Reviews can equal reservations--here are some recent ones.

Some recent reviews of our B&B...

"I stay at the Albert Shafsky House any time I am in the area (which is usually twice a year).  I have been going for at least 8 years.  The innkeepers are fabulous hostesses, the rooms are spotless and wonderfully decorated and the food is delicious!  I go back every year and feel like I am visiting old friends.  I always recommend the Albert Shafsky House to friends and family."

"Rita and Stephanie are the greatest hosts. We were greeted with a wonderful wine tasting when we checked in and the rooms were cozy, comfortable, clean and nostalgic. We took our parents who stayed in the larger suite and they too were truly impressed by the warm welcome and cozy atmosphere. Breakfast was delightful and the other guests were as pleased as we were at this charming B&B."

"We had a lovely time and a great stay at Shafsky House B and B. Hope to return."

It is comments like this, that make running a bed and breakfast the best profession one could have.

Now that I am an innkeeper, what do I do?

So, you have decided to become an innkeeper and purchased the perfect place...now the trick is to keep your sanity while working your dream job.

When we first took over the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville, which had been a dream, we worked 18 hour days for several weeks.  It was grueling, it was hard and it was stupid...I am sure we were not nearly as prepared for guests as we should have been, since we were exhausted.  There was so much to do...

There is still much to do all these years later, but we have learned how to take care of guests and ourselves.  Treat yourself...take a day off now and then....leave the inn to an innsitter (a good one) and take a vacation...or a long weekend...if you are not rested, how will you possibly take care of your guests?

What's in a name?

Some folks call them inns, some bed and breakfasts, some bed and breakfast inn.  Why all the names?

A bed and breakfast is typically a small, owner-operated home that serves breakfast (full or something close to a full breakfast) to the 1-5 room guests.

An inn also serves breakfast, but also probably offers food to non-guests in their restaurant. Generally speaking, an inn is larger than a bed and breakfast with 6 or more rooms.  Sometime a 1-5 room property will call itself an inn rather than a bed and breakfast--and not serve breakfast.

A bed and breakfast inn is one that either could not decide what to be called or just thought they would make it very clear that breakfast was included with the stay.

Aspiring Innkeepers - Is this your dream?

Do you think you want to run and B&B and become an innkeeper as a profession?  It is a great dream and can become a reality if you are willing...but there are some questions you should ask yourself before deciding if innkeeping is for you.  

Do you have what it takes to greet strangers every day and turn them into paying guests (and sometimes friends) or are you more solitary in your home?  Do you like to make breakfasts and entertain?  How do you feel about cleaning (and yes, I mean toilets too), ironing, laundry, etc?  What about grocery shopping?  How much do you like to mingle and market your property?  Will you employ people to help?  Have spouse that shares your dream?

Running an inn is not just a job, it's an adventure (and a way of life).  It is very rewarding and you will be your own boss.  That is the good news and the bad...now you can decide to live the dream, or just keep staying at inns as a guest.  

We purchased the Albert Shafsky House B&B in Placerville after reading, and staying at several B&Bs, until we were confident that it was not just a dream, but the reality we really wanted.  And have not regreted it for a moment.

Innkeeping As a Profession (IAP) in Santa Rosa

One of the most valuable aspects of the InnSpire Conference is the Innkeeping As a Profession (IAP) Workshop. This two-day workshop gives aspiring innkeepers an insider’s look at the industry and supports them in pursuing their dream.  The Albert Shafsky House B&B innkeepers have been in attendance for the last several years.  We would not miss the InnSpire Conference for the networking, workshops, and trade show is great for staying current in our profession.

As a CABBI member — we need your help in spreading the word about this educational workshop. If you know an aspiring innkeeper, please encourage them to visit the InnSpire Conference website to view the complete schedule for more information.

If you are an aspiring innkeeper, Click Here to sign up for the Innkeeping As a Profession workshop today!

The Hyatt Vineyard Creek is this year's venue which promises to be great fun.

CABBI conference for bed and breakfast owners and aspiring innkeepers

SUNDAY - TUESDAY, JANUARY 27-29

Hyatt Vineyard Creek - Santa Rosa, California

Innspire 2008
Please come to InnSpire 2008, California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns' (CABBI) annual Conference & Trade Show as we celebrate 16 years of growing stronger together in this year of partnering with the California Hotel and Lodging Association.

Don't miss out! This is the ONE industry conference that every innkeeper should attend.

Classes like....

The Power of Guest Comments and Blogs
Consumer generated comments (CGCs) such as Trip Advisor and blogs influence more than $10 billion a year in online travel. Use it (or lose it) to increase occupancy, referrals, repeats and create more happy guests and staff. You will receive tips in this powerful crash course on how to use emergent technology.
Presented by Jim Beazley of Beazley House, Stephanie Carlson of Albert Shafsky House, and Sandy Soule of BedandBreakfast.com
Located in Dry Creek I

Yes, I will be talking about creating a site just like this one!

Valentine's Day all month in February

A tradition at the Albert Shafsky House in February is to celebrate Valentine's Day for the whole month. Our pals over at Boeger Winery are offering "Sweets for Your Sweetie" on Saturday, February 9th from 11-4pm for $15 per person.

Impress your sweetie and satisfy your sweet tooth with this fun and deliciousValentine tasting. Enjoy scrumptious chocolates from local favorites FudgeFactory Farms and Annabelle’s Chocolates paired with some of our fine wines. Take home a one of a kind Boeger “lovers” logo glass. You and your “sweetie”can snuggle up to a cup of our very own Rubies Cocoa in our Historic Wine Cellar. And they will have Complimentary Gift Wrap available the day of the event!

RSVP: to Tara 800.655.2634 x: 18 or tara@boegerwinery.com

Why not join us out at the event!