In this material:
- Pros of investing in a guest house
- Important points for opening a guest house
- Documents for opening a guest house
- How much will the guest house cost?
- Choose a similar franchise
Recently, more and more beginning businessmen are thinking about how to open a guest house, realizing how profitable they can be. Nowadays, not every city resident has the opportunity to get quality rest. But sometimes you really want to spend time in nature, but preparing a vacation takes a lot of time, so not everyone decides to do this on their own. To have a good rest and have a pleasant time outside the city, many choose guest houses. It offers a full range of services that may be of interest to family people who are tired of city life.
Guest house on a personal plot
The advantages of this business idea lie in the high demand for such services and the relatively small start-up capital required to organize it. The number of floors and area of guest houses, the number of rooms and rooms in them is practically not limited by law. It all depends on what you have. In most cases, guest houses are located in low buildings (from one to three floors). The average area of a guest house is about 300 square meters. meters.
Since initially the main goal of guest houses was to make a profit by minimizing the costs of maintaining the household itself and servicing its guests, their legal status is significantly different from conventional hotels. For example, guest houses do not need to be assigned a hotel class (number of stars) and approved by regulatory authorities; sanitary and epidemiological standards are not prescribed for them and there are no corresponding requirements. They are taxed at reduced rates compared to regular hotels. The exact amount of tax deductions will directly depend on the size of your guest house. On average, if you officially register for taxes, you will spend up to 60 thousand rubles monthly.
Of course, for a novice entrepreneur this amount can be quite significant. It includes land tax (deducted every six months), a single tax on imputed income and wage tax, deducted monthly. Add to this the need to regularly submit returns to the tax office and keep accounting records. It’s good if you have the relevant knowledge and, no less important, free time to do all this yourself. If you have neither one nor the other, you will have to seek help from a specialist.
An experienced accountant will save you from possible problems in the future, but his services must also be paid for. The cost of an incoming accountant's services will range from 6-12 thousand rubles per month, depending on the region, the size of the business, the form of taxation and other factors. And yet, no matter how great the temptation to save money, working “in white” has a number of undoubted advantages.
Benefits of registering a guest house
- Carry out cashless payments with your visitors
- Install terminals for accepting payments for mobile communications, etc., on the territory of your guest house,
- Work with legal entities - suppliers, contractors and agencies.
As your guest house expands, you should think about registering a legal entity, which will allow you to reach the level of a full-fledged hotel. However, in this case, you will already need to undergo a certification procedure according to the hotel standard. The standards establish the procedure and methods for planning to improve the quality of service at all stages of the guest cycle, and determine the requirements for means and methods for monitoring and assessing the quality of service. The main target of quality service systems is aimed at compliance with ICO 9000 standards, which at the interstate level define quality requirements in accordance with international standards. To pass certification, an appropriate material base of the hotel enterprise is required, qualified personnel who will fulfill their professional duties, a rationally justified organizational and functional structure, clear management of the enterprise in general and service quality management in particular.
In accordance with the Law of the Russian Federation “On Certification of Products and Services,” certification is a set of actions and procedures for recognizing and confirming the compliance of services with the imposed (established) requirements. These compliance requirements are established by GOST 28681.0-90 “Standardization in the field of tourist and excursion services. Basic provisions"; SNiP 2.08.02-89. “Public buildings and structures”, Rules for the technical operation of hotels and their equipment, Law of the Russian Federation “On Safety”, Rules for the provision of hotel services in the Russian Federation, GOST R 50645-94 “Tourist and excursion services. Classification of hotels", Fire Safety Rules in Russia PPB-01-93. State standard of the Russian Federation (GOST R 50645-94) “Tourist and excursion services. Classification of Hotels" defines a hotel as "an enterprise intended for temporary residence." Its requirements apply to hotels with a capacity of at least ten rooms.
Guest complex from scratch: opening a business
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How to open a hotel from scratch
The need of urban residents to comfortably relax outside the city stimulates businesses to create new types of services. One of the most popular services can be considered guest complexes, whose clients have the opportunity to spend a pleasant and relaxing weekend with their family, distracting themselves from the bustle of the city. To organize such a business, it is important to know the main stages of its creation.
