quick help - extra guests

Since they returned too late to speak with you and wanted to meet up with their friends, they invited them.  I actually think it was nicer of them to leave you a note instead of having their friends arrive for breakfast without warning (this happened to me)

I would be very surprised if most guests are aware of whether or not the b&b is 'licensed' to serve others that are not guests.  I also don't think they realize how much planning and extra food you may or may not have and think of it as just putting another two plates at the table.  Depending on how many guest rooms you have, they may think you have 'plenty' on hand.  Again, they just don't realize ... just like they don't realize how much work being an innkeeper is. 

I did serve the guests friends even though I was not licensed to do it.  I admit it. 

We are in a rural area, restaurant choices are few, so I expect this to happen from time to time.  A note left would be a surprise though, so far, all have asked in advance either in person or by phone.  I use a pantry system and have so far always been able to add a few (6 more last weekend!) with little alteration.  Figure what your time (include the extra shopping!) is worth, then charge accordingly. 

We do have a restaurant license here.

KathleenM

so, they are gone.

I did serve their invited guests breakfast. by law, i probably wasn't suppose too... but that's okay.

the people were nice.... but they are the type of people that think if they throw enough money at something, they get whatever they want. i personally, can't stand those kind of people.

i ended up charging them $15 per person. they couldn't have care less what i charged them. and they barely said thanks.

i felt if i didn't charge them, they would have just walked out the door, no tip.

so, I'm glad i handled things the way i did. I was still pleasent and friendly too. they had no idea i was angry inside.

thanks to everyone for you help!!

According to B&B laws/health dept rules - a B&B is not licensed as a restaurant and may only serve overnight B&B guests.  You are not allowed to charge them anything - as you would fall under diff laws if you did!

I would not smile and serve them breakfast - unless you are a restaurant? Are you? 

Let us know how it ended up.  These are the times you get most angry with yourself if you let people take advantage of you.

 I also can not charge for breakfast so I let the guest know there will be no charge but we so accept tips - that usually more than covers the meal.  We have a lot of military guest - we are near several bases - and we do the per diem rate for them of $70.00 per night - no breakfast.  If they want breakfast, we bill them at $80.00 per night so it shows on their receipt that way.  We need to be careful - the health department will really crack down on us if we charge for a meal. 

I can always change or add to a breakfast if I need to - if you keep plenty of eggs and bread, we can always do omelets and we keep frozen fruit in the freezer that can be thawed out to stretch any dish.  I must have been a Boy Scout in a previous life - Be Prepared - is my motto. 

I hoped you informed them (after breakfast since you do not want to embarrass your guests - you want them to return I assume) you can only serve registered guests. I am not a restaurant and I can only serve registered guests (it can be any meal) and there is no charge for the breakfast. I cannot serve others because then I become a restaurant. (commercial kitchen required, licenses, Health Dept, etc)

 I would have said I didn't get the note and we don't serve breakfast to anyone not staying here.  Your friends are welcome to grab a cup of coffee if they like.

PITA's.

just smile and serve them breakfast and hope they tell everyone what a great inn and innkeeper you are that you let there friends stay over for breakfast.

thanks to both of you. I was REALLY hoping someone would respond before going to bed.

someone else I spoke to also suggested $20 pp but I felt that was steep. (my rooms are around $80 per night) I was thinking about $15.

I struggle with this because even though i'm steaming and frustruated, i don't show it on the outside because I hate dealing with conflict. (i'm a pushover)

people just suprise me sometimes. and they didn't even say thanks on the note. and I don't want to inconvenience my other guests.

thanks for letting me b*tch. a good nights sleep should help me relax a bit.

The bigger question is can you legally do it? I know where I am, we can't serve breakfast to people who are not guests, nor can we charge for breakfast  (totally different health dept licenses).   If you can do it, and you have room for them..... serve them and charge them. 

Sorry to hear your guests put you in such a tight spot. 

Welcome back 

I would charge them a lot of $$$ (20/pp) for the inconvenience - if they seem shocked at the price you can say you were shocked that they asked at such a late time (10pm!)  Above and beyond rudeness!  Have these people never stayed at a B&B b4, do they think food appears magically from the kitchen when you twitch your nose like Bewitched?  Ok, I am getting carried away, but my supposed 9pm guests just checked in....at 10:30pm!  I guess I am tired and crabby!  Goodnight, and let us know what you do and what you charge and what happens!