Desideria's B&B

Tinto (Moderator) says on Sep 17, 2004, 13:57:

I thought you hated Gringos? ;-)

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bjorn says on Sep 17, 2004, 13:58:

good idea, Desi How much to charge? Well, when i was living and travelling in Colombia in 2003 I found these typically prices:

Bed in dorm, shared shower: 10.000 (at Platypus in Bogota and some place in Medeliin I don't remember the name on)

Single room with private bath: 12000-20000. The best deal I have had in Bogota was at the Hotel Dorado in candelaria. Reasonable rooms with private bath and TV for only 12000. Also a hotel in downtown Medellin could offer the same for this price

In contrast, a single room with shared bath cost 20000 at Platypus. That's to much in my opinion, although the place and the owner Herman is very nice

Some places in Colombia, like Popayan and San Augustin, you can get a nice clean room with private bath for as low as 6000 pesos

As for long term rent. For a private room with private bath, maximum 350000 a month


Bjorn

Bjorn

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SiV says on Sep 17, 2004, 14:03:

The competition There´s already a backpackers´hostel in Granada. I think they charge about $12.000 a night, but I don´t know what it includes.
SiV

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 17, 2004, 14:06:

me hate gringos??????? of course not!!! tinto where did you ever get the idea? I love gringos, especially the color of their money:))) besides, some of my closest family members are gringos.
Björn, this would be for a fully-furnished bedroom in a quiet, safe neighborhood, with a balanced yet typically Colombian breakfast, laundry and cleaning thrown in just for the fun....no electricity bills, I might even let you guys read my El Pais every morning....
cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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villdkatta says on Sep 17, 2004, 14:11:

No se, pero I will stay there if it's anywhere close to Manizales. I'll be there next year, so please have it up and running by then! ;-)

Suerte!

Kim

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 17, 2004, 14:52:

I was thinking more in the line of long-term, not really backpackers haven. Breakfast, laundry and basic cleaning, on weekly or monthly basis. The house is well-situated in the near-south of Cali, plenty of trees and only two blocks from the Fifth.
cheers,
Desi
(kim, as I'm planning right now, we'll be in business sometime in June or July.)

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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ShazCas says on Sep 17, 2004, 14:53:

Prices Desi, you'll have to decide who your target market is and do some research before you start estimating prices. Do you want younger people with less money or older people with more money? What style would your place have and what kind of atmosphere? Funky, typical, modern, homely, relaxed, or more formal and stylish?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 17, 2004, 15:05:

right now and off the top of my head it would be laid-back, homey and relaxed, with potted palms, artesanias and safe environment for people who wanted to stay at least a week or so. Young people with less money would be ok, it would not be anything luxurios but classy yes, pretty basic with no frills, but the sense of being at friends', with people around to talk to and of course, clean and safe.
I have only four bedrooms available plus a fifth (actually the maid's quatrers) and all of them have a private bath. I'm renting it out right now to a local family and barely making enough money to pay for the repairs, the cost of management and the property taxes.
Cheers,
desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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caslug says on Sep 17, 2004, 15:07:

lock box in each room I recommend putting a lock box(for passport, money, valuable, etc.,) in each bedroom. The lock box should be nailed or screwed into the floor(preferably in the closet. This gives tremendous peace of mind for travelers(it's the first questions I ask a hotel or apartment in COL the second question is there a security guard working at night). When I stayed at an Apartment Hotel off of Avienda Sexta, I paid 75k/night for 1 bedroom apt w/ lock box(had to buy your own lock though).

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 17, 2004, 16:09:

thank you for the feed-back yes, caslug, the lock boxes would be a good idea. I would like to think that my guests would feel safe and comfortable if I were to share my home with them.
I am actually thinking about building a second floor and a small pool on the ground level.
Cheers, as ever,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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caslug says on Sep 17, 2004, 16:46:

If you're living there and renting out rooms(as oppose not having any "manager on site") then the lock box&security guard becomes less important because of a "manager's presences".

