@David3267 @Christine615 @Joe2196
There's nothing like a good old fashioned rant! It's cathartic and an OK thing!
The most likely (and least exciting) explanation for all of this is it's just bad luck. This line of work can be nothing but amazingness for days/weeks at a time. And then you get that 1 complete idiot. In fact (let's add to the rant!) JUST NOW, I had a guest that asked for an early check in earlier today (denied, no exceptions, check in @ 3PM) and she texts me at 2:57. "We’ve arrived, there is a car in the driveway." ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Of course, my crew is clearing out literally right at that moment. But this **bleep** couldn’t wait 3 fricken minutes! Because their time is SO IMPORTANT.
As for the age group of this behavior? I concur with Christine. I think the older guests can be horrific just as much as any age group. Most older folks want/expect a hotel, they just don't know it. We are not hotels! So you’re back pedaling the whole time. The same listing that an older guest would find “sort of funky and NOT luxurious” would be to a 30-something, “a place where you make me feel like I’m staring in my very own music video.” So it just depends. I'll take younger guests honestly! My troubles have always been with older folks (each of the five 4-star reviews out of the last 400 or so. . .).
I really enjoyed Joe’s FAQ for his listing based on lessons learned. Cleaver idea that I don’t think I would be able to add to my listings because I’m already saying so many other important things (that I know so few people read anyway).
Bottom line for David: it was just an unlucky succession of guests. You will be eventually rewarded by a few dozen good ones in a row. Just gotta have faith and be patient and continue being the great host that you are! NOTE! You mention in your “About” blurb on your profile that “We never fail to be disappointed with Dartmouth and all it offers.” Unless you mean that Dartmouth sucks (and it might!) you are using a common misnegation where you mean to say something positive but you are in fact saying something negative about the subject. 😉
Keep chins up and keep working hard hosts! This forum is so perfect for rants! You are not alone!