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  1. Tom

    Interim Innkeeper/Innsitter suggestions

    First few years, we used two professional innsitters; now work with two local ladies to fill in when we are on vacation. In 2017 that was a total of 8 weeks (daughter and new baby in France)! Usually we vacation in "shoulder season" so as to not have things too crazy. We like to handle...
  2. Tom

    Newbie

    All wisdom. Talk to the guests when they arrive, tell them about breakfast, wi-fi, the lounge, etc. Skip the rules: people don't read -- or, specifically, the people who need to read won't read. Put timers on bathroom fans, bathroom heaters; use LED or CFL lighting; do a light room fluff to...
  3. Tom

    Newbie

    We have a guest lounge with the (only) large TV, large cafe tables, full size fridge, ice maker, Keurig coffee, and microwave. It completely deals with the "room picnic" and take out suppers, and allows us to be really strict about staying out of our kitchen.
  4. Tom

    Guest stumped me - I wasn't ready - what would you say?

    We rarely get walk-ins, as we are out in the country by 6 miles. A booked in advance guest pays on check out, a walk-in pays on arrival. A few people have resisted giving address and email which I need to put the booking into our reservation system, and I tell them our insurance coverage...
  5. Tom

    Bloggers: Don't bring a keyboard to a knife fight

    Our local tourism agency contacted us to host a couple for 2 nights as they were "writing" about bicycle touring (we are on a Trans Am trail). The couple only arrived to crash, didn't eat the breakfast and disappeared without any journalistic effort. They had scammed the tourist agency too, I...
  6. Tom

    When does "enough" become "too much" ?

    State law (Oregon) allows beer and wine at B&B, but not hard liquor without license, but I would not put out self serve hard liquor anyway out of concern for guest driving under the influence and liability would flow to the server. We do offer local wines and home-brewed beer, but only by...
  7. Tom

    Typical breakfast?

    I did parfaits for a while and have quit. They look nice as presented, but soon turn to ... glop, and I found most were only 1/2 to 3/4 eaten, so not super important to our crowd. While I was serving them, I got nice parfait/cocktail glasses (Libby) because my first attempt was using...
  8. Tom

    Unprecidented winter

    PNW = Pacific North West, and yes Crane's beach, acres of sand. Sailed out of Marblehead. Miss the lobster rolls.
  9. Tom

    Unprecidented winter

    My mother (90) lives in Ipswich and is staying here for a few weeks enjoying the PNW wet winter. Just sits by the fire and reads. Her friends back in MA are pretty worn out.
  10. Tom

    Check In Document, Signed For Charges (room damage, ruined towels ...etc)

    Chiming in after all the others, but ... I too say keep it simple and light at the start and see what changes you need to make as you gain experience. From a military background, you are trained to run scenarios, but B&B is very people oriented, and everybody is different, so engage your...
  11. Tom

    Question about goal setting for Innkeeper?

    I've done B&B for 9 years only, but a lot of other businesses before that. Very clearly, the more complicated the scheme the less clear, the harder to objectify, and the greater likelihood of hard feelings. My suggestion: make bonus a % of gross sales above a reasonable floor, paid on a...
  12. Tom

    Typical breakfast?

    Same here, a full breakfast, but cook's choice adapted to the wishes expressed on check-in (e.g. GF, then hash browns). Flexible hours and table service with a room or two, with 3 to 5 rooms, try to squeeze everyone into an hour or so, usually buffet service. It's labor, for sure, but adds...
  13. Tom

    Best line ever

    Yes, f*$& the TV ad that says never pay full price. With phone inquiries, I usually quote price right off -- out of your range? Let's both move on. Early years someone would bend my ear about how beautiful the place looked and how much she wanted to stay, and blah, blah, but it was a little...
  14. Tom

    new at innkeeping

    100% serious. Your tell it like it is and PITA Magnet posts helped me get prepared for the inevitable no fun side of the hospitality business. Personal thanks. Miss the old avatar though ...
  15. Tom

    New Plan - it might work

    My mother now lives in Ipswich, moved there from Lanes Cove, Cape Ann, just to try to stay warm in the winter. The wind off the ocean made the candles flicker even with the windows closed. Tonight more snow coming in. Wet and heavy close to the sea, but accumulating by morning. I miss...
  16. Tom

    People keep finding hidden cameras in their Airbnbs

    I've expected a complaint on this subject, but never happened. Our zoned heat pump system has auxiliary temperature sensors in several rooms apart from the main control which is obviously where I can get at it. When I first looked at the installation, little plastic square high on the wall...
  17. Tom

    Cancellations - Book Then Within an Hour Cancel ???

    We do not accept cancellations unless they telephone and I speak with a real human. If it's a short time, the reason is usually trying to plan a trip and needing to change, etc, and I let them off no charge. I can see being in that situation. I use the Golden Rule a lot.
  18. Tom

    new at innkeeping

    And, you know, back in those days, Morticia really let the innspirings know about it too. Her posts were what helped me through the first year.
  19. Tom

    Packages: Add-On Price better than Comprehensive Price

    We rarely do packages, but when we do, we set the rooms all at the same price to keep it simple and that's where we give a little discount if needed.
  20. Tom

    Keyless door locks

    We give the code on a blank card. The business card has your address; if the guest loses the card, the finder has access to your premises.
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