The Magnolia Plantation Blog

Is the Magnolia Plantation an Air B&B? If you have been following the Magnolia Plantation blog, you've seen our blog post " Beat the Heat !" For June and July, we have discounts for your reservation so you can start your summer off right. You can use these discounts to book a cottage or a room in the Main House. However, these discounts exclusively apply to vacation rental reservations. What does that mean? We're glad you asked! When booking at the Magnolia Plantation, you can make a bed and breakfast or a vacation rental reservation. A bed and breakfast reservation applies to rooms and cottages on our property. This reservation includes breakfast and service during your stay. Now, for a vacation rental reservation, it also applies to rooms and cottages on our property. However, this type of reservation lets you pay at a lower rate; it also means you do NOT get breakfast or service during your stay. This type of reservation is basically like booking an Air B&B. "Wait a minute. An Air B&B? I thought the Magnolia Plantation WAS an Air B&B." We are on the Airbnb platform because we can, however, once you add the fees charged to you by Airbnb, it's much less expensive to book directly with us. If you ever see a lodging facility on Airbnb and you know the property and know how to reach them directly, do it. That way, you avoid paying the fees to Airbnb. You're welcome! Also, there is a difference between an Air B&B property and a B&B property. Let's get into it! What is an Air B&B? Well, it's an online service that allows you to book a home, a boat, a tent, or anything considered a place of rest or a home away from home. Since Air B&B is an online marketing company, you can access many different rental spaces on a global scale! It's incredibly convenient for people who are always on the go and looking for adventure! Not only can you book a rental space, but you can also host a rental space on Air B&B. You get to show off your interior design style, and the best part about hosting a rental space is that you don't have to be on the property when your guest checks in. How cool is that? However, there are some downsides to be aware of when booking or hosting a rental space on Air B&B. We'll get into that later. What's a B&B? A B&B is a licensed and inspected hospitality business owned by a family or an owner living in the area. When a guest checks in, either the owner or an employee MUST be on site to ensure the guest has a smooth check-in. When it comes to inspections, a health inspector will make a surprise visit up to 4 times a year to ensure the B&B is doing its job correctly. They check the beds for clean sheets, pillow protectors, mattress pads, or dust bunnies under the bed. They look for mold, mildew, bugs, wasp nests, and rodent droppings. For kitchens, they look for expired food or cross-contamination to protect the guest's health. Fire marshals inspect B&Bs to ensure no obstacles block fire exits. Since the Main House on our property is 3 stories, mandatory sprinklers are installed in case of fires, and fire extinguishers are changed out regularly. All these inspections are done with the guests in mind. We, the Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast Inn - are a licensed and inspected hospitality business. We are required to obtain our Food Safety license which means we are certified to observe any signs of human trafficking and all employees must have their background checked. Air B&Bs are neither licensed nor inspected. With this in mind, let's discuss the differences between Air B&B and B&B. The Differences One of the main differences is that Air B&B rental spaces are not a licensed hospitality business; this means health inspectors don't make regular inspections. Think of a time you made a reservation on Air B&B. Did you find anything wrong in the rental space? As we stated before, you have access to rental spaces on a global scale via Air B&B. However, each rental space will have different amenities and a different host. Some hosts are better at maintaining a high cleaning standard than other hosts. Some hosts might add pillow protectors while making a bed since pillow protectors prevent biofluids from prior guests seeping into the pillow. Other hosts, not so much. Another factor is the different regulations for each country and state. Some places will have more health and safety regulations than others; this brings us to the next difference. Pre-Packaged Food Air B&B hosts are not allowed to cook for their guests. However, they can give their guests pre-packaged food and fruit you can peel like a banana. It's nice to know that your host has provided food for you but do you know what's even better than pre-packaged food? A home-cooked meal. Here, at the Magnolia Plantation, we provide a hot fresh breakfast