The Psychology of booking

[Jcam]

I tend to find men are all about price and what I call the race to the bottom - if allowed to book unsupervised will simply book what's cheapest in any situation. If supervised will make a bit more effort to check what's on offer.
Have had this anecdotally from people booking Air properties which were exactly what they said they were but certainly not what the wife wanted (ie room in house with shared bathroom)
Just had this with couple today she had gone in to a shop and husband had booked it on his phone while she wasn't there - we were not what she wanted (hotel, lounge, bar, restaurant etc) we are none of those things and they booked the Lodge so no breakfast avaliable either. Showed them how this was clear on the listing which she freely admitted was his fault as " he won't have read any of that" let them have a refund to get rid but also stated if it had been anywhere else they wouldn't have got their money back it would have been tough.

 

[Morticia]

For the most part I agree. It's especially obvious when he's booked the cheapest room - detached bath - and has not shared that 'tiny' piece of info with her.
It's all over her face when she sees the room. Then the questions - how many are we sharing with? What about those rooms, where is their bathroom?
You know, for the cost of a couple of sandwiches pal, you would not be in the doghouse right now. Worth a thought. (And yet, we have guests who book that room every year and stay for 3 or 4 days. They'd rather have the sandwiches.)
A former bf made reservations for a trip to Boston. I wanted to be in the city, walk around, go to restaurants, shop at Faneuil Hall, etc. When we arrived we were in the burbs. Had to drive to everything. No fun at all. Half our time was spent looking for parking and then trying to find the car later on. Just listen to the words, they mean something! If it's too expensive, say so. Split the cost.

 

[Jcam]

For the most part I agree. It's especially obvious when he's booked the cheapest room - detached bath - and has not shared that 'tiny' piece of info with her.
It's all over her face when she sees the room. Then the questions - how many are we sharing with? What about those rooms, where is their bathroom?
You know, for the cost of a couple of sandwiches pal, you would not be in the doghouse right now. Worth a thought. (And yet, we have guests who book that room every year and stay for 3 or 4 days. They'd rather have the sandwiches.)
A former bf made reservations for a trip to Boston. I wanted to be in the city, walk around, go to restaurants, shop at Faneuil Hall, etc. When we arrived we were in the burbs. Had to drive to everything. No fun at all. Half our time was spent looking for parking and then trying to find the car later on. Just listen to the words, they mean something! If it's too expensive, say so. Split the cost..

had this with my EX planned trip to Prague - did no planning, didn't realise no meal on the plane and nothing open - I had packed extra snacks as I hate plane food and assumed there wouldn't be any on a 1 hour flight so we were eating in the hotel at 10pm crisps and stuff and starving - never again. I plan everything to the Nth degree

 

[Aussie Innkeeper]

Your failure to plan does not, for me, an emergency make.

 

[EmptyNest]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!

 

[JimBoone]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.

 

[EmptyNest]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

Sorry all my adventures are planned

 

[JimBoone]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

Sorry all my adventures are planned
.

Sorry all my adventures are planned

Hopefully we plan better these days than we were able to in our younger years when our choice of food or lodging was restricted to the bargain basement price rather than our desire, but I confess a certain enjoyment of rambling down the road less travelled if it looks interesting.

 

[Jcam]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.
We had 2 couples complain we didn't have a restaurant and a bar - never said we did but they had done no research - how is this my problem? Couple last night he'd booked on price, she wanted hotel, restaurant and bar overlooking our award winning parkland - again how is this my problem? also you pay a MASSIVE premium for the 2 hotels overlooking the stray and all those front facing rooms go first so its unlikely at 5pm on the day there will be what they are looking for.

 

[gillumhouse]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

We traveled with 4 or 5 kids on our vacations and the only trip I remember making reservations for was the trip East using my H I employee card. And that trip Daddy caused all but one reservation to be cancelled - I knew I would not be able to get the Ba ck Bay Hil ton again at the rate I had - by being put in ICU the day before we were leaving.
We traveled with road maps (planning was route and what we were going to see) and a pocket full of dimes (does that tell how long ago it was?) and stopped when it got dark and we were able to find a hotel/motel.
Once on a western trip we had to drive all the way to Wichita to find a room and on that eastern trip, because Himself was not ready to stop when I suggested it, we "slept" in the car - St George, NY to Fort Ticonderoga reservations are required. Back then, those were the only two times we had a problem.

 

[Morticia]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

We plan for a place to stay when we get off the plane and then a place to stay the night before we depart. Gotta have those two things done in advance.
We spent 10 days in Ireland with no plans, not even the first and last night, and that was when we discovered we needed to have a place for at least those 2 nights.

