B&Bs compete with chain hotels in slow summer

by Richard A. Webster Staff Writer NEW ORLEANS - There are times when Cindy Keuffer wishes she could hire an extra hand to help run the Monrose Row Bed and Breakfast in Treme. But this is not one of those times. Operating as a one-woman business keeps her overhead low and may be key to surviving what could be an especially tough summer season. “All of the major hotels in the Quarter are running these great deals, and it’s really hard for little historic B&Bs to compete with what’s going on,” Keuffer said. “I think some of the small hotels are going to have a really difficult time, especially the ones with high overhead and multiple employees to pay.” In response to high gas prices and a national economic downturn, major hotel chains are offering historically low room rates to lure financially cautious leisure travelers to New... [read full story]