Features and advantages of guest complexes
Among the invaluable advantages of a guest complex as a business is the peculiarity of the category of clients who use this service. As a rule, these are established, wealthy residents of large cities with a high level of solvency. Thus, soon after the opening of such a complex it will pay for itself and begin to generate a stable income.
On video: Features of the hotel business, pitfalls
Another advantage of opening a guest complex or guest house is that the requirements of all government services in relation to such an enterprise are lower than for classic hotels, which means that the establishment of such a business will require significantly less investment. The main thing that the owner of a guest complex can benefit from is the greater level of comfort that small, comfortable houses can provide compared to large and noisy hotels.
True, it is important to take into account a certain disadvantage of guest houses - their seasonality: they are most popular during the holiday period, mainly from May to September, in other months the profit will be much lower.
The main conditions for ensuring a comfortable stay for guests, thanks to which the guest complex will be competitive, are the following:
- location in nature (ideally, on the seashore or other body of water with equipped beaches, in a forest or mountains);
- organization of leisure activities for guests. So, you can offer excursions, introduce horseback riding or interesting walking routes, etc.;
- provide guests with Internet and convenient transfer.
Nutrition is one of the most important features that affects the success of a future enterprise. Guests should be offered a tasty and varied menu so that their vacation will be remembered only for positive moments.
Organizing a guest complex: initial steps
The first thing the founder of a guest complex needs to decide is what organizational and legal form his enterprise will have. So, if the organization is small and the founder is one person, you can start by registering as an individual entrepreneur.
On video: Hotel business from scratch
In certain cases, it will not be possible to establish an individual entrepreneur and to open a business you will need to create a legal entity. Mostly, they use the LLC form. For example, if the founders are two or more persons, the establishment of a legal entity is mandatory. Bank lending to business also requires recourse to such an organizational and legal form. Otherwise, registration as an individual entrepreneur is more beneficial for a beginning entrepreneur, since it is possible to choose a gentle form of taxation, including a simplified one, which significantly softens the tax pressure on business. In addition, an individual entrepreneur, unlike a legal entity, may not order a seal, and in case of violation of any legal requirements, the fines in relation to the individual entrepreneur are much lower.
True, the founders of an LLC do not bear personal financial liability, since all possible losses are repaid from the contributed authorized capital.
At the very beginning of registering an enterprise, you need to take care of selecting suitable personnel for the guest complex. First of all, you will need an experienced manager who is familiar with all the organizational features and financial components of a business of this type. If at first you can get by with the services of a visiting accountant, which will generally reduce labor costs, in the future you will need a full-time specialist in this profile. An administrator and service personnel are also required: maids, cooks, waiters, parking attendants and others. If the guest complex offers services such as excursions, horseback riding, massage or sports activities, there should also be full-time or guest employees for these activities.
Before starting a business of this type, you need to draw up a detailed business plan, which takes into account the seasonality of the enterprise and the fact that the guest complex will bring in irregular profits, taking into account seasonality. Thus, the income that an entrepreneur receives during the summer season must cover the costs of maintaining the complex throughout the year.
On video: Advantages of the hotel business
One of the main stages of organizing a guest complex is renting and purchasing a plot of land and premises to accommodate guests. This expense item will be one of the most expensive, since it will be necessary to equip the living room, bedrooms and kitchen with all the necessary furniture, appliances and electronics. In order to attract paying clients, both the internal and external design of the guest complex must be at the highest level. To create it, it is advisable to contact professional designers. In addition to the services of an interior designer, you will need to use the help of a landscape designer to design the surrounding area.
Advertising is one of the main conditions for business development in the hotel industry. First of all, this applies to small and little-known enterprises that have just opened. Thus, the hotel complex can be reported via the Internet, both as contextual advertising and on tourism websites, as well as using social networks.
Tools such as the media, as well as the distribution of information leaflets and booklets, also work well. At first, customers are attracted by promotions, discounts and various pleasant bonuses. These features can be emphasized.
Registration and paperwork: main stages
The sequence of actions when registering an individual entrepreneur is as follows:
- write an application in a special form, selecting and indicating the appropriate type of activity, accompanying it with the OKVED code;
- provide a minimum package of documents (copies of passport and TIN);
- pay the state fee and attach a payment receipt to the application.
The individual entrepreneur is registered with the tax service, which is located in the area where the entrepreneur himself is registered. They also take details for paying the fee, which can be done in almost all banks by simply indicating the purpose of the payment.
