By Don Nelson
The Methow Valley Inn will adopt a new business model beginning Friday (Oct. 31), switching from individual room rentals to group rentals only at the Twisp bed-and-breakfast.
Terry Larson, who owns the inn along with the husband-and-wife team of Peter Morgan and Raleigh Bowden, said one reason for the change is to give the owners a break from full-time management of the inn. Larson said that the new format also may make the inn, which has been on the market for $1.1 million, more attractive to a potential buyer who would not have to be on site to operate it.
“The change of model will appeal to a different kind of buyer,” Larson said. “If you can afford to buy it, you probably don’t want to do the work. If you’re willing to do the work, you probably can’t afford to buy it.”
Larson noted that the inn is a profitable business and he expects the new format will keep it that way. “There is a big market for group vacation rentals,” he said.
Central Reservations will handle bookings, Larson said. The rest of the staff will remain at the inn.
“We’ll have responsibility for the asset, but we [the owners] won’t be there,” Larson said.
Groups will have the run of the place, Larson said — up to seven bedrooms, the kitchen, the living and dining rooms and the grounds. Four bedrooms will be the minimum rental.
Renters will be able to have food provided by local stores, restaurants or caterers if they choose, Larson said.
As of last week, Larson said, the inn already had 15 nights of advance booking by groups. In the past months, three groups have taken the entire inn, he said.
After more than 18 years of operating the inn, Larson said, “I’m at the point where I’m ready to take more time [away from the inn] … it’s been an extraordinary experience, but it’s been a long time.”
But he has no regrets. “It has not been a bad way to live in the valley,” Larson said.