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Miguel says on Sep 17, 2004, 17:36:

Buena Suerte Desi Le deseo exito con tu Cama y Desayuno. Para mi, seguridad es importante si hay gerente o dueno alli o no. Shaz tiene razon, tambien...necesita rebuscar otros lugares, sus precios y servicios, etc. Obviously I am a gringo trying to give you advice in very poor Spanish, but I hope you are successful. Aproposito, soy locutor de radio y si necesita comerciales en radio en español o ingles, puedo ayudarte...with my gringo accent.

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 17, 2004, 20:59:

In BOG I paid $US 25/night for a tiny bedroom in an apartment.Desayuno was 2 scrambled eggs and black coffee/pan tostada.
Good security though and a good area.
What you need to do is to establish a 3 night minimum so you can attract people interested in Cali.Also think about offering airport pickup for a premium-double even triple what a cab costs.Then you hire some guy w/car and give him a cellphone and hand lettered signs to pick people up-you pay him the cab rate and pocket the difference-Hey it's Colombia!
As to cheapo backpacking types I know a guy that has a B&B in a rural Mexican town-he outright states that cheapo travellers are something of a PITA and he has little interest in servicing that market.(at the same time he is no grouchy old man but in fact a very nice guy with a courtly manner and loads of people skills as well as a dorm room on the property).
Whatever you do it'll be 'una aventura' like no other!
' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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heat says on Sep 17, 2004, 22:00:

no, no, no, Sam Salmon, no price gouging PLEASE! Desi needs to make some money yes, but let's not highway rob the poor travelers. Besides if this is going to be somewhat of an economical place to stay then those staying there will not be interested in airport transfers. They will know better. I suggest an in-house salsa teacher for all the gringos. It will come in handy I'm sure.

Desi - This place in Cali will be Colombian with a touch of Sweden?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 18, 2004, 04:12:

of course I'll have a perfect replica of IKEA Klippan couch right in the living room. Plus the picture of Queen Silvia la brasileira and all the hard-partying princesses and baby prince Philip.
In-house salsa teacher? What a brilliant idea! Basic salsa lessons every tuesday evening (slow night on town) so that my gringo guests won't make a fool of themselves when wooing the local princesses...
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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2retirensa says on Sep 18, 2004, 07:08:

What about pricing for extended stays? Some of us moving will be needing a place to stay waiting for furniture, etc. Especially for the length of time it takes to purchase property! How about Spanish lessons on another slow evening?
Great idea Desi!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 18, 2004, 15:39:

extended stays that's what I'm mainly interested in. That 3-day minimum sounded good, I'd rather rent on weekly or even monthly basis. Yeah, I might want to give a Spanish lesson or two myself or either find somebody qualified who would...
Keep in touch, Maureen.
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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adela says on Sep 18, 2004, 16:12:

What a good Idea!
It has to be you, Desi. What a good idea for Cali visitors!. It's even attractive for me(you know I live in Cali) :))

What barrio is? Cuarto de Legua?

Will you be at the B&B the whole year? Spanish teacher, dancer teacher? I know some expert dancer teacher. Spanish teacher? You, Desi, you're self.

¿Cuando vengas a Cali podré practicar mi inglés contigo? Dime que sí, please.