Documents for registration of individual entrepreneurs can be submitted either in person or through your representative, or by mail, and even via the Internet. In the second case, all documents are certified by a notary and bound; in addition, a power of attorney for the representative is required, also certified by an authorized person. A power of attorney is also required when sending documents by post. If documents for registration are sent via the Internet, on the website of the tax office, then all forms are filled out directly online, and the fee can also be paid automatically.
In most cases, registration of an individual entrepreneur is carried out within 3 days. As a result, the new business owner receives a certificate indicating the fact of business activity and an individual code, and a record sheet containing basic data about the individual entrepreneur.
As your business expands, you can register a legal entity, which will soon allow you to enter a wider scale of hotel activities. True, the main condition for this will be obtaining a certificate according to the hotel standard. When switching to the LLC form, it will be mandatory to order a seal, as well as the presence of a certain authorized capital, without which a legal entity cannot be registered.
After registration is completed, the founder of the guest complex needs to obtain all the necessary permits, including confirmation of compliance with the requirements of such specialized services as fire and sanitary inspections. In particular, you should have available documents confirming that the premises are equipped with a fire alarm and fire extinguishers, and that disinfection, deratization and other necessary procedures have been carried out.
Thus, the establishment of a guest complex represents a whole series of organizational activities, as well as significant financial expenses, so first of all you need to draw up a competent business plan.
biznes-prost.ru
Where is it profitable to open a guest house?
Of course, it is most profitable to open a guest house in regions with a developed tourism industry: on the sea coast (resorts of the Krasnodar Territory), near the federal highway, near nature reserves of national importance, etc. However, there are no strict restrictions on its location. Even if the locality where you live is not a busy tourist center, there are hotels in it, therefore, a guest house here may well become a profitable enterprise. The easiest way is to purchase or rent a plot for construction in rural areas.
In many regions you can find suitable options for almost nothing. True, a lot will have to be invested in construction or repair, arrangement and equipment. If previously guest houses were a cheap alternative to hotels and did not have a high level of service, now the situation is slowly but surely changing.
Thanks to reduced tax rates, no need to hire a large staff and, in general, lower costs compared to hotels, guest house owners can invest more in the design and equipment of rooms, improving the conditions of stay for vacationers. Before choosing a place to open a guest house, conduct your own market research. To do this, you don’t need to be an expert at all, just look at the situation through the eyes of your potential clients.
Benefits and seasonal restrictions
The target audience of this industry of the hotel business is people of the middle and older generations, married couples, families with children. Young people, of course, can also choose a guest house as an accommodation option, but they should focus on more or less wealthy people who came not to save money, but to relax. They usually want to relax and live for a while away from the hustle and bustle of life.
The guest house compares favorably with other establishments:
- It is cozier and calmer than a hostel or budget hotel.
- In the guest house you can get service at the 4* level without overpayments.
- The atmosphere is nicer and friendlier than in the apartments.
But in order to organize everything correctly, you need to remember seasonal restrictions, and not calculate the same business plan for the whole year. If you are thinking about how to open a guest house by the sea, then refer to the attendance statistics. Usually people come to the resort from May to September; the rest of the time there will be no or very few visitors.
Even if you are opening a guest house not on the coast, but somewhere else, be sure to find out what tourists who come to this locality want. This will allow you to choose the location wisely and make a plan in advance for the high and low seasons. Otherwise, the project may turn out to be unprofitable, or even unprofitable.
How to determine the profitability of a guest house
First you need to draw up a detailed business plan for the guest house. Even if you have your own plot of land in a suitable location and a capital building that does not require repairs, even if you plan to make do with your own funds and not take out loans, you will still need a business plan, which will become a kind of step-by-step action plan, cost estimate and forecast expected profit.
Make a list of the necessary documents that you need to obtain before opening your guest house: a certificate of state registration as an individual entrepreneur, documents confirming your ownership of the house and land, etc. If at this stage you have nothing but money and dreams of owning your own hotel business, you need to decide whether you will purchase a suitable property or build it from scratch.
There is no clear answer to this question. If you have a ready-made building for a guest house, your costs at the first stage will undoubtedly be lower. However, you will still have to spend money (and quite a lot) on repairs, redevelopment, additions, etc. In addition, you need to take into account that when converting an ordinary residential building into a guest house, you must comply with a number of requirements in accordance with building codes and regulations (SNiP), sanitary standards (SanPiN), departmental building standards (VSN).