 

[Silverspoon]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

Sorry all my adventures are planned
.

I am with you EN. I like to know exactly where I am staying. The adventure in traveling is in not having a pre-planned schedule for how we will spend our days, although I do some research ahead of times so I know a few great restaurants in the area and a few of the activities I know we would enjoy, but in romping around during the day and evening, finding great sights and activities. Once we set out on vacation there is no stress...we can truly relax and go with the flow knowing where our "base" is and exploring from there.
I can't say I have ever been disappointed. To each his own but in those few times when plans have been upset (plane delayed so missed a flight, place we had reservations was closed up tight with no one there) I did not like the stress of finding alternative lodging at the last minute. It's just not my cup of tea.

 

[EmptyNest]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

We plan for a place to stay when we get off the plane and then a place to stay the night before we depart. Gotta have those two things done in advance.
We spent 10 days in Ireland with no plans, not even the first and last night, and that was when we discovered we needed to have a place for at least those 2 nights.
.

Oh my Lord, that would be my worst night mare. I could not function not knowing where I was going to stay for the night...especially in a foreign country.

 

[Jcam]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

Sorry all my adventures are planned
.

I am with you EN. I like to know exactly where I am staying. The adventure in traveling is in not having a pre-planned schedule for how we will spend our days, although I do some research ahead of times so I know a few great restaurants in the area and a few of the activities I know we would enjoy, but in romping around during the day and evening, finding great sights and activities. Once we set out on vacation there is no stress...we can truly relax and go with the flow knowing where our "base" is and exploring from there.
I can't say I have ever been disappointed. To each his own but in those few times when plans have been upset (plane delayed so missed a flight, place we had reservations was closed up tight with no one there) I did not like the stress of finding alternative lodging at the last minute. It's just not my cup of tea.
.

I think its from coming from my kind of background and my town - if its a full on event there is literally nothing here that's it every bed is full or $900 if you are lucky - just wouldn't risk being in a similar situation somewhere else with an event I didn't know about.

 

[Generic]

I usually do the planning. For me it is more about quality and price. But I'll be honest, there are a few things that have to be 100% to get me to book a B&B. For one, I won't bother a B&B owner for 1 night. For another, I have to be sure that I'll feel accepted... I constantly hear stories about people believing that their religious beliefs allow them to discriminate and I don't want to be somewhere where I'm not welcome.

As I said before, I went on vacation once, wanting to stay at B&Bs, but I had local cash and all the owners wanted was for me to pay them ahead of time via Paypal and I just didn't feel comfortable with that. And hated that I had to negotiate in email to find a place. Ended up at hotels because of it.

 

[Copperhead]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.
We had 2 couples complain we didn't have a restaurant and a bar - never said we did but they had done no research - how is this my problem? Couple last night he'd booked on price, she wanted hotel, restaurant and bar overlooking our award winning parkland - again how is this my problem? also you pay a MASSIVE premium for the 2 hotels overlooking the stray and all those front facing rooms go first so its unlikely at 5pm on the day there will be what they are looking for.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.

I agree Jcam! With some you can see it in their faces when you open the front door. The one that did not book obviously not happy over the choice.

Where were they when the other one made the decision? If you are going to pout at the choice, be there when it counts - when the choice is made, otherwise don't make it the innkeeper's fault!
Earlier this year a couple booked and when I opened the door I greeted a very happy man and his wife that gave a look that could have set me on fire. Hubby had booked this place as a surprise. Wife was not pleased! She snapped at everything. Didn't want to sign in, cut me off at every point - breakfast time, coffee station and then as I entered their room she yelled she will need more pillows. (2 king & 3 standard were not enough) I left to get a couple more and as I returned was greeted with them and their bags. She pushed her way past me with nothing but a look to kill my way. He let her go then started to give me an excuse using a medical condition as reason they would not stay. He knew I did not buy into it but I let it go. He paid me 1/2 of the entire stay (2 of 4 nights) in cash. And I knew he did it that way so she was nun the wiser.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.
We had 2 couples complain we didn't have a restaurant and a bar - never said we did but they had done no research - how is this my problem? Couple last night he'd booked on price, she wanted hotel, restaurant and bar overlooking our award winning parkland - again how is this my problem? also you pay a MASSIVE premium for the 2 hotels overlooking the stray and all those front facing rooms go first so its unlikely at 5pm on the day there will be what they are looking for.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.

I agree Jcam! With some you can see it in their faces when you open the front door. The one that did not book obviously not happy over the choice.

