Our Inside Stories
True Situations We Prefer to Avoid
Michael and Paul.
Many people quote “it must be hard work running a B&B”
Our response is “We enjoy it, so not really” “It is only as difficult as our guests make it” Thankfully on the whole we have received many wonderful guests into our home and just the odd ones that will not be returning due to their lacking or differing standards.
Paul and I have now started a non return list which we had never expected to put in place but there are still some people that slip through the net that do not have standards and expect to treat our home in the same manner as they do their own which is with extreme degradation. Respect is the cheapest of all manners, in fact it is free but many do not seem to have invested.
This page holds just some inside stories that will give you the idea of what we avoid.
We are hoping that this page will not grow in size. as previously stated the many guests we have encountered have been wonderful and we both want them to return.
The people in the stories know who they are and we wish them well in the future.
No Actual names or dates have been published.
Rules Don’t Apply To Me!!
Regular guests you would think would know how things run here and what is expected.
On the second visit I did my usual questions of, “Do you want me to run through everything again or are you happy with everything”? The answer was “No, we know what we’re doing”. Then came the questions “Do you have Bacon”? “Can we have Sausage on the breakfast”? I then point out this is the menu that we have for breakfast, the return I get is “Oh we never saw that”!!! If I had some hair I would be ripping it out by now.!!!
The stay continued and we have always stated that all electrical items to be switched off when leaving the room and if you have the heating on please keep the windows closed as we really don’t want help in heating the street. If you’re too warm turn the heating off and then open the window and especially in these times of rising costs!!!
We enter the room to do the usual service whilst they are out to be hit with a wall of heat.!!! The radiator is on full, the underfloor heating is on full and there is a charger sitting on the carpet plugged in and charging a heavy duty battery. Can they really guarantee that this item will not burst into flames whilst they are out and take our home with it. If they do this at home, that is their risk to take and if they don’t care, I do.!!! The night before they had gone out to enjoy their evening of dance and whilst out they had decided to leave the lights on in the room. Our electricity bill rises for no reason at all whilst their temperature rises on the dancefloor.
The rules are in place for a reason. If these rules don’t apply to you then please do not book here again in future, it’s guests like these we really do not need. We really don’t want to take the risk but respect will be accepted in huge amounts.
Mutual Respect
Guests in the past have visited us without doing any research and do not know the difference between a Hotel and A Bed and Breakfast.
Paul and I welcome many guests into our home which is a Bed and Breakfast and certainly not a Hotel.
A Hotel is normally a larger affair with differing numbers of rooms, 24 hour reception, Butlers etc but not quite a personal service as in many cases you are really just a number.
With a Bed and Breakfast this is first and foremost our home and you are a guest in our home.
Bed and Breakfast started with someone owning their own home and having an extra couple of rooms available and decided to let them to occasional guests whether on holiday or business.
A more personal service is given and enjoyed by guests.
Within a Bed and Breakfast there also needs to be Mutual Respect as we have taken people in who really do not know the meaning of the word. We need our rules to adhere to as if there weren’t any, it certainly would be a free for all. Check-in from 3pm onward, Check-out by 10.30am. We do have guests that want to check-in at 10am but of course if previous guests have not checked out, this certainly is not possible but then comes the hitch. The asking guest then gets a little put out as they are blinkered because of course it is just about them and cannot see that we will need to change over the room ready for them to check-in and keep our standards at the highest we always require.
If we are able to check people in early we will do but honestly if it’s not possible then please understand we are human as well and not machines. If the verbal abuse is paramount and the respect is not there (we have encountered) then we would rather you didn’t book. There are many selfish people in this world and we would rather they stayed away from us so that we can continue with the many fantastic guests we have met over the years. Many will say that this is not correct for us to state these facts but I believe in being honest with people and if we don’t state the facts then who will know how we feel and that we are passionate about our home and what we do within our four walls here at Four Rooms.
Mutual Respect costs nothing except manners and a little extra thought for others on both sides.
