Thursday, November 26, 2009

Gobble Gobble...in a turkey way...

So...YES! the last guests in THREE were thrilled! They were fantastic, had a fantastic time and HOPEFULLY, we will see a YELP review pretty soon!

Past few nights have brought a few 18 year olds....one sweet girl who was very distressed because the previous hotel manager had assaulted and insulted her for being under 21!!! and she also said the place smelled so bad, she wanted to cry....She was very nice and a great guest, her husband is at C. Pendleton , I said, if her husband was old enough to serve our country, they were old enough to rent a room.

Three young'uns stopped in last night...one of their 18th bday...no cc...sorry, this can't be going anywhere good...Happy Birthday....go elsewhere....

I kept the office open an extra hour tonight since I was up, with mommie, and its Turkey eve....no new takers....3 guests tonigt...oif.....

Swingers, one of my fave movies, I LOVE VINCE VAUGHN, is on right now, mom came up to make stuffing, turkey and all the delights...

I am so incredibly thankful....for it all...just so THANKFUL!!!!!

we will probably invite the guest from 2 to dinner.....oof, seems in poor taste not to...but....mmmmph

Next week: Press Releases and Networking....Woohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Sleepinh, sleeping sleeping...

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Fifth time's the charm...Hoping!

SOOO, a few really slow nights...today we picked up a bit, we have six out of sixteen booked, I am offering discounts allover the place just to have cars in the parking lot! Asking the questions..."Um, military? Vet? AAA, AARP, Scorpio? (It's scorpio birthday month...hehhehe)

We have a very cool surfer guy from Northern Cal, took the train down, with his bike and his longboard- he is happy about the outdoor shower and new bike rack, cool dude, probably in his late 60's!

I checked a few boys- SD locals- into room 3...fingers crossed that it goes well! They are here to see Stickfigure at OC Tavern. They promise they will be good..; high hopes! If they come to the office complaining that the room smells like smoke...I am upgrading them to a 2 bedroom...Shag or Zen...

We got the remote viewer back up, for surveillance, yay, interestingly enough, every guest who walked in tonight...I responded because I heard the bell! A nice older man tried to check in a few minutes ago, yet he didn't have an ID or a credit card...I have broken the rule a few times and its left the teeth marks you know where, interestingly enough, he had two medical insurance cards AND a Costco card...I didn't want to turn away the business....but....

Had to make a phone call tonight to remind someone...he was supposed to pay his rent yesterday...Hopefully he wasn't busy painting the tree while missing my call...oif!

Friday, November 20, 2009

A little feng shui goes a long way...I hope!

After our last guests in room 3...Pot Smokin' Seniors, I will call them (not high school seniors...AARP seniors!) This room already has quite a history and we have been open less than a month! I did a little clearing and some feng shui cures for this little room yesterday, we need this mischieft to stop ;).

The past few days have been insanely and uncommonly (I hope) slow. I have three reservations Wednesday (and mommie)- so that will be good- but it's Friday night and I have only one guest....and he has been here for work, since the day we opened...its a clear and chilly night and I would have expected at least 5 guests by this time...What's goin' on??

I have been able to humor my shopping need in the past week by purchasing a few things we need around here and I have found a distribution company that is litterally 70% less than the one we have been using...Inn Gal doesn't like to pay top dollar...yet she wants top quality...and I can find it....let me tell YOU!

I haven't been writing much since folks haven't been stopping in to entertain me....really hoping we pick up here in the next few days and maybe weary road travelers will find us over Thanksgiving weekend...one can hope!

The phones are working great, wishing I had the same luck getting the surveillance viewing back on my laptop..grrr...

We have VACANCIES...stop on by!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

So many tales, stories...explanations...

Wow, in all my years as a hotel guest and mystery shopper...I would have NEVER guessed the stories one might hear. No wonder reservationists and conceirge's didn't flinch when I said my husband was detained in NZ and wouldn't be able to make it to our 5th anniversary surprise weekend in Aspen, and they thought nothing of my husband not making it back from Hong Kong while I was in LA...My backstories were so weak...comparitively...goodness, guy with dogs just stopped in to find out if we took pets (kind of him to ask, rather than check the critters into room 3...THE ROOM with the issues and history and apparently KARMA!).

