Blankets

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

I've just had my assessment and was told I need to be able to offer a choice of sheets and blankets as well as duvets. I don't possess any blankets or flat sheets and suspect I will never be asked to provide them, so am obviously reluctant to buy in all sizes (I have a king, a double & 2 single beds).

I was wondering if anyone out there has ever been asked by a guest to provide bankets?

[_Sharpe]

North Americans are more used to flat sheets and duvets or quilts but not blankets really. They think that it's very odd that you don't have a flat sheet. They think that you've forgotten it and the bed is just "half-made". I just have duvets and I have flat sheets plus an extra blanket in the wardrobe in case they need it. I use the duvets plus flats in half my rooms and just duvets in the other. If I know that I have North Americans or Australians, then I make sure that they have the flat sheet as well as the fitted and duvet. One person requested no flat sheet but I've had no other complaints.

[Raincliffe1]

Yes, I have a couple in the next few weeks who have requested blankets. I have a blanket for each room in a zipped bag in each wardrobe. I'm afraid they are rarely used - if it is cold I have portable heaters for guests to use overnight when the heating is off.

I have a mixture of thick fleece ones (must be anti-pill or they shed bits everywhere) and honeycomb waffle type (also acrylic). Merino wool ones are very nice, but cost quite a bit considering how often they are used. It's the age old thing, will guests pay any more because they have luxurious wool blankets available if they need them? No, I don't think so.

For this couple arriving in the next few weeks, I will put a top sheet on with 2 blankets on, plus the one in the wardrobe if they so need it. As long as they are decent size, adequate thickness and obviously clean conditions it should be fine I guess.

Katherine

[Val Marriner]

I've just had my assessment and was told I need to be able to offer a choice of sheets and blankets as well as duvets. I don't possess any blankets or flat sheets and suspect I will never be asked to provide them, so am obviously reluctant to buy in all sizes (I have a king, a double & 2 single beds).

I was wondering if anyone out there has ever been asked by a guest to provide bankets?

Exactly twice in four years. Both times elderly guests. We advertise the availibility of blankets/sheets on our website - so if anyone wanted them, we would have heard, I think.
My daughter (age 44) tells me that her generation simply don't know how to sleep with sheets and blankets - they get terribly tangled up apparently.
There's a difference between 'quality' and a personal prejudice. I would ask for a 2nd opinion from someone in the appraisal division with experience in your market.
However, if your inspector is intransigent, v. cheap sheets - buy one pair for the biggest bed, and a blanket throw. Since you'll probably never be asked to supply them, one set is enough.
And change inspectors. Find one who will help you build your business. It's supposed to be a positive partnership.

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

Thanks for the replies, much what I expected about the popularity of sheets and blankets!

A stroke of luck - my parents are rather unexpectedly moving house and have to fit the contents of a 2 bed semi bungalow (with large loft!) into a 1 bed retirement flat. So I now have assorted blankets and flat sheets and a couple of bedspread thingies so I can at least provide a couple of singles and a double with the requisite bedding, albeit somewhat mismatched and some pretty ancient (but clean, of course!)

I did wonder about the sheet with duvet option early on but it does seem a lot of extra washing (and ironing, I have all 100% cotton bed linen except for the stuff I have now inherited!)

As far as the inspector goes, he was very helpful but I did feel that some of the 'rules' could be a little more flexible. I haven't had my written report yet but hope to get it this week.

[Joyce Taylor]

Providing 2 sheets means that the duvet cover stays clean(cos it never touches the guests) we use 2 flat cotton sheets which don`t belong to us they belong to the laundry. It costs us 96p for 2 sheets to be washed & pressed and I do the pillowcases in house.We provide a heavy fleece throw folded on the foot of every bed as we are high up in the Cheviot hills and we are open all year.

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

Providing 2 sheets means that the duvet cover stays clean(cos it never touches the guests)

But surely you'd still have to wash the duvet cover? Who knows what might have been going on on top of it. :-s

[Raincliffe1]

Interesting what you said about 2 sheets. I used to use this method until I was picked up by the Hotel Inspector. I was told (despite my protestations that the duvet does not touch a guest's skin) that you cannot just assume that guests have slept between the sheets. Apparently, it is inevitable that some guests will sleep on top of both sheets thus presenting a hygiene issue in reusing the duvet and its cover. Therefore, to guard against this scenariio it is preferable to use one sheet and one duvet plus cover. And yes, it is a pain at times!

Katherine

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

Interesting what you said about 2 sheets. I used to use this method until I was picked up by the Hotel Inspector. I was told (despite my protestations that the duvet does not touch a guest's skin) that you cannot just assume that guests have slept between the sheets. Apparently, it is inevitable that some guests will sleep on top of both sheets thus presenting a hygiene issue in reusing the duvet and its cover. Therefore, to guard against this scenariio it is preferable to use one sheet and one duvet plus cover. And yes, it is a pain at times!

Katherine

That's what I thought. They're not necessarily going to get into bed to watch TV, and may or may not be clothed whilst doing so.

It's the ironing that gets me, takes ages so if I get really busy I'll invest in some sort of steamer or press. Especially since I now know you have to change the sheets etc very 4 nights (a pain if someone's staying for 5) to keep a 4 star rating. I suppose I could always ask guests - the majority of mine seem very keen to make their own beds in any case, shame to undo their good work!

[Briarscourt]

We have wool blankets in rooms if needed (rarely used) but don't supply top flat sheet unless asked. We did at first, and guests invariably slept on the top sheet, so you had to wash/iron top, bottom and duvet cover. Italians are surprised if there's no top sheet, and ask for it, also elderly guests.

Lidl and Aldi regularly sell ultra lightweight cotton/silk or wool duvers, perfect for summer use, so we've bought a variety of these. If it's chilly, the blankets supplied can go on top.

I agree totally with the inflexibility of Visit Britain's requirements, and they were discussed on You and Yours recently about how much they charge and what you get for it. They can be a bit out of date, though our recent assessor was very nice and helpful.

Have you thought of not ironing bottom fitted sheets? if airblown dry on the line (I use tumble drier only as a dire necessary, with the environment in mind) they look fine when stretched tight on the bed, and no-one has every commented. Valerie

[Sue: White Horse Walking Holidays]

Have you thought of not ironing bottom fitted sheets? if airblown dry on the line (I use tumble drier only as a dire necessary, with the environment in mind) they look fine when stretched tight on the bed, and no-one has every commented. Valerie

My assessor commented - and there were only a few creases, mainly from the sheets having been folded in the drawer!

I've just invested in a very posh steam generating iron - I got the one with the most steam, and it works very well. Now I could do with a bigger board for those king sized duvet covers. How on earth do people manage with super-kings?