This is a good question and an issue that aspiring innkeepers should consider. At the B Street House in Virginia City, Nevada we do block out time on our web-based reservation system when we need to take time for ourselves. If we get a call for a reservation for that time we just say there is no availability and we do refer potential guests to other local properties. On a day-to-day basis we simply work around our guests' schedules and our bookings.

We tell our guests at Tupper Inn that we will be hosting a get-together for family or friends later that day and they seem to find the peek into the daily life of an innkeeper very interesting.  If we will be leaving to go to a party or the beach, we tell our guests to phone us if they need anything.  We lock the doors leading into our private space and tell them we may be away one hour or many hours, we are not sure, so that they will know that we may return at any time.  On a daily basis, almost all our guests leave to sight-see for the day, so there is plenty of time for our personal activities.  

My husband takes the responsibility for being available for guests.  We always have some here to great them, even when they arrive very late.  Once they check in, we let them know that if we are here we will help any way we can.  Like Jana said, most guests go out for the day and are gone all day.

We make time for our selves when there are not any reservations and adjust our plans if we get one.  

We are going on our first vacation in eight years this summer.  We did block off some of the time and have an innsitter for the other days.

Here at the Apple Blossom Inn Yosemite for over 8 years now, I simply try to take time off for myself during the off-season which is January through early April, weather depending.  What makes it challenging for me is that my boyfriend works for the local propane company and his busy season is November through March, also weather depending.  So, April and October have become the only months that we can get away.  So, we make it work!  I simply close during the days that we are away and try not to stress about reservations lost, and instead feel good about referrals to the other Inns in the area.

A very good question.  Arkens Bed and Breakfast is a relatively new B&B.  At first our bookings were very slow, so the issue of “time for ourselves” never came up.  Fortunately, we are starting to build our reputation and receiving more repeat guests and new guest reservations.  In the beginning, we just blocked off rooms for the dates we knew we would not be able to receive guests (example:  our son’s wedding, special personal days and certain holidays, etc.)  This works well for future personal times.  But, for those emergency or much needed days out situations, we have done the following:
If our guest is already checked in, we double and triple check to see that their needs are taken care of before we take out for the day or evening.  We ALWAYS have our cell phones with us for any spur of the moment need and make sure our guests know we can ALWAYS be reached by phone.  We are fortunate enough to have a couple of friends living close by, so if we need to run at the last minute or an emergency, we call on them to help.  Typically, all that means is that our friend would be here to answer any questions, fulfill any little needs from the guest and generally just watch over to see that all is happy.
As many other comments have said, this always works out well.  If we cannot accommodate our guest’s needs, we will most certainly refer them to anyone of the other fabulous Bed and Breakfasts in our neighborhood.  Our job is to make all guests feel welcome whether it is with us or another B&B.
Become friends with all of your local B&B’s.  They offer support, information and an understanding of what you are going through while putting together a B&B or just running your established B&B.  Good luck to the people who are thinking of becoming Inn Keepers.  It is truly a fun and exciting business to be in.

When we opened, going to church weekly was not something we were going to give up.  We found a church that had services at 11:30 and that made Sundays very busy.  We hired a part time housekeeper and eventually trained her to check folks out.  Now, we serve breakfast and towards then end we tell our guests that we are headed out and when they are ready to check out, to do so with our housekeeper.  Folks seem to be fine with it.

In the summer, I do take a few days off.  We have an innsitter come in three days each month and she does a good job.  Then I can really be "off".  I only have to check email to see if something came up that she needed help with.

When I was invited to go to my brother's 50th anniversary 2 weeks before, I emailed my guests that I had to leave at a certain time and asked them when they would check in. They were very considerate and checked in earlier than planned. On other events I will notify my guests and leave the info in the mailbox if I cannot make it. They will check in and as soon as I come home I will greet them. They always understand the innkeeper's needs for family functions.

