As a host was is expected of me to supply for breakfast staying within a self contained cottage.

[Marie262]

I host within a self contained cottage separate from our house but on the same property. I have had two guests now complain that they did not get complimentary cooked bacon and eggs! what am I expected to provide considering I put about $25 worth of breakfast "goodies" into their cottage for them to enjoy at their leisure. The last guests said I should as it is a B&b? Please advise.

Thanks - Marie

[Bob39]

Are the bacon and eggs mentioned in your description of the property, or in your House Rules?

Was there any mention of bacon and eggs in any of your messages to the guest before they checked in?

[Marie262]

Hi Bob

No mention of bacon and eggs for the cottage. I have had another response which may solve the problem. The thing is that I chatted with this couple often and everytime asked if they needed or wanted anything else, the consistant reply was "no thanks, we are all good, everything is great" 

Perhaps the suggestion of listing the provided breakfast within the house rules may solve this issue.

Thanks for your reply.

[Lisa40]

True, it is called a "b&b", but the "Air" also stands for air mattress. They are taking it too literally. Your listing should state whether breakfast is provided or not. That does not mean you are a short order cook that cooks whatever they wish. Most people would expect convenience foods like a continental breakfast and some juice and coffee.

[Marie262]

Thanks Lisa. this is true that most guests are more than happy with the amount and selection of continental goodies I leave for them.  We are surrounded by fabulous cafes too if they wish to venture out later for a cooked breakfast or as with this couple if they had asked/talked to me about it at the time I would of certainly provided.

[Marie262]

...I do think also as AirB&B is becoming more and more popular that people are missing the entire philosphy of its original beginnings and it is now another 3rd party booking site to find cheap accommodation often becoming confused with hotels.

[Karin38]

My listing states the I only supply a coffee and tea bar and bottled water. I usually add fruit, chocolates and granola bars but it's not expected and most guests don't eat it. So far so good... I've only had possitive responses.

[Louise0 · Accepted solution]

You currently have the property type listed as 'bed and breakfast', so you can't blame your guests for thinking you were an actual B & B.  If you don't want them to hold this expectation then you need to change the property type in the listing description.  Perhaps you could choose 'cabin' for the self-contained dwelling and 'house' for the two private rooms.

[Marie262]

Thanks Louise, excellent spotting and suggestion. Sometimes it is difficult to put an exact name on to the property.

[Eloise0]

Actually it is not B&B, it is BNB.  Writing a clear house description and house rules will go a long way to avoiding and solving most Hosts potential problems with Guests  as well as careful reading of all inquiries.  Only communicating through the airbnb email platform is another form of insurance policy for Hosts, that and never breaking your own rules or airbnb's contractual agreement.  Because of the medium that we use as Hosts to communicate with our Guests it is not the most ideal when it comes to content and context of a written email.  A Host needs to be much more diligent in how they communicate so that they avoid any miscommunications.  I hope  this helps as it has been a very effective way for me personally to avoid several potentially difficult situations.  Hosts get scored for communication.  Well communication by its very definition is a two way street, communicate well and expect your Guest to communicate well.  Happy Hosting.

Eloise

[Eloise0]

Actually it is not B&B, it is BNB.  Writing a clear house description and house rules will go a long way to avoiding and solving most Hosts potential problems with Guests  as well as careful reading of all inquiries.  Only communicating through the airbnb email platform is another form of insurance policy for Hosts, that and never breaking your own rules or airbnb's contractual agreement.  Because of the medium that we use as Hosts to communicate with our Guests it is not the most ideal when it comes to content and context of a written email.  A Host needs to be much more diligent in how they communicate so that they avoid any miscommunications.  I hope  this helps as it has been a very effective way for me personally to avoid several potentially difficult situations.  Hosts get scored for communication.  Well communication by its very definition is a two way street, communicate well and expect your Guest to communicate well.  Happy Hosting.

Eloise

[David126]

Most people do not read beyond the basics, I just rent rooms and on Monday and Tuesdays the options food wise around here are very limited, the places I normally mention are closed, so I make a point of mentioning this when I have people staying on those days, the only place I know that does a full breakfast is 30 minutes drive away and 3 times my price. You want to eat, do so well before you get here.

Still have people who seem clueless, even after I go to the added effort.

GPS always amuses me, I thought it was just me, but a lady in a local town, 20 bedrooms so big and on the main drag and very obvious, still has people getting lost because they just follow what their phone says. Somehow it is her fault.

I look at the info you provide as protection against people who make assumptions, no breakfast, correct, no kitchen correct, as listed.