Looking to Schedule a Tour, or Have B&B Questions? Contact Us Today! 405-760-9984
3500 N. Coltrane Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73121 ~ Within the beautiful community of Forest Park! (Not Edmond)
Bed and Breakfast Etiquette AND FAQ ~ courtesy of bedandbreakfast.com
First time staying at a bed and breakfast? It is different than staying at a chain hotel. Read about proper bed and breakfast etiquette so you know what to expect and also how to act. Some take kids and pets, some don’t. Some serve breakfast at one time only, some have a range. Don’t choose a bed and breakfast that can’t accommodate your needs and expect them to change things for you once you arrive. Below, we have answered the most common questions about staying at a bed and breakfast.
You are staying in someone’s home ~ Although in private quarters
When staying at a bed and breakfast realize you are staying in someone’s home. You should treat the house with respect just as you would if staying with good friends. There are policies to follow that have been set up for a reason. You wouldn't take a white towel from your friend’s house and use it to wipe off your make up. Bed and breakfasts don’t have the budget or staff of a chain hotel and a stained towel takes time to clean and sometimes the towel will not be savable. This is an expense for a bed and breakfast that will cost them time or money cleaning or replacing the towel. Common courtesy. Your innkeepers do want you to have a good time though so don’t hesitate to ask if there is something you need.
Is there a front desk?
Most bed and breakfasts don’t have a front desk. Again, you are staying in someone’s house. You wouldn't tell your friends that you’ll be arriving at their home between 4-5pm and then show up at 10pm without calling or texting. Innkeepers wear many hats and don’t have time to sit behind a front desk. They are the cook, housekeeper, concierge, marketer, accountant, maintenance person, gardener and much more. Usually someone can be reached by phone most hours if you need help.
Check in/out times:
Bed and breakfast check in times can vary. Usually they don’t start until after 3pm. Realize that the limited staff only has from check out (usually 10:30 am) to check in (usually 3pm) to get the house and rooms cleaned, do all the laundry, run errands, prep food, answer phones and emails, maintenance and gardening and much more in a short time frame. Just because you arrived into town early doesn't mean you should be able to check into your room early. If you didn’t arrange for an early check in ahead of time, don’t just drop by and expect you can get into your room before the normal check in hour. This can really upset the flow of duties that need to be done to be ready for everyone’s check in at 3pm. Remember, bed and breakfasts have very limited staff and every minute counts!
***Check-in time at The Monastery at Forest Lake is between 3pm and 8pm. Check out time is promptly at 10:30 am. Please let us know if you will be arriving after 8pm so we may arrange special late check-in instructions. A $25 late check-in/check-out fee will apply as applicable. There are no check-in's accepted after 11pm for the courtesy of other guests.***
Breakfast:
Staying at a bed and breakfast includes of course, breakfast! Be sure to ask or look at the website to see what kind of breakfast they serve. Some are just continental (pastries, coffee and juice), some are continental plus (pastries, coffee, juice, cereal and milk, fruit), and some include a hot entree. If you have any dietary restrictions, be sure to let the innkeeper know before you arrive. They are always willing to try to accommodate but it is more difficult without any warning. Most bed and breakfasts don’t have a restaurant and make the same thing for everyone, so last minute adjustments can be more difficult.
***The breakfast menu at The Monastery changes daily. Cofffee, Hot Cococa, Hot Tea, Bottled Water and Juice are also provided in the dining area, or out on our open porch (seasonally). We serve breakfast at 9:00 or 9:30am. We have an Early Bird "to go" option with advanced notice.***
Do I have to eat breakfast with everyone else?
At The Monastery, we offer private tables, inside and outside, for dining. You can talk to other people if you wish, or you can enjoy the views and privacy (like a restaurant) at your private table.
Can you accommodate our vegetarian and gluten free diets?
With notice, The Monastery can accommodate both vegetarian and gluten free diets. When making your reservation using our online system, please make a note of your dietary restrictions.
Do you allow children or pets?
Some bed and breakfasts allow pets or children or both, some do not. Be sure to ask when booking.
***The Monastery is pet free and based on the romantic, peaceful setting we try to provide for our guests, we elect to offer an adult only facility for an overall relaxing experience.***
How many people can sleep in your guest rooms?
All guest rooms accommodate only two people. We do not have cots or pullout sofas. More than two guests in one bed, or sleeping on the guest room floor, is not permitted.
