Guests in the kitchen...cooking

[GeorgiaGirl]

Let me ask another question...
WHY would you expect a B&B to provide you with all the comforts of home, including a kitchen? Or, DO you expect a B&B to provide you with all the comforts of home?.

I don't expect the use of a kitchen....besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation?? Isn't that part of the fun, eating out? We had access to a micro in several of the B&B's we stayed at but never once did I touch them. In Providence the guests kitchen/dining room had a Keurig with assorted different coffee pods as well as an assortment of teas and hot cocoa packets. I loved using that!! I never thought I would want one for myself, but now that just might be on my Christmas list!

 

[Copperhead]

Georgia Girl stated "...besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation??"
Maybe true for most travelers to B&B's! And my guest microwave seldom gets used but it DOES get used by a few - enough requests that made me put one in in the first place.
Some of my guests are not what you are thinking of as an average B&B guest. We get quite a few that are doing long road trips and I also get a lot of (long stay) business travelers, too which all tire of eating out every day. So from time to time I will run in to someone heating a 'Heathy Choice' or such frozen dinner. So for me - having the microwave is a selling point.

 

[mooseberry]

Let me ask another question...
WHY would you expect a B&B to provide you with all the comforts of home, including a kitchen? Or, DO you expect a B&B to provide you with all the comforts of home?.

Good question.
I expect a nice room, maybe in-room coffe, but not neccessary, and a good breakfast. Nothing continental, I can get that for less in any hotel.
See, I don't ask for much...if I want to cook and use the kitchen, I stay home....

 

[JunieBJones (JBJ)]

Georgia Girl stated "...besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation??"
Maybe true for most travelers to B&B's! And my guest microwave seldom gets used but it DOES get used by a few - enough requests that made me put one in in the first place.
Some of my guests are not what you are thinking of as an average B&B guest. We get quite a few that are doing long road trips and I also get a lot of (long stay) business travelers, too which all tire of eating out every day. So from time to time I will run in to someone heating a 'Heathy Choice' or such frozen dinner. So for me - having the microwave is a selling point..

Georgia Girl stated "...besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation??"
Maybe true for most travelers to B&B's! And my guest microwave seldom gets used but it DOES get used by a few - enough requests that made me put one in in the first place.
Some of my guests are not what you are thinking of as an average B&B guest. We get quite a few that are doing long road trips and I also get a lot of (long stay) business travelers, too which all tire of eating out every day. So from time to time I will run in to someone heating a 'Heathy Choice' or such frozen dinner. So for me - having the microwave is a selling point.

Again, one night stays might not require one at all, but if you want guests for a full week, they might need one at some point and appreciate it.
The Mother and Grandmother here for 8 nights while the son was at band camp brought back leftovers every meal. I had to nuke them each time. I needed that knock on the head you see in a v-8 commercial!
They were not going to go out and eat every meal out, not for 8 nights.
The other time I think it is useful is when we have special diets, vegan or others that have stuff they tell me they can just microwave and be done.
Guests do bring back leftovers - and if there is not a microwave, then they might be shy to ask to use yours. Someone commented on guests bringing back leftovers and never eating them. That is probably why.

 

[egoodell]

Let me ask another question...
WHY would you expect a B&B to provide you with all the comforts of home, including a kitchen? Or, DO you expect a B&B to provide you with all the comforts of home?.

I don't expect the use of a kitchen....besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation?? Isn't that part of the fun, eating out? We had access to a micro in several of the B&B's we stayed at but never once did I touch them. In Providence the guests kitchen/dining room had a Keurig with assorted different coffee pods as well as an assortment of teas and hot cocoa packets. I loved using that!! I never thought I would want one for myself, but now that just might be on my Christmas list!
.

We have a lot of people who like to enjoy a movie on the DVD player in their suite. We have a microwaver in our tasting room and they often make some popcorn or heat water for a cup of tea. We have the room for it, and like to offer it.
Riki

 

[1linda]

do you have a guest microwave? we do, purchased at home depot about 6 years ago. small, electric green .... little monster but it works great and they love it.
i can't find the pictures of your kitchen and where guests get their own coffee ....

do you have a guest microwave? we do, purchased at home depot about 6 years ago. small, electric green .... little monster but it works great and they love it.
i can't find the pictures of your kitchen and where guests get their own coffee ...

