29/07/2023
It is with very mixed feelings and emotions that I am sadly closing the Bakehouse Guesthouse after 17 years of happy trading.
I bought this run down business in 2006 and spent so much time and effort… and money to rebuild its reputation from one of the three worst guesthouses in Maidenhead to number one on TripAdvisor, in the top 1% in the world in terms of guest satisfaction on Trivago and 4.9/5 on Google maps. Achieving consistently 9.8/10 on Booking.com until one of my neighbours’ dog “Roger” got accidentally locked in the garden overnight and barked until the early hours of the morning dropping me back down to 9.7 ... If only I could have had such scores at school! :D
The rate of repeat business was 93% for many years until the 'B' word got created, then covid came to put the final nail in the coffin of most of the guesthouses in Maidenhead as we were mostly working with business people from Europe and the rest of the world.
Over 17 years, I only had to throw out 6 guests who were spoiling it for the other guests. On a happier note, I've made so many new friends from all over the world and will endeavour visiting them. The sale of The Bakehouse will also give me more free time to support and help my mum whom is currently fighting a cancer.
I would like to say a big thank you to:
ALL the guests who've supported my guesthouse over the years. Duncan H, you still have the unbroken record for the longest stay (7 years and 7months); Richard C you came in a very close 2nd. Kevin H who kindly carried on paying his rent to support me during Covid, Pierre B I kept refusing to take his booking, and now we are best friends :D , the many guests whom have kept in touch since their stays and the list goes on.
To Sheila (sadly no longer with us) from the then Lawn Guesthouse, whom filled up my guesthouse before filling hers for my first two weeks of opening as my reservation book was full of fake bookings from the previous owners.
To my loyal local suppliers, G&T electrical, 24 Heating, Advance Fire Systems, Berkshire Linen Services and Tom and Darek... Tremendous guys.
To my neighbours for their trust in me turning this nightmare guesthouse for them into a respectable one... and Roger, my neighbour's big cute dog... all forgiven :D
To my true friends, Mercedes and Puerto who were bringing me meals when I was first open as I didn't have time nor energy to cook for myself when I was working 20 odd hours every day, and continuous IT support from Mercedes again :) Big thank you to Carmen who looked after the regular guests very well when I needed to be away.
To my mum who bailed me out by lending me money when I was robbed of a substantial amount of money and nearly declared bankrupt on day one.
And last but not least, to my children for their belief and support, and in particular Cécile that many of the guests have had the chance of meeting whom has been the greatest support right from the start to the very end. Cécile, you own a big share of the success of this guesthouse, thanks again and again.
What a rewarding adventure for many different reasons this has been, I hold many fond memories with great friends made along the way.