At the Ann Street Inn in Beaufort, N.C. I do get "Innsitters".  I have several friends who love to sit for me.  In 8 years going out of town has not been a problem.  My friends take great pleasure and pride when they are asked, of course I have "trained" them beforhand and get as much done (including some cooking) before I leave.  On a daily basis I get my work done and i am free to go but i do spend alot of time on the porch with my guest talking and laughing-we all love that!

We found with the online reservation system it is easy to book off family events if you know well enough in advance , but since we are new at this we are always learning.We just had our first repeat customers change their dates to come and stay with us for a second time, as we were booked off for their original dates on our reservation system.They are coming to stay with us this week, and we look forward to having them stay with us again  

We decided to hire a receptionist every night, so now we can go out for dinner, tango, etc.
Though keep in mind that it is a very demanding job and after 2/3 years you might want to take longer holidays.

Our Bed and Breakfast is Los Patios de Montserrat in Buenos Aires. Thanks and good luck.

If we have enough notice, and it is a family or friend event that we want to attend.  We block out the time.  We will also grab mid week day trip and get out of town for a whole day.  We always have our business line tranferred to  our cell phone. That way we do not have to stay home all the time.  

I definitely feel the need to decompress after a week or so of continutal guests.  I really value the time when I don't have  guests.  I know the idea is to have as many guests and make as much money as possible, but I think if you don't take time for yourself on a regular basis you will burn out quickly.  Taking a good walk or hike or shopping or exercise class are all very therapeutic for me so I always manage to get some of these activities into my week.  

I know some innkeepers wait and greet their guests, but I find waiting around is boring and annoying.  I believe guests should not be held to a timed arrival.  I tape a note on the front door with directions to room, cell phone number, where WIFI info is and what time breakfast is.  At the bottom of note I have "turn over>>>>>>>>>>"  They have to take it off the door to see where I have hidden the key.  Sometimes I don't see my guests until the next morning at breakfast.  

My B&B is The Turret House B&B in Dryden, NY, a short distance from Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, SUNY Cortland, Cayuga Lake & Wine Trail - a beautiful Finger Lakes destination.  

We all know we have to make time for our self's. One weekend a month Ron and I hire an inn-sitter and go somewhere just to get away, whether or not we fly, drive an hour to another city or get on the motorcycle to go camping it doesn't matter, just getting away to recharge is the only important part of it.
During the week we make sure that we do our check-ins from 4 to 6pm and we explain to our guests that we may not be available to them after that if they arrive later but we will leave them a late check-in package at the front door with their name on it that will show them how to find their room and the guest snack and refreshment area, the guests are fine with that and even makes them feel less rushed. This allows us to have the option to go to dinner or go see a show if we like so we do not "feel" tied down. In reality we probable only do that 2 nights a week at most but knowing we can is half the battle.
Karen

We all know we have to make time for our self's. One weekend a month Ron and I hire an inn-sitter and go somewhere just to get away, whether or not we fly, drive an hour to another city or get on the motorcycle to go camping it doesn't matter, just getting away to recharge is the only important part of it.
During the week we make sure that we do our check-ins from 4 to 6pm and we explain to our guests that we may not be available to them after that if they arrive later but we will leave them a late check-in package at the front door with their name on it that will show them how to find their room and the guest snack and refreshment area, the guests are fine with that and even makes them feel less rushed. This allows us to have the option to go to dinner or go see a show if we like so we do not "feel" tied down. In reality we probable only do that 2 nights a week at most but knowing we can is half the battle.
Karen

Being an innkeeper is a lot of waiting around for people to show up, either to check in or to come to breakfast.  It also involves a lot of laundry.  We don't mind those parts, even though they take up a lot of time.  On Sundays, we have a part time employee to do the cleaning while we attend church services.  During the rest of the week, we also have part time help so that we can go shopping, strategize, do the bookkeeping, and just enjoy some downtime before the next round of guests show up.