At least half of people who stay in pubs, or are interested in doing so, say they offer a friendlier atmosphere (50%), more traditional and historic charm (53%) and a more relaxed environment (53%) than any other type of accommodation. These were some of the key findings from the 2025 Pub Accommodation Review commissioned by Stay in a Pub, a membership organisation supporting the sector. It lists over 1,600 pubs with rooms in the UK and has a community of potential guests looking for accommodation.
Recruiting additional staff can be problematic, particularly housekeeping staff. Mark Aisthorpe says, “Housekeepers are generally hard to find.”
As James Ratcliffe points out, reception or front-of-house staff with hospitality experience may be needed, as well as a breakfast chef or kitchen team able to start early. “Coordinating these roles and ensuring they’re aligned with your brand and service standards adds complexity to recruitment, training, and day-to-day management,” he says.
Guest Rooms as a Valuable Investment
According to James Ratcliffe, co-owner of The Black Bull, Sedbergh, Cumbria within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, guest rooms are a worthwhile investment particularly for pubs in rural or tourist-friendly locations. The Black Bull has had 18 guest ensuite rooms since 2018. “Even if you don’t have the internal space there are options – nearby cottages can be converted into accommodation or luxury glamping pods could be added if you have land, subject to planning approval.”
Similarly, Cubitt House has offered guest rooms in pubs since the company began. “Offering accommodation gives a valuable regular income and means we have additional diners eating in the restaurants and drinking at the bars,” says Georgie Pearman, executive chairperson, Cubitt House. “If a pub has rooms, it’s worth refurbishing them, spending what you can on them and launching them onto your database. Consider offering them to local businesses at a discount and doing some meta-ads across social media such as Facebook. Even if it’s a lower rate, it’s still income.”
Promoting the guest rooms to the target audience is vitally important. If you don’t have an established brand, Georgie Pearman suggests promoting the rooms on online platforms such as booking.com, Mr and Mrs Smith for luxury bedrooms and pay the commission. “Also use traditional marketing methods such as databases, social media, google, as well as local business and travel agencies specialising in business and tourist travel.”
James Ratcliffe suggests website optimisation, showing the rooms with high quality pictures and easy to book features; listings on booking platforms and social media marketing. “Regularly post engaging content including room highlights, guest testimonials and special offers,” he adds.
Boosting Food and Drink Sales
Sophie Braybrooke, chief executive of Stay in a Pub, says, “Accommodation is a driver of food and drink sales, as it’s estimated around 80% of overnight guests choose to eat in the pub during their stay and the average spend is £41 per person per night. It also expands a pub’s target market beyond the local, whilst still being the hub of the community.”
While providing accommodation can be profitable, it also brings operational challenges such as finding more staff and adapting to the demands of 24-hour hospitality. James Ratcliffe says, “Managing accommodation adds complexity such as booking systems, guest communication, check-in and check-out logistics. Guest expectations are generally high when it comes to comfort and service, meaning pubs must consistently deliver high standards to maintain their reputation and secure repeat business.”
Key Considerations Before Investing
If you’re considering opening guest rooms in your pub, conduct some research before you commit to any renovations. Make sure you have space to accommodate accessibility needs and check planning requirements before you start. When designing your rooms, think about your target market, the price you want to charge and introduce a style that will meet their expectations.
Visit https://stayinapub.co.uk/ for more information.