No guest micro. I know all the hotels have mini kitchens now but I seriously do NOT want to be cleaning up guest micro messes before I can start brekkie in the morning. And there's not much worse than burnt food smells greeting everyone. Plus, one guest burns something, the next guest who wants to use the micro then thinks I'm a slob and don't keep a tidy inn.
Sorry, didn't mean to gripe, I just don't want 'one more thing' to clean. I want guests to respect the boundaries. I'll try to find a pic to post...
This pic (if it uploads) is taken standing in the dining room looking at the 'breakfast bar' where guests can get coffee/tea anytime. I put the snacks on the counter. Right behind that is my kitchen. Most guests see the visual boundary of the island and stop there. Silverware, plates, all the glasses, mugs, wine glasses, etc are all RIGHT there on the shelf to the left.
Never mind, I can't figure out how to post a picture.
Here's the link to the website with the pix.

The 3rd pic down on the right is a good shot of both the guest area and the kitchen.
.

I know you don't want to clean something else, but it seems like it would be less aggravation to have a guest microwave on your guest service island. Plus, you can pick them up relatively cheaply. I would bite the bullet & put one there for the guests who are tempted to go into the B&B kitchen area AND I would put a tent sign on top of it that said this is for guest use and the health department prohibits guests from using anything in the inn kitchen. Period, end of story. I'd also reconsider some kind of folding screen at least that you could put as a barrier in the evening between the island and your kitchen.
Knock on wood, no one has breached our swinging door into the kitchen from the dining room yet. So, I guess the "private" signs are working.
.

It's probably not so much the micro as the fact they had to have gone in the fridge to get the eggs they cooked. Which could have meant that there wasn't enough food for breakfast depending on what we were making and what they decided to eat and how many of them were cooking. The whole reunion crowd came in around 1 AM and that was 8 guests right there. (They didn't tell us when they booked that they were one group or we could have done things differently.)
I have a spare micro that we would put out for a whole house booking. I need the counter for things other than to keep rude guests out of the kitchen.

Part of the problem is that to get water for the teapot they need to get into the kitchen. Even if I fill it before I go to bed, it is sometimes empty in the morning. Another part of the problem is that I'm just too damn stubborn. I spent how much money to make that guest service area sans micro because I just don't think I need to provide ALL the comforts of home!
.

OK...tough love here. Suck it up & give the guests what they want How much room does a small microwave take up? It will give you less aggravation in the long run and the guests will be happy. For your water kettle - can you put a jug of water somewhere nearby? Or a nice pitcher of water? Anything to keep them out of your kitchen! I have to say that NO ONE has abused my stashes of stuff that I use to replenish the beverages in our guest service area. They might be peeking to see what's in there (I would have no way of knowing, but they're not taking anything). I keep the fridge pretty well stocked with Cokes & bottled water.
The more stuff that you anticipate that they need, the less they will bug you. Of course, it was very cheeky to take your eggs out of the fridge. Do you have a sign on the fridge that says, "If you want breakfast in the morning, do not take any of this food!!"?? haha!
.

No. I still think I don't want the aggro involved in providing a micro. It takes up 20" of countertop that then cannot be used for anything else. Makes it crowded and too sloppy looking. Plus, then I have to provide microwaveabe plates, paper products, etc. Along with directions on how to use the micro. Which then leads the considerate to go into the kitchen to get cleaning supplies should they make a mess. Ahhhhhhhhhh, it never ends!
And then that increases how much space they need in the fridge for 'supplies'. Frozen entrees, leftover pizza, baby food, the list is endless.
Oh well, that's just me. My guess is more guests than I know HAVE used the micro late at night and I just haven't heard them and they have left things mostly tidy.
I do know I get guests who are irate that I do not provide them with the 'basic necessities'. One mother said that when we told her she couldn't use the kitchen to prep food for her baby. I do mention in a couple of places on the website that there is no kitchen access.
I'm eventualy going to lose this one, I know.

.

You can get those smaller cube type micros that take up less room (true "dorm" size). Just big enough to heat up a baby bottle or something. You do take kids

I would expect a microwave...sorry. It's not like you're charging $79/night either

.

You can get those smaller cube type micros that take up less room (true "dorm" size). Just big enough to heat up a baby bottle or something. You do take kids

I would expect a microwave...sorry. It's not like you're charging $79/night either

It's not the price. The price is based on the area. I could be charging $250/night and not have half the amenities I do IF that's what the area commanded. Case in point (my favorite case) is Charleston. Prices there are beyond $200+ and you do not get any of the amenities I provide like 24 hour coffee & tea, guest fridge, snacks, PARKING!, 24 hour on site innkeeper and assorted other 'stuff'.
And yet, the place we stayed on Tybee Island had a guest kitchen with stocked fridge and not nearly the price point Savannah was getting for no guest amenities. And I know some innkeeps on here have WAY lower prices than I do and are providing the world for their guests.
For me it comes down to communication. (This in re kids.) I tell guests who are bringing kids (especially babies) that there is no access to a kitchen for heating ANY foods of any kind including bottes or jars of baby food. I say we can heat things in the morning for them, but that there is no access in the evening.
BTW, great discussion. I have a lot to think about!
.