So, No, pets, sorry, leads into a tale of how mister guest has oddles of money and is looking in the area to buy...and then...wait for it...HOW he has come into this money...he has met this "completely and totally crazy, whacked, nuts, crazy woman...she's pretty...and on top of that...frickin' looped...and before she went in, she named him as power of attorney...and she gets out in April, so he needs to "go shoppin""....Oh my...then...he asked if I was married, telling me that I am very cool and have beautiful eyes...fortunately, my hunny was snoring so loud in the living room...so it backed my story...(I wear my ring on my wedding finger, but I had just finished making dinner so I wasn't wearing it...)Oh and dinner, very good! Cream of chicken noodle soup,,,yyyumm!

Then another guest, not the previously mentioned, $20 increment payers (who tried to pull the same song and dance this weekend- they got a flat no, I think they may stay elsewhere next weekend...that's not a bad thing...)So, other guest, weekly...paid $100, calls every day with the car tales, the promised job, the wire transfer that hasn't come through...difference here, good guy, I believe him (hope that doesn't leave a bite mark on my fanny)...calls to keep me informed...brought by another $50 tonight...$100 tomorrow or I need to invite him to leave....oof....

After weeks of waiting to have the phones taken care of/ waiting for the phone guy to show up...I found the name of our previous guy and fortunately, he really didn't have much interest in leaving his office so he walked me through things for free...oh it was crazy though, I was like a nutty professor, checking phone jacks...labeling....running to next jack with phone in hand....and 70 attempts at the outgoing message (don't mind the little squeak at the end of a few sentences...kinda Michael Jackson-ish...eeh-hew-h00...)

This past weekend was quite slow...dinner with friends on Friday night in the courtyard led to a partial power outtage...once the microwave was turned on, in the gazebo....many of you know exactly how I feel about microwaves....confirmation....perhaps?!

Saturday was my first full day off (though I had to work from 7:30p-12a) since we have opened, a day at the NHRA finals in Pomona was a nice change of pace:). Newbie did a really excellent job...and my fantastic cleaning gal was thrilled to have someone who spoke Spanish, to chat with!

A little shopping tomorrow, spending all the petty cash to make sure we have some duvets, coffee pots and a few other very important items....

Hunny tries to stay up with me, that means he doesn't go to bed...but he is often asleep by 8pm, in the chair...like tonight, the comforting thing there...I get to change the channel...hehhehehehe.

Come see us soon!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Please, Can I Entertain You With Some Wine....

Oh boy, guests are generous! We have a trio of guys in room 11 who make GOOD use of the gas grill and cooktop, they, generously, offered us tacos tonight, we graciously declined as we had ribeyes on standby, waiting to hop on the grill.

This will be a short post...earlier I thought I might write about Yoko Ono staying in one of the rooms, but on further interaction, the nice Asian gal, is indeed NOT Y.O...though the gold, glittery Mary Janes...well, they made me wonder....anywho....

The "Bell just rang" in the office and I scurried off to address the guest's needs....we will call her Yoko just for the sake of having a name ;)...she had locked herself out. I grabbed the Master Key and met her in the lobby, as we walked across the faux grass, she asked, "Can I entertain you with some wine?" ...Um,,,well, thank you, but no, I am actually drinking a beer...." As we approached her room, I noted that the room key was IN THE LOCK....I giggled and told her it happens to the best of us..."She, coyly, laughed and asked, "Please, can I entertain you with some wine?" She proceeded to say, "You have such good energy and are such a positive person, please, can I entertain you with some wine?" I graciously declined, again and, thanked her and departed. Now, by reading this, you may be thinking I am a jerk and that this gal didn't speak good English...NOT the case, fully American....We just are NOT that type of place...NO, thank you, you cannot entertain me with your wine...or anything else...oh my...

We also found out today that we no longer get MTV2, bummer for hunny, but good for me because we see more Food Network and Less Rob & Big...hhehehehe, though I DO love those little bulldogs that Rob has, Meaty and Beefy! Out for now:)

Monday, November 9, 2009

Time Flies...Time Change....Flies Change...what?




