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Who is your ideal guest?

 Mine is younger group that have come  for a 2-4 stay day.

They are usually self-contained, eazy going and friendly.They have no time to look for something to be wrong with the place. They do not ask a lot of questions. They do not care about exact measurement of pillow cases, lists of TV channels. They can google their own way through town and attractions. They are flexible and do not come in with a set of expectations other than to be able to have a good time in my place.


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Katerinka12 5 years ago

The ideal guest books my place for 1 month at my highest daily rate. On top of it he adds extras like daily cleaning and ironing, and not so perfect coffee... And generously pays for it.

Before I could even write my welcome message (in real life it's matter of seconds for me), I am surprised to see his greetings with providing his flight number and exact time of coming.

On the arrival date despite long line at immigration, flight delay and nagging wife, he does really come on time. And of course, he comes alone, without kids, pets, both nagging wife and mother in law.

The first thing he asks, where are the cleaning materials and where can he throw the garbage away? He doesn't forget to thank my staff for everything important and not so important... And does it sincerely from his heart.

And before to close his door... He pulls out his laptop and we could see his template for excellent review is ready and he verbally assures us, that we have nothing to worry about... He would not bother us during his stay and he will write a good review with perfect score. And he looks happy about it!

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hey M Adamopoulou ,

Quick question, is it who Was your ideal guest (eg. share a story) or is it who Is your ideal guest (eg. Couples/families/etc)?

My ideal guest IS someone who pays. :-P Easy, quick and to the point. The type of guest I like is the one that books and follows the process after the fact. They correspond when they need to and they are organised.

My ideal guest Was a elderly man who had booked about 3 chalet during December for about 3 weeks. He was courteous and very organised. He was also extremely sweet, making sure he asks me how I am and if I've at least had a cup of coffee before he starts talking work. He became a return client, who books the same units every year for him and his family. What touched me, is that he actually came to my offices to give me a gift to say thank you, but what I explained to him is that it's my job. But he insisted that I take care of him and he will always work through me.

:-)

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Leandri both could be but I meant the second one (couples, families). Very nice story you have. Leandri you are so professional although so friendly and right to the point that your guest even if he didn’t liked your place he would probably come back just for you and that makes you very special.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Katerinka12 wow ? what a guest!!! Please send him to me also even for a shorter stay, I won’t complain.... Ha ha you are so lucky ?. Of course being such a beautiful, thoughtful with experience in hosting it’s obvious that you get the best guests. Very nice to hear that guests can be very responsible when hosts treat them with care and understanding always with a welcoming smile.

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Martina Stoecker 5 years ago

The very easy going guests - happy to have arrived on time - checking in - settling the bill - enjoying the stay....... a glass of wine, a cup of coffee while asking holes in our stomach about the country, the area, the way of living and how we got to live here to be their hosts......It's that "Home - away - from - Home" feeling I guess. Something is wrong? They'll tell you without making a big deal out of it. And as the time comes up where they have to leave we sometimes can see tears - which says more than words. I can't say it's only the elderly generation - it's young couples as well.

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Kravfish 5 years ago

Every paying guest is a good guest, some guests we are just sadder to see leave, than others ;)

Each new guest becomes a teacher for me in how I can always improve upon my customer service. Of course I agree with all the contributors so far about those happy go lucky guests who merely throw their luggage into their room and then run around the island until zero dark thirty when they return home to sleep. Awake...repeat, etc. And on check out day @0700 so I can clean in the morning cool air he he ;).

Seriously though, I try and go above and beyond for my guests. They pay good money to stay with me and I want them to be treated with the respect I would want.

My quirky idiosyncratic guests who take a bit more of my time in the day...well they end up teaching me something too. Even if its' that I learned that I will no longer rent to people on the same day. IE: if my room is empty today then nobody can select today to stay today. I have found that I don't usually enjoy guests who've not planned at least 24hrs in advance of where they will be laying their heads on any given night. Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part if you will.

Ultimately I have found that remaining open and being willing to help when you can with things that "aren't in the room rate" per se, can go a long way for getting a "10" out of "10" in your reviews.

Isn't that what we all find as our "Ideal" guests? The guests that rate us as 10's???

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hiya,

M Adamopoulou , thanks for the compliments.

I forgot to add something that is really Nice-to-have in a guest, because we are situated on a Large resorts with many guests gathering in the same spaces... a guest that energizes the rest of the crowd! That person who jumps up and down and says only positives things and has an infectious laugh. A person like that can light up other people's holiday.