No microwave here. Not planning on doing one, either. I have the hot water kettle with an assortment of teas, hot chocolate, instant coffees and I put cookies out in the afternoon. When they're gone, they're gone.
I don't expect one in my room - the only reason I really like one is so I don't have to use the in-room coffeemaker to heat water for tea - it always tastes like coffee that way. I don't expect to be able to nuke stuff while I'm on vacation at a B&B - only if it were a cottage rental. Price point isn't the difference - the difference is the kind of rental I'm doing.
.

No microwave here. Not planning on doing one, either. I have the hot water kettle with an assortment of teas, hot chocolate, instant coffees and I put cookies out in the afternoon. When they're gone, they're gone.
I don't expect one in my room - the only reason I really like one is so I don't have to use the in-room coffeemaker to heat water for tea - it always tastes like coffee that way. I don't expect to be able to nuke stuff while I'm on vacation at a B&B - only if it were a cottage rental. Price point isn't the difference - the difference is the kind of rental I'm doing.

But the difference is IF YOU HAD guests going into your kitchen all the time, you might do it differently.
Either 1) they were unable to do what they needed as guests so they break the boundaries (reheat a cup of coffee or baby bottle). 2) the kitchen is way accessable and appears to be for guests. 3) your clientele needs more than what you have provided, so you need to add a few things like microwave, guest cutlery/plates (or whatever suits your area and guest needs).
By doing this it will eliminate them having to ask for things all the time a) can I please use your microwave to reheat this. b) can I borrow some cutlery and a plate. etc etc.
What I WANT is for guests to stay here more than one night. To do that they may require some little extras - guests DO have leftovers, they do have heating pads that they microwave like a rice pack etc. But I draw the line at in room coffee makers and things that clutter up the place and require too much cleaning - more effort than they are worth.
.

I agree with the in room coffee makers. I can not imagine the mess, plus where to put them? I would be furious to find coffee spilled all over the bed or carpet.
I also have a situation where the guests have to go through the kitchen to get to their rooms, so basically I have no choice as to guests in the kitchen. So far no real problem in 10 years. We have had some great conversations with guests perched on the high stools in the kitchen talking while I cook. I know this brings terror to a lot of your hearts, but whatever works.

 

[Samster]

Georgia Girl stated "...besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation??"
Maybe true for most travelers to B&B's! And my guest microwave seldom gets used but it DOES get used by a few - enough requests that made me put one in in the first place.
Some of my guests are not what you are thinking of as an average B&B guest. We get quite a few that are doing long road trips and I also get a lot of (long stay) business travelers, too which all tire of eating out every day. So from time to time I will run in to someone heating a 'Heathy Choice' or such frozen dinner. So for me - having the microwave is a selling point..

Georgia Girl stated "...besides needing a microwave to warm a baby/toddlers food I don't see why someone needs one while they are on vacation??"
Maybe true for most travelers to B&B's! And my guest microwave seldom gets used but it DOES get used by a few - enough requests that made me put one in in the first place.
Some of my guests are not what you are thinking of as an average B&B guest. We get quite a few that are doing long road trips and I also get a lot of (long stay) business travelers, too which all tire of eating out every day. So from time to time I will run in to someone heating a 'Heathy Choice' or such frozen dinner. So for me - having the microwave is a selling point.

Again, one night stays might not require one at all, but if you want guests for a full week, they might need one at some point and appreciate it.
The Mother and Grandmother here for 8 nights while the son was at band camp brought back leftovers every meal. I had to nuke them each time. I needed that knock on the head you see in a v-8 commercial!
They were not going to go out and eat every meal out, not for 8 nights.
The other time I think it is useful is when we have special diets, vegan or others that have stuff they tell me they can just microwave and be done.
Guests do bring back leftovers - and if there is not a microwave, then they might be shy to ask to use yours. Someone commented on guests bringing back leftovers and never eating them. That is probably why.
.

It was me commenting on them never eating them. But those are the shorter stay folks. I have even found them tossed in the trash in our room that has the kitchenette with microwave. I think it's so second nature now to take a "to go" box with your leftovers Then, folks just pitch them because they eat out somewhere else. I agree with you about the longer stays....they probably do not want to eat out every meal for a week.

