When we started thinking about putting a cabin on our lot, we imagined a relatively small, modest structure. However, after receiving a high construction budget estimate for the two-bedroom cabin we designed, we ruled out building from scratch and began exploring alternatives.
Finding the Perfect Home
In parallel, we kept an eye on Nickel Brothers’ inventory of "used houses." These are homes developers don't want, so they sell them to Nickel Brothers to save them from the landfill. After bidding on a few, our offer was accepted on a 1,200-square-foot rancher from South Surrey. Built in 1978 and updated in 2011, it was a cute two-bedroom house that had great potential.
Preparing to Welcome Guests
Running a B&B has always intrigued us. Our property is in a prime location on Mayne Island, with plenty of room and a tranquil setting. We love meeting people, welcoming them into our home, and helping them discover the island’s charm. Preparing for our first guests took time, effort, and research, but it’s been an exciting journey.
We started by selecting a reservation engine. While we could have registered with online travel agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Expedia, or Airbnb, their high commissions motivated us to prioritize direct bookings. We chose FreeToBook, a flexible platform that integrates with our website and OTAs. It updates availability calendars automatically, reducing the risk of double-bookings. Guests can book directly on our website for the best rates or through Booking.com and Airbnb, but at a premium.
Beyond setting up a reservation system, we took several other steps:
Secured proper insurance coverage.
Completed a one-day Food Safe certification course to ensure proper food handling and storage.
Registered “Grove B&B Mayne Island” with BC Registries.
Registered to collect and remit provincial and municipal taxes, with plans to register for GST when revenues approach the registration threshold.
Marketing and Visibility
To build our online presence, we created profiles on several platforms:
HelloBC (BC's official tourism promotional website)
These channels, paired with our website and a touch of search engine optimization magic from my friend Jean-Sébastien, provide potential guests with plenty of ways to find and book their stay with us. Even during the quieter "cozy season," when tourism usually slows down, bookings have already started flowing in!
Reflections on the Journey
This winter, fewer people are traveling to the Southern Gulf Islands. Some service providers report business is down significantly, and it’s hard to say why. Are visitors choosing other destinations? Are they worried about the economy? No matter the reason, we’re feeling optimistic and inspired—brighter days are on the horizon, and the future holds so much promise and potential!
For now, we’re thrilled to be welcoming guests to our home. Running the B&B has been a rewarding way to share the tranquility of Mayne Island while building something meaningful for our family, friends and visitors alike.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Really cool
Well done!