InnAdvisors

05/29/2026

Memorial Day weekend results are in across our client portfolio.

The patterns that separate peak performers from average inns:

TOP PERFORMERS:
• Average 3.2 nights per booking (minimum stay policies)
• 23% higher RevPAR than last year
• 95%+ occupancy with premium rates
• Zero negative reviews posted

AVERAGE PERFORMERS:
• Mix of 1-3 night stays (no minimum policy)
• Flat or declining RevPAR vs. 2025
• High occupancy but discounted rates
• Scattered service complaints

The difference? Systems and marketing plans implemented months ago, not weekend improvisation.

Memorial Day performance predicts summer success. The inns that executed flawlessly this weekend are positioned for exceptional summer seasons.

The ones that struggled? There's still time to adjust systems before July 4th peak.

How did your Memorial Day weekend perform against your goals?

05/28/2026

Carol and I had a wonderful evening at the Chatham Inn, joining fellow members of the Cape Cod hospitality community for a wine tasting and cocktail hour at Cuvée.

The cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were beautifully presented and thoughtfully prepared — but what made the evening especially meaningful was reconnecting with some industry contacts from my inn ownership days, meeting fellow hospitality professionals, and enjoying conversations with inn guests and other attendees who all share a passion for exceptional hospitality.

Dane Cooney, Maître de Maison, also graciously gave us a mini tour of the property, including one of the beautifully appointed guest rooms, the elegant common areas and bar, and Cuvée’s stunning dining room featuring an impressive new menu for the season.

I am already looking forward to returning soon with Angelo to enjoy dinner there.

A sincere thank you to Dane and the entire team for the warm hospitality and wonderful evening.
Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux

05/26/2026

School's out - family season officially begins.

The inn strategy shift many properties miss:
Some families don't want kid-focused inns. They want adult experiences that welcome older children.

When we owned our inn, our approach to family stays was:
• Elegant common spaces with durable, beautiful furniture
• Breakfast timing flexibility (to accommodate guest excursions and plans)
• Local family activity recommendations (not just kid activities)
• Communication directly with parents about expectations and age minimums (ours was 14)
• Higher rates for higher-touch service

Result? Families felt welcomed, not tolerated. Parents relaxed. Kids enjoyed a special experience.

Most importantly: Other guests weren't impacted because we set clear expectations upfront.

Family season can be your most profitable season if you design the experience intentionally.

How do you balance family guests with maintaining your inn's atmosphere?

05/22/2026

Summer market reality check: Now is when smart moves happen.

Right now, we’re seeing:
• Active, qualified buyers
• Limited high-quality inventory (some already under contract!)
• Strong performance from well-run properties
• Owners starting to think about transition

The opportunities tend to fall into one category:
Properties that are performing well — but ready for new ownership.

That applies across:
• boutique inns and B&Bs
• small independent hotels
• lifestyle hospitality businesses

These opportunities don't stay available long in this market.

For sellers:
Timing matters — but preparation matters more.

For buyers:
The best opportunities aren’t always widely marketed. They’re often identified through relationships and readiness.

Whether you're buying or selling, summer decisions often determine fall outcomes.

If you’re considering a move in either direction, now is the time to start the conversation to be ready for the fall.

05/19/2026

Guest communication at our inn wasn't just friendly - it was strategic. Some with technology – but more impactful when in person.

Guest experience is often won or lost in communication — not amenities.

At our inn, and across many successful boutique hotels I work with there are many important moments to connect with guests, but there are three critical moments that helped us get to #1 nationwide:

1. Arrival: First impressions. Tone setting. Immediate needs addressed.
-> A personal welcome and check-in, accompanying guests to their room
2. During Stay: Proactive, not reactive. Anticipating needs before they’re voiced.
-> A mid-stay evaluation card, hand signed and left in the guest room
3. Departure: Last impression. Gratitude. Connection for future return.
-> A personalized thank you note and small gift, with an in-person good-bye

Each communication builds the relationship for the next visit.
Guests don't just remember great service - they remember feeling genuinely cared for.

For owners:
Consistency across these moments is what drives repeat guests and referrals, and amazing reviews.

For buyers:
When evaluating a property, look at how guest communication is handled. Is it systemized or improvised? Tip: Quietly observe how it’s handled with other guests…

Great hospitality feels natural.
But behind it? It’s always intentional.

What’s one communication touchpoint you’ve improved recently?

05/15/2026

Thinking about buying a boutique inn, bed & breakfast, or small hotel?
Take the journey with Inn Advisors.

Most people start with the dream:
Beautiful property. Meaningful work. Hospitality lifestyle.

But what they don’t always see at first is everything behind the scenes:
• Operations
• Staffing
• Financial analysis
• Guest experience systems
• Revenue management
• Marketing
• The emotional realities of ownership

And perhaps most importantly:
How to identify the property that best suits your goals — and how to strategically acquire it.

That’s exactly why Carol and I created our “Hospitality from the Ground Up” seminar.
Not as a sales pitch.
Not as theory.

But as a real-world, immersive look into what it truly takes to buy, own, and operate a successful boutique lodging property.

