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Our experience has strangely been the opposite (which is a good thing).
We tend to offer free bottles of mineral water and juice, and initially even muffins.
I think because we’re so cheap (at the moment - for the reviews), guests are hesitant to use anything in the fridge or out on the dining table even when we offer it. I think they feel kind of guilty knowing what they’ve paid! Lol.
So we’ve started figuring, if you don’t put it in the guest’s room, they are reluctant to use.
I hope it continues that way.
We had a guest though that went out all day and came in after local eatery had closed for the night. We soon realised she had no idea what to do for supper, and we luckily had bought extra take out and offered that she join us (on the house). She gladly accepted and was very grateful!
Takeaway from this: We need to post numbers for restaurants that deliver, in the rooms. Always something new to learn!
I very much doubt that guests feel guilty that they are paying so little that they feel bad eating food you offered
You can never be cheap enough for people. I did all kind of ventures and doesn’t matter how low were my prices people still find ways to negotiate., and ask for free stuff., I guess that’s just the nature of us .,
May be you were just lucky. I had guests giving me 3* for value, despite the fact that they paid the cheapest price they could find on the site.,
Then asked for cereal and milk, though I dont offer breakfast.,
It’s just depends on a person.
To provide take out numbers and list of local restaurants is a great idea.
We offered it as an extra, with an extra cost. So if they are desperate for it, they could pre-order it. But we eventually took it off as no-one reads the description in whole anyway. And we got barely any requests for it. The ones we did, we realised that we couldn’t do it for whatever reason. Plus it meant getting up at least an hour before them (which could have been 5 or 6am on occasions) in order to do it.
Plus, with the little amount we would need to do it, we would have too much left over for it to be worthwhile revenue over “wastage” / surplus. And also shopping for it on the day / day before…
Too much extra work for too little return!! (Financially and otherwise!)
So far, we have had little issue with it. It is clear on the listing. And I list it on my “confirmation message”, that I send to all confirmed bookings.
The only time it became a grey area was for a regular guest, who comes every two weeks for one night. Due to work in the area. He got comfortable and started taking toast (on top of the coffee, that we said he could help himself too.) So I had a frank chat and offered him a continental brekkie for a surcharge, which I add to his bill. (His employer pays it.) He knows his way around the kitchen. And I leave a platter with bread / pastries / butter / jam out for him. With a set place at the breakfast bar. I tell him there is cut fruit in the fridge and he just helps himself and uses the toaster etc…
If you can find a way to come to an arrangement with particular people, then great. But it is a hassle to do for EVERY single guest, for us and our lifestyle, anyway.
We do allow longer term guests to bring food in and use the fridge and freezer, however. But we do ensure they are aware that they can only eat it in our dining area or kitchen. And that they have to wash and wipe up after themselves.
We have still had perfectly good reviews from everyone that has stayed so far, without it.
Yana, yes that is true… you hear stories about how the celebrities go nuts for all the free goodie bags they give out at the Oscars. No matter who you are, it’s fun to get stuff free or at a discount.
That being said, if guests try to negotiate price on my already budget place they get a swift kick in the DECLINE THIS BOOKING button!
I think calling ourselves BnB does add a little expectation of a meal being served. Air BnB. But I avoid serving any meals other than free coffee. This keeps all government food service inspectors out of my house.
Mind you, I worked at a real BnB with gourmet breakfast served in a dinning room every morning 9:00 sharp. My kitchen was inspected often by more than one government agency. We had many rules to follow.
So be warned, if you are a small time Air BnB and do cook a breakfast, government has rights to come in anytime and inspect. Rules are strict, and must be followed.
I recommend to small operations to try and avoid any cooked breakfast. But allow for guests to bring and prepare light breakfast if they want. Which is my policy. I let them use the kitchen on their own account for a lite breakfast.
