Actually…neither, get me down! WOW what a weekend! We knew that we were booked solid this Saturday night for a party/group….Cubensis is playing at OC Tavern tonight and they booked up the whole INN other than room number ONE:)-. It is a very rainy day…This morning was a perfect ending to yesterday…and a beginning to today…It makes sense..really!Last night, pretty heavy rains….I checked a fella into room number two, very nice man, had been staying at the shelter…his bike was stolen…such a pity…just so happens, I had an abandoned Shimano mountain bike in my back patio area, so I gave it to him! He booked his room, paid cash, had a credit card for the deposit and truly heard my statement that there was NO smoking in the rooms…so much so that he popped the screen out of the room to come out the window, for a smoke…as he was LOCKED in his room!!!! The deadbolt seized up somehow and he couldn’t get out! This led to me having to go IN through the window…then out…I got his stuff, including his new bike, and sent it through the window…then I got myself out…and man oh man…the bruises on the back of my legs and fanny…I look like I’ve been flogged, Molly…! SOOO, we then move him to room 10 with sincerest apologies, I open the door to the room with the key and moments later, he is knocking on my front door (not the office, my door, he was an observant fellow and figured out our room…) He shouted at me that I had not given him a room key and presented me with the key chain with ring and all, sans key….we still haven’t found it and its really a mystery! I gave him another key, he was very nice….I felt bad this morning with all of the rain, as he wanted to stay another night…but we were sold out (YAY- on the sold out part!) Another guest started chatting with him while he was waiting for his cab…ultimately, the guest in 5 ended up taking Harvey to the bike shop for new tubes…it was all very sweet and gratifying (minus the rolling in and out of the room through the windows…) but Harvey was so thankful for the bike…and later the ride….Happy Holidays!So, this morning…it is RAY….KNEE….ING! room 11 has sprung a leak…perfect timing since the guests JUST checked out…and my owner had JUST driven up! Crisis averted….putting new comforter in 13….housekeeper comes running through the parking lot…Donna, Donna…. (yes, it’s a long A…Dana…but people really do things to my poor, easy, four letter name…anywho…)
The white duvet cover on the bed is fully stained at the bottom corner, another leak…but it must have happened in last weeks rain…mind you, its 12:30 at this time and guests will start checking in at 1….E, the housekeeper, rapidly removes the cover, wash, dry, reapply…and she is out the door with all beds and rooms set by 1:15…still cant make that math work!Did I mention yet that I spent SEVEN hours on the phone with AT&T yesterday to get our internet up????I felt so accomplished when we hung up because we had reconnected me…the CSR even commended me on my learning abilities and suggested that perhaps, if I got tired of the hotel biz….I might want to become a tech for AT&T….seriously@!!! 7 hours of intense phone training…good to know that is an option ;). Imagine my chagrin this morning when the internet was down AGAIN!!!! I went through a lot of the things that we tried yesterday…no luck….oh… do remember…this is the night that I have FIFTEEN reservations and I cannot process credit cards without an internet connection….Ummmm, hmmm…..Okay, so in addition to a few thermostats that seem to have their own agenda…and the gazebo ceiling that wants to cave in from saturation….and me lending a house lamp to a guest, and offering to lend my GPS to another guest…things are mostly smooth this eve….this is THE party spot…the OC Tavern show starts at 9:30…I spied a few dogs in the parking lot and had to invite them to go home….as well as party guests who are not INN guests who are parking in our tiny lot…we had a last minute cancellation…which was unfortunate because I turned away four people today…but I figured, I needed the guest to be part of this group so they didn’t mind that they weren’t going to be sleeping….fortunately, while delivering, my personal, trash can to the party room (oh my, they are NOT smoking cigarettes…but they are Grateful Dead fans…so it did seem they were smoking something else….!!) I was able to re- rent the room, great for the canceller as I let him know that if I was able to re-book, I wouldn’t charge him….YAY…wow, I am so nice!We are on the guest list, invited to the parties and have all access passes…which is funny, because there isn’t much access…hunny cooked us some amazing steaks which led to him taking a nap, after buying a red bull….to get him ready for tonight….Um, I have tried to wake him 3 times…..maybe we won’t make an appearance….OUCH… I just adjusted myself on the seat…oh man, I have B.R.U.I.S.E.S from that darned window sill scoot….oh man….oh man! Hunny is up now, still waiting on one guest with two rooms….oof….Microwave is not working in the gazebo…GFI + Rain….um, well… had to move a micro from one room to another for a guest…did I mention that I caught a few doggies at the party…OMG
Plenty more went on...but I had to step away from the non internet computer! This was Friday and Saturday...tomorrow I will let you know about the check out adventures! Stay dry!!!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
One, Two, Three...Um, NO!
