Anon Inn
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Our road trip took us along the Oregon coast, some of northern California, exploring the Emigrant Gap area - then to Crater Lake, Ashland (the play's the thing) and back up the coast. We stayed in a variety of lodgings including B&Bs. Did I compare? What they do, what we do, what we liked, what we'd like to copy? - you bet I did!
Every B&B had room books, we still have none. That will change. Have to say though, at the last place we stayed, the wifi code was not in the book. I looked again carefully on every page. The code WAS on a predominantly placed note on the desk. I didn't see the note until after I phoned the hostess to ask for the password. The desk was in the corner of the room, so I didn't see it right away. Never the less, a "Doh" moment. This was beautifully furnished place, with an old fashioned looking telephone in one of the common areas. You just press * any time to speak with the innkeeper. She was a delight, and very kind. Back to room books, most are in a thinner, three ring binder, with pages in the plastic sleeves. Does anyone have a more attractive way of doing room books? The binders on the invariably beautifully made beds look so - utilitarian.
Speaking of beds, 3/4 of places we stayed, B&B, or other, had the triple sheeting with protect-from-luggage-sash draped over the top. Though I enjoyed it, I will resist due to the extra ironing involved. I suppose the top sheet could be a true non-cotton wrinkle free. hmmmm.
Another place, amazingly, left the kitchen door open 24/7. Kitchen off the dining room. In the dining room, port, sherry and cookies available at all times. Kettle and tea selection available at all times on dining room buffet. A great added touch, what looked like drawers in the dining room buffet actually concealed two undercounter fridges, one for bottled water for guests, the other for guest use. Coffee service starts at 8a, but if you want coffee earlier, the coffee makers are set up so you can just go in the kitchen and push the button way earlier if you get up way earlier. We did get up way earlier, so I took advantage of the opportunity to press the button and have a look at someone else's kitchen. It was a nice set-up, with the office in the corner, smaller commercial range (but still larger then home ranges, also had a griddle, but half size), large commercial sink, large center island and TWO full size domestic type fridges. Fridge envy there. I had a good look but no touch while I waited for the coffee. At our place, guests are asked the night before when they would like breakfast, then a large thermal carafe of coffee is delivered outside their door an hour before their chosen breakfast time. Works for us.
At other places, I just couldn't stop looking at my surroundings with my inner innkeeper's eye. I will see every cobweb, every mineral stain, smudge and scratch. One morning we were having breakfast in a restaurant and my ears picked up the conversation at a nearby table. The man was telling another couple about their air b n b rental, and how his wife - "well, she does way more than she needs to - she makes too much work of it". We and they were headed out the door at about the same time, so I approached the women, introduced myself as another air b n b host and told her to stick to her guns and take that extra time to make things attractive - because women especially will notice and appreciate. (apologies for my sexism <grin>) We ended up chatting for several minutes and had some laughs about our experiences. She said a couple of times - "It's way more work than I thought it would be".
Breakfasts - all over the map, full cooked or buffet, or out at the restaurant, depending on lodging choice and local regs. Full cooked trumps most buffets. It just does. But, heresy I know, I am considering limited menu choices for next year. The choice would be - full breakfast or lighter version - spelling out what those versions would be. I admit I am appreciating Senior menus, with smaller portions. If this opens the door to the whole substitution and special request at the last minute thing, it can go away as quickly as it came!
Now that we're home, looking at things with new eyes, and that bit of painting that has been left unfinished on one of the guest room windows, well, I will stop ignoring and 'get-er-done'. There are other similar deficiencies on the to-do list.
We slept in one of our guest rooms last night, will do the same in another tomorrow.
This was the first extended road trip we've had since before we bought our place. I really do feel rested and energized.
Every B&B had room books, we still have none. That will change. Have to say though, at the last place we stayed, the wifi code was not in the book. I looked again carefully on every page. The code WAS on a predominantly placed note on the desk. I didn't see the note until after I phoned the hostess to ask for the password. The desk was in the corner of the room, so I didn't see it right away. Never the less, a "Doh" moment. This was beautifully furnished place, with an old fashioned looking telephone in one of the common areas. You just press * any time to speak with the innkeeper. She was a delight, and very kind. Back to room books, most are in a thinner, three ring binder, with pages in the plastic sleeves. Does anyone have a more attractive way of doing room books? The binders on the invariably beautifully made beds look so - utilitarian.
Speaking of beds, 3/4 of places we stayed, B&B, or other, had the triple sheeting with protect-from-luggage-sash draped over the top. Though I enjoyed it, I will resist due to the extra ironing involved. I suppose the top sheet could be a true non-cotton wrinkle free. hmmmm.
Another place, amazingly, left the kitchen door open 24/7. Kitchen off the dining room. In the dining room, port, sherry and cookies available at all times. Kettle and tea selection available at all times on dining room buffet. A great added touch, what looked like drawers in the dining room buffet actually concealed two undercounter fridges, one for bottled water for guests, the other for guest use. Coffee service starts at 8a, but if you want coffee earlier, the coffee makers are set up so you can just go in the kitchen and push the button way earlier if you get up way earlier. We did get up way earlier, so I took advantage of the opportunity to press the button and have a look at someone else's kitchen. It was a nice set-up, with the office in the corner, smaller commercial range (but still larger then home ranges, also had a griddle, but half size), large commercial sink, large center island and TWO full size domestic type fridges. Fridge envy there. I had a good look but no touch while I waited for the coffee. At our place, guests are asked the night before when they would like breakfast, then a large thermal carafe of coffee is delivered outside their door an hour before their chosen breakfast time. Works for us.
At other places, I just couldn't stop looking at my surroundings with my inner innkeeper's eye. I will see every cobweb, every mineral stain, smudge and scratch. One morning we were having breakfast in a restaurant and my ears picked up the conversation at a nearby table. The man was telling another couple about their air b n b rental, and how his wife - "well, she does way more than she needs to - she makes too much work of it". We and they were headed out the door at about the same time, so I approached the women, introduced myself as another air b n b host and told her to stick to her guns and take that extra time to make things attractive - because women especially will notice and appreciate. (apologies for my sexism <grin>) We ended up chatting for several minutes and had some laughs about our experiences. She said a couple of times - "It's way more work than I thought it would be".
Breakfasts - all over the map, full cooked or buffet, or out at the restaurant, depending on lodging choice and local regs. Full cooked trumps most buffets. It just does. But, heresy I know, I am considering limited menu choices for next year. The choice would be - full breakfast or lighter version - spelling out what those versions would be. I admit I am appreciating Senior menus, with smaller portions. If this opens the door to the whole substitution and special request at the last minute thing, it can go away as quickly as it came!
Now that we're home, looking at things with new eyes, and that bit of painting that has been left unfinished on one of the guest room windows, well, I will stop ignoring and 'get-er-done'. There are other similar deficiencies on the to-do list.
We slept in one of our guest rooms last night, will do the same in another tomorrow.
This was the first extended road trip we've had since before we bought our place. I really do feel rested and energized.
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![Bed & Breakfast Tracker Plus [Download]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51m1WPxMV7L._SL500_.jpg)
