B&B and Airbnb homes offer the comforts of home for travelers | News, Sports, Jobs
The popularity of Airbnb and VRBO has made it relatively easy to start a B&B style business. With many aesthetic buildings, bed and breakfasts are multiplying.
Many of the new temporary rental homes in New Ulm are not true bed and breakfasts, in that only the space is for rent, there is no catering service. However, New Ulm has one fully licensed B&B – Bingham Hall.
Bingham Hall Bed & Breakfast has been open since February 2006. It is operated by Shannon and Todd McKeeth. The couple opened the B&B after Shannon started taking cooking classes at Mankato. Originally, Shannon had the idea of opening a restaurant, but she wasn’t sure how long a restaurant would take.
A few people suggested he start a B&B, combining his cooking and hospitality skills. One of the people who suggested the B&B was a good friend and local real estate agent, Mary Henle, who helped her find a home for the business.
Henle found the McKeeths a home on German Street. At the time, the house was rented out as five apartments. The McKeeths moved into one and started converting it into a “historic house.”
They restructured the back of the main floor into a large kitchen/family room and the second floor into four guest bedrooms, each with a private bathroom. Two of the bedrooms have large jacuzzi tubs. Two bedrooms have gas fireplaces. All have queen beds, TVs, and sitting areas.
They transformed the third floor into a private living space, as well as a laundry room. Guests have access to their bedroom, as well as the large living room, fireplace and dining room.
Fall is the busiest time of year, with September and October being the busiest months, the McKeeths said.
January is the slowest month of the year, but from March to October business is very steady, especially on weekends.
The company has been growing steadily since 2006, with the exception of the COVID interruption. The McKeeths now rent about 450 rooms a year.
The McKeeths said the best part of the business was the people they met.
“Our guests come from everywhere and everywhere”, Shannon said. “We’ve had people from Europe, China and even Australia. We had people from Hollywood. We have had television programs recorded at home. But most of our guests are just good people a few hours away looking to escape their daily lives, coming here to relax and enjoy our B&B.”
Shannon said that in the years since starting the B&B, the biggest trend they noticed in the industry was the rise of Airbnb and VRBO and representing a younger demographic.
“I think it’s actually helped the B&B industry on every level,” she says. “Bed and breakfasts have been around for a long time, generally used more by an older demographic, but now there is a huge platform that also appeals to a younger clientele.”
Over the past year, Char Reinhart-Kalk and her husband Dan Kalk have opened two vacation rental homes: Holiday Haus on North State Street and Zwei Haus on South Broadway.
The Kalks have been operating Holiday House for a year and Zwei Haus for six months.
Char said they bought Holiday Haus because it was a great old house in a fantastic location. For the size and the price, they couldn’t refuse it. She said that in New Ulm, high-quality homes haven’t been on the market for long.
Initially, the plan wasn’t to convert it to Airbnb, but the Kalks realized that was a good idea because Airbnb rentals were where they liked to stay whenever they travelled.
Char thought the Airbnb model worked well during the pandemic. Thanks to online rental, customers do not need to have direct contact with the tenant. The houses are separate entities, unlike a large hotel with other guests and service staff. People traveling can easily social distance themselves if they wish.
Holiday Haus has three bedrooms with an additional basement which could be a fourth bedroom. Zwei Haus has five bedrooms. Both houses have kitchens available for those wishing to cook. Often the houses are rented by larger families, as the properties have enough room for a dozen people.
Char said both of their homes were usually full. If it’s not for a vacation, it’s for another event. Holiday Haus has been used for hen weekends, bachelorette parties, couples weekends and other retreats.
The houses were rented for the preparation of the wedding. Families traveling can stay in the house and have space for the bridesmaids to get ready. It helps that the State Street Theater and Turner Hall, two popular wedding venues, are helping.
Holiday Haus and Zwei Haus are both just a few blocks from downtown New Ulm, making them perfect for anyone looking to explore the city.
The history and appearance of New Ulm is also a major draw. The exteriors of Holiday Haus and Zwei Haus have an old-fashioned charm. Both houses were built in 1924 and 1925, although the Kalks modernized the interiors.
“We have character” Char said. “There is a lot of older architecture, but with modern conveniences.”
Char said April through October was extremely busy. It is not uncommon to receive two reservations per day. It can fill up quickly. It is recommended to book a month in advance during the summer.
As with Bingham Hall, September and October are the busiest months. To guarantee a reservation, it is advisable to book six months in advance.
Char agreed with the McKeeths that the best part of running a vacation rental home is meeting new people.
“I like people and I like New Ulm” Char said. “If I can get people here, so much the better.”
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