A Young Woman
Whilst running through the welcome pack she told us that we were brave having cream carpets and she normally has to complain wherever she stays. She then gave over her weeks washing which she needed laundering. I got on with the job in hand and she started her evening out on the town. I put a note on the bed whilst she was out to let her know that her washing was done and her dresses were ironed and in the wardrobe. Morning dawned and my note was returned downstairs with a note written on the bottom begging that she could go back to bed after breakfast as she had been out till 5.30am. She came downstairs whilst everyone was enjoying breakfast and just stated “I ent gonna make breakfast I’m going back to bed”, My answer was “What time would you like waking as the room is booked for this evening” The return answer was “Whatever”
I offered to wake her at 12pm and also said we would do a small breakfast on this occasion which I called brunch.
I knocked a few times until she decided to get up, she ate her brunch and then left.
The horror of the story was that we were not able to let the room that following evening due to the mess left behind and the evidence in bed that this was her “Time of the month”!!
All our mattresses have protectors but this did not save our duvet and sheets, now renewed.
Forgive us for not letting her over our threshold and into our home again.
A Married Couple
A married couple booked with us for 2 nights and then quickly sent an email message to say they wanted to arrive at 10am even though it quite clearly states on all of our booking platforms that check-in is from 3pm onwards. As this is our home we are able to be flexible with this and we do say that if we do not have anyone booked for the previous evening then we are able to accommodate. We had guests in on the previous evening so we were unable to carry this out. Regardless of the check-in time the couple arrived at 10am whilst we were finishing breakfast. This meant we were unable to give our full attention to our resident guests. The following day the same situation happened except the couple who had arrived early in the first place were not happy as we had to speak to other guests arriving and not attending to them solely for breakfast. This was exactly the same situation they had created themselves the morning before. We kindly ask guests to be respectful to all other guests and not assume that they are the only ones booked into our home.
It Wasn’t Me !!
I checked a couple in and they seemed extremely happy as I left them to settle in. A few minutes later they rang the door bell and asked me to come back into the room so they could show me something. She pointed to the side of the bed where there was dark brown smeared down the side of the Duvet cover, she states “That was already there” I answered with “No that wasn’t there before” she then started to argue and say that it was. I just said that I would change it but then she said “Oh I didn’t want you to change it, I just wanted you to know it was there”. I did change it.
What she hadn’t realised is that it was Paul that has washed and ironed the bedding and I had made the bed. There are no other staff here that could be blamed for any oversight as there are none. She or the husband had dragged the case onto the bed not thinking that the wheels had dog excrement on them which was now on the bed. She had to blame someone else as she was definitely not owning up to it. People really do live in denial and live a blameless life!!!!
The Party Animals
A young couple arrived at the door. Bed and breakfast had been booked along with a parking space.They had arrived on the train so no parking space needed.I asked the usual questions including reason for visiting? The answer I received was “Oh we’re just here to get smashed, just get as drunk as we can”
I did state that we have a duty to our other guests and as long as you come in quietly and no damage then they will be ok. If not I would not be happy.
The following morning our guests had reason to complain as they had not been quiet when coming back from their session of over drinking, plus in the morning they did not want breakfast and would not get out of bed but also would not leave at the checkout time.
When they finally left at 12.30pm we found the room to be in a state of chaos with damage that we had not seen before. They did not like sticking by the rules for ‘My Home’
We charged for the damage and also charged for an extra night.
This was a lesson to them that they cannot enter our home and cause mayhem without further consequences.
A Young Couple
The couple had stated that they loved our home and they were OCD and always kept things tidy.Off they went out to enjoy the evening, a little later the doorbell rang and the gentleman had returned to say “I’ve fallen out with er” “She’s too mardy”
We felt as though we had opened a branch of Relate.
If this couple were OCD then it is felt that a tramp would also claim this. Makeup crushed into the carpet, towels stained due to trying to scrub the floor and cover up the damage. Nothing was untouched and a deep clean was carried out on their departure.
No mention of what had happened as they left for us to find after they had gone.
They had stated that they would like to return in the future.
I am clearly stating “No” as you will understand and they are now residing on the non return list.
The Man And The Model
The Door bell rings and I answer to be faced with a young woman with multi coloured hair
Not a Hello but “We wanna park” she states. I asked if she was booked in and so went out to lower the parking post. Unchanged: Not a Hello but “We wanna park” she states. I asked if she was booked in and so went out to lower the parking post.
They had turned up in a large van with ladders on the top and I was a little apprehensive that this may not fit but luckily it did.
