This seems to be the year of the "guests".....we have been so fortunate since opening our doors. Our guests have to be the best ever....but there are some of course who really stand out.....I have tracked our reservations during this busy season and see that at least once a week (sometimes more often) we have repeat guests.....guests who almost become family. We have three couples who have or are soon to be making their fifth visit with us....
All at once I am noticing a trend.....I try to make things a little extra special for those returning to us to reward that loyalty and all their recommendations....but now my guests are trying to out do me...! Recently we received the most gorgeous huge bouquet of flowers all in the colors of our house...it was delivered on the 3rd of July with a card that said: "Looking forward to celebrating the holiday with you!" Another guest arrived recently with three pairs of earrings that she had made for me.....and just today a guest checked out and then returned an hour later with a pound of Goldenrod Salt Water Taffy with note thanking us for all we did to make their stay so wonderful.
All this makes me wonder: "hmmm, isn't that what I am supposed to do?" I try to go the extra mile and google directions to this or that for them, recommend restaurants that will serve them just what they are looking for and make sure that when they go to the beach, they have the chairs, umbrella and beach towels they need....and even when they do not use the umbrella or sunscreen, I make sure there is a bottle of Aloe After Burn available for their use to ease the pain....and I try not to be too motherly in my insistence on the use of sunscreen.....ouch! We have some guests who have been with us every year since opening and even when they are staying in another city, if they are going by, they stop in and bring us a gift....We've had everything from bottles of fine wine to a very large Easter Basket (on Easter Sunday) left in their room at check out and made up by Stonewall Kitchen packed with lots of goodies.....I had guests recommend great books (a wonderful gift) and I have been able to do the same for them....Guests have asked to have their pictures taken with us before leaving, guests who have sent beautiful notes and pictures once they have returned home.....guests who have asked us to have breakfast with them at their table and on quite a few occasions there have been tears shed at parting.....by both the guests and the innkeepers....
In conclusion, may I say that having such wonderful guests is a gift in itself.....the camaraderie, friendships and laughs make the days so enjoyable.....the ooohhhhs and aahhs at breakfast are encouraging and keep me always looking for the next best recipe to wow them when they return to us.....if the wild rose bush is in bloom, they will find some of the roses in their room.....it is a great relationship and so much more than I ever bargained for when we became 16 BEACH STREETBed & Breakfast.
As we get ready for the "busy" season, I begin to tweak my cookbook and try to find just the right combination of menus with a lot of variety and still keep some of the "out-of-the-park" hits from the last few seasons.....every now and again someone will make a reservation on line or respond to my confirmation email with a "....we are still thinking about______" or I am hoping you will make________while we are there"......of course I cannot ignore such a blatant request and always honor it but I am constantly looking for new recipes that will "WOW" and delight my guests.... As I always say: "It is about the BED and the BREAKFAST!" The bed has to be the most comfortable (we get calls from former guests when they are ready to buy a new bed asking what kind was in a particular room) The pillows have to be comfortable and the linens well pressed......the breakfasts should be spectacular..... I spend a lot of time in the winter months looking for great recipes and then trying them out on my family (never a guest)...........only when it has received all thumbs up do I make it for my guests. With my theatre background, I am encouraged by the applause I get now when plates are returned to the kitchen empty (almost licked)....it is like a standing ovation for me......and when asked for a recipe, I always oblige....
Being an innkeeper is a gift that I have been given and I am reminded of that whenever a guest returns for the second, third or fifth time....now starting our third season last Memorial Day, we are proud to welcome back so many repeat guests.....and three or four come requesting their favorite breakfasts and my hope is that they will leave with some new favorites.....
We just got back from a twelve-day visit to Michigan,
attending our youngest daughter's college graduation....I spent most of
last week making all new cushions as well as throw pillows for the
wicker furniture on the wrap-around front porch. Last week we ordered four black plantation rockers for the porch which have been
promised to arrive before the Memorial-Day Holiday weekend. The rockers have high backs for head resting so our guests can comfortably rock
away the afternoon while sipping lemonade and munching the
homemade chocolate chip cookies after a long day at the beach!
Our goal continues to be the amenities which keep the comfort
of our guests in the forefront.
Another new addition to the porch is the Boston Ferns!
The
east side of the porch will still boast hanging flowers but the north side will have huge lush Boston
Ferns....and new buntings this year...beautiful vintage-looking flag fan
buntings in rich shades of deep red, white and blue.....Once the porch is
complete, you can look for the pictures on the website....we are busy
spending these last days of spring getting ready for the guests who stay
with us year after year....we are so looking forward to seeing you all
here once again....
This seems to be the year of the "guests".....we have been so fortunate since opening our doors. Our guests have to be the best ever....but there are some of course who really stand out.....I have tracked our reservations during this busy season and see that at least once a week (sometimes more often) we have repeat guests.....guests who almost become family. We have three couples who have or are soon to be making their fifth visit with us....
