Tuesday, October 2025
This latest bit of news is of a financial nature so I am not going to add a pretty photo. Inflation is a fact of life. I hate putting up my rates, but I cannot keep charging the same rates that I was charging in 2022 for ever more just because I am reluctant to charge a three-figure sum for bed and breakfast. I have three options: (1) refuse to put up the rates, operate at a loss and close down the B&B; (2) adjust my rates to take into account the inflation that has occurred since the last increase; (3) keep the budget rooms in double figures but increase the prices of the East Wing for those who book via third-party online agencies. The East Wing is the only room that can be booked via online travel agencies, and it does attract a lot of bookings that way, particularly from overseas visitors. A substantial percentage of the income I get from that room goes straight to the agency in the form of commission. It makes sense therefore to let guests continue to book at the old prices if they book directly from this site, but to let them cover my commission fees if they choose to use an agency instead of booking directly. For moral reasons I had always resisted making users of agents who help to fill my rooms pay a penalty, but it is the only way I can think of to avoid raising my rates in 2026. Let’s see how this works for the coming year and think again at the end of 2026.