Whilst checking in the couple in the usual way the man passed over the pen to the woman who then says “What ya givin it me for”?. I explained that everyone needs to fill in their details and sign, her answer was “Huh alright”
As soon as we entered the room she threw herself on the sofa and said “it feels just like ome don’t it.
I ran through the welcome pack and approached the subject of smoking and explained that no smoking indoors and that they could smoke outside. She then said “Oh I’ll try” To which I answered “No you will not smoke inside as the alarms will sound and you will be charged for the fire service call out. She made no answer.
I left them to settle in and they then left the house around 4 hours later after relaxing upstairs.
As they left I spoke to them in the hallway and they seemed fine and she had stated in the conversation that she was a model.
Our evening carried on as normal until it was time for bed as we had breakfasts to cater for in the morning and then at 12.30 the doorbell rang.
She was standing in the porch with dressing gown on and key in hand after smoking, laughing and saying, “I didn’t know which key to use”
As she went upstairs she shouted out “Thanks Babes”
In the morning I was serving breakfast to other guests when they appeared in the hallway with coats and bags. I said ”Good Morning” to which she ignored me. I then asked if they were coming in for breakfast. Her answer was “Weem getting out of ere” and then motioned to him to say “Come on”.
They left the keys and just drove off.
We then checked the room only to find that the newly installed one week old leather sofa was stained with blue, along with blue towels and blue in the bath and the toilet seat. We had to replace the toilet seat as this could not be saved and then had to start restoring order to the mess they had left behind.
My thoughts on this were that if she was a model then she really needed to try and expand her skills as we are all only young for a short time so this won’t last and maybe brush up on her standards, respect and people skills.
I think I can safely say that this will not happen and she will end up blaming the world and everyone around her for any failures.
Another resident on our Non Return List
Little Manners
Just recently we hosted a couple who decided to mark us down for value and then stated there could be less notes around the place. The woman really had no idea of what 5 star is and the standards we strive to keep. He had actually brought her along as a surprise for her and I really wished he hadn’t.
There are some signs in our home for example ‘No outdoor shoes indoors’ this is what keeps our carpets clean for all guests who stay and not just the individual but for all. She ignored this and decided to go outside for a cigarette in her slippers and straight back in onto the carpets!!! There is also a sign that states ‘Have you remembered your Breakfast Order’. Many people forget and since the sign has been up practically nobody does. Another note states ‘Do not place luggage on the bed, due to marking of linen’. You wouldn’t believe the amount of people who used to just walk into the room and swing their cases onto the bed and mark the linen with the rubber wheels and also dog faeces on the wheels, plus where have they stored the cases and do they contain bed bugs? (we don’t want them, even if others don’t care). This practice guards against damage that could happen due to lack of care from guests. One other reminder on the mirrors state ‘Bed Linen cries out for makeup removal’. We have had false eyelashes and mascara stuck to duvet covers and pillow cases due to women going to bed in full makeup. Do you want stains on your bedding when you arrive, we don’t either, so this duvet cover is then destroyed and at £100 per cover we are footing the bill for the damage. Perhaps I need more signs up as the woman clearly had zero manners or etiquette. The Breakfast she was served was only half eaten and she really didn’t know that when she had finished to put her knife and fork together instead of leaving it as if a child had just abandoned the plate. The coffee was also only half drunk. There are plenty of under educated people out there and we want to guard against many of them by these little reminders but obviously there are some that are adverse to standards and will then also complain due to lack of understanding plus lack of research. He had booked as a surprise and clearly wanted something for nothing. If you really do not want standards, then please do not book with us (even if you think ‘Oh let’s try this posh place even though we don’t normally) We are not posh and just have high standards. I really do tire of the teaching of the unteachable and people with lack of standards and manners!!!!!!
Stupid Questions and Guest Scenarios
(Excuse any intentional spelling errors as this is just how they were saying it)
We have out front, Locked Parking Posts which stops just anyone parking. We have people turn up and ask, Why can’t I put that Post down meself?? I answer with, “If you could put it down, then anyone could and what would be the point in having them as anyone could park in the space.
They then come back with “Oh I neva thought o that”.
“Wers the Bar”?
