The kid thing again

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TheBeachHouse

TheBeachHouse

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Couple showed up and checked in all fine. We later hear the unmistakable sounds of a toddler in distress. They have a 3 or 4 year old with them!
DH informs them that they reserved the room for 2 and since they are actually 3, we will have to apply an additional fee.
I'm p!ssed cuz 3 or 4 year olds are the worst. They touch everything. They eat like a human, so you didn't plan enough food. And, in summer, they are a big liability cuz they LOVE the pond. (It's very cold out, so I'm not as concerned about a kid being outside without parents.)
Anyway, the kid thing again.
 
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away.
 
Ah, but kids are NO TROUBLE. Lots of places let kids STAY and EAT FREE.
Why not you?
wink_smile.gif

I have toddler grandchildren. I love them. But they are 2 and 3 years old with all that comes with it. Their parents wouldn't dream of just bringing them along someplace that doesn't welcome them, provide for them, have a place for them to play and isn't safe for them. Neither would I. I will never understand why people do this.
I once had a walk in take a first floor room and start bringing in SEVEN kids through the window. Yes, I did have to send them away. SEVEN additional, unregistered guests. Ranging in age from about 3 to 16. I felt bad for the kids but that was ridiculous. I recall reciting fire laws and occupancy permits and my voice racheting higher and higher. I had other guests assembling behind me who started scolding the dad (I assume) until he left.
Then there was the older couple who brought their grandson to sleep with them instead of with his parents at their rental. As a TREAT for him, they said, when I reacted with shock at discovering him. He sampled EVERYTHING on the buffet table with his fingers, smeared maple syrup and maple butter all over the place. They deposited him in front of the tv in the common area which is where I found him, happily grinding his food into the furniture and the guest computer. It was his father, another visitor but not a guest, who left his laptop downloading something on our wifi and went off someplace. But that's another story ....
RUDE, ENTITLED family. I am sure that little boy now behaves the same way as a young adult.
 
seashanty said:
Ah, but kids are NO TROUBLE. Lots of places let kids STAY and EAT FREE.
Why not you?
wink_smile.gif

I have toddler grandchildren. I love them. But they are 2 and 3 years old with all that comes with it. Their parents wouldn't dream of just bringing them along someplace that doesn't welcome them, provide for them, have a place for them to play and isn't safe for them. Neither would I. I will never understand why people do this.
I once had a walk in take a first floor room and start bringing in SEVEN kids through the window. Yes, I did have to send them away. SEVEN additional, unregistered guests. Ranging in age from about 3 to 16. I felt bad for the kids but that was ridiculous. I recall reciting fire laws and occupancy permits and my voice racheting higher and higher. I had other guests assembling behind me who started scolding the dad (I assume) until he left.
Then there was the older couple who brought their grandson to sleep with them instead of with his parents at their rental. As a TREAT for him, they said, when I reacted with shock at discovering him. He sampled EVERYTHING on the buffet table with his fingers, smeared maple syrup and maple butter all over the place. They deposited him in front of the tv in the common area which is where I found him, happily grinding his food into the furniture and the guest computer. It was his father, another visitor but not a guest, who left his laptop downloading something on our wifi and went off someplace. But that's another story ....
RUDE, ENTITLED family. I am sure that little boy now behaves the same way as a young adult..
Click to expand...
SEVEN??? Ok, I'd get tough on that!
They actually booked a room that legally holds 3 people, so it was just a matter of adding the charge.
But pulling the kids through the window is obvious fraud. In other words, stealing.
 