Martina Stoecker , that does sound Ideal! Easy going is technically what one should look for considering you we try to provide the guests with relaxation.

Keep well all!

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Sara Jarvis 5 years ago

I have had 2 favourite ideal guests, as Imcan not choose I will tell you both

1) A snowflake age American man turned up about three 3 years ago with a fist full of tickets and a love of our local football matches which he acquired online at home he kindly invited me to one then popped off to Paris, Barcelona etc....to see the sights and their matches and back to me for another match, he won my heart when he dressed as Harry Potter to spend a day at Harry Potter land and seemed to have such a joy for living and experiencing everything.He comes at least 3 or 4 times a year and the team know him now....he brought his girl friend and Dad will come too in December I feel he is a guest but acts like one of my own sons. Kind polite and thoughtful, he always brings my favourite American magazines and even a bottle of vodka.

2) This guest booked and turned up late one night 18 months ago, I shall call him 007 he works all night in the city and turns up for breakfast .......sleeps at 2 and off to work at 7pm he is English and never forgets to bring home double fish and chips or pizza etc.....one for me, and on his time out invites me to his favourite pub and I’ve taken him to football.He is funny, respectful but truly amazing cleans his own room and phones if he is late. As he goes north at the weekend his shift can change and he is the only person I create a room from no where for, if I’m booked.

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Chameleonhotel 5 years ago

I just have one guest like that. Clean , smart , friendly. Its such a pleasure to have him. He gives me a boost to not hate people after summer season:)

Its interesting to be in a customer service. I think sometimes I could probably be a pretty good phycologist after all . The person enters in the door and I can tell if its a trouble or a pleasure :)

Another interesting thing : the higher education the easier going guest , With a friendly smile, respectful and a pleasure to have around .

Nest is coming a farmer from Saskatchewan :( Hooooly crap….. How much fusss, bad mood, lots of negative, looking for something to complain. Getting up on the bar chair to climb up to check the dust on the refrigerator. Actually , I was quit impressed to imagine such a large person getting up on this chair. Thank God he didn't brake his neck .

Low budget , high expectations that is a bad combination , really bad :(

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Kravfish 5 years ago

Maybe it’s time for Chameleonhotel to start charging a lil more to your guests. In a “Get What You Pay For” sense.

I’ve slowly raised daily rates over the last year and charging more means an even more appreciative guest (as long as I never disappoint and provide consistent quality control) is what I have discovered.

If you are the lowest rate you will get that target market.

I find if I can keep a good value vibe for my guests than I find people don’t mind paying a lil more sometimes.

I myself will purposely choose only properties to stay In that are rated in the “9”s and I look for the “cleanliness” rating every time.

I will happily pay more if it means I can lay my head where someone else values the level of clean that I do.

Don’t be afraid to charge a bit more than you Lowest competitive market base. Then watch the more appreciative guests start booking and treating you and your home with a bit more aloha.

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Kimanhotels 5 years ago

Hi everyone. I'm from Kiman Hoi An Hotel & Spa, Hoi An, Vietnam. I'm so happy to meet you here! Nice evening to all of you!
Thank you

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Leandri Klopper 5 years ago

Hey Sara Jarvis ,

Wow, I really enjoyed reading your post. It's nice receiving return guests, the trick is creating a place where people would want to become such a guest.

And also... there is a Harry Potter Land????? I think I have to sit down .... that's the most epic thing I've ever heard. I will research that and start planning haha.

Thanks for all the stories everyone!

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Kimanhotels nice to have you here. Welcome to the forum and have a nice day.

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Enquiries 5 years ago

Ideally the guest who prepays and becomes a no show ! No contact from them , cannot be reached by phone, do not answer emails. Just do not arrive and appear to be happy to forfeit the booking money. Does not happen often but isn't great to get money for doing almost nothing.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Enquiries The best guest ever not just ideal.

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Fatma Ali 5 years ago

My ideal guest is one who makes a reservation and does not cancel it. Then he arrives on time and pays my highest rates. What makes the guest even more special is he soon becomes a repeat customer i.e on all his trips to my town he chooses only my property.

To top it all one who gives me a exceptional rating after each stay is a sure favorite.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Hi! Fatma-Ali welcome to the forum.

I fully agree with you. Last but not least is an excellent review.

Have a nice day.

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Eyurmashvili 5 years ago

All my guests are a great honor.I can specifically exclude from the Czech Republic.The group of young people.They are very lovely, punctual, talking and good.Well grown up.

