ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996 TAG: 9601140003
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JEFF STURGEON STAFF WRITER
The most common remark heard as guests check out of a bed-and-breakfast inn is that they would like to run one someday, according to an industry expert.
"The innkeepers do such a good job of making it look like all you do is serve tea and cook breakfast, and all these wonderful people come to visit you every day," Bernice Chesler said.
In reality, it's no vacation for owners of the nation's 15,000 to 20,000 bed-and-breakfast and country inns.
"The laundry is endless," said Chesler, a Boston area resident.
Chesler, the author of two bed-and-breakfast guidebooks, will speak about innkeeping Monday at Lee and Edwards Wine Merchants in Roanoke from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event, a food tasting open to the public, begins the annual conference of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Virginia, which runs Tuesday through Friday at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
Virginia has 350 bed-and-breakfast inns, defined as lodging establishments at which the room price includes a full breakfast. A country inn is defined as an establishment that serves breakfast and lunch or dinner.
Aspiring innkeepers or anyone interested in an introduction to the business still can register for a newcomers seminar at the conference running Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning only. The cost is $195 and includes the program, meals, refreshments and a single room at Hotel Roanoke. The cost is about $120 without lodging.
The full conference price is $216 for association members and $441 for others. For information, call (540) 672-4893 until Tuesday morning. Late registrants on Tuesday should call the hotel at 985-5900.
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