Do you host family reunions?

Just turned down my third wedding request this year. Also, many are calling wanting to site family reunions here, booking the whole property. I have the same concerns of having too many related people who might feel entitled to "expanded liberties" because they are the only "guests". Had one person suggest some relatives could bring campers!
I had a taste of this last year, with "guests" of guests using our property. How do I say I want you, but not your whole extended family? Especially if one family has booked everything?

we do but then we expect the other family members arriving etc and build it into the price - if you do decide to go ahead make a contract - ie you are allowed to do this and what not!
Plus nice to see you back in the forum! how is it all going?

[email protected] said:

we do but then we expect the other family members arriving etc and build it into the price - if you do decide to go ahead make a contract - ie you are allowed to do this and what not!
Plus nice to see you back in the forum! how is it all going?.

Click to expand...

Hi Cambs!
Going well, had to get a different engineer to interpret the code for the local building inspector, which was holding us up. Looks good now. We were really busy with the motel last year, and have linked into several return tour groups. MUST find some help this year.
We don't charge extra for the use of the kayaks, boats, beach and internet. Last year I had a few guests of guests using all. I even chased off a group who weren't staying here who were sitting on the porch. (This is also a wifi zone which I don't think they realized.) How do I put a price on the use of our facilities to others?

We've done it with limited success. One bride with 17 people in her room made me swear off having the bride in the house! Otherwise, reunions, family gatherings have so far been ok. Oh wait, there was the group where one of them had a heart attack because of the stress involved in dealing with a hated in law. And the organizer who brought a laptop into the kitchen and said she wanted ALL of the breakfasts on the website served NOW! (This was after they had cleared out everything we laid out for them to eat on the buffet. WHAT???!!!)
Still, we forge on and will try it again twice upcoming in this year.
Sometimes we can't help it as guests will all book separately and we never know they are together until they arrive.

white pine said:

[email protected] said:

we do but then we expect the other family members arriving etc and build it into the price - if you do decide to go ahead make a contract - ie you are allowed to do this and what not!
Plus nice to see you back in the forum! how is it all going?.

Click to expand...

Hi Cambs!
Going well, had to get a different engineer to interpret the code for the local building inspector, which was holding us up. Looks good now. We were really busy with the motel last year, and have linked into several return tour groups. MUST find some help this year.
We don't charge extra for the use of the kayaks, boats, beach and internet. Last year I had a few guests of guests using all. I even chased off a group who weren't staying here who were sitting on the porch. (This is also a wifi zone which I don't think they realized.) How do I put a price on the use of our facilities to others?
.

Click to expand...

Wi-fi - is the easiest ie need a code to get on and change it now and then incase of freeloaders
Beach - think your a bit stuffed there
Kyaks and Boats - can you lock them in some way - with the type of locks with a combination ie you can give your guests the combination - keeps the locals off unless they pay?

white pine said:

[email protected] said:

we do but then we expect the other family members arriving etc and build it into the price - if you do decide to go ahead make a contract - ie you are allowed to do this and what not!
Plus nice to see you back in the forum! how is it all going?.

Click to expand...

Hi Cambs!
Going well, had to get a different engineer to interpret the code for the local building inspector, which was holding us up. Looks good now. We were really busy with the motel last year, and have linked into several return tour groups. MUST find some help this year.
We don't charge extra for the use of the kayaks, boats, beach and internet. Last year I had a few guests of guests using all. I even chased off a group who weren't staying here who were sitting on the porch. (This is also a wifi zone which I don't think they realized.) How do I put a price on the use of our facilities to others?
.

Click to expand...

Are the people using your porch, boats, and beach guests of guests or just people walking in off the street (as it were)? If the latter, maybe you need some kind of fencing or plantings, possibly with signage, that make it clear that this is private property not open to the general public.

Madeleine said:

We've done it with limited success. One bride with 17 people in her room made me swear off having the bride in the house! Otherwise, reunions, family gatherings have so far been ok. Oh wait, there was the group where one of them had a heart attack because of the stress involved in dealing with a hated in law. And the organizer who brought a laptop into the kitchen and said she wanted ALL of the breakfasts on the website served NOW! (This was after they had cleared out everything we laid out for them to eat on the buffet. WHAT???!!!)
Still, we forge on and will try it again twice upcoming in this year.
Sometimes we can't help it as guests will all book separately and we never know they are together until they arrive..

Click to expand...