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 18, 2004, 16:34:

claro que si! Yes,
adela, we'll practice speaking English when I get there:) I won't be teaching salsa, though, I'm not a dancer, but I'm sure there'll be a lot of people who can, and it won't be a problem finding a dance teacher. About Spanish lessons, yes, I'm sure I could handle that myself, but since I won't be staying in Cali for the whole year (not the first couple of years anyway) it might be an idea for somebody else doing it.
We'll be in touch, adela. Me puedes ayudar encontrar un profe/profesora para poner a bailar a los gringuitos, no cierto?
Saludos,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 18, 2004, 16:36:

oh I forgot it's El Lido, one of those older, larger houses two blocks away from the Fifth, in the vicinity of Conjunto Residencial Pio XII.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 18, 2004, 22:38:

OK so my earlier response was eaten by this piece of shit format.
Desi-what you're talking about is a not a B&B.
BTW-there is nothing wrong with running an airport shuttle and making a few pesos-ignore the hippy wankers.
' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 19, 2004, 06:45:

if not what then? I thought the concept of bed'n breakfast wast just that, but maybe I was thinking of a pensionat instead.
The airport shuttle sounds fine; it would be optional, of course, not included in any package price. There wouldn't be any package prices anyway, except the very basic bed and breakfast.
cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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adela says on Sep 19, 2004, 14:01:

Por fin!
I will practice my english finally!.. Count with me for dancer teacher or whatever I can help you. I know El Lido. I have some family next, in Nueva Granada. El Lido is very well located, with big houses...

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

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Sam Salmon says on Sep 19, 2004, 14:40:

The format mixed me up-I meant to say the term used in Mexico for what you're talking about is Casa de Huespedes.
I don't know if Colombians use that phrase or not.

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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litost says on Sep 19, 2004, 17:52:

Hey Desi, What about colombians???

I know the main target group you intend is foreigners, but I suggest not overlooking the potential in visitors from other parts of Colombia. For some reason backpacking isn't very much a part of colombian culture, but that tends to change now and even more so if the locals start noticing foreign backpackers scrambling around the country. Many times colombians won't travel much because we feel that the only options for lodging are hotels which are very expensive, or cheap dodgy hotels which are not very welcoming.

Desideria's B&B could be a perfect place for foreigners to get to know colombians, and for colombians to get in touch with other cultures.

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 19, 2004, 22:07:

Colombians would be welcome, naturally. No discrimination here! I had an idea that most younger Colombians (older too) usually stay at friends' or relatives when visiting other cities, unless they visit on business. But yes, it certainly makes sense what you say.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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adela says on Sep 20, 2004, 18:10:

great expectation
Just to say that Litost have reason about what's happening of moving between colombians cities (hotels are expensives and some are not safe and clean).

Other aspect is that you count with 4 bedroom..may 5. As they way we are here(great expectation) you'll must build a 10 floors hotel...

Màs fe, màs abrazos, màs besos, màs disculpas, màs visitas a nuestros amigos antiguos nos haràn màs plenos cada vez.

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Angel_Gabriel says on Sep 27, 2004, 11:01:

B & B Desi,

Hello. Just curious, have you thought about who will be managing the register/cash flow? I own a small house in south america where the bank takes care of the rental fees for a percentage of their service. However, this is a monthly rental thing & not something as dynamic/volatile (in the good sense of the word) as B & B.

Regards,

Angel

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Sep 27, 2004, 11:28:

angel, I have a number of trusted friends and relatives in Cali, I might be able to get one of them to handle the banking for me for a small fee of course. Then I'd have to get a maid to do the wash, basic cleaning and breakfast, plus shopping. I have somebody in mind...but I'm sure it won't be hard to find a person to stay in the house and do these minor chores. The house is rented out now too; I've signed the renting of the house over to an inmobiliaria.
I'm looking forward at staying in the house a few months every year myself too.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Outtahere says on Oct 19, 2004, 11:15:

When? Hi Desi...

About when will you be up and running? I am interested!

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Oct 19, 2004, 12:50:

outta it'll be a while yet. Sometime next year, if my leave of absence from work comes through, otherwise I'll have to accumulate some extra vacations to be able to be in Cali at least three months to set up the B&B. Once I'm there the rest shouldn't take too long, but I may have to do some minor repairs before I start furnishing the house.
Cheers,
Desi

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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Outtahere says on Oct 19, 2004, 12:51:

Rentals? Know of any rentals in Cali?

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