to think this is unusual? B&B ringing to ask what time we'll arrive.

[CuriousMama]

They rang this morning and asked this. Dp and I are staying at this B&B over the weekend, haven't been before. I was a bit flustered when they asked as our arrival depends on when the dcs are picked up by exdh. I asked if we had to give a specific time and he said yes as he'll have staff ready. They give you bucks fizz and a hot towel on arrival, maybe that's why? I can leave dcs tbh as they're old enough but I'm always worried they don't turn everything off. Can't rely on exdh to do that.

I'm not worried about it but just wondered if anyone else has had this?

[exoticfruits]

It is a small business- they have a life! If you are not going to arrive until 6pm they don't have to be in at 4pm.

[CuriousMama]

Ruby am afraid not we're off to Northumberland for a dirty weekend for two WGW is great though.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Very common for small B&Bs especially - I know a few people who run B&Bs single handed. They can't be at home all day.

[thebody]

No get it but just not for me... Totally understand the fact that flight details dictate our arrival but I haven't had to chat to the hotelier myself as paid courier to do it.

Greatest respect to b&b owners though.

[Cynner]

I am v taken with hot towel. Will you stand in foyer rubbing your face and hands with towel? What then? Do you hand towel back to B&B hosts, carry it with you, or drop it discreetly to the side..
As you can see, am not posh, and have never been confronted with by towel people..

[CuriousMama]

I'm rather dreading it tbh Cynner You can't refuse it though can you?

[Cynner]

I should think not! It just seems a bit daunting to me..hot towel in one hand, Bucks in the other..
I do hope you have a fabulous time though. I would so love to be going on a mini break..

[FairPhyllis]

It is normal although the Bucks Fizz and hot towel certainly aren't!

[CuriousMama]

I'm hoping we get to sit in the lounge and they bring them?

[JessieMcJessie]

What's WGW?

[RubyCreakingGates]

WGW

[KittyFane1]

I'm guessing the hot towel thing comes from back when people arrived at their upmarket hotel after a long journey by steam train (or horse and carriage).
It's a polite way of making sure that you are clean before you enter their establishment!!

[schoolgovernor]

Oh, I fell about reading threads on another forum some time ago that would have explained very clearly why people in B+B's find it handy to know when guests are arriving. I now always let a B+B know roughly when I'll be there as a result. Oh, and never, ever, ring up poor B+B owners after about 9.30 at night. You never know what time they need to get up to do breakfast for other guests!
Here's one of the threads explorehorse.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=4&action=display&thread=990

[schoolgovernor]

Let's try that again explorehorse.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=4&action=display&thread=990

[Loveweekends10]

I recently got asked in more subtly. She asked if I was coming by car.mi said yes she then said well I can sort a space outside for you if you let me know the approximate time you are arriving. I thought wow that's great.

[Trills]

Not unusual for a small B&B, they'll want to make sure that they are ready and that they haven't just popped to the shops or gone out to walk the dog.

[schoolgovernor]

It's not a problem though is it? Hotels have an earliest arrival time, and a time at which they will release a room in the evening if they haven't heard from the guest. The difference is that if people arrive early at a hotel there will be someone to speak to them and maybe sit them down with a coffee somewhere if their room isn't available. A B+B is normally run by people from their home, so they need to know when they can safely be out for a few hours. I'm sure people get unreasonably annoyed if they turn up and nobody is in - even if they have turned up early. I'd never run a B+B - a thankless task! I like staying in them though. A child-friendly B+B can be a nice option for families.

[Mrsjay]

I'm rather dreading it tbh Cynner You can't refuse it though can you?

Take it smile sweetly and then hope they show you to your room although it might be in your room and you can just wipe your face with it , maybe they think you need to 'freshen up ' after your journey OR it isn't as posh as you think and it is actually all the hot water you will get all weekend

[Cynner]

Oh God MrsJay! I hope not! I picture long hot baths in deep tubs at a B&B..think how manky guests would be from all that shaggingsightseeing..

[Lavenderhoney]

What did you say in the end? They were checking you were going to show, then probably wanted to make sure it was going to be perfect for your arrival:) can you say around a certain time due to your child-care arrangements and you'll call when an hour away ? Have a great time.. Am quite jealous:)

[CuriousMama]

It was fabulous and we sat in the lounge to have our bucks fizz and hot flannel This is the B&B. The rooms are half price. The housekeeper was lovely and showed us the Lauren suite, the pics on there don't do it justice, it's amazing! I'm really tempted to book another break in there, might even go for our honeymoon? Dp likes the blue room too. They're all lovely tbh.

A big plus for us is all the pubs have real ale

[Cynner]

Brilliant! I love the Blue Room...am v happy the towel/ Buck worked out satisfactorily...

[CuriousMama]

Yes we loved the blue room too. All the rooms are nice tbh.

[Mrsjay]

Glad you had a lovely time and didn't have an awkward towel moment the B n B looks lovely

[CuriousMama]

Thanks Mrsjay, it's really lovely, can't wait to go back. The Italian we went to was amazing too. We had a few things planned but ended up eating, drinking and staying in the room mostly
I've had tons of stress since coming back so could do with returning, soon!