Yes, I know, the time change was actually last weekend, but it still hasn't sunk in, to the kitties either! AND, its been DAYS since I reported here....so much good material, I hope I haven't forgotten it all!

Still looking for a gym AND a pedicure ;0). New gal trained tonight, will work out just fine- wow, when was the last time any of us got a job where we were encouraged to play on the computer, watch TV and talk on our cell phone...and we got paid for it....downside, when we are at occupancy...she has to run across to the gas station to use the restroom.....probably wouldn't be so bad...'cept, Newbie is pregnant, 3 months. She's cute and sharp and I gave her the rundown on the locals and how to escape as needed when the conversations are too endless;).

Oh my, I am so intrigued by the fact that we have guests who apparently check in every weekend...and live....just blocks away...hmmmm, motel life, it IS interesting!

Oh and we are really close to Camp Pendleton so the Marine's come by for their night out- this past Saturday there was a really loud and really late Quincinera (sp...forgive me, its in Espanol so it doesn't count as a typo)...so apparently the Mariachi's drowned out the loud boys having a party in room three...yes, the room that was recently the scene of the DOG...oh and incidentally...that guy has NOT returned for the collateral (Nail Gun)...but our owner is looking at it all googley eyed like he is happier to have the nail gun than the cash;). So...boys in 3....loud, guest in 2 complained in the morning...and oooh doggie....after they checked out, housekeeper went in and ran to our door, with the smoke detector in her hand (which she retrieved from the trash can....ummm, did they NOT realize that CIGARS don't set off SD's! OOF, the room smells TERRIBLE....and...Yes, just like the fact that the pet policy is listed on the registration sheet/folio, we have it listed that there is a $200 fine for smoking in rooms....Soooo, you probably guessed this....the card on file, DECLINED....here's where it gets juicy,,, Newbie knows the rules of the road and suggested I call Pendleton and let them know that this kid is being delinquent and owes $200...then she also mentioned that he probably gets paid this Friday and his check will be direct deposited...alrighty...Friday morning,,,,run that charge again! THEN call his C.O.....don't mess with the motel, boys....

We were at full occupancy on Friday night and 90% on Saturday, some interesting current guests....one couple who likes to pay in $20 increments, starting at check out time and going till 1pm....its just odd....and another guy, shows up at 3 on Fridays...trashy- trashed....and spends the weekend drinking lots and lots of coors light, he's harmless, thinks he is so funny....just needs a break from the P's....and I am sure they are greatful since he has to be pushing 40....oh goodness....
And...I need to request to another guest that....Um, he STOP painting the tree out back....yes, "Sir, please stop painting the tree...BROWN....what...is this like tanning for a tree? I think the tree is okay....leave it alone, por favor!
Loving the fact that we are getting some repeat guests who are really here to surf, they are doing the coast and coming back to us because Trestles rocks and they dig our hip rooms!
Hmmm, I am watching Chelsea Lately and maybe she has the name of my new band...or blog...or at least the eternal question: "Why do bad things always have to happen in vans..." (Vans as Victims....?) Any of my relocation and real estate clients who are reading this may remember my theories about vans....and how they depreciate neighborhoods...I'm just sayin'!

See, its been too long, there was too much...and I don't recall all that went on over the weekend...boy....

Saturday will be a real day off,,,, and hopefully Newbie will be just fine, I have her working a LONG day...

I need to start sending guests to YELP and the like to review us...we need to move those other reviews DOWN the list...new management...let's focus on that ;).

I sort of got my first review today from my boss, he asked, "How are you liking this? Is it what you thought it would be, do you like it?" then he stopped himself and said that he wasn't asking right...so my response was, "Ummm, are you happy with this (me), do you like the way its (I'm) working, is it (am I) all you hoped it (I)would be?"...and his response was, "We are THRILLED, we are really happy...." So, there we have it, good night and good news:).

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Duty Calls

Today I remembered what some of the drawbacks might be to living at work...Doggie in room three caused me to change all plans, not make it to Dr.s appt, costco, potential new gym, nope, notta one. So, today, I paid too much for kitty litter at Ralph's (vs. costco), didn't get my prescription....and struggled visibly opening the kitty litter,,,,due to lack of working out...oh boy!