Where were they when the other one made the decision? If you are going to pout at the choice, be there when it counts - when the choice is made, otherwise don't make it the innkeeper's fault!
Earlier this year a couple booked and when I opened the door I greeted a very happy man and his wife that gave a look that could have set me on fire. Hubby had booked this place as a surprise. Wife was not pleased! She snapped at everything. Didn't want to sign in, cut me off at every point - breakfast time, coffee station and then as I entered their room she yelled she will need more pillows. (2 king & 3 standard were not enough) I left to get a couple more and as I returned was greeted with them and their bags. She pushed her way past me with nothing but a look to kill my way. He let her go then started to give me an excuse using a medical condition as reason they would not stay. He knew I did not buy into it but I let it go. He paid me 1/2 of the entire stay (2 of 4 nights) in cash. And I knew he did it that way so she was nun the wiser.
.

Wow! What a royal witch. You didn't want her there anyway. Hubby says we get one a year on average that just plain do not want our kind of house.
On the other hand, concentrate on those that seek you out, write wonderful things about you and make plans to come back. Those are the good ones. The witch is one of those that just don't get it.

 

[gillumhouse]

I usually do the planning. For me it is more about quality and price. But I'll be honest, there are a few things that have to be 100% to get me to book a B&B. For one, I won't bother a B&B owner for 1 night. For another, I have to be sure that I'll feel accepted... I constantly hear stories about people believing that their religious beliefs allow them to discriminate and I don't want to be somewhere where I'm not welcome.

As I said before, I went on vacation once, wanting to stay at B&Bs, but I had local cash and all the owners wanted was for me to pay them ahead of time via Paypal and I just didn't feel comfortable with that. And hated that I had to negotiate in email to find a place. Ended up at hotels because of it..

Come here, my friend and all stress disappears - but cups DO appear.

 

[Breakfast Diva]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.
We had 2 couples complain we didn't have a restaurant and a bar - never said we did but they had done no research - how is this my problem? Couple last night he'd booked on price, she wanted hotel, restaurant and bar overlooking our award winning parkland - again how is this my problem? also you pay a MASSIVE premium for the 2 hotels overlooking the stray and all those front facing rooms go first so its unlikely at 5pm on the day there will be what they are looking for.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.

I agree Jcam! With some you can see it in their faces when you open the front door. The one that did not book obviously not happy over the choice.

Where were they when the other one made the decision? If you are going to pout at the choice, be there when it counts - when the choice is made, otherwise don't make it the innkeeper's fault!
Earlier this year a couple booked and when I opened the door I greeted a very happy man and his wife that gave a look that could have set me on fire. Hubby had booked this place as a surprise. Wife was not pleased! She snapped at everything. Didn't want to sign in, cut me off at every point - breakfast time, coffee station and then as I entered their room she yelled she will need more pillows. (2 king & 3 standard were not enough) I left to get a couple more and as I returned was greeted with them and their bags. She pushed her way past me with nothing but a look to kill my way. He let her go then started to give me an excuse using a medical condition as reason they would not stay. He knew I did not buy into it but I let it go. He paid me 1/2 of the entire stay (2 of 4 nights) in cash. And I knew he did it that way so she was nun the wiser.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.

I agree Jcam! With some you can see it in their faces when you open the front door. The one that did not book obviously not happy over the choice.

Where were they when the other one made the decision? If you are going to pout at the choice, be there when it counts - when the choice is made, otherwise don't make it the innkeeper's fault!
Earlier this year a couple booked and when I opened the door I greeted a very happy man and his wife that gave a look that could have set me on fire. Hubby had booked this place as a surprise. Wife was not pleased! She snapped at everything. Didn't want to sign in, cut me off at every point - breakfast time, coffee station and then as I entered their room she yelled she will need more pillows. (2 king & 3 standard were not enough) I left to get a couple more and as I returned was greeted with them and their bags. She pushed her way past me with nothing but a look to kill my way. He let her go then started to give me an excuse using a medical condition as reason they would not stay. He knew I did not buy into it but I let it go. He paid me 1/2 of the entire stay (2 of 4 nights) in cash. And I knew he did it that way so she was nun the wiser.

This same scenario happened to us a few months ago! Husband surprising wife. She HATED us. She hated us from the parking lot before she even came in. It was only a 1 night reservation and they did stay. She wrote scathing reviews and said we were worse than a Motel (6). I wasn't here to toss her out and our assistant told us that she apologized for her behavior so we thought all was ok. She was a horrible woman who would have written bad reviews about us even if we had given her money back.
I really feel sorry for the husbands. Can you imagine making special arrangements for your spouse and then getting slapped in the face like that?!?!

