Not so horrible. But you are going to keep getting that "dated" thing as long as you have florals, toile or quilts. It's just that way that people see it.
Incidentally, BB has a TV with a DVD player built in for $230 at the moment, without the DVD it's under $200 and that will end the discussion about TVs. We replaced all ours for flat screens and even if they are never opened, there are those people who appreciate that it's flat and in the room. And others turn it on to relax for 10 minutes before they got to bed. Put them on the wall and be done with it over the winter. We actually find that more guests look for them in the winter and for some, they won't book without them. But those who don't care won't be bothered that it's there.
I'd reply to this review pointing out that the descriptions are on the website. That the rooms were reserved with one credit card and you had no way to know that they would change their minds on arrival. And that considering that the card was a foreign card, had you reversed the charge they would have been left with a currency difference (because of the difference in buy/sell rates) in any case..
It's the age group. Now have guests in those same rooms who 'love' the look. I do not have the patience to deal with washing white linens after every guest. If I had a laundry service, housekeeper AND an extra $1000 to buy it all, maybe.
BUT, if I can BUY the linens I buy, then someone else is buying this look, too.
If it's dated then so are thousands of bedrooms around the country. At this point, I think they're looking for things to complain about. Oh, mention the decor, a couple of other people did, too! Really make a point of how dated it is because NO ONE uses floral bedding anymore.
Just ranting. I am not changing the bedding because a couple of 20 year olds wanted what? You know, if you look at EVERY B&B in this town we all have the same damn bedding (in some cases the exact same bedding!) It's all florals and stripes and toiles or shiny, non-washable stuff. Do guests really want non-washabIe bedding? I am the only one who gets the 'dated, grandma' comments and some places have not updated anything in 20 years. And I get that because I didn't give them what they wanted. It's the worst thing they can say. To them.
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You know that there are differences between old and dated florals and new florals. Take a look at JCP and you will see. I'm not suggesting all white at all, Just that geometrics and modern is different than old toile and florals.
Of course it's the age group. Have a B&B right across the street that draws and different crowd than I do, it's simply because I take online booking and they don't that my age group of clientele is different. You have to look at your online demographics, you might just be skewing younger than you used to because you do take online booking and you may need to cater to them. I'll tell you one thing about having a younger clientele... they drop money on stuff a lot easier than the older clientele and don't ask me about discounts.
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And how soon before the geometrics brand me as 'dated' again? Or, 'trying too hard to be something they're not'?
I guess the real issue is this...they SAW the rooms online before they booked. They booked anyway. If it was so abhorrent to them why did they bother? Did they think it was magically going to be 'modern' when they got here?
No, they just had to pick on something. And they chose what others in their age group have picked as a 'problem'. Something they don't understand. History. Charm.
And you think if I changed one little thing, the quilt, they would all of a sudden think this is 'modern' and they'd stop using that as the worst insult they can think of? No, I'd have to get all new furniture as well. Nothing with character or history. All modern Ikea or Pottery Barn.
Because 90% of our guests fit the decor I guess I just have to get THEM to write reviews. It's kind of obvious I cannot please youngsters. Not sure what they want but it's not here. Maybe if you're that age group in a $75k car I should just refund you at the door and save myself the grief. Because if you can afford that car at your age you're looking for the resort next door, not here.
All this for a stinking one night stay. If you read further you'll see what they really wanted vs what they got here. At $600/night. Seriously, if they could afford that they really should have stayed at a resort. Not a mom & pop shop.
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