Tough Love

[2cat_lady]

Yes, I do love my guests but not two hours before check in.
Today, I had a room ring our front doorbell almost two hours before check in. I honestly did not hear them, probably because the vacuum was going and when I'm upstairs, I honestly don't hear it. I only knew about it because DH was working out the back and he phoned me after he saw the car drive off.
They came back an hour later but this time, I was in the kitchen and I could see their shadow against the door. Too bad, so sad. I decided then and there that I still had time for a shower since check in was STILL an hour away. This time, they walked to the back of the house and saw DH slugging away in the dirt. So DH called again. Um, you have a guest here, are you ready. Um, no, I'm in the shower. It's only 2:05 so I still have 55 minutes.
After a nice long shower, and taking my time, I called DH so that he could send the guest back around. I'm pretty easy going and pretty flexible but this would have been two days in a row (yesterday it was almost three hours early!)and I am not doing that anymore.
Nonsense

 

[Lee2014]

The earliest to date so far: 9:30am. The guests the night before were still eating breakfast and they wanted in their room. Didn't happen.

 

[Morticia]

Time to make the lovely sign for the front door.
Looking forward to your arrival at 3pm!
Then give them info on something to go do away from the house. I'd be completely happy to sit on your lawn and watch the water but that's stressful for you to know someone is just sitting there!

 

[BananaE29]

Good for you! If the Innkeeper ain't happy...ain't nobody happy....

 

[Highlands John]

The earliest to date so far: 9:30am. The guests the night before were still eating breakfast and they wanted in their room. Didn't happen..

Can't quite beat that, my earliest is 10.20. The people in their room were in the process of carrying their cases down the stairs.

 

[Highlands John]

We've actually hit the buffers on this problem this year. We've been flexible, our confirmation even says they can arrive early if they notify us in advance. Most don't take any notice, in the past week I've had arrivals at 2, 1.30 and 12.15.
The Ts&Cs now says check in from 4pm, the confirmation says 4pm, full stop! They'll be a notice on the door and if they ring the bell they will be told to come back later.
We get a brief couple of hours in the afternoon when we're off duty, have had enough.

 

[MtnKeeper]

Time to make the lovely sign for the front door.
Looking forward to your arrival at 3pm!
Then give them info on something to go do away from the house. I'd be completely happy to sit on your lawn and watch the water but that's stressful for you to know someone is just sitting there!.

We started this years ago when people kept arriving early and we couldn't get a shower or our lunch down. So now after checkouts leave we put up a sign saying that we're out running errands to get ready for their stay. We'll see you at 3pm. There is also a sign that says if you arrive before checkin time and are looking for lunch that there are a couple places up town. Confirmation also says that we typically run errands from 1-3 so plan to arrive after 3pm. It's totally cut down on early arrivals and if I see them out there I just let them read the sign and enjoy my lunch. Even innkeepers are entitled to an hour for lunch a day.

 

[TheBeachHouse]

My take on it is a little more optimistic. If they check in early, I don't have to wait for them!
If we're home, we are happy to answer the door and either tell them that their room isn't ready, or check them in. 10 more minutes to ourselves this evening!
But if you need the shower (and I don't blame you one bit!), hang a welcome sign on the door. That way, your guests feel welcome, but understand they are early.
Our sign says, "Welcome", notes the check in time and invites guests to have a cup of coffee, relax on the porch and leave their car in the driveway if they'd like to take a walk.
We came home today from an evening errand finding a couple sitting happily on our porch, waiting patiently.

 

[user 26]

This is a challenge ... guests don't understand because how can they? I can't lie ... as a guest before being an innkeeper I would think ... I'm a little early, what's the big deal? I've been driving for four hours and I need a restroom, surely the place I'm staying at will let me in to use the restroom. ETC.
A nice welcome sign is definitely in order ... Short and sweet ... I used to leave a jug of lemonade and cups out on the porch (although those needing a bathroom break did not want a drink!) I also mentioned the closest public restroom ... thankfully I made an arrangement with the little hotel across the street to allow this but it took some negotiating AND the owner would suggest the guests just stay with him instead Nightmare!
Being called xyz Inn added to the confusion. Inn implied front desk, lobby and staff. It was not fun starting off this way with an early guest. I was feeling harrassed and out of time (out of my mind) guests were irritated or downright angry. Yes, they read the welcome info, yes they saw checkin time and checkout time, but that didn't mean they didn't expect/hope for an exception.
Even with drinks on the porch and the sign, guests would go from door to door, window to window, trying to get in.

 

[Jcam]

We've actually hit the buffers on this problem this year. We've been flexible, our confirmation even says they can arrive early if they notify us in advance. Most don't take any notice, in the past week I've had arrivals at 2, 1.30 and 12.15.
The Ts&Cs now says check in from 4pm, the confirmation says 4pm, full stop! They'll be a notice on the door and if they ring the bell they will be told to come back later.
We get a brief couple of hours in the afternoon when we're off duty, have had enough..

I have on mine now - you are welcome to park up but if you have not notified us that you will be arriving early it may be the case that we are out, if you let us know prior to arrival when you are coming we can make sure your room is ready and that we are hear to greet and help you. - so if they don't tough!

