Trouble is in this country the awful places give us all a bad name. I had a guest recently who when arrived offered to pay me right away which is nice and had the correct money and cash. He said we want to pay you right away because you didn't ask us to. He was then telling me about when he went to blackpool with his wife and then much younger children (they were grown up now) and the moment he got through the door the chap said you have to pay right now because we have so many people run off without paying. This was infront of his wife and children and after they had traveled a long way to stay there and were tired. I have also had people say oh we don't want to stay in a B&B or Guest house becuase we want to come and go when we want. In this day and age does anyone say all in bed by 10 or I am locking the doors? They need to get real. Mind you it is always the people who have never stayed in a B&B who have the firmest opinions of what is it going to be like!.
Yes Cambs, Yes! Guests tell us
often of places with curfews and
guardian innkeepers. Doors locked up tight and they are either in or out. This is terrific to have converts, but some inns are indeed very old fashioned and the innkeepers rule with an iron fist.
This is the year I am marketing to Gen-Y, I was delighted to see guests using the iPod dock/speakers yesterday, I was delighted to see them hiking and biking. I am trying to get away from the "antiquing" demographic who are bargain hunters and more into the Gen Y/Gen X who like to spend money locally. (Not that I don't love many of our older guests, I love the hugs!)
My hand has been forced to blog and write things like "This is not your grandmother's house" to the dismay of all the sweet grandmothers and the older innkeepers in this business, but I am trying to get the point across that it can be fun to stay at a B&B, not a lock down or lock out situation.
PS Sit up straight at the table and use your napkin!