Are the rooms cleaned daily?
At The Monastery, we offer daily room freshening. With permission to enter your room (or request by door hanger) we empty the trash, and replace used towels. If staying multiple days, the sheets will be changed upon request.
Do your guest rooms have private baths?
Most bed and breakfasts these days offer private baths.
***All of our guest rooms at The Monastery have their own private bathroom. We do not have any shared bathrooms.***
Do the innkeepers live onsite?
Yes they do.
***At The Monastery you can reach someone 24/7 for anything you need. Please just keep in mind that running a bed and breakfast is a tiring job with long days. We appreciate if you call with standard requests between the hours of 11am and 8pm unless it is an immediate need.***
Are the guest rooms air-conditioned?
At The Monastery all of our guest rooms have wall-mounted ductless heating and cooling units with the exception of The Robert S Kerr Hide-A-Way, which has guest-controlled thermostat just outside the room.
Do you have free parking and Complimentary Wi-Fi?
At The Monastery we do. There is secured free on-site parking and WiFi access for overnight guests.
Can I come and go as I please?
Yes. At The Monastery, you have your own key to the house and your room. You can come and go 24/7, just like a hotel. However we do ask you to keep noise levels to a minimum during quiet hours as a courtesy to other guests.
Are you handicap accessible?
Unfortunately we aren't based on the 1928 bi-level construction of the property, unfortunately we aren't able to provide any ADA rooms. .
Do you have a pool, hot tub, or whirlpool bathtubs?
At The Monastery we have a large outdoor, heated pool that is open during the summer months. We have a year round Hot Tub that is inside of our Green house, just off the deck entering the B&B. We don't have time restrictions on their use. We also provide a Hot Tub reservation option. This allows for privacy for an hour at a time.
Damage:
General Information: If something gets damaged, broken or otherwise, don’t hide it. Let your innkeeper know what happened soon as you can. Especially if a spill, like a glass of red wine, so they can minimize damage and get things cleaned up quickly as possible so there aren’t any permanent stains. If you broke something accidentally, let them know that also. Just like you would if you were at a friends’ house. Innkeepers know that accidents happen. That being said, using common sense when trying to prevent damage to their home or property is highly appreciated. Leaving a dripping bottle on the antique table or using one of their white towels to wipe off your car would not be appreciated. Your innkeeper would be more than happy to provide you with a coaster or a rag. Just ask.
Courtesy:
It is our responsibility to clearly communicate what we expect of and offer our guests. We also need our guests to be clear in asking for what they need to make their stay the most enjoyable. For instance, if you know you will be arriving late, make a courtesy call to the B&B and find out what you should do. Many bed and breakfast tasks are scheduled around when they expect their guests to arrive. Remember, you are staying in someone’s house. They don’t have the 24-hour staff of a chain hotel. Think of it more like you are staying with friends. We ask that if something isn’t right, that you let us know so we have the opportunity to make it right. That may not always be possible, but we will do our best. If you haven’t given the innkeeper the chance to address your concerns, it is truly the worst etiquette to later leave a bad review of the property.
Is a bed and breakfast for everyone?
Most, but not all. Some people have the impression that the B&B is in someone’s house and that the bath is not in the room. Some B&B’s don’t have TV’s. At The Monastery all of our rooms have private baths, locking doors, 32″ or larger TV’s, Wi-Fi, and offer complete privacy for our guests, in addition to common areas for lounging. The Inn Keepers live in a separate quarters, not shared with guests. If you are not sure if a B&B is right for you, call us and we can answer any questions over the phone. It is not the same as staying at a chain hotel. It's usually quaint, charming, and truly designed to be a home away from home.
Why should we stay at The Monastery at forest lake?
Shortly after opening in January of 2019, we rapidly became Oklahoma City's top ranking 5 Star, historical B&B. This 1928, 10,000 sqft residence on 14 acres, with a 4 acre lake, is a hidden nature lovers gem of country life with the convenience of dining, day activities, Bricktown strolling and night life within a 15 minute drive! As both the Owners, and Inn Keepers, we have servant's hearts, with a drive to succeed. That success can only come from the satisfaction of your stay, and when you send your family and friends back to us, we feel a personal duty to uphold that referral!
For the complete History Virtual Tour presented by Matthew Pierce - Click Below!