I read email this morning waiting for breakfast to cook and got one from a guest who checked out 2 days ago. She said she had a great stay but wanted to point out the following to me -- 1) she was upset that I put a note on the door to the deck that read "Early Risers - many guests sleep in so please keep this in mind when going onto the deck in the morning. If you can reach back and help the door close lightly that would be appreciated." I've been meaning to put this note up for 6 months but something else always get my attention. See we had to put door closers on the house because guests were leaving the doors open at night. Twice last winter woke up to our living room/dining room being 40 degrees or less and frost on the wood floors. Well her husband was up at 5am and kept going onto the deck (5x) to take pictures. EVERY time he let the door slam closed behind him. So later that day I put up the note as it was fresh in my mind. She even states that she came out of her room and told him to hold the door because it woke her. But she felt "scolded" that I put up the note while they were still here.
Two, our reservation system asks for birthday/anniversary dates for marketing purposes. I tried once before to get it removed but it wasn't an option then. She said since she said it was his 60th birthday that she expected "at least a hug, if not a gift". First off, since when are innkeepers required to hug guests and I would never just hug someone - some people don't like to be touched. Secondly, almost everyone staying with us is here for a special occasion and I'd be broke giving everyone a gift - let alone during busy time I can't keep track of them. I called our res system this morning and they will remove it from my screens (I don't market for birthdays and anniversaries so I don't need the info nor do I want guests assuming that I will give them a gift). I've done many special things for guests - just last night a couple was passing me from lighting a fire in the fire pit. She said they were going to make smores. Well I had just used a Duraflame to start it quickly because i had to pickup my son from drivers ed in 10 minutes. So I told her to hold on - I ran in and toasted perfect marshmallows on graham crackers in my toaster oven and brought them out and they just had to add their chocolate bars. She was so happy. I then raced up to get my son. Above and beyond but that's what hospitality is!
Two, our reservation system asks for birthday/anniversary dates for marketing purposes. I tried once before to get it removed but it wasn't an option then. She said since she said it was his 60th birthday that she expected "at least a hug, if not a gift". First off, since when are innkeepers required to hug guests and I would never just hug someone - some people don't like to be touched. Secondly, almost everyone staying with us is here for a special occasion and I'd be broke giving everyone a gift - let alone during busy time I can't keep track of them. I called our res system this morning and they will remove it from my screens (I don't market for birthdays and anniversaries so I don't need the info nor do I want guests assuming that I will give them a gift). I've done many special things for guests - just last night a couple was passing me from lighting a fire in the fire pit. She said they were going to make smores. Well I had just used a Duraflame to start it quickly because i had to pickup my son from drivers ed in 10 minutes. So I told her to hold on - I ran in and toasted perfect marshmallows on graham crackers in my toaster oven and brought them out and they just had to add their chocolate bars. She was so happy. I then raced up to get my son. Above and beyond but that's what hospitality is!