I had some people ask about a family reunion last year, I just got over half my rooms booked on one day at one time by multiple guests, I'm thinking it is happening again. Guess if they book separately you can't prevent it. I really don't like trying to ride herd on people. Just wish they would have some common respect.

Harborfields said:

white pine said:

[email protected] said:

we do but then we expect the other family members arriving etc and build it into the price - if you do decide to go ahead make a contract - ie you are allowed to do this and what not!
Plus nice to see you back in the forum! how is it all going?.

Click to expand...

Hi Cambs!
Going well, had to get a different engineer to interpret the code for the local building inspector, which was holding us up. Looks good now. We were really busy with the motel last year, and have linked into several return tour groups. MUST find some help this year.
We don't charge extra for the use of the kayaks, boats, beach and internet. Last year I had a few guests of guests using all. I even chased off a group who weren't staying here who were sitting on the porch. (This is also a wifi zone which I don't think they realized.) How do I put a price on the use of our facilities to others?
.

Click to expand...

Are the people using your porch, boats, and beach guests of guests or just people walking in off the street (as it were)? If the latter, maybe you need some kind of fencing or plantings, possibly with signage, that make it clear that this is private property not open to the general public.
.

Click to expand...

The porch people were bike riders who managed to come in without me seeing them. We have a fence with a gate and a billboard at the road, our drive is about 1/4 mile in. I can't imagine they didn't know we are a private property. We are just a local landmark, and are visible from across the lake and a park. We get lots of curiosity seekers, several who booked with us. Unfortunately, many who just want to see what is going on.
It is the guests of guests thing that really gets to me. I try to politely point out that registered guests are allowed to use the boats and kayaks. I often chase people off our beach...they come by boat. We have 20 acres and 1/4 mile of lakefront, I can't be everywhere and it gets old. Had a dog running loose in the lodge once, not a guest!

[email protected] said:

white pine said:

[email protected] said:

we do but then we expect the other family members arriving etc and build it into the price - if you do decide to go ahead make a contract - ie you are allowed to do this and what not!
Plus nice to see you back in the forum! how is it all going?.

Click to expand...

Hi Cambs!
Going well, had to get a different engineer to interpret the code for the local building inspector, which was holding us up. Looks good now. We were really busy with the motel last year, and have linked into several return tour groups. MUST find some help this year.
We don't charge extra for the use of the kayaks, boats, beach and internet. Last year I had a few guests of guests using all. I even chased off a group who weren't staying here who were sitting on the porch. (This is also a wifi zone which I don't think they realized.) How do I put a price on the use of our facilities to others?
.

Click to expand...

Wi-fi - is the easiest ie need a code to get on and change it now and then incase of freeloaders
Beach - think your a bit stuffed there
Kyaks and Boats - can you lock them in some way - with the type of locks with a combination ie you can give your guests the combination - keeps the locals off unless they pay?
.

Click to expand...

It isn't the locals who use the boats and kayaks, the guests let THEIR guests go. I have collected all the oars and paddles, and they must come in to get them. In all honesty this doesn't happen too often, but I worry about reunions doing this.

If your guest are doing this, perhaps you could make them accountable?
"The use of boats etc is strictly for registered guests only. If you pick up oars/paddles (have them sign a register with take out time / return time, maybe you want to mark the oars by ref number) they are accountable until returned, including unauthorized use by non-guest. For safety reasons etc. In case of accidents you maybe liable if you have given opportunity to non registered guest to use boats."
Also I would have rules that guests of guests are only allowed if you are notified beforehand. Again, safety and liability...

Bommelhoeve said:

If your guest are doing this, perhaps you could make them accountable?
"The use of boats etc is strictly for registered guests only. If you pick up oars/paddles (have them sign a register with take out time / return time, maybe you want to mark the oars by ref number) they are accountable until returned, including unauthorized use by non-guest. For safety reasons etc. In case of accidents you maybe liable if you have given opportunity to non registered guest to use boats."
Also I would have rules that guests of guests are only allowed if you are notified beforehand. Again, safety and liability....

Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I will have to go to a sign in, at least that will be something.
We stayed at a place once that had a notebook full of rules that really put us off, just the tone of it. I understand why now.
I would like to strike a happy medium, some rules, but not such a negative tone. With so many things to control here, that long list of "thou shalt nots" and coming across negatively is my big worry.

