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Lee2014

Lee2014

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Okay, let's hear the great stories! Your success stories whatever they are!
One time a lady called to book a room. She complained that her husband hated vacations and was an Oscar in the trashcan the whole time, and made the children grumpy, but she just loves to travel so she's giving it one last try. They showed up with a scowl on his face. They hauled all their things up to their room and a miracle happened. He came bouncing down the stairs, checked out our information for the attractions, and led the family out the door with a handful of papers. He had a great time and they stayed longer than planned. She pulled us aside to thank us for whatever we did..."I don't know if it is you all, the house, or the town, but this is the best time we have ever had on a family vacation! I am amazed!" As they were leaving he called back, "See you next year! We will be back!"
 
We have a small theater in town that specializes in chamber music. We hosted a performer one time.
He arrived off the cross country plane at night followed by an hour drive to our town, and was not happy. Told us his agent made him come. We told him the theater was wonderful and he'd love it. He didn't want to chat. He was grumpy.
So, off he goes to the theater to perform. We saw him the next day. Happy and chatty and making plans to come back. He even gave us a signed CD.
The theater had been more than he expected and in the light of day, the view was pretty good too! :)
 
ok, one more.
We had four men who had chartered a fishing boat. They had no idea they'd made a reservation at a B&B. Probably went through bo oking and asked for the cheapest rooms. When they saw the queen canopy bed in one room and the queen with fireplace in the other, they didn't know what to do. DH fixed them up with feather toppers on the floor and they were fine.
At breakfast, they were the life of the party. Entertaining the other guests with fish stories and as they left, they promised to bring their wives back.
 
Over the years many great guest stories. But hands down, my greatest success was B & Bs For Vets. I doubt if I will ever be able to top that
 
gillumhouse said:
Over the years many great guest stories. But hands down, my greatest success was B & Bs For Vets. I doubt if I will ever be able to top that.
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gillumhouse said:
Over the years many great guest stories. But hands down, my greatest success was B & Bs For Vets. I doubt if I will ever be able to top that
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Every time the credit card works, it's a success story.
 
Almost two years ago we got a referral from another b&b who couldn't accommodate a two-night stay for four people. So far these same two couples have stayed with us 9 times (two-nights each time) and have another 7 two-night stays booked this coming year. For these visits they want all three of our suites so they can bring another couple along! They enjoy grilling and bring enough steaks for Mac and me to eat too when they do. But the best part is that one of them is a veterinarian and always gives our pets a once over for us! They came as strangers but left as friends! We have other repeat guests we enjoy immensely but none that come back this often. We feel blessed.
 
Every time a guest gives me an embrace it is a success story.
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Although you just brought back one I had long forgotten, a single young lady here from out of state.
She was here two nights, and then on Sunday morning she asked us where we went to church as she would like to attend. We told her, we didn't go with her, just gave her directions.
About a month later we got a handwritten letter from her. She explained that she had been in Iraq and had seen terrible things. (DH noted to me she was a military officer by a parking sticker on her vehicle, but we never discussed it with her as she never really invited conversation).
She said she was so despondent after getting home and having nowhere to turn with her anguish that she booked this getaway for herself and hit the road.
She spent this time alone, and thanked us for treating her with kindness and giving her space. When we simply gave her the address and not asking her any questions, it meant a lot to her. She did go.
She wrote in the letter that she had every intention on committing suicide, which was why she had to get out of dodge. Her stay here made the difference. She told us she went home and told her family about her struggles after that.
We didn't know any of this, we wouldn't have if she didn't write that letter. So I am sharing this very personal story to say that we never know who we touch, but we do know who touches us!
I also had the mother-wife-sister-friend instinct when I read it of "if I had known I could have talked to her about it!" but you see that would have been the wrong move. I would want to help her and that was not what was needed. I can see that now of course, but would I have then?
 
