We are well into peak season now. Our occupancy rate across all 4 rooms for August is 98% after sitting at around 50% in May and June. September is currently at ~40% but increasing as bookings come in.
Once the nerves settled and our confidence grew during May, a good routine emerged through June and July with guests often arriving on Thursday or Friday for a long weekend and checking out on Sunday or Monday. With the rooms ‘turned’ and the house clean by the end of Monday, we found that Tuesday & Wednesday became our weekend before it all starts again on Thursday. 2 or 3 mornings without breakfast service or room changeovers allowed us to get out running in the morning before it got too hot or have a lie-in and just enjoy having the house and garden to ourselves for a little while.
As we moved into August however, it all changed. We’ve had several bookings for 5, 6 or 7-night stays. People are arriving and leaving throughout the weeks and the weekends. Whereas weddings were by far the biggest reason for staying with us for the first few months, now there are all sorts of reasons that people are staying in or passing through Eymet and I have to say, I am really enjoying meeting so many different people each with their own story to tell.
Whilst the B&B is more demanding / time consuming now, we have still managed to get out and enjoy the night markets, soirées gourmandes etc. that are so popular here during the summer. We’ve also had family to stay, some in our guest rooms and some in our accommodation, which has been a good excuse to draw a line under the business during the day and get out and enjoy ourselves. There were 12 of us staying in the house at one-point last week… it will feel very strange when it’s just back to Tom and I at the end of the season!
We also had our 3rd heatwave of the summer last week with the temperature back up to 40C. I think that has been the most draining aspect for me so far. Guests are understanding of course, 40 degrees is supposed to be exceptional after all, but if this is going to be the new normal, I think we’re going to need to explore aircon options for rooms that we struggle to keep cool.So, here’s to being halfway through our busiest month and still smiling. There is an Oyster and White Wine festival in town today which I hope to make the most of. Vive La France!