 

[Jcam]

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree. The one time I went along with his plan we found a room about midnight in a flea bag motel in SanJose!! Never again... that was 35 years ago and I still plan everything!.

We go nowhere nor do anything without me in charge and planning to that nth degree.

Gee, I know I'm the smarty pants, but where is the spirit of adventure in planning? I confess to being odd, but I can only think of a few times over our 50 plus years that we had an advance reservation when we set out on a trip. True at times the eventual destination was visiting with family, but the intermediate stop depended on where we gave up and stopped.
Too often over the years I held the sort of jobs where my plans could get changed for me at the last minute, pre cell phone days, you weren't really free of work and on vacaton till you were down the road and no one could call and change your plans. I remember at least twice where last minute changes required the family to sit in the van or play in a shopping center while I showed up for a meeting while on the way to our vacation destination.
Other trips there was limited time and you just drove till you couldn't go any further, sometimes it worked out well and others not so much, but then we have the tales to remember and laugh about years later.
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ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.
We had 2 couples complain we didn't have a restaurant and a bar - never said we did but they had done no research - how is this my problem? Couple last night he'd booked on price, she wanted hotel, restaurant and bar overlooking our award winning parkland - again how is this my problem? also you pay a MASSIVE premium for the 2 hotels overlooking the stray and all those front facing rooms go first so its unlikely at 5pm on the day there will be what they are looking for.
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ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.

I agree Jcam! With some you can see it in their faces when you open the front door. The one that did not book obviously not happy over the choice.

Where were they when the other one made the decision? If you are going to pout at the choice, be there when it counts - when the choice is made, otherwise don't make it the innkeeper's fault!
Earlier this year a couple booked and when I opened the door I greeted a very happy man and his wife that gave a look that could have set me on fire. Hubby had booked this place as a surprise. Wife was not pleased! She snapped at everything. Didn't want to sign in, cut me off at every point - breakfast time, coffee station and then as I entered their room she yelled she will need more pillows. (2 king & 3 standard were not enough) I left to get a couple more and as I returned was greeted with them and their bags. She pushed her way past me with nothing but a look to kill my way. He let her go then started to give me an excuse using a medical condition as reason they would not stay. He knew I did not buy into it but I let it go. He paid me 1/2 of the entire stay (2 of 4 nights) in cash. And I knew he did it that way so she was nun the wiser.
.

ah but if you rang the bell at a place and it wasn't what you wanted or wrong price you could and would just carry on - its the ones that book and then complain it isn't what they wanted that I have a problem with.

I agree Jcam! With some you can see it in their faces when you open the front door. The one that did not book obviously not happy over the choice.

Where were they when the other one made the decision? If you are going to pout at the choice, be there when it counts - when the choice is made, otherwise don't make it the innkeeper's fault!
Earlier this year a couple booked and when I opened the door I greeted a very happy man and his wife that gave a look that could have set me on fire. Hubby had booked this place as a surprise. Wife was not pleased! She snapped at everything. Didn't want to sign in, cut me off at every point - breakfast time, coffee station and then as I entered their room she yelled she will need more pillows. (2 king & 3 standard were not enough) I left to get a couple more and as I returned was greeted with them and their bags. She pushed her way past me with nothing but a look to kill my way. He let her go then started to give me an excuse using a medical condition as reason they would not stay. He knew I did not buy into it but I let it go. He paid me 1/2 of the entire stay (2 of 4 nights) in cash. And I knew he did it that way so she was nun the wiser.

This same scenario happened to us a few months ago! Husband surprising wife. She HATED us. She hated us from the parking lot before she even came in. It was only a 1 night reservation and they did stay. She wrote scathing reviews and said we were worse than a Motel (6). I wasn't here to toss her out and our assistant told us that she apologized for her behavior so we thought all was ok. She was a horrible woman who would have written bad reviews about us even if we had given her money back.
I really feel sorry for the husbands. Can you imagine making special arrangements for your spouse and then getting slapped in the face like that?!?!
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My problem is people who book entirely on price and read nothing about what or where a property actually is
Had another pair of prize winners today - were at another hotel on a Group o coup then rang here to get early check in from the check out at the other place - agreed to it as suited me to get them in early to a room not used the night before - went into that room decided they didn't like it as too close to the road but spent at least an hour and a half in it messing about, had to view about 3 rooms before making a decision then now she sends him round to ask about breakfast which we don't do next door - he has 3 options (1) breakfast bag to the room (2) cold buffet here or (3) everything he's all "I don't know what the wife wants" felt like saying why didn't you ask here to tell you what you and her want before coming round? I suggested she phone from the room when it was decided. Clearly he was not allowed to make decisions on his own so why send him?