Guesthouses and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) are two common choices for tourists when it comes to lodging. Despite their apparent similarity, the two have several significant distinctions. Let’s look more closely. Hotels and guesthouses Guesthouses are often modest, privately owned buildings with a selection of rooms for visitors to choose from. They could contain a few or many dozen rooms, although they are typically less formal than hotels. A common sitting area is a feature of many guesthouses, and some may also provide amenities like a shared kitchen or laundry rooms.
Under UK legislation, guesthouses are often categorized as a Class C use for the purposes of obtaining planning permission. In the event that they are utilized primarily as a guesthouse, the property must have planning authorization because they are regarded as residential uses. Planning permission might not be required, though, if the guesthouse is operated as a secondary use of the land (the owner lives on the property and also rents out rooms to visitors).
B&Bs are often modest, independently owned homes, just like guesthouses. However, they frequently place a greater emphasis on giving visitors a customized experience. Owners of B&Bs frequently reside on-site and are actively involved in running the establishment every day. They might just have a few rooms available, but they always serve a hearty breakfast to their visitors.
In purposes of obtaining a planning permit, B&Bs are often categorized under UK law as a Class C3 use. They are therefore regarded as residential uses of the property, but if the main purpose of the house is to serve as a bed and breakfast, then planning permission is needed. Planning permission might not be required, though, if the B&B is operated as a supplementary use of the house (the owner resides on-site and also rents out rooms to visitors).
For properties that will be utilized as hotels, motels, or hostels, C1 planning permit is a special sort of planning permission that is necessary. Guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, which come under the Class C3 use category, are exempt from this requirement.
There are a few considerations to make if you’re thinking about opening a small guesthouse. Finding a suitable property that satisfies the criteria for a guesthouse (i.e., has enough rooms, public spaces, etc.) is the first step. Additionally, you’ll need to obtain all required licenses and planning approval.
You must begin promoting your guesthouse to potential guests after you have your property and the necessary permits. This may entail developing a website, adding your home to online travel agencies like Airbnb and Booking.com, and placing advertisements in regional tourism magazines.
Last but not least, you must ensure that you have the appropriate processes in place to handle reservations, payments, and visitor contacts. This could entail hiring a booking management agency or purchasing a property management system (PMS).
In conclusion, despite their apparent similarities, guesthouses and B&Bs differ significantly from one another in terms of their main objectives and the permits needed to run them. It’s crucial to recognize the differences between the two if you’re thinking about opening a small lodging enterprise and to make sure you have the legal authorizations and administrative framework in place to do so.
Generally speaking, guesthouses provide lodging on a lesser scale than hotels do. They might also provide extra services like breakfast, housekeeping, help with travel and local activities, among others. For visitors to socialize and unwind, certain guesthouses could also have shared common areas.