for your guests every morning to start their day off right. Our staff members are required to take a test in food safety and earn their food safety title to work in the kitchen. Safety & Privacy Another difference to Air B&B rental spaces is privacy. Some rental spaces could be the home of a host. Ask your host if they changed the code on their rental space code box. Joe and I were in Kentucky and unknowingly arrived a day early for our Air B&B reservation. When we used the code our host had sent us and opened the door, we realized something was terribly wrong. We saw another person's luggage in the rental space. When we called the host, they explained we were a day early. It was our fault, but it made us realize how important it is to take old codes off and put new codes on. You want to feel safe knowing you don't have to worry about someone walking in on you while you're relaxing. On the same trip in a different Air B&B rental space, we could not find any towels in the bathroom. I started to look in drawers to find some towels only to find our host's underwear. While Air B&B is considered home-sharing, finding our host's underwear is a step too far. When staying in your host's home, the host is required to tell you where all indoor and outdoor cameras are located on the property. The outside cameras, I understand. A Ring doorbell or an outside security camera is fine, but why would you put a camera inside your home if you are renting your home out? Why would you want to be watching your guests? Let's move on to the next difference. Service Fees Another great thing about Air B&B is that you can find rental spaces at a low cost. It's convenient for business workers who must stay for an extended period due to work-related business. However, you're not only paying for your stay. You also have to pay a service fee. The service fees for some rental spaces can turn your low-budget stay into an expensive trip. Don't believe us? Let's ask Brett. Brett Holzhauer, a writer for Bald Thoughts Travel Blog, gives a visual example of the service fee of an Air B&B rental space in Salt Lake City. In his example, he shows how the service fee increases the total cost of his two-night stay. He states: "This apartment in Salt Lake City is $85/night. Not bad, right? However, when I go to book, I find that there is a required one-night stay. If I were needing just a one-night stay, I would have to look at a new place." He shows the service fee is $23 with an occupancy tax of $21. Even if I were looking for a two-night stay, my final price all of a sudden jumps to $214. A 26% increase from the per-night rate!" If you want to read more of Brett's article and see his visual example, visit the Bald Thoughts website: 11 Pros And Cons Of Using AirBnB You Need To Know (boardingarea.com) This article is just one example of how the service fee increases the cost of your stay. If you were to look at rental spaces in your area and compare prices, we're sure you'll find some questionable service fees. Another issue is the check-out instructions. Some Air B&Bs give you a checkout list asking you to strip the bed, load the dishwasher, gather the dirty towels in a basket, put the laundry in the washer, and take the trash out. Please make note of what their cleaning fee is and what you have to do to check out. The cleaning fee makes you wonder if they want you to re-caulk the windows or apply a fresh coat of paint on the walls. If that's all of your work, then what's the service fee for? Unexpected Cancellations Did you ever make a reservation on Air B&B only to be canceled unexpectedly? If you did, you're not the only one. Back in 2022, we had a guest stay at the Magnolia Plantation. She had told us about her terrible experience with an Air B&B host in Gainesville. She had booked a cottage months in advance since she was staying in Gainesville for her child's graduation. However, when it came close to her check-in day, the host immediately canceled her reservation. They had stated that they had to make some emergency repairs to the home due to a water leak; this was not the case. The next day, our guest was checking Air B&B for other rental spaces in the area only to find the same cottage listed at a higher price. The reason? She had booked the cottage during football season, and the host did not want to waste the opportunity to make more money. Most Air B&B hosts are not like this, but they can cancel your reservation and leave you in a bind! Air B&B has been working hard to crack down on situations like our one guest experienced, but it's hard to do so when your business is universal. With these Air B&B differences in mind, let's also discuss the B&B differences. B&B Differences So, what are the differences of a Bed and Breakfast? As we previously stated, in our town, an innkeeper/employee