The Innkeeping Blog

Ok, the day has just about arrived. I am off to the Chambered Nautilus bed and breakfast on an early morning flight Monday for my intensive innkeeping experience under the watchful eye of owner/innkeeper, Joyce Schulte.

What are my expectations? My hope is that in the four short days, I will be put to the test and get a good feel for the complex, difficult days innkeepers experience. I already have a sense of this from my frequent discussions with innkeepers. But, there’s nothing like experiencing it first-hand, even if it’s for a short while.

I want to interact with guests and potential guests…cook breakfasts…clean rooms and bathrooms…discuss with Joyce what strategic issues she may be dealing with. From what Joyce tells me, next week will be a busy one. She said to me in an email last night, “Things are shaping up nicely for next week. So far on the guest list, I have a dog, a baby, and a family of 4 on top of the usual academics and average travelers.” This is exactly what I was hoping for – a busy house, but not too busy for the innkeeper to spend ample time with me.

I hear through the grapevine that innkeepers have been communicating with Joyce, sharing their suggestions on what I should do while at the inn – or better yet, what should be done TO me! Some supposedly have suggested to Joyce that some nightmare guests should be planted, so that I get to face some REAL challenges. I am detecting a bit of hazing! Hey, but that’s ok. That’s what this is about.

I look forward to reporting how things are going on this blog. I was told by someone, “If you have time to blog, then Joyce isn’t keeping you busy enough.” Hopefully, I will squeeze a few minutes to keep an online journal.

I welcome your comments and thoughts!

A few weeks ago, the PAII Board of Directors met at The Montford Inn (www.montfordinn.com) in Norman, Oklahoma, for our fall meeting. Besides having a great meeting, I had the good fortune of observing the Murray family in action as they took care of all their guests. There certainly was a good deal of hustle and bustle to accommodate the needs of our group, especially considering we had our meeting onsite as well. The experience reminded me that the warmth and service provided by the innkeepers themselves are as important as the comfort and lure of the building and rooms. The Murray family provided an example of fine innkeeping indeed.

The experience also spurred a thought. Could I hack it as an innkeeper? Well, let’s see. I spent years in the kitchen and waiting tables at family restaurants. My wife and I have a revolving door in our house, always welcoming friends and family. And when we do, we break out all the amenities and cook full breakfasts. I’ve been working in—and for—hospitality industries for over a decade. I like to think I’m a “people person.” I’ve owned rental properties for many years, doing almost all the maintenance work myself. I understand budgeting, marketing, P&L sheets, etc. I think that’s a fairly good résumé. BUT…nothing prepares you for innkeeping like innkeeping. I want to put myself to the test, albeit a short one.

Therefore, I am making myself available as an employee for a short duration to one lucky (or unlucky, depending on how things turn out) innkeeper this winter. If you would like to have me come and work for you for a few days at your inn, doing whatever it is you need done to help make the time a successful one for your inn and your guests—hire me! My salary requirements? Only my own bedroom and bathroom. I will come prepared to do whatever you need me to do, such as plunge toilets, scramble eggs, pour coffee, pull weeds, make beds, etc. As much as I can, I want to observe and live the life of an innkeeper.

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