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Elvi 5 years ago

Hello everyone,

Our favorite guests are older couples, pensioners with a lot of life experience.
They are usually relaxed, not burdened with tediousness and are very kind. They want to communicate with the staff, they like to try our local food and are interested in the history of the city and sights. Usually they are very dear and therefore we always find it difficult to fall apart, but they remain beautiful memories.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Hi Elvi and welcome to this beautiful forum full of interesting and helpful posts.

Old couples, pensioners can be very nice to have indeed and remind you what love is all about.

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Jonathan 5 years ago

Difficult question. Guests who are respectful and tidy are my favourite. Who are they? Well, they come in all different packages, but for some reason, New Zealanders tend to leave the cottages in tip-top shape, which is always appreciated. Saying that we love all of their guests and just want them to unwind and to enjoy our beautiful part of the world.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Guests who leave my place tidy and clean are most appreciative. Hopefully so far all of my guests have left my Studio in a very good condition.

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Akwador 5 years ago

Tough one. I would say middle aged men who are here on business, book in with a business card and are never in - just coming back late to buy a bottle of wine before retiring and then leaving early so the cleaners can access their room. The worse are women with long dark hair that seems to be moulting on the bedding, floor and clogging the sink and shower whilst also appearing in clumps around the dressing table. Next worse are the children that are hyperactive and insist on running everywhere and leaving sticky sweets on the floor which attract columns of small ants.

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wendy crews 5 years ago

We are a backpackers so we are the low end of the price scale. It does not make any difference here whether guests are young or older or what country they come from as to how they act. It is certainly wonderful when guests pay the room rate and any extras with no complaining. My favorite guests are vibrant people who engage with everyone including me. As I live at the lodge and share the kitchen I love being a part of the guests amazing lives. I like to help them plan what they will do in our area so when they ask for advice I love it. It is even better when they come back in the evening and share their wonderful day with me. There are also quiet people who will still have a chat over a cuppa but just want to relax and read a book. I am not a traveler so I am lucky to have the world coming to me. It is great when guests comment on how clean the lodge is

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Graham Fisher 5 years ago

Older couples who want to get to bed early and breakfast early - then spend the entire day seeing the sights in the City or round and about. They tend to cause less trouble, pay promptly and become regular visitors - some come two or three times each year!

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Moira 5 years ago

M Adamopoulou I ditto your favorite guests!!!! We have been very blessed so far with those type of guests too thank goodness

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Yes Moira we are blessed, some fellow partners have some terrifying experiences with careless guests that it’s unbelievable. Hosting is fun for me and hope it stays like that.
Cheers.

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Moira 5 years ago

For sure girl tx for your input and wishing you and all the rest of our partners a Great Holiday season xx

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

3 months ago I wrote:

"The ideal guest books my place for 1 month at my highest daily rate. On top of it he adds extras like daily cleaning and ironing, and not so perfect coffee... And generously pays for it."

I was dreaming (well, planning too, because property was prepared and listings were active)... And that day just came.

I got booking for 1 month from American man, who didn't try to ask for discount... He just booked and asked how to check in. That's it. On Airbnb.

He didn't pay for extras, but asked for new frying pan (the one I had was too heavy from him).

Thank you Adamopoulou! I hope this comment will be a good example that all our dreams can materialize as long we never stop to believe and work on it and serves you as motivation!

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Katerinka I am so happy for you.... You see my point??? Never give up girl... just think positive and yes dreams come true if you really want them to.

Have a magnificent time....

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Aaltje B. 5 years ago

My ideal guest is someone who contacts me before he or she arrives and has a big smile and shakes my hand when we meet-before at 9 pm and reminds me of her name...Leaves her climbing shoes at the door. Says ooooh and aaaaah when she sees the unit. Says that it looks A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Loves my pets and plays with them. She sleeps in between the sheets instead of on top of them.When she cooks she uses wooden spoons instead of a metal forks. Separates all rubbish before I do, even cleans the toilet for me. I can hear her sing when she has a short shower, and after that, she collects all dirty towels and puts them in the corner. Has not complained about her husband, uses the fans when needed. Puts back all the cooking gear as it looked before she arrived. Does not ask if she can use my washing machine. Raves about the comfort of the beds admires my coloured quilt on the wall and wants to know the recipe for the cakes. She shares a few good jokes, says that she wants to spread the word, and certainly comes back next year when she pays with a laugh and waves abundantly when she is passing in the car.

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Moira 5 years ago

Aaltje I have to agree with you 100% !!! I have been blessed with a few of those and they made what we do so worthwhile!!!!!!

