That whole rules thing

Guests who wonder why the odd rules or why they can't check in at 10 AM or why they can't do whatever should understand it's not me/us it's some other member of the traveling public that has caused me to back off on being 100% generous.
Got a call last night for a later check-in, no problem. Along with that was a request for one member of their party to be served an early breakfast while the remaining members would just go along with the usual breakfast time.
We are ok with doing early breakfast EXCEPT when the guest is on a deadline. So, I declined to do early but offered a fruit plate and yogurt, coffee, etc.
Has to eat early guest blew thru the dining room complaining about something at 7:45. Out the door and gone. We didn't even have a chance to offer what we had put together. Because she didn't leave enough time to eat it.
The rest of her party? Rolled out of bed at 10 and went to Dunkin' Donuts.
It's not that we don't want to be accommodating, but this is what happens when we are. So, we get up an hour earlier to pull it all together, guest blows us off. How many times do we do that before we start picking and choosing who gets early breakfast and who doesn't?
Being as I called this one right I'm feeling better about my 'no early breakfast on a deadline' rule.

Those folks who abuse the hospitality of innkeepers ruin it for the rest.
Especially this time of year anyone asking for breakfast early is told no...have a cup of coffee and some biscotti we have out for guests so you don't gnaw off your arm from hunger or get too much acid in your empty stomach because of drinking so much coffee, etc., etc. OR we can put a lovely continental in your refrigerator the night before so you can eat it whenever you'd like.
I know this doesn't sound very flexible or hospitable, but if the innkeeper (me) can't get any sleep or stays in a foul mood, then believe me, NOBODY will be happy!
Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!
By the way, our breakfast times and continental options are clearly spelled out on our website, our policies, and on every room page. There should be no surprises for them!

Breakfast Diva said:

Those folks who abuse the hospitality of innkeepers ruin it for the rest.
Especially this time of year anyone asking for breakfast early is told no...have a cup of coffee and some biscotti we have out for guests so you don't gnaw off your arm from hunger or get too much acid in your empty stomach because of drinking so much coffee, etc., etc. OR we can put a lovely continental in your refrigerator the night before so you can eat it whenever you'd like.
I know this doesn't sound very flexible or hospitable, but if the innkeeper (me) can't get any sleep or stays in a foul mood, then believe me, NOBODY will be happy!
Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!
By the way, our breakfast times and continental options are clearly spelled out on our website, our policies, and on every room page. There should be no surprises for them!.

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Breakfast Diva said:

Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!

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Had a couple a few weeks ago, asked for 7.30 because they want to get out blah blah blah.....so I agreed. He came down at 7.30, she didn't appear until 7.50. They had their breakfasts and then the pair of them sat in the dinning room until 8.50 mucking about on their mobile phones.....and I'm stood in the kitchen thinking what the hell did I get out of bed an hour early for.

Highlands John said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Those folks who abuse the hospitality of innkeepers ruin it for the rest.
Especially this time of year anyone asking for breakfast early is told no...have a cup of coffee and some biscotti we have out for guests so you don't gnaw off your arm from hunger or get too much acid in your empty stomach because of drinking so much coffee, etc., etc. OR we can put a lovely continental in your refrigerator the night before so you can eat it whenever you'd like.
I know this doesn't sound very flexible or hospitable, but if the innkeeper (me) can't get any sleep or stays in a foul mood, then believe me, NOBODY will be happy!
Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!
By the way, our breakfast times and continental options are clearly spelled out on our website, our policies, and on every room page. There should be no surprises for them!.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!

Click to expand...

Had a couple a few weeks ago, asked for 7.30 because they want to get out blah blah blah.....so I agreed. He came down at 7.30, she didn't appear until 7.50. They had their breakfasts and then the pair of them sat in the dinning room until 8.50 mucking about on their mobile phones.....and I'm stood in the kitchen thinking what the hell did I get out of bed an hour early for.
.

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Highlands John said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!

Click to expand...

Had a couple a few weeks ago, asked for 7.30 because they want to get out blah blah blah.....so I agreed. He came down at 7.30, she didn't appear until 7.50. They had their breakfasts and then the pair of them sat in the dinning room until 8.50 mucking about on their mobile phones.....and I'm stood in the kitchen thinking what the hell did I get out of bed an hour early for.

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EXACTLY!