Tomorrow holds all that AND a pedicure...at least that's the plan...Newbie starts Monday and will be fully trained in time to work on Saturday so we can go to the drag races....


It's all good....

Here doggie doggie doggie....

Um, well, actually, NOT here Doggie. We are currently a NO PET property, I have one room with wood floors that we may designate. Its such an issue with allergies, fleas, etc. Last night was our busiest night yet! Lots of walk ins, actually kept the office open till close to 11 to accommodate those inn walkers (get it;)? Just before 10, checked in a nice fellow from Santee, I mentioned that my gramma lived in Santee, we chatted briefly, I made sure to point out that our rooms are non smoking, had him sign the cc slip and wished him pleasant dreams.

Smash cut- 3:30 am, pounding on the office door, for about 10 minutes....really...do you do this at Macy's, Target...any other business? Lights off, no one home (that you know of) so why are you pounding on the door? Keep in mind, this wasn't a current guest, was someone hoping to get a room...clearly we need one of those "we'll be back at x o'clock" signs!

10:15, maid scurries over to my door, "Pero, pero, barking, room 'tree'..." = barking dog in room three...yes, and it sounds like a big one, rather than a harmless yapping purse puppie.... called the owner, wrong number on file...nice...of course the INN owner was on site today and eager to remove Fido, suggested Animal Control (got some interesting information when I called there....) finally got the nerve (with the help and suggestion of the owners daughter) to go in the room and check Fido's tag, turned out, her name was Josie and she was a very sweet and very gorgeous Weimereiner....who had scratched all of the paint off the interior of our newly painted doors...Called the owner, and told him we had discovered the dog, he wasn't surprised, as he wasn't trying to hide her, he didn't realize that we were a no pet property and was very apologetic. His evening cost him a $150 pet fee, $100 in damage and $65 for the night, which he had already paid for- but couldn't stay...oh, my....had only $120 in cash, had to leave me some gi-normous tool for collateral....wow....!

Did I mention Adult movie guy a few days ago? I think I did...I won't repeat...
Relieved to hear that our new paint colors will be quite nice, chocolate brown overhang, tan/mocha exterior with the turquoise doors and turquoise entry steps....CUTE!

11 rooms are ready to rent, 7 rented now, will possibly book a few more tonight! Its also official that Tim and I are cooking a turkey on Thanksgiving- we are sequestered to home....sooooo, the good news, mommie will be joining us :)- yay!

We have a Grateful Dead, cover band, trying to book up the whole INN on December 12th, so if you were hoping to stay that night...call ahead to reserve your room...hhehehehe.

Imagine, we have a Commercial grade gas barbeque, CharBroil brand...and it is the ONLY model that cannot be hooked up to natural gas, must have propane...is that nutty!? We had great burgers tonight....and probably a tri-tip this weekend...so we hope that propane tank is full!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Knock Three Times...

Oh no, please don't! Perhaps this blog will also serve us with bits of hotel/motel/inn etiquette...Imagine our surprise when someone pounded ON OUR BEDROOM window at 4:00AM on Sunday morning...I was ACTUALLY asleep, soundly, shocked the you know what out of me. I peeked through the blinds and didn't see anyone. I scrambled around for something to put on (thinking that maybe a guest had locked themselves out). I saw a car with brakelights on, from the surveillance camera, couldn't tell if it was a guest. Turned on the office lights for a minute, then the phone rang (remember...this is the morning AFTER Halloween...we've all seen those darned scary movies...) I answer the phone, to a request, "Hi, will you please open up so we can get a room?" I replied, "Sorry, the office doesn't open till 9AM." Caller then says, "Oh, Okay, can you tell me of anyplace that is open now or that has a room?" My professional response was, "I don't know of any, sorry." My inner voice response was "Are you Kidding me? It's 4AM...we are an INN not INN-FORMATION!" I went back to bed and wondered what prompted this person to pound on our window- did they know that was the bedroom of the manager? Did they think that was part of the (dark and obviously closed) office? Or were they just randomly pounding on windows? Good thing that big rig kept us from getting more guests that night because the street was blocked off... We had just talked that day about planting some shrubbery or something that would make it more difficult to get to the window. Tim suggested Cactus, which of course, I am not a big fan of...but they certainly serve their purpose :).