 

[Morticia]

This is a challenge ... guests don't understand because how can they? I can't lie ... as a guest before being an innkeeper I would think ... I'm a little early, what's the big deal? I've been driving for four hours and I need a restroom, surely the place I'm staying at will let me in to use the restroom. ETC.
A nice welcome sign is definitely in order ... Short and sweet ... I used to leave a jug of lemonade and cups out on the porch (although those needing a bathroom break did not want a drink!) I also mentioned the closest public restroom ... thankfully I made an arrangement with the little hotel across the street to allow this but it took some negotiating AND the owner would suggest the guests just stay with him instead Nightmare!
Being called xyz Inn added to the confusion. Inn implied front desk, lobby and staff. It was not fun starting off this way with an early guest. I was feeling harrassed and out of time (out of my mind) guests were irritated or downright angry. Yes, they read the welcome info, yes they saw checkin time and checkout time, but that didn't mean they didn't expect/hope for an exception.
Even with drinks on the porch and the sign, guests would go from door to door, window to window, trying to get in..

Door to door, window to window...
I was having a day off. Gomez was visiting grandkids in another state. I heard a car pull up even tho the no vacancy sign was up. I hear the doorbell ring. I'm not answering it. Read the sign.
Doorbell rang incessantly. Now I hear an angry male voice yelling that they must be there, keep ringing.
Ok, now I'm definitely not answering. Then, angry male starts trying all the doors. He's getting in damn it!
Car doors slam and they leave. Phone rings a few minutes later. Caller ID shows it's the town hall. Yes. They went to the town hall and told them no one was answering the door and they had a reservation!
A day later. Not that day. The following day.

 

[user 26]

omg Morticia ... did they check in the following day? Or did you check them in that day? dislike dislike dislike so much when they've got the wrong date! No one is happy.

 

[Morticia]

omg Morticia ... did they check in the following day? Or did you check them in that day? dislike dislike dislike so much when they've got the wrong date! No one is happy..

omg Morticia ... did they check in the following day? Or did you check them in that day? dislike dislike dislike so much when they've got the wrong date! No one is happy.

I told them we weren't home. Stay at this place tonight, come back tomorrow.
No. They were NOT moving to another place tomorrow. If we wouldn't take them tonight then forget the whole thing!
Not a problem. Last thing I want or need is angry guests ruining everyone's stay.

 

[Alaska's Capital Inn]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though.

 

[Lee2014]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though..

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…

 

[Morticia]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though..

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…
.

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…

Friends just traveled to Australia. A bazillion hours in flight from SF and found themselves totally exhausted at 7am and no place to go but a coffee shop where they spent $24 for 2 coffees and a pastry .
Welcome to Oz.
They said if they ever travel that distance again they will book the room for the night before just so they can shower!

 

[Lee2014]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though..

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…
.

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…

Friends just traveled to Australia. A bazillion hours in flight from SF and found themselves totally exhausted at 7am and no place to go but a coffee shop where they spent $24 for 2 coffees and a pastry .
Welcome to Oz.
They said if they ever travel that distance again they will book the room for the night before just so they can shower!
.

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…

Friends just traveled to Australia. A bazillion hours in flight from SF and found themselves totally exhausted at 7am and no place to go but a coffee shop where they spent $24 for 2 coffees and a pastry .
Welcome to Oz.
They said if they ever travel that distance again they will book the room for the night before just so they can shower!

The Oz B&Bs need to promote this!!!!!!! Flights fly in at 7am so book your room the night before so you can walk off the plane and into your room. You won't regret it and worth every cents paid!
The coffee shop knows what they are doing!

 

[Silverspoon]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though..

My aunt had that problem in Iceland. Planes got in the morning but you couldn't get in your lodging until late afternoon…
.

That's the innkeepers cue to tell them to book the night before they arrive so they can move right in!
Edited: I should have read the other posts...this is not an original idea!

 

[Lee2014]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though..

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.

Add on Alert!

Make it so they can book the night before so they can get in their room as soon as they dock. Make it an add on feature well marked on the home page (with slight discount to encourage it ) so you know what's happening and that they aren't a no show. It's a win-win! Work smarter not harder! Welcome them there with a nice breakfast, a clean room, and let them spread the word to the other travelers they find growling around town that this is the place that spoils and care for their guests.

 

[Morticia]

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.
If the boss likes them, and she can always spot a "stinker", she will invite them to breakfast. If not they get a map and directions to a restaurant.
Last flight of East Coasters lands at 9:45 p.m. and the flight is typically late. It's 10:30-11:30 before they get here and they are crabby, they have been up for over 20 hours by now. Boss insists on a personal greeting, so late nights.
Happy campers in the morning though..

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.

Add on Alert!

Make it so they can book the night before so they can get in their room as soon as they dock. Make it an add on feature well marked on the home page (with slight discount to encourage it ) so you know what's happening and that they aren't a no show. It's a win-win! Work smarter not harder! Welcome them there with a nice breakfast, a clean room, and let them spread the word to the other travelers they find growling around town that this is the place that spoils and care for their guests.
.

I like some of those schedules, wishful thinking.
Uncruises dock early a.m. and kick them off. So they show up looking for their room and I have to ask then if they want to share the bed with the people sleeping in it? Same price. This only happens on weekends thankfully.

Add on Alert!

Make it so they can book the night before so they can get in their room as soon as they dock. Make it an add on feature well marked on the home page (with slight discount to encourage it ) so you know what's happening and that they aren't a no show. It's a win-win! Work smarter not harder! Welcome them there with a nice breakfast, a clean room, and let them spread the word to the other travelers they find growling around town that this is the place that spoils and care for their guests.

That is an excellent idea! focsle should get a % from all the new (easy) biz!