Breakfast Diva said:

Highlands John said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Those folks who abuse the hospitality of innkeepers ruin it for the rest.
Especially this time of year anyone asking for breakfast early is told no...have a cup of coffee and some biscotti we have out for guests so you don't gnaw off your arm from hunger or get too much acid in your empty stomach because of drinking so much coffee, etc., etc. OR we can put a lovely continental in your refrigerator the night before so you can eat it whenever you'd like.
I know this doesn't sound very flexible or hospitable, but if the innkeeper (me) can't get any sleep or stays in a foul mood, then believe me, NOBODY will be happy!
Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!
By the way, our breakfast times and continental options are clearly spelled out on our website, our policies, and on every room page. There should be no surprises for them!.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!

Click to expand...

Had a couple a few weeks ago, asked for 7.30 because they want to get out blah blah blah.....so I agreed. He came down at 7.30, she didn't appear until 7.50. They had their breakfasts and then the pair of them sat in the dinning room until 8.50 mucking about on their mobile phones.....and I'm stood in the kitchen thinking what the hell did I get out of bed an hour early for.
.

Click to expand...

Highlands John said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!

Click to expand...

Had a couple a few weeks ago, asked for 7.30 because they want to get out blah blah blah.....so I agreed. He came down at 7.30, she didn't appear until 7.50. They had their breakfasts and then the pair of them sat in the dinning room until 8.50 mucking about on their mobile phones.....and I'm stood in the kitchen thinking what the hell did I get out of bed an hour early for.

Click to expand...

EXACTLY!
.

Click to expand...

Breakfast Diva said:

Highlands John said:

Breakfast Diva said:

Oh, and the assumption is that the early breakfast eaters will check out early is WRONG (at least around here)!

Click to expand...

Had a couple a few weeks ago, asked for 7.30 because they want to get out blah blah blah.....so I agreed. He came down at 7.30, she didn't appear until 7.50. They had their breakfasts and then the pair of them sat in the dinning room until 8.50 mucking about on their mobile phones.....and I'm stood in the kitchen thinking what the hell did I get out of bed an hour early for.

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EXACTLY!

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I'm the opposite to Madeleine: I don't mind doing early breakfast if there's a specific reason like a flight, train or ferry to catch. It's the ones who "just want to get out early" are those most likely to mess us about.

I don't like to nickel and dime people, but if someone made a special request that required me to get out of bed an hour early, I'd charge something for doing that!
And there again, the rule is because others have abused the hospitality.

Early breakfast around here is continental. It's out and ready for 7 AM and we don't sweat it, they usually don't make it because they never plan properly.

We start breakie at 800AM . If you want it earlier we love to provide you a take away breakfast. We put it in their fridge , when we do a turn down service. A bag that they can put all into or eat it all before they leave. We put a muffin in, juice box , granola bar, yoghurt . A piece of fruit, and a go cup for them to make their coffee with a pod left beside the pot. Some times I also would have a big breakfast cookie for later . That seems to work for all.

Just took the 'close the door' sign down. Guests who were leaving it open just left. And, yes, the door was wide open as they walked away.

Madeleine said:

Just took the 'close the door' sign down. Guests who were leaving it open just left. And, yes, the door was wide open as they walked away..

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What you need is a new sign on the front.
[h2]
BARN![/h2]

Madeleine said:

Just took the 'close the door' sign down. Guests who were leaving it open just left. And, yes, the door was wide open as they walked away..

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"Don't let the door hit you on the way out"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I need a parking lot rule now. Guests with one room have two cars. Right now they are taking up 3 spaces. AND, they ran over the bowling ball to my little kids' game set! Luckily, they did not run over the little kid!

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

Oh! How low can people go?? This sounds like the complaining couple were scammers. They've done it before I'm sure! I feel so bad for your innkeeper friends!

Breakfast Diva said:

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

Oh! How low can people go?? This sounds like the complaining couple were scammers. They've done it before I'm sure! I feel so bad for your innkeeper friends!
.

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Breakfast Diva said:

Oh! How low can people go?? This sounds like the complaining couple were scammers. They've done it before I'm sure! I feel so bad for your innkeeper friends!

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It seems like this becoming quite common, for people to have the gall to do this sort of thing to get free meals at restaurants, and free lodging. What's really bad is that it will callus owners to doubt all complainers, so people with a real problem won't get it attended to.

