Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

carrots

Hello Frenchie!

Before I came to live in France I had many holidays here staying in châmbres d'hôtes. I must admit that, because I was so keen to improve my French, I avoided the ones with British proprietors! However, the fact that you speak English would probably be a big plus for many, if not most, anglophones. I was wondering if you had explored the American, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand markets to exploit this language angle.

Re added value:
Do you offer an evening meal at extra cost? (Cheaper than a restaurant but profit for you.)
Do you offer bikes, internet connection, overseas telephone calls, etc?
Do you feature tourist attractions and local events (must be kept up-to-date) in your advertising?
Do you offer the use of a washing machine (perhaps at extra cost)? I know this isn't normal for a B&B, but when people are touring it is a real bonus to be able to wash clothes and it would give you an edge on the competition.

I've tried to think of things that wouldn't cost a lot .....

I live in The Berry region in a small town. Where are you?

Regards, Carrots

frenchie_2

:AWhat a lot of useful and welcome news. At last some good feedback - thank you :T

I am in the South West, based at the tip of the Haute Pyrenees so only 10 mins from the Gers and 20 mins from the Haute Atlantique. I DO offer lots of extras and they are mentioned in my website and on the other free websites that I use. My house is basically a Maison d'Maitre with another (earlier) house attached to it and then a little cottage attached etc., you get the idea.. lots of space, lots of gardens yet I'm bang in the town centre so you can walk to bars etc.,. And guests do have the use of a quiet lounge with well stocked bookcases, plus a large dining room (yes, true authentic french style with marble fireplace and wood panelled walls etc.,) All guests get given a key for the private courtyard where they park and a key for the house itself so they all have complete freedom to come and go as they wish. Which they do!

I am a therapist and as an extra offer a choice of 'therapies such as Indian Head massage, Reiki, etc., plus the services of other therapists who live locally. But the french are just not into that type of thing. I also offer a choice of self catering or either half or full board. I offer the choice of upgrading a room with chocs, flowers, wine, dressing gowns etc., Plus the French have asked me to offer cooking courses to show them how to cook the local dishes. What you say is so true, what the French want is local produce, country atmosphere and authenticity - all of which I offer which is probably why I get the french clients! DOH! You are right, I need to emphasise more the freedom I offer and although i do talk about tourist attractions (such as my friends Camel Farm down the road) I need to maybe add a blog which would give me more space to give more details... you have given me a lot to think about! :j

If anyone has a little spare time and would be interested in looking at my website to give some constructive advice, please PM me and I'd be more than delighted to send you a link. :A (sorry Sue/Martin - wasn't thinking!).

THANK YOU!

Savvy_Sue

frenchie, I've sent you a PM (personal message).

Your B&B sounds lovely, and if it's anywhere near my friends I may just be in touch!

droopsnout

frenchie wrote: »

If anyone has a little spare time and would be interested in looking at my website to give some constructive advice, please PM me and I'd be more than delighted to send you a link.

Hi, frenchie!

I think we live not too far from you - on the borders of the Gers, Tarn-et-Garonne and Lot-et-Garonne. So when you talk of jazz, I presume you're referring to Marciac. Went there for the first time last year, and really enjoyed it, even though I'm not a jazz enthusiast.

PM me your website address and I'll gladly look at it.

It sounds to me as if you're really doing all the right things, and it sounds lovely. It may only be a question of emphases here and there. Do you have separate French and English language sites? (Well, I'll see shortly, won't I, if you send me the address!)

I'm sure you must know this already, and I really don't want to lose you from this site (which is so friendly), but there are more specific exchanges between B&B owners on other, specialist, boards. But please do stick around!

gfplux

Hello all, We have been away at our holiday home (of 18 years) in the South of France (83) so not been able to keep up with all the chat.
I voted today in the European elections. (Sunday is voting day in Luxembourg) did anyone else bother??

seven-day-weekend

Yes, we voted (or at least our son did, acting as our proxy) in the Europeans, as we are still registered in the UK as non-resident voters.

We were actually in the UK on Thursday, but not in time to get to our polling station, otherwise we'd have been able to vote personally.

We have a vote in European and Parliamentary in the UK and Council in Spain.

gfplux

well done. At least if you vote you have a right to moan

Savvy_Sue

frenchie, some more thoughts for you.

DH asked if you would consider the 'clothes optional' market, if you have a private garden / courtyard.

And although you don't have a swimming pool, he LOVES staying anywhere with a half-decent sauna. I don't know how much they cost to install and run, so this probably isn't an idea for this season, but might be something to consider, especially if you go for the 'clothes optional' idea. Me, I love a hot tub! :rotfl:

And the other thing is that there is one place on this site you can advertise, if you're prepared to offer a discount to Moneysavers.

There is also the psychological technique of offering a discount to practically everyone, even if it means a small price increase overall, ie you say "5% if you mention this advert" in all your adverts, you get a really good feel for which adverts are working and which aren't, and everyone feels they've got a bargain.

seven-day-weekend

gfplux wrote: »

well done. At least if you vote you have a right to moan

My old mum always brought me up knowing it was my duty to vote; as she said, women died to give me the right to do so.

frenchie_2

Umm not too sure about the clothes optional bit as we are town centre! Although we do have a walled garden which I guess i could make 'private' but then there is an irrigation canal stocked with fish that runs at the bottom ??? (the local french fishermen would just love that!). I almost bought and installed a sauna a friend was selling until she mentioned that it was too expensive to run. I do have a plunge pool and am considering risking putting in a inground pool in our walled garden. Permission has already been refused twice due to it being flooding land and agricultural land. But as the Mayor told me, 'just go ahead, after all no one is going to see it over that wall'!