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Thank you for taking a moment to learn
something about us.
We are a collection of large and small Bed and
Breakfasts in Central Pennsylvania (roughly within a 70-mile radius of
the geographic center of the state). All of our members are included on
our website (a condition of membership). Click on DIRECTORY of
B&B's for a general overview of our
members. We feel it is important for our guests to recognize the
difference between Bed and Breakfasts and traditional lodging
facilities. While many hotels and motels and similar businesses are
borrowing a "taste of" the B&B experience with "breakfast included"
(with greater or lesser success) they do not meet the definition of a
Bed and Breakfast and are not eligible for membership. Our hosts
welcome you into their home upon your arrival, visit with you as you
are shown to your room and introduced to their amenities, fix your
breakfast and gab over coffee; take your photograph with your camera,
and wish you "safe journey" as you drive away.
This Association operates and succeeds as a
collaborative effort of its members. There is no permanent or paid
staff. We, the members, make the Association run! Those who choose to
join are encouraged to do so with the intent of participating by
attending meetings, serving on committees and eventually choosing to
contribute time and effort as officers. If such participation is not
possible you are welcomed just as enthusiastically if the benefits of
membership are of value to you..
In this section on our association you can
find the following references. Clicking on that reference will take you
directly to it. Or simply scroll down through the page:
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BENEFITS
OF
MEMBERSHIP
Perhaps primarily by providing the means to do
together what we are less able to do separately. Being “associated”
vastly increases our exposure through collective marketing via our
Website, and Cookbook.
If for no other reason, collective marketing is why a B&B would
join PMBBA; a simple, but vibrant
and growing, informal collection of local Innkeepers who enjoy
the "camaraderie" of sharing
and doing things together.
While on the subject of marketing, the another major benefit PMBBA
offers
is a group membership with
Webervations (online reservation service)at a reduced price depending
on the number of rooms you have. (see
http://www.webervations.com/ for more
information)
For many of us, after cooperative marketing (perhaps, for some, even
ahead of it) is the opportunity for
professional and social networking and the sharing of experiences and
information among members at
our monthly membership meetings. There is simply no way to attach a
value to the interaction
between, and the friendships that develop among, our members, most of
which goes unrecognized
except by those who experience it.
There are other VERY valuable benefits, not least of which are:
Increased referrals from fellow members.
A voice for state and local B&B legislative issues
and professional integrity for your business through PMBBA
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MEMBERSHIP
STANDARDS
These standard have been adopted as a requirement for membership to the
Pa Mid-State Bed and
Breakfast Association as a means of helping each establishment achieve
and maintain a high level of
quality and excellence. It also enables other members to
recommend your B&B. We trust our
standards will attract other B&B's to the Association because of
the excellent reputation we will maintain. Upon
application for membership a prospective B&B member will be
inspected based on the following standards:
Exterior shall be well kept, have exterior lighting. and provide
parking on or near the premises.
1. Cleanliness:
A. All spaces, including public area, guest rooms,
bathrooms and dining areas must demonstrate
a high standard of cleanliness, be consistently maintained and provide
a pleasant atmosphere
2. Guest Safety:
A. Smoke detection system on all floors, and in
rooms with a working fireplace.
B. Current fire extinguishers as required by Labor
and Industry.
C. Emergency exits identified
D. First aid kits accessible to guests.
E. Emergency telephone numbers posted.
F. Guests informed on how to locate/communicate with
innkeepers.
G. Non-skid tubs & showers or mats.
H. Electrical outlets with GFIs in bathrooms.
I. Locks on all bathrooms not inside rooms
J. Emergency lighting in guests rooms, hallways,
stairways.
K. Guests informed prior to arrival that B & B
has house pets.
3. Each bedroom must be dedicated to guest use only. Each room must be
well lighted, including bedside
reading lights and have a pleasant decor and furnishings. Space must be
provided for the guests to move
freely and comfortably and store their hanging clothes and personal
effects. Windows must have coverings
to provide privacy
4. Beds & mattresses must be comfortable, of good quality and in
top condition. Sofa beds or cots may
not be used as primary beds. Bedding must include a mattress pad, two
sheets, pillow and case for each
guest, in top condition, free from soil and stains, and changed after
the departure of each guest.
5. Bathrooms must have spotless walls, floors, and fixtures. Ample
amounts of hot water must be
available at all times. Each guest must be provided with at least one
bath towel, hand towel, and face
cloth. Towels must be of excellent quality, and may not be frayed or
threadbare. Extra towels and
linens should be available to guests. Additionally, there must be a
lined wastebasket, toilet tissue,
drinking glass or cups, soap and facial tissues. Adequate space for
toiletries should be provided with a
well-illuminated mirror at the sink.
6. A common room should be available for socializing during evening and
breakfast hours to provide the
hospitality which is the hallmark of B&B's,. This area should be
attractive and adequately furnished
for the enjoyment of guests.
7. The kitchen must be clean, well maintained and comply with high
standards of sanitation and hygiene.
Food quality, preparation and presentation must be of consistently high
quality. A full or continental
breakfast must be offered for each day of the guest's stay and is to be
included in the room rate.
8. Management:
A. Must be licensed to collect sales tax.
B. Must be in compliance with
local zoning.
C. Must carry liability insurance.
D. Rates must be made known to guests at the time
reservations are made.
E. Cancellation policy must be made know to guests
at the time reservations are made.
F. Complaints from guests should be handled quickly
and in the spirit of cooperation
9. Pets
A. If family pets have access to guestrooms, guests
should be informed prior to arrival.
B. There should be no detectable odor of pets in
guestrooms, common area, or kitchen.
10. Professionalism:
A. Clear and accurate directions given on brochure
or with confirmation.
B. Inn restrictions/limitations clearly stated (such
as pets, smoking, children, and alcohol consumption).
C. Breakfast described (i.e. Continental, Full, etc.)
D. Innkeeper or staff present at check-in time.
11. The following are not required but are highly recommend:
A. Robe hooks and exhaust fan in bathrooms.
B. Comfortable chairs in rooms.
C. Alarm clocks.
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DEFINITION
OF
MEMBER PROPERTIES:
* A B&B is a
residential property of 10
bedrooms or less which offers nightly accommodations to the
public, and in which breakfast is available on
premises and is included in the room rate.
* Though the property may be historic or contemporary, it is
residential in style. The innkeepers may be
other than the owner provided they reside on the
premises or permanently in a nearby property.
Typically a common room other than the dining room
is available to guests for socializing. The
innkeepers are involved in the day-to-day operations
of the property. Un-hosted guesthouse annexes
must be part of a B & B.
* Commercial properties such as boarding houses, hotels, motels,
restaurants with motel
accommodations, even though they may follow the
B& B model, are not eligible for membership.
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HOW
TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP
If you choose to
join PMBBA (and we hope you do)
simply
download the (membership application), fill it out
and mail it to: Membership Chairman, P. O. Box 336, Boalsburg PA 16827.
Even better, call one of our membership co-chairpersons below, under
HOW TO CONTACT US. Meanwhile, interested innkeepers are welcome to
attend any of our meetings to learn more about
us on a more personal level. "New blood" converts to a "stronger
Association".
After receiving your application you will be contacted to make an
appointment for your inspection. Upon
successful completion of the inspection, and receipt of your check for
the first year's dues, you will be:
* provided with a membership packet
* added to our Association email distribution "Listserve" which will
keep you up to date on all Association
activities, including meeting dates, times and
locations. and
* contacted by our webmaster to get you posted on
the web site (and connected with
Webervations if you've made that choice).
If you have further questions, please call one of our membership
co-chairmen;
Click
here
for a printable membership application form
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