Dear TripAdvisor

Dear TripAdvisor,

I'm breaking up with you. I want to say "it's not you, it's me", but that's not true. It is you. I don't want to be in this relationship anymore.

We had many good years. You won't remember, but we met in 2000 when you first came to town. I was different back then. You were too. I met you in another state, and you were the cool kid. It was sweet. It was new. We helped each other out. But I said good-bye in 2009 when I moved away. 

I came back to you in 2011. I needed you. I knew you were a player, but you filled a need. I was willing to pay for your services. The cost was $288 in 2011; $326.78 in 2012; and $524.14 in 2013. In 2014 you wanted $1,800. We negotiated and you said you could continue to give love for $900. That was too much for my tastes, so I said "no".

Then you called a few months later to say you wanted me back. You wanted $3,450. Nothing changed other than I rejected you and you were insulted. You took away my past client discount. If I wanted to have you again, it would cost - an increase of 558% to be exact. Nothing new, nothing different. Same services but at a very different price. I said no.

You called again, and again, and again.

Each time, I relived and rehashed what I didn't like about our relationship. I told you I was willing to reconsider, but you weren't willing to change. You wanted $3,450. The discussions were heated and sometimes you hung up on me; sometimes I hung up on you. This is not healthy.

This last conversation, I said we are at an impasse. I won't be told how wrong I am, how I'm making a bad decision, how I just don't understand how important you are. I won't be bullied, shamed, or guilted into taking you back.

I belong to a support group with many who have said good-bye to you. We talk....a lot. We share details on how each of us fared in our relationships with you. It's been helpful, cathartic, and reaffirming. We shouldn't be taken for granted. We want to be heard. We want to be with you, but we just can't put ourselves through this anymore. This relationship does not work.

Since we've split, I've grown - by 14.2% to be exact, and I did it all on my own. You didn't like this. You told me I'm making a bad decision. You said I still need you, but I'm doing fine without you.

It's been almost a year that we've been having these conversations but it is time for my exit. I think you have value, but I also know you don't treat me well. This dysfunction has to end.

We were friends once, but things change. Let us part and move on.

With sincerity,
Donna Olney Kohler
+Fig Street Inn 
Cape Charles, Virginia

B&B? What exactly is a bed & breakfast?

I recently attended an innkeeping conference where one of the keynote speakers said that you need to let potential guests know what you are not. Interesting….well, here is what +Fig Street Inn is NOT: 

Although it was a treat to sleep over my grandmas house as a little girl, that is not what you get at Fig Street Inn. We do not have:

·      Wallpaper

·      Doilies

·      Furniture you are not allowed to sit on or use.

·      Matchy-matchy decor with curtains that match comforters and pillows that match wallpaper borders (seriously, there is no wallpaper in this house).

·      Curfews. Come and go as you please.

·      Forced socialization. You want to talk to other guests or us, great. You don't want to, no offense taken. 

·      Small coffee cups. Antique china sure is pretty and we have quite a few sets, but when it comes to having a cup of coffee (or tea), we believe in a large mug. 

Fig Street Inn may be our home, but our #1 priority is the guest. We follow a philosophy that it is your vacation so let's make it what you want, not what we want. What that means is:

When do you want to check-in?

Sure we have scheduled hours, and no, we can't do check-in at 11:30 am (we do have to clean rooms). But if you want to come early, just let us know so we can make sure someone is here to welcome you. Drop off your stuff and if the room is ready, it's yours. If not, drop off your stuff, and then go out and enjoy your day. We’ll call or text as soon as it’s ready, and you can come back at your leisure. 

When would you like to eat breakfast?

We serve breakfast from 8:30 to 9:30 am so come to the Dining Room any where in that hour and we'll make you a hot, made-to-order breakfast. If you need to start your day earlier, let us know the day before and we can typically accommodate an earlier breakfast.

What would you like to have for breakfast?

We do a made-to-order breakfast. We do not believe in the "you get what you get, and you don't get upset" that far too many b&bs serve. We wouldn't want to eat salmon and green salad or a double stuffed French toast with chocolate covered bananas, so we would never tell you that’s what you’re eating either. We have an entrée of the day (eggs/omelettes to order, pancakes, French toast, waffles or crepes) and there is always a choice of at least 4 preparations. It is made hot, specifically for you – not in a one-size fits all casserole dish that is only hot at 9 am. And if the entrée is not what you want, we can always make fried or scrambled eggs, or choose from a selection of cereals, yogurts, or oatmeal. 

Stay connected, or disconnect - you decide.  

Many guests choose a b&b because they want a relaxing getaway, but it is not for us to decide what that means. Each room has a large, flat screen TV with Bluray player (and we have a video library with 300+ movies), and far too many satellite channels to choose from. If you want to watch TV, great; if you don’t, great; but it’s your choice. And our WiFi signal rocks! If you want to watch a movie on your laptop or tablet, go for it.

Want to recharge?

For some that means disconnecting, so turn off that phone, computer and TV. For others, it means being able to plug in all their gadgets. All of our rooms have ample and accessible outlets, including USB ports. You don’t have to move any furniture to get to the one outlet that’s somewhere behind the bed.

The beauty of b&bs is that each one is unique and we encourage potential guests to do their research and ask questions. There is a b&b out there for everyone, and Fig Street Inn may not be the right fit for you. And that’s okay. We don’t pretend to be the end all and be all. Our goal is a great, personalized hospitality experience where you feel welcome, comfortable, and relaxed. You are the guest. Let’s make this about you!