TheBeachHouse said:
seashanty said:
Ah, but kids are NO TROUBLE. Lots of places let kids STAY and EAT FREE.
Why not you?
wink_smile.gif

I have toddler grandchildren. I love them. But they are 2 and 3 years old with all that comes with it. Their parents wouldn't dream of just bringing them along someplace that doesn't welcome them, provide for them, have a place for them to play and isn't safe for them. Neither would I. I will never understand why people do this.
I once had a walk in take a first floor room and start bringing in SEVEN kids through the window. Yes, I did have to send them away. SEVEN additional, unregistered guests. Ranging in age from about 3 to 16. I felt bad for the kids but that was ridiculous. I recall reciting fire laws and occupancy permits and my voice racheting higher and higher. I had other guests assembling behind me who started scolding the dad (I assume) until he left.
Then there was the older couple who brought their grandson to sleep with them instead of with his parents at their rental. As a TREAT for him, they said, when I reacted with shock at discovering him. He sampled EVERYTHING on the buffet table with his fingers, smeared maple syrup and maple butter all over the place. They deposited him in front of the tv in the common area which is where I found him, happily grinding his food into the furniture and the guest computer. It was his father, another visitor but not a guest, who left his laptop downloading something on our wifi and went off someplace. But that's another story ....
RUDE, ENTITLED family. I am sure that little boy now behaves the same way as a young adult..
Click to expand...
SEVEN??? Ok, I'd get tough on that!
They actually booked a room that legally holds 3 people, so it was just a matter of adding the charge.
But pulling the kids through the window is obvious fraud. In other words, stealing.
.
Click to expand...
It's not just the fraud. In a fire, you tell the fire department that you have 2 guests in that room..... it's downright dangerous.
 
It was crazy. Total disregard for anything I said. The air was blue, the man with all the kids was so angry.
Even sneaking in the little grandson. People don't think anything like a fire might happen. That would be too awful, I'd be shattered if something like that happened.
 
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away.
Click to expand...
Distance of the hotel is not your problem.
Another innkeeper mentioned requiring all members of the party to be present at check-in. No sitting in the car 'waiting'. They all tell me they want to be sure this is the right building and they aren't staying somewhere else. Seriously? There's one building. Youre in it!
 
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
Well I have an advantage in that I speak to all of my new guests before they book and let them know that we are adults only. And I am ramping up our adults-only marketing because there are not that many places around here that can afford to turn away kids of any age so it's sort of a niche. Some B+B around here take kids over 12...but really...are you going to ask for proof of age? So it's easier for us to draw the line up front.
There certainly is a market for adult only accommodations. Just take a look at a recent Fodor's post to see what I mean.
 
Silverspoon said:
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
Well I have an advantage in that I speak to all of my new guests before they book and let them know that we are adults only. And I am ramping up our adults-only marketing because there are not that many places around here that can afford to turn away kids of any age so it's sort of a niche. Some B+B around here take kids over 12...but really...are you going to ask for proof of age? So it's easier for us to draw the line up front.
There certainly is a market for adult only accommodations. Just take a look at a recent Fodor's post to see what I mean.
.
Click to expand...
When I go to an adult only place I don't even want to see teenagers.
Over 21. That's adult enough!
 
Morticia said:
Silverspoon said:
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
Well I have an advantage in that I speak to all of my new guests before they book and let them know that we are adults only. And I am ramping up our adults-only marketing because there are not that many places around here that can afford to turn away kids of any age so it's sort of a niche. Some B+B around here take kids over 12...but really...are you going to ask for proof of age? So it's easier for us to draw the line up front.
There certainly is a market for adult only accommodations. Just take a look at a recent Fodor's post to see what I mean.
.
Click to expand...
When I go to an adult only place I don't even want to see teenagers.
Over 21. That's adult enough!
.
Click to expand...
I hear you. We once had a parent book the house for 5 nights for herself and her 18 year-old son and his girl friend. There are only 2 suites in the house so I figured it would be great...they would have the house to themselves. Hey, if she doesn't mind her son shacking up why should I? But it turns out...I doubt he was even 18. Supposedly just finished his freshman year in college but couldn't say one thing about the experience. Looked to be about 16.
The "kids" stayed in bed all day with shades pulled and a waste basket full of used condoms. Mom went off to her summer course and came back every day around 4. Live and learn.
Now it's 21 or we can't take them.
 
