Aspiring Innkeeper Seminars onsite at our inn
If you’ve been quietly dreaming about leaving the 9-to-5 behind and opening your own bed and breakfast, this is where that dream gets real.
Our six-day innkeeping seminar, led by Rose Hilbert — who has welcomed guests at Inn at Gothic Eves for over 30 years — gives you an honest, hands-on look at the life and business of running a successful inn. Set in the heart of the Finger Lakes, it’s as much a retreat as it is a course.
The Seminar of Your Innkeeping Dreams!
Are you an energetic, independent, and nurturing person? Have you been dreaming of the day you ditch your 9-5 and create something of your own? Have you wondered what life would be like if you followed your heart and pursued that bed and breakfast business idea you’ve been sitting on for so long? You’ve been waiting for a sign, huh?
Well, this is it! Join us for a 6-day retreat exploring the joyful life of entrepreneurship and Innkeeping with long-time industry expert, Rose Hilbert!
Let Your Imagine Run Wild
Imagine waking up calmly and getting ready for the day, knowing your rewarding work is just steps away; there’s nowhere to be but here. Feeling a sense of wonder for the day ahead, you stroll down the staircase and into the kitchen, where you prepare a large pot of coffee for you and your overnight guests. As the coffee brews, you make your way out to the garden with your trusted wicker basket and scissors to pick some herbs and flowers for the breakfast plates in the early dew. The fresh air feels delightful, the sun embraces you, and the wind sweeps the aromas of the garden over you. You take a moment to take a deep breath and notice the villagers rushing to get to work in their cars. Returning to the kitchen, you lay out the most colorful assortment of local produce; it’s time to prepare breakfast. Enjoying your first cup of coffee and the sizzle of bacon, you sprinkle mushrooms, spinach, and sweet red peppers onto your omelet in the pan. When it’s ready, you flip the omelet, grab a salty, fresh wedge of local feta, and fill the middle before you slide it onto the plate. Your beautifully decorated plate with a warm omelet, toast, and bacon is ready to be served.
Moments That Make it Worthwhile
You hear the faint laughter of your guests as you approach the dining room. They are seated, enjoying coffee, juice, and fresh fruit, while sharing about their excursions from the day before. The table is perfectly set, with all the homemade jams and butter ready for them to indulge. You set down the plates in front of them, just right, displaying the herb-and-flower-topped dish. “Wow! This is too beautiful to eat”, you hear one of them say. Another pulls out their phone to capture a photo while humming at the sight of it. You acknowledge their exclamations and share with them the farms that have produced the ingredients in their breakfast. They may not know how, but they can feel and taste the love and intentionality that you’ve poured into their meal. As you smile and instruct them to enjoy, you feel your heart warming from the joy of your guests. Reflecting on all of the moments like these, and the ones yet to come, you feel an immense sense of gratitude for choosing this life, the innkeeping life.
Your Innkeeping Dream is Not Out of Reach...
It is human nature to encounter the fear-inducing “what ifs” in times of challenge, transition, and the unknown. The beauty of these thoughts is that we get to challenge and reframe as we notice their arrival. Let this be an opportunity to lean into the possibilities if you take this step towards your dreams. Take a deep breath in, and exhale slowly, and notice what it feels like to imagine this….
- What if you were surrounded by people who took your dreams and vision seriously and shared your passions and desires?
- What if you had the opportunity to be recognized for your natural gifts, learned to nurture them further, and gain the knowledge you’ve been seeking in a warm, playful, and supportive environment that encourages you to love and accept yourself as you are?
- What if you acquired all of the skills and confidence you needed to become a successful innkeeper, dissolving the fears and failure that are holding you back from your dream life?
- What if you found a career path that aligns with your natural talents and interests? A path that lets you be energized and in charge, instead of depleted?
- What if you could learn the ins and outs of Innkeeping through a holistic getaway that leaves you feeling empowered, rested, and renewed?
- What if you finally put yourself first and overcame your fears of disappointing others?
- What if you finally took a step towards the career and lifestyle of your dreams?
- What if you take this step and realize that Innkeeping isn’t your dream? Then this experience will release you to imagine a new dream for yourself, saving you from pouring all your time, energy, and money into a business that wasn’t right for you, all while being lovingly supported.
Take the Leap With Us
We all have the desire for our lives to look and feel a certain way. Some will stay still, accepting their lives as they are, carrying their longing with them. Others will take a conscious leap into the unknown, transforming their longing into determination, and become the creators of their lives. If you decide you want to take the leap into Innkeeping and entrepreneurship, this retreat will be your harness.
Here, you will gain guidance, support, knowledge, and encouragement to take the leap and feel held throughout your 6-day journey. This would be ideal for couples, mother-daughter teams, or a few interested individuals.
I’m Ready! Sign Me Up. Set up a Zoom call with Rose Hilbert to establish expectations for the retreat.
Explore The Venue
Nestled in the charming village of Trumansburg, in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, you’ll discover the Inn and Spa at Gothic Eves. Owned and lovingly operated by your host, Rose Hilbert, the Inn has been welcoming guests with warmth and care for over 30 years. With two beautiful houses, eight luxurious suites, and an on-site spa, the Inn serves as both a gateway to adventure and a haven for restful, restorative moments. Explore our suites and venue below!
This intensive Innkeeping seminar is a six-day retreat. To sign up, you need to set up a Zoom call with Rose Hilbert to establish expectations for the retreat. Cost for the retreat is $1695 plus room.
Cost for the retreat is $1695 plus room.
This BnB is well worth a visit
We recently stayed four nights at this charming bed and breakfast. This inn has obviously been created with great love and thoughtful design, indoors and outdoors. There is great attention to detail visually with gorgeous gardens, immaculate lawn, along with clean and well appointed bedrooms. It is family run and mother and daughter (and really all staff) were very easy to communicate with. We especially appreciated their responsiveness and care to whatever we needed. Not only were the breakfasts delicious but baked goods were prepared for guests and available throughout the day. We would definitely return here when visiting Ithaca and nearby lakes.