We have had great success with reunions: a lot of work, but a lot of fun, too. Sometimes a little family drama, but generally well behaved. On the whole our clientele is grade A, so we expect and get no trouble. But I always want to have one person identified as the "event host" so I have just one person to go to to resolve any issue that arises, and that includes strict accountability for non-resident guests: who, how many, what limitations apply (curfew, room access, etc.).

white pine said:

Bommelhoeve said:

If your guest are doing this, perhaps you could make them accountable?
"The use of boats etc is strictly for registered guests only. If you pick up oars/paddles (have them sign a register with take out time / return time, maybe you want to mark the oars by ref number) they are accountable until returned, including unauthorized use by non-guest. For safety reasons etc. In case of accidents you maybe liable if you have given opportunity to non registered guest to use boats."
Also I would have rules that guests of guests are only allowed if you are notified beforehand. Again, safety and liability....

Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I will have to go to a sign in, at least that will be something.
We stayed at a place once that had a notebook full of rules that really put us off, just the tone of it. I understand why now.
I would like to strike a happy medium, some rules, but not such a negative tone. With so many things to control here, that long list of "thou shalt nots" and coming across negatively is my big worry.
.

Click to expand...

I agree with you about hating signs and don't do this and don't do that, but when it comes to safety and liability, that's a whole other issue. I can't imagine what would happen if someone were injured or died who was using your equipment.

Breakfast Diva said:

white pine said:

Bommelhoeve said:

If your guest are doing this, perhaps you could make them accountable?
"The use of boats etc is strictly for registered guests only. If you pick up oars/paddles (have them sign a register with take out time / return time, maybe you want to mark the oars by ref number) they are accountable until returned, including unauthorized use by non-guest. For safety reasons etc. In case of accidents you maybe liable if you have given opportunity to non registered guest to use boats."
Also I would have rules that guests of guests are only allowed if you are notified beforehand. Again, safety and liability....

Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I will have to go to a sign in, at least that will be something.
We stayed at a place once that had a notebook full of rules that really put us off, just the tone of it. I understand why now.
I would like to strike a happy medium, some rules, but not such a negative tone. With so many things to control here, that long list of "thou shalt nots" and coming across negatively is my big worry.
.

Click to expand...

I agree with you about hating signs and don't do this and don't do that, but when it comes to safety and liability, that's a whole other issue. I can't imagine what would happen if someone were injured or died who was using your equipment.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I agree with you about hating signs and don't do this and don't do that, but when it comes to safety and liability, that's a whole other issue. I can't imagine what would happen if someone were injured or died who was using your equipment.

Click to expand...

And if someone just 'wanders in' because they see the lake and a road and they get hurt, holy cow. 'There weren't any signs! I thought it was public property! They shouldn't leave stuff out where I can hurt myself!' You know, those people.

Madeleine said:

Breakfast Diva said:

white pine said:

Bommelhoeve said:

If your guest are doing this, perhaps you could make them accountable?
"The use of boats etc is strictly for registered guests only. If you pick up oars/paddles (have them sign a register with take out time / return time, maybe you want to mark the oars by ref number) they are accountable until returned, including unauthorized use by non-guest. For safety reasons etc. In case of accidents you maybe liable if you have given opportunity to non registered guest to use boats."
Also I would have rules that guests of guests are only allowed if you are notified beforehand. Again, safety and liability....

Click to expand...

You are absolutely right. I will have to go to a sign in, at least that will be something.
We stayed at a place once that had a notebook full of rules that really put us off, just the tone of it. I understand why now.
I would like to strike a happy medium, some rules, but not such a negative tone. With so many things to control here, that long list of "thou shalt nots" and coming across negatively is my big worry.
.

Click to expand...

I agree with you about hating signs and don't do this and don't do that, but when it comes to safety and liability, that's a whole other issue. I can't imagine what would happen if someone were injured or died who was using your equipment.
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

I agree with you about hating signs and don't do this and don't do that, but when it comes to safety and liability, that's a whole other issue. I can't imagine what would happen if someone were injured or died who was using your equipment.

Click to expand...

And if someone just 'wanders in' because they see the lake and a road and they get hurt, holy cow. 'There weren't any signs! I thought it was public property! They shouldn't leave stuff out where I can hurt myself!' You know, those people.
.

Click to expand...

Am working on a policy page people must click as read & agreed to book. The paddles, pfds and oars are in the lodge. Liability comes under paying through the nose for insurance.
Seems to me considerate people don't need signs, and those who do, don't pay attention to them. I know y'all have had issues with people coming through your private signs into your quarters.
We have largely GREAT guests, but have had a few of "those" people, hence this posting.

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories.

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories..

Click to expand...

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories.

Click to expand...

