FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 15, 2011

 Sallie Blalock (512) 237-4262
 
Katy House Bed and Breakfast CHOSEN AS BEST OF THE SOUTHWEST IN THE BEST OF BEDANDBREAKFAST.COM AWARDS

 Smithville, Texas – Katy House Bed and Breakfast in Smithville was selected as Best of the Southwest in the annual Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards, 2010-2011. The Best of BedandBreakfast.com Awards are based upon a qualitative and quantitative review of the nearly 50,000 independent reviews submitted to BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online B&B directory and reservation network worldwide.
 
“BedandBreakfast.com surveys show that independent reviews are the most important factor when choosing a B&B. In fact, according to BedandBreakfast.com’s most recent survey, 96% of consumers consider reviews to be somewhere between important and essential when selecting a place to stay, and 12% will not make a reservation at a property without them. We’re delighted that inn-goers concur that Katy House is deserving of its accolades from travelers,” explained BedandBreakfast.com’s Sandy Soule, one of the most highly recognized authors and a spokeswoman for the B&B industry. “Clearly, Sallie and Bruce Blalock earned stellar reviews from inn-goers for its quality accommodations, breakfasts, amenities and wonderful hospitality and service,” commented Soule. 

“It’s a true honor to be chosen for a Best of BedandBreakfast.com award, and we thank our guests for the positive reviews that resulted in this award, stated Sallie Blalock, Katy House innkeeper. “It is gratifying that our guests took the time to share their comments about our hospitality, accommodations, breakfasts and attention to the details which set Katy House apart,” commented Blalock. Here’s an excerpt from one of our reviews:” I have rarely felt as relaxed as I did at Katy House Bed and Breakfast. Sallie and Bruce are the perfect hosts and Smithville is a blast to explore.”  1/17/2011

 
About the Katy House: Opened in 1994, in the beautiful old railroad town of Smithville, Texas. This historic home is decorated in American antiques and railroad memorabilia. All guest rooms are on the second floor. Each room offers a queen-sized bed with private bathroom, cable TV and wireless internet. Included are the spacious Texas Special Suite with a private balcony, the Katy Limited and the charming Bluebonnet Room. The Katy’s most private accommodations are separate from the main house: The Katy Tower with rocking chairs and balcony is located in a small building in the back yard. The Conductors’ Quarters also offers a sofa-sleeper to accommodate families and extra guests. The outside rooms are “Pet Friendly.” A delicious full country breakfast is served in the main dining room every morning. For more information, please call 1-(512) 237-4262 or www.KatyHouse.com

 
For a complete list of all winners, including regional and international Best of BedandBreakfast.com Award winners, please visit www.BedandBreakfast.com and click Winners 2010-2011.

Founded in 1995, BedandBreakfast.com is highly recommended by The New York Times, Real Simple, Forbes, Travel & Leisure, USA TODAY and many others. To learn about more than 11,000 other perfect choices for your next B&B getaway, visit BedandBreakfast.com, the leading online bed and breakfast directory and reservation network worldwide. A variety of search functions and extensive maps enable inn-goers to find the perfect B&B. Travelers can make reservations online, purchase The Getaway Gift Card from BedandBreakfast.com, welcomed at over 4,000 B&Bs in the U.S. and Canada, read up-to-date trip reports on The BedandBreakfast.com Blog, read and write independent reviews, and post questions on expert-hosted message boards.

BedandBreakfast.com is owned and operated by HomeAway, Inc., the worldwide leader in online vacation rentals, representing more than 475,000 paid vacation rental home listings across 120 countries.

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High resolution photos available upon request (include this if you have high-res photos)

Sallie Blalock
Katy House Bed and Breakfast
201 Ramona Street, Smithville
512) 237-4262
www.Katyhouse.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Bruce and I love this time of year. The Katy House is decorated for Christmas, the weather is cooler and downtown Smithville is decked out for the season with trees and four-foot Gingerbread Men up and down Main Street. As guests come and go this season, we are reminded that the very best thing about owning a Bed and Breakfast is the wonderful and interesting people we get to know.

This is a perfect time of the year to give a gift certificate to the Katy House. You know someone that would love to come and visit Smithville. One night is $160 for two, including breakfast, all the trimming and the taxes. We’ll mail the gift certificate to you, or send it to the recipient. It will be a gift that will be remembered for years. Maybe it’s time for you to return to Smithville, so buy one for yourself!

The Annual Festival of Lights, December 4th, was a fun-filled Saturday, with a lighted night-time parade then a free live theater production called “Frosty vs. the Abominable Snowman,” by Smithville Playhouse. The movie, “Beneath the Darkness,” filmed part of the parade. As the Smithville High School Band marched and played, a man ran through the band, with a policeman chasing him down.