 

[JunieBJones (JBJ)]

do you have a guest microwave? we do, purchased at home depot about 6 years ago. small, electric green .... little monster but it works great and they love it.
i can't find the pictures of your kitchen and where guests get their own coffee ....

do you have a guest microwave? we do, purchased at home depot about 6 years ago. small, electric green .... little monster but it works great and they love it.
i can't find the pictures of your kitchen and where guests get their own coffee ...

No guest micro. I know all the hotels have mini kitchens now but I seriously do NOT want to be cleaning up guest micro messes before I can start brekkie in the morning. And there's not much worse than burnt food smells greeting everyone. Plus, one guest burns something, the next guest who wants to use the micro then thinks I'm a slob and don't keep a tidy inn.
Sorry, didn't mean to gripe, I just don't want 'one more thing' to clean. I want guests to respect the boundaries. I'll try to find a pic to post...
This pic (if it uploads) is taken standing in the dining room looking at the 'breakfast bar' where guests can get coffee/tea anytime. I put the snacks on the counter. Right behind that is my kitchen. Most guests see the visual boundary of the island and stop there. Silverware, plates, all the glasses, mugs, wine glasses, etc are all RIGHT there on the shelf to the left.
Never mind, I can't figure out how to post a picture.
Here's the link to the website with the pix.

The 3rd pic down on the right is a good shot of both the guest area and the kitchen.
.

I know you don't want to clean something else, but it seems like it would be less aggravation to have a guest microwave on your guest service island. Plus, you can pick them up relatively cheaply. I would bite the bullet & put one there for the guests who are tempted to go into the B&B kitchen area AND I would put a tent sign on top of it that said this is for guest use and the health department prohibits guests from using anything in the inn kitchen. Period, end of story. I'd also reconsider some kind of folding screen at least that you could put as a barrier in the evening between the island and your kitchen.
Knock on wood, no one has breached our swinging door into the kitchen from the dining room yet. So, I guess the "private" signs are working.
.

It's probably not so much the micro as the fact they had to have gone in the fridge to get the eggs they cooked. Which could have meant that there wasn't enough food for breakfast depending on what we were making and what they decided to eat and how many of them were cooking. The whole reunion crowd came in around 1 AM and that was 8 guests right there. (They didn't tell us when they booked that they were one group or we could have done things differently.)
I have a spare micro that we would put out for a whole house booking. I need the counter for things other than to keep rude guests out of the kitchen.

Part of the problem is that to get water for the teapot they need to get into the kitchen. Even if I fill it before I go to bed, it is sometimes empty in the morning. Another part of the problem is that I'm just too damn stubborn. I spent how much money to make that guest service area sans micro because I just don't think I need to provide ALL the comforts of home!
.

OK...tough love here. Suck it up & give the guests what they want How much room does a small microwave take up? It will give you less aggravation in the long run and the guests will be happy. For your water kettle - can you put a jug of water somewhere nearby? Or a nice pitcher of water? Anything to keep them out of your kitchen! I have to say that NO ONE has abused my stashes of stuff that I use to replenish the beverages in our guest service area. They might be peeking to see what's in there (I would have no way of knowing, but they're not taking anything). I keep the fridge pretty well stocked with Cokes & bottled water.
The more stuff that you anticipate that they need, the less they will bug you. Of course, it was very cheeky to take your eggs out of the fridge. Do you have a sign on the fridge that says, "If you want breakfast in the morning, do not take any of this food!!"?? haha!
.

No. I still think I don't want the aggro involved in providing a micro. It takes up 20" of countertop that then cannot be used for anything else. Makes it crowded and too sloppy looking. Plus, then I have to provide microwaveabe plates, paper products, etc. Along with directions on how to use the micro. Which then leads the considerate to go into the kitchen to get cleaning supplies should they make a mess. Ahhhhhhhhhh, it never ends!
And then that increases how much space they need in the fridge for 'supplies'. Frozen entrees, leftover pizza, baby food, the list is endless.
Oh well, that's just me. My guess is more guests than I know HAVE used the micro late at night and I just haven't heard them and they have left things mostly tidy.
I do know I get guests who are irate that I do not provide them with the 'basic necessities'. One mother said that when we told her she couldn't use the kitchen to prep food for her baby. I do mention in a couple of places on the website that there is no kitchen access.
I'm eventualy going to lose this one, I know.

.

You can get those smaller cube type micros that take up less room (true "dorm" size). Just big enough to heat up a baby bottle or something. You do take kids

I would expect a microwave...sorry. It's not like you're charging $79/night either

.