Joey Bloggs said:
Every time a guest gives me an embrace it is a success story.
heart.gif

Although you just brought back one I had long forgotten, a single young lady here from out of state.
She was here two nights, and then on Sunday morning she asked us where we went to church as she would like to attend. We told her, we didn't go with her, just gave her directions.
About a month later we got a handwritten letter from her. She explained that she had been in Iraq and had seen terrible things. (DH noted to me she was a military officer by a parking sticker on her vehicle, but we never discussed it with her as she never really invited conversation).
She said she was so despondent after getting home and having nowhere to turn with her anguish that she booked this getaway for herself and hit the road.
She spent this time alone, and thanked us for treating her with kindness and giving her space. When we simply gave her the address and not asking her any questions, it meant a lot to her. She did go.
She wrote in the letter that she had every intention on committing suicide, which was why she had to get out of dodge. Her stay here made the difference. She told us she went home and told her family about her struggles after that.
We didn't know any of this, we wouldn't have if she didn't write that letter. So I am sharing this very personal story to say that we never know who we touch, but we do know who touches us!
I also had the mother-wife-sister-friend instinct when I read it of "if I had known I could have talked to her about it!" but you see that would have been the wrong move. I would want to help her and that was not what was needed. I can see that now of course, but would I have then?.
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Joey Bloggs said:
"...if I had known I could have talked to her about it!" but you see that would have been the wrong move.
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Glad you realize that. Women seem to feel talking is the solution to every problem, but no, not always. Sometimes it's best to leave people alone. Good for you, and wonderful story.
 
Just as we all have stories of how WE affected guests, I have one of how GUESTS affect us.
My husband had polio when he was 12. He had a rare "cross-over" that took out his right hand and left leg. (Before you start feeling sorry for him - it was a blessing INMVHO as it balanced him - and he could do anything he wanted except run and ice skate.) He rode motorcycles for 10 years until the tree refused to move.
After we had been open for a couple years, he started dropping things, losing balance, etc. A GUEST who was in the medical world (not a Dr.) told him he had post polio syndrome. We had never heard of it. She gave us the title of a book on the subject. Fast forward at least 10 years. A returning guest was telling of a horrible year, had been to doctors and they told her it was all in her head basically. In the course of the conversation, she said she wanted to be a ballerina but, although it did not affect her, because she had polio when she was 6 she could not. I told her she had post-polio syndrome and told her of a clinic near where she lived. They stopped in about 6 months later to tell us she had been tested and had post-polio AND MS, but at least they now know.
 
Arks said:
Joey Bloggs said:
Every time a guest gives me an embrace it is a success story.
heart.gif

Although you just brought back one I had long forgotten, a single young lady here from out of state.
She was here two nights, and then on Sunday morning she asked us where we went to church as she would like to attend. We told her, we didn't go with her, just gave her directions.
About a month later we got a handwritten letter from her. She explained that she had been in Iraq and had seen terrible things. (DH noted to me she was a military officer by a parking sticker on her vehicle, but we never discussed it with her as she never really invited conversation).
She said she was so despondent after getting home and having nowhere to turn with her anguish that she booked this getaway for herself and hit the road.
She spent this time alone, and thanked us for treating her with kindness and giving her space. When we simply gave her the address and not asking her any questions, it meant a lot to her. She did go.
She wrote in the letter that she had every intention on committing suicide, which was why she had to get out of dodge. Her stay here made the difference. She told us she went home and told her family about her struggles after that.
We didn't know any of this, we wouldn't have if she didn't write that letter. So I am sharing this very personal story to say that we never know who we touch, but we do know who touches us!
I also had the mother-wife-sister-friend instinct when I read it of "if I had known I could have talked to her about it!" but you see that would have been the wrong move. I would want to help her and that was not what was needed. I can see that now of course, but would I have then?.
Click to expand...
Joey Bloggs said:
"...if I had known I could have talked to her about it!" but you see that would have been the wrong move.
Click to expand...
Glad you realize that. Women seem to feel talking is the solution to every problem, but no, not always. Sometimes it's best to leave people alone. Good for you, and wonderful story.
.
Click to expand...
Arks said:
Joey Bloggs said:
"...if I had known I could have talked to her about it!" but you see that would have been the wrong move.
Click to expand...
Glad you realize that. Women seem to feel talking is the solution to every problem, but no, not always. Sometimes it's best to leave people alone. Good for you, and wonderful story.
Click to expand...
I am reading a book similar to these comments, where women use speaking as intimacy, men use well... we are wired differently. We both use both, of course, but primarily our tanks are fueled by a different fuel.
Thank you, it is a nice story I had forgotten all about it, so thanks for this thread to bring it back up (in a good way).
 
Wow...that's a tall order! I have so many stories of great people and super interesting guests.
I guess having people who still call us to come back after we've been closed for 4 yrs is a super compliment -
Who says they don't remember the name of your B&B? ;-)
 
Thank you for all the stories! I enjoyed hearing about them all! We touch lives everyday from around the world. May it be a great experience for us all!
 