Holy moly Catwoman....Batman too...This is so interesting...I am amazed a few times a week...again, if they don't ask, they don't know AND well, back in the day...the answer was yes...I have a chore ahead to let the general population know that we are a hip and funky and respectable operation;).
I will say, I am really grateful for our heater...its been chilly! I spend quite a bit of time in the office during the day, it gets good light, has a heater and actually gets some fresh air too!
Okay...so, within two days, I had three people ask for the rate for "two, three and eight hours..." Um, well most people complain that they get a hotel room for less than 24 hours and it seems like a bit of a rip off, with check in at 3 or 4 and check out at 11 or 12...but, no, these folks just need a few hours...My answer each time is the same, "Well our daily rates are great and you can get a single bed for $64 on weekdays and $69 on weekends, and well, you can leave whenever you would like...OMG, I don't need to know what might be going on...people who want to rent during the day are particularly annoyed by my response...I had a gal a few days ago who came by while I was out and hunny called to let me talk to her, it was just after noon and she wanted to pay $40 to have a room from 12-8, "Just to shower"....umm, well, you will be really pruney after an 8 hour shower AND, you will totally run up the water bill! those weren't my comments, but again, what I was thinking...what was funny was her fervor and determination in telling me that the good news was that she would be gone by 8pm on Friday night...um, and that helps me how? the room still needs to be cleaned before someone else can check in...she pushed and pushed and I responded, "Really? Do you want to know how my business works? If so, I can spend the time to explain it, but I will pre-empt with the fact that I cannot rent you a room for a few hours for $40....she got irritated and hung up on me.
What is most interesting is how everyone wants to spend $40 for x hours...is that the going rate at the hourly places? On a slow night, its tempting, just to get $ on the books...however, I am guessing the "by the hour folk" won't refer the folks we are looking for...wow...anywho, I declined the offer on all three...so I guess the lesson is: even if you're looking for the 'by the hour'- ask for the lowest rate for the night....
Other than that, we had a pretty good weekend. I connected with the MGR at OC Tavern and he is up for some cross marketing... that is awesome...AND...we had a few people from Goody's, band mates and their girlfriends and fans, staying over last night. I am encouraging people to review us on travel advisor and yelp..let's hope they do...and its good!
Ciao for now, it's my 'official' night off, steak, spinach, mac n cheese...and going to bed early...HEAVEN!
I will say, I am really grateful for our heater...its been chilly! I spend quite a bit of time in the office during the day, it gets good light, has a heater and actually gets some fresh air too!
Okay...so, within two days, I had three people ask for the rate for "two, three and eight hours..." Um, well most people complain that they get a hotel room for less than 24 hours and it seems like a bit of a rip off, with check in at 3 or 4 and check out at 11 or 12...but, no, these folks just need a few hours...My answer each time is the same, "Well our daily rates are great and you can get a single bed for $64 on weekdays and $69 on weekends, and well, you can leave whenever you would like...OMG, I don't need to know what might be going on...people who want to rent during the day are particularly annoyed by my response...I had a gal a few days ago who came by while I was out and hunny called to let me talk to her, it was just after noon and she wanted to pay $40 to have a room from 12-8, "Just to shower"....umm, well, you will be really pruney after an 8 hour shower AND, you will totally run up the water bill! those weren't my comments, but again, what I was thinking...what was funny was her fervor and determination in telling me that the good news was that she would be gone by 8pm on Friday night...um, and that helps me how? the room still needs to be cleaned before someone else can check in...she pushed and pushed and I responded, "Really? Do you want to know how my business works? If so, I can spend the time to explain it, but I will pre-empt with the fact that I cannot rent you a room for a few hours for $40....she got irritated and hung up on me.
