Membership Information

Unique Inns is an organization designed to promote its members to the public and act as a referral network among member inns. The organization also supplies a forum for the exchange of ideas and information related to the innkeeping business. In order to accomplish this, the Inns can and should be different from one another in personality and style, but must be similar in quality and value.

Unique Inns was chartered in 1982 as one of the first bed and breakfast innkeeping organizations. Formed by eleven innkeepers in Oregon and Washington, the group now includes approximately 40 members in the regions of British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California.

Membership Criteria

1. The owner(s) of the inn shall be directly involved in the daily operations of the inn.
2. The Inn shall represent a geographic location not already adequately represented by the group.
3. There shall be a minimum of six guest rooms with private baths, but not more than 50.
4. A quality breakfast shall be available on premise.
5. The Inn shall serve dinner to guests or be able to recommend a quality restaurant no more than five miles away.
6. All appropriate licenses, permits and liability insurance required for the area shall be obtained and kept current.
7. The Inn must have been in operation under the same ownership for one full year prior to application.

Membership Benefits

As a member of Unique Inns you will receive the following benefits designed to promote your inn and improve your network.

• An active, supportive referral network through member innkeepers and inn staff.
• Placement on Association web site www.uniqueinns.com including an individual profile web page and direct link to your inn’s home page and reservations page.  The web site is the largest source of new guests and is one of the top referrers to the individual members.
• Exposure from Unique Inns media releases, opt-in newsletters, travel blog and promotions.
• Ability to advertise your membership with Unique Inns on your website and printed materials, adding to existing credibility and reputation.
• Combined group marketing; pooled advertising dollars. 
• Insight gained from meeting attendance through sharing of ideas and cost saving measures, resulting in increased income and improvement of innkeeper “quality of life.”  Meetings are held at member inn locations in March and November of each year.
• Room stays among member inns for Innkeepers and inn staff.  Hosting inn may charge up to 50% of the room rate.  Visits to other member inns provide additional avenues for ideas and inspiration.
• Staff Seminars for purposes of increased networking are held twice a year at various member inn locations.  Staff from nearby member inns are invited to the hosting inn to gather as a way to develop familiarity and includes a “guest” experience for the participants, along with being a benefit of employment.
• Gift certificate program to increase visibility and room sales.
• Over 500 years of combined member innkeeping experience on which to draw.
• Attractive brass plaque advertising membership to display on site.
• Inclusion in the printed Unique Inns Guidebook distributed at member properties - printed approximately every 18 months. Guidebook costs are subject to a special assessment. (Please note that printing of the  Guidebook is subject to Member approval and is not guaranteed to be printed every 18 months)