At the 6 AM breakfast this morning, told guest I was going to be in Charleston for the Municipal League Conference. he said he wants to have lunch so he can introduce me to his wife. He took one bite of Gillum House roll and pronounced it the best roll he has ever had. Told me how good the broc/cheese soup was at the sandwich franchise - and tonight brought home a container of it for me to taste it. Now that is cool
 
Not sure this is a big deal, but to me it was a very big deal. We just opened our B&B in late August. 4 days after launching our website I had reservations! Being completely new to owning and operating a B&B I was nervous how things would go. I honestly feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants and doing what I think feels right and customer service oriented. Our 8th guest arrived just 3 weeks after we opened. The couple stayed for 3 days/2 nights and according to them, they really enjoyed their stay. When they checked out they asked if I planned to be open for Valentine's weekend. I said I was and the husband asked me to give him a couple of weeks and he would contact me to make new reservations and they wanted to bring their other "couple" friends with them. About a month later I received an email from him....they are returning for Valentine's Weekend and bringing 3 other couples with them! I'm completely booked for Valentine's weekend with a returning guest who stayed with us our 1st month in business!
That told me without a doubt I've done something right!
 
Dreamcatcher Lodge said:
Not sure this is a big deal, but to me it was a very big deal. We just opened our B&B in late August. 4 days after launching our website I had reservations! Being completely new to owning and operating a B&B I was nervous how things would go. I honestly feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants and doing what I think feels right and customer service oriented. Our 8th guest arrived just 3 weeks after we opened. The couple stayed for 3 days/2 nights and according to them, they really enjoyed their stay. When they checked out they asked if I planned to be open for Valentine's weekend. I said I was and the husband asked me to give him a couple of weeks and he would contact me to make new reservations and they wanted to bring their other "couple" friends with them. About a month later I received an email from him....they are returning for Valentine's Weekend and bringing 3 other couples with them! I'm completely booked for Valentine's weekend with a returning guest who stayed with us our 1st month in business!
That told me without a doubt I've done something right!.
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Dreamcatcher Lodge said:
That told me without a doubt I've done something right!
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I have liked your FB page and love your place!
Well done, and may your table be filled each and every weekend with stellar guests D.L.
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Joey Bloggs said:
Dreamcatcher Lodge said:
Not sure this is a big deal, but to me it was a very big deal. We just opened our B&B in late August. 4 days after launching our website I had reservations! Being completely new to owning and operating a B&B I was nervous how things would go. I honestly feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants and doing what I think feels right and customer service oriented. Our 8th guest arrived just 3 weeks after we opened. The couple stayed for 3 days/2 nights and according to them, they really enjoyed their stay. When they checked out they asked if I planned to be open for Valentine's weekend. I said I was and the husband asked me to give him a couple of weeks and he would contact me to make new reservations and they wanted to bring their other "couple" friends with them. About a month later I received an email from him....they are returning for Valentine's Weekend and bringing 3 other couples with them! I'm completely booked for Valentine's weekend with a returning guest who stayed with us our 1st month in business!
That told me without a doubt I've done something right!.
Click to expand...
Dreamcatcher Lodge said:
That told me without a doubt I've done something right!
Click to expand...
I have liked your FB page and love your place!
Well done, and may your table be filled each and every weekend with stellar guests D.L.
thumbs_up.gif

.
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Thank you Joey!!!!
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Dreamcatcher Lodge said:
Not sure this is a big deal, but to me it was a very big deal. We just opened our B&B in late August. 4 days after launching our website I had reservations! Being completely new to owning and operating a B&B I was nervous how things would go. I honestly feel like I'm flying by the seat of my pants and doing what I think feels right and customer service oriented. Our 8th guest arrived just 3 weeks after we opened. The couple stayed for 3 days/2 nights and according to them, they really enjoyed their stay. When they checked out they asked if I planned to be open for Valentine's weekend. I said I was and the husband asked me to give him a couple of weeks and he would contact me to make new reservations and they wanted to bring their other "couple" friends with them. About a month later I received an email from him....they are returning for Valentine's Weekend and bringing 3 other couples with them! I'm completely booked for Valentine's weekend with a returning guest who stayed with us our 1st month in business!
That told me without a doubt I've done something right!.
Click to expand...
Excellent! That must have really bolstered your confidence level. Nice.
 

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