Recently I had the assignment of discussing and defining location for some 40 aspiring Innkeepers.  It turned out that my perceptions were not needed.  Without exception all 40 had fantastic locations.  The most interesting may have been the young man who planned to develop three room spa inn at the terminus of a several mile dirt road in a wilderness area.  When asked why this was a good location, he cited the spectacular views from his mountain top.

Others were more mundane, but cited several generic activities, such as hiking, skiing, cultural events, educational institutions (?), etc.  All these activities are widely established, and include important assets in building packages and events that will entice the Inn guest to choose your message over others available.

Location has another more profound impact on Inn and Bed and Breakfast businesses.  It is critical that the location of the Inn be in an area that is already a recognized leisure travel destination.  No matter how good your marketing is, you do not have the resources, financial or otherwise, to market both an area and an Inn.

Your core business should be to guests who have already chosen a destination and are seeking a facility within that defined area that meets their needs.  These are not the only guests you will have but they will be your core business around which you will build your success.

I often say you need others to do a large part of your marketing for you.  Without that support the mountain of success is too steep, even if the view at the top is spectacular.