B&B in St George, Utah

[Sofia Sharkey]

Hello BP community,

I am in the early research stages considering St George (southern Utah) for my next investment.

I’m looking into opening a bed and breakfast business, ideally with an event space. My current experience is in short term rentals so this is a way to expand that knowledge and acquire a larger piece of real estate.

I’ve been reading about the demographics in St George and wonder what types of events have demand for lodging and a larger area, yoga and healing retreats come to mind.

As far as the real estate, I imagine I would be making a switch from residential to commercial, right?

Any information regarding the demand / supply for b&bs in that area would be appreciate it as well as any regulations I need to keep in mind for this kind of business. I am brand new to the Utah market so still have lots of leaning and connections to make.

Happy to provide more details as needed.

I’d be looking to buy the real estate in the first quarter of 2021.

Thank you!

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Sofia Sharkey. St. George is a neat place! There is an LDS temple there so you will get church members traveling there for various temple related stuff. It is the 3rd temple built and the 1st in Utah and it is the most visited one. Having said all that, is was closed Nov 4th for renovations scheduled to be re-dedicated sometime in 2022.

There is a TON of outdoor activities there, 8 golf courses, hiking, waterpark, canyon rapelling etc. Zion National Park is about 40 miles away. It gets 4.5m visitors a year.

So overall I think a B&B would do well there. My wife and I almost bought a B&B in New Hampshire so I can see the appeal. Will you be moving there?