Smithville continues to be a “film friendly” community. “Tree of Life,” starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn will be in theaters May 27.th In the last year there have been several films made here. We’ve had the pleasure of visiting with John Schneider, Jenn Gotzen, Ernie Hudson, Robert Davi, Will Wallace, Joe Estevez and Erin Way. They were here in the spring filming “Doonby.” Watch for these movies to open in 2011: “Tree of Life,” “Five Time Champion,” “Natural Selection,” “Doonby,” “Bernie” and “Beneath the Darkness” as all or part were filmed here. Dennis Quaid’s trailer is parked across the street right now.

We’ve had a fun and busy year at the Bed and Breakfast with lots of wonderful guests that are now friends. Bruce has now retired from the Union Pacific Railroad. He still runs trains as a volunteer engineer for the Austin Steam Train. He has also been restoring the caboose and it will eventually be a guest cottage.

The Katy House Baked Egg recipe is perfect for a special breakfast for visitors.
Just email us and we will send you the recipe.

We hope you have a blessed Christmas Season and hope to see you in Happy New 2011!

We are excited that Playhouse Smithville is having Saturday Morning Children’s Theatre. The Theatre is one block from our B and B, on our historic Main Street, here in Smithville, Texas.  See the announcement:

 Auditions for Young Actors: Cereal Thrillers, Playhouse Smithville, September 18     

Snap, Crackle and Pop (TM Kellogg’s Cereals)

 (www.playhousesmithville.com)

 PlayhouseSmithville.com announces auditions for

 Cereal Thrillers

 Saturday Morning Children’s Theatre

 Playhouse Smithville is putting out a call to young actors of any age over six.  Cereal Thrillers, written and directed by the Playhouse Artistic Director john daniels, jr. (sic), needs Snap, Crackle, Pop, Count Chocula, Frankenberry, Boo Berry, Sugar Bear, Trix and Silly Rabbit, L. C. Leprechaun, Crunch Berry Beast, SeaDog, Jean LaFoote and of course the Cap’n.

 Come be in a silly, serial-cereal play, a “who or what done it.”  Adults, children and families welcome to audition.  Cereal Thrillers begins Playhouse Smithville’s Saturday Morning Children’s Theatre.  The show will play Friday evenings October 15 and 22, Saturday mornings October 16, 23, and 30 and one special Sunday October 31 matinee which will include a costume contest before audience and cast members go out trick-or-treating.

 Cereal Thrillers auditions Saturday, September 18 at 2:00 PM.  Come dressed to play and have fun. Playhouse Smithville, 110 Main Street.   For more information or to purchase pre-sale tickets visit www.playhousesmithville.com or call 512 360-7397.

So You Want to Be an Innkeeper?

 Here is some information for all of my guests that someday want to be a ‘Bed and Breakfast’ owner.

If you would like to talk to me about the class, please call: Sallie Blalock, Katy House, 512 237-4262

Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop to Be Held September 13 in San Antonio, TX

                The Texas Bed & Breakfast Association (TBBA), the state association of inspected inns, bed & breakfasts, guesthouses and distinctive hotels, will hold its Aspiring Innkeepers Workshop in San Antonio on September 13, 2010  

            Often referred to as “America’s Most Envied Profession,” operating a bed & breakfast is a serious business that requires personal commitment, business acumen and high standards to be successful.  TBBA offers the “Basics” workshop to help people who are interested in entering the profession.  The day-long seminar covers topics such as Getting Started, Financial Realities, Marketing & Advertising, Standards and Quality Assurance, Industry Resources, and insights about what the lifestyle is really like from seasoned professionals.

             This is the only workshop of its kind in the State of Texas offering aspiring innkeepers a chance to develop the necessary skills to be leaders in their industry.  With travelers becoming more sophisticated and discerning, successful inns must continually strive to meet and surpass the travelers’ expectations.  TBBA provides the resources to help inns meet this goal.

The workshop will be held at:  Alamo Street Victorian Inn

                                                 951 S. Alamo Street

                                                 San Antonio, TX

                                                 800-630-3722

Cost of the workshop is:
Basic & Full Member – $100 per person plus $37.50 for basic manual

     NON Basic or Full member $225 per person includes basic manual
The cost includes breakfast, lunch and all materials other than the manual.

If you need reservations for Sunday night, please call:

Aaron Pancoast Carriage House – 800-225-4045 – stay@nobleinns.com

Alamo Street Victorian Inn – 800-630-3722 – stay@alamovictorian.com

Arbor House Suites – 888-272-6700 – arborhaus@aol.com

Brackenridge House B&B – 800-221-1412 – brackenridgebb@aol.com

Gardenia Inn – 800-356-1605 – relax@gardenia-inn.com

Ruckman Haus B&B – 866-736-1468 – theruckmans@earthlink.net

The Inn at Craig Place – 877-427-2447 – stay@craigplace.com

For more details contact the TBBA Administrative Office at 1-800-428-0368 or info@texasbb.org.  A printable registration form, is available at www.texasbb.org.

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