Martina, that room is gorgeous, but I hate to think the upkeep of all that white. Aaltje, I have a dedicated eating room adjacent to the room, with table, chairs, fridge, toaster oven, electric kettle, coffee maker, plus pantry. If people do not use it, as far as I am concerned, it is because they are careless and rude.
Like Aaltje said in one of the comments "Simple, clean, warm, WASHABLE and easily repairable basic decoration. Colour added by soft furnishings that can be easily cleaned or replaced as required." I have had guests eating some oily stew ON the bed, even though there is a dedicated eating area, and I had to through away bed cover, sheets and mattress cover... which fortunately had a plastic underlining. I have had guests knocking pictures off the wall. So really it does not inspire me to go out of my way anymore!
I have a bed and breakfast. The bathroom has all possible toiletries provided. Also plenty of brochures and I am always ready to answer/find out/guide. In the continental breakfast I always try to add an extra, which can be fresh-baked cake or eggs. I try to give the best service possible, but no extra gifts. I charge so little that I would have no money left.
I do not mind the special diet or other requests, but they have to give me the heads up. They cannot expect me to run a supermarket/pharmacy together with the B&B! I have a dedicated breakfast room with a fridge, kettle and oven, as well as dishes, cutlery, etc.. I explain to the guests, when they arrive, that they may buy food and have it in the fridge which is for their exclusive use. It is not cultural misunderstanding, it is a matter of plain education and good manners.
I do all that. I have a welcoming message explaining what a bed and breakfast is. Same for house rules. Nothing has worked, except with Northern Europeans that know exactly what it is and appreciate the standing...
I have a very detailed Booking page and I always send a welcoming message as soon as I get a booking. In it I remind them that my B&B is in a new gated community and that they will have to get in touch with me before their trip so I can give them all the details. If I do not get an answer, closer to the arrival date I send them a second note giving them my phone number. Still, I have many guests who book months in advance and they never get in touch. The date of arrival comes and you do not know if they are indeed going to show up. I have even had guests that, once in the country, get lost in town and eventually phone angry because they cannot find the property. It does not make for a very nice experience. I really do not know what else to do!
I can communicate in eight languages, I always write a personalised message, I always write to them as soon as they make the reservation, and I always remind them to get in touch before travelling so I can give them directions to the property. In spite of all this, many do not react to my messages. There has been cases when they arrive, get lost trying to find the property and then complain! I don't know...
I find communicating with Booking particularly difficult. The call centers they have are not very helpful either. I guess closing the calendar and sending various messages is the way to go, but would also be interested in other options. Good luck!
Martina, that room is gorgeous, but I hate to think the upkeep of all that white. Aaltje, I have a dedicated eating room adjacent to the room, with table, chairs, fridge, toaster oven, electric kettle, coffee maker, plus pantry. If people do not use it, as far as I am concerned, it is because they are careless and rude.
Like Aaltje said in one of the comments "Simple, clean, warm, WASHABLE and easily repairable basic decoration. Colour added by soft furnishings that can be easily cleaned or replaced as required." I have had guests eating some oily stew ON the bed, even though there is a dedicated eating area, and I had to through away bed cover, sheets and mattress cover... which fortunately had a plastic underlining. I have had guests knocking pictures off the wall. So really it does not inspire me to go out of my way anymore!
I have a bed and breakfast. The bathroom has all possible toiletries provided. Also plenty of brochures and I am always ready to answer/find out/guide. In the continental breakfast I always try to add an extra, which can be fresh-baked cake or eggs. I try to give the best service possible, but no extra gifts. I charge so little that I would have no money left.
I do not mind the special diet or other requests, but they have to give me the heads up. They cannot expect me to run a supermarket/pharmacy together with the B&B! I have a dedicated breakfast room with a fridge, kettle and oven, as well as dishes, cutlery, etc.. I explain to the guests, when they arrive, that they may buy food and have it in the fridge which is for their exclusive use. It is not cultural misunderstanding, it is a matter of plain education and good manners.
I do all that. I have a welcoming message explaining what a bed and breakfast is. Same for house rules. Nothing has worked, except with Northern Europeans that know exactly what it is and appreciate the standing...
I have a very detailed Booking page and I always send a welcoming message as soon as I get a booking. In it I remind them that my B&B is in a new gated community and that they will have to get in touch with me before their trip so I can give them all the details. If I do not get an answer, closer to the arrival date I send them a second note giving them my phone number. Still, I have many guests who book months in advance and they never get in touch. The date of arrival comes and you do not know if they are indeed going to show up. I have even had guests that, once in the country, get lost in town and eventually phone angry because they cannot find the property. It does not make for a very nice experience. I really do not know what else to do!
I can communicate in eight languages, I always write a personalised message, I always write to them as soon as they make the reservation, and I always remind them to get in touch before travelling so I can give them directions to the property. In spite of all this, many do not react to my messages. There has been cases when they arrive, get lost trying to find the property and then complain! I don't know...
I find communicating with Booking particularly difficult. The call centers they have are not very helpful either. I guess closing the calendar and sending various messages is the way to go, but would also be interested in other options. Good luck!