The Inn at Quail Run, Wilmington VT

We Asked: WIf you could wave a magic wand and change one thing about your inn (i.e. layout, location, construction, amenities, name, etc.), what would it be, and why?

Question for our next issue: Do you host weddings at your inn? If not, why not? If yes, what are your secrets for success? Bridezilla stories welcome!

Email your responses to InnkeeperNews@BedandBreakfast.com. If we publish your comments, we'll thank you with a $25 credit in our Featured Properties Auction program!

"If I could change my B&B ... I would have an elevator and a laundry room on the same floor as my guest rooms. If I could change my B&B ... I would have a whirlpool and a fireplace in each guest room, and in my own room as well. If I could change my B&B ... I would have my ten-year plan completed done today. If I could change my B&B ... I would have my landscaping done and my grounds weed-free. If I could change my B&B ... I guess I would not change a thing. I love all things great and small about my B&B, and best of all are the people who come to stay and change my every day." Jennifer Dunn, The Franklin Victorian Bed & Breakfast, Sparta, WI

"If I could change one thing about our inn it would be to build a beautiful barn for my husband. We are new innkeepers, and everything about this inn has been an uphill climb. The basement flooded ruining our belongings. The directional signs were removed due to lack of payment by the previous owner's part. Two baby llamas died, and the barn leaks. After we repaired the barn door and built stalls for the animals, an underground spring burst forth and flows in front of the door and freezes every night. My poor husband has to dig through the ice to let the animals out every day. The roof still leaks, and so it goes. I would wave a magic wand and build a nice, dry barn for the animals and for storing the mower, snow blower, and four wheelers. Anyone have a wand I could borrow??" Victoria Lawhorne, The Inn at Quail Run, Wilmington, VT

"If we could change anything... This beautiful 100-year-old Victorian inn is my pride and joy. I would love to be able to put whirlpool tubs in our suites, but it's not possible with our layout without losing some of our sixteen guest rooms. Other than that I love it here. Buddy & Keith, Inn at Long Lake, Naples, ME

"My magic wand wish would be for a new paint job on the outside of our beautiful church-stone, Victorian inn. I would leave the selected paint chips (with brand name) and a diagram of where I wanted each color to go, under the wand Hopefully, all the information would transfer on my wish. My guess is we are wishing for a $20,000 paint job!" Nadine Hermann and Dave Meade, Cornerstone B&B, Philadelphia PA

"This is an easy one: separate, private family quarters would add immeasurably to our comfort -- a place in the house to escape to, where guests could "ring" a buzzer to call, but private time and space would allow for peace and rejuvenation. Maybe if we ever win the lottery… " June Campbell, Campbell Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Kelleys Island, Ohio

"If I could wave a magic wand and change anything about my inn I would move it to a coastal state with a water front view. At the very least I would locate it on a lakefront, because it seems that about 90% of media write-ups and awards go to those locations, thus bringing them more exposure and more business. Besides, I just love the water myself!" Joe and Sharon, Rachel's Bed and Breakfast, Annapolis, MO

"Although we lose some reservations because we have a shared bath (and no place to put another one even if I could afford it), I would not change one thing about my bed & breakfast. Guests do not take long, water-consuming showers due to the shared bath (one guest wrote in the comment book 'a private bath was not as important as we thought it was.' We have many guests who return year after year. Our departing guests are usually heard to remark as they leave - I felt like family - so our motto became, "Where you are treated like a guest, but feel like family." Kathleen A. Panek, Gillum House Bed & Breakfast, Shinnston, WV

"What would I change?

1. Our inn is on a rather steep hill with terraces; I'd like more flat land and more parking.
2. I'd like to be in an area with a better understanding of the tourism business.
3. Our great room is horrible: it leaks, it's cold and worn. I'd replace it with a welcoming guest arrival area, a real office for the inn, a check-in area with a countertop, a guest pantry, and a public restroom. It will have one step or less (perfect for dragging in luggage) and tile floors (easier to keep clean). Lastly, a greenhouse wall to make winter feel like summer.

Judy Hotchkiss, Prospect Hill Bed & Breakfast Inn, Mountain City, TN