Innkeeper: Karen Morella
712 Ninth Street
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 399-1554
(800) 842-8544
Fax: (609) 399-1527
Email | Website

1. How long have you been in the B&B and/or hospitality business?   
I only started this year. I bought an existing b&b in January, 2006 and absolutely love it!

 
2. What is your favourite part of the job? 
I love so many parts of it but probably making breakfast is the best part. I love to cook and I love trying out different recipes!
 
3. What is your least favourite part of the job? 
Paperwork - paying the bills, ordering the amenities and other supplies, sending out the confirmation letters.
 
4. What is your best marketing tip?
Have leftover muffins? Take them to the local shops and give them out. My bank loves me - I bring them extras and they recommend me!
 
5. Do you have a staff or do everything yourself? 
I do everything myself.
 
6. What type of marketing do you find most effective? 
I am still trying to find out what is working and what is not. The Internet definitely is where I get most of my bookings.
 
7. Do you attend seminars? Buy B&B Guides? 
I have attended the PAII conference and did buy a couple of B&B books prior to purchasing.
 
8. Which recipe do you always get rave reviews for? 
Apple crisp - repeat guests ask if it will be on the menu!

9. Do you work with other Innkeepers in your area or consider them competition? 
I belong to the Ocean City Bed and Breakfast Guild. We work together and it has been very helpful to me. They even assigned a mentor to me for my first year!
 
10. Tell us about your most memorable guest? 
All my guests have given me memories:)
 
11. Do you have any horror stories from past guests? 
I have a non-guest who kept calling me to postpone his check-in time. When it finally went to 3 am I just told him to ring the doorbell when he got here - of course he never showed…..
 
12. What do you think the biggest misconception is about staying at a B&B? 
You will be intruding on the owner’s time and home.
 
13. What would you like to change about the industry? 
Have a difference between those who do it as a hobby and those for whom it is their livlihood.
 
14. Do you have any time saving tips or marketing treasures that you would like
to share?
Get as much of your food stuff delivered as possible!
 
15. What makes your B&B unique?
Besides having ME as the innkeeper, I accomodate guests with special diets, such as vega, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-intolerant.