Polyester sheets - These aren't the same polyester of the 70s, this is microfiber and some of the smoothest and most comfortable sheets today. They are also laundry friendly (they dry much quicker and don't wrinkle very much.) The Comphy sheets that so many rave about our polyester. I think in this case this is a matter of older perceptions clouding the matter.
When a B&B has a few bad reviews the question is always this... are the bad reviews because of the visitor or because of the innkeeper? So often the reviews are really not about the inn or innkeeper but about the reviewer. I know this from first hand experience, one of my recent reviews was a giant personal attack at me. But when it isn't, that's when you need to be careful.
Going to see B&Bs also lets you see what NOT to do. This is a good example. Pets, even the B&Bs personal pets should be mentioned for those with allergies. I won't stay anywhere there is a dog or cat because of my allergies. I have odd reactions to antihistimines, even the non-drowsy ones, so it will ruin a vacation for me.
Also remember that each B&B is unique. Around where I live, B&Bs are less expensive that hotels and offer a much more personal experience without the frills you find at others. Our guests would never expect flowers or fruit in the room. We have no coffee makers in the rooms, no coffee service available outside of breakfast (we do offer tea, but not coffee). And we don't serve a snack..
The sheets, as mentioned before, were stiff and VERY wrinkled. Just nasty. Maybe they were left in the basket in a wad to dry? Looked and felt it. As to the coffee thing-I would have been happy with a cuppa before breakfast, would have been fine. I also didn't mind not having a coffee maker in the room but nothing was ever offered and I kept having to hunt her up The only pet mentioned was a garden cat (ie outdoor cat), frankly she looked a bit mangy so we managed to avoid contct so as to not take anything back to our cat.
Gryphon
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Okay. Instead of complaining to us, why don't you tell us what you have learnt from this experience that will help with your future business.
For example:
- Sheets should be immediately folded when removed from dryer.
- Sheets need fabric softener.
- Brand X polyester sheets aren't good for a B&B.
- Pictures with fruit basket should only be used if fruit basket is included.
- Locks should be checked periodically.
- etc...
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Sorry didn't mean to come across as complaining, simply looking for options as to hoow to handle the issue.
As to what I learned-major case of what NOT to do. I get that. I have a 5 inch loose leaf started that about half full of notes in order of rooms, the bathrooms, dining area, kitchen, menus, grounds, what to have in the rooms, how to clean the rooms and what schedule to completely turn them over, amenities to be offered, various packages on offer and a baseline figure of what each will cost (adjustments to be made to final figures due to inflation), I also have lists of people to do things like website, laundry, cleaning, fireplace maintance, music, bookkeeping and etc. The only thing we are really waiting for insofar as the move goes is my daughter graduating high school.
Gryphon
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You've done all you can to handle the issue.
Probably the most straightforward thing to do should something like this happen again is to state your problems to the innkeeper, listen to the response, and go from there.
Let the innkeeper know what you are experiencing is unacceptable, you want a different room, you want what is shown in the photos or you want your money back so you can go elsewhere.
We had a whole house here for a reunion. I explained to the organizer that we would put out a buffet for breakfast so they could help themselves and allow the teens to sleep in a bit.
They came, ate everything on the buffet and asked when we would start breakfast. We stuttered. I went over the buffet and said this was what was arranged.
Oh no! They exclaimed! You have all of this on your website and that's what we want! They actually pulled out a laptop, got our breakfast page and pointed to the photos. All of them. All of the different breakfast items I had photos of. THAT was the buffet they wanted.
Quiche, French toast, pancakes, scrambled eggs, everything on the page they wanted us to cook for them every morning.
We had nothing in the house but what we planned for the buffet. We had to tell them we couldn't do that but would bring in provisions to make ONE item in the morning.
They were very unhappy.
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