"What time can I check-in?"

I took check in times off my web site and say arranged.  Most people fly in and I make arrangements for their arrival time.  It is something I can do.

Where you have walk ins and so many rooms, you have to stick to check in times in order to get rooms turned.

Wants to bring 3-4 extra people to breakfast in the morning...

Unfortunately this time of year brings all the business but all the problems - B&B newbies, the people who wanted to stay at the big fancy resort but didn't get in, the people who take whatever they can get at the last minute whether it suits them or not.  All rookies.

We have a wedding party booked - friends of the bride.  I'm sure there will be some issues since we haven't spoken to any of them personally yet.  Plus we're full on Sunday night because of the holiday, so the wedding group will linger and I will need to push them out the door.

The difference in your place Bree to most of us, most of our guests arrive LATE, not even within the check in time.

Why are yours all early, is it cuz they are old folks who leave at the crack of dawn and don't want to drive in the dark?  Sometimes they do that here enroute to their next B&B and I tell them "What time is check in? You can't get in before 3pm"  Oh, they always say. 

We just tell them no, if they want something we are neither equipped to handle or ready to handle.   If you lose them as a repeat customer, you're ahead of the game.

i guess i can somewhat understand someone showing up an hour before check in but we have had people show up at 9:30 in the a.m. before! breakfast is just ending & they say they were in the area so they thought we wouldn't mind if they checked in early! Uh, well, we do mind & i'm sure the people in the guestroom mind even more!

I'm wondering how this all turned out since I'm tuning in late.

I just say that I'm the staff - this is the check-in range. I've only had one request for early check-in and that was a "fling".  All of our check-ins that are outside the range are late check-ins.  Just had one tonight get here at almost 9 PM.  Has to do where the nearest really major airport is. 

Why do Bree's guest show up early??

In one of my past lives I was a hotel trainer, if the room is clean and ready, why hold the guest back from checking in? I always tell guest 3pm, but if the room is ready earlier, you may go to the room, if not, you can use the public areas.

Same with late check out requests, we can't clean all the rooms at once, and if it's a reasonable time, and makes the guest happy, then do it. But be clear on your policies when they ask, ex: I would be happy to extend your check out time until 2pm, however please note that anytime after that I would need to charge you a 1/2 day rate until 6pm.

Now I am not saying you are always able to do this, but it truly amazes me that we sometimes forget what it's like to be a customer, and just think about "our policy"

Bree, this was just a general comment, not directed at you personally! Trust me, there is just ONE of me, with a few hours of "housekeeping" (haha) help a week, and I work 2 other jobs as well. There are so many Innkeepers that have never had hotel experience that sometimes these little tips may help them. May be why my business grew 80% in the first year over the first year and 15% a year thereafter. I am up at 6 and in bed at 1am, 7 days a week, .. I UNDERSTAND.

it's a tough call!

if i had a couple days with practically no one, i could accommodate an early or late check in, etc.  the bottom line is still the bottom line and you need guests to survive.  but you also have to decide how far you can bend and when. because the goal is to be booked up and then you need that schedule!

i have had folks show up very early with 'hopes' ... maybe because the word INN is in my name ... hoping that i'll have a place they can relax and use the bathroom and stow the luggage, hoping that i have a small staff who can help them with whatever.  and not understanding how this little place works.   and there is another place in the area that does have a staff and is much more flexible with checkin. 

i try not to freak at the guests ... not make them feel like they made a mistake to book with me.  i have stepped outside (in all my messy glory) to smile and explain and to help them put their luggage in the library, etc.  and then i tell them to please come back in a while when the place will be ready.   i hopefully rant and act crabby just in here! 

Sorry I missed the question earlier but yes I do dinners (mostly for guests and sometimes non guests, with advance notice (4 days) ... and on occassion with none... I can always make sandwich....).

Initially I was doing only a couple a month, but there are so few decent places to eat (we have one very casual Suthin' style place, Huddle House, a Pizza franchise and some other fast food).

My permit allowed me to do breakfasts and eyes would have been closed to any other "minor" meals, but (1) as my requests grew and (2) as the National Safeserv regulations are changing in 2009, my Health Inspector advised that if I wanted a food service permit it was better to apply for it now, which I did. I don't do any frying or grilling, but I do everything from packed lunches to light, and then 4-course candlelit dinners, as well as some ladies and business lunches. I don't have an alcohol permit. I serve a comp glass occassionally and tell guests they may bring their own " for reasonable consumption". Would love to have an alcohol permit. Lots of $$. Too much liability. It won't happen.

How? I don't know. It's a service for my guest, and they love not having to go riding around to get something after a long drive. If we had some nice restaurants in town, I would not feel the need to do them. I cover my costs and make a little.

Occassionally one has a "night" - like last night. Hardly ever happens. Grown son (50+) and (very elegant) mom are traveling. 2 full rate rooms. I had checked and given him some options - as well as checking for allergies and dislikes) and he said crab cakes. So it was going to be salad, crab cakes, sweet potato and asparagus w/hollandaise, and desert.  Suddenly got cold so I made soup and decided Soup, and then crab cakes on salad. Mom says what's for dinner? I tell her. Oh no she says, I am gluten intolerant. I cannot eat anything spicy. Need veg. etc. Sigh. Pulled some salmon out. Went Also added 3 other guests that were just sharing the pot of soup (which was more like stew so nice and warming). Added 3 places. Everyone had a blast, they were out on the porch until 11. I was exhausted. Mom/son added 2 books from the gift shop. He left early this morning so no breakfast and she is just having a light one later (saves on my time and my breakfast cost).

End result. Total bill is $300 for their 2 rooms. They are happy and since he has a farm in the area will now be staying with me rather than where they used to stay. Planning on bringing back wife.

Going back to my original point (the newbie is sticking her neck out here...). I don't promise early check-ins. My website and conf are clear. Reiterate on telecons. If their room is ready they can do an early check-in. I have never had one problem. I have never had a guest try to take advantage of that (like a 7-11am) arrival. If the room is not ready they can come in, use the downstairs toilet, leave their bags, help themselves to coffee)

And I have never had a guest abuse a late check out time.  I have never had a guest try to go to a dirty room and if I did extend a check out time, and if it ever happens that they are still in the room, and that is the last room to clean, I would knock on the door and tell them I need to make up the room.

Each to his own!  , hoping you all have a wonderful weekend.