You can get those smaller cube type micros that take up less room (true "dorm" size). Just big enough to heat up a baby bottle or something. You do take kids

I would expect a microwave...sorry. It's not like you're charging $79/night either

It's not the price. The price is based on the area. I could be charging $250/night and not have half the amenities I do IF that's what the area commanded. Case in point (my favorite case) is Charleston. Prices there are beyond $200+ and you do not get any of the amenities I provide like 24 hour coffee & tea, guest fridge, snacks, PARKING!, 24 hour on site innkeeper and assorted other 'stuff'.
And yet, the place we stayed on Tybee Island had a guest kitchen with stocked fridge and not nearly the price point Savannah was getting for no guest amenities. And I know some innkeeps on here have WAY lower prices than I do and are providing the world for their guests.
For me it comes down to communication. (This in re kids.) I tell guests who are bringing kids (especially babies) that there is no access to a kitchen for heating ANY foods of any kind including bottes or jars of baby food. I say we can heat things in the morning for them, but that there is no access in the evening.
BTW, great discussion. I have a lot to think about!
.

No microwave here. Not planning on doing one, either. I have the hot water kettle with an assortment of teas, hot chocolate, instant coffees and I put cookies out in the afternoon. When they're gone, they're gone.
I don't expect one in my room - the only reason I really like one is so I don't have to use the in-room coffeemaker to heat water for tea - it always tastes like coffee that way. I don't expect to be able to nuke stuff while I'm on vacation at a B&B - only if it were a cottage rental. Price point isn't the difference - the difference is the kind of rental I'm doing.
.

No microwave here. Not planning on doing one, either. I have the hot water kettle with an assortment of teas, hot chocolate, instant coffees and I put cookies out in the afternoon. When they're gone, they're gone.
I don't expect one in my room - the only reason I really like one is so I don't have to use the in-room coffeemaker to heat water for tea - it always tastes like coffee that way. I don't expect to be able to nuke stuff while I'm on vacation at a B&B - only if it were a cottage rental. Price point isn't the difference - the difference is the kind of rental I'm doing.

But the difference is IF YOU HAD guests going into your kitchen all the time, you might do it differently.
Either 1) they were unable to do what they needed as guests so they break the boundaries (reheat a cup of coffee or baby bottle). 2) the kitchen is way accessable and appears to be for guests. 3) your clientele needs more than what you have provided, so you need to add a few things like microwave, guest cutlery/plates (or whatever suits your area and guest needs).
By doing this it will eliminate them having to ask for things all the time a) can I please use your microwave to reheat this. b) can I borrow some cutlery and a plate. etc etc.
What I WANT is for guests to stay here more than one night. To do that they may require some little extras - guests DO have leftovers, they do have heating pads that they microwave like a rice pack etc. But I draw the line at in room coffee makers and things that clutter up the place and require too much cleaning - more effort than they are worth.
.

I agree with the in room coffee makers. I can not imagine the mess, plus where to put them? I would be furious to find coffee spilled all over the bed or carpet.
I also have a situation where the guests have to go through the kitchen to get to their rooms, so basically I have no choice as to guests in the kitchen. So far no real problem in 10 years. We have had some great conversations with guests perched on the high stools in the kitchen talking while I cook. I know this brings terror to a lot of your hearts, but whatever works.
.

I agree with the in room coffee makers. I can not imagine the mess, plus where to put them? I would be furious to find coffee spilled all over the bed or carpet.
I also have a situation where the guests have to go through the kitchen to get to their rooms, so basically I have no choice as to guests in the kitchen. So far no real problem in 10 years. We have had some great conversations with guests perched on the high stools in the kitchen talking while I cook. I know this brings terror to a lot of your hearts, but whatever works.

If you can handle it then it is a bonus for the guests! I would burn myself up and drop food everywhere. I think it is a NICE thing for guests to be able to chat in there, really. If I could, I would. But I can't. If I were there I would like to have coffee in there with you!

 

[JeannineIrish]

do you have a guest microwave? we do, purchased at home depot about 6 years ago. small, electric green .... little monster but it works great and they love it.
i can't find the pictures of your kitchen and where guests get their own coffee ....

We have a guest microwave and frig. No messes so far.

 

[YellowSocks]

We just had a family for a week.... they ate out a lot, ate sandwiches a lot, didn't use the microwave much but appreciated it the few times they did.
When my boys were little I nursed... and when they started eating they learned to eat cold food. We stayed three nights at a B&B when they just turned two, with a microwave in the hall outside our room. I don't think we used it even once. I did keep leftovers in the guest fridge, though...
People don't use them constantly, but it's nice to have them available.
The one in my dining room you turn the dial and it's on. The big one in the kitchen is not for guests... and they'd never figure out how to use it anyway since it's 20 years old (got it as a wedding gift) and is from before the days of microwaves that made sense...
=)
Kk.