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Should I let guests use fireplace?

 My studio is opened from April to October. The temperatures are between 18-20 C and the studio is very warm but some guests want to use the fireplace while relaxing.

I am undecided about the mess but mostly concerned about potential safety issues. My ceiling is wood made and I am worried if guests are responsible enough to trust them.  

Any warm ideas? Please let me have your suggestions.


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Katerinka12 5 years ago

Can you put in your house rules, that you do not allow to use fireplace due to safety issues?

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

It’s not a bad idea. So you recommend that I don’t let guests use it.

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

I am very much concerned about the safety. As I can understand, you also stay in the same property. If so, then your safety is a must.

Also, we don't really know the behavior of the guests. What if they drink, smoke, forget about fireplace? After all, they are in vacation mood. Do you have insurance for your property that includes fire insurance?

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Do you think that I should remove it from my amenities?

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Thanks Katerinka12 . You have a point about insurance. Yes I leave in the ground floor.

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

Don't remove it from your amenities. You are not lying to the guest, you do actually have fireplace.

The problem is how to make it safe to use. You can't enter the guests room. So even if you talk to the guest and try to see if he is an adequate person... Who knows what they will do later in the room?

As much as I don't want to sound drama... Fireplace can get your property on fire, and you live there. It's very serious. I have seen properties were burnt in 20 minutes with people inside. Again, my intention is not to scare you, but the rules on using fireplace must be set very clear.

As for insurance.. We all actually must have it. And not trying to ask Booking or other OTA to cover stolen items. And house being burned - no OTA in the world will cover us.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

I understand exactly what you’re saying Katerinka12 about guests not being responsible. You don’t scary me I know that guests can get careless that’s why I was undecided. Now I decided safety is beyond all. Unfortunately insurance is very expensive in my country and I am in search for the best price. As for OTA I totally understand that their insurance coverage is very limited. Thanks for your advice.

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Carpenterscabins 5 years ago

We have a log cabin which has a fireplace. We were very uneasy about having it but have not had any issues. I believe that we would either have to remove the fireplace or allow guests to use it....otherwise we would get very negative comments.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Carpenterscabins actually I let my Studio in the summertime from April to October so fireplace is not actually essential since the temperature right now is 21 C. Last night after a long period of no bookings while Katerinka12 was advising me about what to do with the fireplace I had a 4 night stay booking. The couple just arrived and seem very nice people. They didnt mind not having to use the fireplace but the review will tell us how much they didnt. Thank for your cooment about negative review. I will have it in mind.

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Carpenterscabins 5 years ago

Well, your situation is somewhat different. One of peak seasons is during the fall and winter months so that would make a big difference. The cool mountain nights people want at least a gas fireplace if not the real thing. We turn off the gas logs during summer months so they aren't used then either. But I would be careful about advertising that you have one if they are not allowed to use it -- that is what would cause a bad review.

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Stephenandrichard 5 years ago

Hello there, i run several holiday cottages in France and i do allow full use of the log burners, i supply the first batch of firewood and fire starters, when i do my walk through i always tell the guests how it works and where to safely put any ashes. I personally feel if you are opening your holiday homes to hosting a certain amount of trust in these matters are required, also in the off season it lends a cosy atmosphere to your space. I provide a fire guard also just incase there are children staying too. I have oil filled radiators in the bedrooms and hallways that add a background warmth, i would suggest ones that are programmable and have a lock feature as i have found in the past guests ramping the temperature way up and then opening doors etc. Also in my welcome pack i mention i don't charge for fuel or electricity separately unlike a lot of holiday cottage owners and to please be respectful. Again it comes down to trust and i do understand you always get guests who like to get as much out of their stay for as little as possible.

Happy hosting.

Richard.

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Thuild - Your … 5 years ago

We have 2 fireplaces at the property and one is in a room which the guests use.

Our rules are very clear. We limit the wood they get and only we prepare the fireplace and make sure to explain to them how to put extra wood inside if needed (mostly they don't need it because these babies are 30 kw power each :) ).

We charge them a fee, because cleaning a fireplace is no easy deal and the wood here is not really that cheap, plus the labor costs, etc. This deters the ones who just want it for fun and actually leaves the ones who pay for it and are responsible.

In the common area, where the second fireplace is, it's also on a paid basis, however only we deal with that one, so there are no issues there.

Again, going with the preventive design that I'm talking about, you can see that whatever they do, the most damage they can do is get smoke inside the room, which for sure they don't want because of the smoke alarm :)

Best regards,

Zsolt - www.thuild.com

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

I believe in trust and try to please my guests but have to also be very preventive.
Zsolt you also have a point guests certainly wouldn’t want to get smoke all around. So they should be careful with the fire. Unfortunately I don’t like extra charges. In my country that’s not very hospitable. Thanks for your kind comments.

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wendy crews 5 years ago

We have a log fire in our cottage for guests to use. In New Zealand it can be cold at any time of the year so we have to always have it available. We have seen people using it with the door open and sparks going on the carpet. We constantly check on it now as most guests do not know how to use it.

It adds a lot of atmosphere to the lounge and the guests love it. On really cold days I will have it going when the guests arrive. They really appreciate it but then leave the outside doors open and let all the heat out.

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hey everyone,

M Adamopoulou , you've received quite a few answers here.

At the end of the day, it's a massive plus to have so if I were you I would find a way that works. Whether it be making it a Paid facility or building the fire yourself... it's a very nice-to-have.

My suggestion would be to make it Safe and Easy to use and your worries will be over. Our top selling property is on top of a mountain, so all the units have fireplaces and it's quite essential. Can't tell you where we got them, but each fireplace has a special grill which makes it quite safe (and more importantly, easy to use). Insurance is never a bad idea though...

Have a lovely week all!

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monet208 5 years ago

Firstly check you insurance cover

If you have no insurance cover for damage caused get it included-even if it is expensive

Put it in your hotel information and your confirmation email that any damage of anything will be charged otherwise Booking.com will not support you when you charge the guest

Do not take bookings without a valid credit card for the full amount -having a card facility will save you a lot of money as you can also use it to check the guest has money to pay

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Hi Leandri thank you and all partners for your helpful suggestions. The guest that required logs for fireplace just left so I’m awaiting his review. Since the weather is still very nice here he actually didn’t mind not using the fireplace. I also have a grill for the fireplace so if guests are responsible there’s no problem. Having fireplace in the Studio is very atmospheric indeed. Thanks again all for for giving me so many different solutions. Have a nice evening.

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Stringybarkhills 5 years ago

We have a fireplace in the common area and as we live in the hills it gets very cold in winter. However we put in a double fronted combustion stove between our part of the house and the guest area so we get to control (mostly) what happens.We leave limited wood for the guests to access each day. Our guests also have heaters in their rooms as well. Have had no problems so far...fingers crossed!

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Stringybarkhills having a fireplace is very atmospheric. Being careful you will never have any problems.