Never desert your post

[Tom]

had two ladies arrive for a twin - 1 of the two wasn't walking very well
First lady who walked ok said "isn't their a lift" I said as I have had a run of people who have mobility problems and don't say so "oh I am sorry no we are a bed and breakfast and we do make it clear on boo .com and on our own web site we have no lift" she said @I didn't know' friend who didn't walk so well said "well I knew" so that was that! if they had asked I would have made up 11 as a ground floor twin but I wasn't going to pull two rooms apart at no notice for one night when the one with the issue was fine with it.
having a run of new hips, knees etc and have no patience with them not telling me till arrival! had a couple last week - messaged about parking and breakfast options - no mention of needing ground or first floor, which led to massive shuffle rounds of rooms to get them in on a lower floor!.

The continuing trickle of stories like this have me considering getting a stair lift. Of course, it will depend on the property I wind up with.
I know they are not a popular topic with some here, but there is always going to be people with problems with stairs. I have seen some, where the chair wraps around the corner at bottom, so not so much in the way.
I think this could be a market advantage, to be able to serve a wider audience, on upper floors.
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It really depends on your demographics. Who will be your target market? It is not an issue at all for us because our market is typically younger. If your crowd is older, more traditional b&b goers and all your rooms are upstairs, you might have a need for a lift. Otherwise don't go to the expense.
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I can get one for $1000. I don't think they are anymore an eyesore than a wheelchair ramp. Generally, people look favorably on people who show concern for those with disabilities.
I am not targeting an age group, and B&Bs get a lot of people who are > 50-60
Think more an issue that depends on width of stairway.
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We have an elevator. Cost 30K USD for the 3 floors, but it has been a big plus. Lots of folk don't consider themselves disabled, and so don't ask, but use the elevator. Lots of folk book the "first floor" (= street level in North America), not realizing that the street level here is floor 2, but when they arrive and learn of the elevator, no problem. I estimate the elevator has resulted in at least 100 extra bookings, so far. Hasn't paid for itself yet, but has made it easy to move housekeeping supplies.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

If you ever wonder why...
We got a fabulous review, and I can't wait for these guests to come back, but he said something that is not true amongst some wonderful accolades:
"The owners are cool down to earth folk and a continental breakfast that was actually too much to eat."
What, did you think I meant the cool part? No, the continental. We have never served a continental in 12+ years. But, that is okay, he said it one way, maybe meant another. Not going to sweat the small stuff. But people see things differently, and communicate them differently as well..

If you ever wonder why...
We got a fabulous review, and I can't wait for these guests to come back, but he said something that is not true amongst some wonderful accolades:
"The owners are cool down to earth folk and a continental breakfast that was actually too much to eat."
What, did you think I meant the cool part? No, the continental. We have never served a continental in 12+ years. But, that is okay, he said it one way, maybe meant another. Not going to sweat the small stuff. But people see things differently, and communicate them differently as well.

will you respond to the review with a clarification? something like, "we were delighted to see you and glad you enjoyed our breakfast of homemade stuffed French toast served with a choice of fruit compote or maple syrup....."

 

[Lisa1958]

We just toured an inn that had a beautiful dumb waiter built in. Looks like a closet on the outside. They said they used it for housekeeping supplies and luggage. I have no idea what one costs but it takes a third of the room as an elevator but sadly no people can be conveyed. She said it was worth it for the luggage alone.

 

[gillumhouse]

We just toured an inn that had a beautiful dumb waiter built in. Looks like a closet on the outside. They said they used it for housekeeping supplies and luggage. I have no idea what one costs but it takes a third of the room as an elevator but sadly no people can be conveyed. She said it was worth it for the luggage alone..

I can agree with the it would be worth it for luggage alone. When we first moved here, Himself was on his own (I kept working in Illinois for a while longer) and he rigged a "dumbwaiter" with a rope to haul things he needed upstairs. Even though he was not using crutches back then and could go up stairs, he could not carry anything up those stairs. The rope marks have faded.........