Silverspoon said:
Morticia said:
Silverspoon said:
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
Well I have an advantage in that I speak to all of my new guests before they book and let them know that we are adults only. And I am ramping up our adults-only marketing because there are not that many places around here that can afford to turn away kids of any age so it's sort of a niche. Some B+B around here take kids over 12...but really...are you going to ask for proof of age? So it's easier for us to draw the line up front.
There certainly is a market for adult only accommodations. Just take a look at a recent Fodor's post to see what I mean.
.
Click to expand...
When I go to an adult only place I don't even want to see teenagers.
Over 21. That's adult enough!
.
Click to expand...
I hear you. We once had a parent book the house for 5 nights for herself and her 18 year-old son and his girl friend. There are only 2 suites in the house so I figured it would be great...they would have the house to themselves. Hey, if she doesn't mind her son shacking up why should I? But it turns out...I doubt he was even 18. Supposedly just finished his freshman year in college but couldn't say one thing about the experience. Looked to be about 16.
The "kids" stayed in bed all day with shades pulled and a waste basket full of used condoms. Mom went off to her summer course and came back every day around 4. Live and learn.
Now it's 21 or we can't take them.
.
Click to expand...
Had a woman call and ask if we had an age limit to rent a room because she was only 20. We took them and their very legit credit card. They were delightful guests.
Of course I have lots of stories about young adults that aren't so delightful.
 
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away.
Click to expand...
Distance of the hotel is not your problem.
Another innkeeper mentioned requiring all members of the party to be present at check-in. No sitting in the car 'waiting'. They all tell me they want to be sure this is the right building and they aren't staying somewhere else. Seriously? There's one building. Youre in it!
.
Click to expand...
Distance of the hotel is not your problem.
Another innkeeper mentioned requiring all members of the party to be present at check-in. No sitting in the car 'waiting'. They all tell me they want to be sure this is the right building and they aren't staying somewhere else. Seriously? There's one building. Youre in it!
Excellent point about the hotel. I'd tell them to take a hike with the kids, too. Interesting idea about requiring all members to be present. Every now & again I have guests arriving at separate times. I've only had an infant "snuck in" once and those guests were horrendously entitled.
 
notAgrandma said:
Morticia said:
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away..
Click to expand...
TheBeachHouse said:
I highlighted our policy in all our marketing this year. Hoping it catches on. But I still have a problem sending people away. We are the end of the earth. The closest hotel is about 5 miles away and the closest chain hotel is maybe 30 or 40 miles away.
Click to expand...
Distance of the hotel is not your problem.
Another innkeeper mentioned requiring all members of the party to be present at check-in. No sitting in the car 'waiting'. They all tell me they want to be sure this is the right building and they aren't staying somewhere else. Seriously? There's one building. Youre in it!
.
Click to expand...
Distance of the hotel is not your problem.
Another innkeeper mentioned requiring all members of the party to be present at check-in. No sitting in the car 'waiting'. They all tell me they want to be sure this is the right building and they aren't staying somewhere else. Seriously? There's one building. Youre in it!
Excellent point about the hotel. I'd tell them to take a hike with the kids, too. Interesting idea about requiring all members to be present. Every now & again I have guests arriving at separate times. I've only had an infant "snuck in" once and those guests were horrendously entitled.
.
Click to expand...
We usually do have couples arriving separately and paid in cash, well, when, ahem.... but that's their business, not mine.
 
We allowed kids the first 11 years we were open and boy....we've been 12+ older for the past 16 years and things are SO much less stressful. It got to the point where we were worrying more about the kids' behaviors affecting the other guests than the parents were. Like the parents who thought it was ok to read their paper and ignore their 4 year old having a tantrum on the living room floor. OK at home...but hello? Or the 3 young kids who were jumping on the furniture while my caretaker was checking in the 2 moms. She was the one who finally had to tell them that was NOT ok. Straw was when a mom was eating breakfast and let her toddler wander down the hall and open the room door of another guest and woke her up. Wow!! 12+ sometimes isn't old enough. We had a room of 3 teenagers staying next door to their parents who raided the private kitchen pantry and ate bags of chips, a block of cheddar cheese and a gallon of ice cream. Their parents were beyond horrified!
tounge_smile.gif
 

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