The 40 Winks Bed and Breakfast - Research Paper Example

40 WINKS BED AND BREAKFAST Introduction and Research Method The 40 Winks Bed and Breakfast is a home that goes back in history and entails elegant four storeys; moreover, the building is a townhouse which was built in the early 18th Century and belonged to Queen Anne (Ellwood 2012). Currently, the B&B operates under the ownership of David Carter who is a transnationally recognized interior designer; moreover, he has also made significant impact in the field through the publication of prominent interior magazines around the world. Magazines describe the 40 Winks as valiant, quixotic and fantastical due to its powerful integration of traditional and modern experiences; moreover, people that have spent a night there praise it for its highly impressive and stylish design that is in every part of the home, being the key attraction factor. Over the years, the 40 Winks has dominated the breakfast and bed industry in London, being the most prevalent and prosperous site house; appreciably, this is because of the lively and deluxe setting used for significant fashion events and celebrity photo shoots. However, initially they focused on B&B alone but due to the high competition and demand, the manager decided to give personnel involved in photography, designing, modelling or any of the creative and fashion arts, a place that they would dwell and also work when they visit London. This incorporation of work and pleasure also makes 40 Winks stand out from the rest of the competitors, especially with the prime focus being bed and breakfast. The resilience and top class experience have made an impact in the media too with many articles and reviews; however, most of them surfaced after 2009 when the manager decided to host photo shoots and fashion shows (The Escape List 2014). Nonetheless, as of 2014, 40 Winks is among the world’s best hotels increasing the attraction of guests interested in a place with distinct, exclusive and mystic facets (Welcome Beyond, 2014). The research methods and data collection involved both pilot and main study where gathering 40 Winks’ information involved observation and reading through different reviews from journals, websites, articles and people that have been there in person. Relatively, through observation, one is able to monitor behaviour of the staff, events and physical characteristics in the natural setting of 40 Winks B&B. Through this, I was able to get direct access to the social sensations of the home and an outright approach of getting both qualitative and quantitative information regarding all aspects of the hotel. Discussion Core Business 40 Winks London is a small Bed and Breakfast in a large historic area east of London, which increases its business opportunities; moreover, it is not far from the town centre and people sometimes walk there. Additionally, the B&B is more convenient due to the excellent transportation links near its location; fortunately, there are train and bus stations near the B&B. In regards to food, 40 Winks serves almost all the exceptional nourishments having even varieties of food for vegetarians and vegans. In the guest rooms, the B&B provides beverages such as coffee and tea accessible throughout the stay, but there is freedom to order others depending on one’s taste (View London, 2014). The rooms also have modern television sets (some with a DVD player) with multiple channels and free Wi-Fi for those interested in surfing, working or even blogging during their stay. As part of snacks, to go with the beverages, there are chocolate wafers and fairy cakes; however, if one does not feel like taking any of the beverages they can use the widely available bottled water that is in almost every corner of the house. The beds of the 40 Winks are divine with exquisite pillows and eiderdowns; moreover, their mattresses are firm and very comfortable especially because they are not the spring beds that most of the hotels prefer (Grant 2009). The management believes in utilizing all there is to make sure that every guest is satisfied, and no wonder that 40 Winks B&B has four stars in its rating on top of other multiple awards. All the same, the rooms have additional features that entail antique furniture, excellent shower rooms and alarm clocks; more importantly, one can tell that the management puts a lot of function in detail that they express in design and modes of service. In addition to the rooms being fancy, they all look the same to ensure that the treatment of every guest is equal with just a little difference such as the paintings and artefacts. The rates and prices for rooms are also fair despite the B&B being popular in the area, they charge per night and one can get discounts depending on the nights they plan on staying here. Moreover, they do not limit the maximum days that a guest should stay, as there are programs for long-term accommodation. The reason as to why 40 Winks B&B incorporates both short-term and long-term days is due to the cricket grounds and rugby stadium situated near it; essentially, there are different tournaments held here for weekends and sometimes for a whole month (Bowman 2009). Finally, the structure of the house has put people in wheel chairs into consideration, has large parking space in the compound and a huge section for chargrill (exposed to the sun). Nature of the Hospitality Offered On the visit to the 40 Winks, I was surprised to find David, the owner, welcoming every guest; obviously, as the owner of the successful Bed and Breakfast, and an international interior design legend, one would not expect him to be standing at the front door of the home. He personally likes to welcome everyone and guides the guests on where to do their exploration and take nourishments. The other staffs, including the ushers and the waiters, dress in unique ways with everyone acting as a representation for a certain culture and looking at the way that they do everything one is able to establish transformation, making the whole experience worth the visit. Significantly, once David greets you at the front door, it is a guarantee that you will see him again and often than one expects; typically, he is a people person who has conversations with almost everyone and anywhere i.e. the hallway or the backyard. He is a good example to his workers on how to deal with, and treat customers; largely, once you are there, they take you as part of the family and their home. Moreover, the freedom is exciting, no restrictions on where not to go or do, creating a variety of magnificent things to engage in and explore. Reflectively, once you book a place at the 40 Winks, they reply with a secret riddle through e-mail; definitely, for most people this is not serious, but when you arrive at the home, one has to give an answer for the secret riddle to David at the door before they enter. Fun and excitement at the 40 Winks Bed and Breakfast starts from the minute you book and ends after you leave, through an e-mail expressing their gratitude. Relatively, immediately a person gives the correct answer at the door, David escorts them to their rooms where they change into pyjamas, then to a room for refreshments and story narrating. The bedtime stories are a part of the exhilarating practice and culture at the 40 Winks, as mentioned earlier and one must be in their nighties. However, to my surprise, David has some of his workers posing as