When building a building from scratch, with the help of an experienced architect, you will be able to competently plan the area of the guest house, effectively using every square meter, and avoid many annoying mistakes that will darken the lives of your guests. Such possible shortcomings include, for example, windows facing a courtyard or a brick wall, a room located near the kitchen, etc.
The number of rooms in guest houses usually does not exceed ten. Moreover, at least half of them must be double rooms with the possibility of organizing an additional bed there (put a bed or folding bed). The other half of the rooms will be single (preferably also with the possibility of expanding by at least one bed). It is unprofitable to make rooms for a larger number of people: they take up too much space, which is already limited, and are in less demand than cheaper single and double rooms.
Arrangement of the building and land
If you are thinking about how to open a guest house in a residential building, then keep in mind: it is much easier to do this in rural areas than in urban areas. In this case, the allocation of land for a guest house will not require an auction procedure. It will be quite difficult to find a plot of land in an already developed resort or tourist town: usually everything there is already occupied. Small settlements should be considered: villages, villages, towns or even hamlets.
The ideal building for a guest house is a cottage with two, three or four floors, which will have from four to ten rooms. If you can find a building in good condition, you will save on repairs, but you still cannot do without starting capital. The finishing of the premises and the building itself should be accompanied by the arrangement of a common guest area, kitchen or dining area, utility rooms, and parking. Depending on the environment, the issue of the fence is resolved separately. As a rule, it is made solid, two to three meters high, so that guests feel safe.
The composition of equipment and materials includes the following categories:
- for the kitchen: stove, sink, tables and chairs, cabinets and shelves, hood, dishes and cutlery;
- for bathrooms and restrooms: plumbing fixtures, bathtubs or showers, a replenished set of hygiene and shower accessories;
- for living rooms: furniture, bedding sets, air conditioners or split systems, curtains and decorative elements;
- tools and consumables for cleaning;
- ensuring security and safety: alarms, surveillance cameras, fire and anti-burglary systems, doors and locks.
Using the services of a professional architect and interior designer will allow you to avoid annoying mistakes when remodeling and decorating a building.
Interior features of a mini-hotel
Carefully consider the interior of your mini-hotel, calculate the required amount of furniture, household appliances, plumbing fixtures, textiles, dishes, cleaning products, etc. Each room must have at least one window (a metal-plastic one that opens for ventilation or a regular one, but with a window) and a bed (a single bed measuring at least 80 by 190 cm, and a double bed measuring at least 140 by 190 cm). Windows must be equipped with mosquito nets.
It is recommended to take at least two and a half times more bedding sets for a guest house than there are beds. They change, as a rule, once a week. In addition, you need a large supply of towels and hangers for outerwear. For furniture, you will also need a wardrobe plus a bedside table or coat hanger, a mirror, a table lamp or floor lamp, a table, a chair and/or an armchair. For household appliances, depending on the “status” and price category of the mini-hotel, as well as the region, you will need a split system or air conditioning (in budget options - a fan) and a TV for each room.
Showers and toilets, as a rule, are shared in a guest house - in each room or on the floor. Of course, all these rooms must be equipped with a good ventilation system. Recently, mini-hotels have installed showers rather than bathtubs with showers. On the one hand, this option is cheaper and more practical. On the other hand, the service life of a shower stall is shorter - it often breaks down. Therefore, the option with a bath, shower and a closing plastic curtain is more preferable.
You will also need to purchase everything you need for the kitchen:
- washing,
- plate,
- kitchen table,
- chairs,
- fridge,
- wall cabinets and shelves,
- dishes,
- inventory,
- cutlery,
- detergents, etc.
If possible, it is better to equip the dining room in a guest house separately from the kitchen in a non-passable room or in the courtyard (with a canopy from insects). Don't forget about office space, including laundry (its services may be paid for for your guests).
As for the help of a specialist to draw up an interior design project, it certainly won’t hurt. However, unlike an architect, you can do without the services of a designer if you have taste and a general understanding of different styles. Pay attention to detail and give preference to materials that are easy to clean.
