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ASKING TO CHECK IN EARLY

Again, the innkeeping community seems split on this. There are plenty of innkeepers who like to get their guests settled in their rooms if the rooms are clean and ready. Others adhere to a strict check-in time. The reason isn’t because we get pleasure from playing guards at our front door, it’s because we work really hard during certain hours to get the house ready for our guests and that’s precious time.

Think about. If we serve breakfast till around 9 or 10, then help our guests get situated with their day, then clean up from breakfast, do our check-outs, make the rooms up and tidy and vacuum the common rooms of the inn, sometimes we’re barely ready to receive new guests by our 3 or 4pm check-in time.

Your best approach here is to check with your innkeeper by email or on the phone before you arrive. Simply ask them if you can check in early if the room is ready or if you can drop off your luggage for them to hold while you go explore the area. They might tell you to call ahead that day or just stop by and check, or they might tell you that check-in time is firm. In either case, respect their wishes to get your stay off to a pleasant start for you and your host. 

ARRIVING LATER THAN YOU STATED (and not calling!)

As innkeepers we’re more aware then most that life, simply, happens. So you might have told us you were going to check in at 3PM, and then you got off late from work, had to deal with a plumbing crisis at home and got stuck in endless weekend traffic.

We get it. All we ask is that you call or text us to let us know. Most of us innkeepers like to check you in personally, so we’ll stay awake until we know you’re safe and sound in your room on the day of your arrival. If you tell us you’ll be here at five but don’t arrive till midnight, we’ll stay up like nervous mothers wondering what happened to you and even question whether or not you’re still coming. So please, just keep us in the loop.

NOT TALKING TO OTHER GUESTS

At my inn, we sat 18 people for breakfast spread around three large tables. It always came as a surprise to me when I would come into the room to serve the next course, and the room was completely silent. Here were 18 adults sitting in close proximity to each other -- not talking. I’d always do my best to get the conversation flowing but sometimes, it was just a non-starter. 

As not much of a morning person myself, I get it. Some people just don’t feel social at sunrise. If you’re one of those, or just someone who wants to get away for privacy rather than socializing, check with your prospective inns before booking. Ask the innkeeper if there is an emphasis on socializing in the common rooms or if there’s a communal breakfast. If that’s what you’re looking for then go ahead and book and be as social as you want at the inn. I often saw great friendships develop over the weekend and even witnessed some guests rebooking to purposely meet at the inn at a future date.

If you’re not social, keep looking until you find a B&B that will let you have a private table and breakfast, and perhaps even a private entrance to your room so that you can have a truly “away-from-it-all” break. And if you do get stuck in a social situation at an inn, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and strike up a conversation with someone. Lots of people go to B&Bs for the chance to talk with people outside their normal social circles so you just might find it the best part of your stay! (See these great tips from my colleague on how to start a conversation.)