As DH & I have shared our plans with friends and family to own/operate a BnB, of course, everyone says they're going to come. Well, I hope they do, but I don't have high expectations. From reading here, I understand that many folks say this, sincerely, but it's more a statement of support and they often don't follow through. That's fine. I also recognize that some of the friends/relatives who have made noise about coming to stay live in distant regions of the country, and have no reasons (other than our future BnB) to come to our state. And really, if they haven't visited us for other reasons, it's a long trip to make just for breakfast
But, a conversation the other day gave me pause. A friend of mine, who is local and for whom the trip would not be a big deal, re-stated her intent to come stay. She has, in the past, said things like, "I want to be your first guest," and, "I can't wait to come stay in your BnB." This time, she started asking me about the town we're planning to move to. She got this scandalized tone of voice as she heard the details, saying, "WHAT am I going to do when I come visit?!" Soooooo...first I made a little joke about visiting me, but mostly started on my list of "things to do in the area." That calmed her down some, but the fact of the matter is that the town we're moving to isn't her cup of tea. So this made me wonder - am I going to have friends/family show up to stay in the Inn and expect to be entertained?
In my mind, a visit to me is one thing. A stay in a BnB is lodging and a meal. Certainly there can be some overlap if friends/family choose to come and pay for a room...but as an innkeeper, I wasn't planning on playing tour guide/occupational therapist/let me set your itinerary. As I have considered this conversation with my friend, I have reflected on BnB websites where I have seen innkeepers offer to help plan activities, and one even used the words I did earlier: "plan your itinerary."
So I guess my question is two part:
But, a conversation the other day gave me pause. A friend of mine, who is local and for whom the trip would not be a big deal, re-stated her intent to come stay. She has, in the past, said things like, "I want to be your first guest," and, "I can't wait to come stay in your BnB." This time, she started asking me about the town we're planning to move to. She got this scandalized tone of voice as she heard the details, saying, "WHAT am I going to do when I come visit?!" Soooooo...first I made a little joke about visiting me, but mostly started on my list of "things to do in the area." That calmed her down some, but the fact of the matter is that the town we're moving to isn't her cup of tea. So this made me wonder - am I going to have friends/family show up to stay in the Inn and expect to be entertained?
In my mind, a visit to me is one thing. A stay in a BnB is lodging and a meal. Certainly there can be some overlap if friends/family choose to come and pay for a room...but as an innkeeper, I wasn't planning on playing tour guide/occupational therapist/let me set your itinerary. As I have considered this conversation with my friend, I have reflected on BnB websites where I have seen innkeepers offer to help plan activities, and one even used the words I did earlier: "plan your itinerary."
So I guess my question is two part:
- First, for the friends/family that do make good on their comments to come and stay (paying) in the BnB, do they expect more catering than you might provide for regular guests? I realize you all can't look into a crystal ball and tell me what will happen with my particular set of friends/family, but I appreciate your input and experiences.
- Second, am I incorrect in my expectation that as an innkeeper, I would be providing information about area/regional events and attractions, but not setting itineraries or making outside activity arrangements (such as buying tickets) for guests as part of standard, expected service? If I don't say in our policies or on our website we do that, are guests still likely to expect it?