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Aaltje B. 5 years ago

They leave me with an intense feeling of joy! And I wish these guests to anyone too. It's an art to be a good host, an even greater to art to be a great guest!

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

Singing while taking a short (!) shower... By the way after the cleaning the toilet for YOU
Not washing her clothes but shares good jokes...
Has not complained about her husband, but waves abundantly when she is passing in the car....

Are we talking about Dream guest here, not ideal one? Lol

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Come on Katerinka12!!! Guests can become ideal if you dream enough and pray with your all your heart....
Thank god my guests are similar to that. I had guests with kids that took their shoes off even though they weren’t dirty. I have been blessed with guests???? Hope it keeps that way. Don’t like to be very strict with guests, after all they are on holidays when they come to my Studio.
Keep well...

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Aaltje B. 5 years ago

One of my favourite "type" guests just left.

She matched the described ideal picture as shared before by me and she just had a hard time leaving.

Not because of me being perfect or herself was in need. She found what she was looking for in a holiday destination.

And that is what it's all about - no matter what your room / house / unit / looks like, or where it is, it's all about finding a good match for host and guest.

I am really happy for her. Though she probably won't come back since the distance is practically too big, she did enjoy it fully and therefore the picture is complete.

Bless you dear guest, may life treat you well.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Thats great news...-Aaltje-Cornelia-Petronella-Broekhuizen

Wish you all of your guests to be just like the kind lady that just left. Even though she will not be back as you said since the distance is very big her friends will. Thats what hosting is all about. If guests are pleased and sattisfied they spread the good word around.

Wish you all the best....

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Stephenandrichard 5 years ago

I always enjoy relaxed laid back people who dont have overtly high expectations,are easy to talk to and have an interest in visiting the lovely part of France i live in.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

My ideal guest for this year is on her way...

I am so anxious to meet her. We have been talking on the phone from the very moment she confirmed her reservation. She had so many questions about the property, how to find us, the surroundings, the things to do in Oropos, where to eat and shop.... We became friends in fb so now we can share our thoughts, friends, beautiful pictures and chit chat a little.

My beautiful guest I am eagerly awaiting for you...

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

Make some welcome gift for her. Candies or olive oil...

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Yes, I definitely will. Olive oil is highly appreciated by guests. Some even want to buy....

Thanks for advice.

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Info 5 years ago

We love visitors from Germany, they don't fuss, they are tidy and they appreciate all the effort that is put into hosting them

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Yes Germans are very tidy and discipline and love Greece because they feel free to enjoy life without so strict rules. Its always a pleasure to have German guests. My cousin is married to a German and have been livng in Greece for 20 years. He loves Greece more than I do.

Happy weekend....

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Mashi Niwarthana 5 years ago

Mine is the couple who came on 19th of February 2019 from Denmark. They were really friendly and kind old couple. They wanted to communicate with us very friendly. They didn't have a time to find mistakes which will happen from us. very friendly.

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M Adamopoulou 5 years ago

Lucky you!!! Ranjithgalappaththi53 I also had a couple from Denmark and they were very generous and happy people...
Have a good day...

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Ireland-B&B 5 years ago

As I've been doing B&B for the past 6 years, my ideal guests any time would be...bikers!! The one's with the leather jackets and tattoo's, long hair, long beards etc I'd take a house full of bikers any time over guests in high end cars (BMW, Mercedes etc) simply because bikers are a heck of a lot more polite and have old school manners, where as guests with the high end cars are mean, nasty, rude as hell and trash the place. Call me old school but politeness and manners goes a long way...regardless of what you look like or what your driving :D

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Graham Fisher 5 years ago

Just one condition Ireland B&B the "leathers" and boots worn on their bike have to be taken off outside the house and left in the garage.... I have had oil and mud stains left on carpets/wallpaper/towels when I forgot this and allowed them to take the gear off in their rooms!

The number of them that arrive here never having heard of the Craven Collection is amazing!

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Ireland-B&B 5 years ago

Hi Graham

Guess I've just been lucky then as they have never made any mess here at my B&B, but good point, I'll keep it in mind :)

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Katerinka12 5 years ago

Ireland-B&B, you can advertise locally by creating "biker rates". Contact local bikers groups... Just a suggestion.

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Ireland-B&B 5 years ago

Hi Katerinka12

Some of the biker groups/clubs in Ireland and the UK know about me and they make reservations in advance as we do have one weekend in particular during the summer when they come for a bike display weekend in my town. Other than that, I just advertise like everyone else...b.com, internet etc :)