Met with someone who is the top in his field, an author historian, etc etc and the first thing he wanted to do was tell me B&B stories...
You know me, you know I usually ask guests IF they had been to many B&B's to tell me a favorite story. They always do. So he and his wife stay in them often, they purchase valuable antiques for their home, which is the oldest most historic home in the "battleground" city where he lives, so they feel safer at a B&B, with valuables in their vehicle. Plus he said he ALWAYS gets the low down on information about the area HE is looking for, not tourist traps. So all in all a real true B&B goer, and I was happy to hear his stories!
First one, the B&B was in a part of VA (near Danville), they pulled up and the entire historic home had been blasted and paint removed for repainting. It was an eyesore, nothing that should be open for business. As they pulled in the drive way shared with another house, with a pack of lounging lizards all over the porch and steps with a sign about it being a rehab clinic. "I don't think so" he said. Then they simply turned the car around and left.
The next one was a NEWER building that portrayed itself as older on line. They arrived and found their accommodations in the basement of a 1950's house. It was a huge let down. They drove a long way, so agreed to stay the night. They woke up to ...drum roll please... a bowl of cereal.
The third place they told me about was an historic inn in NC, beautiful, amazing, total hospitality! They loved this place. They had a nice wine hour in the evening. Super! They learned more about the area, things to see and do (innsider innfo). At breakfast, a lovely breakfast, with antique silver, crystal, magnificent! Then the female hostess sat down with her coffee...explained that she does this to keep busy and retain her sanity. That running the inn is therapy for her. She then explained how her twin children who are institutionalized, and her son who went to Annapolis and was the star of the entire town. Everyone was proud of him. Put a gun to his head. They said they didn't know what to say and were never more uncomfortable in their LIVES! It ruined their entire trip...
TMI
I told him that at times, we as innkeepers hear these same stories from our guests, that they are at our table with a cup of coffee and feel that they can share their "stories" with us, and unburden themselves a little bit. But having it the other way, is a big no no.
And then lastly, he tells me I stayed in a B&B in ________________ insert our town. I wanted to know when, he said 10 years ago. I asked about the innkeepers, he couldnt' recall. We have been here now 10 years, was it us? Unless they were "Memorable" I wouldn't know if I met them here. I will now check my rezerv system and find out!
(I know all of you are saying, "if he stayed with YOU he would remember!" Well, they didn't stay here, not in my system.)
You know me, you know I usually ask guests IF they had been to many B&B's to tell me a favorite story. They always do. So he and his wife stay in them often, they purchase valuable antiques for their home, which is the oldest most historic home in the "battleground" city where he lives, so they feel safer at a B&B, with valuables in their vehicle. Plus he said he ALWAYS gets the low down on information about the area HE is looking for, not tourist traps. So all in all a real true B&B goer, and I was happy to hear his stories!
First one, the B&B was in a part of VA (near Danville), they pulled up and the entire historic home had been blasted and paint removed for repainting. It was an eyesore, nothing that should be open for business. As they pulled in the drive way shared with another house, with a pack of lounging lizards all over the porch and steps with a sign about it being a rehab clinic. "I don't think so" he said. Then they simply turned the car around and left.
The next one was a NEWER building that portrayed itself as older on line. They arrived and found their accommodations in the basement of a 1950's house. It was a huge let down. They drove a long way, so agreed to stay the night. They woke up to ...drum roll please... a bowl of cereal.
The third place they told me about was an historic inn in NC, beautiful, amazing, total hospitality! They loved this place. They had a nice wine hour in the evening. Super! They learned more about the area, things to see and do (innsider innfo). At breakfast, a lovely breakfast, with antique silver, crystal, magnificent! Then the female hostess sat down with her coffee...explained that she does this to keep busy and retain her sanity. That running the inn is therapy for her. She then explained how her twin children who are institutionalized, and her son who went to Annapolis and was the star of the entire town. Everyone was proud of him. Put a gun to his head. They said they didn't know what to say and were never more uncomfortable in their LIVES! It ruined their entire trip...
TMI
I told him that at times, we as innkeepers hear these same stories from our guests, that they are at our table with a cup of coffee and feel that they can share their "stories" with us, and unburden themselves a little bit. But having it the other way, is a big no no.
And then lastly, he tells me I stayed in a B&B in ________________ insert our town. I wanted to know when, he said 10 years ago. I asked about the innkeepers, he couldnt' recall. We have been here now 10 years, was it us? Unless they were "Memorable" I wouldn't know if I met them here. I will now check my rezerv system and find out!
(I know all of you are saying, "if he stayed with YOU he would remember!" Well, they didn't stay here, not in my system.)