fashion police to ensure that everyone follows the dress code; nonetheless, there are not like the common police, grumpy and so strict; matter of fact, they make the whole event exciting with jokes about people’s pyjamas (Davey 2014). During this time, there are also refreshments and all kinds of drinks including melanges, and an entire table for snacks. One would think that David or one of the guests gets to tell the stories, but there is a professional actor for that; moreover, during the session, guest relax on huge and fluffy information, very comfortable if you may. David divides the guests into two groups during the storytelling time, Kasper (an actor), took narration to a completely new level; normally, one would expect the narrator to sit there and read the story but he moved around, narrated with actions and even used props. Murder, being the theme of the story, made everyone alert the whole time; all the same, after this, one of the chefs ushered the guests to the kitchen for a second round of refreshments and nibbles. After which people would switch narrators or rooms for the last story of the evening. After the narration, people gather in the art room for music before retiring to their beds. Generally, most of the hotels, motels and bed &breakfasts consider hospitality to be all about safety and endurance; however, it is about politeness and entertaining, which 40 Winks vastly expresses through all of its activities. Moreover, they maintain respect for the guests, follow up on requests and treat everyone as equals; obviously, it is not every day one sees a stranger treating you like their son, daughter or friend. Impression before Visiting 40 Winks Upon visiting the 40 Winks Bed and Breakfast, everything seemed perfect except from the worrying fact that the house construction took place in 1717, which prompted me to enquire about the place and read some of its reviews online. Most people I asked were not aware of it because one has to divert a short distance from the main road to get to it, but the reviews online were of mixed reactions from people who visited the place. Some of them complained about the booking process and problems with the bed but the manager replied to every review; fortunately, most of the people did not know that there was a 40 Winks in East London and another one (Forty winks) in Blackpool, which they mistook. In the long last, I decided to go, booking for a night but upon entering the front door, the unique design of the hotel and David’s hospitality impelled me to extending my stay there for two extra nights. Most people believe that the first impression is a lasting impression; however, in this situation, it all depends on when a person judges the 40 Winks, one should take the visit first before making assumptions. Some of the reviews are definitely misleading so it is essential that one hold an open mind while doing the research. Emotional Labour 40 Winks Bed and Breakfast does not have much staff workers but the ones there are familiar with the concept that the feelings that employees display to the customers are essential to the reputation of any organization. From the minute one enters the door of the home, David is an utter example of the top class service offered by his workers as a way of pleasing the guests and upholding the management’s expectations. One can only describe most of the workers as contented and willing to work; moreover, the frequent chats and interesting conversations sums it all up making one feel special as a guest at ‘40 Winks B&B’. Normally, everyone knows that in order to meet the emotion labour principles, the employees should display false feelings, hide true feelings and make up necessary emotions for a particular situation; however, most of the consumers are able to tell when an employee is in pretence or trying to hide their true feelings. Remarkably, the staffs of 40 Winks B&B make it hard to tell and one cannot argue about their true feelings; they understand the emotional requirements of their occupations, be it during service, giving directions and answering queries from the guests. For instance, while there, one of the guests was supposed to visit a relative but had no idea on what route to take, one of the employees personally drew the directions on paper explaining every step, which was very kind and helpful. Conclusion Resolutely, 40 Winks could be even better in the sense of development were it not for it being in the interior parts of the Mile End Road, where one cannot notice it unless they have heard of it or been there before. The home is stunning especially once someone walks through the door leading to the reception where the genuine delight now begins; essentially, the main hallway full of paintings, excellent photographs and beautiful artefacts is a good way to advertise different events and major photo shoots that they host. Decisively, 40 Winks B&B is more of home, not the common B&B hotels, a place for relaxation without any noises and distractions; moreover, events such ‘bedtime Story Nights’ act as a major booster for their excellent services. Recommendations As a Bed & Breakfast, 40 Winks, general management and design have minimal faults especially under David Carter, who has turned the home as an expression of his ideal work in the interior design field. However, the only recommendations would be looking for more ways to market the place, probably through reservation organizations and specifying the overall aspects of the home to attract the attention of people with specific interests. Moreover, David should consider expanding the scope of events held there by including events such as romantic weekends or corporate retreats that would suit the place. Boldly, the hotel is not that spacious especially in the guests’ rooms, and there a limited amounts of people that can spend the night there at a go. Expanding might be hard due to the history of the house but David should also contemplate on the different ways that he can implement to increase room space. Bibliography 40 Winks. 2014, ‘Magazine Quotes and Comments from Guests’; Welcome Home, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.40winks.org/reviews3.html Bowman, K. 2009, 40 Winks- Possibly the Smallest Boutique Hotel in the World but Definitely One of the Most Imaginative’; Budget Travel, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.budgettravel.com/hotel/40-winks,5730/ Davey, A. 2014, ’40 Winks’ Bedtime Story Nights’; Traveller, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.cntraveller.com/news/2013/january/bedtime-story-nights-40-winks Grant, M. 2009, ’40 Winks’; Time Out, London, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.timeout.com/london/hotels/40-winks Ellwood, M. 2012, ‘London’s Secret Small Hotels’; Travel and Leisure, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/londons-secret-small-hotels The Escape List, 2014, ’40 Winks’; The Urban List, London, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.theescapelist.com/hotels/urban/londonn/40-winks View London, 2014, ’40 Winks Information’; Venue Information, London, viewed 31 October 2014, http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/hotels/40-winks-info-60217.html Welcome Beyond, 2014, ’40 Winks’: Hand Picked Paradise, viewed 31 October 2014, from http://www.welcomebeyond.com/property/40-winks/ APPENDICES Appendix 1 40 Winks Front Door Appendix 2 Bedtime Story Night Read More