Locks the doors, PERIOD. I would never take the chance that after I clean a room someone has gone in to look around, borrow a towel, use the toilet, etc. They only get the key to the room they pay for for this exact reason. It takes away this possibility and stress for us and ensures that our guests get their perfect clean room. If someone wants to see another room for a future stay, they can ask..
MtnKeeper said:
Locks the doors, PERIOD. I would never take the chance that after I clean a room someone has gone in to look around, borrow a towel, use the toilet, etc. They only get the key to the room they pay for for this exact reason. It takes away this possibility and stress for us and ensures that our guests get their perfect clean room. If someone wants to see another room for a future stay, they can ask.
I think it was unlocked originally for a late arrival. Which means that guest who used it may have been rattling door knobs in the middle of the night.
We don't leave keys outside any longer
.
Madeleine said:
MtnKeeper said:
Locks the doors, PERIOD. I would never take the chance that after I clean a room someone has gone in to look around, borrow a towel, use the toilet, etc. They only get the key to the room they pay for for this exact reason. It takes away this possibility and stress for us and ensures that our guests get their perfect clean room. If someone wants to see another room for a future stay, they can ask.
I think it was unlocked originally for a late arrival. Which means that guest who used it may have been rattling door knobs in the middle of the night.
We don't leave keys outside any longer
If you don't leave keys outside, how do you handle self checkins? Or do you not permit them?
.
We don't do self check-ins EVER. And before anyone goes saying that we need to be more flexible, this works just fine -- we have a great business and find that we don't need self check-ins to get bookings. I don't like people coming in late, making noise, setting off the driveway alarm waking me up after I've gone to sleep and then I hear them talking in the great room, stomping up the stairs, etc. long after other guests have gone to sleep. My sanity is not worth it. Now if someone is traveling and a plane is delayed then my husband goes to bed and then checks them in when we hear the driveway alarm go off. He then can be sure they get all of the important information, find out of they have food allergies and control them not wandering around making noise trying to find their room. To me it's all about the guest experience and not allowing other guests to disturb those who have turned in
. But I fully understand those who do self check-ins, we all have to do what works best for us.
.
"we have a great business and find that we don't need self check-ins to get bookings."
Wow that was pretty blunt. It has nothing to do with GETTING BOOKINGS. Our guests 75% arrive after 9pm on a Friday night here. Every week. It is not one or two on occasion.
Actually letting them find their room quietly is preferred to showing them around. Self check-ins "here" are always the quieter check-ins, it is the opposite of your experience.
.
Had a couple who checked in late one time and made tons of noise. Guests the next morning complained at breakfast about how after they checked in they went back and forth to the dining room a couple times waking them up and then slammed their door shut. They were probably going out for cookies and drinks. Those other guests were pissed and it tainted their view of staying with us. I said never again, not taking that chance. I know that others' business depends on allowing late arrivals if you're in a city or have business guests, etc. checking in. However, we don't need to do them so we don't. Guests know that check-in ends at 9pm and they get here by then. I have turned down reservations from those wanting to arrive at 11pm, midnight, etc. but typicality the room books with someone coming before 9pm so I prefer those guests. To each his own and this is one policy I will never change.
We also have a driveway alarm to announce arriving guests so we can greet them at the door which is always locked - only registered guests get the code once checked in. If late arrivals were coming in, then they'd wake me and my husband up. We have to be up so early anyway, I don't want to be woken up and then fight to get back to sleep, having to get up early to make breakfast. Some people like the freedom of allowing self-check ins and others need to do it to be competitive and get the business as I've been told by other innkeepers. Again, we all have to do what works for us in business and in peace of mind.
.
We used to be on PAII and I was given a harsh going over for allowing self check ins so we always did every check in in person. The first year.
After that I said I can't do this another year. Guests arriving at 2am, midnight, etc because of work schedules or because they were just plain selfish. Or, because they were paying and believed it was their right to arrive when they got here and not a moment before!
First year I tried calling after 7pm just to check on an estimated arrival and most guests were sitting down to dinner hours from here. Yes, selfish. And then awkward because now they felt like their parents were waiting up for them.
We figured *our* sanity was best served by letting them get here in their own time, having the lights dimmed so they get the idea no one else is awake but them and crossing our fingerrs.
Guests are told how it works and most are ok with it and like that they don't have to rush for whatever reason. If they don't like it they book elsewhere or arrive on time.
Yes, it works here. And, no, it doesn't work everywhere. A lot of it is trial and error. We are not in a location where we can turn down a late arrival. Way too much competition here with 800 available rooms!
Also, where I am, there are all night things to do so guests are coming and going at all hours anyway. It's nothing for me to hear guests laughing and talking at 1am just coming in from a restaurant or a show.
.