't seem to be any clear pointers. In general, the market is saturated. But here's an idea which might help.

You haven't indicated where your property is, but do a web search for the name of the town/area, followed by "B&B" or "chambres d'hôtes", and have a look which sites come up on the first page of search results. If some of these are advertising sites, then perhaps they are ones you could consider advertising with.

There is no shortage of sites willing to take your money from you for web exposure, so choose very carefully. Also most sites at the top of the searches these days seem to be owners' own sites. That has changed in the last five years, I think.

Bookings at my friend's place used to be mainly English, but have changed to French, German and Belgian enquiries in the last two summers.

Are you a member of Gîtes de France or Cl!vacances? At the tourist office where I work, we only refer enquirers to B&Bs which are "labellisees", as these properties have to meet minimum standards, and so we are less likely to be sued. Sad, but I gather that most if not all tourist ffices do the same. So if you haven't already, join one of those organisations. More expense, I know ... And the rules and regulations for chambres d'hôtes are becoming ever more demanding.

The French do seem to hunt out the Gîtes de France plaques, as they regard those properties as reliable. Even better if you can get an extra "charme" rating. There seems to be a bigger demand for establishments with three and four "epis" rather the simpler places.

Finally there are loads of free sites which you can advertise on, though they rarely lead to bookings, so I'm told.

Good luck, and please keep us informed about how things progress. I'm very interested!

droopsnout

Just read your reply to s-d-w, and it reminded me that there does seem to be a demand at the higher end for stays with value added, e.g., cookery courses, art classes, craft workshops, etc. Those ideas are well worth pursuing.

Savvy_Sue

Partly it might be a perception problem with us Brits. I know I always used to believe that B&B was a traditionally English thing, which wasn't readily available in France. But I'm not sure how lively the B&B market is over here these days, I must admit for a week I'd prefer self-catering or a cheap hotel.

You'll probably ask why: I like to have more than just a bedroom if I'm 'in' for the evening. In a B&B, you often feel that you're only welcome there for the night, and for breakfast, then it's out.

So if you have a 'residents' lounge', I'm make that very clear, because that would make a difference to how I felt about a B&B.

droopsnout

I feel exactly the same, Sue. There are times when I just want to collapse on the bed and have a snooze, especially when it's hot. If you don't feel welcome at a B&B during the day, you can't do it.

Properties where you are invited to use the swimming pool will clearly expect people to use their bedroom for drying, showering, dressing, etc., so that helps.

I've stayed in a number of French B&Bs, and the welcome has been very variable, from the very professional to the very friendly and warm, to the overwhelming (owner couldn't stop talking). The majority of French owners are delighted to have you as their guests and go out of their way to offer friendship and little treats. And if you like their cooking, well ... But it's not something for the faint-hearted Brit. Just as staying in a British home may not appeal to the majority of foreigners.

In fact, one of the things I don't like about some B&Bs is that you have to go through the owner's living room or other quarters in order to reach your bedroom. That is embarrassing. Happily, it doesn't happen often.

Since our try-outs of B&Bs here, we have reverted to cheap hotels. But if you really want to get to know the French, it's a superb way of doing it, though you have to be flexible, tolerant, understanding, sympathetic, and have an open mind.

It's worth pointing out, too, that the French and the Brits are looking for different things when they are selecting a B&B. The French are looking for authenticity and a real country welcome, preferably with local food prepared from the freshest ingredients. The Brits are looking for privacy, freedom, independence, a bit of luxury, plenty of attractions in the local area ...

I am generalising, of course, but you get the idea.

Generally, amongst the Brits, it is the seasoned independent traveller who appreciates B&Bs most.