Welcome
to the Pennsylvania
Mid-State Bed and
Breakfast Association
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. All of our members are
included on our website. Click on (directory) 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 is 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:
BENEFITS
OF MEMBERSHIP
Perhaps primarily by providing the means to do
together what we are less able to do separately. PMBBA vastly increases our
exposure through collective marketing via our Website, Brochure, and
Cookbook. If for no other reason, collective marketing is why a B&B
would join PMBBA; a simple, but vibrant and growing, rather informal
collection of local Innkeepers who enjoy the “camaraderie” of sharing and
doing things together.
While on the subject of marketing, the 2nd
major benefit PMBBA offers is a group membership with Webervations
(online reservation service) at ½ price (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
Professional integrity for your business through PMBBA
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES
·
To provide a forum for B & B hosts on all aspects
of Bed and Breakfast operations.
·
To develop and encourage high
standards of hospitality.
·
To broaden public understanding and
appreciation of the B & B industry.
·
To support the membership through
collective action pertaining to regulatory agencies.
·
To serve as a support network for active members by
offering benefits such as collective advertising and marketing.
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 and making it possible for 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 enjoy. 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, have a pleasant decor and furnishings.
Space must be provided for the guests to move freely and comfortably
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.
Show
licensee to collect sales tax.
B.
Show
documentation as being in compliance with local zoning.
C.
Show
documentation as carrying appropriate 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.
SCHEDULE OF FEES
- The membership fee is $60 plus $5 for each
room, to a maximum of $85.
(Members joining after July 1 pay only $30 plus $5 per room)
- There is a one-time web site fee of $50.
- Membership in our Webervations group is $40
per year (1/2 the individual fee of $80)
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.
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. Meanwhile, we would be delighted to have you attend some of our
meetings to learn more about us on a more personal level (meeting schedule).
We seem to be constantly tinkering with the meeting schedule to better
meet the needs of the members and increase attendance. “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 inform you of all Association activities, including meeting
dates, times and locations. and
·
contacted
by our Association web site manager to get you posted on the web site
(and connected with Webervations if you’ve made that choice).
Please call our membership chairmen, Karen Patzer
at The Limestone Inn (814-234-8944) if you have further questions (how to contact us)
Click here for a membership application
form
OFFICER AND COMMITTEES
Officers
- President
- President Elect
- Treasurer
- Secretary/Historian
- Marketing
Director
- Director-at-Large
Standing Committees
Legislative * Membership * Marketing/Public Relations *
Fundraising * Web Site
MEETING SCHEDULE
Please show our hosts the courtesy of calling in advance if you
plan to attend. This small,
but considerate act helps prevent waste and also ensures that there are
refreshments for all.
Meetings for the General Membership are monthly and are
scheduled:
·
November through April: on the 2nd Sunday of every month 2pm
·
May through October: on the 2nd Wednesday 6:30pm
The meetings are located at various members’ B&B’s
The Membership Chairman can apprise you of the meeting locations
HOW T0 CONTACT US
There are several ways:
·
Call our membership chairman, Karen Patzer
at 814-234-8944
·
Or email her at kpatzer@psualum.com
or
·
Write to us at POB 336, Boalsburg PA 16827 or
·
Contact one of our members via our (directory)
on http://www.bedandbreakfastpa.com
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