This summer I resorted to posting a note on the front door that basically says, "We are either away from the inn or preparing for guests arriving at their scheduled check-in time." We post a list of things to do to keep them occupied and ask them to return at 3:00 PM. This worked like a charm this summer and also kept a few tire-kickers from ringing the bell to nose around the place.
Since I speak to each and every guest there is the opportunity to explain our check-in time guidelines. They know that we do not have a staff and that we do it all ourselves, not leaving a lot of time for sitting around before 3 PM..
Silverspoon said:
Since I speak to each and every guest there is the opportunity to explain our check-in time guidelines. They know that we do not have a staff and that we do it all ourselves, not leaving a lot of time for sitting around before 3 PM.
We have a note for the door as well. Dang if they don't arrive before I hang it up at 11 AM!
This is a typical phone reservation:
Me- Check-in is from 3 - 7 PM, do you know about what time you will be arriving?
Guest- We'll be there around 11 AM.
Me- You are more than welcome to park your car and go out for lunch in town and we'll see you around 3.
Guest- We'll be there at 11. We'll check in then.
Me- Check-in starts at 3 PM but you may leave your car here and walk 2 blocks down to the restaurants to have lunch and maybe do a little shopping and we'll see you at 3 PM when check-in starts.
Guest- If we get there at 11 can we leave our car, unpack the luggage and use the restroom?
Me- Guests from the previous night will not be out of the house yet. We cannot hold luggage while we are cleaning. It's ok to leave it in the trunk and leave your car here.
They show up at 11. I don't answer the door as I've got the sign out. They complain when they get back at 6 PM that no one was here to let them in at 11.
.