For example, it is more advisable to use laminate, cork or wood flooring in light shades rather than carpet as flooring in rooms. You can lay a rug or runner near the bed. No matter how beautiful tablecloths and curtains made from natural materials look, it is better to give preference to more practical and durable textiles with the addition of synthetic fibers. The issue of providing your guests with food deserves special attention. Most guest houses only offer their clients breakfast, which is included in the room rental price. As a rule, such breakfasts include a hot drink (tea, coffee, cocoa), light snacks and desserts. For lunch and dinner, residents of guest houses go to nearby canteens, cafes and restaurants. Sometimes they have a kitchen at their disposal (in the house or in the yard - summer) with all the necessary equipment, dishes and appliances (stove, microwave, toaster, blender, etc.). Vacationers can purchase groceries in stores and cook their own food in the kitchen.
Guest houses that emphasize a “homey and comfortable atmosphere” may also offer home-cooked lunches and dinners in addition to breakfast. Of course, we are not talking about choosing dishes from the list, however, the owners can take into account the wishes of their guests for the daily menu.
The cost of three hot meals a day in such a guest house ranges from 500 rubles per day for an adult and from 250 rubles per day for a child. Experienced entrepreneurs advise charging separately for food and accommodation. Not all of your guests will have time for lunch or dinner, and not everyone will like the food you offer. With split payments, you give your customers choice and reduce your own worries.
And at the same time cultivate a subtle psychologist in yourself
Psychological moments are one of the most unexpected discoveries that hoteliers make for themselves.
Svetlana Bujor
I didn’t expect that sleepless nights and guests who urgently needed some little things would become a tradition for me, and this at four or five in the morning. I didn’t expect to have to be an expert in all areas: to know, for example, whether there will be a lunar path on the sea that night when clients arrive, or whether the gas at a gas station 10 kilometers from the hotel is good.
Another discovery: if you are the owner or administrator, you need to be an excellent crisis manager. Conflicts often arise between guests, and it is important that such people intersect with each other as little as possible. It is necessary to ensure that the parties communicate exclusively through staff - only in this case there is a high chance that everything will be settled without scandals.
Clients (we hope you will have many of them) are different. In order for them to leave positive reviews about your hotel, you will have to find the key to each of them. Yes, sometimes stepping on your own throat. And continuing to smile no matter what.
Pros and cons of opening a bar in a guest house
If everything is more or less clear with nutrition, then with alcohol everything will not be so simple. If you are going to sell alcoholic beverages on the territory of the guest house, you will have to obtain a license to sell alcohol. The license itself costs 40 thousand rubles. But you won’t be able to sell alcohol without a bar or restaurant.
Therefore, it is necessary to conclude an agreement for sanitary maintenance of the premises (up to 50 thousand rubles per year), an agreement for disinfestation and rodent control (treating premises from insects and rodents will cost up to 200 rubles per month), an agreement for garbage removal and disposal of fluorescent lamps. At least another 150-200 thousand rubles will have to be spent on ensuring a supply of alcoholic beverages in your catering establishment.
When your guest house is ready to receive guests, you will need to obtain expert opinions from various departments (Rospotrebnadzor, Gospozharnadzor, etc.). Their representatives will visit you regularly for inspections, so it will not be a bad idea to have good connections with the inspection authorities.
One of the most important points is the selection of staff for the guest house. To maintain a small guest house, you will need a manager, an administrator who will be responsible for accommodating guests, consulting over the phone and the Internet, booking and selling rooms, a cook, and a maid (cleaning lady).
Of course, at first, some of these responsibilities can be performed independently and with the help of relatives. A guest house is the best option for a family business. In fact, to resolve all current issues and ensure the smooth operation of the mini-hotel, no more than 3-4 people will be required, not counting the accountant and visiting workers (electrician, plumber, etc.). Make sure that all staff and the owners of the guest house themselves have health certificates.
You will have to learn to understand people
This skill is useful in any field, but in the hotel business it is generally vital. You can create an exemplary hotel, fill it with expensive furniture and high-quality plumbing, and amaze clients with your personal charisma. But if at the reception you have an unfriendly “pimply girl” from a business joke, all your efforts will go down the drain.
The same goes for clients.
Knowledge of human psychology is a must. Someone needs to give a discount, at least a minimal one. And you need to talk to someone harshly and in the “no discounts” format. You need to be able to make decisions for your guests - not everyone is ready for a wealth of choice.
