Serving time

[bluedragonflyinn]

We do 8.30 - 9.30, with a note in the rooms that if they want earlier just ask. We'll do 7.30, before that and it's help yourself from toast/juice/cereals/yogs left out the night before. That suits most people, we're a holiday location so most don't want to be up early and a later time suits us.
We still get people saying it's too late, it's too early, the time isn't long enough......blah blah blah, you're going to get that whatever. If you take it up to their room, sit on the side of the bed and feed them by hand someone is going to complain it wasn't brought on a golden platter..

You are so right! That made me laugh out loud, thank you!

 

[bluedragonflyinn]

We do 8.30 - 9.30, with a note in the rooms that if they want earlier just ask. We'll do 7.30, before that and it's help yourself from toast/juice/cereals/yogs left out the night before. That suits most people, we're a holiday location so most don't want to be up early and a later time suits us.
We still get people saying it's too late, it's too early, the time isn't long enough......blah blah blah, you're going to get that whatever. If you take it up to their room, sit on the side of the bed and feed them by hand someone is going to complain it wasn't brought on a golden platter..

And then there are the guests who trash your kitchen at 4 AM because you wouldn't get up at that time to feed them.
We're very clear about breakfast times. It's repeated over and over at check in. It's on the same info sheet as the WiFi pw.
Yes, we'll fluctuate by a half hour to 7:30, but not to 10. But, no, we aren't getting up at 2 AM to get your breakfast started for a 4AM feeding.
.

Fortunately, we can close our kitchen off to avoid those issues! And thank you for the heads up!

 

[bluedragonflyinn]

think it depends on your market as well - mine are in the main business travelers on a weekday so need earlier - tourists/wedding stuff on a weekend so later..

Agree with Jcam it depends on your market and your service style. Our breakfast cut off is 10a, but they can have it as early as they want. Earliest so far: 3a for fishermen who wanted to be out on the river early. I usually get one or two 5a requests during the year. Most choose 8 or 9a. A benefit of guests choosing breakfast time is they most always show up in the dining room right on time - making it easier for cooking timing.
Just some thoughts. One size does not fit all.
Best wishes.
.

Exactly! With outdoor enthusiasts here in the mountains, the earlier you start the less likely you are to get caught in the rain. I expect requests for earlier meals, but just wanted a general start time. Thank you!

 

[bluedragonflyinn]

We are a 5 room Inn, typically have 10-12 for breakfast and we have one seaeting time at 8:30, (coffee/tea goes out at 7:00). We get one or two that grumble about the time, but we have far more guests requesting an earlier or 'to go' breakfast. This is where knowing your market/guest is invaluable! There is so much to do in the area that our guests want to get up and go in the morning. Local attractions (National Parks/trails etc) open at 9am and by July/August people want to be out before the afternoon heat wave.
This time also works best for us, which I think is very important to consider! Guests are here for a few days, you are doing this 365, so find a time that fits your schedule too. Besides, you can always adjust/increase/decrease your serving time if after a few weeks you find that it's not working.
Good Luck!.

We do a pack up breakfast from 6.30 which is very popular and dead easy for us so works both ways!
.

what is a pack up breakfast?
.

its a small paper bag with handle - inside is a cereal bar, yogurt or Porridge pot (just add boiling water), fruit, orange juice and a bacon sandwich and disposable spoon - all pre-prepared and handed over to guest at allotted time or outside their room depending on what I'm doing. Cheap and easy way to do breakfast in bed also. Very popular with our early risers and most of it is preprepared and set up in advance so we can send them out in a rush.
.

What a great idea! Thank you for sharing that!

 

[gillumhouse]

think it depends on your market as well - mine are in the main business travelers on a weekday so need earlier - tourists/wedding stuff on a weekend so later..

Agree with Jcam it depends on your market and your service style. Our breakfast cut off is 10a, but they can have it as early as they want. Earliest so far: 3a for fishermen who wanted to be out on the river early. I usually get one or two 5a requests during the year. Most choose 8 or 9a. A benefit of guests choosing breakfast time is they most always show up in the dining room right on time - making it easier for cooking timing.
Just some thoughts. One size does not fit all.
Best wishes.
.

Exactly! With outdoor enthusiasts here in the mountains, the earlier you start the less likely you are to get caught in the rain. I expect requests for earlier meals, but just wanted a general start time. Thank you!
.

When I did overnight stabling, the guests told me what time - as long as it was between 4 AM and 10 AM. Now I let me sleep in - 6 AM is the early time. I had one horse lady who liked to leave at 3 AM. I had made egg bake "sandwiches" for he on previous visits but once I gave her the Oatmeal Bake in a to-go container (plastic) that is what she wanted.
I made my English Muffin bread in an 8x8 pan (or cornbread sometimes). The egg bake was done in another 8x8 and was put on the bottom half of the bread and the top put on it - cut into 6 pieces and wrapped in wax paper. 2 "sandwiches" in the bag with some muffins, fruit, a bottle of water, napkins, and a .5 oz bottle of waterless hand cleaner and a to-go cup of coffee.
Egg cups make a nice to-go breakfast entree. 2 slices of ham or turkey (the thin slices) crosswise and tucked into a muffin tin. Add one egg per "cup", sprinkle with herb of choice, add a dab of sour cream and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 for about 25 min. Figure 2 egg cups per serving. Always wrap with wax paper so they can nuke it at a gas stop/convenience store if they want it hot (tastes good cold too).