Investing in a B&B/accomodations near Tainan

I live about 20 minutes north of Tainan city, in a house I designed. I ran it as a coffee shop, and lived upstairs. But now want to convert the upstairs into a B&B and convert the downstairs into a breakfast/dining area and lounge area. The design will be smart and stylish, and western in function. There is a barbecue area outside and a well-kept garden area. Am near Chiku, famous for the birds, as well as various other attractions. Also am near the Tainan Technology and Industrial park on the number 17, and about 15 minutes from the Tainan Science Park.

Am looking for a loan to complete the conversion, which will be repaid with interest, as well as reasonable free accomodations in a room on non peak days ie. Sunday nights through Thursday nights (excl public holidays).

If you’re a businessman who travels South and pays to stay in hotels, this might be a good investment, or if you’re a businessman looking to stay long-term in a western environment, whilst working in the vicinity, please contact me.

Also obviously if you’re not interetsed in investing, but are looking for a “western style environment” whilst working or vacationing in southern Taiwan, please contact me for reservations.

Carl Bredenkamp
Call phone: 0929927811
Email carlbredenkamp@hotmail.com Photos can be forwarded on request

But you would be giving up your existing income for potential income. I know this may sound dumb. Why not convert upstairs first, then keep downstairs as a coffee shop for visitors/guests? That way any loan you borrow, you’d still have income to pay the interest, plus loan payments!

Anyway why don’t you post more information so we can all see what your proposals are!?

I think more value will be added to the B&B if I created a lounge area for the upstairs guests to lounge around in. What I lose not having income from downstairs, in my opinion can be added on to the cost value of the rooms.

There’s a nice barbecue area and garden too, and in most talks I’ve had with Taiwanese partners interested in running the downstairs coffee shop, they want use of the whole first floor including garden and barbecue area etc…Also my guests will be having breakfast downstairs, and this has also raised some eyebrows with possible coffee shop investors, due to the seperation of expenses etc…And if my upstairs guests were just to sit downstairs and read a newspaper etc., but the coffee shop was full, who would get priority?

The area where I’m situated is nice, near local scenic areas, and as I mentioned near the 2 science parks. However there’s not much competition out here with regards to B&B lodging, but that also means that I’ll have to help to create that culture out here, which would seem easier with my currrent formula.

In addition, on weekends I’m hoping to have barbecues for guests or other event evenings, like cooking foreign dishes etc. at extra cost to guests if they want, which again will offset any costs with “losing” the downsairs area.

I hope this answers you query.

Regards
Carl
Food for thought. In Taiwan you pay third world prices for food and drink, but pay North American rates for lodging. The profit margins in food and drink are minimal here. Another reason to maximise lodging rates where possible.