Svetlana Bujor, owner of the mini-hotel “Chaika” (Utes, Alushta)
Costs of maintaining a guest house
Costs largely depend on its operating mode. If your mini-hotel is located in a resort area, then it will operate seasonally - from April-May to October. If it will accept guests all year round (and/or you yourself will live in your guest house), immediately factor in heating costs, which can amount to up to 100-150 thousand rubles per month, depending on the region, climatic conditions and heating method .
Other monthly expenses include utility bills, payments for telephone and Internet (if any), tax deductions, employee salaries (irrelevant for a family business), consumables (toilet paper, napkins, garbage bags, household chemicals, office supplies, etc. .).
How to attract guests to your guest house and turn them into regular customers?
- Try to provide your guests with maximum convenience. Doing this is not at all as difficult as it seems. Make sure there is a parking space for vacationers' cars. It is advisable to equip it with a canopy to protect it from rain and snow.
- A parking space can be either free or paid (from 40-50 rubles per day). Take care of the cleanliness of the surrounding area. This applies not only to your garden or yard, but also to the entrance to it. Don't forget to keep your driveway clear of dirt, ice, and snow. If possible, it is better to pave it.
- Tidy up the courtyard. Ideally, it should be turned into a garden, with gazebos with barbecues installed and a playground equipped. Buy sports equipment and board games. You can either rent them out to vacationers or provide them for free. It is also worth forming a library, albeit a small one, and also subscribing to major news publications.
- Transfer for your guests is also of great importance. Transport services can be provided either independently or with the help of a hired driver. But do not forget that if the driver you hire does not have a license for passenger transportation, then you, not he, will be responsible for the safety of his passengers. If you have your own transport, you can also conduct excursions for your guests.
note
: according to the Federal Law of December 27, 2002 No. 184-FZ “On Technical Regulation”, certification of tourism services is voluntary. This means that if you do not have tour certificates, you will not pay any fines or be subject to other sanctions. However, despite the absence of a requirement in the laws, most travel companies still try to certify this activity.
The fact is that the presence of a certificate gives visitors to the guest house more confidence that the services will be provided at a high level. Think about what you can offer people besides accommodation: fishing, hunting, horse riding lessons, sauna, swimming pool, trampolines, etc. All these services can become an additional source of income and will increase the profitability of your business. If you yourself cannot or do not have time to conduct excursions for your guests and organize their leisure time, negotiate with third-party organizations - travel agencies, tour guides, amusement parks, etc. Such cooperation will be beneficial to both parties.
Foreign and Russian experience
Although guest houses existed in Soviet times, today's establishments combine domestic experience with foreign ones. Modern guest houses are no longer elite establishments “only for their own people”, but relatively affordable, cozy and quiet places that should leave a good impression. Ideally, the tourist is so satisfied that he recommends the guest house to his friends, relatives and colleagues.
From the point of view of market attractiveness, the question of how to open a guest house in Russia is not very difficult to solve. Conduct market research or a survey, pull up statistics on the region's tourism industry and find out what tourists in general and members of the target audience in particular want. In general, the statistics are as follows:
- At a seaside resort, the ideal option is to provide people with beach equipment: sun loungers, umbrellas, and so on. The closer the house is to the beach, the better.
- If there are historical sites nearby, excursions can be offered as an additional service.
- There are other ways to diversify your vacation, depending on your geographic location. This includes diving, surfing, rafting, jeeping, skiing and snowboarding, hiking and horseback riding.
- Comfort depends a lot on the little things. Make sure you have Internet access and don’t skimp on furnishing bathrooms and restrooms. Let your guests feel cozy in every room: upholstered furniture increases comfort, and curtains on the windows protect from prying eyes.
- Transfer, parking, as well as car, motorcycle, scooter or bicycle rental services allow guests to feel freer and make their stay more attractive.
The issue of food should be addressed separately. There are two main approaches. The first is to provide guests with a modern equipped kitchen with a dining area so they can prepare their own meals. The second is to take care of the availability of catering establishments as close as possible or even open your own cafe on the territory. If possible, these two approaches can be combined to give guests maximum freedom of choice.
Additional elements that can make guests comfortable are fishing, a Russian bath or sauna, an equipped picnic area and a barbecue set, a children's playground, a kindergarten, an outdoor or indoor pool, and so on.