I would love to know how other hosts deal with the issue of visitors arriving without permission, to visit the guests booked into the property.
We have a small apartment attached to our house but completely separate with its own front door and all facilities. It is very obviously set up for two people ONLY and the entry on the website makes it clear that it is unsuitable for children or pets.
A couple of days ago we welcomed a couple to the apartment, gave them the usual information, answered their questions etc. At the end of the conversation a comment was very casually dropped about the fact that there would be visitors that would be coming to dinner. No permission was requested and no mention was made of family groups. Our understanding is that, when the apartment is hired, it is for the use of the registered guests ONLY and not to be used as a venue for any type of gathering or party.
Yesterday evening I noticed a car parked in our driveway and a family including two children got out. I asked politely if I could help them and was told that they were visiting the guests who were booked into our apartment. We were never asked if it would okay for extra people to visit but the very nature of the apartment (the size of the accommodation and there being seating for only two people in the lounge, for example) should have suggested that there certainly was not enough room for six people! I immediately informed the "visitors" that we did not accept children on site and mentioned that we make this very clear on the website. They were obviously disgruntled and all got back into the car and drove off. A little while later, I knocked on the door of the apartment to speak to our guests, however, during the conversation they became quite irate, saying that they had not seen anything on the website about not accepting children and were very disappointed. At that point I ended the discussion as I did not feel that anything further could be achieved.
I feel really upset by this incident and loathe the bad atmosphere that we now have endure for another four nights. We pride ourselves with always helping our guests as much as we can when they have any extra requirements or need help with anything and we go out of our way to be friendly and welcoming. This is certainly not an experience that I EVER wish to repeat.
Please feel free to let me know any thoughts or similar experiences you have had - I would be so grateful. I really am at a loss to know whether I have been mean and should have just given in, or if I did the right thing. It's left me feeling very uncomfortable. There is also the issue of whether insurance would cover extra "visitors" with whom we have no contract. In addition, I feel it is extremely poor manners not to request permission for sundry others, unknown to us, to occupy our property, using all the facilities without at least giving notice to the hosts that this is what was planned, let alone not offering a small extra payment.
Many thanks for any comments, suggestions or thoughts on this subject 🙂
