We have dogs & cats & none are allowed in the guest areas. Many times guests haven't known that we have pets, although it does say so on our website.
Sometimes folks request to meet them in which case we bring them to the enclosed (outside) courtyard (dogs leashed). We also work with the local...
We live in the Caribbean. There are bugs here, there, & everywhere. Sometimes we do get folks who um... "overreact"... but we calmly explain that yes, we have big bugs & they sometimes get inside & that there is nothing dangerous here :)
Yes, dodged one!
We also don't have online avail. Same reasons. It's a control thing, I guess, although, I have experimented recently with ReservationKey & am interested, but haven't had the time to set it all up..
Meanwhile, can avoid some of the crazies by weeding them out if we interact with...
I've signed up for the free month trial w/ReservationKey & (between being super busy) have been working on getting set up Reservation Key. I'd first emailed & got an immediate reply. Whilst doing the set up I've emailed with questions & had fast, helpful feedback. Again, I'm not using it as such...
They do that kind of dumb stuff here in the Caribbean, too, except it's w/the AC! And, tho I have some good friends from NY, NY & DC (& MD, bc it often means DC) area codes make us cringe... Sorry for the stereotyping, but it's 99% of the time the case....
Crazy, right?! we've had people cross out & write in our "welcome books" (in rooms), too! Then I have to run around re-printing pages before the new folks arrive so that the books don't look all gheto w/their dumb (WRONG) scribbling.. GRR
Since we're on the subject... what irks me (today) is...
Please do :)
I've answered this way so that althought I KNOW they have said they are looking for a recommendation elsewhere, if I have space, I'm basically telling them they can stay here or stuff it (much more nicely).
We also get folks (someone else mentioned) who call about restaurants, ferry...
I am not their friend & if they are not staying with me, nor am I their personal travel agent..having said that "off record," here is what I'd reply:
"Thank you for your interest in the XYZ Inn We actually do have availability for your dates & would be pleased to accomodate you in our XYZ...
Love it! "oh, dear guest, go straight to hell"
Ever seen the show "Six feet Under?" Sometimes they show these scenes & you think it's real & then they flash to the person just sitting there & it's what they would LIKE to be saying/doing. Hehe. I like to imagine those "say/do" scenes sometimes...
huh...interesting replies. I never would have taken the liberty to move around the furniture in someone else's home & was quite miffed that they had although I had to smile & act like it was a lovely idea... they'll be gone tomorrow.