“We haven’t got one, we’re not licensed”, “Oh I wuz lookin forwud to avin a drink in the bar”!!!!
Reservation is made and paid for. They arrive and ask. “Can I have a seaview?” The answer is “We are a town house and we don’t have any seaview”,”You should have booked a place on the seafront!!!!”
We host many guests and some are quite blinkered in the fact that It is just about them. We try and ensure that everything is in place for you to have a comfortable and enjoyable stay with us. We do unfortunately get some guests who don’t have any care or respect for what we do and just come in and create damage. They don’t care that we have put things in place in our home for them and other guests coming in afterwards would also like to enjoy but of course all they consider is themselves. These are the guests that we don’t enjoy hosting and also hope they do not try to book in the future,the answer will be NO.
Coasters are provided to use for putting down your cups or glasses. I spoke to a lady who put a hot cup down next to the coaster, I asked “Why not use the coaster?” The answer was, “It was too nice to use”. My Response “But you will quite happily damage the surface” She then says “Oh well I neva thought of that”
“You can ave a rest now weem goin ome”. My answer “No, we have to now clear up after you and get ready for the next guests coming in”
“Weem Comin to Get Smashed”
(Excuse any intentional spelling errors as this is just how they were saying it)
When a booking is made we call all of our soon to be guests to confirm just a few things, such as the name of the partner they are bringing along with them, any special dietary requirements and arrival time. Whilst the conversation is going along I actually ask “Are you coming for anything special”. Some then return with the answer of “Weem comin to get smashed”.
I then respond with “Well it does say on all of our booking platforms that if your main aim to visit Blackpool is to get drunk, then do not book here”. We don’t want the nonsense that goes with such irresponsible behaviour and also if someone did decide to go against everything we say and then cause disturbance and damage such as vomiting on the carpet or damage to beds or bedding then be prepared to be paying out for all new which is like for like and not just the cheapest .!!!
There is a saying that “The customer is always right”. this is incorrect as NO they are not always right but the other thing to say is we do not have customers as we take Guests who are actually invited into what is our home.
Sub note: Due to this item being posted and many people having read this, when calling and booking direct, some will make a joke and say, “we’re coming to get drunk” and then say “Only joking”. To us this is not a joke as we are suddenly on our guard.!!!!!!!!
“Keep Your Hands Off”
As you can imagine, when running a Bed and Breakfast we get many hundreds of people coming through our home each year.
We do not allow the wearing of shoes in the house so they are taken off and stored in the designated place in the hallway but when removing shoes we do ask everyone to sit down whilst doing this instead of putting hands on the walls.
We can decorate once yearly and not every week when people have put grubby hand prints and marks up the walls. People come in and say “Oh this is lovely”, we would like it to stay this way for the next guests and all others afterwards so please Keep your hands off walls and surfaces and help us keep up the standards we like to achieve!!!
“Ignorance Is Not Bliss”
Every year we have regular guests attending for various events but sadly as the years roll on the respect starts to dwindle and the taking advantage takes over. We ask all guests to use coasters for drinks,glasses,bottles etc and not to place luggage on beds due to marking of linen and use luggage stands. Plus please switch off all electrical items when leaving rooms as if they do burst into flames then this is our home and our business going up in flames, if you really couldn’t care less, We do. We enter a room to service on the first morning and find a tv device brought in, switched on and perched on the arm of the leather sofa and getting hot.!!!!!! Don’t bring it here, it hasn’t been pat tested!!!! If it marks the leather sofa due to a burn will you be wanting to purchase a new sofa or even worse If you want to set a fire, do it in your own home and not ours.!!!!! Marks from luggage on the linen due to a case having been dragged onto it, can’t be bothered to adhere to the rules they have already been made aware of. Full bottles on the carpet next to the bed, What about the coasters??? Oh can’t be bothered.!!! Probably thinking to themselves “Oh it’s ok, they wont mind”. Yes we do mind.I approach them and let them know how annoyed I was and the response I receive “Oh Sorry I Never thought”. This kind of thoughtlessness could cost me my home and my business. If you feel like venturing down this road then please book elsewhere, a lax attitude is not welcome in our home and if you are lacking in respect and standards then our home is certainly not for you. We are 5 star for a reason and we want to stay that way.