A personalised guest experience does not need to be time-consuming.
Learn 5 smart hacks to wow your guests with less effort.

Ever feel like giving guests a personalised experience is eating up your entire day?
Before I start, subscribe and ring that bell so you don’t miss future episodes. We’ve got plenty more tips where this came from. Today’s is short, sweet, and seriously effective.

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You’re not alone. In fact, most B&B owners tell us the same thing—“I want to do more for my guests, but I barely have time to sit down with a cuppa.”

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But here’s the secret: you don’t need grand gestures to make big impressions.
Let’s talk about smart, time-saving touches that still feel warm, thoughtful, and genuinely you.

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And stick around for the last tip—because it’s the one that saves me the most time each week.

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Thoughtful Touches Guests Notice Instantly

Let’s start with a quick quiz:
What’s the one item every guest touches within five minutes of arriving in their room?
Answer: The welcome note.

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Yep—simple, handwritten, and propped on the pillow, it packs a punch. You don’t need to rewrite Shakespeare. Just:

• Welcome them by name.

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• Mention something from their booking notes (e.g., “Hope the cycling trail is just as scenic as promised!”)

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• Sign off with your first name.

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✨ Time-saving tip:
Write a generic base note and leave blank spaces for names or activities. Batch these weekly. Ten minutes, done.

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Personal Without Being Present: Use QR Codes

This one’s a game-changer.

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Guests want personal recommendations, but you can’t sit down with everyone over a glass of wine—unless you’ve cloned yourself.

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Enter: the personalised local guide.
Create a one-page PDF of your favourite:

• Cafés

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• Dog-friendly beaches

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• Walking trails

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• Bookshops

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Convert it to a QR code and frame it in every room.

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🎙 “It feels like you sat down with us and planned our weekend,” said one guest. Truth? I made it six months ago on Canva.

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✨ Usable tip:
Update it seasonally and link it to your B&B’s Google Drive or Dropbox. Takes 10 minutes per quarter.

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Set the Mood Before They Arrive

Ever walked into a room and thought, “Oooh, this feels like someone really cares”?

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That’s what we’re aiming for—sensory cues that cost no extra time. Try these:

• A Spotify playlist softly playing classical guitar or local folk tunes on a loop.

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• A diffuser with lavender or cedarwood scent.

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• Soft lighting on dimmers or warm lamps instead of overheads.

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✨ Guest experience insight from the “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open” course:
“Guests don’t always remember what you did—but they remember how it felt.” Let your space do the heavy lifting.

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The Pre-Baked Wow Factor

Fresh cookies. You knew this one was coming.

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But don’t worry—this isn’t about baking daily.

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Bake in batches and freeze. Then reheat just before check-in. You get the smell, the warmth, and the love—without needing to whip out your apron at 3 PM.

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✨ Bonus: Use cookie bags branded with your B&B name and a little note.
You’ll look like you hired a marketing team, when really, it was a $6 Etsy order.

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👉 Listen to more practical tricks like this on the Bed, Breakfast & Business Podcast:
https://bedsbreakfastsbusiness.com/podcast

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Schedule One “Magic” Email

Want to make a big impression before guests even arrive?
Write one welcome email. Just one.

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Automate it through your booking platform to send 3 days before check-in.

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What should it say?

• Personalised greeting using their name.

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• Your top 3 recommendations (linked!).

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• Check-in instructions written like a friend’s texting them.

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• A little signature like: “Can’t wait to hear about your breakfast favourite—are you a porridge or pancakes person?”

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✨ This creates excitement, reduces your questions on arrival, and takes you 15 minutes max to set up once.

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🎥 Check out our Beds, Breakfast & Business YouTube channel for more tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5VwRkN8BEKVfW8OcFr-MWQ

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Want to Know the Real Time-Saver?

Here it is. The one thing that saves me hours each week while still making guests feel spoiled:

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A rotating “Personal Touch Calendar.”

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Each week of the month, rotate a small gesture:

• Week 1: Handwritten quote cards on pillows

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• Week 2: Mini jars of local honey

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• Week 3: Chocolate on towels

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• Week 4: Local art postcards

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You prepare ONE of those each week. Not all. Guests feel wowed, you stay sane.

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🎯 This came straight from the Mastering B&B Management Course and I’ve used it ever since. Minimal time, maximum magic.

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Thinking of buying a B&B? Or building from scratch

Before you blow the budget or your back—download this.

“Your B&B Starter Blueprint” keeps your dream on track.

Get your copy now! You can find a link in the show notes.

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Do you have a trick that guests rave about but takes you no time at all?
Share it in the comments.

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Here Are Your Key Takeaways

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In Conclusion

You don’t need to do more to give guests a personal, memorable stay.
You just need to do a few things smartly.

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By batching, rotating, and automating your personal touches, you can create deep connections without burning out. You’ll be known for warmth, without losing sleep or your weekend.

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✨ If this episode helped, you’ll love our “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open” course—it goes deeper into personalisation, automation, and branding:
https://courses.keystonehospitalitydevelopment.com/course/mastering-bb-management-comprehensive-guide-to-starting-running-and-growing-your-bed-breakfast-full-course/

 

Also, if you liked this episode, you might enjoy “How To Improve Your B&B Sleep Quality For Happier Guests” episode 49.

https://bedsbreakfastsbusiness.com/2024/09/how-to-improve-your-bb-sleep-quality-for-happier-guests-049

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