are required to be on the property at all times. While it's beneficial for guests who need service, it also means that the innkeeper/employee can access your room. However, since COVID-19, we will not enter your room unless upon request. If you prefer a more secluded experience, a bed and breakfast is not for you. We say this because all bed and breakfasts are designed to accommodate more than one guest. So, you may encounter other guests on the property. What about the Magnolia Plantation? What You Can Expect from the Magnolia Plantation At the Magnolia Plantation, we not only offer rooms in our Main House but also cottages which provide more privacy for guests. Each cottage has a private entrance and can be booked as a vacation rental, so while guests are still technically on our property they are less likely to run into other guests. Some of our cottages even offer private courtyards equipped with seating areas, fountains, and a spectacular array of foliage. Did we mention that we are cottages are also pet friendly? Bring your fur baby and take them on a walk at Depot Park! We also have dog baskets filled with items like food bowls, water bowls, toys, and doggie bags just in case you leave something behind! We also serve breakfast on your time. If you have to get up early for a meeting, we can make you a grab-and-go breakfast so you're on time. What if it's raining and you prefer not to leave your room? We got you covered! Just give us a quick call and we'll bring your breakfast right to your door. Just to reiterate: We are on Air B&B. This blog post is to tell you the differences between a Air B&B and a B&B property. Although we are on Air B&B, we highly encourage you to book through our website. We hope this blog post has cleared any misconceptions you had about us being strictly an Air B&B. Best Regards, Cindy Montalto

As June comes to a close with July on its way, we remind you that our Vacation Rental special will end at the end of July! Seize this opportunity to plan a relaxing getaway at the Magnolia Plantation! To help you get started, we found events around Gainesville that might interest you! Please Note: Most events on this list are on the Visit Gainesville website. Check out their website to see more events . Visit Gainesville Website: https://www.visitgainesville.com/ Late June Events: June 27th "Rock Your Buns Off with the Imbeciles!" From 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM, a local band called The Imbeciles will perform live at the Black Adder Brewing Company to raise funds for Gainesville Rabbit Rescue! Gainesville Rabbit Rescue works tirelessly to help every rabbit go to a loving home. To learn more about Gainesville Rabbit Rescue or Black Adder Brewing Company, click the links below to visit their websites! Gainesville Rabbit Rescue Website Black Adder Brewing Company Website Visit Gainesville Imbeciles Event Early July events: July 4th "Red, White, & Brew!" If you love celebrating the 4th of July but don't like huge crowds, visit the Black Adder Brewing Company! The event will start at noon and end at 6 PM. Learn more about the event by visiting their website. Black Adder Brewing Company Website Visit Gainesville Red, White, & Brew Event Legacy Park Celebration If you don't mind crowds, the event at Legacy Park is just for you! Located in Alachua, Florida - Legacy Park will have music, food trucks, various activities, and a beautiful fireworks display you can't miss! Make sure to bring a chair to enjoy the fireworks show! Learn more about the event from the Legacy Park website. City of Alachua Website Visit Gainesville Legacy Park Event July 6th - 7th "Guided Walks at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens" When planning your vacation in Gainesville, Florida - The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is a must-see! On the first Saturday of every month, Kanapaha offers guided tours that start at 10 AM. For more information, visit their website for prices and upcoming events. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens Website Visit Gainesville Kanapaha Event Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Are you a fan of the dark and macabre stories of Edgar Allan Poe? Attend the Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy! A group of actors will perform four iconic Edgar Allan Poe stories. To complement each story they perform, they offer four unique drinks you absolutely must try! However, the speakeasy will only be in Gainesville for a short time. Visit their website to get your tickets now! Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Website I July 12th "Death at the Dive Bar" Do you enjoy crime-solving mystery books? This event is for you! Hosted by the Black Adder Brewing Company, you and 29 other detectives must investigate a murder at the dive bar! Are you clever enough to solve it? If so, visit their website to learn more about the events and get tickets now! Black Adder Brewing Company Website Ichetucknee Springs Let's not forget about the Ichetucknee Springs! With summer still around, visit the gorgeous blue springs and go tubing down the river! It's the perfect place for a fun family trip; learn more about the Ichetucknee Springs from their website! Ichetucknee Springs State Park Website And that's all the events we can share for now! We hope these events have piqued your interest. If not, you can always the Visit Gainesville website to find other events that match your style. Don't forget! Our Vacation Rental special will end on July 31st! Book a room now and see what else we offer at the Magnolia Plantation. To learn more, check our blog post: "Beat the Heat!" Best Regards, Magnolia Plantation Staff

Start your summer vacation with these summer specials we have to offer. Don't hesitate to book soon! These specials only last from June 1st to August 1st. We offer 3 Specials to tailor your vacation needs. Vacation Rental - 1 Night Minimum Has your day trip gone on longer than expected? Don't worry, we got you! Being a walk away from Downtown Gainesville and Depot Park, you have a variety of restaurants to choose from. At the Magnolia Plantation, you can choose a cottage or a room that best suits your needs. Our cottages have kitchens and air-conditioning, and some have private gardens where you can sit outside enjoying the fresh air! Did we mention that our cottages are also pet-friendly? In each house, we provide a dog basket for your fur baby. Dog Blankets, Dog Towels, Food/Water Bowls, Dog Bags, and Dog Toys are all included in this basket in case you left anything behind! Let's not forget about the rooms of the Main House! We also have five rooms in the Main House that are perfect for you and your significant partner. You can relax in your room or explore the first floor of the Main House and take an audio walking tour! If that's not your style, play some chess or enjoy the night air while sitting on the Main House front porch. You can also visit the Museum of Natural History while you're here with us. We highly suggest the butterfly exhibit housing a beautiful garden for the butterflies to flutter around and for you to enjoy! To add to this deal: For one night at the Magnolia Plantation - you get 10% off your reservation! Do you know what's even better than this deal? Vacation Rental - 2 Night Minimum It's this deal! As you know, the weather here in Florida can be sweltering and humid during the summer. This weather is the perfect time to visit the Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White! Make sure to pack a bathing suit and some sunscreen! At the Ichetucknee Springs, you can go tubing down the beautiful blue waters of the river and enjoy the wildlife around you. It's a perfect way to beat the heat! On your way back, stop by the Hyppo in Downtown Gainesville! You can find sweet popsicle treats that are made locally in Florida. They offer non-dairy and dairy popsicles! After a sweet treat, end your day by relaxing at the Magnolia Plantation in your cottage or room. We offer this summer special to you if you're staying longer than one night in Gainesville with 20% off your reservation! Can it get any better than this? Vacation Rental - 3 Night Minimum Yes! Yes, it can! With 25% off your reservation - enjoy the Museum, the Ichetucknee Springs, and the Paynes Prairie State Park! Located in Micanopy, this 16-minute drive will take you to a gorgeous State Park where you can go on hiking trails to walk over the prairie. If you're lucky, you might come face to face with a bison on one of the many trails they offer. With that said, all this talk of adventure during summer has left us famished. If you love barbecue, visit the Pearl Country Store and Barbecue! Don't be fooled by the fact that it's right next to a gas station. This barbecue joint cooks up a delicious beef brisket that we love! If barbecue is not your style, you can always try the restaurants in Downtown Gainesville! Some restaurants offer vegan and vegetarian options if you don't want to eat meat or dairy. With a great meal in your stomach, end your day right back at the Magnolia Plantation and sleep on our comfy beds. All these summer specials are fine and dandy, but what's the catch? The catch is this, Jack. For our vacation rental rates, we don't provide breakfast or service. However, we know of many great breakfast places around town that you will enjoy! Don't forget! These summer specials only last from June 1st to August 1st. Make your reservation now! You can find these vacation rental specials under "Current Events & Specials" on the website! We hope to see you soon! Best Regards, Magnolia Plantation Staff