What is most interesting is how everyone wants to spend $40 for x hours...is that the going rate at the hourly places? On a slow night, its tempting, just to get $ on the books...however, I am guessing the "by the hour folk" won't refer the folks we are looking for...wow...anywho, I declined the offer on all three...so I guess the lesson is: even if you're looking for the 'by the hour'- ask for the lowest rate for the night....
Other than that, we had a pretty good weekend. I connected with the MGR at OC Tavern and he is up for some cross marketing... that is awesome...AND...we had a few people from Goody's, band mates and their girlfriends and fans, staying over last night. I am encouraging people to review us on travel advisor and yelp..let's hope they do...and its good!
Ciao for now, it's my 'official' night off, steak, spinach, mac n cheese...and going to bed early...HEAVEN!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Food for thought...Everywhere...
Goodness, I feel like I am part of a subculture, on occasion, now. My empathy has to be outrun by my business sense and responsibility...I will admit, this post isn't funny...so be prepared.
Yesterday, the office was pulled apart, electrical issues being worked out which caused huge dust messes and internet to be down etc...a fella came in just after 4. He was polite and offered his ID and credit card, I would have thought he was homeless, he may be, but he had what he needed to rent a room. He was very kind. I attempted to run his card, but since our internet was down, it wouldn't go through...I called for authorization but our merchant number wasn't registering and they suggested I call the number on the credit card, directly, it was his debit card, the bank wouldn't give me any info, he was so patient. He spoke with the bank, he had used his debit card to withdraw more than $300 that day so they released funds, he got cash and paid for his room. I was emphatic about the no smoking in the rooms, he assured that he would smoke outside....
Oh my, well, I guess he thought I said, "smoke only IN the room and make sure you stay in bed..." There was a half pack of cigarettes in the bed and a full cup of cigarette butts on the side along with a devoured package of cookies, bag of chips, partially consumed sring cheese, chocolate milk, candy bars and an un opened can of chili...it was a lot to take in, he also left his big winter coat on the bed, looked like he slept just under the comforter with his jacket on top of him.
He was a good sport and left his room key, I couldn't bring myself to charge his card for the smoking deposit (sucker..) oof, maybe its my holiday spirit...
I just felt bad for him...
lighter and brighter next time...I promise!
Melancholy tonight because my mister went out to a show that I couldn't go with because I was working...and I didn't have ANY walk-ins and we only have two rooms booked..oh well, at least I wrote a little sad stuff for y'all.
Still thankful for absolutely everything!
Yesterday, the office was pulled apart, electrical issues being worked out which caused huge dust messes and internet to be down etc...a fella came in just after 4. He was polite and offered his ID and credit card, I would have thought he was homeless, he may be, but he had what he needed to rent a room. He was very kind. I attempted to run his card, but since our internet was down, it wouldn't go through...I called for authorization but our merchant number wasn't registering and they suggested I call the number on the credit card, directly, it was his debit card, the bank wouldn't give me any info, he was so patient. He spoke with the bank, he had used his debit card to withdraw more than $300 that day so they released funds, he got cash and paid for his room. I was emphatic about the no smoking in the rooms, he assured that he would smoke outside....
Oh my, well, I guess he thought I said, "smoke only IN the room and make sure you stay in bed..." There was a half pack of cigarettes in the bed and a full cup of cigarette butts on the side along with a devoured package of cookies, bag of chips, partially consumed sring cheese, chocolate milk, candy bars and an un opened can of chili...it was a lot to take in, he also left his big winter coat on the bed, looked like he slept just under the comforter with his jacket on top of him.
He was a good sport and left his room key, I couldn't bring myself to charge his card for the smoking deposit (sucker..) oof, maybe its my holiday spirit...
I just felt bad for him...
lighter and brighter next time...I promise!
Melancholy tonight because my mister went out to a show that I couldn't go with because I was working...and I didn't have ANY walk-ins and we only have two rooms booked..oh well, at least I wrote a little sad stuff for y'all.
Still thankful for absolutely everything!
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...
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!
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!
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!
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!
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