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

I would not have given a free night. It is not innkeeper fault there are noisy guests. No hotel ever comp'd me a room when I complained of noise :-( Maybe give a 10% discount along with a "I'm sorry.....but that would be it.

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?

Click to expand...

We can all point to all the open reviews giving more and more people these ideas.
Given the innkeeper did not hear noise after the first call. I would have gone to the door of the noisy room at 2am to listen, not to disturb.
Wonder just how loud they would have to be to create such a disturbance? They may want to test that. Once the noise level is loud enough to bother the room next door, leave it and see if they can hear it outside the room door as well. - This may not be a bad idea for all of us. Be prepared for these sleaze ball scamers.

copperhead said:

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?

Click to expand...

We can all point to all the open reviews giving more and more people these ideas.
Given the innkeeper did not hear noise after the first call. I would have gone to the door of the noisy room at 2am to listen, not to disturb.
Wonder just how loud they would have to be to create such a disturbance? They may want to test that. Once the noise level is loud enough to bother the room next door, leave it and see if they can hear it outside the room door as well. - This may not be a bad idea for all of us. Be prepared for these sleaze ball scamers.
.

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This has been going on for years - before TA even. H I ran a campaign - just one year I believe - if not satisfied it is free. Had a lot of room complaints to get that free room and a waitress at the one I worked at overheard the Bit**s from Hell (lady? bow lers) discussing how if they complained about their meal, it would be free. The bottom feeders looking for a free ride know how to get it - no matter where or when.

copperhead said:

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?

Click to expand...

We can all point to all the open reviews giving more and more people these ideas.
Given the innkeeper did not hear noise after the first call. I would have gone to the door of the noisy room at 2am to listen, not to disturb.
Wonder just how loud they would have to be to create such a disturbance? They may want to test that. Once the noise level is loud enough to bother the room next door, leave it and see if they can hear it outside the room door as well. - This may not be a bad idea for all of us. Be prepared for these sleaze ball scamers.
.

Click to expand...

Or, instead of listening outside the door of the aleged noisy folks, knock on the door of the complainers. Listen from their room. Call them on their complaint.
That way, you haven't disturbed anyone who isn't already disturbed. And you can hear first hand what the problem is (if any.)

TheBeachHouse said:

copperhead said:

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?.

Click to expand...

Madeleine said:

Friends called last night with the name of a guest who caused a rumpus, trying to make sure they hadn't then traveled to this town. The guests called the innkeepers around 8 PM to say the people in the next room were too loud, could they take care of that? Innkeepers went to room, asked guests to please lower the volume. Not even sure there was a problem as the innkeepers didn't hear anything but mentioned there was a complaint about the noise. Innkeeper gets a text at 2 AM saying the other room was at it again, they couldn't sleep, etc.
Innkeeper didn't charge them for the room.
He showed the text to the offending 'noisy' guests and they said that wasn't true at all. They were sound asleep.
Complainers drove off and yelled at the other guests, 'Thanks! You got us a free stay for being so noisy!'
Innkeeper says he felt completely taken by the couple.
This is another reason we're so hesitant and torn about believing stuff guests tell us.
So, was one room noisy or did the other guests just keep complaining about something that wasn't really happening to get a free stay?

Click to expand...

We can all point to all the open reviews giving more and more people these ideas.
Given the innkeeper did not hear noise after the first call. I would have gone to the door of the noisy room at 2am to listen, not to disturb.
Wonder just how loud they would have to be to create such a disturbance? They may want to test that. Once the noise level is loud enough to bother the room next door, leave it and see if they can hear it outside the room door as well. - This may not be a bad idea for all of us. Be prepared for these sleaze ball scamers.
.

Click to expand...

Or, instead of listening outside the door of the aleged noisy folks, knock on the door of the complainers. Listen from their room. Call them on their complaint.
That way, you haven't disturbed anyone who isn't already disturbed. And you can hear first hand what the problem is (if any.)
.

Click to expand...

TheBeachHouse said:

Or, instead of listening outside the door of the aleged noisy folks, knock on the door of the complainers. Listen from their room. Call them on their complaint.
That way, you haven't disturbed anyone who isn't already disturbed. And you can hear first hand what the problem is (if any.)

Click to expand...

You're going to make a great innkeeper!!