 

[user 26]

One light morning with only two rooms occupied, I got the lovely breakfast ready. Then both rooms checked out ... 'No time for breakfast, got to be on the road'. Zoomed out the door.
wow. Okay. I stripped their beds, pulled their linens and towels and trash out of the rooms to take downstairs, scrubbed toilets, tubs and sinks, brought in clean linens and towels, decided I would have breakfast ... and remembered to lock their doors ... thank goodness.
Now almost actual checkout time ...
I plated up a breakfast for myself, cranked up the jazz, all set to eat and the doorbell rang. Couples at the door - 'we don't have to be at such and such for another two hours, so we'll have our breakfast. After all, we paid for it.' And in they rushed.
I gave up what I was going to eat, plated the rest for them (well, I kept a little bacon for me - I'm not a saint) and they sat down to eat. One of the guys left the table and headed up the stairs, I knew exactly where he was going. He came back down a bit miffed that 'all the rooms' were locked and they had to use my personal bathroom which was off the kitchen. So glad I remembered to lock all the doors.
I toasted a bagel, sat down at a table by the window, read my paper, drank my coffee, ate my bacon and bagel while they laughed and ate and drank coffee and asked me questions ... then again they sprinted out the door. Not my usual routine but I wondered afterwards if they thought I usually sat down to breakfast with the guests

 

[TheBeachHouse]

One light morning with only two rooms occupied, I got the lovely breakfast ready. Then both rooms checked out ... 'No time for breakfast, got to be on the road'. Zoomed out the door.
wow. Okay. I stripped their beds, pulled their linens and towels and trash out of the rooms to take downstairs, scrubbed toilets, tubs and sinks, brought in clean linens and towels, decided I would have breakfast ... and remembered to lock their doors ... thank goodness.
Now almost actual checkout time ...
I plated up a breakfast for myself, cranked up the jazz, all set to eat and the doorbell rang. Couples at the door - 'we don't have to be at such and such for another two hours, so we'll have our breakfast. After all, we paid for it.' And in they rushed.
I gave up what I was going to eat, plated the rest for them (well, I kept a little bacon for me - I'm not a saint) and they sat down to eat. One of the guys left the table and headed up the stairs, I knew exactly where he was going. He came back down a bit miffed that 'all the rooms' were locked and they had to use my personal bathroom which was off the kitchen. So glad I remembered to lock all the doors.
I toasted a bagel, sat down at a table by the window, read my paper, drank my coffee, ate my bacon and bagel while they laughed and ate and drank coffee and asked me questions ... then again they sprinted out the door. Not my usual routine but I wondered afterwards if they thought I usually sat down to breakfast with the guests

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classic!!
We are innkeepers. We bend!

 

[Aussie Innkeeper]

And so it continues...we both had to be somewhere at noon. All guests gone for the day. We both went out at the same time. Gomez goes out to empty the dishwasher an hour later and there are guests sitting in the living room. "Where have you been?" (We left a sign.)
Locked out of their room. No idea where their keys are.
This is why innkeepers sometimes feel chained to the biz. We allow ourselves a grace period between noon and 3 to 'get stuff done'. And someone needs something. And is upset when no one is at their beck and call..

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

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Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

Last fall, we had 4 inns here in the county sell, purchased by single ladies! My hat's off to them!! I just survived a week without Spousling and guests every day. It was all I could do to get all of the rooms cleaned, laundry done, breakfasts prepared, kitchen cleaned, tables set, yard work done and errands run without him. Even though he works outside the inn full time, he does not mind stopping at the store on the way home or even running out in the evening if I find I need something. He also helps with laundry, serving on the weekends and yard work. I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

 

[Morticia]

And so it continues...we both had to be somewhere at noon. All guests gone for the day. We both went out at the same time. Gomez goes out to empty the dishwasher an hour later and there are guests sitting in the living room. "Where have you been?" (We left a sign.)
Locked out of their room. No idea where their keys are.
This is why innkeepers sometimes feel chained to the biz. We allow ourselves a grace period between noon and 3 to 'get stuff done'. And someone needs something. And is upset when no one is at their beck and call..