The seminar is built around the lessons we learned firsthand while owning and operating successful inns:
• For me, building Candleberry Inn into the #1 Inn in the U.S. on TripAdvisor and Travel + Leisure
• For Carol, earning the prestigious “Inn of the Year” award while owning the Captain Freeman Inn

The goal isn’t to convince people to buy an inn.
The goal is to help people make informed, strategic decisions before taking the leap.

Because this business can be incredibly rewarding — personally, financially, and professionally — when approached with clarity, systems, and intention.

Over the years, some of our strongest buyer relationships started with education first.

And honestly, that’s how it should be.

For aspiring owners:
The more you understand before you buy, the better your chances of long-term success.

For current owners:
The next generation of hospitality leaders matters to the future of this industry.

Looking forward to another great seminar this fall on Cape Cod.

Learn more and register here:
https://innadvisors.com/education-hospitality-from-the-ground-up-a-seminar-for-aspiring-owners-managers/

05/14/2026

The guests who reminded me why we do this work...

One of the most powerful things about this business is something you can’t measure on a P&L.

A couple came to stay with us during a difficult time in their relationship.

Quiet at check-in. Minimal conversation.
By the second morning, they were sitting longer at breakfast.
By the last day, they were laughing, planning their next trip.

Six months later, we received a card in the mail: "Thank you for giving us space to remember why we fell in love."

We didn’t “fix” anything.
We created space.

That’s what great boutique properties do — whether it’s an inn or a small hotel.

They create an environment where people reconnect:
• With each other
• With themselves
• With what matters

That's the real business we're in - not just providing beds and breakfast, but creating space for people to reconnect with what matters most.

Every inn has the power to be a sanctuary for guests who need more than just a place to stay.

For owners:
You’re not just providing rooms. You’re creating experiences that can have real impact.

For buyers:
This is the intangible value of a well-run property — and it’s a big part of why people choose this business.

What's a guest story that reminded you why you love this work?

05/13/2026

Our 2026 Aspiring Hospitality Owners and Managers Seminar is scheduled for November- details and registration info is below.

Not to be missed by anyone considering buying or managing a small lodging property.

Are you dreaming of owning or managing a boutique inn, bed & breakfast, or small lodging property?

Join our friends at InnAdvisors for an immersive weekend at a working inn, where you’ll experience firsthand what it takes to build and operate a successful hospitality business.

Led by industry experts and former innkeepers from Inn Advisors, this interactive seminar covers all the essentials—daily operations, guest experience, acquisition, financing, marketing, food service, and more. Whether you’re looking to buy an existing property or build from scratch, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap, expert insights, and the confidence to move forward in your hospitality journey.

Location: The Platinum Pebble Boutique Inn, Harwich, Cape Cod, MA
Date: November 20 – 22, 2026
(Check in Friday evening, November 20; All-day course Saturday, November 21; Check out Sunday, November 22)

For more information and to sign up, visit:
https://innadvisors.com/education-hospitality-from-the-ground-up-a-seminar-for-aspiring-owners-managers/

05/12/2026

A summer staffing mistake I see every year: Hiring bodies instead of building teams.

When we owned the inn we approached staffing differently — and the same applies to boutique hotels at this scale.

We hired for summer in March. Why?
• Time to intentionally train systems, not just tasks
• Opportunity to build team chemistry and culture before busy season
• Ability to be selective instead of desperate

Our 3-step summer hiring process:
1. Cultural fit interview (do they genuinely enjoy serving others?)
2. Systems training (can they follow detailed processes under pressure?)
3. Shadow shifts (how do they handle real situations?)

Here’s why it matters:
Guests don’t experience your business through your strategy.
They experience it through your team.

The inns with smooth summer operations start building their teams in spring.
It may cost more, but it is worth every penny. You save in the end. We even paid sign-on bonuses as an incentive. We had a great team and miss them!

What’s your approach to seasonal staffing?

For owners:
Your summer team will define your guest experience — and your reviews.

For buyers:
When evaluating a property, look beyond staffing levels. Look at training systems and team consistency.
That’s where operational value lives.

05/08/2026

Incredible month: Last month we completed multiple boutique lodging transactions across very different markets.

Different properties. Different buyers. Different stories. Smooth transitions for all parties.

The stories:
• Successful Santa Fe, NM inn owner selling after 12 amazing years
• A couple pursuing their hospitality dream in Provincetown, MA - perfect property match
• New start for educators buying a Cape Cod inn from experienced innkeepers that rebranded and renovated the property – now ready to take it to the next level

But the same fundamentals showed up every time to make the sales successful:
• Sellers who prepared early and priced strategically
• Buyers who understood what they were looking for
• Properties that were operationally sound — not just aesthetically appealing

The common thread? Working with people who understand this isn't just real estate - it's life-changing transitions that deserve expert guidance.

Whether it’s a boutique inn, a small hotel, or a bed and breakfast — the details matter.

For owners:
The best outcomes don’t happen by accident. They’re built through preparation long before you go to market.

For buyers:
The right property isn’t just about location or size — it’s about alignment with your vision and operational capability.

This market is active — and it’s rewarding clarity and readiness on both sides.
If you’re thinking about your next move, happy to talk it through.