Casa Escondida B&B, Chimayo NM
We asked: How do you deal with kids at your inn? Your own and/or those of your guests? Do you welcome children without restrictions? On a limited basis? Not at all?
Kids welcome (usually)
"I accept children of all ages at my eight-room B&B. When taking a reservation, I ask about the children's ages, and suggest rooms that are most age-appropriate. I try not to put young children in any of the second floor rooms. I do not want the scampering footsteps of active young children to disturb guests in ground-level rooms below. Staircases and second-floor decks are also a concern with young children. Best for families are our ground-level guest rooms, detached from the main house. I charge $10 per night, per child under 12 years of age, and our standard adult rate of $18 per night for extra guests 12 years of age or over.
"I make no secret of the fact that we accept children. As far as I know, I've never lost a reservation from potential adult guests because of this. In my experience, families that frequent B&Bs tend to have well-educated and well-behaved children. While the majority of my clientele are couples, the families seem to blend in flawlessly."
Belinda Bowling, Casa Escondida Bed & Breakfast, Chimayo, NM
"We accommodate children, age three and up, in our two carriage house suites. We used to take children of all ages, but had a problem when a three-month-old cried all night and kept the people in the next room awake. I have sound-proofed the family-friendly guest rooms, but babies are babies…. After five years at the Victorian House, I can say that about 99% of the time all is well. "
Ken & Marcia Cerotzke, Victorian House, St. Augustine, FL
"My website says: 'Please inquire regarding the Inn's policy on children.' This accomplishes two things: Our romantic getaway guests like the fact that there is no emphasis on children, while parents do call to ask about 'our policy,' since so few B&Bs welcome kids. If a parent calls about a two-year-old, and admits the child cries sometimes, I say that what we have available is not suitable for children. If a wedding-night couple is registered, (and they usually book far advance), I'll say we have nothing available. Otherwise, we take all children regardless of age. We rarely have a problem since the people who want to stay in a B&B know that their children will not embarrass them. In all but two cases (in six years of innkeeping) we were delighted that we had the pleasure of sharing our home with these polite, charming, sweet children. When we haven't seen our grandchildren in a while, it's nice to have a baby to hug!"
Carol B. Williams, Avellan Inn ~ A Bed and Breakfast, Newberg, OR
"Kids are permitted here on a limited basis. There are no hard and fast rules, but I decide at the time that the reservation is made. When I turn away a guest with children, it's based on the fact that we don't have facilities for extra people in our cottages. For instance, when a couple wanted to stay with their 3-year old twin boys and an 11-month old, it was clear that our B&B was inappropriate. But, a well-tended infant is always welcome. A ratio of one child to two parents seems to work best. Some mention of the responsibility for the destruction of property is another reminder to parents to watch their children."
Greta Zeit, Backyard Garden Oasis, Middletown, CA
"When prospective guests ask if they can bring pre-schoolers, I tell them that our home is not childproof and for everyone's safety and comfort, the children need to be at least eight years old. Most people go to B&Bs to have a break from their kids and enjoy peace and quiet. We have made exceptions. Last January, we had a very slow weekend, and I got a call from a nice couple with three daughters, ranging in age from 4-12. I gladly consented and they were such a joy! My property consists of two houses and they were out back in two adjacent rooms. I think as long as the kids are not too young, and as long as they behave well and you don't have eight of them at one time -- it's usually okay.
Darell Jones, Carriage House B&B, Jefferson, TX
Adults preferred (usually)
"A B&B/inn cannot be all things to all guests. Each property needs a niche to fill and an image to portray to the traveling public. The Cornerstone is an elegant and cozy urban inn that caters to adult professionals - singles and couples. Sometimes parents need to get away from the kids and get back in touch with each other. Our urban inn is decorated with nice antiques, china, crystal, and porcelain, and (intentionally), doesn't have a child-friendly atmosphere.
"When our family of 15 (including six grandkids) comes to visit, we close down. We swap decorative antiques for toys, and replace the individual tables in the breakfast room with our large dining room table. The inn becomes a noisy and boisterous family home, and barely resembles Cornerstone B&B, an elegant and cozy urban inn."
Nadine Hermann and Dave Meade, Cornerstone B&B, Philadelphia PA
"For many years, we welcomed children. One of our four guest rooms had an additional bed and was totally insulated (floor, walls, ceiling) so other guests wouldn't hear the children. Then we had a couple with a small child. Dad went out during the day for job interviews while mother and child stayed in the B&B all day. Mom let the child have pretzels and Cheerios whenever and wherever. We were cleaning up Cheerios for days, under furniture, in the cushions, behind the furniture.
"Next came a four-year-old, accompanied by Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, plus babysitter. The child was screaming as he came in the door at 11 PM and was screaming again in the morning at breakfast. Breakfast was left uneaten because all were trying to calm him. After the parents left, the grandparents and the sitter stayed to care for the child. Despite this, the child managed to plug up the toilet with tissue, flooding two rooms. Big mess. Ironically, Mom, Dad, and Grandma were pediatricians and Grandpa was a child psychologist!
"I have since removed the extra bed, and limit occupancy to two persons per room. If there are three family members (Mom, Dad, and child), two rooms must be taken with one parent in the room with the child. No more problems with kids since because no one wants to take two rooms because of a small child.
Nila Haug, Golden Haug B&B, Iowa City, IA
"After a few years, we finally developed comfortable policy for children: If a family rents the whole house (three guest rooms), children of all ages are welcome. If the children disrupt other guests they are only disturbing family, not a couple who left their kids with the grandparents so they could have a romantic weekend away. Careful screening of people requesting to bring a child or children eliminates most problems. I always have ready the name and phone number of another inn that welcomes children, so I say, "I think your family will be very comfortable at ..." It works for us!"
June Campbell, Campbell Cottage B&B, Kelleys Island, OH
From the August 2004 issue of the Innkeeper News
Sarah Stotts
Marketing
BedandBreakfast.com
Inns.com
RezOvation
Sarah.Stotts@BedandBreakfast.com