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

.

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

Last fall, we had 4 inns here in the county sell, purchased by single ladies! My hat's off to them!! I just survived a week without Spousling and guests every day. It was all I could do to get all of the rooms cleaned, laundry done, breakfasts prepared, kitchen cleaned, tables set, yard work done and errands run without him. Even though he works outside the inn full time, he does not mind stopping at the store on the way home or even running out in the evening if I find I need something. He also helps with laundry, serving on the weekends and yard work. I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.
.

I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

And so it continues...we both had to be somewhere at noon. All guests gone for the day. We both went out at the same time. Gomez goes out to empty the dishwasher an hour later and there are guests sitting in the living room. "Where have you been?" (We left a sign.)
Locked out of their room. No idea where their keys are.
This is why innkeepers sometimes feel chained to the biz. We allow ourselves a grace period between noon and 3 to 'get stuff done'. And someone needs something. And is upset when no one is at their beck and call..

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

.

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

Last fall, we had 4 inns here in the county sell, purchased by single ladies! My hat's off to them!! I just survived a week without Spousling and guests every day. It was all I could do to get all of the rooms cleaned, laundry done, breakfasts prepared, kitchen cleaned, tables set, yard work done and errands run without him. Even though he works outside the inn full time, he does not mind stopping at the store on the way home or even running out in the evening if I find I need something. He also helps with laundry, serving on the weekends and yard work. I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.
.

I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.
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I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.

Halleluiah to that!

 

[gillumhouse]

And so it continues...we both had to be somewhere at noon. All guests gone for the day. We both went out at the same time. Gomez goes out to empty the dishwasher an hour later and there are guests sitting in the living room. "Where have you been?" (We left a sign.)
Locked out of their room. No idea where their keys are.
This is why innkeepers sometimes feel chained to the biz. We allow ourselves a grace period between noon and 3 to 'get stuff done'. And someone needs something. And is upset when no one is at their beck and call..

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

.

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

Last fall, we had 4 inns here in the county sell, purchased by single ladies! My hat's off to them!! I just survived a week without Spousling and guests every day. It was all I could do to get all of the rooms cleaned, laundry done, breakfasts prepared, kitchen cleaned, tables set, yard work done and errands run without him. Even though he works outside the inn full time, he does not mind stopping at the store on the way home or even running out in the evening if I find I need something. He also helps with laundry, serving on the weekends and yard work. I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.
.

I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.
.

I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.

Halleluiah to that!
.

I am grateful I only have 3 rooms. Could not do more by myself.

 

[Innkeep]

And so it continues...we both had to be somewhere at noon. All guests gone for the day. We both went out at the same time. Gomez goes out to empty the dishwasher an hour later and there are guests sitting in the living room. "Where have you been?" (We left a sign.)
Locked out of their room. No idea where their keys are.
This is why innkeepers sometimes feel chained to the biz. We allow ourselves a grace period between noon and 3 to 'get stuff done'. And someone needs something. And is upset when no one is at their beck and call..

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

.

Imagine if there's just one of you...the chains came feel very heavy.

Last fall, we had 4 inns here in the county sell, purchased by single ladies! My hat's off to them!! I just survived a week without Spousling and guests every day. It was all I could do to get all of the rooms cleaned, laundry done, breakfasts prepared, kitchen cleaned, tables set, yard work done and errands run without him. Even though he works outside the inn full time, he does not mind stopping at the store on the way home or even running out in the evening if I find I need something. He also helps with laundry, serving on the weekends and yard work. I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.
.

I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.
.

I cannot imagine even trying to do this all by myself.

Amen.

Halleluiah to that!
.

I am grateful I only have 3 rooms. Could not do more by myself.
.

I Guess that's why my family thinks I'm nuts.