Get a solid webpage set up for it. Take photos of some families enjoying themselves. Then get a press release put together for the local papers and the internet. What's the hook? Why go there? What do you offer that no one else has thought of INCLUDED in the price? (Look at those reunion sites and see what they say the organizer should be doing and then offer one, small thing from the list. You can upcharge on a lot of other things.)
I've thought about doing these. And have some ideas but no follow thru...story of my life. I'm always doing something else...

Madeleine said:

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories..

Click to expand...

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories.

Click to expand...

Get a solid webpage set up for it. Take photos of some families enjoying themselves. Then get a press release put together for the local papers and the internet. What's the hook? Why go there? What do you offer that no one else has thought of INCLUDED in the price? (Look at those reunion sites and see what they say the organizer should be doing and then offer one, small thing from the list. You can upcharge on a lot of other things.)
I've thought about doing these. And have some ideas but no follow thru...story of my life. I'm always doing something else...
.

Click to expand...

Great ideas! Thank you.
We're having a new website made, but this isn't in the contract. Maybe I could put together my own wordpress page all about the reunion aspect and start marketing that also.
We had a small reunion of sorts this weekend. Two couples - mom/dad, son/dil. Mom grew up in this area. In town for the funeral of a cousin. They spent two days visiting all the local graveyards looking for relatives. Now, they're going to start digging to see if there are any relations to the Kincaids who owned our house for generations. Interesting stuff.

K9 said:

Madeleine said:

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories..

Click to expand...

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories.

Click to expand...

Get a solid webpage set up for it. Take photos of some families enjoying themselves. Then get a press release put together for the local papers and the internet. What's the hook? Why go there? What do you offer that no one else has thought of INCLUDED in the price? (Look at those reunion sites and see what they say the organizer should be doing and then offer one, small thing from the list. You can upcharge on a lot of other things.)
I've thought about doing these. And have some ideas but no follow thru...story of my life. I'm always doing something else...
.

Click to expand...

Great ideas! Thank you.
We're having a new website made, but this isn't in the contract. Maybe I could put together my own wordpress page all about the reunion aspect and start marketing that also.
We had a small reunion of sorts this weekend. Two couples - mom/dad, son/dil. Mom grew up in this area. In town for the funeral of a cousin. They spent two days visiting all the local graveyards looking for relatives. Now, they're going to start digging to see if there are any relations to the Kincaids who owned our house for generations. Interesting stuff.
.

Click to expand...

Our area has a lot of reunions. I would think for starters let the locals know that you are available for hosting their relatives on visits. Children of older parents also stay with us because they don't want to make additional work for their relatives. Others stay with us because they want a little more privacy from their families. This is one case when it may pay to advertise locally.

white pine said:

K9 said:

Madeleine said:

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories..

Click to expand...

K9 said:

We want to host reunions. Other than just posting it on our website, what do you suggest for marketing it? An internet search just bring up reunion organizing website and tools, but I definitely don't want to get listed in all those directories.

Click to expand...

Get a solid webpage set up for it. Take photos of some families enjoying themselves. Then get a press release put together for the local papers and the internet. What's the hook? Why go there? What do you offer that no one else has thought of INCLUDED in the price? (Look at those reunion sites and see what they say the organizer should be doing and then offer one, small thing from the list. You can upcharge on a lot of other things.)
I've thought about doing these. And have some ideas but no follow thru...story of my life. I'm always doing something else...
.

Click to expand...

Great ideas! Thank you.
We're having a new website made, but this isn't in the contract. Maybe I could put together my own wordpress page all about the reunion aspect and start marketing that also.
We had a small reunion of sorts this weekend. Two couples - mom/dad, son/dil. Mom grew up in this area. In town for the funeral of a cousin. They spent two days visiting all the local graveyards looking for relatives. Now, they're going to start digging to see if there are any relations to the Kincaids who owned our house for generations. Interesting stuff.
.

Click to expand...

Our area has a lot of reunions. I would think for starters let the locals know that you are available for hosting their relatives on visits. Children of older parents also stay with us because they don't want to make additional work for their relatives. Others stay with us because they want a little more privacy from their families. This is one case when it may pay to advertise locally.
.

Click to expand...

That is something that we stressed during the holidays - when your relatives are coming to visit, have them stay with us.
But, you are right. We are a tourist destination, so the locals' extended family & friends will visit here just because of that association.
Another reason we are hosting the Chamber's networking here next week. I'll be sure to bring this up when I get to speak.